Cantonment Man Charged With Forged Checks At Walmart
April 16, 2012
A Cantonment man was arrested for allegedly passing forged checks at two Pensacola stores.
Jourdan Alexander Truitt, 21, was charged with four counts of passing a forged check, one count of grand theft and larceny. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond on unrelated violation of probation charges.
Truitt allegedly wrote four checks totaling $935.49 to two Pensacola Walmart stores. According to an arrest report, he is seen on Walmart survelliance video using the checks for purchases.
The victim in the case is listed as Pen Air Federal Credit Union because they reimbursed their account holder for the money lost from her account.
Lee (Lavan) Edwards Martin
April 16, 2012
Mr. Lee (Lavan) Edwards Martin, age 79, of Atmore, Ala., passed away Friday, April 13, 2012.He was born to the late Willis McGhee and Elsie Martin Holland. He was a 1951 graduate of Escambia County High School and attended Auburn University.
His 22-year army career began as a clerical administrator during the Korean War, and he later transferred to Germany. He also served at the Pentagon and in Belgium with NATO. After retiring in 1975, he worked in human resources at The Citadel in Charleston, SC, for 20 years.
He served as chapter commander of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and as a post member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Charleston. He was instrumental establishing the Atmore VFW Post were he served 16 years as commander. He also served as a scoutmaster, and as senior warden at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Martin who was survived by his children Shane and Cairra Martin.
Mr. Martin is survived by his wife, Edith Martin; three children, Pamela Martin, LeeVan Martin and his son, Cory Martin and Lisa Martin Oligee and her husband, Charles Oligee and their two children, Cade and Zane; numerous sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Petty-Eastside chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Teresa Leifur officiating. Burial will follow at Steadham Cemetery with full military honors.
The family will receive friends Monday, April 16, 2012m from 6-9 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
There will be military body bearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Cory Martin, Shane Martin, Cairra Martin, Cade Oligee and Zane Oligee.
A family service was held at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Anna’s Church, 100 Lynn McGhee Dr., Atmore, AL.
Blue Wahoos Walk Off With 2-1 Win Over Jacksonville
April 16, 2012
Pensacola first baseman Joel Guzman walked with the bases-loaded in the bottom of the ninth to give the Blue Wahoos a 2-1 win over the Jacksonville Suns in front of a capacity crowd of 5,038 on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola’s multi-use stadium.
The win gives Pensacola a 1-0 lead in the five-game series, while the capacity crowd was the sixth in as many games at the Blue Wahoos’ bayfront stadium.
Pinch hitter Miguel Rojas, shortstop Didi Gregorius and third baseman Henry Rodriguez all singled in the final frame to set the stage for Guzman with two outs. The native of the Dominican Republic then drew a game-ending free pass on four pitches to cue the celebration and give the Blue Wahoos their second walk-off win at home this year.
Rodriguez started the scoring for Pensacola with a solo home run to left, his second of the year, to grab a 1-0 lead. Jacksonville however, drew the contest even at 1-1 when second baseman Jeff Dominguez brought home catcher Kyle Skipworth with a run-scoring single in the subsequent frame.
Blue Wahoos closer Donnie Joseph (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 3 SO) earned his second victory of the year after striking out the side in the ninth, while Suns reliever Wade Korpi (1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO) suffered the loss after allowing the final run, along with three hits in 1.2 innings of support. Pensacola starter Pedro Villarreal (6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) pitched well but did not receive a decision despite yielding just a lone earned run on only five hits while fanning five in six frames.
Gregorius (2-5), Rodriguez (2-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) and second baseman Brodie Greene (2-4) all tallied multi-hit games for the Blue Wahoos, while right fielder Jake Smolinski (2-4, 1 2B) was the lone Suns batter to tally two hits. Despite his game-winning walk, Guzman saw his eight-game hit streak come to an end, though he has now reached base in his first nine contests.
Pensacola and Jacksonville meet again Monday night for the second game of the series, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm. RHP Curtis Partch is scheduled to toe the rubber for the Blue Wahoos, while the Suns are expected to send RHP Bryan Evans to the mound.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: First baseman Joel Guzman delivers a bases-loaded walk to push Pensacola to a 2-1 win over Jacksonville on Sunday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Heavy Lifters: Northview, Tate Athletes Compete For State Titles
April 16, 2012
Two North Escambia athletes will compete in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s state weightlifting championships Friday and Saturday in Kissimmee, Fla.
Northview High School senior Andrew Farrow lifts in the 219 pound weight class. His best total of the season is 600 pounds. He will compete in the Class 1A finals on Friday.
Tate High School senior Chase Carroll lifts in the 183 pound weight class. With a 650 pound total lift, he’s the top ranked lifter in the class, according to the Florida High School Athletic Association. It’s the third trip to the FHSAA finals for Carroll, who also excels off the bench. He has a 3.7 GPA, and is in the National Honor Society, BETA Club, Rho Kappa, FFA, is FCA president and has participated in football and track.
Pictured: Northview High School senior Andrew Farrow. Pictured left: Tate High School senior Chase Carroll. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain Chances Increase Early Week
April 15, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A slight chance of showers before 7pm, then a slight chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 78. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Blood Drive This Afternoon
April 15, 2012
There is a blood drive going on this afternoon in McDavid. It will continue until 3 p.m. at the McDavid Mini Mart on Highway 29 across from the fire department.
While all blood types are needed, there is currently a critical need for O-negative, according to Betty Roberts, spokesperson for Northwest Florida Blood Services.
Blood donors must be at least 18 with parental consent, weigh 110 pounds or more, be in good health and have a picture identification.
County Wants Casino, Poarch Creeks To Pay Up
April 15, 2012
An Alabama county is looking to force the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to start paying property and other other taxes on tribal lands in Atmore — including the Wind Creek Casino — because they don’t legally qualify to operate tax free.
We are now posturing ourselves to no longer ignore,” “We are going to fish or cut bait.”
Their actions stem from a 2009 Supreme Court ruling that said essentially that under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, the federal government had no right to create land trusts with tribes that were not recognized by 1934. Federal recognition for the Poach Creeks did not come until 1984.
That’s 50 years too late, according to David Stokes, chairman of the Escambia County (Ala.) Commission. The commission is demanding that U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar determine if the Tribe has protective status. If not, the county will begin the process of assessing and billing property and other taxes to the Poarch Creeks.
“Does the tribe want to cooperate with the tax assessor and have property be assessed and valued,” asked Bryan Taylor, attorney for Escambia County and an Alabama state senator. “Or does the tribe maintain the position that the Supreme Court decision doesn’t apply to them?”
Man Charged Last Month In Wheelchair Rampage Arrested Again
April 15, 2012
The Century man that allegedly went on a wheelchair rampage in a convenience store last month is back behind bars.
Curtis Edward Smith, age 55 of the 3000 block of Highway 168, was due to appear in court Thursday on two counts of aggravated battery and criminal mischief property damage. But according to court records, he was a no show before Judge Jan Shackelford.
A failure to appear warrant was issued for his arrest Friday, and he was booked into the Escambia County Jail early Saturday morning with bond set at $1,100. He is awaiting another hearing on April 20.
Smith was charged after an incident just before sunrise March 19 at the Bindu Food Mart on Gulf Beach Highway.
Smith allegedly approached the clerk and demanded to speak to the manager, who was not in the store at the time. The clerk told deputies that Smith then began yelling and ripping his shirt, claiming he had been attacked. Smith began to chase the clerk around the store in motorized wheelchair, hitting her once on the shin, and threw potato chip racks at her and around the store, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
The clerk said Smith then began ramming his wheelchair into the store’s door, shattering the glass. Another witness corroborated the clerk’s story and also claimed the Smith called him racial obscenities and hit him with the wheelchair.
When deputies arrived, Smith was still inside the store, yelling, “Call the [obscenity] police and take me to jail”, the arrest report states. As the deputy tried to calm Smith, he attempted to roll toward the deputy, demanding that the officer purchase him a drink and some food. The deputy ordered Smith to turn off the wheelchair, but he began to roll around the store.
Smith was later stopped and transported to West Florida Hospital to be treated for injuries to his feet caused by shattering the glass door of the store.
Windy Today, Slight Rain Chance
April 15, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Breezy, with a south wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. East wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind around 5 mph becoming south.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph becoming east.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Grand Champions Named In Annual Livestock Show
April 15, 2012
The 19th Annual 4-H and FFA Youth Livestock Show and Agricultural Exposition wrapped up Saturday at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Beulah.
The show provides an opportunity for local 4-H and FFA members to show their steers, swine, goats, lambs, heifers, rabbits and poultry. In addition, many of the steers and swine in the program were auctioned off.
This year’s Grand Champion Steer was exhibited by Donald Cunningham (pictured left). The 1,233 pound steer sold at auction for $4,007.25 ($3.25/lb) to Dr. Tom Lampone. Donald, age 14, is a member of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club. In addition to showing steers, he enjoyes swimming, NJROTC, basketball, football, working and being a Boy Scout. He is the son of Lewe and Beth Cunningham. He attends Pace High School.
The Reserve Champion Steer belonged to Ashley Cunningham, a 16-year old Northview High School Student and member of the Northview FFA. Her steer, at 1,250 pounds, sold at auction for $4,500 ($3.60/lb) to Hill Kelly Dodge. Ashley is the daughter of Andy and Christina Cunningham. She is a Northview High cheerleader and a member of the Northview dance, weightlifting and track teams. She enjoys going to the beach and Harry Potter movies.
The Grand Champion Market Swine was exhibited by Matthew Smith (pictured left), a 13-year old seventh grader at Ransom Middle School. Matthew, the son of Randal and Ginjer Smith, also enjoys band, hunting, fishing and trail raiding. The Barrineau Park 4-H Club member’s 260 pound pig sold for $962 ($3.70/lb) to Gulf South Automotive.
This year’s Reserve Champion Market Swine belonged to Dylan Livingston, a seventh grader at Ransom Middle School. The 13-year old 4-H club member’s 237 pound pig sold for $592.50 ($2.50/lb) to Todd Timko and Blooming Geri. Dylan enjoys video games and basketball. He is the son of Patty and Erick Livingston.
Complete and final results from the 19th Annual 4-H and FFA Youth Livestock Show were not available Saturday night; NorthEscambia.com will publish complete results and more photos later in the week.
If you have photos from events other than the swine and steer sales, please email them to news@northescambia.com for inclusion in a photo gallery.
Pictured top and top inset: Donald Cunningham and his $4,007.25 Grand Champion Steer. Pictured bottom inset: Matthew Smith and his 260 pound Grand Champion Market Swine. Pictured below: Dylan Livingston and his 237 pound Reserve Champion Market Swine. Not pictured: Ashley Cunningham was not available for a photograph with her Reserve Champion Steer. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
