Former Sheriff’s Office Accountant Now Accused Of Stealing $1.2 Million
March 9, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department now says over $1 million was stolen from their department by a former accountant.
Cathy Lister was first charged in February with stealing $100,000 from the sheriff’s office, but that number has grown to $1.2 million as the investigation continues, according to Sgt. Ted Roy, ECSO spokesperson. Roy said Monday that the money was taken over a 10 year period from monies seized as part of investigations and placed the department’s Evidence Trust Fund.
The State Attorney’s Office is expected to upgrade the charges against Lister.
Lister was 32-year employee of the department who retired from the finance division just days before her arrest.
“Recently implemented accounting practices along with discrepancies noticed by employees led to an investigation being launched,” Roy said in February. Lister was reportedly keeping two sets of financial records for the office.
Lister was released from the Escambia County Jail on $25,000 bond. Her trial is scheduled to begin in June. She was pleaded not guilty to the current charges against her.
Crimson Tide Visits White House
March 9, 2010
The BCS National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide met with President Barack Obama Monday afternoon at the White House, honoring their 13th championship and their undefeated 2009 season.
Coach Saban “asked his players if they wanted to work hard enough to beat their teammates in a drill, or if they wanted to work hard enough to be the best team in the country. And it’s pretty clear what choice they made,” Obama said. He was presented with a Crimson Tide football jersey with the number “1″.
“That’s the kind of tone this team sets, both on and off the field. It’s why these young men — and this is something I’m very proud of — had the second highest graduation rate of any team ranked in the top 25. It shows that these guys have their priorities straight. Together, they contributed more than 3,500 hours of community service that Alabama students — student athletes performed last year.”
Prior to their White House visit, the team met with a group of children from one of Washington’s roughest neighborhoods, teaching the importance of staying in school and making healthy choices.
“That’s how champions act -– in football and in life,” Obama said.
Alabama Senator Richard Shelby attended the ceremony. But conspicuously absent was White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, an Auburn graduate. Obama said Gibbs was hiding in his office.
Pictured top: President Barack Obama smiles as he is presented with a University of Alabama football jersey during a ceremony honoring the national champion Crimson Tide football team, in the East Room of the White House Monday afternoon. Pictured below: Obama shakes hands with University of Alabama running back Mark Ingram, the 2009 Heisman trophy winner. White House photos, click to enlarge.
37 People Busted When Illegal Bar Raided
March 9, 2010
Alabama’s Alcohol Beverage Control Board Enforcement Division and local law enforcement busted 37 people in Atmore after raiding a bar operating illegally in the north part of town.
The ABC Board, Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office and the Atmore Police Department conducted the Sunday night raid at 104 Etheridge Street, rounding up those inside and hauling off two pickup truckloads of alcohol.
The 37 people are facing on charges ranging from illegally consuming alcohol, selling alcohol on Sunday, concealed weapons violations and drug possession.
The following individuals are facing multiple charges:
- Willie Calhoun Jr., Brooks Lane, Atmore – possession of marijuana second degree, carrying concealed weapon, consuming alcohol in public place on Sunday
- Charles Frye, Etheridge Drive, Atmore – possession of untaxed alcohol, two counts of possession to sell, two counts of selling alcohol without a license, Sunday sales
- Sharron Frye, Etheridge Drive, Atmore – possession of untaxed alcohol, two counts of possession to sell, two counts of selling alcohol without a license, Sunday sales
- Gary Hollins, Carl Avenue, Atmore – possession of marijuana first degree, possession controlled substance, consuming alcohol in public place on Sunday
- Willie Wiggins, MLK Drive, Atmore – possession of marijuana second degree, carrying concealed weapon, consuming alcohol in public place on Sunday
- Diana Wiggins, James Street, Atmore – possession of marijuana first degree, consuming alcohol in public place on Sunday
The following individuals were charged with consuming alcohol in public place on Sunday:
- Anthony Betts, Gray Street, Atmore
- Gwendolyn Boston, Carver Avenue, Atmore
- Christopher Brown, Crow Street, Atmore
- Larry Brown, E. Sunset Drive, Atmore
- Felicia Banks Bullard, Brooks Lane, Atmore
- Marquita Cooper, Curtis Street, Atmore
- Kennedy Crook, Carver Avenue, Atmore
- Tommy Dortch, Tenth Avenue, Atmore
- David L. Fountain, Carl Avenue, Atmore
- Curley Johnson, Dailey Street, Atmore
- Elbert Lambert, Northgate Drive, Atmore
- Tomorrian Knight, Westbrook Lane, Atmore
- Robert E. Lee, MLK Drive, Atmore
- Willie Lewis Lee, E. Laurel Street, Atmore
- Rosalind D. Leslie, Pine Street, Atmore
- Timothy D. Lucas, E. Ashley Street, Atmore
- Carl Martin, Mobile Street, Atmore
- James A. Maye, N. Main Street, Atmore
- Wanda Montgomery Mims, Shedrick Hardy Parkway, Bay Minette
- Robert Montgomery, Virginia Drive, Atmore
- Leo Mitchell, Virginia Drive, Atmore
- Tonia McCants, James Road, Atmore
- Derick McCracken, Brooks Lane, Atmore
- Vanessa E. McNeal, 10 Avenue, Atmore
- Kenyon N. Riley, Sunset Drive, Atmore
- Robert Simmons, Etheridge Drive, Atmore
- Leon Spencer, 4th Avenue, Atmore
- Robert Pool, Park Drive, Atmore
- Jackie Lee Turner, Virginia Drive, Atmore
- Kimberly Williams, Stagecoach Road, Spanish Fort
- Sarah P. Williams, Ashley Street, Atmore
Molino Man Graduates From Basic Infantry Training
March 9, 2010
Army Pvt. Jadrian J. Bell has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.
Bell is the son of Clifton Bell of Richardson Road, Molino, Fla., and Kaevetta Hinson of Sun Valley Drive, Pensacola, Fla.
He is a 2008 graduate of Pensacola High School.
Rain Becoming Widespread; Heavy Rain, Storms By Wednesday
March 9, 2010
Scattered showers will become more widespread across the area today with heavy rain and thunderstorms on the way for Wednesday and Wednesday night.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 67. Southeast wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Showers. Low around 55. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
- Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 68. South wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 58. South wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. West wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
- Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Theron Maddox
March 8, 2010
Mr. Theron Maddox, 82, passed away on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at a Mobile hospital.
Mr. Maddox was a native of Brewton, AL, a resident of Atmore, AL for the past 57 years, and an employee of Hainje’s Furniture Store for 52 years. He attended the First Baptist Church for the past 16 years and was a deacon at the Martinville Baptist Church. Preceded in death by his Parents, 3 Brothers and a Sister.
Survivors include: his Wife of 57 years, Florence Maddox of Atmore, AL; his Son, Tim Maddox of Atmore, AL; and 3 Grandchildren, Amanda Raines of Atmore, AL, Caitlin Maddox of Atmore, AL, and Troy Maddox of Los Lunas, NM.
Funeral services were held Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Arnold Hendrix officiating.
Burial followed at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation was Sunday, March 7, 2010 at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Lady Chiefs Win T.R. Miller Tourney; Now 13-0
March 8, 2010
The Northview High School Lady Chiefs won the T.R. Miller Invitational Tournament this weekend in Brewton, extending their winning streak with a perfect 13-0 record on the season.
Friday night, the Chiefs beat the Escambia County Blue Devils of Atmore 14-0 and beat host T.R. Miller 12-6.
Saturday, Northview beat Florala 11-3, Monroe County 11-2 and Florala 24-0. In the championship game, the Lady Chiefs defeated T.R. Miller 10-6.
Facebook Reaction To TV Report: Proud To Say I Live In Jay
March 8, 2010
Following a murder in nearby Berrydale and subsequent media reports that painted a potentially racist picture of Jay, a group of Jay residents have formed a Facebook page to promote pride in Jay.
The Facebook page “Proud To Say I Live In Jay” was formed by Caytlyn Gonzalez, a 2009 graduate of Jay High School. She created the site after a report aired by WEAR television included an interview with a white man that claimed to be from Jay. The man, identified by the television station as only “anonymous”, said that black people should not come to places that they are not wanted.
“This group is dedicated to proving that the town of Jay is not racist. Those who are proud of where they are from can post their remarks on the news media. We need to prove to the media we are not a racial town. Just good, proud, Southern, people,” the info section of the Facebook page says. “We are happy to live where we live, people are welcome to come and go as they please.”
Sunday night, there were just under 200 members of the Jay Facebook site.
” The tragedy in Jay has nothing to do with race. No matter what color you are, it is unthinkable to threaten people with guns in order to settle an argument,” one member said.
“Anyone who has ever been to Jay knows that we aren’t racist. We love each other and don’t go out of our ways to teach people otherwise,” another resident wrote.
To visit or join the “Proud To Say I Live In Jay” Facebook page, click here.
Cause Of One Crash Off Bridge Now Known; Cause Of Fatal Crash Still Unknown
March 8, 2010
Drivers crashed through the guardrail on a North Escambia bridge two times in less than two weeks, but we now know that at least one accident was not caused by the 50-year old bridge or the roadway.
Both accidents happened on the Jacks Branch Road bridge over Jacks Branch, just north of River Annex Road. In the first accident, a Cantonment woman was uninjured. In the most recent accident, a Molino man died.
When Denise Ann Holden, 47, of Cantonment crashed through the guardrail on the bridge just before midnight on February 22, her vehicle went over the side of the bridge and fell about 25 feet into the water below. Her Chevrolet Trailblazer was completely submerged, the tail lights barely visible. She managed to escape the vehicle and was rescued by Cantonment firefighters.
The Florida Highway Patrol has determined that Holden’s crash was caused by a tire failure, not by any problem with the road or bridge. She was not impaired in any way, and she was not charged in connection with the accident.
In the most recent accident early last Friday morning, William P. Merritt, 30, of Molino died when he crossed over the center line, ran off the road, struck a guardrail and flipped into the branch, about 25 feet below the bridge. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of Merritt’s accident is still under investigation by the FHP.
The Jacks Branch Road Bridge over Jacks Branch, was constructed in 1960. Escambia County has the bridge on a low priority replacement list at an estimated cost of $1.96 million. The 160-foot long bridge has a posted weight limit of 33 tons.
To read more about Holden’s accident, click here.
To read more about Merritt’s accident and see a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Denise Ann Holden of Cantonment was not injured when she crashed over the side of a Jacks Branch Road bridge on February 22. Pictured inset: William P. Merritt of Molino was killed March 5 when he hit this guardrail and flipped into Jacks Branch. Pictured below: Merritt’s truck was turned over by firefighters in attempt to save him. NorthEcambia.com exclusive file photos, click to enlarge.
It’s FCAT Week
March 8, 2010
FCAT testing begins Tuesday morning in schools across North Escambia. Students in grades three through 10 will take the reading and math portions this week, while grades five, eight, and 10 will also take the science portion.
The FCAT is a test given to Florida students to measure what they know and are able to accomplish in reading, writing, mathematics, and science. The test is part of Florida’s plan to improve student achievement. It measures challenging content standards, called the Sunshine State Standards.
The Sunshine State Standards are broad statements that describe what a child should know and be able to do at every grade level. These standards cover seven content areas: social studies, science, language arts, health/physical education, the arts, foreign language, and mathematics. The standards are divided into smaller units called “benchmarks,” which outline the specific content, knowledge, and skills that students are expected to learn in school. Each student’s performance on FCAT Reading, Writing, Mathematics, and Science tests indicates his or her progress in reaching these benchmarks.
In a recent newsletter sent home to parents, Bratt Elementary offered several tips for parents and students for the all important FCAT test:
- Get a good night’s sleep before the test. Staying up late at night increases anxiety, which interferes with clear thinking
- Eat for Success. A hearty breakfast with seven to ten grams of fiber will keep your child from getting jittery from a sugar high, or later bottoming out when the insulin goes up.
- Relax. If your child is too nervous he/she may forget what he/she knows. Stretching and/or breathing deeply helps to focus the mind.
- Wear comfortable clothes. If your child is comfortable, he/she will be less distracted and better able to focus on the tasks given.
- Drink plenty of water. Drinking plenty of water will help keep the body hydrated and alert.
- Don’t forget to give your child a big hug on test days. This will increase his/her sense of well-being and energy.
Students are not permitted to have any electronic device on their person or within reach during the test that reproduces, transmits, calculates or records. Prohibited items include cellphones. Any student who violates this policy will have his FCAT test invalidated.
If a student starts a test and leaves without finishing (for an appointment, illness, etc.), he/she will NOT be allowed to complete the test. NO EXCEPTIONS will be made once the student leaves the school’s campus.
If a student arrives at school after the test begins, he/she will not be admitted to the testing site. The student will be required to sit in the office until testing is finished for the day.
