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Are You Ready To Vote?

Are you election-ready?

From party primaries for Florida’s next U.S. senator, governor and cabinet, state legislative delegation, county commission, and ECUA, to non-partisan races for school board, circuit judge, and Pensacola’s first “strong mayor,” a wide array of important contests are up for grabs in the August 24th primary election. With the election rapidly approaching, it is important that you prepare to exercise one of your most fundamental rights as an American.

If you are not registered to vote, you must do so by Monday, July 26th. If you are unsure of your registration status, you can visit EscambiaVotes.com and click ‘Am I Registered?’ to find out. We need to know if you recently moved, changed your name, or wish to change political parties. Florida is a closed primary state, which means that in order to vote in a party’s primary, you must be a registered member of that party no later than July 26th.

At EscambiaVotes.com, you can also view your sample ballot, locate your polling place (several have changed since 2008), learn how to cast your vote, request an absentee ballot, and follow the progress of that ballot by clicking ‘Track My Ballot’. You can confirm that we have your request, check the date your ballot was mailed, and verify when it is received back in our office. It is a valuable new tool, especially for our men and women in uniform deployed across the globe.

There are three different ways to cast your ballot:

* Vote by mail, by requesting an absentee ballot and returning it to our office before the polls close
* Vote early at any one of four locations in Escambia County, beginning August 9th
* Vote at your precinct between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Election Day

In the 2008 general election, early votes and absentee ballots together totaled more than half of all ballots cast. In other words, more votes in Escambia County were cast before the polls opened than on Election Day.

If you vote in person during early voting or on Election Day, you will receive a paper ballot to complete and insert into a digital scanner. For voters with disabilities, a touchscreen with an audio ballot feature is also available at each polling place. Be sure to bring your photo and signature ID with you to the polls.

So, check your registration status, request an absentee ballot if you wish, familiarize yourself with the candidates, locate your polling place or nearest early voting site, and be on the lookout for your sample ballot in the mail within the next few weeks. If you have any questions or need more information, call 595-3900 or visit EscambiaVotes.com. We’ll see you at the polls!

David H. Stafford

Escambia County Supervisor of Elections

Northwest Escambia Drops First State Game As Tourney Continues

The Northwest Escambia 11-12 year old softball team lost their first state tournament game Thursday night in Fort Myers, but they have at least two more games to play.

Port St. Johns slipped past NWE 4-1 in game one of the state championship series.

Mallory Ryan pitched the first two innings, striking out two and with no walks. Courtney Peebles pitched the second two innings, with two strike outs and two walks. Kyndall Hall finished up the game on the mound for Northwest Escambia with no strike out s and three walks. Ryan had the only RBI for NWE, scoring Kristen Byrd.

Northwest Escambia won the Little League Section 1 championship last weekend in Tallahassee, sweeping two games from Tallahassee Chaires Little Leage, 16-1 and 8-2.

Members of the NWE 11-12 year old All-Stars are: Savanna Roux, Peighton Dortch, Courtney Peebles, Kyndall Hall, Penny Banda, Addy Lee, Kendal Cobb, Mallory Ryan, Kristin Byrd and Natalie Goetter. The team is managed by Jerry Mason, and coached by Ronald Peebles and Eddie Ryan.

Pictured: The Northwest Escambia All-Stars 11-12 softball team after last Saturday’s sectional win in Tallahassee. File photo, click to enlarge.

Gulf Power Offers Hot Weather Energy Savings Tips

Gulf Power company is offering some tips for the summer heat — tips that can save you money whether you are a customer of Gulf Power, Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Alabama Power or Southern Pine Electric Cooperative.

Set your thermostat and leave it

During the summer, your air conditioner is the biggest user of electricity. For many homes, it accounts for more than half of the summer electric bill.

• Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher and leave it there. For every degree below that setting, you’ll use 3 to 5 percent more electricity.
• Set the thermostat even higher when at work or away from home for long periods of time, but no more than five degrees higher.
• Change or clean your air conditioner filter regularly. Dirty filters restrict airflow and reduce efficiency.
• Use your ceiling fan for more comfort. Only turn it on when you’re in the room. Ceiling fans only cool people, not rooms.
• Clear outside AC units of plants or brush so they can run more efficiently.

Insulate

• Increase attic insulation, which can save up to 30 percent on cooling and heating costs.
• Insulation is measured in R-value, which is a measure of resistance to heat flow. So the higher the R-value, the better the insulation value.
• Experts recommend you use an R-value of R-38 in ceiling areas.
• Check your windows and doors for air leaks. Install weather stripping or caulking if needed.

Kitchen

• Whenever possible, cook a lot of meals at the same time. This uses less energy than when you cook each meal separately.
• If you’re baking, avoid opening the oven door. This lets out 20 percent of the heat. Use a cooking timer instead.
• Use pots and pans that match the size of the burners on your stove. This allows more heat to the pan and less heat will be lost to surrounding air.
• Try to use the range instead of the oven. Better yet, turn on the microwave or use a pressure cooker. Both use less power than a standard electric range.

Refrigerator

• Choose the right size refrigerator for your needs. Larger models use more energy. Open and close the refrigerator door quickly. Know what you want before opening the door.
• Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Check it by closing a piece of paper in the door, half in and half out. If you can pull the paper out easily, you may need to make some adjustments or replace the seal.
• Keep your food covered. Moisture buildup in the refrigerator makes the air inside harder to cool.

Dishwasher

• Run the dishwasher, dryer and the stove after the sun goes down to avoid adding heat to your house.
• When using the dishwasher, turn off the drying cycle if you don’t need dishes right away.
• Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it. Partial loads can use just as much water and power as a full load.
• Scrape dishes before loading them into the dishwasher so you don’t have to rinse them. If they need rinsing, use cold water.

Lighting

One of the best ways to save energy is to turn off lights that aren’t in use.

• Use fluorescent lighting or CFLs when possible. They last about 10 times longer than incandescent lamps. And they can produce four times more light than standard incandescent lamps, for the same amount of energy.
• Use one large bulb instead of several small ones in areas where bright light is needed.
• Use smaller lamps in work areas, like sewing areas and computer desks, so you don’t light the entire room.
• Lighter-colored walls, drapes, blinds and upholstery reflect light. Dark colors absorb heat and require more artificial light.

Gulf Power customers can call 1-877-655-4001 or visit www.gulfpower.com for summer money-saving tips. Customers can also do their own Energy Check Up online — a 5-minute EZ Check Up or more detailed 20-minute Full Check Up is available to help identify low cost and no cost ways to make your home more energy efficient.

For even more ways to save money and energy, learn about our EarthCents programs at www.gulfpower.com.

Escambia River Electric Cooperative also offers many other money saving energy tips at www.erec.net.

Heat Advisory Today

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for today.

Strong high pressure over much of the central Gulf Coast region will give way to another round of hot weather resulting in heat indices ranging from 108 to 110 degrees for many areas including areas near the coast. This may create dangerous conditions for people working outdoors or those more susceptible to heat related health problems.

A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

• Today: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 107. North wind around 5 mph becoming east. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95. East wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
• Saturday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
• Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
• Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
• Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph.
• Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. East wind around 5 mph.
• Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
• Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93.
• Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
• Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 93.

16-Year Old Now Charged As An Adult After Deputy’s Tire Shot Out

A 16-year old will now be tried as an adult after allegedly dumping a firearm into the middle of a North Escambia street, eventually leading to a shot being fired into a deputy’s tire.

Ladarrious Tamiraye Lett of Ivey Street, Century, is facing charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted delinquent under 24 years of age, tampering with evidence and culpable negligence. His bond was set at $21,000.

Lett was originally charged as a juvenile in connection with the July 14 incident, but his case was transferred to Escambia County Circuit Court this week. He is scheduled to be arraigned on August 6.

The incident began at 3:23 a.m. on July 14 when Deputy Scott Rivkin conducted a traffic stop on a black Eagle Talon with no headlights near North Century Boulevard and Henry Streets. The driver of the vehicle was given a warning for failing to use his headlights. Lett was reportedly the passenger in the vehicle. Both left the area.

About five minutes later, Rivkin was traveling on North Century Boulevard in the same area as the traffic stop when when he heard what he believed to be a gunshot. Upon investigation, he discovered a .22 caliber pistol in the middle of North Century Boulevard. When the right rear wheel of the deputy’s cruiser rolled over the weapon, it had fired a round, flattening the tire. Next to the revolver, the deputy discovered one empty shell casing and five live rounds of ammunition.

While Deputy Rivkin was still parked on North Century Boulevard, he noticed the driver from the previous traffic stop and Lett approaching him on foot. The two were separated and questioned as the Flomaton Police Department responded for backup.

The driver told authorities that Lett had dropped the gun out of the vehicle’s window just prior to the traffic stop and that the pair had returned to the area to retrieve the gun. The 16-year old told deputies that he had purchased the gun from an individual, and he provided a bill of sale. Lett admitted to dropping the gun out of the vehicle window, according to his arrest report.

Tropical Storm Bonnie Forms

Tropical Storm Bonnie has formed near the Bahamas, and it is headed toward the Gulf Of Mexico.

Maximum sustained winds were 40 mph. Current forecast models take the storm into the Gulf of Mexico, across the Deepwater Horizon spill location and into the Texas or Louisiana coast sometime on Sunday or Monday. A Tropical Storm warning has been issued for the southern tip of Florida.

Work on the relief well in the Gulf of Mexico has been suspended in advance of the storm.

Thompson Gets Life Sentence In Cheryl Cain Murder; ‘Closure’ For Family

Scott Joseph Thompson will remain behind bars for the rest of his life for the murder of Cheryl Cain, the Cantonment woman whose body was found in a Pensacola dumpster in March, 2009.

Thompson, now 30, was found guilty of second-degree murder for the strangulation death. Following the jury verdict, Circuit Judge Ronald Swanson sentenced Thompson to life in prison.

“I’m tickled to death for the verdict,” said Danny Cain, Cheryl’s father, Wednesday night. “I hate it for his family. But they can go and see him in jail. We can’t go see our daughter.”

When he was arrested on the second degree murder charges, Thompson was already in the Escambia County Jail for violating probation on 2007 narcotics charges, according to court records, waiting for a bed to become available in a drug treatment facility.

Cain’s body was found in a dumpster behind a former gas station on Highway 29 at Burgess Road in Pensacola on March 25, 2009. DNA evidence from the dumpster and in Cain’s car were used to charge Thompson with murder, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department. Thompson’s DNA was reportedly found in Cain’s vehicle, which was located after the murder at a Pensacola motel.

Phone records also connected Thompson to Cain, as well as a witness that testified that the two argued over money the last day she was seen alive.

It took an Escambia County jury just an hour and twenty minutes Wednesday night to return the guilty verdict.

“We finally got some closure,” Danny Cain said.

In March of this year, Danny Cain spoke to NorthEscambia.com about what it was like to loose his daughter.

“It wasn’t suppose to be this way,” Cain said in that interview. His daughter Cheryl was a rodeo star, a proud Tate graduate, and doing what she loved — working with animals at the office of a Pensacola veterinarian.

“I think about it every day; something always reminds me of her” Cain said. “There’s no way to explain it. He took her life.”

Cain admits sometimes he thinks that he would like to sit down face to face with Thompson. “I wish I could talk to him and understand why.”

The support of friends, family and church have been important for the Cain family. A memorial in front of the gas station where Cheryl’s body was discovered has also provided a bit of solace. Hundreds of stuffed animals and handwritten notes have been left behind by the community. But nothing, Cain said, replaces the empty void created by the murder.

“We sure miss her. I wish we could have her back.”

Pictured top: A makeshift memorial for Cantonment murder victim Cheryl Cain at a Pensacola gas station. Pictured below (courtesy WEAR): Cheryl Cain’s body was found in this dumpster. Pictured above: Cherly Cain and her dog Bandit. Submitted and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

House Candidate’s Wife Jailed On Drug Trafficking, Related Charges

The wife of a candidate for Florida House District 1 has been arrested on drug charges in Santa Rosa County.

Jennifer Rene Perritt, 38, of Wallace Lake Road, Pace, is charged with drug trafficking,  prescription forgery and fraud. She was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail  where she was being held on $620,000 bond.

(Read a July 24 update to this story here.)

She is the wife of Ricky Perritt, a Republic candidate for the Florida House District 1 seat.  A statement issued by Perritt’s campaign said Jennifer Perritt has suffered from a degenerative spinal condition for the past seven years, and that she became addicted to her prescribed pain medications.

“Last night Mrs. Perritt voluntarily reported to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff to answer questions regarding allegations that she mishandled prescriptions,” the news release states. “Mr. Perritt is concerned for the health of his wife and he is consulting with the appropriate professionals to evaluate the situation. During this time Mr. Perritt asks you to pray for his family and asks that you respect his wife’s privacy.”

Ricky Perritt plans to hold a press conference on Friday to answer questions regarding his future plans.

Florida House District 1 includes the northern two-thirds of Escambia County, most of Santa Rosa County and a portion of Okaloosa County. The seat is being vacated by Greg Evers who is running for Florida Senate District 2.

Century Woman Facing Drug, Custody Charges

A 19-year old Century woman is behind bars, charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and interfering with the custody of a minor.

Hannah Joyce Campbell of Hagan Road is being held on $10,000 after a traffic stop allegedly found her with a runaway minor and drugs in her purse.

According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Campbell was stopped Sunday morning by Deputy Jason Land after she ran a red light on North Century Boulevard. The passenger in her vehicle was identified as a runaway that stated she had left home without her guardian’s permission.

When Campbell asked Deputy Bobby Cook to retrieve her purse from her vehicle, he discovered a pill bottle in plain sight in the center console. The pill bottle allegedly contained hydrocodone and Xanax.

Campbell denied any involvement with the pills in her vehicle, according to the arrest report.

Her 2007 Pontaic G6 was seized by the Sheriff’s Office. She was also issued traffic citations for failure to stop at a traffic signal and failure to display a driver’s license upon demand.

Century To Promote Employees, Name Deputy Clerk

The recent resignation of Century’s deputy clerk will lead to the promotion of two employees.

Christina Wood, a nine-year town employee, will be promoted to deputy clerk to replace Karen Hughes. Denice Wiggins will be promoted into the office position vacated by Wood’s advancement. Both will receive a $1 per hour raise.

Mayor Freddie McCall said that the town will not immediately hire another employee to fill the vacancy created by Wiggins’ promotion. Instead, he said he will monitor the town office’s efficiency to see if it can operate with one less employee.

McCall also said Wiggins will be cross-trained in the duties of the town clerk while training is underway for recently hired Clerk Darlene Peters.

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