Convicted Sex Offender Arrested In North Escambia
October 15, 2009
A convicted sex offender was arrested in North Escambia Wednesday for failing to properly register with the state.
Jerome Lydell Anderson, 31, of Century, was arrested by an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy on Pond Street in Century Wednesday morning on an outstanding warrant for failing to register as a sex offender.
Anderson was found guilty in August 2005 of the lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim 12-15 years old in Escambia County. He was sentenced to 35.7 months in state prison with credit for time previously served, according to court records. He was released from state prison on July 8, 2007, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
A warrant was issued for his arrest after he was listed as absconded — no longer residing at the last reported address given to the Florida Sexual Offender Registry. Sex offenders in Florida are required to notify the state of their most current address.
Anderson is being held in the Escambia County Jail on $2,500 bond.
Pictured: Jerome Lydell Anderson’s booking photo taken Wednesday at the Escambia County Jail. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Learn How To Make A Rain Barrel At North Escambia Workshop
October 15, 2009
Want to help eliminate stormwater runoff, save on your water bill, and give your houseplants a chemical-free drink? You can learn how to conserve water, save money, and build your own rain barrel.
Escambia County Extension will host a Rain Barrel Workshop on Saturday, October 24, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Barrineau Park Community Center, 6055 Barrineau Park School Road.
The class is free and open 100 students. Materials are $55 if you would like to build your own barrel. Supplies are limited to 40 barrels. Preregistration and prepayment is required by October 19. Make checks payable to the Escambia County 4-H Foundation and mail to: Escambia Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment, 32533, attn: Rain Barrel Workshop.
For more information, click here (pdf).
If you have more questions, contact Carrie Stevenson, ctsteven@ufl.edu or 475-5230.
Some Lake Stone Fees Increasing, But Seniors And The Disabled Get A Break
October 15, 2009
The Escambia County Commission will vote tonight to increase some camping rates at Lake Stone, but senior citizens and the disabled from Escambia County will not see a higher rate.
While the park currently breaks even — generating enough revenue to pay for its operation — Keith Wilkins, deputy bureau chief of Neighborhoods and Community Services, said the increased fees are to help fund a position in the department to oversee Lake Stone and other parks.
Escambia County residents will now pay $16 per night for Lake Stone camping instead of $13, and out of county residents would see the cost jump from $15 to $18. The rate includes electricity and water hookups.
Seniors and disabled residents will not see a fee increase, with the the daily camping fee remaining at $9. Non-resident senior citizens and the disabled will now pay $16 per night instead of $13.
Daily entrance fees for park visitors will remain at $1 per person. The park pavilion rental fee will remain at $30 for residents and $40 per day for non-residents. Campers renting 10 or more sites will pay a reduced rate of $20. Pavilion use requires a $50 refundable cleaning deposit.
Is Your Church Or Community Group Holding A Fall Carnival Or Festival?
October 15, 2009
Fall festival and fall carnival season is upon us, and NorthEscambia.com would like to help spread the word about your event.
If you church or non-profit group has a fall festival, fall carnival or other event planned, send the information to us now for inclusion on our “Events” page. Information can be emailed to news@northescambia.com or using our contact form.
Event listings are free for churches and non-profits in North Escambia and the immediate surrounding area.
Council On Aging Caregiver Support Meeting Thursday
October 14, 2009
Council on Aging of West Florida will host a Century Caregiver Support Group Meeting at 6 p.m Thursday.
The support group is part of new Council on Aging of West Florida programs designed to reduce stress, increase coping skills, provide strategies for effective management of care giving tasks and enable caregivers to provide high quality care in the home. The programs are sponsored by Council on Aging of West Florida, the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging.
There is no cost and the public is invited. Reservations are not required. Beginning with the October meeting, the group will meet at a new location, Century Care Center 6020 Industrial Blvd. The group meets on the third Thursday of each month at the same time and location. County residency is not required to attend.
For more information, call 432-1475.
Varsity Chiefs Beat Jay; JV Royals Beat Northview
October 14, 2009
The Northview Lady Chiefs took on the Jay Royals on the volleyball court Tuesday afternoon.
The varsity Chiefs swept the Royals in three games, while the NHS JV fell to Jay in two games.
For a photo gallery from the JV game, click here.
Northview Vs Jay – Varsity
25-11, 25-14, 25-14
**Northview Winning**
Shawna Montgomery 11 M Kills-6, Aces-3, Blocks-2
Caitlin Hall 12 Setter Assists–14, Digs-1,Blocks–1,Aces-7, Kills-1
Angela Rodriguez 12 LS/Middle Kills-2, Digs -2, Aces-4, Block-1
Danielle Martin 12 LS Kills – 3, Digs-1, Blocks-1
Record – Overall –6 -15; District 3 -4
Northview Vs Jay – JV
15-25, 18-25
** Jay Winning**
Trestine Dean 11 Setter Assists – 4, Aces-2
Morgan Payne 09 Middle/Setter Aces – 3, Kills -3
Josie Doucette 10 Middle Kills – 2
Pictured above: JV volleyball action Tuesday afternoon between Northview and Jay. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
And They’re Off: Evers Leads Senate Race Dollars
October 14, 2009
With the Florida Senate District 2 election 10 months away, the campaign coffers of the three candidates continue to grow. The candidates have also begin to spend money on advertising, sponsorships and supplies. And one candidate has spent over $3,000 on food, travel and hotel rooms at places like the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota.
Two House members are hoping to move up the Senate chambers and seat being vacated by Rep. Durell Peaden. With 10 years in the Senate, Peaden is not running again due to term limits.
Republican Reps. Greg Evers and Dave Murzin are in the race, as is Walter “Mike” Hill, a Pensacola insurance agent. There could more candidates in the race by election day; qualifying does not end for several more months.
Campaign finance reports due Tuesday show that Evers is leading the fund-raising race by large margin. As of September 30, Evers reported that he had raised $162,220.63. Murzin reported $46,279.01, and Hill had raised $28,095.
By September 30, Murzin had spent the most money — $16,217.52 — in the bid for the District 2 seat that includes all of two counties and most of five others, including the northern three-quarters of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Most of Murzin’s expenditures were for advertising, sponsorships and office related expenses. His largest expense to date was $1,100 for “video production”.
Evers spent $13,977.87 by the end of September, mostly on sponsorships, advertising and supplies. His largest expenses were $2,000 to sponsor rodeos in Baker and at Tate High School. He paid $2,000 for a web site and purchased $7,500 worth of campaign cards.
Hill spent $6,917.01 during the same period. The majority of Hill’s expenses were for airfare, hotel rooms and travel. His campaign finance reports show $3,129.68 in food and travel expenses. Hill spent the money on airfare to and hotel rooms in Georgia, Sarasota, Tallahassee and Destin. While in Sarasota, Hill paid $641.93 for a room and food over a three day period at the Ritz Carlton. Other travel and food expenses included $591.25 for catering from Nancy’s Haute Affairs in Pensacola and $552.40 to Delta Airlines.
Century, NWE Youth Players, Cheerleaders Invited To Northview ‘Future Chiefs’ Night
October 14, 2009
(CORRECTION) The Northview High School Quarterback Club would like to recognize future Chiefs before this Friday night’s home football game.
The Quarterback Club is inviting all Northwest Escambia and Century youth football players and cheerleaders to attend the game. The players should wear their jerseys and cheerleaders should wear their uniforms. The players and cheerleaders are asked to arrive by 6 p.m.; they will be introduced at 6:30 p.m.
The Northview Chiefs will host the Freeport Bulldogs at 7 p.m. Friday.
For more information, contact David Bell at (850) 256-5266.
Editor’s note: This story corrects one published earlier that said players would be admitted free. We were provided erroneous information.
Blog: Pensacola’s Population Down; Government Spending Up $20 Million, Pensions Up $10 Million
October 14, 2009
The City of Pensacola will vote in November on establishing a new city charter that supporters believe will give residents more control over city government.
“Under the present charter, Pensacola voters have very little power. A voter can not impact the direction, programs or initiatives of Pensacola government, without the consent of the city manager and his staff,” Pensacola Independent News Publisher Rick Outzen explained on his “Rick’s Blog”. “The power is with an unelected staff.”
Under Pensacola’s proposed charter, government would be a mayor-council form of government, removing the city manager and his staff from power.
On his Rick’s Blog, Outzen has compiled some interesting statistics about Pensacola under a city manager form of government.
- Personnel costs are up $17.3 million — 37 percent — despite a reduction in staff
- Pensions costs have jumped in just seven years from $3 million to $13 million
- Population is down; Pensacola is smaller now that it was in 1960. Escambia County’s population increased 35 percent in the same time period.
Oh, and by the way, Pensacola is about to issue $45.6 million in bonds for a maritime park. If you want in on the action, you can purchase municipal bonds in $5,000 increments. Your money is guaranteed and will earn a few percentage points in interest — if the city has money to make payments in the future.Why are we reporting this on NorthEscambia.com? If the currently seated Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission drafts a plan to consolidate Pensacola, Century and Escambia County into one government, it will be presented to voters next year. If it should be approved, everyone in Escambia County, including all of us in North Escambia and Century, would suddenly live in Pensacola.
Over the coming weeks, we will work to bring you stories and insight into Pensacola government since North Escambia could soon be in Pensacola. It could be your future city of residence, so we thought you would like to know.
Your comments are welcome below.
Read more Pensacola charter coverage on Rick’s Blog.
Child Found Dead In Trash; Two Other Children Hospitalized After Being Home Alone For Two Days
October 13, 2009
(Updated) An Escambia County woman is charged with leaving her three young children home alone for two days with nothing to eat except six cups of Jello. One child, an 18-month old girl, was found dead in a trashcan at the woman’s home.
Christian Rochelle Woods, 21, is jailed for manslaughter and two counts of child abuse in connection with the incident that authorities said started when she left the children alone Saturday morning as she went to work in Mobile. When she returned about 48 hours later, she fabricated a story that the children were missing.
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said Woods was in jail 12 hours before admitting that Myleahya Woods (pictured left) was dead in a trashcan at her home.
Myleahya ’s twin sister, Mykayhala (pictured right) and Jaterius Woods, 2, are recovering in an area hospital from pneumonia and malnutrition. The children showed obvious signs of abuse, according to Morgan.
According to deputies, Woods called the sheriff’s office from a Winn Dixie on Mobile Highway about 2:30 Monday afternoon to reported Mykayhala as missing. As investigators followed up on leads, they contacted one of Woods’ relatives who stated that he has just retrieved another of Woods’ childre, two-year old Jaterius. When deputies saw the little boy, they observed a bump on his head and other signs of abuse, according to arrest reports.
“The home did not have any power or running water, and there was no food in the home,” ESCO Investigator Troy Brown wrote in the arrest report. “The home was filthy and there were several roaches throughout the home. The victim’s diaper was completely full of urine and waste and the victim had a very large bruise on his forehead”
The discovery of Jaterious alone in the filthy home lead to Wood’s arrest on aggravated child abuse charges.
When Woods told deputies about the other two children being at the home twelve hours after her arrest, they immediately responded. That’s where they found Mykayhala severely malnourished.
“Mykayla was discovered under a bed in the home. Initially investigators believed this child was also deceased but investigators observed the child’s eyes flutter and immediately recovered the child,” ESCO Sgt. Ted Roy said.
According to ESCO arrest reports, Woods admitted in a sworn statement that “she did leave all three of her children in her home with no supervison for approximately three days..(and that) they were left without adequate food and basic utilities”.
“Obviously shocked” is how Morgan described his reaction to the case.
Christian Woods is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Click here to read Wood’s arrest reports (pdf).
Pictured top: Myleahya Woods (left) was found dead in trashcan Monday. Her twin sister Mykayhala is in critical condition in a Pensacola hospital after being found comatose. Pictured bottom inset: Christian Rochelle Woods is in jail charged with the crime. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.