Century Woman Back In Jail In Grand Theft Auto, Drug Case
December 9, 2011
A Century woman serving 24 months probation after she was caught driving a stolen car with illegal drugs in her possession is back behind bars.
Iretha Mae Smith, age 58 of Ivey Street, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Thursday for violation of probation on charges of grand theft auto and felony possession of a controlled substance. She was given probation and adjudication was withheld after she pleaded no contest to the charges in May.
In early February, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy watched as a white Mazda Protege failed to stop at a stop sign located at Sellers Road and West Highway 4. He conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and found that it had previously been reported stolen and that the driver, Smith, had an outstanding grand theft auto warrant.
When the deputy asked Smith to step out of the vehicle, she reportedly got out with a white pill in her hand. The pill, according to the Sheriff’s Office, turned out to be a Lortab for which Smith did not have a prescription.
Byrneville Elementary Christmas Carnival Is Tonight
December 9, 2011
The annual Byrneville Elementary School Christmas Carnival will be held tonight at the school. Games will be from 5-7 p.m. outside, and a basket auction will begin at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.
Game tickets will be sold until 3 p.m. at the school at five for $1; tickets will be four for $1 at the event. Food — including barbecue sandwiches, hot dogs, french fries, boiled peanuts and a variety of sweets — can be purchased with cash or tickets.
Basket themes in the auction will include Thomas the Train, Disney princess, Cars, Hello Kitty, toddler toys, Legos, collegiate sports, John Deere, girls’ dress up, fishing, hunting, sport and entertainment.
All proceeds from the carnival benefit the school.
‘America’s Most Wanted’ Child Molester Gets 130 Years
December 9, 2011
A man once featured on America’s Most Wanted was sentenced to 130 years in state prison for sexually molesting a child — in addition to a life sentence handed down earlier this year for sexual battery on a child.
Joseph Christian Fontana was convicted by a Santa Rosa County jury of committing various sexual acts on the 13-year old son of a woman he met at a church in 2001.
Fontana became a father figure to the child and later began to molest the boy. The crimes occurred between 2003 and 2006 at residences in Santa Rosa County where Fontana was doing work as a handyman.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation; however, Fontana fled from the country before being arrested. He was located after being featured on the television show “America’s Most Wanted”. After receiving a tip that Fontana was in the Dominican Republic, U.S. Marshals located and arrested him there in June 2009.
Fontana was previously designated as a sexual predator after his conviction in April 2011 and had remained in jail awaiting his trial on these charges. In 1995, Fontana was convicted in Pasco County, Florida, of handling and fondling a child and of a lewd and lascivious act in the presence of a child. He was convicted in California in 1988 of three counts of committing a lewd act upon a child. Fontana had been designated a sex offender at that time.
Girl’s Weightlifting Results: Tate, Northview, Jay
December 9, 2011
Tate High School won a girl’s weightlifting meet Thursday at Northview, while Northview finished second followed by Jay High in third.
Weight category winners, including scores with combined bench press and jerk weights, were as follows:
101
- Kirstyn Johnson, Tate, 140
- Kasie Braun, Northview, 110
110
- Lauren Chavers, Tate, 135
119
- Bailey B., Tate, 195
- Jordan B, Tate, 195
- Ashley Cunningham, Northview, 155
- Shelby E. , Jay, 140
129
- Jordan McGowan, Tate, 205
- Tierra Floyd, Northview, 140
- Madlyn Coon, Northview, 140
- Kim Gunn , Jay, 130
139
- Taylor Dunlap, Tate, 220
- Misty Doran, Northview, 205
- Katie Cutting, Tate, 185
- Holley Fugatt , Jay, 160
154
- Dunsford, Tate, 220
- Wiggins, Tate, 200
- Brittany Thompson, Northview, 140
- Penny Banda, Northview, 140
169
- Jamonica Paige, Tate, 205
- Olivia Newsome, Tate, 200
- Keyth Grice, Northview, 130
183
- Barrett Barnes, Tate, 270
- Alisha Grice, Northview, 130
199
- McKenzie Nassar, Northview, 165
- Blair Kaylen , Jay, 140
Unlimited
- B. Hawthorne , Jay, 215
- TeAndria Knight, Northview, 210
- M. Lawrence, Tate, 180
- DeeDee Johnson, Northview, 165
Pictured: The Northview High School girl’s weightlifting team Thursday afternoon. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Basketball: Northview, Tate, West Florida
December 9, 2011
Here’s a look at high school basketball action from around the area Thursday:
Escambia Charter 64, Northview 60
In a close game, Escambia Charter defeated Northview Thursday night in Bratt. Zack Barrow led the Chiefs with 18, while Roderick Woods added 14. Brandon Sheets contributed 10 for Northview, as Dyshan White and Jacob Gibson scored six each. Blake McCall had four for the Chiefs.
The Northview varsity boys will next play in the Jay Christmas Tournament December 12-14.
West Florida 63, Tate 5
The West Florida Jaguars beat the Tate Aggies Thursday, 63-55 at West Florida.
GIRLS
Tate 48, West Florida 19
The Tate Lady Aggies defeated West Florida on Thursday, 48-19 in girls’ basketball action.
Kenneth Wade Jernigan
December 9, 2011
Our beloved son, Kenneth Wade Jernigan went home to be with the Lord on December 8, 2011. He was a sophomore at Northview High School. Wade had a heart of gold and a smile that brightened anyone’s day. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and sports. Wade loved his family and friends and was loved by all.
Though Wade just turned 16 in September through his unselfish, giving spirit he chose to be an organ donor, and even though we greatly grieve his passing, through it he gave eight people and their families life and in this way he lives on through them.
Preceding him in death were his uncles, Sammie Vaughn, Bennie Lucas, and his grandfather, Brownie Brown.
Survivors include his mother, Connie Brown of McDavid; his father, Ken and his wife Melissa Jernigan of Century; his three brothers, Terry Lucas, Jr, Randy and Michael Jernigan; his grandparents, Udeen and Sefton Miller of Ponce DeLeon, FL; Billy and Faye Jernigan of Pensacola; Elanore Lucas of Flomaton; his aunts and uncles, Sabrina and Steve Gibbons, Wanda Brown, Sandra and Christian Tollfson, Deborah and David Floyd, Michelle and Mike Williamson, Patrissa and Wayne Thompson, Ashley and Zane Presley, Rick and Connie Brown, Shawn and Andrea Lucas, Stevie and Becky Lucas, Shannon Lucas, Greg and Kim Jernigan, Mark and Karen Jernigan; numerous cousins and his beloved dog Isabella.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 11, 2011, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment with Rev. Jeff Howard and Rev. Doug Hogg officiating. Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be Bodie Tullis, David Bell, Larry Gibson, Trent Freeman, Matt Reynolds and Robert Agerton. Honorary pallbearers will be his Northwest Escambia Baseball teammates.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2011.
The family would like to express their gratitude to SICU and the Organ Donation Team at Sacred Heart Hospital for their caring support through our family’s difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Wade’s name to https://donate4william.org.
Joyce Ann Rand
December 9, 2011
Joyce Ann Rand was born on October 13, 1943, in Jacksonville. She passed away with loved ones by her side on Saturday, December 3, 2011, in Pensacola after years of battling major health difficulties. Her body just got tired. Many people admired her strength, her love, and her trust in Jesus.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” Monroe Rand, of Pensacola; father, Fred C. (F.C. Speedy) Morris; and sister, Sandra Elaine Morris.
She is survived by her daughters, Lisa Anne Mosier of Marianna, FL and Terri Lea Rand of Pensacola; son, Trent Anthony Rand of Pensacola; granddaughter, Shiloh Jade Mosier of Chipley; mother, Raynell Morris of Marianna, FL; sisters, Marsha Lehrer of Warwick, NY and Sheila Arlene Cook of Marianna; brother, Don Wayne (Quida) Morris of Marianna; and ex daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Allen of Bratt.
A visitation will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2011, at Bayview Memorial Park’s Mausoleum, Chapel of Peace, with funeral services starting at noon.
Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Driver In Serious Condition After Highway 97 Wreck
December 8, 2011
[Updated An 80-year old Century woman was serious injured in a two vehicle wreck late Thursday morning in front of the Piggly Wiggly in Davisville.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Martez Dortch was traveling south on Highway 97 when she attempted to turn her 2007 Ford Taurus into the store parking lot. She crossed into the path of a northbound 1998 Ford pickup driven by 25-year old Reuben Maxwell of Century.
Dortch was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital in serious condition. Maxwell was not injured.
Dortch was cited by the FHP for violation of right of way.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Fire Department, Atmore Ambulance and Escambia County EMS responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Police Hunt For Bank Robbery Suspect
December 8, 2011
A Thursday morning bank robbery is under investigation in Escambia County.
A man armed with a handgun demanded cash from a teller at the Suntrust Bank on North Davis Highway about 9:30 a.m. Pensacola Police Department Detective Shannan Fortenberry said the suspect entered the bank, walked up to a teller, pointed a handgun at her, and demanded cash. When the teller complied, he left the bank and ran southbound on Davis Highway.
There were five employees and three customers in the bank at the time; no one was injured.
The suspect is a white male, about 5-feet 10-inches and at least 200 pounds. He had a grayish brown mustache and was wearing a wool cap, sunglasses, khaki pants, a khaki/olive green colored jacket, and cowboy boots.
Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact Detective Shannan Fortenberry at (850) 435-1978 or the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Northview Student Passes Away From Injuries Received In Wreck
December 8, 2011
A 16-year old Northview High School student passed away mid-morning today from injuries he received when he crashed his pickup Wednesday morning in Bratt.
Kenneth Wade Jernigan of Century, a sophomore at Northview, was on his way to school at the time of the wreck. He was northbound on Pine Barren Road north of Breastworks Road at about 8:30 a.m. when he drifted off the roadway onto the shoulder as he attempted to travel around a curve. He over-corrected, lost control and struck a tree, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Firefighters worked over 20 minutes using the Jaws of Life to remove the teen from his mangled 1999 Chevrolet pickup. He was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Jernigan passed away at 9:38 Thursday morning at Sacred Heart Hospital.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Jernigan was not wearing a seat belt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Escambia County School District will have counselors available to students and staff at Northview High School on Thursday.
The Molino, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the call.
Pictured: A Northview High student passed away from injuries he received in this single vehicle crash Wednesday morning on North Pine Barren Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
