Woman Gets Life Plus 45 Years For Sexually Abusing Child For Years
June 22, 2023
A woman has been sentenced to serve life plus an additional 45 years in state prison for sexually abusing a child over a period of several years.
Sammi-Jo Lorn Combs was also designated as a sexual predator by Judge John Simon after she entered a plea to one count of sexual battery by a person in familial authority, three counts of lewd or lascivious battery on a victim aged 12 to 14, and one count of child abuse without causing great bodily harm.
On June 17 2020, an investigation began after the victim disclosed that Combs and Larry Steve Snipes had been sexually abusing the victim for a period of three years. Combs and Snipes were involved in a romantic relationship for years and started sexually abusing the victim when she was just 11-years old, according to prosecutors. The abuse continued until the victim was 14-years old. During Snipes’ trial, Combs was called as a witness, admitting that she and Snipes had been sexually abusing the victim.
“A victim of egregious child abuse like this will never live the same way after their traumatic experience. That is why someone who has abused a child in this manner should never be allowed to carry on with their lives like normal either.”, Assistant State Attorney Carrie Gilmer told the jury.
Snipes was sentenced in May to serve 10 consecutive life sentences on four counts of sexual battery of victim under 12, four counts of sexual battery of a victim under 18, one count of cruelty toward a child, one count of obscene material distribution to a minor and four counts of lewd or lascivious battery.
Atmore Man Charged With DUI After Molino Highway 97 Crash
June 21, 2023
An Atmore man has been charged with DUI after causing a near head-on wreck Monday evening on Highway 97 near Molino.
Jess William Taylor, Jr., 39, was charged with DUI with property damage and reckless driving first offense. He was released on a $1,500 bond.
According to FHP, Taylor was traveling north on Highway 97 just north of Sunshine Hill Road when he crossed the center line and struck a southbound vehicle about 7 p.m.. Troopers said injuries to both drivers were minor.
The road was closed for over an hour due to the crash.
Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Century Approves $1,800 To Spruce Up Santa, Considers $33K For New Christmas Decorations
June 21, 2023
The Century Town Council wants to improve their Christmas decorations.
Tuesday night, the council voted to spend up to $1,800 for new garland for a Santa Claus decoration that stands annually in the Nadine McCaw Park on North Century Boulevard.
The council is also looking to spend an estimated $33,600 for new lighted decorations for 48 utility poles along North Century Boulevard, replacing decorations that are about a decade old.
The park Santa decoration was actually donated to Century several years ago. It’s a popular part of Christmas in town, Mayor Ben Boutwell said.
“I tell you, that is a picture-taking rascal,” Boutwell told the council. “I sit on my porch, and people come there and get their pictures; they do Christmas pictures there. It’s incredible the people that show up there. I’m talking family portraits. And redoing it (the Santa) will take it to another level.”
The council is expected to discuss the utility pole Christmas decorations at an upcoming meeting.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Response Plan Implemented After Florida’s First Chronic Wasting Disease Case
June 21, 2023
Following the confirmation of Florida’s first case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Holmes County, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) have implemented management actions and an executive order to protect against the possible spread of CWD.
As part of a response plan, the FWC will collect samples from specific established zones to further assess the spread of the disease. The results from this initial sampling effort will inform resource managers so they can respond with appropriate management strategies.
As part of the plan, the FWC will collect samples from specific established zones to further assess the spread of the disease. The results from this initial sampling effort will inform resource managers so they can respond with appropriate management strategies.
In an executive order signed by FWC Executive Director Roger Young on June 19, new actions include:
- Establishment of a CWD Management Zone centered around the location of the positive sample. The CWD Management Zone includes the portions of Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties north of Interstate 10, east of State Road 81 and west of U.S. Highway 231.
- The prohibition of exporting whole cervid (deer) carcasses and high-risk carcass parts originating from the CWD Management Zone
- The prohibition of baiting or feeding deer within the CWD Management Zone with limited exceptions
- The prohibition of rehabilitating or releasing injured or orphaned white-tailed deer originating within the CWD Management Zone.
FDACS management actions to date include:
- Heightened review of transportation permits for intra-state captive cervids to or from captive cervid facilities within the CWD Management Zone.
- Increased communication with captive cervid facilities in the CWD Management Zone.
- Quarantine of all captive cervid facilities in the CWD Management Zone.
- The Florida Department of Health has provided informational resources to all county health offices in the area and is integrated into the Unified Command to assist as necessary.
The purpose of these regulations is to help protect Florida’s white-tailed deer herd by reducing the potential spread of CWD within the CWD Management Zone and to other parts of the state.
Controlling the spread of CWD is difficult once it becomes established in a natural population. Because prions shed by infected deer persist in the environment, the best chance for controlling CWD is acting quickly after it’s been detected to prevent more animals from becoming infected. CWD can be transmitted directly – from animal to animal – or indirectly from the environment. Multiple management strategies will be employed to control the spread of the disease.
The FWC is asking anyone who sees a sick, abnormally thin deer or finds a deer dead from unknown causes to call the CWD hotline, 866-CWD-WATCH (866-293-9282) and report the animal’s location.
Currently, there is no scientific evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans or livestock under natural conditions. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not recommend consuming meat from animals that test positive for CWD or from any sick animal. The FWC provides information about precautions people should take when pursuing or handling deer that might have been exposed to CWD.
‘Constituent Services Day’ Gives Local Residents Access To Government Officials
June 21, 2023
Several government officials were on hand for a Constituent Services Day in Beulah Tuesday afternoon, assisting local residents with a variety of issues.
State Rep. Michelle Salzman hosted the event in conjunction with U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford, and the Veterans Affairs team to assist constituents with local, state and federal casework issues.
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office was also there with their new mobile identification card program.
The event took place at the Beulah Freewill Baptist Church.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos, Smokies Rained Out In Tennessee
June 21, 2023
Tuesday’s series opener between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Tennessee Smokies has been postponed due to rain at Smokies Stadium.
The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday, with first pitch beginning at 4:30 CT. Both games will be seven-inning contests.
Pensacola’s magic number to clinch the First Half South Division Championship remains at two. They can clinch with one more win, or if Montgomery, Mississippi and Biloxi each lose a game. All three South Division foes were scheduled to play their series openers, meaning the Blue Wahoos could still secure a playoff spot on Tuesday pending other results around the league.
Wednesday’s regularly scheduled game will not be impacted by Tuesday’s rainout.
written by Erik Bremer
Driver Shot And Killed On Wallace Like Road Near Pace
June 20, 2023
A 24-year old man was shot before crashing his vehicle Monday evening in Pace.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said 24-year old Joseph Liebe was in the area of Wallace Lake Road off Quintette Road and was shot while driving away. His vehicle crashed into a nearby wooded area.
There were no other injuries.
SRSO detectives have identified a suspect and are actively working to locate and apprehend them.
No additional details were released.
Driver Charged With Highway 29 Hit And Run, Cantonment Man Seriously Injured
June 20, 2023
A 38-year old man is charged a Highway 29 hit and run early Tuesday that left a Cantonment man seriously injured.
Johnathan Schick was booked into the Escambia County Jail charged with felony hit and run. His bond was set at $2,500.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Schick was traveling west at 3:41 a.m. in a black Ford F150 pickup on West 9 1/2 Mile Road and failed to stop at the traffic light. He collided with a Volkswagen Beetle driven south on Highway 29 by a 19-year old Cantonment man. The driver of Volkswagen swerved off the roadway and overturned, coming to rest upside down in ditch. He was extricated by Escambia County Fire Rescue and transported to an area hospital in serious condition.
FHP said Schick fled the scene. Witness described the vehicle as a black F150 with heavy front end damage last seen traveling south on Highway 29. Troopers followed a trail of vehicle fluids from the scene to intersection of West Hannah Street and Walnut Avenue where the pickup was disabled due to damage from the crash. That’s where Schick was arrested.
Poarch Band of Creek Indians CFO, Two Others Killed In Wreck; Man Charged With Manslaughter
June 20, 2023
The chief financial officer of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians was among three people killed in a wreck caused by a man allegedly driving under the influence Sunday in Baldwin County.
PCI CFO Tim Speegle, 64, Christie Lowe, 47, and her daughter Margaret, 19, were pronounced deceased after the wreck on the Baldwin Beach Express in Robertsdale, according to police. Two others were injured.
David Colburn, 60, was booked into the Baldwin County Jail on a count of driving under the influence and three counts of manslaughter.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians issued the following statement Monday evening:
“As many of you may have learned Tim Speegle, our CFO, was tragically killed in an automobile accident on Sunday. Like so many others who were lucky to know Tim, we are deeply grieving his passing, and we are praying for his much-loved wife, Jeanna, who sustained critical injuries in the accident and remains hospitalized.
“Tim was a good man, through and through. He was generous, smart, funny, and deeply committed to our Tribe and its success. Tim’s contributions to the Poarch community will be felt for generations to come, and we hope that his and Jeanna’s children, grandchildren, mothers and extended family find some comfort in that.
“On a personal level, Tim was a friend to us all. He could be counted on in the worst of times to do the right thing and to make good decisions. In good times, he was a joy to be around – a caring man who loved his family, enjoyed life to the fullest, and was incredibly thoughtful and caring to others.
“Tim’s sudden passing is a sad reminder to all of us that we should appreciate each and every day and never miss an opportunity to tell those we care about how much they are loved.”
Flomaton Man Accused Of Breaking Another Man’s Jaw During Argument
June 20, 2023
A Flomaton man is accused of hitting another man during an argument, breaking his jaw in two places,
Jacob Michael Wright, 22, was arrested recently in a charge of aggravated battery causing bodily harm for the incident last year.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that on October 2, 2022, he was drinking alcohol with his friend “Jake Wright” when the two got into an argument at an address on Camberwell Road in Pensacola. Wright struck the victim in the jaw, breaking it in two places, according to an arrest report.
The victim’s jaw had to be wired, deputies noted.
Wright was released on a $10,000 bond.