Cornered Burglar Tries To Lure Cops To Fake Burglary (With 911 Call Audio)
May 10, 2011
A Santa Rosa County man called 911 from inside one business that he was burglarizing to report a burglary at a business nearby in attempt to throw off cops that were closing in on him. His creative phone efforts failed.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglary at Kiley’s Store in Milton where they found someone had broken in through a boarded up front door. As deputies were working to determine if someone was inside the building, burglar Travis Monroe Laseter called 911 to report that three black males were burglarizing a nearby business.
Laseter abruptly hung up on 911 dispatchers, saying that the burglars were about to see him. Deputies searched both businesses and only found Laseter inside the first business. When 911 dispatchers called the cell phone back, they received Travis Laseter’s voice mail.
Laseter, 35, was charged with burglary and making a false report. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail with bond set at $17,500.
Hospital Sale, Lease Bill Dies; Was Backed By Company Interested In Jay Hospital
May 10, 2011
A bill that would create new barriers to selling or leasing public hospitals in Florida has died. Supporters of the bill included Health Management Associates (HMA) – the company interested in a partnership deal involving Jay Hospital.
After getting stuck in the Senate, a controversial bill that would have required judges to sign off on sales or leases of public hospitals died at the end of the legislative session. House members overwhelmingly approved HB 619, but it did not get out of Senate committees.
Public hospitals and the Florida Hospital Association fought the proposal, which was backed by for-profit hospital companies such as HMA and Tenet Healthcare Corp.
Questions about the future of public hospitals, however, are not done: Gov. Rick Scott in March issued an executive order creating a commission to review taxpayer-funded hospital districts, including sales or leases.
The bill stemmed, at least in part, from disputes such as a failed merger between the publicly owned Bert Fish Medical Center in Volusia County and the private Adventist Health System. That deal died after it was disclosed the Bert Fish board had repeatedly violated the state’s Sunshine Law by holding closed-door discussions.
HMA also sought an agreement with Bert Fish. The bill included criteria for circuit judges to use in deciding whether to approve public-hospital deals, such as whether the terms reflect “fair market value.’’ Supporters said the proposal would help prevent backroom deals.
High School Football Schedules Released
May 10, 2011
Fall football schedules have been released for area high schools, and dates for spring jamboree games have been announced.
For Northview and Jay, it’s the year in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s new Rural Division which includes only smaller rural schools with less than 650 students. The new division was created to level the playing field and prevent the small rural from competing at the state level against urban schools that draw from much larger population.
Last year, the Northview Chiefs advanced to the state semifinals before falling 49-14 to Jacksonville Trinity Christian, a private urban school.
Last season, the Jay Royals finished the season without a win. This year, the Royals have new leadership and new hope in their new division.
For the Tate Aggies, this fall will mean a move into District 1-6A with Escambia, Milton, Pace, Pensacola, Pine Forest and Washington.
Here are the spring games that will be played this month, as well as the Fall 2011 schedule for North Escambia area high schools:
SPRING GAMES
- Northview at West Florida, Friday, May 20 at 7 p.m. (not finalized)
- Washington at Tate, Friday, May 20 at 7 p.m.
- Jay at Rocky Bayou, Thursday, May 26 at 7 p.m.
FALL SCHEDULE
NORTHVIEW
(all games at 7 p.m.)
Sept 2 — TBD
Sept 9 — at Marianna
Sept 16 — at Chipley
Sept 23 — South Walton*
Sept 30 — Gulf Breeze
Oct 7 — at Jay*
Oct 14 — OPEN
Oct 21 — Freeport*
Oct 28 — at Vernon
Nov 4 — Baker*
Nov 11 — at West Florida
JAY
(all games at 7 p.m.)
Sept 2 — Rocky Bayou
Sept 9 — Holmes County
Sept 16 — at Sneads
Sept 23 — at Flomaton
Sept 30 — South Walton
Oct 7 — Northview*
Oct 14 — at Cottondale
Oct 21 — at Baker*
Oct 28 — at Graceville
Nov 4 — Freeport*
Nov 11 — OPEN
TATE
Sept 2 — St. Charles (La.) Catholic — 7:30 p.m.
Sept 9 — at Ft. Walton Beach — 7 p.m.
Sept 16 — at West Florida — 7 p.m.
Sept 23 — at Escambia* — 7:30 p.m.
Sept 30 — Pine Forest* — 7:30 p.m.
Oct 7 — at Milton* — 7:30 p.m.
Oct 14 — Pensacola High — 7:30 p.m.
Oct 21 — Pace* — 7:30 p.m.
Oct 28 — Tallahassee Godby — 7:30 p.m.
Nov 4 — at Washington — 7:30 p.m.
Nov 11 — OPEN
WEST FLORIDA
Sept. 2 — Escambia — 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 — at Washington — 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 — Tate — 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 — at P.C. Bay* –7 p.m.
Sept. 30 — at Walton — 7 p.m.
Oct. 7 — at Gulf Breeze* — 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 14 — OPEN
Oct. 21 — at P.C. Rutherford — 7 p.m.
Oct. 28 — P.C. Arnold* — 7 p.m.
Nov. 4 — at Tallahasse Chiles — 6 p.m.
Nov. 11 — Northview — 7 p.m.
Pictured: Jay’s Allen Perry is tackled by Northview’s Corry Baggett the Chiefs defeated the Royals last fall. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Quintette Road Resurfacing Progresses
May 10, 2011
In less than a month Santa Rosa County has made real progress on a 5.8 mile resurfacing project on Quintette Road, also known as County Road 184, between Chumuckla Highway (C.R. 197) and the Escambia River Bridge. A pavement surface is now in place over the entire length of the project, which began April 11.
The project cost is expected to be $1.2 million with 75 percent funded by the Florida Department of Transportation through a Small County Outreach Program grant. The county will be responsible for the remaining 25 percent, much of which will be met with in-kind services such as labor, equipment and materials for drainage and shoulder work performed by the Santa Rosa County Road and Bridge Department.
Quintette Road runs from Highway 29 in Escambia County to Chumuckla Highway in Santa Rosa County. It is the only roadway across the Escambia River between Highway 4 in Century and Highway 90 in Pensacola.
Pictured above: Work is progressing on a Quintette Road resurfacing project in Santa Rosa County. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New CEO Named For United Way Of Escambia County
May 10, 2011
A former Tate High School teacher has been named the new CEO of the United Way of Escambia County.
Andrea Farage joins United Way of Escambia County as President/CEO after serving as the Executive Director for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida since 2001. While working for Ronald McDonald House, her responsibilities included strategic planning, grant funding, organizational growth, federal regulation compliance, and marketing and public relations management.
Andrea was instrumental in planning and executing the recent $5 million capital campaign that funded last year’s new construction of the Ronald McDonald House in Pensacola. Completed in August 2010, the 26-bedroom facility was successfully paid off within seven months of opening.
With a diverse background in community and professional development organizations, she currently serves as a board member for the Downtown Rotary Club and Central Credit Union and is a member of Liberty Sertoma. She has volunteered her time to Grant A Wish, Crimestoppers, LeaP, United Way, Panhandle Bay Area Literacy Coalition and many other organizations.
Andrea is a graduate of Florida State University and began her career as an English teacher at Tate High School. She then worked as the Newspapers in Education Manager for Pensacola News Journal before assuming her role as Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida.
How To Help Tornado Victims
May 10, 2011
There are still several ways you can help tornado victims this week in the North Escambia area.
NorthEscambia.com, Pen Air Federal Credit Union, Northview High, Ernest Ward Middle, Molino Park Elementary, Bratt Elementary and Byrneville Elementary have joined together to collect relief items. Click here for more information.
Dry Spring Community Church will accept donations at the Davisville Community Center May 10, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and May 11, 8 a.m.-noon. Non-perishable food items, yard tools, paper products, batteries, baby diapers and wipes, first aid supplies, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items and blankets will be collected for the First Baptist Church of Amory, Miss. More info? (850) 712-6588 or (850) 982-8878.
Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino is collecting cleaning supplies (liquid cleaners, bleach, mops, spray bottles, buckets, sponges, etc.); personal hygiene items (hand and shower soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, wash cloths, nail clippers, etc.); baby and adult diapers; and gift cards to Dollar General and WalMart. Items can be dropped off a the church on Highway 29 just north of Highway 97. They are not collecting food, bottle water or clothing.
C & C Hauling Company, 2222 Hwy. 95A North, Cantonment is accepting donations of diapers, wipes, water , Gatorade, canned food items, paper towels, toilet paper , carryout plates, plastic eating utensils, laundry detergent , all sizes kids and adults socks and underwear (new in package) , and boxes for collecting personal items. Hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church, North Highway 99 in Bratt, will be collecting items for the tornado victims in northwest Alabama. The items needed are: toiletry and hygiene products, baby items (clothes, diapers, formula,etc), undergarments (new, in the package, all sizes), pet food, flashlights and batteries, and nonperishable foods. All items can be delivered to the church parsonage, located next to the church. The pastor and church members will load the items on May 28 and transport them to Northport, Ala. Call the pastor at (850) 327-6441 for more information.
Other ways you can help include:
- The American Red Cross is providing relief to people across the hardest-hit states including Alabama. To make a donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief, visit its online donation page. You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
- The Salvation Army is setting up mobile feed stations to feed thousands in the storm areas. Give online at salvationarmy.com, text “GIVE” to 80888 or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
- Alabama Gov. Robert Bently has setup a website that provides donation information through his office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
Century Care Residents Celebrate With Black Tie Ball (With Gallery)
May 10, 2011
Residents at Century Care Center enjoyed their Second Annual Black Tie Ball Friday with good music, great food and good times with friends.
Dressed in formal attire, the residents were escorted into a ballroom setting where they were served by administration, including Administrator Don Ripley, nursing staff including Director of Nursing Doris Jackson and the physical therapy department.
Organizers said every department at the facility contributed to make the event possible.
Pictured top: Century Care Center residents Rita and Larry Irwin of Bratt enjoy the facility’s Black Tie Ball Friday. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chester Dale Pritchett
May 10, 2011
Chester Dale Pritchett, age 57, of Cantonment, Florida passed away Sunday, May 8, 2011. Chester was born in Pensacola on September 27, 1953. He was a graduate of Tate High School and the previous owner of Chet’s Trailer Company.
Preceding him in death was his parents, J. D. and Louise Pritchett.
Survivors include his siblings, Sue Sheffield Lambeth, Patricia Thomas, Ronnie Pritchett, Katherine Buhl and James Pritchett, Jr.; one daughter, Brenda Pritchett and one grandson.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North Cantonment. Interment will follow at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South, Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Principals Camp Out On School Roof For Relay
May 9, 2011
The principal and assistant principal at Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment camped out on the school’s roof Monday to raise money for Relay for Life.
Principal Rachel Watts and principal intern Lisa Arnold remained on the roof for one hour for every $100 contributed to Relay. The school raised $600 — enough to keep the principal duo on the roof for six hours.
Jim Allen Elementary’s Relay for Life team is one of dozens that will take part in the Relay for Life that begins this Friday night at Tate High School.
Pictured: Principal Rachel Watts and principal intern Lisa Arnold were on the roof at Jim Allen Elementary School Monday to raise money for Relay for Life. Submitted photos by Brian Miller for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Jay Teachers Jailed For Sex With Students Released From Prison
May 9, 2011
Two former Jay High School teachers sentenced to prison time for having sex with students are now free.
Ashley Elenea Burkett, 33, and April Burford Watson, 34, were both released from prison Saturday after serving a year behind bars. They pleaded no contest last year to three counts each of unlawful sexual activity with male students and were sentenced to a year; they could have been sentenced up to 33 months behind bars.
Both women will remain on probation for five years and will be required to register as sex offenders.
Burkett and Watson, who were teachers at Jay High School, were arrested by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office on August 6, 2009, for engaging in sexual intercourse with male students in 2007.
“The investigation was initiated on July 28, 2009 after an anonymous letter was sent to the Santa Rosa County School District alleging sexual relationships between two Jay High School teachers and male juveniles,” Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Sgt. Scott Haines said after the arrests. The letter was turned over the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office for investigation.
“Interviews were conducted with the alleged victims in the case. Two victims alleged that they were involved in sexual activity with Watson at her residence and the residence of Burkett between the months of July and October 2007. One other victim alleged that he was involved in sexual activity with Burkett at her residence and the residence of Watson between the months of July and October 2007,” Haines said in August. “Both of the suspects were questioned by investigators and they both admitted to the unlawful sexual activity.”
Burkett taught reading and special education students and previously was an assistant volleyball coach, according to the Jay High School web site. Watson taught math and was the advisor for the junior varsity cheerleaders, also according to the school web site. Watson was to become the varsity cheerleader sponsor and Burkett was to named the varsity volleyball coach. Both women lost their jobs with the Santa Rosa School District as a result of their convictions.
Pictured: (top) Burkett and Watson in their Florida Department of Corrections photos and (below) their 2009 Santa Rosa County Jail mugshots.