Multiple Gas Stations Burglarized Via Holes Knocked In Walls
November 28, 2011
Multiple gas stations along the Gulf Coast have been burglarized through holes knocked in their exterior walls over the past week — including Raceway locations in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Escambia County
One of the latest burglaries occurred in Escambia County.
During the early morning hours on Sunday, someone knocked a hole through a wall of the Raceway gas station at 7910 Pine Forest Road. Once inside, the suspect or suspects cut open a safe and took an undisclosed amount of cash.
Anyone with information on that burglary is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Santa Rosa County
A similar burglary occurred late Saturday night or early Sunday morning at the Raceway convenience store at 2783 Avalon Boulevard. A large hole was knocked in the exterior wall of the building, and the thieves cut their way into a safe.
Anyone with information is asked to call Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
Mobile and Mossy Head
Similar through-the-wall burglaries have occurred at a Raceway in Mossy Head on November 22, and at three separate stores in Mobile within the past week.
No Injuries When Man Hits Loaded School Bus
November 28, 2011
There were no injuries when a car hit a school bus with 21 students on board this morning in Ensley.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the Escambia Charter School bus driven yb 52-year old Patricia Porterfield was traveling north on Fowler Avenue near West Nine One Half Mile Road when Gregory Palmer pulled his 1996 Ford Thunderbird out of a driveway into the path of the bus.
The front of Palmer’s Thunderbird collided with the side of the bus, causing minor damage to both vehicles.
Palmer, 37, was cited with failure to yield right of way.
Despite Crying Foul, Defeated Century Mayoral Candidate Skips Challenge
November 28, 2011
The outspoken loser in Century’s recent mayoral elections did not file any official challenges over his loss, despite crying foul and throwing out multiple allegations.
Following the October general election, Henry Hawkins said he planned to protest his loss to incumbent Freddie McCall. According to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford and Florida Secretary of State Communications Director Chris Cate, no local or state challenge was received from Hawkins. The Florida Secretary of State’s Office oversees the Florida Division of Elections.
According to Cate and Stafford, Hawkins missed the final deadline by which a complaint should have been received.
Final unofficial totals showed McCall was reelected with 61 percent of the vote — 293 votes to Hawkins’ 186 votes. McCall received 150 absentee votes, while Hawkins received 30. It’s the absentee votes where Hawkins said the election was flawed, he told NorthEscambia.com shortly after the final totals were announced.
“I know there’s been problems with absentee ballots,” Hawkins said on election night. “That’s what I’m questioning, I’m challenging…is that election process. If it’s not fair, it’s not fair.”
He claimed three people attempted to vote in person Tuesday at Century City Hall, but they were told they had already voted absentee when, in fact, that had not.
“I don’t mind losing; I’m not a sore loser,” he said. “But I like to be beat fair and square. And this was not fair at all. I can’t compete against a man that has everything from the city at his disposal, so he’s paving streets, putting up speed breakers as special favors and also letting people’s water bills slide.”
McCall will be officially sworn in for his second four year term as mayor in early January 2012.
Pictured: Defeated Century mayoral candidate Henry Hawkins writes down vote totals as they are announced during the October general election for mayor and two Century council seats. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Heating System Upgrades At Northview High
November 28, 2011
Repairs are underway on a heating water piping system for the gym at Northview High School. The project was awarded to low bidder Comfort Systems USA Southeast for $58,253. Officials said the old piping between the main school building and the gym had deteriorated. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Prepares For State Semifinal Game With Chipley
November 28, 2011
It’s only the second trip ever to the Class 1A state semifinal as the Northview Chiefs will be looking for a little redemption Friday night against Chipley.
The Chipley Tigers beat the Chiefs 34-27 in the second game of the regular season, knocking Northview out of No. 1 spot in the state poll for Class 1A. In the final regular season poll of the year, Chipley finished at No. 4, while the Chiefs were No. 5.
That loss to Chipley was a dose of reality for the Chiefs, according to coach Sid Wheatley.
“We have been through some battles now, and I think we are ready for that (another chance at Chipley),” Wheatley said.
The Chiefs (8-3) will have the home field advantage Friday night at 7:30 in Bratt as they host Chipley (10-2). Admission is $9 with no passes.
The winner of the Northview vs. Chipley semifinal match will face the winner of Friday night’s Jefferson County (7-5) vs. Union County (11-0) game in the state championship game on December 9 in Orlando’s Citrus Bowl.
For details and photos from last Friday night’s Northview defeat of Freeport, click here.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs defeated Freeport for the regional crown Friday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Weekend In Photos
November 28, 2011
If you missed NorthEscambia.com over the weekend, you missed over 200 photos from several events. Click an item below to view the corresponding story and/or photo gallery.
Escambia Man Gets 20 Years For Robbing Cab Driver
November 28, 2011
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the robbery of a cab driver in 2010.
Terrence Scott, 20, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Nicholas Geeker to 20 years in state prison for his November 9th conviction by an Escambia County jury for robbery armed with a firearm. The sentence carries a 10 year mandatory minimum under Florida’s 10-20-Life law.
On August 2, 2010, the carjacking victim had been unpacking his rental car at the Howard Johnson motel on Pensacola Boulevard, when Scott approached him and asked to borrow his cell phone. Scott next asked for a cigarette, and the victim handed him one. Moments later, Scott pulled out a silver handgun and instructed the victim to empty his pockets. The victim told Scott he did not have anything in his pockets.
Scott replied, “I will shoot you, man.” Scott struck the victim’s head with the gun, then told him to start the car and open the car trunk. The victim complied. When Scott ordered the victim to get inside the trunk, the victim refused, fearing he would be killed. Scott jumped into the car and drove away. A little more than 24 hours later, on Wednesday, August 4, Scott crashed the stolen car and abandoned it in a back yard in a residential area, while being pursued by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies.
Scott fled the car on foot and was captured by the deputies within minutes of the crash. The handgun Scott had used in the carjacking was found behind the driver’s seat of the rental car.
BBB Warns Of Phishing Emails
November 28, 2011
Better Business Bureau Serving Northwest Florida is warning of an email phishing scam that is using the BBB’s name.
The scam, reported across the country, including in northwest Florida, uses a false BBB e-mail address to entice recipients to access potentially damaging hyperlinks and attachments, according to Karen Szulczewski of the local BBB.
None of the BBB’s computer or e-mail systems is involved in this hoax and the attack has not affected the computer system of the BBB or compromised any BBB-held data, she said.
The latest round of emails appear to come from risk, alert or service at bbb.org, along with other spoofed email addresses.
The BBB is warning recipients of such emails not to click any included links or open any attachments.
Appeals Court Rules Against State’s Effort To Stop School Funding Lawsuit
November 28, 2011
A divided appeals court last week ruled against the state’s effort to stop a lawsuit over school funding.
The case now may head to the Florida Supreme Court, which could then decide whether a trial court can hear the case. In an 8-7 opinion, the First District Court of Appeals said trial courts do have the ability to decide whether the state has violated a constitutional provision guaranteeing a high-quality public school system.
The state had argued that the lawsuit was too political and broad for a trial court to decide, and it was more appropriate for the Legislature to determine issues of funding and education policies.
The lawsuit, Haridopolos v. Citizens for Strong Schools, was filed two years ago in Leon County. Two education non-profit groups and several parents of public school students said the Legislature and state failed to uphold their constitutional obligation to properly fund and operate high-quality and safe schools.
Neil Chonin, the litigation director for Gainesville-based Southern Legal Counsel, which represents the non-profits and parents, said the case is about more than adequate school funding, focusing on graduation and retention rates, test scores, teacher salaries and safety as well as whether schools are properly funded.
“It’s not just a funding question, that’s just part of the puzzle,” Chonin said.
But the ensuing legal battle has focused not on the merits of that question, but on whether courts should be able to hear the case at all. The state filed a “writ of prohibition” designed to prevent the trial courts from considering the case because of its broad focus on school funding and other policies set by the Legislature.
The eight justices in the majority said though they disagree with the state, “we do so with utmost respect for a coequal branch of government; and do so even though we are well aware that the constitutional duty to ensure that adequate provision is made for public education is the Legislature’s in the first instance.”
Jon Mills, an attorney who is also representing Citizens for Strong Schools, said it is likely the Florida Supreme Court will hear the case, given that the appeals court certified it as a “question of great public importance,” a key step in getting the high court to take a case. Mills said it is the first time the Florida Supreme Court would weigh in on the new provision regarding education in the Florida Constitution since it was included in 1998, and could have widespread implications for future lawsuits over the quality schools requirement.
“This is potentially one of the highest-impact cases you can have,” Mills said.
Jennifer Meale, a spokeswoman for Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, said “we are reviewing the opinion and will discuss it with our clients.” It could be heard by the Supreme Court even if the state doesn’t appeal. Listed as defendants in the lawsuit are current Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, former Education Commissioner Eric Smith, and the State Board of Education.
Even though the legal squabbling is focusing on the court’s ability to hear the case, Chonin said the hope is that eventually the Legislature, through court action, will be required to “comply with the constitution.”
“But that remedy stage is down the road,” Chonin said.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Updated: Woman, 77, Dies After Drag Racing Wreck
November 27, 2011
[UPDATED] Charges are pending against an Escambia County man that was allegedly racing when he crashed into an elderly couple’s vehicle in Gulf Breeze, leaving one of them dead.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, several witnesses said 21-year old Logan B. Drinkard was racing another vehicle at a high rate of speed in his 1997 Ford Mustang when he hit a 2006 Toyota Camry driven by 73-year old Victor P. Bindi of Gulf Breeze. The accident at 6:15 Saturday night sent Bindi’s passenger, 77-year old Germaine L. Bindi, to Baptist Hospital where she later died.
Troopers are looking for a second vehicle involved in the race — a two door Pontiac GTO that was burnt orange or bronze in color. Anyone with information is asked to call Trooper Roper at (850) 484-5000 ext. 326.