Sex Offender Living In Davisville Busted For Failing To Update Address
February 23, 2010
A convicted sex offender that was living in the Davisville area is in jail for failing to report his current address to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Michael J. Lassiter, 58, was convicted of molesting a juvenile in November, 1998, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He was released from a Louisiana prison and reported his address to be 4699 Highway 168, Walnut Hill and had used 5701 Highway 168, Century.
When the FDLE was unable to make contact by mail with Lassiter at either address in January and April of 2009, they sent Escambia County deputies to look for him. Deputies discovered the 5701 Highway 168 address does not exist; there are no address numbers that high on Highway 168.
Authorities then met with the property owner at the address at 4699 Highway 168. The property owner said Lassiter had been given permission to stay in a shed at the address. They found an empty refrigerator and bed rails in the shed, but no obvious indications that anyone was still living there.
In September, 2009, the FDLE met with a female that said she had allowed Lassiter to stay at her address at 9981 Highway 97 in Davisville. Lassiter, according to the FDLE, never registered the address as required by law.
A few days later, Lassiter was spotted at the 4699 Highway 168 address.
FDLE obtained a warrant for Lassiter’s arrest. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail on the warrant and remains in jail on $2,500 awaiting his first court appearance on Thursday.
Ernest Ward Students Compete In Bandmasters District Event
February 23, 2010
Several Ernest Ward Middle School students participated in the Florida Bandmasters Association District Solo and Ensemble held this past weekend at Gulf Breeze High School.
EWMS students that placed and their solo and or ensemble are:
- Flute Solo – Annie Bobo, rated Excellent
- Trumpet Solo – Taylor Brook, rated Superior
- Clarinet Solo – Julie Hester, rated Excellent
- Trombone Solo – Kent Smith, rated Good
- Flute Duet – Annie Bobo and Jerah Parker, rated Good
- Trumpet Trio – Taylor Brook, Will Owen and Josh Vihnanek, rated Excellent
Pictured top: (L-R): Julie Hester, Jerah Parker, Annie Bobo and Kent Smith. Pictured below: (L-R) Josh Vihnanek, Taylor Brook and Will Owen. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Man Arrested For Theft Of Computer With 8,000 Medical Records
February 23, 2010
A man suspected of stealing a computer that contained thousands of medical records in December has been arrested.
Joseph A. Bodovetz, 59, of 1245 Grand Ridge Circle, Gulf Breeze, turned himself in to the Pensacola Police Department Monday. He was charged with burglary and grand theft of emergency medical equipment. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bond.
The computer was stolen December 19 from Cardiology Consultants, and the group said they become aware of the theft on December 21 and and immediately began a thorough investigation with authorities.
The computer contained the first and last names, dates of birth, medical record numbers, exam dates and in some cases, the reason for the ultrasound for about 8,000 patients — including many in the North Escambia area.
Pensacola Police Detective Chad Willhite said video surveillance shows a man using a security coded keypad to enter the office area on Dec19. The man, who was pushing a large gray rolling container, can be seen leaving the office after about 1 ½ to two minutes. A short time later he is seen removing an item from the container and placing it into the trunk of a car.
Bodovetz was identified by Cardiology Consultant employees who recognized him on surveillance video. The employees told Willhite the suspect was an employee of Crown Health Care Laundry Service, which handles linen for the company.
Willhite said the computer has not been recovered. It also has not yet been determined if Bodovetz accessed personal information contained on the computer.
Pictured above: The suspect in the theft of a computer containing medical records of about 8,000 people. Pictured inset: Joseph A. Bodovetz was arrested Monday for the crime. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Register Now For Coed Softball Tourney
February 23, 2010
There will be a coed softball tournament fundraiser for the NWE 14-U USSSA baseball team on Saturday, February 27 at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill. Interested teams should contact Bodie Tullis at (850) 327-6788 or cell (850) 390-3945.
Century Convenience Store Burglary Investigated
February 23, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the burglary of a Century convenience store.
Deputies responded to Moye’s Stateline in the 9000 block of North Century Boulevard just before 3 a.m. Sunday. Deputies found that a brick or other object had been thrown through the glass front door of the business.
The burglars took an undisclosed amount of cash and lottery tickets, according to the sheriff’s office report. No arrests have been made in the case.
The incident is still under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Further information was not available due to the ongoing investigation.
Want To Run For Office? Learn More At Candidate Workshop
February 23, 2010
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford and his staff will conduct a candidate workshop on Wednesday.
The session is open to candidates, treasurers, committees, those interested in running for office, and any other interested parties. Topics will include: the petition process, qualifying for office, campaign reports, the election code, as well as resources available to candidates.
The workshop will be held in the Escambia County Commission chamber at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 24. For more information or to register, please call the candidate qualifying department at 595-3908 or email at qualify@escambiavotes.com.
Softball: Wins For Northview, Jay
February 23, 2010
Northview 15 Central 0
The Northview Lady Chiefs slammed Central 15-0 in Monday softball action.
Shawna Montgomery was 2-2 with 4 RBI’s. Emily Vickery was 2-4 with a couple of RBI’s. Misty Doran was 2-3 with 2 RBI’s; Amber McMillian was 3-4 with 2 RBI’s. Kolbi Cobb was 3-3 with 2 RBI’s.
Northview’s 15 points were split between the third and fourth innings, while Central managed two in the last inning.
Jay 6 West Florida 5
The Lady Royals from Jay beat West Florida 6-5 Monday.
Leading offensive players for the Royals were Olivia Wright with a homerun, two runs and two RBI’s. Tessa Hendricks added two runs.
West Florida was led by Brittany Adkinson with 2 RBI’s, and Gabby Leifur with two RBI’s and a run.
Ruthie Mae Walker Caudle
February 22, 2010
Ruthie Mae Walker Caudle, age 79 of Pensacola, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 20, 2010 surrounded by her loving family while they sang one of her favorite hymns.
Ruth was a member of the Poarch Creek Indian Tribe and a lifetime resident of Pensacola, Florida and a longtime member of Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ. Her life was dedicated to helping others and serving her almighty God. She was a strong independent woman who spent her life investing in others. She has touched so many lives and always sacrificed her own for the benefit of others. No one word can describe this amazing woman. She will be loved and missed by so many. There will never be another like our mom, our Nanny, our sister and our Aunt Ruth.
She is survived by her daughters, Deborah Hinote and Denise Lister; her son, James “Gil” (Jodi) Caudle; sisters, Gladys Johnson and Vallie Sells; seven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Jason Hinote, Brian Hinote, Timothy Booth, Charles Michael Gregson, Tim Gregson and Markie Booth.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ with Reverend Troy Hinote officiating. Interment will follow at Judson Cemetery, Atmore, AL.
FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME, 100 Beverly Parkway, is in charge of arrangements.
Downed Power Lines Start Brush Fire
February 22, 2010
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a brush fire Monday afternoon that was caused by a downed high voltage power line.
The downed power line and brush fire were reported in the 8000 block of Blackmon Street about 4:45. The line was reportedly a ground or neutral on high voltage line leading to a nearby power substation on North Century Boulevard.
No structures were involved. It was not known how many Gulf Power customers, if any, lost power as a result of the downed high voltage line.
Willie Mae Strickland
February 22, 2010
Willie Mae Strickland, 81, of Walnut Hill died Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010 at her residence.
She was a homemaker, born in Atmore on Jan. 30, 1929 to the late William O. and Mellie Lue Franklin Amos Sr. She was a member of the Walnut Hill Baptist Church.
Her brother, William O. Amos, preceded her in death.
Survivors are her husband, Donald E. Strickland of Walnut Hill, Fla.; two sons, George Strickland of Navarre, Fla. and Bill Strickland of Broken Arrow, Okla.; two daughters, Becky Lynn Mabeira of Bay Harbor, Fla. and Donna Dees of Spanish Fort; three sisters, Mary Lou Amos Nall of Pensacola, Fla., Dorothy Blankenship of Ridgecrest, N.C. and Sue Beck of Atmore and eight grandchildren.
Services were held Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ted Bridges and the Rev. James Boyd officiating. Interment followed in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Kory Dees, Josh Dees, Blake Dees, Franklin Blankenship, Horace Ward and Brett Ward.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Walnut Hill Baptist Church Building fund.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of all arrangements.