Former Ala. Cop Busted For On-Duty Pharmacy Burglary With His Brother
August 19, 2010
A former Alabama cop has been arrested for allegedly helping his brother burglarize a pharmacy while he was on duty. The brother was arrested earlier this year at a Pensacola motel.
Matthew Kirk, 36, of Brewton was arrested Tuesday after being indicted by an Escambia County (Ala.) Grand Jury. The former East Brewton Police Department lieutenant (pictured left) is charged with two counts of third degree burglary, one count of second degree theft of property and one ethics violation.
Authorities believe Kirk aided his brother in the burglary of a Fred’s pharmacy in East Brewton on March 23. Kirk was the only police officer on duty in the small Alabama town at the time the burglary occurred.
The police officer’s brother, Jason Daniel Kirk, 30, of Flomaton, was arrested in April in Escambia County, Fla., with just under a half pound of illegal pills.
Members of the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at Kirk’s room at the Value Place Extended Stay hotel on Scenic Highway in Pensacola. During the search of the room, deputies found a lock box that contained quantities of Xanax, oxycodone, methadone, morphine and hydrocodone, according to the arrest report. One bag of hydrocodone weighed in excess of 200 grams (0.44 pounds), the report stated.
The room also contained sales and inventory figures for the illicit narcotics, and the key to the safe was located on Kirk’s person, deputies said. Kirk (pictured left) admitted to ownership of the narcotics, according to the Sheriff’s Office report.
Investigators said at the time that they believed the pills were from the East Brewton pharmacy burglary. Jason Kirk later told authorities that his brother Matthew Kirk was his accomplice.
Matthew Kirk resigned from the East Brewton Police Department in April. He was booked into the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center on $100,000 bond.
Jason Kirk remains in the Escambia County (Fla) Jail on $307,500 bond. He has entered a not guilty plea on all charges and is set for trial in September. At the time of his arrest, Jason Kirk was also charged with negotiating a $57.45 worthless check at the Southern Pit Stop, Inc. in Century. He pleaded guilty to writing the bad check and was sentenced to 60 days in jail.
Meek And McCollum Lead Gubernatorial Poll
August 19, 2010
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum and Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Kendrick Meek, two longtime Florida politicians, could be on their way to surviving tougher-than-expected primaries with opponents who have spent millions of dollars burnishing their own, outsider images, a poll released Wednesday shows.
The Quinnipiac University survey released Wednesday showed both men surging to leads over their largely self-financed opponents. McCollum led former Columbia Healthcare/HCA CEO Rick Scott by a 44 percent to 35 percent margin, after having trailed Scott by nine points just three weeks ago. Meek, who trailed real estate mogul Jeff Greene by 10 points at the end of July, is now leading by 35 percent to 28 percent.
Quinnipiac’s findings were the latest in a series of public polls showing momentum shifting back to establishment-backed candidates as the Aug. 24 primary closes in. It shows that despite the national trend, being an outsider may not be enough to get either upstart candidate over the finish line next week, Quinnipiac University Polling Institute assistant director Peter Brown said.
“Essentially, the establishment still lives in Florida politics,” he said.
McCollum and Meek have both leaned heavily on endorsements from popular members of their parties in the final weeks of the primaries, with the attorney general campaigning with former Gov. Jeb Bush and Meek stumping with former President Bill Clinton. That has played a big role in their turnarounds, Brown said.
“What’s happened is that the party elders on both sides have weighed in and they obviously have clout with members of their own parties,” he said.
McCollum and Meek have also begun countering the ubiquitous television commercials from Scott and Greene, who have each spent millions of their own money since entering the race, with tough ads of their own. Brown said McCollum and Meek’s attempts to raise doubts about Scott and Greene’s past appears to have worked.
“McCollum has been able to convince voters that not just that he’s the better candidate, but that experience matters,” Brown said. “Meek has been very good at pounding home two messages: number one, the guy used to be a Republican – he ran for office as one. That’s not very helpful in a Democratic primary. Number two, he became a billionaire betting that you would default on your mortgage. Those are very salient messages.”
In the face of McCollum’s advertising, Scott’s unfavorability ratings climbed from 26 percent in a July 29 Quinnipiac survey to 33 percent this week. Meek’s tough-edged advertising against Greene helped drive his opponent’s negative rating from 18 percent to 36 percent among voters.
Also looming as a problem for Scott with the primary less than a week away are signs that not as many voters say they want a first-time candidate as governor as Quinnipiac’s earlier survey showed. Then, 54 percent opted for an outsider. Now, 42 percent do. A similar trouble spot for Greene is that twice as many voters who say they support him acknowledge they might change their mind compared with Meek backers. While 52 percent of Greene voters say they could switch – only 26 percent of Meek supporters said they could be persuaded to turn.
The Quinnipiac poll was conducted from Aug. 11-16. Among Republicans, 807 likely primary voters were surveyed with the findings containing a margin-of-error of plus-or-minus 3.5 percentage points. Among Democrats, 814 likely primary voters were contacted – with the poll’s error margin 3.4 percentage points.
While McCollum and Meek may be benefitting from momentum swinging their way, Brown said the race remains volatile. Early voting in Florida began Aug. 9, so a portion of the primary tally is already in – and will be unaffected by any last advertising blitz.
Pushing back against signs his lead was withering, the Scott campaign, which has spent close to $40 million on TV advertising, said a separate Sunshine State News poll released Wednesday that showed him still holding a narrow edge on McCollum. The campaign suggested polls like the Quinnipiac survey were undersampling the amount of Tea Party voters who may turn out next week, though spokeswoman Jen Baker acknowledged “the race is tightening.”
“Just like the GOP establishment in states like Kentucky and Colorado underestimated the power of the conservative outsider, much of the Florida establishment is also underestimating voter turnout,” she said in a statement.
McCollum spokeswoman Kristy Campbell disagreed, saying the poll and a recent Mason-Dixon survey showing McCollum ahead mirrored the campaign’s own numbers.
“The polling we’re seeing now…reflects our internal polling and what we’re hearing in ground from Floridians who have early voted or who are getting ready to vote on Aug. 24,” she told the News Service. “We’re seeing a surge in momentum for Bill McCollum’s candidacy because he has laid out a positive agenda for our state…”
On the Democratic side, Meek called the poll “an encouraging sign for my campaign,” saying in a statement “all across the state, Floridians are standing up in support of the Real Democrat in this race.”
Greene’s campaign downplayed Wednesday’s findings.
“We’ve seen polls come out almost on a daily basis,” said Greene spokesman Luiz Vizcaino. “Some have us up, some have us in a statistical tie and some have us trailing the other candidate. What it does show is that it is a very tight race…that every vote is going to count and…it’s about getting our voters to the polls.”
By Keith Laing
The News Service Florida
Plans Changed For Dedication Of Century’s Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex
August 19, 2010
Plans now call for the Town of Century to dedicate the Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex next spring rather than this fall.
Pleasant was hired this year as the defensive line coach for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, making him unavailable during the football season.
The 22 acre park was named after Century native Anthony Pleasant (pictured), a former pro football player selected in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. During his 14 year NFL career, Pleasant played for the Browns, the Baltimore Ravens, the Atlanta Falcons, the New York Jets, the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots. He played a total of 202 NFL games and racked up 58 sacks and two interceptions and a defensive end.
Pictured top: Action between the Century Blackcats and the Flomaton Hurricanes last fall at the Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Caught On Tape: Reward Offered In Copper Theft Case (With Video)
August 19, 2010
A $1,000 reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of a man caught on tape stealing copper from two Atmore businesses.
Surveillance video (see bottom of page) shows the thefts Sunday at both Alto Products Corp. and Audio Plus in Atmore. At both businesses, the thief made his getaway with copper wiring. The white male is believed to be in his mid-20’s to early 30’s. He fled in a white Oldsmobile Alero or a similar vehicle.
“I want to see this guy off the streets,” said James Helton, owner of Audio Plus.
Audio Plus and Alto Products have teamed up to offer a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the copper thief. Anyone with information about either theft is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.
Pictured: Surveillance video from a copper theft at Audio Plus in Atmore. Submitted for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
1977-1987 Blackcats Reunion This Weekend
August 19, 2010
The Century High School classes of 1977-1987 will hold a combined reunion Friday and Saturday.
The event begins with a meet and greet, and registration, at 7:30 Friday night at the Century Community Center (Ag Building) on West Highway 4. The reunion banquet will take place on Saturday, August 21 beginning at 3:30 p.m.
The fee is $25 per person, including food and drinks. For more information, contact Terrie (Anderson) Abernathy at (850) 221-4229, Johnny Findley at (251) 727-0690 or Sharron (Peebles Jones) Bell at (404) 949-6403. Visit the reunion Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CenturyHighSchoolClassReunion.
Ruby Lee Branch
August 18, 2010
Ruby Lee Branch, age 81 of Pascagoula, MS, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 in a Mississippi Hospital. Mrs. Branch was a native of Jay, FL and a former resident of Pensacola, FL, but has been a resident of Pascagoula for the past 35 years. She was a member of The Lighthouse Baptist Church. She was a former member and past president of the VFW Post 706 Ladies Auxiliary; a member of The Sunshine Club and volunteered for The Salvation Army.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James William Branch Sr. and a daughter, Carol Elaine Ward.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Richard Aldridge; two sons and a daughter-in-law, James William Jr. and Judy Branch and Edward Earl Branch; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; son-in-law, James R. Ward Sr.; brother, Fred Long (Betty); numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Graveside services will be held at 11:45 a.m., Friday, August 20, 2010 at Barrancas National Cemetery with Reverend Jerry Reed officiating.
FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME, 100 Beverly Pkwy, is in charge of arrangements.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, August 19, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
New Assistant Principal Named For Northview High
August 18, 2010
Northview High School has a new assistant principal, and she is looking forward to leading the Chiefs into a successful school year.
“The welcome has been very warm so far, and I’m excited about the school year,” Assistant Principal Deborah D. Ray said.
Ray’s experience includes schools in Texas and Virginia — her husband serves in the Air Force. Her education includes work at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas at San Antonio. She holds a Masters of Educational Administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Her husband has about four years remaining before retirement from the Air Force, and she said that means she is done with the moving process.
She currently lives in the Pensacola area, but is considering a move to the North Escambia area in the future.
Her activities include reading and spending time outdoors. But her true passion, she said, is education.
Ray says she loves to get involved with and interact with the kids. She said at a recent cheerleader practice, she told the girls that she would even consider “getting thrown up the air”.
“I like to get to know them on their level,” she said.
Ray replaces Michael Sherrill who transferred to an assistant principal position at Pine Forest High School.
Pictured: New Northview High School Assistant Principal Deborah D. Ray. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Can You Hear Me Now? New Radio System Could Cost Escambia $12.5 Million
August 18, 2010
Escambia County is considering a $12.5 million replacement of its current radio communications system.
A mandate from the Federal Communications Commission requires systems like that currently used by Escambia County meet certain standards. Escambia County’s current radio system is considered outdated by the FCC.
The radio system is used by EMS, the Sheriff’s Office, fire departments, emergency management, code enforcement and the road prison.
The system will replace equipment across the county, including 30-year old items. The new system will include:
- 163 tower site radios
- 136 receivers
- 27 transmitters
- UPS battery backup at 17 tower sites
- 1,212 walkie talkies
- 534 vehicle radios
- 1,300 Alphanumeric pagers
- 110 voice pagers for the fire department
- 46 desktop radios
- 10 new radio consoles for the Sheriff’s Office
- encryption for the Sheriff’s Office radios
- 10 new radio consoles for 911 dispatch
- replacement of one tower site
- FCC licenses
- disposal of old equipment and tower
With encryption on the Sheriff’s Office radios, the public nor the media will be able to listen to the departments communications.
The system will be funded as follows:
School Orientations Thursday, Friday
August 18, 2010
New and incoming student orientations will be held Thursday and Friday at North Escambia schools.
Orientations will be held as follows:
- Bratt Elementary: Thursday, August 19 from 9-10 a.m. for Pre-K; Friday, August 20 from 8-10 a.m. for K-5
- Jim Allen Elementary: Friday, August 20, 9-10:30 a.m. for all grades
- Molino Park Elementary: Thursday, August 19 from 9:30-10:30 Pre-K; Friday, August 20, 9-9:30 a.m. for K-2 and Friday, August 20, 9:30-10 a.m. for 3-5
- Ernest Ward Middle School: August 19, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. for new and incoming students
- Ransom Middle School: August 19, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. for new and incoming students
- Northview High School: Orientation for ninth grade and new students will be Thursday, August 19 at 8:30 a.m.
- Tate High School: Orientation for ninth grade and new students will be Thursday, August 19 at 8:30 a.m.
Molino Woman Arrested For Walmart Hit And Run
August 18, 2010
A Molino woman was arrested following a hit and run crash at a Pensacola Walmart.
Elizabeth Ann Santos, 39, of Molino was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of leaving the scene of a traffic crash with injuries. She was also ticketed for violation of right of way and careless driving. Santos was released from jail on a $1,000 bond.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Santos pulled out of the Highway 29 Walmart parking lot onto Hood Drive into the path of a 2005 Chevrolet van driven by Angela D. Culbertson, 36, of Cantonment. After the Monday morning collision, Santos left the scene in her 1998 Ford, according to the FHP.
Culbertson followed, attempting to gt a tag number. Santos continued down Detroit Boulevard and lost control while attempting to turn on Bowman Avenue. Santos left the roadway and collided with several small trees.
Both Culbertson and Santos received minor injuries.
Pictured: Elizabeth Ann Santos.