Piehl Guilty; Faces 20 Years For Shooting Over $40 Worth Of Fake Crack
May 8, 2010
A Molino man is facing at least 20 years in state prison after being found guilty of shooting into an elderly woman’s home in a dispute over $40 in fake crack cocaine.
Robert Grant Piehl, 42, of Wilder Road, Molino, bought what he thought was crack cocaine for $40 on April 15, 2009, on Barth Lane, according to his original arrest report. But when he discovered the crack was fake, he returned to confront the alleged dealer with a .22 caliber rifle.
Armed with the rifle, he confronted two women — one 88-years old at the time — in the front yard of a home on Barth Lane and eventually fired several rounds through the front door of the residence near where the two women were standing, according to the State Attorney’s Office. Piehl then proceeded to the residence next door where he fired yet another round through a window.
As Piehl left the scene, he was immediately apprehended by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy responding to a 911 call from the area. The .22 caliber rifle and ammunition were found in Piehl’s truck. Testing by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement discovered gunshot residue on Piehl’s hands.
He will be sentenced by Circuit Judge Terry Terrell on June 21. At sentencing, he will be facing a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years under Florida’s 10-20-Life law, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
There was a second man with Piehl at the time his truck was stopped by deputies; charges against him were later dropped.
Royals Advance Toward State With Win Over Northview
May 8, 2010
It was all the things that good playoff games are made off Friday night in Jay as a capacity crowd watched the Jay Royals take on the Northview Chiefs the Region 2A Semifinals.
In the end, the Royals beat the Chiefs 1-0. Along the way, it was a game of great pitching, great hitting and equally great fielding.
The only RBI of the game came from Rush Hendricks in the bottom of the third with a single up the middle to score Sawyer Gandy.
It was the end of one of the best seasons ever for the Chiefs (18-10). The Royals (17-7) will advance to the Region 2A Finals at 7:00 Friday night in Jay.
Hunter Brown pitched seven for the Royals, allowing two hits, no runs, one walk and striking out three. Austin Reid pitched seven for the Chiefs, allowing five hits, one run, four walks and striking out six.
Northview hitters included Brad Lower 1-2 and Dakota Stuckey 1-2.
Jay hitters included Sawyer Gandy 2-2 with a run and Rush Hendricks 1-1 with an RBI.
Photos courtesy WEAR for NorthEscambia.com.
Northview FFA Holds Annual Banquet (With Photo Gallery)
May 8, 2010
It was an emotional night Friday at the 15th Annual Northview High School FFA Banquet. For the FFA teacher sponsor and the FFA president, the night was a perhaps a little more emotional and special.
Northview FFA sponsor Perry Byars and his son — this year’s FFA President Micah Byars, a graduating senior, spent four years in Northview’s FFA under his father’s leadership.
The annual banquet includes a somber ceremony for graduating seniors…they slowly remove their signature blue FFA jackets and hang them up for the last time on a coat rack.
One at a time, the two graduating FFA senior officers participated in the ceremony. Sentinel Gavin Hinote, and President Micah Byers removed their jackets one by one, placing them on the coat rack.
The night also included many awards for Northview and Ernest Ward Middle school FFA members and supporters.
Among those honored for their support of the FFA program were Northview teacher Scott Slay, Northview and Ernest Ward agriculture teacher Tommy Weaver, FFA Alumni supporters Gayle and Angus Brewton and NorthEscambia.com Publisher William Reynolds. The five were named honorary members of the Northview FFA.
The new NHS FFA officers named for the 2010-2011 school year were: Lydia Weaver, president; Allie Vidak, vice president; Stephanie Solari, secretary; Allyson Bullard, treasurer; Courtney Solari, reporter; Jessica Baldwin, sentinel; and Devin Bell, historian.
Dozens of the students in Northview’s FFA received various awards during the night.
The night also included honors and awards for Ernest Ward Middle School’s FFA members presented by chapter sponsor Cynthia Wilson.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Graduating senior FFA Sentinel Gavin Hinote, and President Micah Byers share their goodbyes. Pictured bottom: Members of the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA. NorthEscambia.comp photos, click to enlarge.
Smell From Gulf Of Mexico Oil Spill Reaches Escambia County
May 8, 2010
The first odors from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill reached Escambia County Friday afternoon, with some residents reporting a smell they described as kerosene or WD-40.
“With the afternoon sea breeze, a kerosene-like odor has been detected in areas of Escambia County. While this odor is most likely associated with the oil spill, the spill remains well to the south,” Sonya Daniel, Escambia County public information manager, said.
“Escambia County officials have deployed staff to check the waters, however there is no oil sheen or slick sighted near our coastlines,” she said.
Winds on Saturday are expected to shift to the north, alleviating the smell.
Yellow Leaves And Insects Pester Gardenias
May 8, 2010
The gardenia, with its bright white, fragrant blooms and glossy, dark green leaves, is a favorite landscape shrub in Florida.
A brief history
Gardenias originated in China, where it was cultivated for more than 1,000 years. In 1761, British naturalist John Ellis received a specimen of this plant from China and named the plant after his friend Dr. Alexander Garden, a noted botanist and physician in Charleston, South Carolina.
In the 1920s and 1930s, gardenias became highly prized as a cut flower for corsages and arrangements. Today gardenias are a favorite shrub in the Florida landscape and are acclaimed for their creamy-white blossoms and unique fragrance of vanilla, jasmine, and nutmeg, a fragrance that becomes spicier as the gardenia blooms age.
While gardenia is a lovely landscape shrub, it is not without problems.
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves are a common complaint among gardenia-growers. Yellowing, or chlorosis, may be due to a number of causes.
One of the first things to consider is an iron deficiency. Gardenias generally require more iron than other plants. In high pH (alkaline) soils, iron is not readily available. Lack of iron will result in yellow leaves.
To correct this problem, first see if your soil pH is the issue by getting a soil test. Sometimes, foliar applications of iron are effective. Follow the directions on the product label. In addition, fertilize your gardenias with an “acidifying” fertilizer.
Other causes of yellow leaves include insufficient light, over watering or poor drainage, soil temperature that is too low, nematode damage or disease.
Even though gardenias are evergreen plants, they do go through a period of leaf replacement. Some yellowing on older leaves is normal and may occur during the spring months before new growth appears.
Whiteflies
As their name implies, whiteflies are small, fly-like insects with white-colored wings. They hide on the underside of leaves, where they multiply rapidly. Whiteflies suck on plant juices and, in large numbers, can consume a considerable amount of nutrients. Like aphids, they excrete lots of honeydew, on which black sooty mold fungus grows.
The key to whitefly control is not a specific insecticide–the key is persistence. Almost any insecticide will kill a whitefly. Insecticidal soap, neem oil, horticultural oil, permethrin, bifenthrin and lambda-cyhalothrin are deadly to the insect.
Since whiteflies live under gardenia leaves, it is critical to direct your spray upwards under the leaves. Plan to spend several minutes with each gardenia, working to achieve complete coverage. One spray won’t kill all of them. Nearby plants harbor the creatures and they will move back in within a few days.
Thrips
In early summer, the gardenia will reward gardeners with fragrant blooms. However, the blooms are frequently infested with an insect known as thrips.
Thrips are very small insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts. In addition to causing discoloration of petals, they can also cause leaf malformation (distorted, dwarfed, and matted), leaf fold, leaf roll, leaf blisters, and sometimes defoliation.
To aid in detecting thrips, place a sheet of white paper beneath the leaves or flowers and shake the plant. The thrips will fall onto the paper and can be more easily observed and identified than when on the plant.
Since thrips may come in large flights over an extended period of time, insecticides which give good initial results but have a short residual effect are generally inadequate for control of thrips infestations. Systemic insecticides are highly effective and provide long-term control.
For more information, contact Theresa Friday at 850-623-3868 or email tlfriday@ufl.edu. Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Courtesy photos by Theresa Friday for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Murzin Drops Out Of Senate Race; Pre-Files To Run Against Valentino, Touart For Commission
May 7, 2010
Rep. Dave Murzin has dropped out of his the primary race for the Florida Senate to run for the Escambia County Commission seat currently held by Gene Valentino.
Murzin, R-Pensacola, pre-filed for the commission seat Friday afternoon, citing the need to clean up Escambia County politics and spend more time with his 11-year old son. The District 2 Commission seat is currently held by Gene Valentino, who is facing misdemeanor charges of soliciting campaign contributions on state property.
“We’re never going to pull ourselves up to our potential when we have people mired in conflict,” Murzin said Friday.
In addition to Valentino, Murzin enters a field crowded with contenders — former Administrator George Touart, Robety Kelley, Andy Kowalski, Karen Sindel, Myra Simmons and Paul Redman.
Murzin’s move leaves only Rep. Evers and Pensacola insurance agent Mike Hill in the race for the Senate seat being vacated by Rep. Durell Peaden. With 10 years in the Senate, Peaden is not running again due to term limits.
“I wish Dave well in whatever he chooses to do in the future and am confident he has much to contribute to our community and our state,” said Evers. “Dave is a friend and a true public servant who has literally dedicated his entire professional life to the service of our state. I am proud to have served with him in the Florida House and wish him the very best. I look forward to continuing to work with him to make certain the Northwest Florida we both love and call home is well-positioned and well-served for years to come.”
The News Service Florida contributed to this report.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed On New Chemstrand
May 7, 2010
A pedestrian was struck and killed late Thursday night in Pensacola. He was hit by three vehicles.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Billy G. Beck, 23, of Pensacola, was walking northbound on the paved portion of New Chemstrand Road just south of 10 Mile Road when he was struck by a northbound vehicle. That vehicle fled the scene.
Beck was then struck by the front undercarriage of vehicle driven by Devin J. Poe, 18, of Cantonment. Poe and passenger in his vehicle, Joshua F. Valentine, 18, of Pensacola, were not injured.
A third vehicle, driven by Julian J. Donato, 24, of Pace, then struck Beck.
Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the FHP.
The FHP said they have no information or description of the vehicle that fled the scene. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Cpl. Michael J. Tucker at the Florida Highway Patrol Station in Pensacola, (850) 484-5000 ext.331.
Ernest Ward Students Pass Pills; Two Sent To Hospital
May 7, 2010
Authorities are investigating an incident Thursday at Ernest Ward Middle School in which prescription drugs were passed between students, sending two of them to the hospital.
The school’s resource officer, James Gill, was advised by the school nurse that a 15-year old student in the clinic had admitted to taking Xanax, Adderall and Tylenol. The student, who was reported to be “extremely lethargic” was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital.
The girl’s mother told deputies that she did have those prescription medications hidden in her household. She later told deputies that some of the medications were missing from her purse.
According to Deputy Gill’s report, another student was taken to the hospital by his father because he appeared to be under the influence of some substance. A third student was evaluated after admitting to taking one-half of a Xanax pill.
Several students were interviewed about the incident, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office incident report. One reported that he saw one student get a “blue pill” from another student and then give it to a third student.
Another student reported seeing another take five blue pills. Xanax are sometimes blue in color, according to the incident report.
The Sheriff’s Office investigation into the incident is continuing. No charges had been filed in the case as of Thursday night. The incident was also reported to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
Suspect Steals Car, Wants To Kill Cops; Says “Living Is Hard And Dying Is Easy”
May 7, 2010
Out of jail for just two days, a Cantonment man is back in the Escambia County Jail without bond after he stole a car, tried to lure deputies into a wooded area while threatening to kill them, and making statements that “living is hard and dying is easy” and that he would “kill the police”, according to deputies.
Jimmie Bradley, Sr., 54, of Hazard Lane, Cantonment, is charged with grand theft of a vehicle, resisting an officer without violence/obstruction of justice, domestic violence battery, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and driving with a suspended license.
The incident involving Bradley began about 10 a.m. Wednesday when Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Thomas Joyner responded to a vehicle theft in progress call at the intersection of Highway 29 and Airport Boulevard. He was advised by dispatchers that the suspect was traveling north on Highway 29 in a blue 1994 Toyota Corolla occupied by Bradley.
When deputies located the victim on Highway 29, she told them she had driven Bradley, who is her ex-husband, to the Escambia County Clinic on Palafox Street for a doctor’s appointment. On the return trip, Bradley became very irate and angry “stating that he was going to get everyone including his son’s people in Alabama, (the victim) and police”. While northbound on Highway 29, Bradley pulled the keys out of the car, causing the victim to run off the road. He then allegedly tried to pull her out of the car before getting into the driver’s seat.
That’s when, according to the arrest report, he “stated that he wanted the police to come to Hazard Lane and said he knows he can get at least four cops then he’ll pull their cars down into his yard”.
Bradley was located by deputies in a wooded area off Quintette Road about a quarter mile from Highway 29. He was given numerous orders by deputies to get down on the ground, but he failed to comply for at least five minutes. According to the report, Bradley eventually complied and was taken into custody after making several attempts to lure deputies into a wooded area visible from Highway 29. He also reportedly made numerous statements that he would “kill the police”.
On the way to jail, Bradley reportedly told deputies that, “If I make bond, someone’s going to die”. Deputies found 59 .22 caliber bullets and one spent 410 shotgun shell in his possession.
According to Sheriff’s Office reports, this was not the first incident in which Bradley threatened to kill officers. In late March, he allegedly robbed a man and then committed battery on an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy before telling them that he would kill them and another man when he gets out of jail. [Read that story here.] The battery on an officer charge in that case was dropped. He was released from jail May 3 on $20,000 bond in connection with that incident.
Rotary Club Honors Academic All-Stars
May 7, 2010
The Atmore Rotary Club recognized an outstanding group of area high school students as Academic All-Stars Thursday night, including about two dozen Northview High School students.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year, with at least one A for each grading period.
Those who have maintained this status from the 9th through the 12th grades, were honored as Four-Year Academic All-Stars: Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway, Clinton Eugene Davis, Mark Allen Shipps Jr. from Northview High School; Savannah Brown, Austin Heller and Sarah Ziglar from Atmore Christian School; Jon Dean, Robert Johnson, Perry Jones and Jake Wasdin from Escambia Academy; and Tyler Wade Boatwright, Devante Cottrell Brown, Sheena-Marie Currie*, Shar’Nell Wyneisha Flavors, Joslin Mona’ Frye, Michaela Ta’Mill Norman and Kimberly Marie Rolin.
The following students were recognized Thursday night as Atmore Rotary Academic All-Stars:
Northview High School
9th Grade
Jazzlyn Shanece Franklin, La’Derious Ty’Shon Franklin, Kaitlyn Brooke Gunn, Justin Lance Halteman, Marcus Trey Johnson, Zachary Sean Johnson, Skyler Ashton Macks and Tyler Dewayne Roley
10th Grade
Holly Nicole Dickson, Amber Dianne Francis, Alexander Dewayne Payne, Tyler Lindsay Randolph and Joel Nathaniel Wetzel
11th Grade
Mallory Ann Bell, Ashley Elizabeth Digmon, Laneicia Dynette Gomez, Sarah Malinda Killam, Hayley Renee Simpson and Emily Faith Vickrey
12th Grade
Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway, Kolbi Shae Cobb, Clinton Eugene Davis, Bradley James Lowery, Amber Nicole McMillan and Mark Allen Shipps Jr.
Atmore Christian School
9th Grade
Jacinda Stahly, Narisa Wiggins and Hannah Ziglar
10th Grade
Tessa de Jongh, Frisco Gehman and Mary Maud Meacham
11th Grade
Dallas Brown, Cody Mize and Deidre Smith
12th Grade
Savannah Brown, Mallorie Dunsford, Austin Heller, Zack Miller and Sarah Ziglar
Escambia Academy
9th Grade
Paige Allen, Paul Arnold, Caitlyn Bruley, Selina Dukes, Page Lancaster, Blake Quimby and Sarah Wooten
10th Grade
Jenna Brown, Miranda Caraway, Katelyn Chastang, James Dean and Brandon Goddard
11th Grade
Amber Huskey, Keaton Maher and Bailey Vaughn
12th Grade
Jon Dean, Robert Johnson, Perry Jones and Jake Wasdin
Escambia County High School
9th Grade
Jake Austin Caraway, Krista Anna Choate, Kianna Simone Clark, Shalonda Trenee Howard, Janay Louise Hunt, Scarlet Olivia Martin, La’Derian De’Andreas Peoples, Samantha Leigh Richard, Chelsie Elizabeth Schell, Heather Ann Taylor and Bria Nicole Willis
10th Grade
Jazmine Nicole Adams, Quinston Jamaine Ephraim Jr., Taylor Rainy January, Ashley Nichole McKenzie, Roger Lucas Miller, Jamieka Bessie Marie North, Mary LaRose Powell and Sarah Jessica Powell
11th Grade
Jasmine Danielle Chafin, Jordan Allene Colbert, Kristen Anne Gehman, Corleia Charzet McGinnis, Morgan Elise Nichols and Brooke Elizabeth Woolard
12th Grade
Tyler Wade Boatwright, Danitra Monique Brown, Devante Cottrell Brown, Leslie Rene Cummings, Sheena-Marie Currie, Tikeshia Latrice Dailey, Lillian Victoria Dennis, Shar’Nell Wyneisha Flavors, Joslin Mona’ Frye, Heather Sarah Hall, Whitney Vona Johnson, Kirsten Danielle Morris, Michaela Ta’Mill Norman, Karshella Jabrae Purifoy, Kimberly Marie Rolin and Jasmine Tysheike Tolbert
Pictured top: Seniors from Northview High School that were honored as Atmore Rotary Club Academic All-Stars Thursday night. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.