Trial Set In DUI Death Of Cantonment Man
April 19, 2011
Trial has been set for a Pace man charged with the traffic death of a Cantonment man.
Motorcyclist Matthew Christopher Harrison, 29, of Cantonment, was eastbound on Highway 90 in Pace on April 10, 2010, when he was struck by a Ford Taurus driven by Ronnie L. Henley, 49, of Pace. Harrison laid down his motorcycle in an attempt to avoid Henley, but he was run over by Henley’s car, according to the FHP. Harrison was pronounced dead at the scene.
Henley (pictured) was charged with DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash with death, and possession of marijuana under 20 grams. His trial is now set to begin May 9 in Santa Rosa County.
Henley immediately fled the scene, according to the FHP. Witnesses, including an off-duty Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputy, followed him. Henley was stopped at the intersection of Floridatown Road and Cotton Road where he was arrested.
Troopers found Henley to be under the influence of alcohol, and blood samples were turned over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. His blood alcohol level was found to be .243, about three times the legal limit. A small amount of marijuana was also located in the Taurus, the FHP said.
Henley was charged with DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash with death, and possession of marijuana under 20 grams. He remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail with bond set at $505,000.
Century Signs Off On $33 Million In Bond Issues For Low Income Apts.
April 19, 2011
The Town of Century has voted to approve the issuance of up to $33 million in revenue bonds to rehab low income apartments in Orlando and Miami, part of a partnership with Gulf Breeze that has earned the town over a half million dollars in just over a decade.
The approval was granted by Century and Gulf Breeze as members of the Capital Trust Agency, an independent public body for the purpose of financing or otherwise accomplishing development programs. Century entered into the Capital Trust Agency with Gulf Breeze in 1999 with Century essentially serving as the “second signature” for CTA.
Since the inception of the agreement, Century has earned over a half million dollars in fees since the inception of CTA.
Century and Gulf Breeze Attorney Matt Dannheisser said that the CTA is structured in such a way to indemnify Century from any financial risk, whether it be from a company that defaults on repayment or any other legal liabilities.
Up to $17 million in bonds will be issued for Sheltering Palms Foundation, Inc. to acquire and improve existing low income multi-family rental housing facilities for low income families. Properties to be acquired include the Bayou Crossing Apartments in Riverview, Florida and the Oasis Club Apartments in Orlando.
In a separate action, up to $16 million will be loaned to the Tennessee company Global Ministries Fellowship to acquire the TM Alexander Apartments in Miami. The apartments will be upgraded and reconditioned for low income persons. The real estate deal with the ministry is set to close May 6. The town had approved the same project for a different company in 2009, but that project never came to fruition.
For serving as the second signature for CTA, Century is paid $350 per $1 million financed with a $2,500 minimum fee.
Picture top: The Oasis Club Apartments in Orlando. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Neal Beats Northview; Flomaton Over Jay – Newton Gets Single, Double, Triple & Homer
April 19, 2011
The Jay High School Royals picked up a win Monday over the Flomaton Hurricanes, while the Northview Chiefs were dealt a loss.
W.S. Neal 10 Northview 2
W.S. Neal defeated the Northview Chiefs 10-2 Monday in Bratt. The Chiefs will wrap up their regular season as they host West Florida Thursday at 6:00. Playoffs begin Monday, April 25 in Jay.
Flomaton 13 Jay 0
The Flomaton Hurricanes defeated the Jay Royals 13-0 Monday afternoon in Jay. Jacob Newton was 4-4 with a single, a double, a triple and a homer for the Hurricanes — believed to be a first in the school’s history during a single game.
The Royals will be on the road with a 6 p.m. Tuesday game at Gulf Breeze.
Pictured: Jacob Newton of the Flomaton Hurricanes. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Man Gets Almost A Year In jail For Kidnapping
April 19, 2011
A Century man has been sentenced to almost a year in jail for kidnapping in connection with a domestic violence incident.
Eric Dean Vickers, 26 of Pine Barren Road, pleaded no contest to the felony charge before Escambia County Circuit Court Judge Jan Shackleford. He was sentenced to 11 months, 15 days in the county jail with credit for 52 days served while awaiting trial. Additional charges of aggravated assault with a knife, battery, aggravated battery, aggravated stalking were dropped against Vickers.
After warrants were issued for his arrest, Vickers was found in July, 2010 in Brewton and arrested by the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force.
$1 Billion Foreclosure Assistance Program Kicks Off In Florida
April 19, 2011
A $1 billion program aimed at helping homeowners avoid foreclosure kicked off Monday, though it is less ambitious than originally proposed.
The Florida Housing Corp. began taking applications Monday morning for the federally funded program that will provide nearly 40,000 unemployed and underemployed homeowners with up to six months of cash assistance to make payments on mortgages that would otherwise go unpaid.
Created by the U.S. Treasury in February 2010, the Housing Finance Agency Innovation Fund for the Hardest-Hit Housing Markets sets aside funds from the 2008 federal stimulus package to five states: Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan and Nevada, states with the highest levels of foreclosures. The program was later expanded to 18 states. Florida’s cut to date is $1 billion of nearly $9 billion in federal funds.
Florida is the last state of five original recipients to get its program underway. The program was rolled out last year in Lee County as a pilot. The region was the epicenter of a housing bust resulting in thousands of foreclosures.
“For the homeowners who qualify, this temporary relief from their mortgage payments will provide some ‘breathing room’ so they can focus on becoming re-employed at a level that will allow them to resume making payments on their own,” said Steve Auger, executive director of Florida Housing Finance Corp.
Florida’s original program would have provided as much as $35,000 in assistance over an 18 month period for homeowners who were looking for work and behind on their mortgages. After taking office, however, Gov. Rick Scott ordered a review of the program and changed its parameters.
The new program reduced the maximum award up to $12,000 and shortens the duration of benefits, which advocates said could reduce the program’s effectiveness for recipients whose job search takes longer to complete, as Florida’s economy recovers more slowly than other states.
The program also offers up to $6,000 for residents who have gone back to work to pay delinquent mortgage payments.
“Shortening it to six months is going to create more of a challenge,” said Jaimie Ross, president of the Florida Housing Coalition. But, she said, “the coalition is going to do everything it can to make the program a success.”
By Michael Peltier
The News Service of Florida
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For 2009 Murder
April 19, 2011
Wendell Ray Hurley was convicted of the first degree murder of Timothy Thames by an Escambia County Jury. The jury deliberated for over four hours after the three-day trial before returning a guilty verdict. Hurley will be sentenced to a mandatory life sentence on Wednesday, April 20.
On May 31, 2009, Hurley and a second man kicked in the door to Thames’ home and confronted Thames and his ex-wife in the master bedroom. Both intruders were wearing masks and both were armed with firearms. During the course of the home invasion Thames was shot twice. Before leaving Hurley stole a purse and cell phone.
Two surviving witnesses were able to identify Hurley by his voice and facial features that were exposed. Additionally, Hurley was caught on video using a stolen credit card less than 90 minutes after the murder. Two days after the murder Hurley was arrested while sleeping in a Pensacola home. The murder weapon was found under his mattress.
Hurley is a seven time convicted felon. The life sentence on Wednesday will be the second imposed on Hurley; he is currently serving a life sentence for an armed burglary conviction in which the murder weapon was stolen.
Jay Names New Cheerleaders
April 19, 2011
The new cheerleaders for 2011-2012 have been named at Jay High School.
Members of the varsity square are (pictured top, L-R) Meredith Owens, Carly Owens, Sha Kinder, Morgin Mitchem, Kaitlyn Aguirre, Crystal Brown, Katy Bodiford, Tori Reid, Brook Tegenkamp, Abby Raney, Hannah Roberts, Kyrah Dunsford, Jody Paramore, Kayla Flowers, (not pictured) Tessa Hendricks and Camille Driver. The varsity coach is Junia Fischer.
Members of the junior varsity squad are (front, L-R) Miranda Roberts, Savannah Seevers, Kendra Wells, Brittani Ashworth, Alisha Roberts, Launa Burkhead, Emma Andrews, Taylor Scott, (back, L-R) Madelyn Godwin, Rebecca Boutwell, Courtney Walther, Savannah Dubose, Emily Wright, Alaina Smith, Danielle Harrington, Leslie Kinder, Reilly Andrews and (not pictured) Makenzie Bray. The JV coach is Mindy Jordan.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWS Details Tornado Tracks
April 18, 2011
The National Weather Service has issued complete track information for several of the tornadoes that hit Mississippi and South Alabama last week, finding that one of the tornadoes had a path that was 35 miles long.
Here are the latest tornado findings directly from the National Weather Service:
Public Information Statement
Statement as of 7:54 PM CDT on April 18, 2011
…Areal surveys help to determine several individual tornado
tracks…
…Six tornado tracks confirmed with additional tracks still to be
surveyed…
With the help of the United States Coast Guard atc Mobile…an areal
survey was conducted of the tornado damage suffered on Friday April
15th. Through this survey along with the previously conducted ground
surveys…six individual tornado tracks have been identified. This
count will very likely rise over the next several days as surveys
continue. The National Weather Service in Mobile would like to
extend a very special thanks to the uscg Mobile for their valuable
support of today’s areal survey. Below are the details regarding the
six tornadoes identified to date. The information below is still
considered preliminary and subject to further revision.
&&
* Event location: Leakesville, Mississippi to Deer Park, Alabama
* storm classification: at least EF-3 intensity tornado
* beginning lat/lon: 31.129n / -88.632w
* ending lat/lon: 31.212n / -88.321w
* path length: 20 miles
* maximum width: 500 yards
* fatalities: 4
* injuries: 9
* notes: an areal survey has revealed one tornado track from
Leakesville to Deer Park. The tornado touched down west of
Leakesville just south of Highway 57. It crossed the Highway…
strengthened and then turned east toward the city of Leakesville
paralleling Highway 57. The tornado damaged or destroyed numerous
Mobile homes…residences…and businesses in Leakesville. One
fatality occurred in a destroyed Mobile home. The tornado continued
east northeast into extreme southwest Washington County…affecting
the Deer Park community. Most of the damage was along County Road 8
where several Mobile homes were damaged or destroyed. Three
fatalities and three injuries occurred in a destroyed Mobile home.
The tornado lifted just prior to reaching Highway 45. Extensive tree
damage was noted along the entire path.
&&
* Event location: central Choctaw County Alabama (red Springs area)
* storm classification: EF-2 intensity tornado
* beginning lat/lon: 32.017n / -88.291w
* ending lat/lon: 32.059n / -88.080w
* path length: 13 miles
* maximum width: 1000 yards
* notes: an areal survey has revealed a 13 mile tornado track across
central Choctaw County. The tornado first touched down just west of
Highway 17…southwest of Red Springs. The tornado strengthened as
it moved northeast into the Red Springs community… damaging or
destroying several Mobile homes and residences. The areal survey
shows the tornado turned east as it moved out of Red Springs and
widened to a maximum width of 1000 yards…resulting in major tree
damage along its path. Given the widening of the tornado…it is
likely the tornado was stronger at this stage than it was when it
moved through Red Springs. Thankfully…no structures were in the
path of the tornado east of Red Springs. The tornado lifted just
across the Tombigbee river in extreme western Marengo County.
&&
* Event location: Gainestown, Alabama (southern Clarke county)
* storm classification: EF-2 intensity tornado
* beginning lat/lon: 31.480n / -87.685w
* ending lat/lon: 31.481n / -87.682w
* path length: 0.2 miles
* maximum width: 120 yards
* injuries: 2 minor
* notes: all of the damage occurred on walkabout Road. One single
wide Mobile home was completely destroyed with one individual
suffering minor injuries. Another minor injury occurred as the
tornado shifted a double wide Mobile home three feet off of its
foundation and peeled off most of its roof. One other Mobile home
and single family residence suffered minor to moderate roof damage.
Numerous Hardwood and softwood trees were snapped or uprooted.
&&
* Event location: Tunnel Springs/Old Texas, Alabama (ne Monroe
county)
* storm classification: EF-3 intensity tornado
* beginning lat/lon: 31.633n / -87.245w
* ending lat/lon:31.768n / -86.894w
* path length: 19 miles
* maximum width: 300 yards
* notes: at least two supercell thunderstorms tracked over the same
area of northeast Monroe County…producing two tornado tracks…one
of which occurred in the early evening. This first tornado first
touched on Robinson Creek Road just west of Highway 47 in Tunnel
Springs. EF-2 damage was noted at the Amity missionary Baptist
church. A large section of the church roof was lifted off. The
tornado continued northeast producing scattered tree damage. The
tornado intensified as it hit the Bethlehem Methodist church in the
Old Texas community. The church was completely destroyed with only a
few interior walls left standing. This damage was consistent with
EF-3 intensity damage with winds near 145 mph. The tornado then
weakened and lifted to the northeast of the church. Tree damage and
shingle damage was noted prior to the tornado lifting.
&&
* Event location: Riley crossings to Greenville al (monroe/Butler
counties)
* storm classification: EF-2 intensity tornado
* beginning lat/lon: 31.688n / -87.216w
* ending lat/lon: 31.897n / -86.685w
* path length: 35 miles
* maximum width: 400-500 yards
* notes: a second supercell produced a tornado during the late
evening hours across northeast Monroe County. The tornado first
touched down just west of Highway 47…southwest of Riley crossings.
In Riley crossings…the Savannah missionary Baptist church suffered
significant roof damage…losing the steeple and much of the roof
covering. Two homes behind the church suffered extensive damage. One
brick home suffered complete failure of the roof and walls of the
attached garage. A cinder block home lost a significant portion of
its south facing roof. All of this damage was of EF-2 intensity. The
tornado continued on to the northeast and crossed paths with the
earlier tornado near the Bethlehem church. The tornado then entered
northwest Butler County producing scattered tree damage along the
path. Extensive tree damage was noted from ground and areal surveys
along Sherling Lake drive…including the southeastern portion of
the cambrian ridge Golf course and Sherling Lake park campground.
The tree damage noted in these location is consistent with EF-1
intensity.
&&
* Event location: Forrest home, Alabama (nw Butler county)
* storm classification: EF-0 intensity tornado
* beginning lat/lon: 31.876n / -86.810w
* ending lat/lon: 31.878n / -86.808w
* path length: 0.2 miles
* maximum width: 100-150 yards
* notes: sporadic tree damage with trees uprooted. Also some minor
shingle damage observed to two homes off of broad street.
&&
The National Weather Service in Mobile will be conducting additional
surveys over the next few days. The survey teams plan to visit
the following damage areas:
* state line, MS/Laton Hill, al/Yarbo, al
* Citronelle, al
* Escambia-Covington County damage including Damascus, al
* northwest Choctaw County (lisman, al area)
* additional survey of Leakesville, MS
Children Inside Stolen Van Unharmed
April 18, 2011
Two children were unharmed when the unlocked vehicle they were secured in was stolen from an Escambia County convenience store early Sunday morning.
Deputies were called at 6:19 a.m. to the Tom Thumb, 1321 North W Street, after a black male stole a van that was left unlocked and running in the parking lot. A two-year-old and a fourteen-month-old were in the vehicle at the time of the theft.
According to the children’s mother, 27-year-old Cheryl Lynn Chavers, she parked her 1994 Plymouth Voyager in the parking lot of the store. She left the vehicle unattended with the keys in the ignition and the engine running. She also left her two children in the vehicle as she went into the store to buy milk and cigarettes. As she was paying for her purchases, the clerk told her that someone was in her vehicle.
As Chavers ran from the store her vehicle was being driven out of the parking lot. She ran towards the vehicle screaming, “Give me my kids.” Chavers reached the vehicle as it was stopped for traffic at the corner of Lee and North X Streets.
As Chavers was pounding on the driver side door to her vehicle, screaming for the suspect to release her children, the suspect got out of the van. Chavers told deputies that he reached under his shirts, as if he had a gun, and demanded money. He was able to take a cell phone from Chavers before telling her, “Take the car and get out of her before I shoot you.”
The suspect was described as a black male, of thin build and around six-feet tall, wearing a dark colored hat, blue shirt and jeans.
Deputies are reminding people to never leave infants or small children unattended or alone in vehicles.
Anyone with information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect in this case is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Commission Approves Conecuh Woods Mega Landfill
April 18, 2011
The Conecuh County Commission voted 3-2 this morning to approve the application for the proposed 5,100 acre Conecuh Woods landfill which will be constructed upstream from North Escambia.
Conecuh Woods’ landfill, will include a 1,600 acre “disposal cell” from Range to Repton to near the Big Escambia Creek. Big Escambia Creek flows southward into Escambia County, Alabama, through Flomaton and drains through a North Escambia swamp into the Escambia River and then Escambia Bay.
Many other governments in South Alabama and Northwest Florida have passed resolutions in opposition to Conecuh Woods, including Escambia counties in Alabama and Florida, the Town of Century, Atmore and Flomaton.
Even with the required approval from the Conecuh County Commission, the project may still remain on hold. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley issued an executive order declaring a moratorium on new landfills in the state.
The approval is expected to also be challenged in court.
Pictured: Residents gather in Evergreen, Alabama, in February to protest the Conecuh Woods landfill. File photo courtesy WALA FOX 10 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.