Surprise Plea From Man Accused Of Shooting Former Century Resident In Face
March 21, 2010
In a surprise move, a Bay Minette teen entered a no contest plea in court on charges that he shot a Century native in the face last June.
Ellis Jarel McArthur, 18, of Bay Minette, Ala., entered the no contest plea to second degree murder in Escambia County Circuit Court. McArthur was charged with the shooting death of Jeffrey Kimbrough, 41, of Pensacola. Kimbrough was a former resident of Century. McArthur will remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond until he is sentenced on May 12.
Kimbrough was born in Century and attended Century Elementary and Carver Middle school. During the time he lived in Century, Kimbrough was a member of Century Volunteer Fire Department where he obtained the rank of captain. After moving from Century, he served as a volunteer for the Pensacola Fire Department. He was employed the last five years at the Pensacola Civic Center.
He was survived by his wife of 24 years Clara Ann Nettle; children Bridgett, Leroca, Elandarge and Tamara; mother Carrie Kimbrough; four brothers and three sisters. His funeral was held at New Life Baptist Church in Century, and internment was in the Century Cemetery.
Kimbrough was shot June 14, 2009, in the 1500 block of Gulf Beach Highway in the Warrington community in the southwest part of the county. The incident occurred at the Heritage Oaks Mobile Home Park, which had been without water for about a week due to a bill that the park owner did not pay to the Peoples Water Service.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies said Kimbrough confronted McArthur about a stolen wallet. That is when, according to deputies, McArthur pulled out a handgun and shot Kimbrough in the face. Kimbrough died a short time later at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
The shooting incident occurred not far from where members of Pensacola’s First Assembly of God Church were holding services, grilling hot dogs and giving away water to the trailer park residents. Several members of the church witnessed the shooting.
NWE Opening Day Photos
March 21, 2010
Saturday was opening day for Northwest Escambia Little League and NorthEscambia.com was there.
- For a photo gallery from Opening Ceremonies, click here.
- For a photo gallery from Wee Ball between Drew’s Dream Team and the Corn Huskers, click here.
- For a photo gallery from Bondurants versus Alabama Wing House, click here.
- For a photo gallery from Alto versus FNB&T, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers Fight To The Finish, Lose 7-0
March 21, 2010
A crowd of 7,189 saw 50 minutes of hockey, and 10 minute of an outright fight to the finish as the Pensacola Ice Flyers suffered a 7-0 loss to the Mississippi Surge Saturday night in Penasacola.
Mississippi scored a goal a period up until the second intermission, but flagrant fighting drove the game out of hand in the second half of the third. The game went back and forth in the first period, but the Surge would score the only goal of the frame.
A hard-fought first period saw just one goal despite a collective 28 shots. The lucky shooter was Matt Larke: he collected the puck after it banked off the corner glass and right into the slot. Larke’s shot went in at 7:17 and the Surge had a 1-0 lead with assists to Wagner and Wolgemuth.
Pensacola flung 18 shots at Bill Zaniboni in the second period, but remained scoreless in the frame. Meanwhile the Surge doubled their score when Jeff Grant muscled the puck in from the crease at 2:07 in the second period.
The third period went back and forth for the first nine minutes, with a few near-misses by Pensacola’s attackers. At 9:09 Larke fired a shot that was stopped by Scott, but the rebound came to Velemirovich right in front of the crease. Velemirovich didn’t miss, and the Surge took a 3-0 lead.
That’s when things got crazy.
Four more Surge goals amid a flurry of Pensacola-instigated fights turned the game into pugilistic theater, with all the suspense of a WWE match. Numerous fights, some simultaneously ensuing drove multiple members of both teams to their respective penalty boxes. The change in the evening came when Brian Deeth tried to engage Chris Greene with the Ice Flyers trailing 5-0, but was denied. The incident set off multiple more fights, and when it was all said and done the Surge scored three of their goals on powerplays, including their final two of the night.
Ryan Scott made 34 saves in the match, and Bill Zaniboni recorded his third shutout of the season.
The Ice Flyers have one game remaining in the regular season, a 7:05 p.m. contest against the Louisiana IceGators in Pensacola on March 25. Tickets are still available and start at just $10 for individuals, and as low as $8 for groups of ten or more. To take advantage of group pricing, call the Ice Flyers at (850) 466-3111 or email Courtney@pensacolaiceflyers.com. Individual tickets can be purchased online via ticketmaster.com, or in person at the Civic Center Box Office, located at 201 East Gregory Street in Pensacola.
Cold Tonight
March 21, 2010
We are in for a cool night in North Escambia.
Your official NorthEscambia.com forecast is below.
Pictured above: An eagle spent most of Saturday in and around a dead tree along Highway 97 south of Tungoil Road. Submitted photos by Tracy Smith for NorthEscambia.com.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday: Partly sunny, high near 57. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. West wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 69. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Calm wind.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. East wind around 5 mph becoming south.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
International Visitors Learn About Voting In Escambia
March 21, 2010
Several international visitors recently learned about the American elections process and methods in Escambia County.
The Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council arranged for a group of visitors with the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program to tour the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office. Participants in the program were here representing Lebanon, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Bulgaria and Serbia.
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford demonstrated Optical Scan and Touch Screen voting equipment as well as paper and electronic poll books used in Escambia County elections. Participants had the opportunity to discuss recent changes in voting methods and technologies and were given the opportunity to try each voting method in a demonstration election.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Century Resident, Current ESPN Analyst Buck Showalter To Speak
March 21, 2010
Former Century resident and current ESPN analyst Buck Showalter will speak at an upcoming Pensacola Pelicans banquet.
The Pensacola Pelicans will host their Second Ever Hot Stove Banquet on Monday, March 22 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Sanders Beach Community Center. Former MLB manager and current ESPN Baseball Tonight analyst Buck Showalter will be the featured speaker. Showalter was born in DeFuniak Springs, FL and grew up in Century, just north of Pensacola.
Showalter, who now lives in Dallas, had three different managerial stints in the majors with the New York Yankees, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Texas Rangers. Showalter first managed the Yankees from 1992-1995 for 581 games posting a 313-268 record finishing 45 games over .500 with a .539 win/loss percentage. He was voted 1994 AL Manager of the Year after the Yankees finished first in the AL East going 70-43. Unfortunately, there would be no post-season in 1994 due to the strike. He made it to his first post-season appearance in 1995, losing the divisional series 3-2 to the Seattle Mariners.
Showalter moved on to the Arizona Diamondbacks where he managed 486 games from 1998-2000 with a 250-236 record. His best season with the Diamondbacks came in 1999 when they finished first in the NL West going 100-62 and eventually losing in the divisional series 3-1 to the NY Mets. Showalter took over as Texas Rangers skipper in 2003-2006 posting a 319-329 record in 648 games. He was selected 2004 AL Manager of the Year with the Texas Rangers going 89-73 with a .549 win/loss percentage.
The banquet is free to Pelicans season ticket holders and certain level sponsors. The public can attend for $30, which also gets them two tickets to the 2010 home opener, by reserving their spot at Jason@pensacolapelicans.com or by calling 850-934-8444.
“The great relationships created amongst the fans are far reaching beyond Pelican Park. Our Hot Stove banquets provide opportunities for our fans to catch up, hear an inspiring message, and see what’s in store with the team for 2010,” commented Pelicans General Manager Talmadge Nunnari. “Having someone like Buck, who’s lived in our community for so many years and his achievements in MLB, to return to Pensacola and share those experiences with us is a privilege.”
The term “Hot Stove” is a long-time baseball term that refers to the time between the end of one season and the beginning of spring training. The period is when die hard passionate fans would gather around a hot stove during the winter months and discuss their favorite teams, players, games, etc. This is also the time when a multitude of player transactions occur, called the “Hot Stove League.”
It’s not too late to get invited to this and other VIP Pelicans events. 2010 season ticket packages area now available starting at only $160. Other gift packages begin at $54. Fans can call the Pelicans office at 850-934-8444 for more information or to reserve their seats.
Beulahfest Continues Today
March 21, 2010
It’s the last day of big weekend at the Escambia County Equestrian Center with the annual Beulahfest — formerly known as the Beulah Sausage Festival.
This year’s entertainment includes headliner Trent Tomlinson taking the stage this afternoon. There will also be live music from regional acts, carnival rides, arts and crafts, and lots of Thompson sausage. The event will go on rain or shine.
No coolers or pets will be allowed, and RV camping will not be available. Parking is free.Admission at the gate is $10; and free for ages 8 and younger.
The event takes place at the Escambia County Equestrian Center, 7750 Mobile Highway. For more info: 944-3167, or visit www.beulahfest.com.
Schedule of Events:
SUNDAY
- 1 p.m.: Cheyenne.
- 3 p.m.: Trent Tomlinson.
Pianist To Perform Tonight In Atmore
March 21, 2010
Pianist Adam King will be in concert at Brooks Memorial Baptist Church in Atmore on Sunday night at 6:00.
There is no cost for admission; a love offering will be taken.
For more information, visit www.adamkingmusic.com. Brooks Memorial Baptist Church is located at 904 McRae Street in Atmore.
One Trapped After Early Morning Accident
March 20, 2010
One person was trapped for about 20 minutes following an early morning North Escambia accident.
The accident was reported about 3:20 a.m. Saturday.
Firefighters were forced to use chainsaws to cut their way to a vehicle in a wooded area near the intersection of Quintette Road and Highway 95A.
One person was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by ambulance following the crash.
The wreck is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details were not available.
Hundreds Take Part In Northview FFA Food For America Program
March 20, 2010
About 600 elementary school students from schools from Byrneville and Bratt to Pensacola Beach attended the annual “Food for America” program Friday at Northview High School. About 800 people total either attended or worked with the program.
The program, sponsored the National FFA Organization and conducted by the Northview FFA, gave the students a chance to learn about agriculture firsthand as they got up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more. The students even had the opportunity to make their own butter and enjoy it on crackers.
The Northview FFA has participated in the program for 15 years, placing second in the state last year. Northview has placed in the top five in the state for the last ten years.
Friday’s program at Northview was dedicated to Philip Caler, a fellow FFA member from Booker, Texas, who accidentally fell 40 feet from the third floor at the October, 2009, FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana — an event that was attended by Northview students. He has remained in a coma most of the time since the accident.
“It is our hope and prayer that Philip will indeed make a complete recovery,” read a note attached to balloons released in Caler’s honor Friday at Northview. “We are dedicating this day to Philip, and would like you to join us…to live each day to the fullest, take time to laugh each and every day with friends and family, and strive to cultivate friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Click here for a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery with dozens of pictures from the event.
FFA students from both Northview and Ernest Ward Middle School conducted the program, including from Northview FFA: President Micah Byars, Vice President Lydia Weaver, Secretary Stephanie Solari, Treasurer Allison Vidak, Reporter Heather Kite, Sentinel Gavin Hinote, Parliamentarian Wes Chancery, Photographer and Historian Shelby Lewis, Chaplain Devin Bell and Advisors Perry Byars and Tommy Weaver.
Pictured above: Pictured top:A students pets a horse at Northview High School FFA’s Food for America Program on Friday. Pictured top inset: Students from Pensacola Beach Elementary School learn about bees. Pictured bottom inset: Northview FFA members release balloons to honor a Philp Caler, FFA member from Texas who has been in a coma for months. Pictured below: Tasting homemade butter. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
