Kevin Harris Retiring From Sheriff’s Office
May 21, 2011
A retirement ceremony was held Friday at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for Kevin Harris. Harris, who is assigned to the Century Precinct, is retiring from the department after 27 years.
Upon his retirement, Harris will receive an honorary promotion to sergeant.
Pictured top: Kevin Harris and family members at his retirement ceremony Friday afternoon at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Pensacola. Pictured inset: Lt. Carl Jones shares a memory about Harris as Sheriff David Morgan looks on. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Deputies Must Pass Physical Agility Test
May 21, 2011
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office unveiled a new obstacle course Friday that every sworn officer and detention deputy must be able to complete acceptably.
All sworn law enforcement and detention deputies in Santa Rosa County are required to participate in the obstacle course testing this year. For personnel hired after January 1, 2010, it is mandatory to pass the test within 8 minutes and 30 seconds. All members hired prior to that date do not have a “pass” or “fail” for the test at this time. They will be required to pass the test within a year. If they cannot pass the test, they will be required to be medically evaluated to determine if they are fit for duty.
The course was unveiled Friday morning with Sheriff Wendell Hall running the course in about seven minutes
Pictured: A new obstacle course that deputies in Santa Rosa County will be retired to complete under a maximum time. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gardening: It’s Not Necessary To Kill Every Insect
May 21, 2011
Many people think “the only good bug is a dead bug.” Their typical treatment strategy is to “nuke” the lawn using a broad-spectrum insecticide and kill every insect in sight. Unfortunately, this strategy could be making your problems worse.
There are documented cases of outbreaks of Southern chinch bugs on heavily insecticide treated lawns, but not on neighboring untreated lawns. Why? Because healthy lawns are inhabited by a multitude of beneficial insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates that feed on plant debris, fungi, and other insects.
Almost all turfgrass pests have one or more natural enemies that can be important in suppressing their population.
In order to have a healthy and successful lawn, learn to use an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy. IPM is the combined use of cultural, biological and chemical methods for effective, economical pest control with little risk to human health or the environment.
To practice IPM, it’s imperative to know which insects are helpful, harmful or harmless.
Ground beetles
There are many species of predatory ground beetles. Some are rather ferocious looking, resulting in some very worried homeowners. These beetles can range in size from ¼ – 1½ inches and can be black or multicolored. Their antennae are inserted between the eyes. Ground beetles usually are very quick moving and can “seek and destroy” their prey. These insects can be very helpful in controlling a pest insect population.
Spiders
While they are not insects, spiders are surprisingly common and active in grass areas and are very efficient predators. Many species of spiders are beneficial in the garden or lawn, feeding on a wide range of immature insects and mites.
Ants
Some species of ants are carnivorous, seeking out insects and other soft bodied organisms with which to provision the nest. In addition, ant activity often can help in the general breakdown of organic matter and the formation of soil.
Pyramid ants are beneficial ants that nest in sandy soils. Their nests have a single entrance that is surrounded by a crater shaped mound. These pale orange to dark brown slender ants are only about 1/8 inch in length. They are not aggressive and typically will not sting people. They are considered beneficial because they eat pest insects.
Centipedes and Millipedes
Centipedes and millipedes are commonly seen in yards and occasionally enter homes. Neither centipedes nor millipedes damage furnishings, home, or food. Their only importance is that of annoying or frightening individuals.
Final Thoughts
Keep in mind that pest insects are only one of many potential causes for thin or brown grass. Diseases, nematodes, drought, and nutritional disorders can also be damaging. Correct identification of the problem can save money and prevent unnecessary pesticide applications.
Beneficial insects are very sensitive to insecticides, so whenever a general insecticide is applied to control a pest species, the material will usually have a detrimental effect on the beneficial organisms. Consider using alternate methods of pest management, biological control agents (if available and suitable) or providing optimum cultural conditions so that the lawn can tolerate higher levels of pest activity without visible loss of vigor. If an insecticide application is deemed necessary, make spot treatments rather than broad scale applications if at all possible.
Escambia Man Gets 15 Years In Prison For Violent Robbery
May 21, 2011
An Escambia County man is headed to prison for the violent robbery of a fast food manager.
Devin Dejuan Middleton was sentenced Friday by Judge Michael Allen to 15 years state prison followed by five years probation for each count concurrently for two counts of robbery without a weapon while wearing a mask. Middleton was found guilty by an Escambia County jury on April 7.
The conviction stems from a robbery occurring June 29, 2010, at the Burger King on Brent Lane. Middleton waited in the parking lot for the manager to come to her car with the bank deposit. When she did, he jumped from his car wearing a black ski mask, snatched her car door open, punched her repeatedly in the face and took over $2,000 from her, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins. Middleton got back into the vehicle, then immediately jumped back out and returned to beat her again while demanding she give him her car keys.
Middleton faced a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Unemployment Numbers Improve
May 21, 2011
The latest job numbers released Friday showed a continued decline in the number of unemployed in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Escambia County’s unemployment dropped out of the double digits for the first time in may months– from 10.3 percent in March to 9.8 percent in April. That represented 792 people no longer seeking employment over the month period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 13,611 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 10.3 percent.
Santa Rosa County also recorded a half point drop in unemployment— from 9.1 percent in March to 8.6 percent in April. Santa Rosa County gained 415 jobs during the period, with a total of 6,065 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 9.1 percent.
Escambia County, Alabama, had an increase in unemployment — from 10.1 percent in March to 10.5 percent in April. Escambia, Alabama, lost 73 during them month-long period, with 1,534 still out of work.
Florida
The number of jobless Floridians fell below 1 million for first time since October 2009 as the state’s jobless rate in April fell to 10.8 percent, the Agency for Workforce Innovation reported Friday. Marking the seventh straight month of job growth, the April figure was down 0.3 percent from March and more than a full point lower than the 12 percent rate from April 2010.
Total employment increased to 8.2 million, up by 14,900 from March and 39,200 more than April 2010.
“This is the fourth straight month of decline in Florida’s unemployment rate and the lowest rate in more than a year and a half – very encouraging for Florida’s employers and job seekers,” said Agency for Workforce Innovation Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo, in a statement.
Alabama
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 9.3 percent in April, was up slightly from March’s rate of 9.2 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 9.8 percent.
Cantonment Man Indicted For Highway 29 Murder
May 20, 2011
A first degree murder indictment was returned Thursday against a Cantonment man for the shooting death of a young woman in the parking lot of a Highway 29 business earlier this month.
An Escambia County Grand Jury returned the indictment against Isreal Marell Taylor, 30, for the May 1 murder of 22-year old Jennifer Gilbert. She was shot five times in the head while seated in her Chevrolet Monte Carlo outside the Circle K and Wendy’s at Highway 29 at Kingsfield Road.
Taylor is scheduled for arraignment on May 26 and remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond. If convicted, Taylor faces a mandatory life imprisonment or the death penalty, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
Pictured above: A Cantonment man has been indicted on first degree murder charges after shooting a Pensacola woman five times in the head at the Circle K at Highway 29 and Kingsfield Road on May1. Pictured inset: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene investigator photographs the car in which Jennifer Gilbert was shot. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
West Florida Downs Northview In Spring Jamboree (With Photo Gallery)
May 20, 2011
The Northview Chiefs, coming off the best season ever in the school’s history, lost to the West Florida Jaguars 21-6 Thursday night during the varsity part of their spring football jamboree.
The Chief’s lone score came from Brandon Sheets with a 53-yard run.
The loss was, to say the least, a disappointment for Head Coach Sid Wheatley. He said the team had spent the three weeks of spring practice working on some new tricks that failed Thursday night due to mistakes.
For a photo gallery from the jamboree, click here.
“We knew we would have some mistakes and miscues; we were trying some different things offensively,” Wheatley said.
The mistakes and miscues were not limited to the offense, with the defense giving up some big plays.”Tackling was the most disappointing thing for us defensively,” he said. “We will work extremely hard to get better on the basics like tackling.”
Wheatley said fans will see a much improved team by fall, where the Chiefs have their sights set on that bringing thhat elusive state championship trophy home to Bratt.
We are going to continue to work, and we are going to be better,” Wheatley said.
West Florida scored with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Faxlanger to Ty Peasant, an 11-yard run from Daylan Abrams and a 12-yard dash from Lawrence Lee.
For a photo gallery from the jamboree, click here.
JUNIOR VARSITY
In the JV half of Thursday nights spring football jamboree at Woodham Middle School, the West Florida Jaguars slipped past the Northview Chiefs 3-0.
Even with the loss, Head Coach Sid Wheatley said his JV Chiefs played hard, moved the ball well and controlled the clock.
“I though the young kids played hard, and they are going to get better,” he said. “We are going to continue to work and have a great off-season and be ready to go in the fall.”
Pictured: Action as the Northview Chiefs take on the West Florida Jaguars Thursday evening at Woodham Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 20 Years For Robbing Pizza Delivery Driver
May 20, 2011
An Escambia County man was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison for the robbery of a pizza delivery driver.
Dymielle Chandler, 19, was convicted by an Escambia County jury in January of robbery with a weapon, burglary of conveyance armed with explosives or deadly weapon, and aggravated battery with great bodily harm.
On January 27, 2010, Chandler was waiting inside the victim’s pizza delivery truck when he robbed her with a knife to her throat then fled on foot. Chandler was located by the Escambia County K-9 Unit hiding under a house which was located directly behind the parking lot where the victim’s car was parked. Also, the victim’s blood was found on the jacket that Chandler was wearing when he was apprehended, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Chandler faced a maximum of life in prison.
NOAA Issues Forecast For Above Normal Hurricane Season
May 20, 2011
The Atlantic basin is expected to see an above-normal hurricane season this year, according to the seasonal outlook issued by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center – a division of the National Weather Service.
Across the entire Atlantic Basin for the six-month season, which begins June 1, NOAA is predicting the following ranges this year:
- 12 to 18 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which:
- 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including:
- 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher)
Each of these ranges has a 70 percent likelihood, and indicate that activity will exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.
“The United States was fortunate last year. Winds steered most of the season’s tropical storms and all hurricanes away from our coastlines,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “However we can’t count on luck to get us through this season. We need to be prepared, especially with this above-normal outlook.”
NOAA’s seasonal hurricane outlook does not predict where and when any of these storms may hit. Landfall is dictated by weather patterns in place at the time the storm approaches. For each storm, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center forecasts how these weather patterns affect the storm track, intensity and landfall potential.
“The tornadoes that devastated the South and the large amount of flooding we’ve seen this spring should serve as a reminder that disasters can happen anytime and anywhere. As we move into this hurricane season it’s important to remember that FEMA is just part of an emergency management team that includes the entire federal family, state, local and tribal governments, the private sector and most importantly the public,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.
“Now is the time, if you haven’t already, to get your plan together for what you and your family would do if disaster strikes. Visit ready.gov to learn more. And if you’re a small business owner, visit www.ready.gov/business to ensure that your business is prepared for a disaster,” added Fugate.
Hurricane impacts are not limited to the coastline; strong winds and flooding rainfall often pose a threat across inland areas along with the risk for tornadoes.
Bar Employee Pleads In Underage Alcohol Case; Purchaser Arrested
May 20, 2011
A Century bar employee has entered a plea on a charged that she sold alcohol to a man under 21, and the purchaser has now been arrested.
Daniel Dontavious Woods, 20, of Flomaton was arrested on an outstanding warrant for liquor possession by a person under 21. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on $250 bond.
Bonnie Blackmon, 29, of Jay, was charged in March with selling alcohol to a person under 21. Blackmon pleaded no contest to the charge last week and adjudication was withheld. She was ordered to pay $303 in court costs.
An Escambia County deputy observed Woods at the drive-up window of Odoms Bar in Century with a blue Pontiac parked beside him. As he turned around to pass the bar again, the deputy said the same vehicle nearly collided with his patrol vehicle on Ivey Street.
After conducting a traffic stop on the car, the deputy determined that Woods, the driver, was the person that had made the alcohol purchase moments before at Odoms Bar. There were, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, three other people in the vehicle, all under the age of 21.
Woods said the person that sold him the Seagrams Blue Beast for about $13 did not ask for his identification. According to the ECSO report, Blackmon admitted selling a bottle of Blue Beast “to a black guy”. She first told the deputy that she asked for his identification. She later recanted that statement and admitted to deputies that she did not card him, but she said she did recognize him from previous purchases in which he was carded.
The Seagrams Blue Beast was seized as evidence.