State Attorney: Trooper Justified In Shooting Death Of Cottage Hill Man
September 20, 2010
State Attorney: Trooper Justified In Shooting Death Of Cottage Hill Man
An State Attorney’s Office opinion released Monday morning says a Florida Highway Patrol officer was justified in the shooting death of a Cottage Hill man during a traffic stop in July.
“The death of Clifton Austin Salter is certainly an unfortunate situation. While Trooper (Michael) Black was only in the process of an ordinary and routine traffic stop, Mr. Salter’s actions were sufficient to create an imminent fear of violence in the mind of Trooper Black,” according to Assistant State Attorney John A. Molchan.
Salter, 59, was shot multiple times during a Florida Highway Patrol traffic stop on Pine Forest Road the morning of July 14. The State Attorney’s Office said that prior to, or on the arrival of, the trooper at his truck, Salter drew a handgun and shot himself once. However, the report states, that wound was not fatal. Salter was shot a total of five times after raising his gun in the director of the trooper.
The State Attorney’s Office offered the following account of the incidents as they happened the morning of July 14:
Trooper black observed Salter’s red pickup traveling at 66 mph in a 45 mph zone on Pine Forest Road just north of Longleaf Drive, about a mile from the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds. He initiated a traffic stop, with Salter coming to a stop about four-tenths of a mile later. Black approached the truck on the passenger side and knocked on the window, according to the report. Salter did not respond, and the trooper noted blood coming from Salter’s nose.
“At this time, Trooper Black drew his handgun and believed that Salter had shot himself,” the report states.
An autopsy later determined that Salter sustained a gunshot wound to the upper portion of his month, but the autopsy indicated the self-inflicted gunshot wound was not fatal.
Black gave Salter multiple commands to drop his weapon with no response. An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy and another trooper arrived on scene. Black attempted to open the door of the truck, but it was locked.
“Trooper Black observed Salter turn his head and raise the handgun in Trooper Black’s direction. Trooper Black believed that Salter was going to shoot him,” the report states. “At this point, Trooper Black fired his handgun three times through the passenger window, striking Salter in the chest.”
Salter continued to move, according to Black and the ECSO deputy.
“Salter was observed by Trooper Black to shift the handgun in his direction again. Trooper Black fired his handgun twomore times, causing Salter to slump again,” according to the report.
Salter was pronounced dead on the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Salter’s driving privileges were permanently revoked in 1997, and he had to previous felony convictions. “Further investigation also revealed that Salter was a Vietnam
Combat Veteran who was receiving treatment for depression, PTSD and bipolar disorders. Interviews with Salter’s friends revealed that Salter had no intention of going back to jail and would kill himself if caught driving without a license,” the State Attorney’s Office report stated.
Salter was the brother of Santa Rosa County Commissioner Don Salter.
Pictured above and below: Officials investigate the officer-involved shooting of Clifton Salter of Cottage Hill in July. NorthEscambia.com file photos click to enlarge.
Escambia Double Homicide May Have Been Home Invasion
September 20, 2010
A double homicide is under investigation in Escambia County, and now investigators say that it may have been the result of a home invasion.
Two women were found shot to death as Escambia County deputies responded to a shots fired call just after 3 a.m. Monday on Pearson Road near Myrtle Grove. They were in identified as Raquel M. White, 32, most recently of Pensacola and Melony Lancto, 36, of Pensacola.
“Deputies entered the yard and located a female outside who was deceased. Deputies entered the residence at 7144 Pearson and once inside located another female who was also deceased. The two victims were the apparent victims of gunshots,” according to Sgt. Ted Roy, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Roy said investigators are now treating the incident as a home invasion.
“A female was located near the scene and at this time is being interviewed as a ‘person of interest’ in the case,” according to Roy. There were no other injuries reported at the residence.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has not released further details on the incident.
Fatal House Fire In Escambia County
September 20, 2010
One person died early Monday morning in an Escambia County house fire.
Firefighters responded to the house fire about 4 a.m. in the block 8700 of Argo Drive, located off Chemstrand Road in the Ensley area. The victim was identified as Terrell Williams, 28. Her father, Jeff Wright III; his wife Evelyn Wright and a child, 7, escaped the blaze. The child reportedly did not belong to Williams; she had no children.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Further details were not available.
Suspect In Manhunt Now Behind Bars
September 20, 2010
The man that was the focus of a manhunt just over a week ago in Century was arrested Sunday night.
David Michael Mathis, 30, of Century,was booked into the Escambia County Jail just before 9 p.m. Sunday on a battery charge resulting from a domestic violence incident September 12 on Shady Lane near Stateline Road. Mathis is being held without bond pending an appearance before a judge.
Mathis was taken into custody by Deputy Walt Shiver in the 4600 block of Camp Road.
On Sunday, September 12, Mathis fled the area on foot before law enforcement arrived, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies surrounded the area, while a K-9 unit from the Century Correctional Institution searched for Mathis. Officers from the Flomaton Police Department were on the lookout for Mathis in their city, less than one-tenth of mile away. The manhunt was called off a short time later.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, a female got into an argument with Mathis, her husband of nine months. The argument turned physical, with Mathis pushing her to the ground and attempting to drag her back inside their apartment. A witness approached Mathis with an ax handle and ordered him to leave the victim alone, according to the incident report.
When Mathis fled the area on September 12, it was believed he had taken the victim’s cell phone and had been calling friends and relatives asking for help to the get out of the area, the Sheriff’s Office report states.
Pictured: David Michael Mathis was arrested Sunday night, a week after a manhunt failed to find him.
Century Set To Approve $3.3 Million Budget
September 20, 2010
The Town of Century will hold a final public hearing tonight before approving their 2010-2011 budget and ad valorem tax rate for next year.
The total budget under consideration by the town council is $3,337,231 — an decrease over the 2009-2010 budget of $4,587,744. The difference is due to a one-time $1.83 million grant for a water infrastructure project during the last fiscal year.
Outside of the grant-funded water project, the town’s biggest source of revenue — $1,825,000 — is from water, gas and sewer charges, and the biggest expense is $1,464,178 to pay for the costs associated with providing the water, sewer and natural gas service for the town’s residents.
Ad valorem taxes will increase slightly — from .823 mils last year to .9048 mils. The new millage rate is estimated to generate $30,000 for the town during the 2010-2011 budget year, compared to $26,000 in the last fiscal year.
The final budget hearing will be held at 6:55 tonight at the Century Town Hall.
To view a summary of the budget in pdf format, click here or the image below.
Man Faces 40 Charges For Allegedly Stealing His Mother’s Credit Cards
September 20, 2010
A Molino man is facing 19 felony charges after allegedly stealing his mother’s credit card and making multiple purchases at a couple of Tom Thumb stores.
Harry Langdale Nowlin, 44, of Chance Road, was charged with 19 felony counts of fraudulent use of credit cards and 21 misdemeanor counts of second degree petty theft. Bond was set at $21,000 and he being held in the Escambia County Jail on an outstanding violation of probation charge in a 2008 drug case.
Nowlin is accused of stealing a gasoline credit card from his 73-year old mother and using it numerous times at Tom Thumb in Molino and Cantonment. He was also accused of stealing coins worth about $10 from a glass jar belonging to his mother.
The convenience store purchases were all small — ranging from $5.38 to $20.85 each.
School Board Member Going Grassroots For Amendment 8
September 20, 2010
One Escambia County school board member is going grassroots in his effort to tell voters that he believes in Amendment 8.
The entire school board has spoken out in favor of the amendment on the November ballot that relaxes class size issues. Now District 1 board member Jeff Bergosh, who was recently re-elected to another term — is recycling his campaign signs into pro-Amendment 8 messages.
“I have recently learned that I can recycle my old campaign signs and re-paint and re-use them to advocate for the passage of Amendment 8,’ Bergosh said. “I have begun to make signs and deploy them around town, and if I can at least get people to wonder what Amendment 8 is– that will be a good start.”
“Amendment 8 is a very important issue and will save Florida taxpayers billions of dollars if passed. Perhaps even more importantly, Amendment 8 will increase opportunities for students statewide because it will give local districts badly needed flexibility,” Bergosh said.
As of this school year in Florida, individual classes were capped at 18 students for kindergarten through third grade, 22 in fourth through eighth grade, and 25 in high school, with the limits having been phased in since the amendment was passed in 2002.
The proposed amendment on the November ballot would allow class sizes to be calculated in a more lenient fashion. If passed, the class size would be calculated at a grade-level average, not an individual classroom cap, allowing some classes to go above the limit.
Pictured top inset: Escambia School Board member Jeff Bergosh cuts a template in order to spray paint signs (top photo) in favor of Amendment 8. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dig Pink And Help Beat Cancer With Northview, Flomaton
September 20, 2010
The Northview Chiefs and the Flomaton Hurricanes will meet on the volleyball court later this month in Bratt in the area’s first ever Dig Pink game.
“Dig Pink is an organization for breast cancer awareness through volleyball. Our girls will be working hard at raising money for the organization and playing a game in honor of survivors and those whom have past away,” said Barbara Luker, assistant Northview volleyball coach. “The volleyball team will be ‘decked’ out in pink for the game and has plans to host a hospitality room for survivors that attend the game. We also are going to try to ‘pink out’ our gym for the game.”
The Dig Pink games will take place on Tuesday, September 28, with the Flomaton and Northview 9th grade teams playing at 4:30, the junior varsity at 5:30 and the varsity at 6:30 in the Northview High School gym.
The Dig Pink website allows individuals to donate to the breast cancer cause. In addition, Northview is seeking monetary and item donations for the hospitality room. For more information, email BLuker@escambia.k12.fl.us or BHeaton@escambia.k12.fl.us
The Dig Pink game is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com; additional sponsors are needed. Contact BLuker@escambia.k12.fl.us or BHeaton@escambia.k12.fl.us for information.
Pictured above: Jazzlyn Franklin (left) and Julia Thorpe with Northview’s Dig Pink shirts. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
More Than Half Million Donated To Project Share
September 20, 2010
In the past three years, Gulf Power customers who have opted in to donate to Project Share have donated more than a half-million dollars to help those having trouble paying their utility bills.
A cooperative effort with the Salvation Army, Project Share helps with utility bills and other energy-related needs. The program assists the elderly, the disabled, the sick and others who are experiencing financial hardship.
“This is one way the average citizen can help others in their community,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesperson. “Right now, families are really struggling out there. From Pensacola to Panama City, Project Share offers help for those families.”
To participate in Project SHARE and become a part of the network of neighbors, Gulf Power customers can pledge to contribute $1, $2, $5, $10 or any other whole-dollar amount they choose each month. The contributions are tax-deductible and will be added to the customer’s electricity bill every month. The amount is sent directly to the Salvation Army until Gulf Power has been notified to stop. Customers can sign up for Project Share online by visiting gulfpower.com and clicking on “My Account” then on “Billing Options.”
How does Project SHARE work? Those in need apply for Project SHARE assistance at The Salvation Army office in their county. Eligibility requirements for Project SHARE recipients are set by The Salvation Army. The Pensacola office of The Salvation Army can be reached at (850) 432-1501.
Are You Ready To Vote?
September 20, 2010
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford today encouraged area voters to make sure they are “election-ready” for the November 2nd general election. With the election approaching, it is important that voters prepare to exercise one of their most fundamental rights as Americans. As such, here are a few important questions for voters:
Are you registered?
If you are not sure, visit EscambiaVotes.com and click Am I Registered? to find out. If you are not registered, you have until October 4th to do so. Registering is quick and easy – visit EscambiaVotes.com or call (850) 595-3900 to determine the most convenient way for you.
Have you moved since you last voted?
If so, the Supervisor of Elections need to know your new address as soon as possible so they can make sure they update your registration and direct you to your proper polling location. Just call or e-mail soe@escambiavotes.com. It only takes a few minutes.
Do you wish to vote by mail?
Voting by mail (also known as absentee voting) is one of three different ways voters can cast a ballot. To request a ballot, complete the online request at EscambiaVotes.com, call, or e-mail absentee@escambiavotes.com. You can also confirm your request and follow the progress of your ballot by clicking “Track My Ballot” at EscambiaVotes.com.
Are you familiar with your polling location?
If you plan to vote on Election Day, make sure you know where your precinct votes (several polling locations have changed since the 2008 elections). To confirm, check your Sample Ballot or Voter Information Card, use the Precinct Finder at EscambiaVotes.com, or call or e-mail us.
Have you studied the candidates and issues?
With the entire Florida cabinet, U.S. Senator and Representative, state legislators, circuit judge, local races, the retention of judges and justices, and eight statewide questions all facing voters, it is important to be familiar with your ballot prior to voting.
The supervisor of election’s office will send all voters a Sample Ballot prior to the start of Early Voting on October 18th. You can also check EscambiaVotes.com for a copy of your Sample Ballot and information on candidates and their campaign finances. There are many other sources of information on candidates and issues available to voters.