Suspended Flomaton Police Chief Arrested On Florida Kidnapping Charge
March 9, 2012
The suspended Flomaton police chief has been arrested on a kidnapping charge for allegedly making an unauthorized arrest across the state line in Century.
Geoffrey Ashley McGraw, 30, turned himself in at the Escambia County (Fla.) Jail Thursday afternoon on a third degree felony charge of kidnapping/false imprisonment. He was released on a $5,000 bond.
McGraw’s arrest stemmed from a joint operation by the Florida 1st Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
FDLE obtained the warrant for McGraw’s arrest for an August 14, 2011, incident in which Ronald Adam Barrow was arrested by McGraw at a home on Old Flomaton Road in Century. McGraw, without jurisdiction, allegedly took Barrow into custody in Florida on an outstanding Escambia County (Ala.) failure to appear warrant in misdemeanor case, Keith Cameg, spokesperson for FDLE, told NorthEscambia.com. Barrow was then transported back across the state line into Alabama.
McGraw was placed on an indefinite paid leave February 27 by the Flomaton Town Council. The council is expected to once again consider his employment status at an upcoming meeting on March 12.
At that late February Town Council meeting, a Century couple made multiple allegations against McGraw and his supposed actions in Florida. Cameg said he was unaware that some of the allegations were or were not involved in the FDLE and State Attorney’s investigation into McGraw.
The couple, Tracy Tedder and his wife Tabitha Tedder, told the Flomaton council that then-Police Chief McGraw pulled his weapon and illegally searched their Century home on Old Flomaton Road.
As they spoke about their claims involving McGraw, they referred to him as “McGruff”.
“Chief McGruff drawed his gun on Florida property without Florida police department being involved and goes through our home,” Tabitha Tedder said. “He illegally arrested our son-in-law and transported him back to Alabama.”
“It’s a Florida matter; we can’t comment,” Flomaton Mayor Dewey Bondurant said about the allegations at the February meeting. To read more about the Tedder’s allegations, click here for an earlier story.
Pictured top: The mugshot taken of suspended Flomaton Police Chief Geoff McGraw after his arrest Thursday afternoon. Pictured inset: Tracy and Tabitha Tedder address the Flomaton Town Council February 27 with their allegations against McGraw. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Marjorie Nicholson Armour
March 9, 2012
Marjorie Nicholson Armour, 85, of Cantonment, passed away Friday, March 2, 2012.
Born in Niceville, she had resided in Pensacola and Cantonment for most of her life. She will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor, her strong family ties and her unwavering faith in Jehovah God.
She is preceded in death by her parents, six brothers and one sister.
She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Sam; her two children Greg Armour (Judy) and Amy Calhoun (West); her grandchildren, Daila and Stijl Calhoun, Chris and Brian Odom and Brittney MacKenzie; great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at Gonzalez Jehovah Witness’s Kingdom Hall at 399 E. Kingsfield Road, Cantonment. The Memorial Service will begin at 2:00.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant Hospice in memory of Marjorie Armour.
Bratt Elementary Dedicates Meagan Wilburn Rose Garden (With Gallery)
March 9, 2012
Fourth graders at Bratt Elementary listened quietly Thursday afternoon as a small rose garden in memory of one of their own was dedicated.
The rose garden, located just outside the fourth grade wing of the school, was dedicated in honor of Meagan Wilburn, a nine-year old Bratt Elementary fourth grader who died after an ATV accident last October in Walnut Hill.
“We are going to remember Meagan forever with this rose garden,” Bratt Principal Jeanene Hall told the students.
“Respectful. Kind. Gentle. Oh, and bubbly…that’s one I just thought of just now,” were the carefully chosen words of Guidance Counselor Sheila Bryan as she described her memories of Meagan to the students.
Following the dedication, the students walked single file past the rose garden — which for now contains a small plaque and just two rose bushes that were purchased with change collected by Meagan’s classmates. Some of the students were visibly touched, breaking down in tears and hugging friends.
“Meagan will always be in our hearts and minds,” Hall said.
For more photos from the dedication, click here.
Pictured: A rose garden was dedicated Thursday afternoon in honor of Meagan Wilburn, a 9-year old Bratt Elementary student killed in an ATV accident last year. Pictured below: Meagan’s sister Cailee Wilburn looks at the garden. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Caylee’s Law Goes To Gov.
March 9, 2012
Prompted by the 2008 death of two-year-old Caylee Anthony, the Senate on Thursday sent to the governor a bill that would increase penalties for lying to police when a child goes missing.
The measure would make it a third degree felony to give false information to a law enforcement officer in the event of missing child.
The bill was introduced following the highly publicized trial of Caylee’s mother, Casey Anthony, who was acquitted of murder but charged with lying to police. She was sentenced to four years in prison for lying to police, but was released last summer after time served.
Coast Guard Crew Remembered
March 9, 2012
Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard bid farewell to four of its own.
In a memorial service held at Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, the service paid tribute to the crew of Coast Guard helicopter 6535 – Lt. Cmdr. Dale Taylor, Lt. Thomas Cameron, Chief Petty Officer Fernando Jorge and Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Knight.
“Dale, Tom, Nando and Drew answered the call,” said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp. “They stepped forward and dedicated their lives to helping others – the only thing stronger than their desire to fly, was their desire to serve. And, they did serve – they served all of us.”
On February 28, a Coast Guard helicopter went down in Mobile Bay during a training flight. The bodies of Taylor, Cameron and Jorge were recovered from the crash site shortly after the crash. Knight’s body was recovered Thursday.
Pictured: A memorial service honoring the Coast Crew that died last week in a Mobile Bay crash was held Thursday in Mobile. Photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Want Electronic Time Clocks For Prisons
March 9, 2012
Legislators will consider a budget today that includes provision to withhold up to $1 million from the Department of Corrections until it puts in place an electronic time and attendance system.
The issue of electronic time clocks has irked Senate Budget Chairman JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales, for a couple of years, since lawmakers first put a requirement for such a time clock system for state prisons in the law in 2010. The prison system didn’t implement the requirement however, even though it was put in the law again last year.
This session, Alexander mentioned the issue several times in complaining that the Department of Corrections hasn’t done enough to save money – citing that reluctance as part of the reason some members of the Legislature were intent on privatizing more prisons, though they were unsuccessful in that effort this year.
The budget up for a vote on Friday says that of the money earmarked for the Department of Corrections, $1 million of it will be held in reserve until the agency’s “successful statewide implementation of the electronic time and attendance system.”
By The News Service of Florida
Paul Edgar Mason, Jr.
March 9, 2012
Paul Edgar Mason, Jr., 76, of Alpharetta, GA, died Monday February 6, 2012, at his residence. He was a lifelong resident of Atmore until he moved to Alpharetta with his wife and daughters in 2004.
He was owner of Sam’s Place with his father Ed for close to 50 years. During this time he also farmed soybeans, corn and wheat with his best friend Jimmy Mason. He also worked for the Escambia Grain elevator with his life-long friend Jim VanPelt.
He was born in Atmore on June 14, 1935, to the late Edgar and Lola Troutman Mason.
He retired with the Army National Guard and served during the Korean and Gulf Wars.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce C. Mason of Alpharetta, GA; two Daughters, Shayne Mason Lee and Missy Mason Kindig, both of Atlanta; two sisters, Betty Ann Mason and Lanell Mason, both of Atmore; two grandchildren, Garrett Mason Lee and Colby Kyle Kindig, both of Atlanta.
Services will be Thursday February 9, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. from the First United Methodist Church of Atmore, with Rev. Leon Stewart and Rev. Jim Reece officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be Jimmy Mason, Luther James, Wendall Eicher, Steve Drew, Butch Watson and Gary Welch. Honorary Pallbearers will be Tommy Jackson, Jim VanPelt, George VanPelt, Ed Nolan and Wendall James.
Family will receive friends, Wednesday evening February 8, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church from 7 until 8:30 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of all arrangements.
Northview Remembers Coach, Teacher Tommy Weaver
March 9, 2012
Thursday was described as quiet, difficult day at Northview High School as they mourned the loss of 61-year old teacher and coach Tommy Weaver.
Students began their day with a mile-long vehicle procession from the LCpl. Travis M. Nelson Park on West Highway 4 in Bratt to the school parking lot. As the vehicles passed by the school, most of the students stared quietly ahead, many visibly crying.
Grief counselors from the Escambia County School District were on campus during the day for students and faculty that wanted to talk about the death of Weaver, husband of Northview High Principal Gayle Weaver.
Funeral services for Weaver were held Saturday.
Northview Senior Class President Mallory Turner encouraged students and community members to visit a Facebook page setup in honor of Weaver and share their memories. The recollections will be used in a special Senior Class project. To visit the page, click www.facebook.com/CoachTommyWeaver.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Baseball, Softball Games Canceled
March 9, 2012
Friday’s scheduled Northview High School softball and baseball games at Bonifay High School have been canceled due to the death of NHS teacher and coach Tommy Weaver.
In baseball action, Northview will take on the Baker Gators on Tuesday in Bratt. The junior varsity begins at 4:30, followed by the varsity at 6:30.
In softball, the Lady Chiefs will head south to Pine Forest on Tuesday to take on the Eagles. The junior varsity gets underway at 4:00, followed by the varsity at 6:00.
Baseball: Varsity Aggies Remain Undefeated; JV Falls To Pace
March 9, 2012
The Tate Aggies remain undefeated after a a win over Pace Thursday night, while the JV Aggies lost to the Patriots 3-1.
The Tate Aggies continued their winning ways as they beat Pace Thursday night 4-2 in a well played game by both teams.
Riley Hodge collected the win pitching six strong innings, allowing two runs on three hits. JT Granat picked up another save pitching a perfect seventh.
Offensively, the Aggies tallied eight hits led by Mac Seibert (3-3, 2B, Run, RBI), Andrew Mack (2-4, Run, RBI), and JT Granat (1-3, RBI).
Pace’s Addison Russell, who is considered future first round draft pick in Major League Baseball’s June draft, was 1-2 with a home run.
Steven Jernigan took the loss for the Patriots despite an outstanding performance.
The Aggies are back in action Friday, playing host to the Navarre Raiders in a JV/Varsity doubleheader at 4:30/7:00.