Seach Warrant Executed: Horses Seized From Highway 97 Stable
June 5, 2010
Three malnourished horses were seized Friday afternoon as a search warrant was executed at a Molino stable.
Deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and investigators and volunteers from Panhandle Equine Rescue worked to seize the horses from 2401 Highway 97. According to PER President Diane Lowery, the three horses were malnourished. They were located in a large pasture where additional hay and water was obviously provided.
“These three need more than they are getting here; they need grain,” she said as she looked out over the acres of pasture where numerous other horses appeared well nourished. “Sometimes they need a supplement, which they are not getting. We’ve tried to educate them (the caretakers) on how to take care of them.”
Once they were rounded up from the pasture, loading the animals in waiting trailers proved to be a bit of a challenge. One loaded with reasonable ease, lured by a bucket of food. But two proved a bit more difficult, with Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Wes Brown eventually grabbing a rope and lassoing one of them like an old west cowboy.
It was not immediately known who owned the three horses that were seized. No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the case.
For more exclusive photos from the search warrant execution, click here.
Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Wes Brown throws a lasso at a horse during the execution of search warrant Friday afternoon on Highway 97 in Molino. Pictured inset: Volunteers from Panhandle Equine Rescue remove a horse from a field at a Molino stable. Pictured below: One of the seized malnourished horses. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Arrest For Assault With Deadly Weapon
June 5, 2010
A suspicious person complaint on Hudson Hill Road in Century led to the arrest of a Century man on an outstanding felony warrant Friday night. Leroy Smith, 53, of Highway 4A, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon about 9 p.m. Smith was being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond. Further details about the warrant were not immediately available.
Gulf Winds Commits $50,000 For Wildlife Sanctuary Oil Fund
June 5, 2010
Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union has committed $50,000 in a matching donation fund to assist the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida.
According to Chris Rutledge, Gulf Winds president and CEO, “We wanted to create an opportunity for the community to double the amount they give to the Wildlife Sanctuary. When they give through our website, we will match the gift dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of$50,000.”
“In short,” Rutledge said, “we want to turn our $50,000 into a $100,000 donation with help from the Gulf Coast residents.” Rutledge said that the Wildlife Sanctuary will be doing rehabilitation during and after the oil spill cleanup, and Gulf Winds wants to help them with the funds they need for the work ahead.
Rutledge and several Gulf Winds staff members took a tour of the Wildlife Sanctuary recently.
“We were very impressed with the facility and the work they are doing,” he said. “The Wildlife Sanctuary has been a part of this community for over 28 years and will be here long after the BP cleanup operation has left the area.”
Rutledge said that Gulf Winds has a strong history of supporting our community and they cannot sit idly by and wait for others to solve this crisis. “We know that the Wildlife Sanctuary will be assisting and doing all they can do to protect, restore and rehabilitate wildlife that will be affected by this disaster. Our wildlife cannot wait while lawsuits are settled. They will need our help now and long term.”
Although reports indicate that British Petroleum (BP) has committed to covering the costs associated with the oil spill incident, including the wildlife cleanup, the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida is preparing for a potentially overwhelming amount of work. Dorothy Kaufmann, Wildlife Sanctuary Director, said her staff and volunteers are working closely with many collaborating organizations in these recovery efforts.
Kaufmann said that the Wildlife Sanctuary is already involved and has received injured birds from Tri-State Rescue and Research (the organization contracted by BP to rehabilitate wildlife in this incident). “The birds and other animals can’t be released to the wild immediately,” said Kaufmann. “The oil is still out there. We will be ready to nurse the animals back to health and if needed, hold them until it is safe to release them.”
The Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida is a non-profit organization that has been serving Northwest Florida since 1982. They do not charge for their services, so they rely on contributions to stay open. The money is used to build facilities, grounds upkeep, medical supplies and lots of food. During a normal year, they take in 3,000-4,000 injured or sick animals, and they expect to see a big increase this year.
If you would like to support the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, you can make a donation at www.GoGulfWinds.com. By using the Gulf Winds website, your donation will be doubled and 100 percent of the donation will go directly to the local Sanctuary.
Northview Honor Graduates Named
June 5, 2010
It is graduation day for the Northview High School Class of 2010. Valedictorian for the NHS Class of 2010 is Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway. Salutatorian is Clinton Eugene Davis. The following students will graduate with honors:
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above)
1. Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway
2. Clinton Eugene Davis
3. Mark Allen Shipps, Jr.
4. Jessica Nichole Bloodsworth
5. Bradley James Lowery
6. Felicia Michelle Settle
7. Jackson Helton Smith
8. Eric Matthew Ickeringill
9. Candice Louise Greenwell
10. Kolbi Shae Cobb
Magna Cum Laude (3.85 GPA and above)
11. Caitlin Allie Hall
12. Matthew Cody Parker
13. Austin Hunter Lowery
Cum Laude (3.50 GPA and above)
14. Micah Perrygreen Byars
15. Seth Madison Leonard
16. Heather Danielle Ward
17. Tiffany Michelle Barrows
18. Victoria Ashton Rigby
19. Dakota Wayne Stuckey
20. Jacob Lee Garrison
21. Lauren Ashely Lowe
22. Amber Nicole McMillan
23. Lennie Nannett Caum
24. Brittany Michele Burt
25. Christopher James Sheets
26. Jennifer Megan Lowe
Health Advisory: Oil Odor
June 5, 2010
The Escambia County Emergency Operation Center (EOC) has received reports of possible petroleum-like odors in parts of Escambia County. It is possible that these odors are related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, according to statement released by the Escambia County Health Department.
There is currently no measurement data of petroleum-like substances in the air.
As a result, the Escambia County Health Department is advising residents that exposure to petroleum-like odors may cause temporary respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals, such as eye, nose, and throat irritation. People experiencing respiratory symptoms, including those with pre-existing severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic lung disease, should stay inside and consult their physician for treatment if symptoms persist.
While inside, residents should close windows and run their cooling system. If symptoms persist while inside an air-conditioned home, residents may choose to leave the area until their symptoms are tolerable. The health department will continue to monitor this situation in cooperation with the Emergency Operations Center.
Outwit and Outlast the Troublesome Armadillo
June 5, 2010
Have you ever discovered your once beautiful green lawn looking like the surface of the moon, full of craters? If so, then you may have been visited by an alien-looking creature known as the armadillo.
Armadillos originated in South America. They are mammals. They are neither rodents nor marsupials and are not related to the opossum. Their closest living relative is the anteater and sloth.
The most easily recognized feature of an armadillo is its shell. Their common name, armadillo, is derived from a Spanish term meaning “little armored one”. All armadillos have shells, made of true bone, that cover their backs. Most armadillos also have bony rings or plates that protect their tails.
Digging machines
Armadillos are built to dig. They rely on this ability to escape danger and survive. They prefer sandy or loam soils that are relatively easy to excavate. Therefore, they are well adapted to Northwest Florida soils.
Armadillos typically rest in deep burrows during the day and become more active during the late evening, night, or early morning. These burrows are usually located under brushpiles, stumps, dense brush, or concrete patios, and are about 7 to 8 inches in diameter and can be up to 15 feet long. They often have several burrows throughout their territory.
Food sources
Armadillos feed primarily on insects. They also eat earthworms, scorpions, spiders, snails, and small vertebrates and their eggs. They consume large amounts of armyworms, cockroaches, ants, wasps, flies, beetles, and grasshoppers. They have been known to dig up entire yellow-jacket nests.
Some consider the armadillo a beneficial creature because they eat potential pests. Many consider the armadillo a pest because of their destructive ways. Armadillo can burrow under driveways and patios causing structural damage. Burrows in pastures can pose a potential hazard to livestock. And because armadillos usually search for food by rooting or digging in the ground, they can damage large areas of the lawn or garden.
Control measures
If you find that you cannot live with these creatures, the University of Florida recommends four ways to deal with armadillos.
- reducing the amount of water and fertilizer you apply to your lawn
- creating barriers (e.g., fences),
- live-trapping
- shooting offending individuals (check local ordinances)
The best solution (and the most expensive) is a stout fence to keep the armadillos out. If you take this route, make sure the fence is buried at least 18 inches into the ground, or they might just burrow under it.
Reducing the water and fertilizer applications to your lawn may help reduce armadillo damage. A moist lush landscape is perfect for earthworms and insect larvae. Armadillos love earthworms. Sometimes watering adjacent areas may attract armadillos away from a site.
Trapping can be frustrating and may require some ingenious thinking. Some tried and true trapping techniques are discussed at length in an online University of Florida publication by Dr. Russ Mizell at http://ufinsect.ifas.ufl.edu/armadillo.htm.
Remember that poison baits are illegal and ineffective. No chemical repellents or fumigants are registered for use in Florida.
Armadillos are very happy in Northwest Florida and are here to stay. If they have become unwelcomed house guests, put your thinking cap on and be committed to outwitting and outlasting this prehistoric-looking creature.
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 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Molino Park 5th Graders Say Goodbye
June 5, 2010
There were lots of tears, smiles and hugs Friday morning at Molino Park Elementary School as fifth graders took their final walk to the buses on the last day of school.
Teachers, parents and other students cheered on the Molino Park graduates as they said goodbye to their elementary years.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured above and below: Fifth grade students take their final walk to the buses Friday morning at Molino Park Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Manhunt In Molino For Burglary Suspect
June 4, 2010
A manhunt in Molino Friday morning turned up empty for a burglary suspect in the area of Sunshine Hill and Suncrest Lane.
The suspect is identified as Brandon Davis Edmondson, 30, of Molino. Deputies believe he was involved in a morning burglary in the 100 block of Molino Road and that he may have later fled his residence in the 6000 block of Sunshine Hill Road.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies suspect Edmondson burglarized a shed on Molino Road, taking tools.
The suspect was last seen wearing a red shirt and blue jeans. Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Pictured top: A K-9 team searches for a burglary suspect in Molino Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Globs Of Oil,Tarballs Found On Pensacola Beach; Cap Over Well
June 4, 2010
The first small balls of oil were found on Pensacola Beach Friday morning.
Sam Champion made the early morning tarball discovery on ABC’s Good Morning America. Scooping up a handful of sand, removed an oil ball that he described as “a red-like, tar oil substance right on the beaches of Pensacola this morning”. He compared the balls of oil to what he had seen what scuba diving in the Gulf Tuesday.
“It wasn’t here last night,” he said. “I’m really, really upset about this.”
Thursday night, BP managed to place cap over the Deepwater Horizon oil leak deep in the Gulf. From video, it was impossible to tell if the funnel-shaped lid was working — oil could bee seen gushing rapidly from around the cap.
BP said Friday morning that some oil was flowing through a pipe from the cap to the surface, but it was too early to tell exactly how much of the oil was being captured.
Pictured top: ABC’s Sam Champion holds one of many oily tarballs found Friday morning on Pensacola Beach. To watch the video, click the photo. Photo courtesy ABC’s Good Morning America.o Pictured inset: A cap placed over the leaking oil well Thursday night did not appear to impede the flow of oil. BP photo.
Man Accused Of Murdering Century Native Changes Plea
June 4, 2010
A Bay Minette teen wants to withdraw his no contest plea charges that he shot a Century native in the face last June.
Ellis Jarel McArthur, 18, of Bay Minette, Ala., entered the surprise no contest plea in Escambia County Circuit Court in March. He was due to be sentenced Thursday, but instead told the judge that he wants to change his plea. A new hearing is scheduled for July.
McArthur was charged with the shooting death of Jeffrey Kimbrough, 41, of Pensacola. Kimbrough was a former resident of Century. McArthur will remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Kimbrough was born in Century and attended Century Elementary and Carver Middle school. During the time he lived in Century, Kimbrough was a member of Century Volunteer Fire Department where he obtained the rank of captain. After moving from Century, he served as a volunteer for the Pensacola Fire Department. He was employed the last five years at the Pensacola Civic Center.
He was survived by his wife of 24 years Clara Ann Nettle; children Bridgett, Leroca, Elandarge and Tamara; mother Carrie Kimbrough; four brothers and three sisters. His funeral was held at New Life Baptist Church in Century, and internment was in the Century Cemetery.
Kimbrough was shot June 14, 2009, in the 1500 block of Gulf Beach Highway in the Warrington community in the southwest part of the county. The incident occurred at the Heritage Oaks Mobile Home Park, which had been without water for about a week due to a bill that the park owner did not pay to the Peoples Water Service.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies said Kimbrough confronted McArthur about a stolen wallet. That is when, according to deputies, McArthur pulled out a handgun and shot Kimbrough in the face. Kimbrough died a short time later at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
The shooting incident occurred not far from where members of Pensacola’s First Assembly of God Church were holding services, grilling hot dogs and giving away water to the trailer park residents. Several members of the church witnessed the shooting.