Globs Of Oil,Tarballs Found On Pensacola Beach; Cap Over Well
June 4, 2010
The first small balls of oil were found on Pensacola Beach Friday morning.
Sam Champion made the early morning tarball discovery on ABC’s Good Morning America. Scooping up a handful of sand, removed an oil ball that he described as “a red-like, tar oil substance right on the beaches of Pensacola this morning”. He compared the balls of oil to what he had seen what scuba diving in the Gulf Tuesday.
“It wasn’t here last night,” he said. “I’m really, really upset about this.”
Thursday night, BP managed to place cap over the Deepwater Horizon oil leak deep in the Gulf. From video, it was impossible to tell if the funnel-shaped lid was working — oil could bee seen gushing rapidly from around the cap.
BP said Friday morning that some oil was flowing through a pipe from the cap to the surface, but it was too early to tell exactly how much of the oil was being captured.
Pictured top: ABC’s Sam Champion holds one of many oily tarballs found Friday morning on Pensacola Beach. To watch the video, click the photo. Photo courtesy ABC’s Good Morning America.o Pictured inset: A cap placed over the leaking oil well Thursday night did not appear to impede the flow of oil. BP photo.
Charles Hayden Abbott
June 4, 2010
Charles Hayden Abbott, 99, of Lynn Haven, Fla., passed away on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. He was born in Century, Florida in 1910 and was devoted to Northwest Florida all his life, working to enhance the quality of life for all citizens through his civic work and devotion to educational programs.
He was an outstanding athlete who lettered in baseball, basketball, football and track in high school before becoming a professional baseball player with the Southeastern League. He played baseball against Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Bill Dickey, among others. He went to spring training with the Boston Red Sox in 1930, before a knee injury ended his major league aspirations.
He served his country with distinction and honor in World War II as a Chief Electricians Mate in the United States Navy, where he was stationed in San Diego, San Francisco, and Pearl Harbor. Except for his years in service, he has lived in Panama City since 1937, working as district manager of Gulf Power Company and owner of Abbott Refrigeration.
He was the great great grandson of the man who served as sheriff of Northwest Florida in 1825 when it was a territory. He was appointed sheriff of Bay County by the governor in 1961, where he served for two years. He was director of the Law Enforcement Assistance Center for sixteen years, where he promoted law enforcement training throughout Northwest Florida.
He served his community through the First Presbyterian Church, where he was an Elder Emeritus, also through the Boy’s Club and Rotary Club of Lynn Haven, where he was named the club’s first Paul Harris Fellow. He had been involved in every aspect of the law enforcement program at Gulf Coast Community College since it began, including service as a founding and sustaining member of the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee and as a valuable guide during a period between program directors. He attended every law enforcement graduation ceremony since the program began, until 1998 when his health prohibited him from attending.
The College recognized his extraordinary service through the Charles H. Abbott Award for Academic Excellence, which is given to the student in each law enforcement class with the highest academic achievement. He was a member emeritus of the Gulf Coast Community College Foundation for many years and a four-term director and two-term treasurer. He and his beloved late wife, Mary, were benefactors of the Foundation for many years and continued the support for many years, donating to the Honors Plaza Endowment Campaign.
The members of the District Board of Trustees named the college’s law enforcement training facility the Charles H. Abbott Criminal Justice Training Academy. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Rigell Abbott and brother, Bryan Abbott.
He is survived by a niece, Lenore Hilbert; 3 nephews, Frank Abbott, Jim Gaunt, Richard Gaunt; great nieces, Leigh H. Webb; great nephews, W. Guy Hilbert, Dr. Frank Abbott, Terry Abbott; great great nieces, Hayden Hilbert, Dabney Abbott; great great nephews, Kyle Hilbert and Christopher Abbott.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church of Panama City with Dr. Richard Watson officiating. Interment will be in the Bayview Cemetery, Pensacola, FL at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Charles & Mary Abbott Scholarship Fund c/o Gulf Coast Community College Foundation, 5230 W. Hwy 98, Panama City, FL 32405 or to the First Presbyterian Church of Panama City, 100 E. 7th St., Panama City, FL 32401 in memory of Charlie Abbott.
Man Accused Of Murdering Century Native Changes Plea
June 4, 2010
A Bay Minette teen wants to withdraw his no contest plea charges that he shot a Century native in the face last June.
Ellis Jarel McArthur, 18, of Bay Minette, Ala., entered the surprise no contest plea in Escambia County Circuit Court in March. He was due to be sentenced Thursday, but instead told the judge that he wants to change his plea. A new hearing is scheduled for July.
McArthur was charged with the shooting death of Jeffrey Kimbrough, 41, of Pensacola. Kimbrough was a former resident of Century. McArthur will remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Kimbrough was born in Century and attended Century Elementary and Carver Middle school. During the time he lived in Century, Kimbrough was a member of Century Volunteer Fire Department where he obtained the rank of captain. After moving from Century, he served as a volunteer for the Pensacola Fire Department. He was employed the last five years at the Pensacola Civic Center.
He was survived by his wife of 24 years Clara Ann Nettle; children Bridgett, Leroca, Elandarge and Tamara; mother Carrie Kimbrough; four brothers and three sisters. His funeral was held at New Life Baptist Church in Century, and internment was in the Century Cemetery.
Kimbrough was shot June 14, 2009, in the 1500 block of Gulf Beach Highway in the Warrington community in the southwest part of the county. The incident occurred at the Heritage Oaks Mobile Home Park, which had been without water for about a week due to a bill that the park owner did not pay to the Peoples Water Service.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies said Kimbrough confronted McArthur about a stolen wallet. That is when, according to deputies, McArthur pulled out a handgun and shot Kimbrough in the face. Kimbrough died a short time later at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
The shooting incident occurred not far from where members of Pensacola’s First Assembly of God Church were holding services, grilling hot dogs and giving away water to the trailer park residents. Several members of the church witnessed the shooting.
Cantonment Man Seriously Injured In Highway 95A Crash
June 4, 2010
A Cantonment man was seriously injured in a wreck Thursday night on Highway 95A in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol said David M. Boyce, 27, of Cantonment was traveling north on a 2006 Suzuki motorcycle about 9:49 p.m. On Highway 95A south of Roberts Road, he changed lanes and passed several vehicles. Then, he suddenly changed lanes back to the northbound lane, failing to slow enough to avoid a collision.
Boyce’s motorcycle slid on its side into the rear of 2004 Jeep driven by William T. Hooper III, 21, of Cantonment. Boyce was transported to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition. Hooper was not injured in the crash.
Charges are pending against Boyce in the crash, according to the FHP.
Smith Indicted In Ax Murder Case
June 4, 2010
An Escambia County Grand Jury returned a first degree premeditated murder charge Thursday against accused an ax murderer that told deputies “I enjoyed it; I loved every friggin’ swing” .
Nathan Greg Smith, 28, will be arraigned on the charge June 10. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond for the May 19 murder of Brian Puckett, 34.
Puckett was found dead in a home May 19 on Hollowbrook Circle, a cul-de-sac near Hillcrest Baptist Church. Deputies believe he died after being hit in the head with an ax.
Nathan Smith’s mother, Constance Smith, told investigators that her boyfriend Puckett was dead in the garage. Deputies found Puckett’s body sitting in a chair in the garage. “They immediately noticed a large laceration to the left side of the victim’s head, and it was apparent he was deceased,” Deputy Robert Guy, Jr. wrote in his report. The report states deputies found an ax by the back door of the garage, about 10-15 feet from the victim.
Deputies found Nathan Smith asleep inside the residence. He told them that he had been out with his friend the previous night and had gotten home about midnight. He told deputies that Puckett and Constance Smith were arguing, but he went straight to his room and went to sleep.
The friend told deputies that he and Nathan Smith arrived at the residence about 2:30 a.m. At about 5 a.m., Nathan Smith went to the nearby friend’s house and stated that he had gotten into an altercation with Puckett and ” he thought he hurt him pretty bad”, the Sheriff’s Office report states.
The friend said he later received a phone call from a hysterical Constance Smith stating that Puckett was dead and that she thought her son, Nathan Smith, was in trouble. The friend told deputies that Constance Smith said that Puckett had been hit with an ax.
Nathan Smith, Constance Smith and Puckett all resided in the same house, according to deputies.
Northview High Baccalaureate Tonight, Graduation Saturday
June 4, 2010
Baccalaureate services will be tonight and graduation will be held Saturday for the Northview High School Class of 2010.
The 2010 Senior Class of Northview High School will hold student-led Baccalaureate exercises Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Atmore First Assembly of God on South Main Street. All family and friends are welcome.
For seniors participating in the services, Sunday dress attire is requested under cap and gown. For additional information contact senior class President Candice Greenwell at (850) 587-2489.
Graduation for the Northview High School Class of 2010 will be Saturday 4 p.m. in the Northview High School gym.
There will be mandatory graduation practice at 9 a.m. on Friday, June 4. The graduation group portrait will be taken at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 5.
Molino 16U Lady Astros Are Tourney Runner-Ups
June 4, 2010
The Molino 16U Lady Astros softball team started their season as runner-ups in a recent USFA qualifier tournament in Daphne, Alabama.
The Astros lost in the elimination round to Voo Doo of New Orleans, only to face them again and beat them 4-3 in the semi-finals to advance to the championships. The Lady Astros came up short, losing 3-1 to Crossfire of Gulfport.
Pitching for the Lady Astros were Jami Ujvair, Tristen Faircloth and Heather Schaff. Molino had team batting average of over 400 for the tournament and only two errors in the championship game.
Pictured: The Molino 16U Lady Astros softball team. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pelicans Win Thriller Over Saints 5-4
June 4, 2010
The Pensacola Pelicans snapped a four game losing streak Thursday night. Antoin Gray singled in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth to send the Pelicans (7-13) to an exciting 5-4 win over the Saints (9-10).
The Saints would get a run in the second inning when Brandon Carter hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Brent Krause and give St. Paul an early 1-0 lead.
Pensacola would answer back in a big way in the bottom half of the second inning when Chase Porch hit an RBI infield single with the bases loaded to score Lou Palmisano and tie the game up at 1. Dallas Christison would follow with a two run single to left field to bring in Joey Side and John Alonso to give the Pels a 3-1 lead.
With the score 3-2, Chase Porch hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Joey Side and make it a 4-2 lead for Pensacola.
St. Paul would get that run back in the seventh inning as Brandon Carter lined a double down the third base line to bring in Gerard Haran and make it 4-3.
The Saints would tie it up in the eighth inning when Haran lined a single infront of Porch in left field to bring in Jason Cooper and even up the score at 4.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Pelicans loaded the bases with nobody out. Antoin Gray followed as he dropped in a single to left field to score Dallas Christison and win the game for the Pelicans 5-4.
The win goes to Ron Hill (1-1) as he got the last out in the top half of the ninth inning.
The loss goes to Joe DAlessandro (0-1) as he gives up the RBI hit from Gray in the bottom of the ninth to end the game.
Jay High Class Of 2010 Graduates
June 4, 2010
About 75 members of the Jay High School Class of 2010 graduated Thursday night at the school. Class valedictorian was Cierra Golden, and salutatorian was Rush Hendricks. About half of this year’s class earned a scholarship, with over $900,000 awarded. Submitted photo by Julie Booth-Moran for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Jailed After Active Meth Lab Found In Davisville (With Photos)
June 4, 2010
The discovery of a meth lab Thursday night near Davisville landed a Walnut Hill man in jail, facing multiple felony charges.
Scotty Wayne Wiggins, 30, of North Pine Barren Road, was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a listed chemical and possession of drug paraphernalia. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $100,000.
According to Heath Jackson, a narcotics investigator for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received at tip about 7 p.m. Thursday that a meth lab was being operated behind a home on Pine Barren Church Road in Davisville. When Deputy Tod Day investigated the complaint, he found what appeared to be a meth lab in a wooded area behind a home that did not belong to Wiggins.
Jackson and fellow Narcotics Division Investigator Rene Reguindin responded to the scene. They tested the suspected meth, with field tests confirming the illegal substance.
“It was an active lab with no finished product,” Jackson said, pointing at a plastic bottle of liquid. The lab components were removed by a hazardous materials team from Tallahassee.
Pictured top and bottom: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division Investigators Rene Reguindin (left) and Heath Jackson (right) perform field tests on a suspected active meth lab found Thursday night in Davisville. Pictured inset: Some of the meth ingredients and drug paraphernalia recovered by deputies. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
