Weekend Photos: Spring Football, Building For A Cause, And SGA Trip
May 24, 2010
From Spring Football to building a Habitat for Humanity house to a student leader trip to Tallahassee, North Escambia.com had the weekend photos.
Jay Man Accused Of Killing Brewton Teen Is Released On Bond
May 24, 2010
The man accused in the February shooting death of an 18-year old Brewton man in the Berrydale community has been released on bond.
Robert Franklin Floyd, 21, was released from the Santa Rosa County Jail on $100,000 bond. Floyd had been held without bond since February on a charge of second degree murder with a firearm, three counts of attempted first degree murder with a firearm, and one count of shooting into an occupied dwelling.
Late last week, a Santa Rosa County Circuit Court judge approved a request from Floyd’s attorney to allow him to be freed on bond.
Floyd was arrested after an incident that occurred shortly after midnight February 27 at Floyd’s home on Country Mill Road. A party was being held at Floyd’s residence in which numerous subjects were in attendance, according to Sgt. Scott Haines, spokesperson for the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
During the bonfire party, a vehicle occupied by four people from Brewton arrived Floyd’s home on Country Mill Road.
The four people, including 18-year old Getyron Lopez Benjamin, exited the vehicle and got into a verbal altercation with Floyd, according to a statement released by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office the day following the incident.
“Floyd stated that the subjects were there uninvited. Floyd requested that the subjects leave the premises, and words were exchanged between Floyd and the subjects from Brewton. The subjects refused to leave, at which time Floyd allegedly pushed one of the…males and told them once again to leave,” according to Sgt. Scott Haines, spokesperson for the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Floyd told Santa Rosa deputies that the male subject he pushed pulled out a handgun. Floyd he said he retrieved a rifle from his truck, and then he heard gunshots in the direction of the vehicle from Brewton. He also alleged that he saw a muzzle flash coming from their direction.
“Floyd then fired multiple shots from his rifle towards the direction of the vehicle as it was leaving. The vehicle left the scene and Floyd returned the rifle to his truck. After a short time, Floyd decided to contact the Sheriff’s Office to make them aware of the situation. When deputies arrived, they spoke with Floyd and gained the above mentioned information. Numerous rifle shell casings were located at the scene,” Haines said.
Benjamin was shot as the vehicle fled the scene. He was driven to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton where he was pronounced dead.
“The other occupants of the vehicle were interviewed and stated that they did not observe any of their vehicle’s occupants produce a firearm. No firearm has been located as of the time of this release. It is also not known if Benjamin was the subject that Floyd said had alleged brandished the handgun,” Haines said the day after the shooting.
Update: Century Man’s 10 Recent Arrests Have Cost Taxpayers Estimated $24,505
May 24, 2010
The Century man that has been arrested at least 10 times since last year has cost taxpayers nearly $25,000.
This is an update to a story we first brought you on Thursday.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office records indicate that Ronald Berlan Newton, 49, has spent 377 days in the Escambia County Jail since since January, 2009. In all, he has been booked into the jail 10 different times during the period on charges ranging from lewd and lascivious behavior on a victim under 18 to criminal mischief to disorderly conduct to battery.
According to Melissa Aiken Rawson, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, the average cost to house an inmate in the Escambia County Jail is $65 per day. Using that information, simple match would indicate that Newton’s 377 days have cost taxpayers $24,505 in housing costs.
“And that does not count any medical costs,” Rawson said. In general, the average medical costs per inmate in the Escambia County jail are $10 per day, but she said some inmates could have medical costs of several hundred dollars per month while other may have no medical costs and take no medications.
For our previous story about Newton, click here.
Click It Or Ticket Campaign Begins Today Targeting Unbuckled Motorists
May 24, 2010
With a mandate to enforce Florida’s primary safety belt law, authorities across the state are gearing up to pull over and ticket unbuckled motorists during the annual statewide Click it or Ticket campaign that begins this Monday.
Last year, Florida lawmakers passed legislation requiring all motorists to buckle up in moving vehicles. This is the first year the new law will be in effect during the campaign’s enforcement period from May 24 through June 6, which includes the Memorial Day holiday weekend – a time when many motorists take to the roads for the long weekend.
“Seat belts save lives,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos. “During this Memorial Day Click it or Ticket campaign, all Floridians are encouraged to make safe decisions and buckle up each and every time they are on the road.”
Regular safety belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. The most recent traffic crash data (2008) shows that in Florida, 1,795 people in safety-belt-equipped vehicles died in automobile collisions. Sixty percent of them were not wearing their safety belt.
Florida reached a record 85.2 percent safety belt usage rate last year following FDOT’s Click it or Ticket campaign and the passage of the state’s primary enforcement law. The national safety belt use rate for 2009 was 84 percent.
During a kickoff event at the State Capitol Building, FDOT Assistant Secretary Debbie Hunt and other FDOT leaders were joined by Capt. Mark Welch of the Florida Highway Patrol, Col. David Dees of the Motor Carrier Compliance, Capt. Gene Revell of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and Chief Dennis Jones of the Tallahassee Police Department – who all pledged to promote safety belt use through the enforcement of the primary law.
FDOT also revealed that since the new law went into effect last July, more than 350,000 tickets have been issued to motorists statewide for not wearing their safety belts on Florida’s roadways.
“The primary point of Click it or Ticket is not to get people to pay up, but to buckle up,” said Col. John Czernis, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Ensuring the safety of Florida’s motorists and increasing the number of lives saved as a direct result of wearing a safety belt every time you get in a car is our primary concern.”
In addition to increased daytime enforcement, officers will also conduct heavy patrols and safety efforts during the evening hours to find unbuckled motorists. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that nighttime drivers and passengers are far less likely to use their safety belts. Based on 2008 data, approximately 671 people in Florida who were not wearing a safety belt, died in traffic crashes between the hours of 6 p.m. – 6 a.m.
Dirt Bike Driver Injured In Collision With Jeep
May 24, 2010
One person was injured in a collision between a dirt bike and a jeep Sunday evening in Cantonment.
The driver of the dirt bike was transported by Escambia County EMS to a Pensacola hospital with non-life threatening injuries following the accident on an unnamed dirt lane off Kathleen Avenue.
The Cantonment and Ensley Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the call. Further details were not available.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Northview High Baccalaureate, Graduation Scheduled
May 24, 2010
Graduation, Baccalaureate and Senior Honors Night have been scheduled for the Northview High School Class of 2010.
The 2010 Senior Class of Northview High School will hold student-led Baccalaureate Exercises the evening of Friday, June 4th 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. There will be a mandatory practice on Thursday, June 3rd from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. 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, June 5 at 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.
Senior Honors Night will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 3 in the school theater.
Ernest Ward SGA Visits Tallahassee (With Gallery)
May 24, 2010
The Ernest Ward Middle School Student Government Association visited several landmarks in Tallahassee over the weekend, including the state capitol, governor’s mansion, the Florida State University campus and several museums.
For a submitted photo gallery, click here.
Pictured above at the state capitol are (front, L-R) Jason Ogle, Austin Cunningham, Shalmali Bhadkamkar, (middle) Danielle Scott, Tamara Wise, Megan Bryan, Samantha Sharpless, Kendal Cobb, Madlyn Coon, Kasie Braun, Lana Clayton, (back) Chelsea Turner, Amy Murph, Bethany Reynolds, Jordan Taylor, Katie Born, Jayln Bodiford, Jessica Lowery, Jenny Spears, Victoria Wright, and Chelsea Ward. Pictured below: Amy Murph plays the piano at the Florida Governor’s Mansion. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Hot 96 Today; Good Rain Chance By Tuesday
May 24, 2010
We are in for a hot day in the North Escambia area, with the afternoon mercury topping out in the middle 90’s. High temperatures will be lower on Tuesday as rain chances go up.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today…Partly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 90s. Northeast winds around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Tonight…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Tuesday…Mostly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning…then chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. Southeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
- Tuesday Night…Mostly cloudy in the evening becoming partly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening…then slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Southeast winds around 5 mph becoming east after midnight. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Wednesday…Partly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. East winds around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Wednesday Night…Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Thursday…Partly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Thursday Night…Mostly cloudy in the evening becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 60s.
- Friday…Partly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Friday Night…Mostly cloudy in the evening becoming partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Saturday…Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Saturday Night…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 60s.
- Sunday…Sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 90. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
AirHogs Pounce the Pelicans 12-4
May 24, 2010
The AirHogs (6-3) stormed out of the gates early Sunday and scored often to beat the Pelicans (3-7) 12-4.
In the 1st inning, Greg Porter got the Hogs going as he singled in David Espinosa to give them an early 1-0 lead.
The Pelicans responded in the 2nd as John Alonso ripped a fastball from Luke Prihoda into right centerfield to drive in Javier Brito all the way from 1st base to tie the game up at 1.
The 3rd inning was a nightmare for Pelican starter Kevin Cooper and his squad. Greg Porter had an RBI groundout to give the Hogs a 2-1 lead. Jaun Camacho followed with an infield RBI single to make it 3-1. With the score 4-1, Joe Spiers had a big hit and he ticketed a ball into centerfield for 2 more runs to score which busted things open for the Hogs and made it 6-1.
In the bottom half of the third, Antoin Gray belted a single into right center to bring home Francisco Leandro to make it 6-2.
The AirHogs added two more runs in the 4th with an RBi groundout from Porter and an RBI single from Robert Perry to make it an 8-2 advantage for Grand Prairie.
With the score 9-2 in the 5th inning, the Pels Adolfo Gonzalez had an RBI groundout along with an RBI single from Javier Brito which cut the score to 9-4.
The AirHogs added 2 more runs in the 6th and 1 more in the 9th to beat the Pelicans 12-4 on the 1st Kids Club Sunday at Pelican Park this season.
Luke Prihoda (1-0) gets the win as he gave up 4 runs off 9 hits and struck out 5 in 5 innings pitched. Greg Krause protected the win for Prihoda and got his 1st save of the season and he tossed 4 scoreless innings to complete the game.
It was a very tough night for Pelican starter Kevin Cooper as he served up 9 runs-only 3 of them earned off 12 hits through 5 innings pitched.
Francisco was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored in a losing effort for Pensacola.
Jose Duran, Robert Perry, and Chad Gabriel all had 3 hits on the night to lead the AirHogs offensive display.
The Pelicans and AirHogs will complete the 4 game series Monday night with the first pitched scheduled for 6:45pm.
AirHogs Bang Out 22 Hits to Hold Off Pelicans 19-17
May 23, 2010
The AirHogs (5-3) and Pelicans (3-6) engaged in a run scoring barrage as both teams had RBI’s all over the place all game long. In the end, the AirHogs fought off the pesky Pelicans 19-17.
The AirHogs had 22 hits as a team. In the 2nd inning, Flint Wipke got the game’s first three run by driving a belt-high fastball from Aaron Jackson over the left field fence to give the Hogs an early 3-0 lead.
The AirHogs would tack on three more runs in the 3rd capped off by a high boucing 2-run RBI single by Chad Gabriel over the drawn-in infield to give the Hogs a 6-0 lead.
The Pelicans battled back in the 3rd with the bases loaded and one out with Antoin Gray at the plate. Gray lined a single into left center to cut the AirHog lead to 6-2. Javier Brito and Marcos Rodriguez would drive in an RBI in the same inning to make it 6-4 Hogs.
The 4th inning would prove to be the most painful inning for the Pelicans. The AirHogs scored six runs in the frame including a 2-run RBI double from Greg Porter and RBI singles from Aaron Garza, Robert Perry, and Flint Wipke. The Hogs also got a sac fly from Joe Spiers as the score at the end of the inning was 12-4 in favor of the AirHogs.
The Pelicans showed no quit in this contest as they battled for 4 runs in the bottom half of the 4th as Lou Palmisano hit a 2-run homerun to left to make it 12-6. Marcos Rodriguez added a 2-run single in the same inning to make it 12-8.
It was 12-9 entering the sixth inning when the AirHogs put up 5 more runs capped off by a 3-run homerun from Greg Porter which made it 17-9.
In the bottom half of the sixth, the Pelicans once again battled back to get close to the Hogs once again. The Pels got RBI’s from Adolfo Gonzalez, Adam Darby, Lou Palmisano, and Dallas Christison to make it 17-13.
In the top half of the 7th, Aaron Garza lined a ball down the left field and over the fence for his 1st homerun of the season to make it 18-13. The Hogs added a run in the 8th on an RBi single from Espinosa to make it 19-13.
The Pelicans for a third time battled back in the game as Darby had a RBI triple and Palmisano added a sac fly to make it 19-15. Antoin Gray had a good battle with Geivy Garcia to work out a walk resulting in a run and Brito had an RBI fielder’s choice to make it 19-17. Later in the inning, the bases were loaded with two outs and John Alonso lined a ball sharply to left, but right at Porter who made the catch to end the threat. The Pelicans ended the night with 17 hits.
Edgar Estranga (2-0) gets the win as he pitched two innings and gave up 4 earned runs off 4 hits. Geivy Garcia got the last five outs of the game for his 2nd save of the season.
The loss goes to Pels starter Aaron Jackson (0-1) who was tagged for 9 runs off 10 hits through just 3 plus innings pitched.