Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For 2009 Murder
April 19, 2011
Wendell Ray Hurley was convicted of the first degree murder of Timothy Thames by an Escambia County Jury. The jury deliberated for over four hours after the three-day trial before returning a guilty verdict. Hurley will be sentenced to a mandatory life sentence on Wednesday, April 20.
On May 31, 2009, Hurley and a second man kicked in the door to Thames’ home and confronted Thames and his ex-wife in the master bedroom. Both intruders were wearing masks and both were armed with firearms. During the course of the home invasion Thames was shot twice. Before leaving Hurley stole a purse and cell phone.
Two surviving witnesses were able to identify Hurley by his voice and facial features that were exposed. Additionally, Hurley was caught on video using a stolen credit card less than 90 minutes after the murder. Two days after the murder Hurley was arrested while sleeping in a Pensacola home. The murder weapon was found under his mattress.
Hurley is a seven time convicted felon. The life sentence on Wednesday will be the second imposed on Hurley; he is currently serving a life sentence for an armed burglary conviction in which the murder weapon was stolen.
Jay Names New Cheerleaders
April 19, 2011
The new cheerleaders for 2011-2012 have been named at Jay High School.
Members of the varsity square are (pictured top, L-R) Meredith Owens, Carly Owens, Sha Kinder, Morgin Mitchem, Kaitlyn Aguirre, Crystal Brown, Katy Bodiford, Tori Reid, Brook Tegenkamp, Abby Raney, Hannah Roberts, Kyrah Dunsford, Jody Paramore, Kayla Flowers, (not pictured) Tessa Hendricks and Camille Driver. The varsity coach is Junia Fischer.
Members of the junior varsity squad are (front, L-R) Miranda Roberts, Savannah Seevers, Kendra Wells, Brittani Ashworth, Alisha Roberts, Launa Burkhead, Emma Andrews, Taylor Scott, (back, L-R) Madelyn Godwin, Rebecca Boutwell, Courtney Walther, Savannah Dubose, Emily Wright, Alaina Smith, Danielle Harrington, Leslie Kinder, Reilly Andrews and (not pictured) Makenzie Bray. The JV coach is Mindy Jordan.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWS Details Tornado Tracks
April 18, 2011
The National Weather Service has issued complete track information for several of the tornadoes that hit Mississippi and South Alabama last week, finding that one of the tornadoes had a path that was 35 miles long.
Here are the latest tornado findings directly from the National Weather Service:
Public Information Statement
Statement as of 7:54 PM CDT on April 18, 2011
…Areal surveys help to determine several individual tornado
tracks…
…Six tornado tracks confirmed with additional tracks still to be
surveyed…
With the help of the United States Coast Guard atc Mobile…an areal
survey was conducted of the tornado damage suffered on Friday April
15th. Through this survey along with the previously conducted ground
surveys…six individual tornado tracks have been identified. This
count will very likely rise over the next several days as surveys
continue. The National Weather Service in Mobile would like to
extend a very special thanks to the uscg Mobile for their valuable
support of today’s areal survey. Below are the details regarding the
six tornadoes identified to date. The information below is still
considered preliminary and subject to further revision.
&&
* Event location: Leakesville, Mississippi to Deer Park, Alabama
* storm classification: at least EF-3 intensity tornado
* beginning lat/lon: 31.129n / -88.632w
* ending lat/lon: 31.212n / -88.321w
* path length: 20 miles
* maximum width: 500 yards
* fatalities: 4
* injuries: 9
* notes: an areal survey has revealed one tornado track from
Leakesville to Deer Park. The tornado touched down west of
Leakesville just south of Highway 57. It crossed the Highway…
strengthened and then turned east toward the city of Leakesville
paralleling Highway 57. The tornado damaged or destroyed numerous
Mobile homes…residences…and businesses in Leakesville. One
fatality occurred in a destroyed Mobile home. The tornado continued
east northeast into extreme southwest Washington County…affecting
the Deer Park community. Most of the damage was along County Road 8
where several Mobile homes were damaged or destroyed. Three
fatalities and three injuries occurred in a destroyed Mobile home.
The tornado lifted just prior to reaching Highway 45. Extensive tree
damage was noted along the entire path.
&&
* Event location: central Choctaw County Alabama (red Springs area)
* storm classification: EF-2 intensity tornado
* beginning lat/lon: 32.017n / -88.291w
* ending lat/lon: 32.059n / -88.080w
* path length: 13 miles
* maximum width: 1000 yards
* notes: an areal survey has revealed a 13 mile tornado track across
central Choctaw County. The tornado first touched down just west of
Highway 17…southwest of Red Springs. The tornado strengthened as
it moved northeast into the Red Springs community… damaging or
destroying several Mobile homes and residences. The areal survey
shows the tornado turned east as it moved out of Red Springs and
widened to a maximum width of 1000 yards…resulting in major tree
damage along its path. Given the widening of the tornado…it is
likely the tornado was stronger at this stage than it was when it
moved through Red Springs. Thankfully…no structures were in the
path of the tornado east of Red Springs. The tornado lifted just
across the Tombigbee river in extreme western Marengo County.
&&
* Event location: Gainestown, Alabama (southern Clarke county)
* storm classification: EF-2 intensity tornado
* beginning lat/lon: 31.480n / -87.685w
* ending lat/lon: 31.481n / -87.682w
* path length: 0.2 miles
* maximum width: 120 yards
* injuries: 2 minor
* notes: all of the damage occurred on walkabout Road. One single
wide Mobile home was completely destroyed with one individual
suffering minor injuries. Another minor injury occurred as the
tornado shifted a double wide Mobile home three feet off of its
foundation and peeled off most of its roof. One other Mobile home
and single family residence suffered minor to moderate roof damage.
Numerous Hardwood and softwood trees were snapped or uprooted.
&&
* Event location: Tunnel Springs/Old Texas, Alabama (ne Monroe
county)
* storm classification: EF-3 intensity tornado
* beginning lat/lon: 31.633n / -87.245w
* ending lat/lon:31.768n / -86.894w
* path length: 19 miles
* maximum width: 300 yards
* notes: at least two supercell thunderstorms tracked over the same
area of northeast Monroe County…producing two tornado tracks…one
of which occurred in the early evening. This first tornado first
touched on Robinson Creek Road just west of Highway 47 in Tunnel
Springs. EF-2 damage was noted at the Amity missionary Baptist
church. A large section of the church roof was lifted off. The
tornado continued northeast producing scattered tree damage. The
tornado intensified as it hit the Bethlehem Methodist church in the
Old Texas community. The church was completely destroyed with only a
few interior walls left standing. This damage was consistent with
EF-3 intensity damage with winds near 145 mph. The tornado then
weakened and lifted to the northeast of the church. Tree damage and
shingle damage was noted prior to the tornado lifting.
&&
* Event location: Riley crossings to Greenville al (monroe/Butler
counties)
* storm classification: EF-2 intensity tornado
* beginning lat/lon: 31.688n / -87.216w
* ending lat/lon: 31.897n / -86.685w
* path length: 35 miles
* maximum width: 400-500 yards
* notes: a second supercell produced a tornado during the late
evening hours across northeast Monroe County. The tornado first
touched down just west of Highway 47…southwest of Riley crossings.
In Riley crossings…the Savannah missionary Baptist church suffered
significant roof damage…losing the steeple and much of the roof
covering. Two homes behind the church suffered extensive damage. One
brick home suffered complete failure of the roof and walls of the
attached garage. A cinder block home lost a significant portion of
its south facing roof. All of this damage was of EF-2 intensity. The
tornado continued on to the northeast and crossed paths with the
earlier tornado near the Bethlehem church. The tornado then entered
northwest Butler County producing scattered tree damage along the
path. Extensive tree damage was noted from ground and areal surveys
along Sherling Lake drive…including the southeastern portion of
the cambrian ridge Golf course and Sherling Lake park campground.
The tree damage noted in these location is consistent with EF-1
intensity.
&&
* Event location: Forrest home, Alabama (nw Butler county)
* storm classification: EF-0 intensity tornado
* beginning lat/lon: 31.876n / -86.810w
* ending lat/lon: 31.878n / -86.808w
* path length: 0.2 miles
* maximum width: 100-150 yards
* notes: sporadic tree damage with trees uprooted. Also some minor
shingle damage observed to two homes off of broad street.
&&
The National Weather Service in Mobile will be conducting additional
surveys over the next few days. The survey teams plan to visit
the following damage areas:
* state line, MS/Laton Hill, al/Yarbo, al
* Citronelle, al
* Escambia-Covington County damage including Damascus, al
* northwest Choctaw County (lisman, al area)
* additional survey of Leakesville, MS
Children Inside Stolen Van Unharmed
April 18, 2011
Two children were unharmed when the unlocked vehicle they were secured in was stolen from an Escambia County convenience store early Sunday morning.
Deputies were called at 6:19 a.m. to the Tom Thumb, 1321 North W Street, after a black male stole a van that was left unlocked and running in the parking lot. A two-year-old and a fourteen-month-old were in the vehicle at the time of the theft.
According to the children’s mother, 27-year-old Cheryl Lynn Chavers, she parked her 1994 Plymouth Voyager in the parking lot of the store. She left the vehicle unattended with the keys in the ignition and the engine running. She also left her two children in the vehicle as she went into the store to buy milk and cigarettes. As she was paying for her purchases, the clerk told her that someone was in her vehicle.
As Chavers ran from the store her vehicle was being driven out of the parking lot. She ran towards the vehicle screaming, “Give me my kids.” Chavers reached the vehicle as it was stopped for traffic at the corner of Lee and North X Streets.
As Chavers was pounding on the driver side door to her vehicle, screaming for the suspect to release her children, the suspect got out of the van. Chavers told deputies that he reached under his shirts, as if he had a gun, and demanded money. He was able to take a cell phone from Chavers before telling her, “Take the car and get out of her before I shoot you.”
The suspect was described as a black male, of thin build and around six-feet tall, wearing a dark colored hat, blue shirt and jeans.
Deputies are reminding people to never leave infants or small children unattended or alone in vehicles.
Anyone with information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect in this case is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Commission Approves Conecuh Woods Mega Landfill
April 18, 2011
The Conecuh County Commission voted 3-2 this morning to approve the application for the proposed 5,100 acre Conecuh Woods landfill which will be constructed upstream from North Escambia.
Conecuh Woods’ landfill, will include a 1,600 acre “disposal cell” from Range to Repton to near the Big Escambia Creek. Big Escambia Creek flows southward into Escambia County, Alabama, through Flomaton and drains through a North Escambia swamp into the Escambia River and then Escambia Bay.
Many other governments in South Alabama and Northwest Florida have passed resolutions in opposition to Conecuh Woods, including Escambia counties in Alabama and Florida, the Town of Century, Atmore and Flomaton.
Even with the required approval from the Conecuh County Commission, the project may still remain on hold. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley issued an executive order declaring a moratorium on new landfills in the state.
The approval is expected to also be challenged in court.
Pictured: Residents gather in Evergreen, Alabama, in February to protest the Conecuh Woods landfill. File photo courtesy WALA FOX 10 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Video: Scott Won’t Sign Budget Without Tax Cuts
April 18, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott said in his weekly radio-video address that any budget he signs into law will include tax cuts, and warned, “I will not compromise on these principles.”
So far, budgets passed by the House and Senate don’t have room for tax cuts, but as negotiations between the two chambers begin after the Easter break, it’s possible lawmakers could figure out a way to include them.
Neither House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, nor Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island has ruled them out, though both have expressed skepticism. The budget has to be cut by around $4 billion from this year’s spending plan because of falling tax revenue.
In his address, Scott said that for him to sign the budget will: reduce the size of government, reduce the cost of government and “pass those savings on to taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.” Scott has line item veto power – and could also veto the entire budget.
“Business and property tax cuts are critical to making Florida number one in job creation,” Scott said in the weekly address.
The Legislature is scheduled to end its session May 6.
Cantonment Man Enters Plea On Courthouse Weapons Charge
April 18, 2011
A 53-year old Cantonment man has pleaded no contest to lesser charges after allegedly brought a gun into the Escambia County courthouse late last year.
Perry Gray Jr., 54, was charged December 28 with carrying a concealed weapon, a third degree felony. But he entered a not contest plea recently to improper exhibition of a firearm, a first-degree misdemeanor. Adjudication was withheld by Judge Joel Boles.
If Gray successfully completes a pretrial program, the charge will be dismissed.
The gun was found in a pouch on a wheelchair being used by Gray. He told deputies that he forgot about the gun.
The court also ordered that Gray’s gun be returned to him.
Tate High AJROTC Places In State Drill Meet
April 18, 2011
The Tate High School AJROTC competed in the State Drill Meet recently in Lakeland. The regulation unarmed platoon placed 13th out of 29 teams, regulation armed platoon placed 10th out of 28 teams, and regulation armed squad placed 18th out of 34 teams.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pain At The Pump: $4 A Gallon Soon?
April 18, 2011
Gas is already over $4 a gallon in five states, while locally the pain at the pump continues to worsen.
Pump prices in Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii and Illinois are already over the four buck mark, according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge, with Hawaii at $4.47 per gallon. The highest-ever average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Escambia County was $4.05 in July of 2008. Nationally, gas topped out a $4.11 per gallon before the economy went south.
The average price of a gallon of standard-grade gasoline in Escambia County was $3.78 on Sunday — slightly better than the statewide average of $3.83. That’s an increase of a quarter per a gallon from the month-ago price of $3.53, according to the daily price survey published by AAA. The same gallon of gas was $2.88 last year.
We asked our NorthEscambia.com Facebook friends what higher gas prices mean for them. Here are some of the responses:
“It means we are out of business,” said Donna Morris Bell of Flomaton of her logging pulpwood operation. “The profit margin was so thin that we were barely hanging on. When fuel prices started rising again, it pushed us over the edge. We shut the operation down and are now unemployed, as are all the people who worked for us.”
“High gas prices mean staying at home a lot more,” said Teresa Andress of Molino.
“That means we stay broke; no more putting the pocket change…on your dresser each night after a hard days work,” said Jessica Griffis of Flomaton.
For others, like Nicole Davis of Century, the high price at the pump means cutting expenses and luxuries just to afford gas to get to work.
But higher gas prices are a bit good news for Kim Salter of Brewton. “It means job security for my husband who is a production foreman offshore,” she said. “It also means more in our retirement plan because we have stock in the oil company.”
To join in this and other future discussion on our Facebook page, click here to become a NorthEscambia.com Facebook friend.
Survey: Many Voters Support Code Cops With Guns
April 18, 2011
After a recent tentative decision by the Escambia County County Commission to allow Environmental Code Enforcement Officers to carry a firearm if they have a concealed weapons permit, a telephone polls shows Escambia citizens have mixed feelings about the idea.
Local polling company Open Market Research asked 400 likely voters their opinion on deputizing and arming code enforcement officers. Only 38 percent said yes, while just over 22.5 percent said no. That left about 40 percent of respondents undecided.
But when asked their opinion of code enforcement officers with concealed weapons permits being able to take their gun with them on the job, nearly 50 percent said yes, 22 percent said no and those left were undecided or needing more information.
“I think this shows the public understanding of the dangers facing even code enforcement officers in Escambia County” OMR Principal Greg Fink said.