700 Flags: Bratt Elementary Holds Honor Walk
November 13, 2009
One by one, students at Bratt Elementary School placed about 700 small American flags in front of the school Thursday morning. Each flag carried a handwritten tag in honor or in memory of a man or woman that has or is serving our country in the military.
“I honored my dad,” said Colton Dockens, a second grader, after he completed the Honor Walk, placing his flag among the hundreds of others. His father recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. “It means a lot to me.”
Students contributed at least $1 for each flag, with all proceeds going toward sending a veteran on an upcoming Emerald Coast Honor Flight. Bratt’s goal was $800, but they surpassed that — raising over $1,200 to help send veterans to the World Ward II Memorial in Washington.
The flags will be displayed in front of the school until November 20.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured above: Savannah Spence places an American flag Thursday morning during Bratt Elementary School’s Honor Walk. Pictured below: Nona Wilson places on of about 700 small American flags to honor a military member in front of the school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Texas Woman Found Shot To Death On Escambia Street
November 13, 2009
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a young female active duty military member who was shot and killed Thursday night in west Pensacola.
The body of Tyler A, Jefferson, 18, was found lying in the 500 block of 49th Avenue. Jefferson was dressed in sweatpants that with the word “Navy” written on them, and she was reportedly holding a military ID. The Navy Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) was called in to assist in the investigation.
Deputies have not named a suspect in the shooting, and they are asking anyone with information on the crime to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at 436-STOP.
Not Too Late: FFA Smoke Turkey/Boston Butt Sale
November 13, 2009
The annual Northview High School FFA Alumni Smoked Turkey and Boston Butt Sale is now underway, just in time for Thanksgiving.
In the annual fund raiser, you can choose either a seven to nine pound smoked Boston butt or a 10-12 pound smoked turkey for $25 each.
Boston butts will be available for pickup on Monday, November 23, the smoked turkeys will be available for pickup on Tuesday, November 24.
Proceeds from the sale will go to benefit the Northview High School FFA Scholarship Fund. The sale is sponsored by Archie’s Catering Smokehouse in Molino.
For a printable order form that you can mail to the school with your payment, click here. Orders must be placed by Tuesday, November 17.
For more information, call (850) 327-6681 extension 248.
Man Convicted For Attempting To Rob Bank With Toy Gun; Robbery Stopped By Marine, Cop
November 13, 2009
A man that tried to rob a Nine Mile Road bank in early June with a toy gun has been found guilty of attempted robbery.
William Jerry Strickland Jr. 49, was in the parking lot of the Whitney Bank at 200 East Nine Mile Road wearing a black trench coat, plastic gloves and a blondish wig covering his face, but he never had a chance to rob the bank thanks to the quick thinking of a United States Marine Reservist and an off duty Pensacola Police Department officer.
Marine Reservist Jansen Smith and off duty PPD officer Jamon Johnson observed the suspect as he was approaching the bank, according to Investigator Jeff Van Camp with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department. Bank Branch Manager Christine Coulter secured the bank, and Strickland then fled the scene with the Marine and police officer in pursuit.
Strickland was apprehended about a block away, with a black toy gun in his trench coat pocket along with a note, Van Camp said.
Strickland will be sentenced December 17. He could face up to 30 years in state prison as a habitual defender.
Veterans Day Programs Next Week At Area Schools
November 13, 2009
Veterans Day programs at Molino Park Elementary and Northview High School, rescheduled from earlier this week due to Tropical Storm Ida, will be held next week.
Molino Park Veterans Day Program
Molino Park Elementary students will honor military veterans on Tuesday, November 17,, at 1:00 pm with a patriotic program and donation drive for April Emerald Coast Honor Flight. Each grade level will sing two songs. Special guests will be the Northview High School NJROTC Color Guard, guest speaker Mr. Gary Cooper, and Mrs. Sheila Allen and Mrs. Ginny Cruz, singer/songwriters, singing “Stand Up America”. For further information please contact Alice Woodward, principal, at (850) 587-5265.
Northview Veterans Day Program
The Northview High School Veterans Day Program will be held Wednesday, November 18 at 10:45 a.m.
Search For Suspect In Walnut Hill Turns Up Empty
November 12, 2009
A search in Walnut Hill turned up empty Thursday afternoon for a man wanted out of Okaloosa County on felony vehicle theft warrants.
Escambia County deputies received a tip at 12:36 Thursday afternoon that Rickey Lee Nettles, 21, was seen walking a dog on North Cypress Street in Walnut Hill. A man matching the suspect’s description was spotted by a deputy running on Cypress Street about 1:00.
Nettles is described as a black male about six foot two, 190 pounds, with brown eyes. He was last seen wearing tan pants, a white shirt and blue fleece jacket.
Anyone with information about Nettles’ whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at at 436-9620.
Pictured above: A July, 2009, booking photo of Rickey Lee Nettles from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Click to enlarge.
20 Goats Killed In Molino Pasture By Coyotes
November 12, 2009
Coyotes have attacked and killed over 20 goats in Molino, and the coyotes are still on the loose.
Wednesday night, Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies, Escambia County Animal Control and the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife were dispatched to a pasture in the 6000 block of Fairground Road in Molino.
The owner of 20 goats — 12 adult and eight babies – reported the animals to have been missing or dead in their pasture. Deputies were able to locate the bodies of all eight baby goats and a few of the adult goats. While deputies Heath Cheatham and his partner were investigating, they saw two coyotes in the field.
“While in the pasture looking for the goats, we observed two coyotes to be walking through the wood line area of the pasture,” Cheatham sad in his report. “All of the goats that were located appeared to be killed as a natural act of predation by coyotes.”
The goat’s caretaker told deputies that he would clean up and bury the goats Thursday morning.
A dog was also reportedly killed by the coyotes.
An investigation is continuing by the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Parade Honors Area Veterans
November 12, 2009
The skies were gray, but the red, white and blue were shining brightly Wednesday afternoon as people from Atmore, North Escambia and surrounding areas honored veterans with a parade.
National Guard units, floats with veterans, a band, beauty queens, fire trucks, a congressman and more took part in the annual event.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the Atmore Veterans Day Parade, click here.
Pictured above: A group of veterans ride in this afternoon’s Veterans Day parade in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Couple Accused Of Horse Cruelty Enter Not Guilty Pleas
November 12, 2009
A North Escambia couple arrested on animal cruelty charges in October have entered not guilty pleas in Escambia County Circuit Court.
Robin Brownie Floyd, 53, and Lynn Livingston Floyd, 42, both of Gilmore Road, Century, pleaded not guilty Friday before Judge David Ackerman. Both are faces three count of confinement of animals without sufficient food or water.
Panhandle Equine Rescue received a tip that several thin horses were being moved by the Floyds to Santa Rosa County, according to PER President Diane Lowery. She said the horses were being transferred to a Santa Rosa County residence and then moved out of state to a horse rescue in Georgia. Lowery said that when PER investigated in September, they found three emaciated horses still on the Gilmore Road property. Warrants were issued, and the Floyds turned themselves in at the Escambia County Jail on October 15.
A public defender was appointed for both Floyds after the court found them to be indigent. They are due back in court in early December, and their jury trials are scheduled to begin in mid-December. Both remain free on $6,000 bond each.
Retiring Veteran Honored
November 12, 2009
Rickie Bonner never expected anything out of the ordinary when he headed out to raise the flag at Alto Products on Veteran’s Day. It had been taken down on Monday because of Tropical Storm Ida. With the storm gone, it was being put back to fly at half-staff to honor the fallen at Fort Hood. What he found brought a tear to his eye.
Rickie Bonner, who is Alto’s senior director of operations, was doing something he has done for ten years at Alto. Among his other, more demanding job duties, he took responsibility for flying the American flag at the Atmore plant many years ago. On Wednesday morning he found a plaque on the flag pole in his honor. Rickie is retiring from Alto soon and this was a way his fellow employees choose to honor him. His co-workers had hoped to surprise him with a small gathering as the plaque was presented, but things didn’t go exactly as planned.
“I wondered what was under the white sheet of paper taped to the pole”, said Bonner. “I was very surprised when I found the plaque.”
“I appreciate Rickie’s ten years of dedicated service to Alto,” said David Landa, president of Alto Products in Atmore. “We could always count on Rickie to be responsible for our flag. We wish him well in his retirement”.
Perhaps being responsible for the flag is just a part of who he is. Bonner served in the US Army. He served in the Vietnam conflict for one year and is a combat wounded veteran. Among the honors he earned for his service to his country are two Bronze Stars with Valor, an Army commendation, the Purple Heart and one Air Medal for combat air time.
“I served a lot of air hours in a helicopter to earn that medal,” Bonner said.
When he speaks of his time at Alto, he has good things to say. “I’m very grateful to have worked for a fine company, outstanding managers and David (Landa),” he said. “I appreciate the team atmosphere and have enjoyed the ten years I’ve worked at Alto.”
“I’ve enjoyed working with Rickie over the years and thank him for his service to Alto,” said Bill Busch, Chief Operating Officer of Alto Products. “He is really a great guy who will truly be missed.”
Pictured top: Retiring Rickie Bonner was honored Wednesday for ten years of service at Alto Products in Atmore. Pictured inset: The plaque on the company’s flag pole honors Bonner. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.