Poarch Woman Charged With Bay Minette Murder
March 30, 2024
A Poarch woman has been charged with murder in connection with a fatal stabbing Friday morning in Baldwin county.
Cassandra Marie Malden, 30, was booked into the Baldwin County Jail without bond Friday evening.
The Bay Minette Police Department responded to a Daphne Road residence behind the former Standard Furniture factory about 9:30 a.m. Friday. Upon arrival, they located an adult male dead from an apparent stabbing.
BPD said the suspect was cooperating with investigators. Further details were not released.
Jurey’s Three RBIs Not Enough As Northview Falls To J.U. Blacksher
March 30, 2024
J.U. Blacksher 8, Northview 6
The J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs defeated the Northview Chiefs 8-6 in a Friday afternoon game in Uriah, Alabama.
Starter Grayden Sheffield went two innings for the Chiefs, giving up four hits and five runs, striking out one and walking three. Jase Portwood went for four on the mound in relief, giving up six hits and three runs while striking out two and walking two.
Kalen Jurey went 1-2 with three RBIs for Northview. Portwood was 1-2.
Up next, the Chiefs will host the Jay Royals at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Bratt.
Blacksher 7, Northview 5 (JV)
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Ice Flyers Miss On Power-Play Chances, Fall 2-1 In Overtime Against Evansville
March 30, 2024
By Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers correspondent
The Ice Flyers came up empty on nine power-play chances Friday night.
And then lost the game in overtime while on the power play, silencing a crowd of 5,010 at the Pensacola Bay Center.
For a photo gallery, click here.
It was that kind of night, that tough of a loss as the Evansville Thunderbolts exited with a 2-1 victory to begin the Ice Flyers final home weekend of the season on Easter weekend.
“It was very fitting that we lost the game on a power play by a lack of execution, giving up a shorthanded goal. It sums up the night unfortunately,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham.
After Evansville was whistled for its 10th penalty with 53.8 seconds left in regulation play, the Ice Flyers had their chance to win the game. But they were unable to get a good look in that span, then went into overtime with the penalty carrying over.
On a 4-on-3 situation, an Ice Flyers player fell while trying to make a pass. The Thunderbolts’ Matthew Hobbs got the turnover, got free on a breakaway and made a quick deke and wrister past Ice Flyers goaltender Stephen Mundinger for the game winner.
Mundinger had kept the Ice Flyers in the game the entire way, stopping 31 shots, many of them with brilliant glove saves, but the offensive production lacked, and Evansville got the win.
Evansville (23-27, 3 OT losses, 47 points) also won the previous meeting between these teams. They will play again Saturday night for the final time. The Thunderbolts clinched the final playoff spot in eighth place and trail the seventh-place Ice Flyers (24-25, 3 OT losses, 51 points) heading into the final four games of the season for both teams.
The game recap:
FIRST PERIOD
The Ice Flyers had two power play chances and a 13-5 edge in shots, but the period ended scoreless.
With 11:54 left and both teams even-strength, the Ice Flyers briefly reacted to the goal light coming on after a loose puck in a scrum was poked into the net.
But referee Keith Grooms had raised his arm and blown his whistle a second before the puck was pushed into the net to signal play stoppage. The Ice Flyers did not react as if there was a dispute. There was some pushing and shoving among several players, but no penalties issued.
Mundinger made his best save of the period on a clear breakaway chance by coming out and forcing a shot into his chest protecter.
SECOND PERIOD
This began with a flurry of shots, then ended with a flurry of fists.
And a tied game at 1-1.
Evansville had three point blank chances in the first five minutes, two of those by center Grant Spence. All were thwarted by Mundinger.
That lift carried into the game’s first goal when Reggie Millette broke free after a face off and made a perfect feed from the right side to newcomer, Spencer Kennedy, who buried a one timer into the net with 13:50 left in the period.
Kennedy played his first game Friday for the Ice Flyers, after being on four different teams this season, including 19 games for Roanoke and 13 for Peoria in the SPHL.
Spence then tied the game with 8:58 left when burying a rebound off a leg pad save by Mundinger. Brendon Harrogate got free on a 2 on 1 break to force the kick save and Spence had wide open net to finish.
After seeking a fight in the first period, but getting no takers, Kennedy landed several punches to Grayson Valente’s face as the horn sounded to end the second period. It followed a slashing call against the Thunderbirds’ Adam Pilotte.
It took minutes to sort out the infractions. Kennedy was given a five-minute fighting penalty; two minutes to Pilotte and another two minutes to Valente to start the third period.
Evansville tied the game with 8:58 remaining on a rebound shot by
THIRD PERIOD
The Ice Flyers began with a man-advantage for the first 90 seconds in a penalty filled start to this period.
The teams were not at full strength together until less than 10 minutes remained. The Ice Flyers had 12 shots in the period, but none of them with rebound chances to follow. In the period, the teams combined for 25 penalty minutes.
QUOTABLES
Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham:
“We had a lot of passengers (Friday) unfortunately. I didn’t expect it. We had a good week of practice. I tip my hat to Evansville. I thought it was a chance-for-chance, coin flip type of game, but again we should start seeing guys rise to the top as this point in the season.
The power play (woes) are the same thing all year. We just don’t have shooters. We have three of the top assist guys in the league, but we don’t have anyone in the top 15 for goals. We just don’t have guys who want to shoot the puck and when we do shoot the puck we miss the net. It’s been the same thing.
If we could just get our power play to buy into getting pucks and bodies to the net, maybe we could do something with the power play.
On Spencer Kennedy’s Impact: “Obviously he knows his role here, he knows his job. He did a great job his first shift with a big hit, and it got the crowd going, because we didn’t have a good start. That hit kind of got us going. I think we rattled off the next 13 shots.”
WHAT TO GO?
WHO: Evansville Thunderbolts vs. Ice Flyers
WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center
New Byrneville Minor Subdivision Approved; It’s Just Four Lots
March 29, 2024
Escambia County has approved development plans for the “Byrneville Subdivision” on 122 acres near Byrneville Elementary School. It’s the only new development approved in the county during March, and it is just four new parcels.
The plans are much different than most we’ve reported on. The applicant, John Dean of Pensacola, plans to split the 122 acres on two parcels into just the four residential lots — three that would be 20-25 acres each and one at nearly 55 acres.
The plans were approved this week by the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
Dean told NorthEscambia.com that the 55-acre parcel has already been sold; property records show it was purchased by a nearby resident.
Dean said he and his sister are planning to sell the other three parcels.
The minor subdivision fronts both West Highway 4 and Byrneville Road at the Byrneville Elementary school.
The DRC order is valid for two years.
‘This Drug House Is Closed’- ECSO Narcotics Serves Search Warrant, Arrests One
March 29, 2024
One person was arrested on drug charges after deputies raided a home in Escambia County Thursday.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, with the assistance of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, served a search warrant in the 1400 block of Sturbridge Place. During the search, deputies located 45 grams of Fentanyl, 337 grams of Methamphetamine, 18 grams of MDMA, and two handguns.
Michael Watts was charged with trafficking fentanyl, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking MDMA, and possession of firearm by a convicted felon.
After the raid, the ECSO left behind a sign in the front yard of the home that stated, “This Drug House Is Closed”.
Sturbridge Place is located south of Nine Mile Road and just east of Stefani Road.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Foul Play Suspected After Body Discovered Near Mystic Springs Boat Ramp
March 29, 2024
No foul play is suspected after a body was found Saturday, March 23 near the Mystic Springs Boat Launch in the McDavid area.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday afternoon that the death appeared to be a suicide.
The investigation is continuing. Further details have not been released.
The ESCO is also continuing their investigation after a body was discovered Wednesday afternoon in a wooded area on Ascend property in Gonzalez. That death was also preliminarily ruled a suicide. [Read more...]
Four RBIs For Pugh As Northview Comes Back To Beat Pine Forest
March 29, 2024
The Northview Chiefs recovered from a four-run deficit to defeat the Pine Forest Eagles 9-8 Thursday night in Pensacola.
Pine Forest scored seven runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 7-3 lead. The Chiefs regained an 8-7 advantage in the top of the fifth, and Pine Forest tied it up at eight in the bottom of the sixth on a Northview error Brady Smith singled in the top of the seventh, scoring one run, to make it 9-8.
Starter Smith went for three and two-thirds innings for Northview, allowing five hits and seven runs, striking out five and walking one. Jackson Bridges went for three and a third innings, surrendering one hit and one run, striking out nine and walking three.
Colby Pugh led the Chiefs at the plate, going 2-4 with four RBIs. Smith was 1-4 with one RBI.
The Chiefs will be back in action Friday at 2 p.m. at J.U. Blacksher in Uriah, Alabama.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
$200,000 In Drugs Seized Near Jay In Connection To Escambia County Case
March 28, 2024
Drugs valued at $200,000 were seized when a search warrant was executed near Jay later Wednesday evening in connection with an Escambia County case, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said.
The SRSO Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant in the 4900 block of Dobson Road to assist with an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigation.
Information was received that the suspect was in possession of large amounts of Spice (synthetic cannabinoids), Marijuana, and THC edibles, SRSO said.
Travis Paul Sterback, 27, was charged with trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, fleeing and eluding at a high rate of speed and firing a weapon in public. He remained in the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Additional charges are pending in Escambia County.
Sterback was not at the residence when investigators arrived, but they soon learned he was enroute. Deputies said when Sterback arrived, he stopped in front of the residence and fired two shots out of the driver’s side window. The Sheriff’s Office said he was ordered to stop, but he quickly fled the scene at a high rate of speed and continued eluding law enforcement for several miles, before being stopped on Highway 87.
Detectives recovered 150 pounds of spice from the property, with a street value of $200,000. Two guns were also recovered from the vehicle, along with $3,000 in cash believed to be from criminal activity.
“We are thankful for our great partnership with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Working together has certainly made an impact on getting drugs off the streets and keeping our citizens safe,” Jillian Durkin, Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, said.
‘Blessing To Be Away From Those Conditions’ – Century Water, Wastewater Supervisor Resigns
March 28, 2024
Century’s water and wastewater superintendent has submitted his resignation following a warning letter from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Heath Burkett signed a six-page irrevocable resignation agreement on March 7. The agreement was retroactively approved by the town council, Burkett’s resignation will be final on May 9, the agreement states.
The town received warning letters last year raising numerous deficiencies with the water and wastewater operations, and later DEP issued a warning letter specifically to Burkett, alleging numerous possible violations of Florida statutes and code by Burkett.
DEP Allegations
DEP conducted an “office file” investigation in “regard to Mr. Burkett’s drinking water and wastewater operations at the Town of Century”, a February 21 letter from the state agency stated.
DEP asserted the following against Burkett:
Drinking Water License
- Failure to perform responsible and effective on-site management of the operation, supervision, and maintenance of water treatment plants.
- Failure to submit all required reports in the manner required by the Department rules.
- Failure to maintain a separate operation and maintenance (O&M) log for each water treatment plant that is accessible and protected from weather damage.
- Knowingly submitting misleading, false, or inaccurate information in daily logbook.
- Knowingly clearing a plant for service without an operational flowmeter.
- Failure to complete required site visits and/or maintain log for site visits.
Wastewater License
- Failure to report to the Department of unauthorized domestic wastewater discharges.
- Missing site time entries in operator logbook.
- Failure to submit all required reports in the manner required by the Department rules.
- Failure to document calibration records for the dissolved oxygen meter.
Many of the allegations were included a DEP warning letter to the town, and town responded. [Details...]
Burkett Responds, Makes Allegations Against Town
In his written response to DEP, Burkett said he has been the town’s sole certified operator since 2019.
“It is a blessing to be away from those conditions,” he wrote.
“It required me to stretch my time to all those tasks that normally would not be handled by an operator on a day to day basis,” he wrote. Burkett said he trusted mayors and town councils to follow through on promises to improve staff and conditions. He stated that at one time the town had a dedicated water operator and three full time distribution and maintenance personnel.
“Even though I need a job, because my family is important to me, it is a blessing to be away from those conditions. Whomever tries to operate that system will have most of these issues due to decisions that continue to be made by the Mayor and council,” he wrote.
Burkett termed the water and wastewater operations as “ridiculous conditions”, but said his decisions were made under “severe constraints” and nothing was malicious or causing any detriment to water or wastewater quality.
“I was never the manager of any department, therefore I had no control over finances, personnel, or expenditure planning. Even though I was the supervisor of the Water Department, I was not given authority to exercise supervisor duties. The town Mayor had sole authority over all departments” he alleged.
What’s next for the town?
Century council member Alicia Johnson has taken over acting supervisor duties, according to documents filed with DEP. She is both a certified water and wastewater operator that worked for the town in those positions until her March 2019 resignation. The mayor stated that she is now volunteering her time as water and wastewater supervisor. She is compensated as a council member and continues to sit on the council.
The town council voted in February to allow the mayor to hire U.S. Water Services Corp. in New Port Richey, Florida, for up to $33,630 to address FDEP water warning letters from 2023 and a wastewater treatment plant consent order. The company will not address the most recent January 30 warning letter’s 35 items; the town’s request for proposals was issued prior to that date.
Instead, the town hired the law firm of Sundstrom and Mindlin of Tallahassee as recommended by the town attorney Matt Dannheisser to respond to the latest allegations. The second attorney will charge up to $350 per hour.
The law firm has worked to facilitate a meeting between DEP and town officials.
In the meantime, Century has reported additional sewage spills, including one due to employee negligence after a valve was not opened as required, and the well serving the Century Correctional Institution remains out of service awaiting repairs.
Hiring Process Underway
The town has posted three positions in the water department with annual salaries totaling in excess of $218,000 plus benefits.
The town is hiring a water and wastewater treatment plant superintendent with a salary up to $85,000; a water treatment plant lead operator up to $66,650; and a wastewater treatment plant operator at up to $32/hour ($66,650 per year).
No closing date for applications was posted.
Tate Army JROTC Wins Regional Drill Meet
March 28, 2024
Submitted by Cadet 1LT Jayce Latzer
The Tate Army JROTC Aggie Battalion recently traveled to Chipley to compete in the regional drill meet.
This competition is to determine what teams are allowed to go to the state drill meet in Lakeland on April 6. Out of the 12 teams, 10 of the teams are qualified for state.
Results were as follows:
-Tate Male Color Guard-1st
CMD c/MAJ Yasurek, J
-Tate Female Unarmed PLT-1st
CMD c/2Lt Elnahrawy, J
-Tate Male Armed PLT-1st
CMD c/CPT Stegall, B
-Tate Female Armed PLT-1st
CMD c/CSM Allgyer, O
-Individual Exhibition-1st
CMD c/SSG Wells, T
-Tate Unarmed Squad Male-2nd
CMD c/SFC Colston, Z
-Tate Unarmed Squad Female-2nd
CMD-c/SGT Wiggins K
-Tate Unarmed PLT-Male-2nd
CMD-c/LTC Sappington K
-Tate Armed Squad Female-2nd
CMD c/1LT Williams, K
-Dual Exhibition-2nd
c/1LT Stringer, B and c/SFC Colston, Z
-Tate Female Color Guard-3rd
CMD c/1SG Vickers, D
-Tate Armed Squad Male-3rd
CMD c/CPT Davis, B
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
