Century Man Charged In Home Invasion, Robbery
March 16, 2010
A Century man was arrested late Sunday night on outstanding warrants in connection with an August 2009 home invasion and robbery.
Justin Wayne Kyles, 18, of Jackson Street, Century, is charged with home invasion robbery, aggravated battery using a deadly weapon and petty theft. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail on $90,000 bond.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Kyles and two other men allegedly entered a home on Gilford Avenue in Century by removing a window air conditioner at about 1 a.m. on August 30, 2009. Once inside, they attacked a male in his bed, smashing a table lamp over his head, and then struck him repeatedly in the head with other unknown objects, according to the arrest report. They reportedly stole $280 before fleeing the residence.
The victim went to a neighboring house for help — with a lamp cord and lamp parts still wrapped around his neck, the ECSO report says. The victim was transported to Jay Hospital where it took 35 staples to repair his head injuries. He told sheriff’s deputies that he knew Kyles was one of his attackers.
According to deputies, the victim’s story appeared to check out, with broken lamp pieces and blood on the bed and a trail of blood leading to the neighbor’s house.
Martha Johnson Hammann
March 15, 2010
Martha Johnson Hammann, age 86, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Plainfield, NJ, the daughter of Dr. Harold and Helen Johnson, where she spent her youth with her three siblings. On July 7, 1945, she married Eugene Hammann, the love of her life. During their 64 years of marriage, they spent most of their life in Illinois before retiring to Kill Devil Hills, NC. In 2004, she and her husband moved to Pensacola, FL.
Martha was a registered nurse who enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps in 1945, shortly after graduation from St. Luke’s Hospital, NY. She served her country during World War II at Fort Dix, NJ. After raising her four daughters, she resumed her nursing career working in labor and delivery at Proctor Hospital in Peoria, IL. Prior to her retirement from nursing, she worked as an office nurse for Peter Couri, MD, an obstetrician in Peoria, IL.
In Pensacola, Martha was a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church where she was proud to be asked to use her musical ability playing the piano and organ during church services. She loved golf and played frequently at Cypress Lakes (Solutia) Golf Club where she had her first hole-in-one on the eighth hole where a cypress tree now stands in her memory. She was an active woman who loved nature, music, her family, and the many friends who crossed her path during her life. She cherished hummingbirds, butterflies and flowers, jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles and cross-stitch needle work.
She is survived by her husband, Gene, four daughters – Nancy (Tom) Sislow, Linda Hammann, Carol (Larry) Bergman, and Marje (John) Luetkemeyer, four grandchildren – Joseph Sislow, Brandon (Marcela) Sislow, Jennifer Luetkemeyer and Lauren Luetkemeyer, one great granddaughter, Sophia Sislow and one brother Paul Johnson (Jacksonville, FL), along with many relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Nancy (Johnson) Piddington and her brother Roger Johnson.
The family will receive friends on Monday, March 15th from 6pm-8pm at Faith Chapel North, 1000 Highway 29, Cantonment, FL 32533.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, March 16 at 10:30am at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, FL, officiated by Rew Randolph, followed by a reception for family and friends. Internment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to The Joyce Goldenberg Hospice Inpatient Residence, 1007 Hillview Road, Pensacola, FL 32514, or Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1100 East 9-Mile, Pensacola, FL 52314.
Foy Lane Hartzog
March 15, 2010
Mr. Foy Lane Hartzog, 74, passed away on Sunday, March 14, 2010 in Atmore, AL.
Mr. Hatrzog was a native of Louisville, AL, a resident of Atmore, AL for the past 14 years, a retired employee of the Alabama Department of Transportation Highway Department for 31 years, and attended the Upper Prospect Baptist Church in Five Points, AL.
Survivors include: his Wife of 53 years, Connie Hartzog of Atmore, AL; his Son, DeLane and Frances Hartzog of Prattville, AL; his Daughter, Lynn and Randy Williams of Pensacola, FL; 5 Grandchildren, Matthew Williams and Miranda Williams, both of Foley, AL, LaDanna Thomas of Pensacola, FL, Adam Hartzog of Auburn, AL and Heather Hartzog Gunn (Michael) of Prattville, AL; 3 Great-Grandchildren, Ashton Thomas, Brantlie Thomas and Emma Kate Gunn; and two Sisters, Cynthia and Hubert Beasley of Louisville, AL and Shirley and Billy Taylor of Eufaula, AL.
Funeral services will he held Monday, March 15, 2010 at 3:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. C.L. Langford officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, March 15, 2010 from 2:00 P.M. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Matthew Williams, Adam Hartzog, Michael Gunn, Chris Little, Scott Hartzog and Jimmy Taylor.
Thinking Outside The Box: Area Couple Builds Dome Home
March 15, 2010
Energy efficiency is a hot topic these days, with many people thinking of ways to cut energy costs more than ever before. When Charlie and Margaret Simmons of New Iberia, Louisiana, decided to move back to Margaret’s hometown of Jay and build their retirement home, energy efficiency was an important factor in choosing the style of house they would construct. However, there were additional features that prompted them to ultimately choose to build a monolithic dome home.
A monolithic (one-piece) dome is an extremely energy efficient, steel-reinforced concrete structure that can basically be designed for any type of use. The dome structure starts with a reinforced concrete tension ring to which a plasticized airform (balloon) is attached and inflated. All subsequent work is done inside the airform. First, three to four inches of foam is sprayed on the interior. This is followed by a steel rebar structure and then covered with concrete, six inches at the base and about three inches at the apex. Having the insulation on the outside is non-traditional but as Charlie Simmons explained, “That is where God put it on sheep.”
The curved shape of the exterior structure actually reflects energy away. The multiple tons of concrete provide a very stable and well-insulated interior, which in turn, absorbs energy and keeps the temperature relatively constant. The insulation does not deteriorate with time, moisture or compaction. The dome provides a solid thermal envelope and the airtight exterior affords no, or minuscule at most, energy leakage. The dome is so well insulated that fresh outdoor air must be brought in through an air-to-air heat exchanger to minimize energy loss and a HEPA (99.9% efficiency) air filter to take out contaminates. This preconditioned, filtered, pressurized air enters the HVAC system for normal distribution. The pressurization prevents dust from entering even when doors are opened. This feature is especially appealing to Margaret Simmons.
A beneficial effect of this super-insulated home is downsized heat and air equipment. The Simmons’ home is 3,400 sq. ft. and a 1 ½ ton A/C unit adequately services the entire structure. A traditionally constructed home of this same size would most likely require a 5 to 6 ton A/C unit. According to C. Simmons, “The efficiency of the house appeals to me as an engineer, and I like having something that is a little different, too.”
Durability is another feature that attracted Simmons to the dome structure. Simmons commented that the model he chose to construct was tested in a wind tunnel at Texas A&M University to withstand 600 mph winds. The strongest hurricane winds recorded to date have been slightly over 200 mph and tornado winds at just over 300 mph. Typically during violent storms such as hurricanes and tornadoes, high winds acting on flat surfaces and negative air pressure combine and can get under the eves and soffits of a conventional house. This force, in turn, may cause the roof to be ripped off the house. The aerodynamic shape of the dome provides excellent above ground protection against powerful winds in any direction, allowing the wind’s energy to glide past without causing damage to the basic structure. Even sounds from the outside are virtually eliminated.
The durability attribute is also evidenced by its resistance to other forces of nature such as earthquakes, fire, and insects. The monolithic design of the dome has an even distribution of weight and a low center of gravity so that it actually moves with the earth. This design prevents the dome from damage, whereas, a traditional home can be shaken off its foundation as it wobbles with the earth’s lateral shifts in an earthquake.
Neither is fire a detriment to the home. The exterior of the home is painted with a silicon based GE (General Electric Company) paint that will withstand 550 degrees F. and the concrete used in construction doesn’t burn. Nor are pests such as termites a concern because there is no wood in the structure for the termites to eat. Because of the dome’s resistance to weather, fire, and insects, the structure virtually has a lifespan of centuries rather than years. As a result, home insurance costs are greatly reduced.
The dome house’s economic feasibility is another appealing characteristic. Because of the limited number of components used in the structure itself, the cost is about the same as a conventional home of the same size. The dome’s shape, design, and quality of construction materials keep required future upkeep and maintenance virtually nonexistent.
The Simmons decided a dome house would best meet their needs for a retirement home. Construction began in April of 2008 and was completed in November of 2009. Living in Louisiana during the various construction phases of the home could have posed complications for Simmons; however, local Virgle Bedsole served as project manager and could oversee the day to day operations of the home’s development. Bedsole says, “This project has been different from building a conventional house. Each step along the way, you have to think things through carefully, not just handle it the usual way.”
The interior of the home is beautiful with its teak wood flooring, cabinets and doors made of cypress salvaged from an old plantation home, and spacious floor plan. In addition, the home also features energy efficient LED lighting and the latest technological advancements. The Simmons seem to have thought of everything in regards to constructing a home they can enjoy for many years to come.
Pictured top: The Charlie and Margaret Simmons monolithic dome home in Jay. Pictured top inset: The dome’s airform fully inflated. Pictured middle inset: The garage entrance area of the home near competition. Pictured bottom inset: The kitchen area of the home. Submitted photos by Sabrina Owens for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Arrests In State Line Home Invasion, Sexual Assault
March 15, 2010
The search is continuing for the suspect in a February 18 home invasion and sexual assault near the Alabama-Florida state line, and authorities are asking for the public’s help in solving the crime.
The incident was reported about 8:45 a.m. on Old Atmore Road just west of Tulip Street in Flomaton. 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.
Anyone with information on the attack is asked to contact the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 or their local law enforcement agency.
Pictured top: Tracking dogs were used to search for the suspect on February 18. Pictured below: Authorities such for the suspect in a home invasion in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man To Remain In Prison For Cantonment, Molino Burglaries
March 15, 2010
A Cantonment man will serve his full sentence in state prison in connection with burglaries in the Molino and Cantonment areas according to a ruling last week by an Escambia County judge.
Patrick Hosea Bell, 21, was sentenced late last year to five years in state prison on burglary, grand theft, criminal mischief and cocaine possession charges. Last week, Judge Frank Bell denied a motion for reduction or modification of the sentence, according to Escambia County Circuit Court records.
Jermaine Lamar Patterson, 18, was also sentenced to five years in prison in connection with the same North Escambia burglaries. Another accomplice, Sara Louise Temoney, 22, was charged with fewer burglaries and sentenced to six months in jail and has since been released.
Bell, Patterson and Temoney were arrested in March, 2009, by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies after an attempted burglary on Clymil Drive, just south of Williams Ditch Road in the Cottage Hill area. At that time, deputies said the arrests cleared about 25 burglaries in the area.
The arrests came after the Clymil Drive resident came home to find a vehicle backed to his home and called for help. Deputies located the vehicle and made their arrests, but not before the female suspect reported that she had been carjacked, deputies said.
In the typical burglary attributed to the trio, one suspect would knock on the front door of the home. If no one answered the door, the suspects would back their car up to the home and kick in the backdoor, deputies said. Most of the burglaries took place in isolated areas, often at homes where trees or shrubbery block the view of the home from the road.
In one incident in early March of last year, a man returned to his home in the 4000 block of Chestnut Road in Molino to find one of the burglars inside his home.
The sheriff’s office said tens of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise were recovered from the burglaries.
Gone With The Wind: ECUA’s Trash Trucks Spread Message
March 15, 2010
ECUA’s sanitation trucks are spreading a new message with a new look about not spreading litter with the “Bag Your Bags” campaign.
The campaign encourages ECUA customers to always place recyclables and garbage securely inside plastic trash bags, ensuring that the materials stay in the intended container and transfer properly to the sanitation trucks. The idea, according to ECUA, is to keep the contents of trash containers from becoming litter.
“We have 40 sanitation trucks that will cover all of Escambia County with the exception of the City of Pensacola, and the Town of Century,” Randy Rudd, ECUA director of sanitation, said. “We think this is a cost effective means of getting the word out to customers on the importance of bagging garbage and recyclables to help prevent litter.”
Pictured above and below: The “Gone With the Wind” campaign featured on an ECUA sanitation truck. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny Skies Early Week; Flood Warning Extended For Escambia River
March 15, 2010
Our official North Escambia area forecast calls for sunny skies for the first part of your week, with just a slight chance of rain by Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, a flood warning has been extended until late Thursday night for the Escambia River near Century.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
- Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 66.
Flood Warning: Escambia River Near Century
The flood warning has been extended until late Thursday night for the Escambia River near Century.
Last Sunday night, the stage was 17.0 feet. No flooding was occurring and minor flooding was forecast. The flood stage is 17.0 feet. The river was forecast to rise above flood stage by Monday morning and continue to rise near 17.4 feet by Tuesday morning. The river will fall below flood stage by Thursday evening.
Amber Armstrong Completes Basic Training
March 15, 2010
Air Force Airman Amber N. Armstrong graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
She is the daughter of Richard and Teresa Armstrong of Old Highway 31, Flomaton, Ala.
Armstrong is a 2009 graduate of Flomaton High School.
Location Change For Today’s Northview Softball Games
March 15, 2010
There has been a location change for a couple of Northview High School softball games against West Florida Tech.
The game scheduled for this afternoon with West Florida Tech will be played at West Florida Tech. The April 8 game against West Florida Tech will be played at Northview. The JV games will begin at 4 p.m., and the varsity games will follow at 6 p.m. on both dates.