Escambia Deputies Investigating Another Murder
July 12, 2010
Authorities are investigating the tenth murder of the year in Escambia County.
At about 2:00 Sunday morning, deputies responded to a fight in the parking lot of the Blue Bar on Mobile Highway. Deputies encountered about 20-25 people yelling and jumping around the front of the business in what appeared to be the start of a fight, according to Ted Roy, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The deputies dispersed the crowd with the help of off-duty deputies that were working at a Circle K across the street.
Once the fight was broken up, deputies were advised of a “man down” at the Circle K across the street from the bar, Roy said. They discovered a black male lying in the front door of the convenience store who was unresponsive and covered in blood, according to Roy.
The victim’s injuries were the result of foul play, and the case has been ruled a homicide, according to sheriff’s investigators. No one has been taken into custody in connection with the homicide, but investigators have spoken to several potential witnesses.
Investigators are asking anyone that may have been present or know anything about this case to call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
The murder was the tenth of the year in Escambia County. There have been three additional homicides this year in Pensacola.
Atmore Man Arrested on Multiple Florida Warrants
July 12, 2010
An Atmore man was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a long list of charges stemming from a domestic-violence related incident on Diego Circle in Pensacola.
Adrian Tucker, 33, of Broad Street, Atmore, is being held without bond. He is charged with three counts of contempt of court, two counts of felony battery, aggravated battery, two counts of criminal mischief property damage, two counts of burglary, one probation violation, three counts of larceny two counts of contempt of court and one court of obstructing justice.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the charges stem from domestic incidents between Tucker and his girlfriend at her residents on Diego Circle.
States Look At Oil Spill Laws, But Florida’s Future Murky
July 12, 2010
Florida lawmakers are set to arrive in Tallahassee later this month to address issues related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that has sent oil toward Florida beaches, but lawmakers in other states have already beaten them to the punch.
Louisiana, North Carolina, New Jersey and South Carolina have all introduced bills relating to oil spill clean up plans, recovery for damages and moratoria on offshore drilling. But really, it’s anyone’s best guest what will happen when the Florida House and Senate return to Tallahassee July 20.
Gov. Charlie Crist Thursday suddenly announced a special session set for later this month where lawmakers would be asked to consider a constitutional ban on offshore oil drilling. They would look at that issue, and only that, said Crist. But some Republican legislators aren’t particularly thrilled about the session.
The general message from lawmakers thus far has been that there’s no need to look at a Constitutional amendment because Florida already bans offshore oil drilling in state waters. If there’s going to be a session, many said, it needs to include other issues.
“If the governor is really committed to recovery efforts in the Gulf of Mexico, as his press office said, he had better have a host of substantial proposals for us to consider while he spends the taxpayers’ money calling a four-day special session in Tallahassee,” said Senate President-Designate Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne.
Senate President and candidate for chief financial officer Jeff Atwater said last month that he would favor a special session to examine the economic impact of the spill as many Panhandle businesses were struggling, particularly in the badly damaged tourism and seafood industries. A committee appointed by Atwater is slated to meet Monday in Pensacola to discuss those issues.
Atwater released a memo in response to the governor’s announcement saying he wanted the committee to work on a number of issues including the enhancement of the claims process, economic recovery zones, suspension of impediments to local crisis response, tax mitigation and future litigation.
“Unfortunately, while the governor’s call for a special session does not address the substantive concerns of the citizens of the Gulf (region), it does afford us the opportunity to carefully develop and effectuate the kind of meaningful and long lasting reforms that the situation and the people affected deserve,” Atwater said. “Given the costs and disruption of a special session, legislative action should be based on solid data and empirical analysis, rather than political contrivance. Thus, I believe it is important for us to consider including additional, ameliorative measures into our agenda, and go beyond the simple expedient of merely confirming what is already in law.”
House Speaker Larry Cretul released a memo to members simply saying he was out on the coast examining the impact of the spill and would consider Crist’s proposal when he returned to Tallahassee.
In fact, about the only positive response to the session came from Democrats, several of whom praised the governor for calling it, though they too want more issues added to the call.
Crist also slapped down opposition to his plan when he announced the special session.
“I know it’s barred statutorily, l but I also know that just last year they tried to change that statute and drill holes three miles off the coast of Florida,” Crist said.
By Kathleen Haughney
The News Service Florida
Hot And Humid; Rain Could Offer Relief
July 12, 2010
It’s going to be a hot week, with temps in the 90’s and a heat index soaring up to 110 across the area. There’s a 40 percent chance of heat-relief in the form of rain today, but that rain chance will drop for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south southwest between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thousands Attend Free Jimmy Buffett Concert
July 12, 2010
Tens of thousands of people — including many from the North Escambia area — packed the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama, Sunday night for a free Jimmy Buffett concert as thousands watched on national television.
Organizers gave away 35,000 free tickets for the show, which was televised nationally on CMT. Buffet’s free concert was to demonstrate his support for the people, businesses and culture of the Gulf Coast following the BP oil spill.
“It’s all BP’s fault,” Buffett sang as he changed the lyrics in his “Margaritaville”.
Do you have photos from the concert? Submit them to news@northescambia.com
Pictured top and below: Jimmy Buffett performs Sunday evening in Gulf Shores, Ala. Photos courtesy CMT. Pictured inset : Northview High School student Lauren Cloud and Trent Sweeney from Jay at Sunday’s Jimmy Buffett concert. Pictured bottom of the page: The crowds arriving for Sunday’s concert. Submitted photos by Lauren Cloud for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
More Details Released: Driver Charged With DUI After Hwy. 95A Crash
July 12, 2010
Two people were injured in a two vehicle accident Sunday evening in Gonzalez.
The accident happened just about 7 p.m. on Highway 95A at Kingsfield Road.
Gregory M. Williams, 40, was charged with DUI, driving with a suspended license, no valid driver’s license and reckless driving following the crash. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Williams had been observed in his 1998 Mitsubishi Montero passing other vehicles and crossing the center line at a high rate of speed as he was heading north on Highway 95A.
As he was approaching the entrance of the Shell Station and Wendy’s south of Kingsfield Road, a 1997 Chevrolet S-10 driven by Pamela T. Gaupp, 56, of Pensacola, began to exit the parking lot. Williams crossed the double yellow lines and collided with Gaupp’s pickup, according to the FHP.
Gaupp and her passenger, Renee L. Bailey, 54, of Pensacola, received minor injuries in the crash. Williams was not injured in the crash.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Three Century Council Seats Up For Grabs; Qualifying Starts Monday
July 11, 2010
Three Century Town Council seats are up for election this year, and Monday begins the period in which candidates can qualify to run.
The official qualifying week for Century’s elections is from noon July 26 until noon on July 30, but qualifying papers can be accepted by the elections supervisor up to 14 days prior, which would begin July 12.
The primary election for Century’s council is scheduled for October 5. The charter states that the primary election should be 30 days prior to the November election, but that date falls on Sunday, October 10. As a result, the date was moved to October 5. Per Florida statute, registration books will close on September 7 because September 6th is Labor Day.
The general election/runoff is scheduled for November 9, the second Tuesday in November. Registration books will close on October 11.
There will be one change for candidates this year for Century’s council. The Council has approved an ordinance that will require candidates to file their campaign finance disclosure statements electronically on the Internet as is done in other races in the county — as opposed to filling out a paper form.
Council seats three, four and five are on the ballot this year — the positions are currently held by Henry Hawkins, Gary Riley and Sharon Scott.
Count Shows Blue Angels Crowd Up (With Blues Photo Gallery)
July 11, 2010
It appears that attendance at Saturday’s Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show was higher than last year, at least according to a Santa Rosa Island Authority vehicle count.
A vehicle count from midnight Friday until 1 p.m. Saturday showed 9,431 vehicles passing through the toll booths to the islands, up from 8,579 last year. The Santa Rosa Island Authority estimates that an average of three people were in each vehicle, meaning 28,293 traveling to the island. Those numbers do not include people already on the beach or those traveling from Navarre.
For a Pensacola Beach Blue Angels photo gallery, click here.
Photos courtesy Cheryl Casey Photography
Ray’s Chapel Youth Visit Planetarium
July 11, 2010
The youth and children from Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church enjoyed a Saturday trip to the Pensacola Christian College Planetarium as they prepare to kick off their Vacation Bible School this week.
The group enjoyed the 36-minute “The Heaven’s Declare” show, exploring the sun, planets, constellations and galaxies of the universe on the planetarium’s 50 foot dome.
The Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church VBS “Operation Space” will be July 12-16 from 5:30 until 8:00 each night for ages 5-12.
“We are going to have skits every night featuring Capt. Scott, Turbo the robot and the crew of the Spaceship Intrepid. There will also be crafts, games, great food and bible briefings conducted by our special flight crew for the week,” according to Ray’s Chapel member Heather Leonard.
For photos from the Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church visit to the PCC Planetarium, click here.
Pictured: The youth and children from Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church visited the Pensacola Christian College Planetarium Saturday. Submitted photos by Heather Leonard for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Do you have church news you would like to share? Email news@northescambia.com
Hot, Chance Of Rain Monday
July 11, 2010
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming southwest between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south southwest between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 30%.