Vacationing Couple Returns To Find They’ve Been Ripped Off
July 18, 2011
A Molino couple returned from vacation recently to find out the 18-year old they trusted to watch their house had, instead, allegedly ripped them off.
Nicholas Allen Jones, age 18 of Molino, is facing a felony count of grand theft and eight felony counts of dealing in stolen property.
A Molino couple told Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies that Jones was watching their property and collecting their mail while they were on a two-week vacation. When the couple returned home, the wife noticed her iPod was gone. After checking the house, she found the couple was missing $7,080 worth of jewelry.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, there was no sign of forced entry, and the wife said Jones was the only person with key to the house.
Deputies were able to determine that many of the items were pawned at The Gold Xchange, Elite Jewelers and Kernel Enterprises in Pensacola. When asked why he took the items and pawned them, Jones told deputies “I don’t know”, according to the arrest report.
Jones was released from the Escambia County Jail on $19,500 bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned on August 4.
Reward Now At $3,000 In Pregnant Cow Strangulation Case
July 18, 2011
The reward has been increased again in the Memorial Day strangulation of a pregnant cow in Enon, with two groups now offering a total of $3,000.
The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the cow’s death. The Junior Humane Society is now offering an additional $500 reward.
“This is an example of depraved indifference to the suffering of living creatures,”” said Frankie Van Horn Harris, director of the Junior Humane Society. “If the person is not apprehended, he may decide to mutilate a child next time.”
The owner of the pet Jersey cow found the animal dead in a pasture just behind his house on Highway 97-A Memorial Day morning as he checked on his animals. Thin twine — often called grass string – had been tied several times around the cow’s neck and had apparently strangled the animal as it was dragged through the pasture. The cow was found on its side, with its head upside down and its horns pushed several inches into the dirt.
Authorities suspect the death could have results from a prank gone wrong since school was about to end and the cow’s owner is a school bus driver.
“Viciously killing a pregnant cow for an apparent prank is an inexcusably cruel crime and anyone who would do that can be capable of hurting people, too,” said Jennifer Hobgood, Florida state director for The Humane Society of the United States. “We hope our reward helps bring justice in this horrible case.”
For more photos, click here. (Warning: Some readers may find the photos disturbing.)
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Frank Way at (850) 256-6196.
Pictured: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene investigator photographs a pregnant cow that was apparently strangled to death in Enon. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.
Century To Begin Budget Process
July 18, 2011
The Town of Century is about to begin budget talks, and that is not such a bad thing this year.
““It looks better this year than it has in the last several years,” Robert Hudson, the town’s accountant, said. He said that expenses this year have been under what was expected while revenues have been a bit higher.
After department heads review their budgets, they will present their budget requests to the town council during a special workshop on August 5 at 2 p.m.
Century current 2010-2011 fiscal year budget is $3,337,231. The ad volorem tax was raised last year, from .823 mils the previous year to .9048 mils. The new millage rate was estimated to generate $30,000 for the town during the 2010-2011 budget year, compared to $26,000 in the previous fiscal year.
Century’s new 2011-2012 budget year begins October 1.
Gas Prices Rising Again
July 18, 2011
Florida gas prices are up about 15 cent on average during the past 10 days, with the Pensacola metro average at $3.65 on Sunday. AAA attributes the jump to U.S. oil stockpiles dropping much less than expected earlier this month and a rise in the national unemployment level.
Pictured above: A gallon of regular unleaded was $3.62 over the weekend at this station in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Qualifying Period Begins For Century Council, Mayor
July 18, 2011
Qualifying begins Monday for the office of mayor and two town council seats in Century that will be on the ballot in fall.
Council Seat 1, currently held by Ann Brooks, and Seat 2, held by Nadine McCaw until her recent death, and Mayor Freddie McCall’s post will be on the October 11 ballot. A run-off election, if needed, will be held November 8.
Beginning Monday, July 18, qualifying forms will be accepted early by mail at P.O. Box 12601, Pensacola, FL, 32591 or hand delivered to the Supervisor of Elections Office.
Qualifying for the election will be held from noon, Monday, August 1 until noon, Friday August 5. To qualify for any of the offices, a candidate must be a registered voter in Century. In addition, any candidate for mayor must have been a resident of Century for six months prior to their qualification date. The qualifying fee for mayor is $185.50 and $48 for a council seat.
Staff from the Supervisor of Elections Office will accept qualifying papers at the Century Town Hall on Monday, August 1 from noon until 3 p.m.; Wednesday, August 3 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.; and Friday, August 5 from 8 a.m. until noon. Qualifying papers will also be accepted at the Supervisor of Elections Office on the second floor at 213 Palafox Place in Pensacola from noon until 5 p.m. on Monday, August 1; 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday August 2-4; and 8 a.m. until noon on Friday, August 5.
For the October election, voter registration books will close on September 12, and for the November run-off, voter registration books will closed on October 10.
Tropical Storm Bret: No Worries Here
July 18, 2011
![[Image of 5-day forecast and coastal areas under a warning or a watch]](http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT02/refresh/AL0211W5_NL+gif/023813W5_NL_sm.gif)
Tropical Storm Bret formed Sunday afternoon near the Bahamas The forecast path takes the storm over the Atlantic Ocean, posing no threat to the Gulf Coast. The latest information is in the graphic above, click to enlarge.
Bret is not expected to reach hurricane status.
Park Dedicated In Honor Of Century’s Super Bowl Son
July 17, 2011
Two-time Super Bowl champion Anthony Pleasant returned home to Century Saturday night as the town dedicated a sports complex bearing his name.
Pleasant was honored at the dedication of the Anthony Pleasant Park by three of his former coaches – former Century High School Blackcat football coach Joe Cardwell, former Century basketball and football coach Lorenzo Jones, and his former Midget football coach Bobby Johnson.
For a photo gallery, click here. For a video, click here.
“Those men really played an important part in my life and caused me to be the person that I am today,” Pleasant said of his former Century coaches. “Character, discipline, hard work…all of that was instilled in me as a young boy.”
The NFL great reminisced about his days in Century – some of which would certainly have keep him out of professional football.
Quit the Century High Blackcats? There was no way, Pleasant said, that would be a good idea.
“Coach Cardwell had that little green Pinto and would come to the community center and pick guys up. If you quit, he would come by your house, kick his shoes off and make himself at home,” he said. “He would talk to your mom.”
Football was not Pleasant’s dream at one point during his high school career. He preferred to be on the basketball court under the leadership of Coach Jones. His mind was made up to shoot hoops, not play on the gridiron.
“Coach said I was better at playing football that I was basketball. My heart was sold out on basketball,” he said. “Think about that and if I hadn’t listened…what it comes down is people see things in you that you don’t see in yourself.”
“By listening to him, because he saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself, I ended up being drafted in the third round by the Cleveland Browns.”
Pleasant, who is entering his second season as the defensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, told the youth of Century that the adults and mentors in their lives are not out to hurt them; they are just trying to help.
“Because of his character, because of the person he was able to accomplish a great deal for Century, for himself and for his family,” Jones said.
Cardwell attributed Pleasant’s “great character” to his late mother Betty.
Johnson, who was coaching a Midget team with Pleasant at 12 and 14 years old, remembers a boy that pushed the weight limits and pushed himself to do his very best.
“I’ve never coached anyone like him,” he said. “He knew what he was doing, and he taught me a few things.”
But being outstanding on the youth league field did not earn a lot of a glory for Pleasant.
“I treated him like all the rest – like dogs. He was good sport about it,” Johnson said. “I’m so proud that he went as far his he did.”
“It means a lot to me that Century named something after me,” Pleasant said. “It was a great thing.”
The 22-acre Anthony Pleasant Park on East Highway 4 in Century includes a full-size football field with bleachers and press box and a playground. .
Pleasant was selected in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. During his 14 year NFL career, Pleasant played for the Browns, the Baltimore Ravens, the Atlanta Falcons, the New York Jets, the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots. He played a total of 202 NFL games and racked up 58 sacks.
The 1986 Century High School graduate earned two Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots.
For a photo gallery, click here. For a video, click here.
Pictured top: Century Mayor Freddie McCall (right) congratulates two-time Super Bowl champ Anthony Pleasant Saturday evening in Century. Pictured top inset: Pleasant’s former Midget team coach Bobby Johnson (left) and former Century High School Coach Joe Cardwell (right) look at a plaque in Pleasant’s honor. Pictured bottom inset: Pleasant’s former Century High School basketball and football coach Lorezno Jones. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Video: Anthony Pleasant Park Dedication
July 17, 2011
The Anthony Pleasant Park was dedicated Saturday evening in Century. For the complete story, click here.
If you do not see the video below, it is because external videos are being block by your work, school or home firewall.
Photos: First Baptist Bratt Youth Activities
July 17, 2011
Youth from The First Baptist Church of Bratt recently enjoyed another session of Y.A.H.W.E.H. — Youth Activities Happening Wednesday Evenings in Homes.
Youth Minister Tim Hawsey along with college and career leaders Denver Hawsey, Casey Bagget, Matthew Wilson, Jeremy Bardin, and Brad and Melanie Faulk led a session that included riding a Harley and wading in Canoe Creek.
“Y.A.H.W.E.H. allows Hawsey and his leaders to present the Holy Bible to the youth in our community in a real way and show them how to apply this teaching to their everyday life,” event host Marcella Wilson said.
Hawsey says he has seen the lives of many youth transformed thru Y.A.H.W.E.H. and he invites the youth of Bratt and surrounding communities to join the group.
Do you have news or photos you would like to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: Summer Perfect White Chocolate Apricot Swirl Cheesecake
July 17, 2011
This delightful cheesecake recipe was the winner of the first-ever Eagle Brand Signature Recipe Contest, and earned home baker Rebecca L. of Virginia a $10,000 kitchen makeover. Smooth white chocolate, sweet apricot and rich cream cheese come together to create the perfectly refreshing summer dessert.
White Chocolate Apricot Swirl Cheesecake
Ingredients
Crisco Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup ground almonds
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 14-ounce can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups white baking chips, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 15-ounce can apricot halves, drained
Preparation
HEAT oven to 350°F. Coat bottom of 9-inch springform pan with no-stick cooking spray. Stir graham cracker crumbs, almonds, sugar and butter in small bowl until evenly moistened. Press firmly into bottom of prepared pan.
BEAT cream cheese until fluffy. Blend in sweetened condensed milk. Add eggs, melted white baking chips and vanilla; blend until smooth. Pour over crust.
PLACE apricots in food processor or blender. Cover and process until smooth. Spoon small dollops of apricot puree over top of cream cheese mixture. Swirl with tip of knife to make marbled appearance.
BAKE 50 to 60 minutes or until edges are puffed and golden. (Center will not be completely set.) Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Chill thoroughly before serving.
Serves
Yield 12 servings
Preparation Time:
25 Minutes
Cook Time:
50 Minutes