Police Investigate Morning Home Invasion, Sexual Assault Near State Line
February 18, 2010
Authorities are investigating a reported home invasion and sexual assault in Flomaton, just north of the Alabama-Florida state line.
The incident was reported about 8:45 Thursday morning on Old Atmore Road just west of Tulip Street. A 40-year old female told Flomaton Police that a “husky” or “stocky” male, about 6-foot tall entered her trailer and sexually assaulted her. The victim told police that the suspect did not speak during the attack. She was transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital for evaluation.
The victim did not know the race of her attacker. She described him as being dressed in all black and wearing a mask, according to Flomaton Police Chief Terri Tolbert. The victim did not know if the suspect fled on foot or in a vehicle.
Tracking dogs from Century Correctional Institution and Fountain Prison in Atmore were called to the scene, but they were unable to locate the suspect.
Tolbert said the victim believed that the attacker entered the home through an unlocked front door.
The incident is still under investigation by the Flomaton Police Department. The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department and the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
Pictured top: Tracking dogs were used to search for the suspect. Pictured below: Authorities such for the suspect in a Thursday morning home invasion in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Cantonment School Bus Crash
February 18, 2010
There were no injuries in a crash involving a school bus Thursday morning in Cantonment.
The accident happened at 6:54 a.m. on Jacks Branch Road near Green Tree Circle when the bus was rear-ended as it prepared to stop to load a passenger.
The Florida Highway Patrol says the bus driven by Charmaine Mixon, 42, of Pensacola, was preparing to stop with its yellow flashing lights activated. That’s when Melanie R. Elkins, 38, of Cantonment, failed to stop and struck the back corner of the bus with her 1997 Nissan Sentra.
The FHP lists one child, Stephen Elijah, 12, of Pensacola, as being the only passenger on the bus.
No one involved in the accident was injured, and the damage to both vehicles was minor, according to the FHP reprot.
Elkins, the driver of the car, was charged with careless driving, according to the FHP.
Work On Highway 29 Slows Century Traffic
February 18, 2010
Motorists traveling on North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) between Cottage Street and Jackson Street in Century encountered delays Thursday as large pieces of concrete culvert were unloaded and installed.
Crews from Coastal Materials restricted traffic to one lane as they performed drainage work along the roadway.
Coastal Materials of Alabama was awarded a $480-thousand for drainage improvement on Highway 29 from south of Jackson Street to north of Cottage Street, in Century. Improvements consist of installing box culverts, replacing existing sidewalks in the area, and constructing pedestrian railing. Motorists can expect intermittent lane shifts and/or restrictions through the end of the project this spring.
Pictured: A large piece of concrete culvert is unloaded in the construction zone on Highway 29 in Century Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Nuclear Power Plant? Gulf Power’s McDavid Purchases At $3.7 Million For 763 Acres
February 18, 2010
Gulf Power’s plans for a possible power plant — even a nuclear plant — in McDavid are still unclear.
The first new nuclear power plant in the United States in over 30 years will become a reality in Georgia thanks to $8 billion in federal loan guarantees announced by President Barack Obama.
The new plant will be operated by Southern Company, the parent company of Gulf Power.
It’s been nearly a year since NorthEscambia.com was the first to report that Gulf Power was buying land in North Escambia for a possible power generation plant — maybe even a nuclear plant. Over the months since our March, 2009, report, Gulf Power has continued to purchase land. So far, Escambia County tax records show that Gulf Power has paid $3,719,700 for approximately 763 acres of land in the Cox, Roach, and Courtney Road area of McDavid.
“We are looking for property to purchase in that area for a generating facility. What kind of generating facility it will be has not been determined at this point,” Gulf Power Company Manager of Public Affairs Sandy Sims told NorthEscambia.com last year. Sims said the plant could be nuclear, natural gas powered or even an advanced technology like wind or solar. “We really can’t rule out any possibility right now.” Since that time the power company has been silent about its plans.
One clue to Gulf Power’s plans might come from a speech to a Northwest Florida chamber of commerce.
In August of last year, CEO Susan Story told the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce that nuclear energy and biomass — items such as wood waste, wood, municipal waste and other forms of waste — would become viable options, according to a report in the Panama City News Herald. Story told the newspaper that Gulf Power was looking at potential nuclear power sites in Northwest Florida “as we speak”.
Whatever the type of power generation facility — if anything — is build in McDavid, the earliest it would likely produce its first kilowatt of electricity would be the year 2020, and perhaps as late as 2025.
Obama said this week that his administration is committed to clean energy for the county’s future.
“Whether it’s nuclear energy, or solar or wind energy, if we fail to invest in the technologies of tomorrow, then we’re going to be importing those technologies instead of exporting them. We will fall behind. Jobs will be produced overseas, instead of here in the United States of America. And that’s not a future that I accept,” the president said.
The new federal government guarantees through the Department of Energy to operate two new nuclear reactors at a plant in Burke, Georgia. The plant is expected to create approximately 3500 construction jobs and 800 permanent jobs. When the Georgia nuclear reactors come online, they will provide reliable electricity for 1.4 million people in Georgia.
Pictured above: This property in the 200 block of Roach Road that was purchased by Gulf Power Company last year. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Alabama And Florida Unhealthy Places To Live; Santa Rosa Much Better
February 18, 2010
The two Escambia counties might not be the healthiest places to live, while Santa Rosa County is one of Florida’s healthiest, according to a study released Wednesday by the University of Wisconsin.
Each day through Sunday, NorthEscambia.com will investigate our health. We’ll take a detailed look at what is healthy about our three county area, plus we’ll look at the dirty little health secrets of our residents like smoking, binge drinking, obesity and violent crime. Join us each day through Sunday for our special series “Our Local Health: North Escambia Area”.
Escambia County, Florida
In “health outcomes” which is determined by morbidity and mortality rates, Escambia (Fla.) ranked number 47 of 67 counties in the state.
In the four areas that determine “health factors” Escambia County (Fla.) ranked 43 of 67:
- 51st in health behaviors, (such as adults who report using tobacco)
- 3rd in Clinical Care (such as uninsured adults)
- 46th in Social & Economic Factors (such as high school graduation rates)
- 64th in Physical Environment (such as unhealthy air due to ozone)
Escambia County, Alabama
In “health outcomes” which is determined by morbidity and mortality rates, Escambia (Ala.) ranked number 51 of 67 counties in the state.
In the four areas that determine “health factors” Escambia County (Ala.) ranked 58 of 67:
- 52nd in health behaviors, (such as adults who report using tobacco)
- 50th in Clinical Care (such as uninsured adults)
- 56th in Social & Economic Factors (such as high school graduation rates)
- 36th in Physical Environment (such as unhealthy air due to ozone)
Santa Rosa County, Florida
In “health outcomes” which is determined by morbidity and mortality rates, Santa Rosa ranked number 10 of 67 counties in the state.
In the four areas that determine “health factors” Santa Rosa ranked 10 of 67:
- 27th in health behaviors, (such as adults who report using tobacco)
- 15th in Clinical Care (such as uninsured adults)
- 3rd in Social & Economic Factors (such as high school graduation rates)
- 48th in Physical Environment (such as unhealthy air due to ozone)
Friday, we will continue our NorthEscambia.com series “Our Local Health: North Escambia Area” with an in-dept look at the health of Escambia County (Fla.).
Editor’s note: In all rankings above, a lower ranking – such as Santa Rosa County’s 10th — is better than a higher ranking.
Animal Cruelty Suspects Arrested Wednesday Night For Failure To Appear In Court
February 18, 2010
Two Century residents were arrested Wednesday night after they failed to show up in court.
Deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office served failure to appear warrants against Steven Wayne Billiot, 57, and Faye Marie Kyle, 48. The two were arrested without incident at their residence at 2390 Highway 168, Century about 9:30 p.m. Billiot was arrested for failure to appear on a 2008 battery case, and Kyle was arrested for failure to appear on animal cruelty charges.
Both were charged in July, 2009, on multiple charges of confinement of animals without sufficient food, water or exercise. They were also charged with child abuse and neglect, but those charges were later dropped.
Billiot and Kyle were arrested last year after authorities discovered a horse, a donkey, four goats, two pigs and dog were living without food and water at a mobile home outside Century; and a young teen was found in their mobile home living in what deputies described as “squalor”.
The animals were discovered July 9, 2009, at mobile home at 2390 Highway 168, where rescuers say they had been living for days without water or food. The horse named Champagne was tied to a tree with an extension cord at the rear of the trash-covered property. Her ribs were clearly visible as she stood in an unfenced circle of dirt surrounded by tall grass. She had tried so hard to get to the grass that was just outside her reach that her bridle had worn a large sore on her head. Deputies said that when they provided water for Champagne the horse, she drank nearly a five gallon bucket of water.
The two small pigs were living in a crudely constructed pen made of wire and wood. The dirt in the pen was dry and dusty, according to deputy James Moretz, when he discovered it. There was no water in the pen for the pigs.
The four goats were in a wire pen, also with no water. The donkey was tied to a tree in the front yard of the mobile home, again, with no water. And the dog, also tied a tree in the front yard, appeared to be malnourished and had no water.
Panhandle Equine Rescue, a non-profit group authorized by the court system to investigate equine cruelty in Escambia County, seized the horse and donkey. After difficulty getting any other agency to remove the goats and pigs, PER seized them as well. All of the animals were transported to an area veterinarian for treatment.The dog was seized as evidence by a crime scene investigator with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and transported to the Escambia County Animal Shelter in Pensacola.
Click here for more NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos from the 2009 rescue, the animals and the property. (Some readers may find some of the photographs in the photo gallery to be disturbing.)
Pictured top: This horse was found without food or water at a mobile home on Highway 168 in July. The horse was unable to reach the grass in the photo because of being tied to a tree. Pictured inset: Deputies James Moretz and Randy Murph remove goats from the property. Pictured below: The backyard of the mobile home were the animals were located. NorthEscambia.com exclusive file photos, click to enlarge.
Walmart Robbery, Hostage Incident Not Real
February 18, 2010
There was no holdup and no hostage incident at Brewton’s Walmart on Wednesday.
Media outlets, including NorthEscambia.com, received numerous news tips Wednesday morning that someone had attempted a holdup at the store, and, supposedly, the holdup had gone wrong and hostages were being held inside the store. In Brewton and surrounding communities, the alleged incident was the topic of conversation.
“Somebody just held up the Walmart in Brewton and they are holding hostages inside the store,” one caller in Century to NorthEscambia.com reported.
But police say the incident was nothing more than prank phone calls made to the store. The caller stated he was in a vehicle outside the store, and unless employees walked out with money, he would enter the store and rob it. He reportedly made at least two calls to the business.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the prank phone calls. No arrests have been made.
Thousands Of Patient Records Stolen
February 18, 2010
Cardiology Consultants reported Wednesday that a computer used to process ultrasound images was stolen from one of its Pensacola offices last month.
The computer was stolen December 19, and the group said they become aware of the theft on December 21 and and immediately began a thorough investigation with authorities. However, as of Wednesday, no arrests have been made and the computer has not been recovered.
The computer did not contain patient financial information or Social Security Numbers. However, the stolen computer did contain the first and last names, dates of birth, medical record numbers, exam dates and in some cases, the reason for the ultrasound. This information was not encrypted, but the computer does require a special key to access the data,” said Andrew Radoszewski, Cardiology Consultants administrator in a prepared release.
“In addition, because of the proprietary configuration of the computer, it is unlikely that the computer’s information can be accessed by the average user. It is also unlikely that the limited nature of the information could expose patients to any harm.”
Cardiology Consultants is notifying approximately 8,000 patients potentially affected by the breach by mail.
“The privacy of our patient’s is a top priority,” said Radoszewski. “The management and staff of Cardiology Consultants regret this incident occurred and we are taking steps to ensure it is not repeated. These steps include a security review and enhancements to building access control systems.”
Cardiology Consultants is urging patients to visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Web site at the link below to obtain valuable information on precautions they may consider taking at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/index.html.
Patients are encouraged to call (800) 452-2067 with questions or concerns.
Flomaton Woman Arrested On Drug Charges
February 18, 2010
A Flomaton woman was arrested on multiple felony drug charges after she picked up controlled substance prescriptions belonging to someone else.
Wandra Gibson was charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance, second-degree theft of property, third-degree forgery, and second-degree possession of marijuana.
Gibson allegedly forged someone’s signature at the Walmart Pharmacy in Brewton in order to pick up a Xanax prescription. Police were alerted after a Brewton area resident discovered her prescription had already been picked up and signed for at the pharmacy. Gibson was identified from Walmart’s surveillance video and warrants were issued.
When authorities went to Gibson’s Flomaton home to arrest her, they found several Adderall and Xanax pills without a proper prescription and about a half ounce of marijuana, according to police reports.
Alger-Sullivan Society Presents History Book To Northview Library
February 18, 2010
Wednesday, members of the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society presented a copy of their new book “A Pictorial History Volume II” and accompanying CD to the Northview High School Library.
The book and CD contain historical pictures and information concerning Century and northeastern Escambia County, Florida; Flomaton, Alabama; Jay and northern Santa Rose County, Florida; and surrounding areas. The book was compiled by Jerry Fischer and Jerry Simmons.
Edsel Smith, former principal of Century High School, and Don Sales visited Northview High School on behalf of the historical society to present the book and CD.
“Northview High School is very appreciative of this ‘treasure-trove’ history book and CD donation to our library,” said Principal Gayle Weaver.
The book is available from Alger-Sullivan Historical Society members and at the Leach House Museum at 610 4th Street in the Century Historical District from 9 until 1 Monday-Friday. The book can also be ordered by mail. Send a check for $30.00 plus $5.00 postage and packaging (padded envelope) to the ASHS, P.O. Box 1002, Century 32535.
For more information, contact Jerry Simmons at (251) 765-2629 or Jerry Fischer at (850) 256-3980.
Pictured above: Current Northview High faculty and Century High School graduates (L-R) Joyce Gunn (1973), Bobby Simpson (1970) and Mary Jo Smith (1966) look through A Pictorial History Volume II in the Northview Library. Pictured below: Century’s drugstore and the Tuberville Hospital in the late 1930’s — just one of about two thousand photographs in the book. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
