Pain At The Pump
February 27, 2011
Gas prices across the North Escambia area have risen sharply over the past week, and there’s likely more pain at the pump to come this next week.
The average price of a gallon of standard-grade gasoline in Escambia County was $3.33 on Saturday, up eight cents per gallon overnight from Friday. That also an increase of 19 cents a gallon from the week-ago price of $3.14, according to the daily price survey published by AAA. The same gallon of gas was $2.72 a year ago.
Analysts expect prices will continue to rise due to a sharp rise in the price of crude oil — which a high of $103 per barrel last week, the highest price since October 2008. The price at the pump typically lags behind crude oil increases by a few days, so analysts see more increases next week.
Oil price increases have been fueled by the political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, the source of much of the world’s oil. John Hofmeister, an ex-president at Shell Oil, has told several national media outlets that $5 a gallon gas could be a reality by 2012.
The highest-ever average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Escambia County was $4.05 in July of 2008.
Pictured: Gas was at $3.35 a gallon slightly higher than the local average of $3.33, Saturday in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Hundreds Attend Walnut Hill Ruritan Auction
February 27, 2011
Hundreds attended the 36th Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction Saturday in Walnut Hill.
Items sold included farm equipment, lawn and garden equipment, vehicles, household items and more during the event, which is held each year on the last Saturday of February. All proceeds from the auction benefit the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club’s community service projects in the Walnut Hill area.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club farm equipment auction Saturday in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Homemakers Make Yo-Yo Creations
February 27, 2011
The Molino Homemakers met on February the 2nd. A program was given by Ruth Miller on making Yo-yo’s. Pressed material was cut into circles by Becky Dorch on her cutting machine.
Circles were then hand sewn around the outside edge and the thread pulled tightly to make the yo-yo come together in the middle. After several yo-yo’s are made they can be stitched together to make many projects.
Some of those projects include quilts, wreaths, appliqués, pillows, bunnies and clowns. The possibilities are endless.
The Molino Homemakers share ideas and skills passed down to them to assure its continuation into the next generation of Homemakers. We never forget the knowledge and wisdom that sits amongst us each meeting.
The next club meeting will be on Wednesday March 2, 2011 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. Dues are $5 per year. Visitors are welcome.
Submitted photos by Terri Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Featured Wee Recipe: Southwestern Chicken Tortilla Soup
February 27, 2011
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is a Chicken Tortilla Soup. Thick and hearty, this soup is packed with Southwestern flavor.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Hazel Bolen Celebrates 90th
February 27, 2011
Byrneville resident Hazel Bolen celebrated her 90th birthday last week.
The Women’s Ministry at Byrneville United Methodist Church gathered friends and family for a celebration last Sunday, with a big surprise. She was able to hold her great-great granddaughter Taylor for the first time as great-grandson Josh Mixon was able to attend the party from out of town — make five generations at the event.
Hazel has two sons, Wilbur and Wayne Levins, as well as many grandchildren.
Pictured top: Family and friends gather to celebrate Hazel Bolen’s 90th birthday at Byrneville United Methodist Church. Pictured inset: Hazel is able to hold Taylor Mixon, a fifth generation family member, for the first time. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two People Seriously Injured In Van Versus Motorcycle Crash
February 26, 2011
Two Century area residents were seriously injured when their motorcycle was hit by a van Saturday night.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a van driven by Emma Evelyn Page, 55, of Century, pulled from Fields Road onto West Highway 4 into the path of a motorcycle driven by William Joseph Walston, 45, of Century. Walston and his passenger, 34-year old Wendy Lambeth of Century, were thrown from the motorcycle onto the highway, after at least one of the hitting the windshield of the van.
Walston and Lambeth were both transported by ambulance in serious condition to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Emergency officials called a “trauma alert” on one of them and requested the LifeFlight air ambulance, but there were no helicopters available at the time.
Page was transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. Page was cited for violation of right of way, according to the FHP.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, Santa Rosa County EMS, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured top: Two Century area residents were seriously injuries when they were thrown from this motorcycle during a crash Saturday night in Century. Pictured below: This van pulled into the path of the motorcycle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Battle Brush Fires In Molino, Cantonment
February 26, 2011
Firefighters battled two brush fires in Molino and one in Cantonment on Saturday.
A 20-acre brush fire was reported just after 5 p.m. in the area of East Chipper Road and North Chipper Road. The fire was reported along railroad tracks in the area by a CSX engineer. Firefighters reported a small section of railroad cross ties was on fire; CSX was forced to halt rail traffic to make repairs.
The Cantonment and Molino Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze.
The first Molino brush fire of the day was reported shortly after 11 a.m. at the end of Pilgrim Trail off Highway 97. About five acres were reported to be burning as firefighters arrived, but the fire was continuing to spread. The fire was reported to be contained by 12:20 p.m.
The fire also burned an old boat. There were no structures threatened and no injuries reported.
The Molino and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Florida Division of Forestry responded to the blaze.
The second Molino fire of the day was reported just before 4 p.m. in the 4000 block of Molino Road, near Sunshine Hill Road. The fire was reported to be about an acre and a half but moved into a wooded area that firefighters were unable to reach with their brush trucks. The Florida Division of Forestry was called to the scene to access the fire with a bulldozer. They were able to contain the fire by about 4:15 p.m.
Initial reports indicated the fire was started by someone playing with sparkler.
Picture above: An old boat burns during a brush fire Saturday morning on Pilgrim Trail in Molino. Pictured below: The Pilgrim Trail fire consumed several acres. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Shot During Party At Town Of Century Building
February 26, 2011
Two people were shot during an early Saturday morning party at a Town of Century Building where multiple shots were still being fired as deputies arrived.
The incident happened about 2 a.m. at the town’s Habitat Building, a community center located on East Pond Street. A 20-year old female was reported to be shot in the knee. She was transported to Jay Hospital by ambulance and later airlifted to Baptist Hospital by LifeFlight. A 19-year old male was shot in the leg and transported to an area hospital by ambulance. Another unknown age male was transported to the hospital after being hit in head by a bottle. The names of the injured have not yet been released.
Preliminary reports indicate shots were still being fired when the first Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the party attended by 75-100 people. A gun was reported to be recovered, but deputies were unsure if it was the weapon used in the shootings.
The shooter or shooters were still at large at last report.
Further information has not yet been released.
The Habitat Building is one of the community centers the Town of Century frequently rents to the public. For several months, the town has discussed the need to require security at parties and other functions at their community centers. But the council has yet to take any formal action on the discussion.
Lady Chiefs Beat Freeport
February 26, 2011
Both the varsity and junior varsity Northview Lady Chiefs picked up a big wins on the road over Freeport Friday.
The varsity Lady Chiefs downed Freeport 10-1, while the JV Lady Chiefs beat the Bulldogs 18-3.
The JV Lady Chiefs will be in action again next Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 and the varsity Lady Chiefs at 6:00 in Pensacola against Washington High School. Their next home game won’t come until March 10 against the Baker Gators, with the JV at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00.
Exam Finds Bank Robbery Suspect Competent, Lawyer Disagrees
February 26, 2011
A psychiatric examination has found an Atmore bank robbery suspect competent to stand trial, but the attorney for Chad Floyd Jeter, 31, is asking a federal judge for an independent opinion.
Jeter was indicted on charges of bank robbery with a weapon and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime in violence in connection with the May 19, 2009, armed robbery of the First National Bank & Trust in downtown Atmore.
In May, 2010, a psychiatric evaluation determined Jeter was not competent to stand trial. He was admitted to the Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina for treatment and evaluation, with the examination determining recently that he was once again competent to stand trial.
This week, Chief Judge William H. Steele issued an order allowing Jeter’s lawyers to make arrangements for an independent psychiatric examination within 30 days.
“Defendant’s counsel continues to have a serious concern regarding whether Mr. Jeter has currently a sufficient present ability to consult with his counsel with a reasonable degree of rational understanding, as well as a sufficient present ability to have a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings against him,” Arthur Powell, Jeter’s attorney, wrote in a motion filed in federal court last week.
“Based on the previous psychiatric evaluations there is reasonable cause to believe that the Defendant may presently be suffering from a mental disease or defect that renders him mentally incompetent to the extent that he is unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings or to assist in his own defense,” Powell stated.
Jeter allegedly robbed the Atmore bank using a .22 caliber rifle, taking about $6,289. If Jeter were to be convicted on the federal charges, he could face penalties up to life in prison and fines of a half million dollars.
Authorities in Levy County, Florida, dropped an attempted murder of police officer charge against Jeter after a psychological evaluation there found him to be incompetent to stand trial. Jeter was captured in Levy County after a manhunt that followed his escape from a police officer that he struck with a “ninja throwing star”.
Jeter reportedly drove up to the downtown Atmore bank in a white pickup with a camper shell, entered the bank dressed in a dark colored trench coat and the rifle. He ordered bank employees to fill a U.S. Army backpack with cash, while he stood with the rifle pointed at the floor. He reportedly threatened a teller with the rifle during the crime.
Within a few hours of the robbery, investigators identified Jeter as their suspect. Officials searched his trailer on Highway 31 near Canoe. Inside, they found troubling evidence that Jeter might be planning to attack a military base. He said in letters and notes that he was being watched by helicopters that circle his home. Police found maps with the locations of several military bases circled, including Pensacola NAS, Eglin Air Force Base, Whiting Field and Alabama’s Ft. Rucker. The notes indicated that he planned to kill military personnel and police. Military bases were alerted to the possible threat.
Jeter’s burned out camper shell was found in the woods after the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a brush fire on a secluded section of Pine Barren Road near Breastworks Road early on the morning after the robbery.
While on routine patrol at 4:15 Eastern time the Thursday morning following the Tuesday robbery, an Inglis (Fla.) Police Department officer, Tim Swigget, located a blue GMC pickup trucked parked backed into a wooded area near a Yankeetown, Florida, neighborhood. Inside the vehicle that is nearly 400 miles from Atmore, he found Jeter sleeping. After the officer determined that Jeter is wanted for the bank robbery, Jeter attacked the officer with a Ninja star.
A manhunt involving several agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard followed after Jeter fled the scene. Jeter was taken into custody in a swampy area and transported to the Levy County Jail.
Pictured top: Chad Floyd Jeter’s booking photo taken mid-January at the Baldwin County Corrections Center. Pictured middle inset: Jeter’s truck at the First National Bank & Trust in Atmore. Pictured lower inset: Surveillance video of the bank robbery in progress. Pictured bottom: Jeter after being taken into custody last year in Levy County, Florida. NorthEscambia.com files photos, click to enlarge.
