Boyfriend Charged In Murder Of Atmore Woman Shot In Her Bedroom
January 3, 2011
Atmore Police are investigating the murder of a 44-year old woman shot to death by her boyfriend.
Cedric Floyd, 28, of Atmore, is accused of shooting Tina Roshell Jones, 43, inside her 5th Avenue residence. Jones called 911 at 12:46 Sunday morning to report that Floyd was breaking into her home. Two minutes later, Atmore Police officers arrived and found Jones lying in the floor of the home with what appeared to be several gunshot wounds, according to Atmore Police. She was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
“Witnesses at the scene said they were asleep, but were waken by Floyd demanding keys to a vehicle. After several moments, Floyd fled the scene on foot,” said Jason Dean, Atmore Police chief..
“While officers were at the residence, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from Cedric Jerome Floyd, 28 years of age, the boyfriend of Jones, stating he wanted to turn himself in. Deputies responded to Freemanville Drive where Floyd met officers. Floyd was then taken into custody,” said Dean.
Police said Floyd made forcible entry into the home through a Jones’ bedroom window in the rear of the home.
Floyd is being held without bond on a charge of capital murder in the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
2 More Weeks: Work Continues On North Highway 99 Bridge
January 3, 2011
As school traffic returned this morning, drivers still faced detours around a North Highway 99 bridge and will for perhaps another couple of weeks.
Target reopening date for the North Highway 99 bridge over North Pine Barren Creek, just north of the Oak Grove Park, is Friday, January 14, according to Sonya Daniel, public information manager for Escambia County. The target date depends, she said, on weather and the timely delivery of materials to the contractor.
The 55-year old bridge was closed to traffic December 9 after a routine inspection revealed a deterioration of concrete at the southern end of the bridge.
“The southern end of the bridge will be completely reconstructed,” Daniel said. “They will also clean and reseal all of the bridge joints.”
The repairs are being done by DKE Marine under an emergency Escambia County purchase order not to exceed $100,000. A recent county report estimated the total cost to replace the bridge at $2.34 million.
The roadway is heavily traveled and is a primary route for school traffic to and from Bratt Elementary, Ernest Ward Middle and Northview High schools. Escambia County’s recommended north/south detour for the bridge is Gobbler Road and Still Road.
Pictured above: Looking under the North Highway 99 bridge over Pine Barren Creek. Pictured below: The bridge was closed December 9. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
2010 Persons Of The Year: Nadine McCaw
January 3, 2011
NorthEscambia.com is naming Persons of the Year for 2010 each day this week. Click here for previous recipients.
Nadine McCaw of Century has been named one of our North Escambia Persons of the Year for 2010.
Publicly, Nadine is known because she currently serves as a member of the Century Town Council. And she’s worked tirelessly to support the Century Relay for Life. And she is active in the Century Chamber of Commerce, and her church, the First Baptist Church of Century. And she was one of those helpful ladies checking out our books at the Century Branch Library. And the list goes on of the public things Nadine is seen doing for the town she loves.
But perhaps Nadine is most deserving of being a North Escambia Person of the Year for being the person that most people never see.
Like any grandparent, Nadine loves her grandchildren and cherishes every moment with them. When Rebecca Jones, 4, was born, it was grandchild number eight for Nadine and Eddie, her husband of 39 years. It was a happy time with a new life in the world. But within a matter of days, Nadine was told that her life was about to be over.
While visiting with Rebecca, Nadine got sick. Five doctors and two weeks later, she had been told five times that she was not likely to survive the invasive cervical cancer that doctors found. She even saw one of the top cancer doctors in the South at the University of Alabama Birmingham.
Lead specialist at UAB told Nadine that if she survived the surgery, she might have six months to live.
Nadine knew the possibility of dying from cancer was very real. When Nadine was three, her mother died from cancer at age 21. Her brother-in-law died from colon cancer. The list of relatives in her family that died from cancer is a long one.
Her family, her friends, her church…they all prayed. And prayed.
Prayer worked.
She went from doctors telling her she had six months to live, to being one of the most important words in the world of cancer — survivor.
Fast forward to 2010. Nadine was diagnosed with renal caner. She had one of her kidneys and several lymph nodes removed in October and continues to recover at home.
The Century community rallied behind Nadine as she was faced with inadequate insurance and mounting medical bills. Hundreds of fish plates were sold, walkers braved frigid temps and other events worked to raise funds for Nadine. Community members posted purple bows to show their support for the lady that helped Century in so many ways.
Many of those ways Nadine helped Century were very quiet — those that know Nadine know that she likes to stay far from the spotlight. Humble does not begin to explain Nadine.
Most never knew about the times she dug into her own pocket to buy items for the library, plants to decorate city hall, plants for a local park or Christmas decorations for all. Most never knew while bedridden with renal cancer, she participated in a town council meeting.
Most never knew about the friends and relatives she worked to care for. Most never knew of the times she and husband Eddie would walk the town and pick up trash.
Most never knew the Nadine McCaw for which we name her a North Escambia Person of the Year.
New Century Council Members Take Office Tonight
January 3, 2011
Two new members of the Century Town Council will be sworn in tonight, taking their place among the five men and women that make up the town’s governing board.
Sandra McMurray Jackson was elected to the Seat 5 on the council currently held by Sharon Scott, who did not seek re-election. Jackson is the owner of Jackson-McMurray Funeral Services in Century. She defeated retired insurance agent Annie Carter Savage by just eight votes — 164 to 156 — to win the seat in October.
“I’ll feel truly blessed,” Jackson said after learning she had been elected to the council. “I love Century; I love the people here in Century.”
Political newcomer and 10-year Century resident Jacke Johnston defeated incumbent Henry Hawkins for Century Town Council Seat 3 in the November runoff election. Johnston received 174 votes to Hawkins 144 votes.
“I am really exited,” Johnston said after the election. “I can’t wait to get in there in January and work toward getting Century back on track.”
Hawkins and Johnston were forced into a runoff for the council’s Seat 3 after neither received a majority of the votes during the October general election.
Hawkins, a retired Air Force staff sergeant and GED instructor for Pensacola Junior College, received 44.55 percent of the October vote — shy of the 50 percent needed for a win. Johnston, a teacher at Byrneville Elementary School, received 32.71 percent of the vote in October, while Robert Lasher, an Edward D. Jones financial adviser, finished third with 22.74 percent.
Gary Riley, who is retired from Gulf Power, ran unopposed and was re-elected to Seat 4.
The Century Town Council meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month.
Pictured top: Newly elected Century Town Council member Sandra McMurray Jackson awaits her seat at the Century Town Council table. Pictured inset: Jacke Johnston defeated incumbent Henry Hawkins. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cool Monday Night
January 3, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Calm wind.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind.
- Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 55. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 35. West wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 62. West wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52.
- Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.
Wreath Fire Safety Campaign Ends With 18 Red Bulbs; No North Escambia Fires
January 3, 2011
The seventh year of the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign in Escambia County ended with 18 red bulbs representing residential fires — none in North Escambia.
On December 1, 2010, Escambia County Fire-Rescue and the City of Pensacola Fire Department kicked off “Keep the Wreath Green,” a holiday fire safety campaign.
Five-foot wreaths lit with green lights were placed at locations throughout the county. During the month-long event, 18 of the green bulbs in each wreath were replaced with red ones, representing residential fires that occurred in the county over the holiday season.
In 2009 there were 12 residential fires, with none in North Escambia.
Escambia residents can call 595-HERO for fire safety information and information about obtaining a free smoke detector.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
End Of Christmas Break: Back To School Time
January 3, 2011
Students across the area headed back to school Monday morning following the Christmas holidays.
Students in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties returned to class Monday
Students in Escambia County, Alabama, returnedto school on Tuesday. Teachers were back at work Monday for a professional development day.
Nelda Faye Neal
January 3, 2011
Mrs. Nelda Faye Neal, age 65, passed away Sunday, January 2, 2011 at her Flomaton residence.
Mrs. Neal was born in Haleyville, AL and had been a resident of the Flomaton area for the past 40 years, coming from Greenville. She was a beautician by trade and was a member of Little Escambia Batist Church. Mrs. Neal was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Roy J. Neal.
She is survived by two sons, Waymon (Trish) Neal of Flomaton and Jamie Neal of Flomaton; one brother, J.W. Bankston of Birmingham, AL and three sisters, Oledith Oliver, Dorothy Baxter, and Leavrette Sabatino, all of Haleyville; three grandchildren, Emily (Matt) Pike, Sarah Neal, and Olivia Neal; one great-grandchild, Adrianna Pike.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 2 p.m. at Little Escambia Baptist Church with Rev. Doug Hogg and Rev. Jerry Ritchie officiating. Interment will follow in Little Escambia Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Flomaton Funeral Home on Tuesday from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Scott Inauguration: NorthEscambia.com Exclusive Interview
January 3, 2011
Rick Scott will be sworn as Florida’s governor Tuesday During his campaign, he refused to sit down with any newspaper editorial board, but he did sit down for a one-on-one interview with NorthEscambia.com on his campaign bus following a campaign stop in Molino.
Here are excerpts from our exclusive interview with the future governor and his North Escambia visit just days before the election:
Small Towns
The Town of Century’s primary focus over the past several years has been to improve economic conditions. Scott said he can help.
“My focus is to get people jobs. The real key is to get everybody a job and build businesses back in the state. Then our local communities like Century will have the tax base to grow,” Scott said.
North Escambia, Other Rural Communities
If elected, Scott said he won’t forget about small rural communities like those in North Escambia. He pledged to get out and talk to people all across the state to learn what issues are important to them.
“When I am governor, I will get out and see how these laws, these regulations impact them. I grew up with no money, so I know what it’s like when government passes things that cost you money.”
One such regulation, Scott said, is SB 550, legislation passed earlier this year to require septic tank inspections every five years to protect Florida springs.
“It doesn’t make any sense to me and I want it repealed. What is the state government involved in that? It makes no sense.”
The Right Thing For Florida
“We have the chance to change our country. If we do the right thing here in Florida, every state has to compete for us with jobs, for people. We can change the whole country with what we are doing,” he said. “We cannot allow this country to go down the path of high taxes and high regulation. This is our opportunity.”
Government has gotten too big at every level, from local to federal governments. The place to cut, Scott said, is at the state level. “We can be the number one state. The number one state for taking care of taxpayers, the number one state for job creation.”
700,000 Jobs In 7 Years
Scott’s plan includes the creation of 700,000 jobs in Florida during a seven year period.
“We are doing really well,” Scott said as he echoed his ongoing message of seven steps to 700,000 jobs. “I am going to make sure the state runs like a business. I am going to reduce regulation; I am going to work every day…I am going to run the state like you run a household or you run a business.”
Back To Work
“I believe in this country; I believe in the American dream,” said Scott, who grew up in public housing and worked since he was in second grade before building successful businesses. “I’ve lived the American dream, and I want that dream for all of Florida. That’s the dream that we all want, and we want to get the state back to work.”
Pictured top: Rick Scott addresses supporters at Fran’s Country Grill in Molino just days before being elected Florida’s governor. Pictured inset: Scott sits down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with NorthEscambia.com on his campaign bus. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Linam Named Liberty Bowl MVP
January 3, 2011
An Atmore son was named the defensive MVP for the University of Central Florida Knights as they defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 10-6 in the Autozone Liberty Bowl.
Josh Linam, a junior middle linebacker for the Knights, grew up in Tavares, Florida, and Atmore. On Friday, he made his career interception, the tenth different Knight to make an interception this year but just the second linebacker.
What was going through Linam’s head during his MVP interception? “I was thinking just catch it and not fumble it so coach wouldn’t get mad,” he said.
The Knights tied the game up 3-3 just before the half, but even that score was tinged with a bit of disappointment. UCF got an interception from Linam and promptly moved the ball to the 6-yard line. But that’s where the drive stopped after a spiked pass, an incompletion and a stopped scramble.
Linam said there was a bit of disappointment in giving up six points to the Bulldogs.
“We thought we would give up zero. We knew it was going to be a tight ball game, and we prepared for that. We just came out and did our job,” he said.
Linam was named to the All Conference USA All Academic 1st Team, ESPN-nominated for Academic All American, ESPN All District 3 Academic 1st Team and Conference USA player of the week versus Houston with 17 tackles.
Linam finished season with 78 tackles, 9.0 tackles for losses and one interception.
Linam is the son of Dr. Kevin R. Linam of Atmore.
Pictured top: Josh Linam (#50) assisted with a tackle in the Autozone Liberty Bowl as UCF beat the Georgia Bulldogs 10-6. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.