Deputies Interupt Would-be Robbery
December 22, 2011
Two would-be robbers were arrested two would-be robbers hiding in a dumpster this morning near the former University Mall.
Deputy Kegan Berry was patrolling America’s Best Value Inn on Plantation Rd. when he observed two black males approaching a citizen from behind who was loading his
vehicle in the parking lot of the hotel. The two males ran as they spotted the deputy.
As other deputies arrived and began to search for the two males, they located two guns — a .40 caliber and a .380 caliber — on the ground along with a mask and gloves on the ground where the suspects ran.
Witnesses observed the two males jump in a dumpster behind The Ticket Sports Bar to hide. Both males were located in the dumpster and arrested.
The males were identified as 20-year old Kendall Jones and 18-year old Demicheous Brown, both of Pensacola. Both suspects were charged with loitering and prowling, trespassing and obstruction of justice. Both were out of jail on bond for aggravated battery and aggravated assault at the time of their arrest.
Last Minute Christmas Gift Bargains: Try An Area Thrift Store
December 22, 2011
If you are looking for bargains on your last minute Christmas shopping, one of the thrift stores operated by an area non-profit might just have what you need. From the We Care Economy Shops in Atmore and Flomaton, to the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Century, to the Molino Thrift Store, the deals await Christmas shoppers looking to save.
We Care Economy Shops, Atmore and Flomaton
The We Care Economy Shops in Flomaton and Atmore offer a wide variety of merchandise, from clothing for the entire family to housewares and furniture in their thrift shop.
The store also sells a variety of toys, furniture seasonal items and clothing. All of the items are inspected before being sold, and some items are new.
Proceeds from the store fund the We Care Program, a prison ministry program founded in 1970. The We Care Program spreads their message in prisons, including Holman and Fountain in Atmore and the Century Correctional Institute.
The We Care Economy Shop in Flomaton is located on Highway 31 about a half mile from Highway 113 in a former hardware store building. The We Care Economy Shop in Atmore is located downtown at the intersection of Highway 31 and Main Street.
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, Century
The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store also offers a variety of merchandise at bargain prices.
The store offers a vast array of items including glassware, toasters, lamps, couches, desks and office equipment, books, movies, shoes and the complete range of clothing in their new location on North Century Boulevard next to the Dollar General.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international organization with a mission to help the poor and homeless. Their thrift stores are a way of raising money to accomplish that mission.
Molino Thrift Store
The Molino Thrift Store offers a full selection of merchandise at discount prices.
The Molino Outreach Ministry Thrift Store is a little different that many other thrift stores. Not only are the prices lower than some thrift stores, the business has a mission of reaching out to those in need and returning their profits directly to the community.
According to Manager Jason Lee, a Baptist pastor, the store returns 10 percent to churches in the community.
The Molino Outreach Ministry Thrift Store is located on Highway 29 at Molino Road, in the former Grocery Advantage building.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
A Little More Rain Possible
December 22, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Christmas Day: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 56. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. East wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Man, 82, Charged With Passing Stolen Checks In Century
December 22, 2011
An elderly Jay man is facing felony charges for allegedly passing stolen checks at a Century grocery store.
Marvin M. Creamer, 82, was charged with grand theft and two counts of passing a forged instrument. He remains in the Escambia Jail without bond for failing to appear back in 1999 for driving under the influence.
Creamer allegedly provided his Florida driver’s license and passed checks for $987 and $896.64 at the Food Giant on North Century Boulevard, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’ Office arrest report. The checks had been reported as stolen to the Flomaton Police Department by S&S Construction in Flomaton.
Judge Joyce Williams ordered that Creamer could be released without bond to a responsible adult on the check charges.
EPA Approves New Air Pollution Standards That Could Add To Your Power Bill
December 22, 2011
The EPA announced on Wednesday controversial new air-pollution standards that could force expensive upgrades at some Florida power plants that have been long-sought by environmental and health advocates.
Gulf Power Company has repeatedly raised concerns about the standards in recent months, saying Wednesday that they needed to review details of the final standards to gauge their impact.
Before the release Wednesday, the EPA made changes to earlier proposals for the standards. Sandy Sims, a spokeswoman for Pensacola-based Gulf Power, said the company will review the final version and look at options for complying.
“Our main concern is how best to continue to provide reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity to our customers,” she said in an e-mail.
In October, Florida Republican Attorney General Pam Bondi joined 24 other states in calling for EPA to delay implementation of the standards.
“We cannot allow Floridians, many of whom are already suffering financial hardships, to bear the brunt of costly federal regulations,” Bondi said at the time.
Purses Snatched From Elderly Escambia Women; One Suspect Named
December 22, 2011
Purses were snatched from two elderly Escambia County women in separate incidents, including one in Cantonment.
Cantonment Purse Snatching
An elderly Cantonment woman had her purse snatched as she returned home recently, and sheriff’s investigators are searching for a van believed to be involved in the crime.
The 76 year old woman was returning home from shopping when she was approached by a white male asking if she needed help. The victim said that the suspect then forcibly took her purse from her and fled in a white minivan.
Deputies recovered the victim’s purse from a dumpster behind a Shell gas station at 7955 North Davis Highway after receiving a report of a while male throwing away a purse. He was described as being between 40-50 years old, full white beard and a mustache, 5-foot 6-inches tall with a medium build.
Anyone with information on the suspect or the van pictured above is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
85-Year Old’s Purse Snatched
Sheriff’s investigators are investigating a robbery of an elderly woman in the Myrtle Grove area.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said an 85-year old woman was waiting outside of her home on 69th Avenue for her daughter to pick her up when a small dark-colored vehicle pulled up beside her. The victim told deputies that she was then pushed to the ground by the suspect as he took her purse.
Investigators have identified one suspect as Marqual Lee. He is wanted for robbery, battery on a person 65-years of age or older, grand theft and three counts of illegal use of credit cards. He was identified by the Sheriff’s Office through tips received from media coverage.
The victim called her credit union and was advised that her debit card was used shortly after the robbery at a Tom Thumb in the 32506 zip code of West Pensacola. Shortly after that, her debit card was used at Footlocker in Cordova Mall by the suspects. The suspects also visited another store in the mall where they were caught on camera.
The elderly victim suffered minor injuries, but did not require any immediate medical attention.
Anyone with information on crime or the identity of the men in the photo below is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Photo: Bells Will Be Ringing
December 22, 2011
The bells were ringing with the spirit of Christmas Wednesday night as a newly formed hand bell team at the First Baptist Church of Bratt performed for the church’s annual Christmas dinner.
The “Belles of Bratt” were led by Dianna Hawsey in songs such as Angels We have Heard on High, Silent Night, Carol of the Bells and Gentle Mary Laid Her Child.
Team members are Susan Amerson, Kasey Baggett, Karen Brown, Laura Chavers, Brenda Dunsford, Wille Jean Edwards, Patricia Gregory, Gayle Hanks, Debbie Hester, Star Pugh, and Kim Sanders.
Submitted photos by Marcella Wilson for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
Linda Wiggins
December 22, 2011
Mrs. Linda Wiggins, 63, passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, in Jay.
Mrs. Wiggins was a native and lifelong resident of Century, and a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.
Survivors include: her husband, Randy Wiggins of Century; two daughters, Amanda Johnson of Flomaton, and Brandy Wiggins of Century; two grandchildren, Riley Johnson and Sierra Carnley; four brothers, Melvin Nelson, Thomas Nelson and Jimmy Nelson, all of Century, and Freddie Nelson of Byrneville; and two sisters, Mickie Stokes of Gautier, MS, and Terri Campbell of Flomaton.
Funeral services will be Saturday, December 24, 2011, at 11 a.m. the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial will follow at the Crary Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday, December 24, 2011, from 9:30 a.m. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Jeffrey Lambeth, Zachery Nelson, Brian Campbell, Frankie Redkey, Chip Glenn and Alton Ray Nelson.
ECAT Announces Holiday Schedule
December 22, 2011
Escambia County Area Transit has announced its service schedule for the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The schedule is as follows:
- Friday, December 23 – Full Service/Administrative Offices Closed
- Saturday, December 24 – Last Bus departs ECAT Terminal at 6 p.m.
- Route 59 Express – Last Bus departs Downtown at 5:40 p.m.
- Beach Jumper – Last Bus departs Downtown at 4:05 p.m.
- Sunday, December 25 – No Service/Administrative Offices Closed
- Monday, December 26 – No Service/Administrative Offices Closed
- Friday, December 30 – Full Service/Administrative Offices Open
- Saturday, December 31 – Last Bus departs ECAT Terminal at 6 p.m.
- Route 59 Express – Last Bus departs Downtown at 5:40 p.m.
- Beach Jumper – Last Bus departs Downtown at 4:05 p.m.
- Sunday, January 1 – No Service/Administrative Offices Closed
- Monday, January 2 – No Service/Administrative Offices Closed
- Saturday, December 10 through Sunday, January 8 – No UWF Trolley Service
Christmas Gift Idea: Jay Historical Society Cookbook
December 22, 2011
The Jay Historical Society is offering a unique last minute Christmas gift – the group’s cookbook with a side of history entitled “Tastes and Tales of the Great Pine Level”.
The 200-page book is available now for a $20 donation to the historical society at Jay Pharmacy, Duramed, The Iron Gate, Town of Jay, Kountry Kuts, and Uptown Salon. For more information, call (850) 675-0406, 675-3772 or 675-6480.