Man Charged With Stealing $2,000 In Alabama Hours Before He Was Robbed In Century
March 5, 2010
The 18-year old victim in a gunpoint robbery last week in Century is now facing charges in Alabama for stealing the money that was later stolen from him.
Devante Aaaron Knight, 18, of Hecker Road, Century, was arrested is being held in the Escambia County (Fla.) Jail awaiting extradition back to Escambia County (Ala.) to face larceny charges stemming from a purse snatching incident.
An Escambia County, Ala., warrant was issued Wednesday for Knight’s arrest after he allegedly snatched a purse containing $2,000 in cash from an 85-year old woman last week.
The day after the purse snatching, Knight was himself the victim of a robbery where the $2,000 was stolen.
Knight told Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office deputies that he was in the yard of home in the 100 block of Zion Street talking to another Century man. That’s when the suspect asked to borrow a dollar from the Knight, and the Knight agreed. The suspect then reportedly walked into a trailer, returned outside and told the Knight “Give it up”.
Knight said that he remembered being hit in the head with the gun and hearing gunfire, but he did not think he had been shot. The victim them walked to the nearby Dollar General store on nearby North Century Boulevard. That’s where Knight located his aunt. The aunt transported the Knight to his home in the 200 block of East Hecker Road and called 911. Knight was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment of a head injury.
The suspect was able to steal the entire $2,000 allegedly taken from the 85-year old woman.
According to the sheriff’s office incident report, Knight was treated for a laceration to his head that was not the result of being shot.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the suspect for aggravated battery using a deadly weapon and robbery with a firearm.
Escambia Calls On State To Help With Logjams On Escambia River
March 5, 2010
Escambia County is asking the state to remove logjams along the Escambia River to decrease the risk of flooding.
Substantial quantities of logs, vessels and other debris have obstructed water flow and safe navigation on Escambia River. Thursday night, the county commission passed a resolution asking the state to take immediate action remove to the logjams from river, which is under the jurisdiction and ownership of the State of Florida.
According to the commission’s resolution, the logjams threaten the safety and welfare of citizens. In addition to causing navigational problems, the logjams aggravate flooding of lands and bridges along the river “endangering the property and jeopardizing the safety and welfare of Florida’s citizens and visitors”.
Pictured top: A logjam at Escambia River Bridge on Highway 4. Pictured below: The road to Fischer Landing in Century underwater. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Is Your Dog Sick? County Officials Say Canine Respiratory Disease On The Rise
March 5, 2010
Escambia County officials said Thursday that there is an increase in canine respiratory infections within the animal shelter — and likely throughout the county.
Because the animal shelter has contact with a broad variety of animals from vast medical histories and backgrounds, community illness trends commonly occur in shelter environments prior to the public noticing the signs, said a county news release.
“Pet owners should look for signs similar to a cold; runny nose, sneezing, lethargy or coughing,” said Dr. Cliff Owen, staff veterinarian. “These signs can be early indicators of many different illnesses. Should these symptoms become apparent, contact your veterinarian.”
Although the exact cause of the illness has not been detected, Escambia County Animal Services is working with Schering-Plough Animal Health with vaccinations as well as testing. As a precaution the animal shelter has strongly increased their infectious control techniques, as well as vaccinations on advice of the shelter veterinarians. Shelter officials are advising residents to ensure all pet vaccinations are current.
Escambia Detention Deputy Arrested
March 4, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Detention Deputy Kristopher Wade for smuggling contraband into a detention facility and for unlawfully accepting compensation for official behavior.
Wade has been released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
On February 15, 2010, detention deputies conducting a routine cell search discovered a cell phone charger in a cell at the Main Jail. After a subsequent search of the prisoners in the housing unit, a cell phone was discovered.
Following an investigation of how the cell phone was introduced into the jail, investigators determined that an inmate conspired with Wade to smuggle the cell phone into the housing unit.
On February 11, Wade met with the girlfriend of the inmate and obtained the contraband cell phone, a cell phone charger, and cigarettes. Wade was also given $25 in exchange for smuggling the contraband phone to the inmate, according to the arrest report.
According to the arrest report, on March 2 Wade was interviewed by investigators and admitted to picking up the contraband cell phone and delivering it to the inmate. At this time, Wade has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the completion of the investigation. Wade has been employed with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since 2008 and was assigned to the Main Jail.
Funeral Services Held For Brewton Teen Shot Near Jay
March 4, 2010
Funeral services were held today for the Brewton teen that died after being shot at a weekend party in Berrydale near Jay, as his accused shooter remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon for Getyron Lopez Benjamin, 18, at Second Saint Siloam Baptist Church with Elder Robert McWilliams officiating. Burial followed at Piney Grove Cemetery. Benjamin was a 2009 graduate of T.R. Miller High School where he played football and ran track. He was also a first year student at Jefferson Davis Community College.
The man accused in his death, Robert Franklin Floyd, 21, is being held without bond on an open court of murder.
Benjamin was reportedly shot early Saturday morning at a party being held at Floyd’s residence on Country Mill Road in the Berrydale community. Benjamin, who is black arrived at the party with another black male and two white individuals, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Floyd then requested that the four leave the party because they were uninvited, at which time he allegedly pushed one of the black males, according to information released by the Sheriff’s Office.
“Floyd alleges that at that time, the black male which he pushed pulled out a handgun. Floyd then ran to his truck which was parked nearby. Floyd then retrieved a rifle from his truck and stated that he heard gunshots being fired from the area in which the black male subject’s vehicle was located. Floyd also alleges that he saw a muzzle flash coming from their direction. Floyd then fired multiple shots from his rifle towards the direction of the vehicle as it was leaving. The vehicle left the scene and Floyd returned the rifle to his truck,” according to Sgt. Scott Haines, spokesperson for the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office. Floyd reportedly fired five times at the vehicle.
The occupants of the vehicle told authorities that no one had a weapon, and there was reportedly no evidence that a weapon had been fired from the victim’s vehicle, deputies said. No weapon was found in the vehicle.
Benjamin, according to police reports, was shot in the back by a bullet that passed through the trunk of the vehicle. He was driven to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton where he was pronounced dead in the emergency room.
For our Saturday story on the incident, click here.
Charges Over Dog Poop Assault Dropped
March 4, 2010
Charges have been been dropped against a Century man arrested on domestic violence and aggravated assault charges after his girlfriend said he attacked her after a dog pooped on a bed.
William Mel Lowery, 52, was arrested in August and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and felony battery by strangulation in a domestic violence situation.
Charges were dropped against Lowery after the alleged victim recanted her statements.
In August, 2009, the victim told Deputy James Gilman and prosecutors that Lowery “entered the bedroom and observed that their dog had defecated on the bed sheets”. That is when, according the victim’s statements, Lowery became angry and woke up the female victim. The victim said the two got into an argument over the dog using the bed sheets, according to the original arrest report, before the incident escalated into a physical altercation.
Learn About Florida KidCare Insurance Friday At Northview, Byrneville
March 4, 2010
If your children are uninsured or are on the Medicaid share of cost program, there is an easy opportunity coming up on Friday to get Florida KidCare insurance for your children.
Friday, a Florida KidCare outreach advocate will be at Northview High School from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Byrneville Elementary School from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a direct computer application process, but the advocate will be on hand to answer questions and provide assistance.
In order to apply for Florida KidCare for your children, you will need to bring:
- Picture Identification
- Social Security numbers for the children
- Pay stubs from past four weeks (or), 2009 W-2 form (or) Most recent tax return
- Proof of child support, Social Security and or unemployment benefits
- Information on cost to add child to parent’s health insurance through employer
For more information, contact Michelle Hinote R.N. at Northview High School at (850) 327-6681 ext. 243, click here for a printable information sheet, or visit floridakidcare.org for information and eligibility requirements.
Former Century Resident, Current ESPN Analyst Buck Showalter To Speak
March 4, 2010
Former Century resident and current ESPN analyst Buck Showalter will speak at an upcoming Pensacola Pelicans banquet.
The Pensacola Pelicans will host their Second Ever Hot Stove Banquet on Monday, March 22 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Sanders Beach Community Center. Former MLB manager and current ESPN Baseball Tonight analyst Buck Showalter will be the featured speaker. Showalter was born in DeFuniak Springs, FL and grew up in Century, just north of Pensacola.
Showalter, who now lives in Dallas, had three different managerial stints in the majors with the New York Yankees, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Texas Rangers. Showalter first managed the Yankees from 1992-1995 for 581 games posting a 313-268 record finishing 45 games over .500 with a .539 win/loss percentage. He was voted 1994 AL Manager of the Year after the Yankees finished first in the AL East going 70-43. Unfortunately, there would be no post-season in 1994 due to the strike. He made it to his first post-season appearance in 1995, losing the divisional series 3-2 to the Seattle Mariners.
Showalter moved on to the Arizona Diamondbacks where he managed 486 games from 1998-2000 with a 250-236 record. His best season with the Diamondbacks came in 1999 when they finished first in the NL West going 100-62 and eventually losing in the divisional series 3-1 to the NY Mets. Showalter took over as Texas Rangers skipper in 2003-2006 posting a 319-329 record in 648 games. He was selected 2004 AL Manager of the Year with the Texas Rangers going 89-73 with a .549 win/loss percentage.
The banquet is free to Pelicans season ticket holders and certain level sponsors. The public can attend for $30, which also gets them two tickets to the 2010 home opener, by reserving their spot at Jason@pensacolapelicans.com or by calling 850-934-8444.
“The great relationships created amongst the fans are far reaching beyond Pelican Park. Our Hot Stove banquets provide opportunities for our fans to catch up, hear an inspiring message, and see what’s in store with the team for 2010,” commented Pelicans General Manager Talmadge Nunnari. “Having someone like Buck, who’s lived in our community for so many years and his achievements in MLB, to return to Pensacola and share those experiences with us is a privilege.”
The term “Hot Stove” is a long-time baseball term that refers to the time between the end of one season and the beginning of spring training. The period is when die hard passionate fans would gather around a hot stove during the winter months and discuss their favorite teams, players, games, etc. This is also the time when a multitude of player transactions occur, called the “Hot Stove League.”
It’s not too late to get invited to this and other VIP Pelicans events. 2010 season ticket packages area now available starting at only $160. Other gift packages begin at $54. Fans can call the Pelicans office at 850-934-8444 for more information or to reserve their seats.
NHS Digital Design Students Win Pageant Poster Contest
March 4, 2010
Northview High School’s Digital Design classes participated in a 19th Annual Century Sawmill Pageant poster contest sponsored by the Century Lions Club.
Alissa Fiellin placed first in the contest to create the best poster to promote the pageant. Alex McDonald placed second in the poster contest, and Erin Fremin placed third. Fiellin received a $25 prize for her efforts.
The posters will be used to promote the annual Century Sawmill Beauty Pageant on Saturday, March 27 at 10 a.m. at Carver/Century K-8 School. Registration forms are available at Whataburger in Century.
Pictured: (L-R) Century Lions Club member Edsol Smith, Century Sawmill Pageant Poster Contest winners Erin Fremin, third place; Alissa Fiellin, first place; and Alex McDonald, second place; and Lions member Don Sales. Pictured below: Posters by (L-R) Alex McDonald, Alissa Fiellin and Erin Fremin. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Medical Emergency Causes Traffic Delays In Century
March 3, 2010
A medical emergency at a Century gas station caused traffic delays for about 45 minutes Wednesday afternoon. East Highway 4 at Highway 29 was closed for landing a LifeFlight helicopter.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a medical emergency at a convenience store located at the intersection of West Highway 4 and North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) about 4:45 p.m.
The occupant of a vehicle in the parking lot was reportedly experiencing a medical problem.