Computer Fraud Charges Dropped Against Escambia Deputy
June 4, 2012
Charges have been dropped against an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrested late last year for allegedly misusing a law enforcement computer system.
Michael Patrick Bowman was charged by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on a charge of third degree felony computer-related fraud. Late last week, Judge Gary Bergosh dismissed all charges against Bowman.
He had been accused of allegedly using a Sheriff’s Office computer system to view drivers’ records and criminal histories for persons that were part of any open investigation.
Second Cantonment Man Charged With Robbery Outside Bar
June 4, 2012
A second suspect has been charged in connection with robbing a man outside a Pensacola bar.
Jeremy Terrell Jones, age 24 of Calloway Street in Cantonment, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of robbery without a weapon and petit theft. He was released on a $27,000 bond.
The victim said he was outside The Game Plan on Fairfield Drive about 2:20 a.m. on March 31 when he was approached by two black males later identified as Jones and 22-year old Deangelo Kirkland of Cantonment.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Kirkland told the victim that he owned him money. Kirkland then grabbed the victim from behind and choked him until he lost consciousness.
When the victim awoke, he discovered his iPhone 4S and car keys were missing.
Kirkland was arrested last month on robbery without a weapon and petit theft charges. He was also released from jail on a $27,000 bond.
Gunfire, Police Chase, And 20 Beers Land Man Behind Bars
June 4, 2012
A shots fired call in Santa Rosa County ended with a high speed police chase and one man in jail.
The Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Waylon Drive and Deaton Bridge Road about 5:10 a.m. after receiving reports of two people exchanging gunfire. Deputies blocked traffic in the area with their cars side by side in the roadway with emergency lights activated. The suspect, later identified as 31-year old Jeremy Dewayne Bowman, floored the truck and headed directly toward the deputies, refusing commands to stop.
“As deputies were about to shoot at the vehicle, the truck veered to the right, away from the deputies, and drove around their cars. Deputies got into their patrol cars and pursued the vehicle northbound on Deaton Bridge Road with lights and sirens activated,” according to Sgt. Scott Haines, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office.
After a seven mile pursuit on Deaton Bridge Road, Bownman crashed into a mound of dirt and a tree.
“Deputies located a .45 caliber pistol under the driver’s seat and a magazine in the glove box that fits the pistol,” Haines said.
The complainant, Roy Anderson, told deputies he woke up to someone driving a truck in his front yard, damaging the lawn. Once outside, Anderson realized the truck belonged to Bowman, who is the ex-boyfriend of Anderson’s current girlfriend.
“Bowman and Anderson have had tension between them for a few months, so Anderson went inside and grabbed his shotgun and fired a round into the air. Bowman then fired multiple shots from a handgun while in a moving vehicle on a public roadway as he exited the neighborhood. Bowman reentered the neighborhood and argued with Anderson again and tried to get him to engage in a fight,” Haines said.
Bowman told deputies that he had been driving all day, consuming at least 20 beers. Deputies also located spent shell casings in the area of the shooting and in the bed of Bowman’s truck.
Bowman was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, high speed fleeing and eluding, discharging a firearm while under the influence of alcohol, discharging a firearm in public, criminal mischief and DUI. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County jail with bond set at $105,000.
Martha Alene Singleton
June 4, 2012
Martha Alene Singleton, age 81 of Molino, passed away on Thursday, May 31, 2012, at a local hospital. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Cantonment. Ms. Singleton retired from Monsanto
.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph R. Singleton.
She is survived by her son, Joseph Edward Singleton (Barbara); two grandchildren, Roger and Christy Singleton and three siblings, Hilton Davis, Dot Moore and Charles Rueben Davis (Wilodone).
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery with Dr. Will Stone officiating.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on Wednesday, June 6, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. until noon.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North1000 Hwy 29 South, Cantonment, is in charge of arrangements.
Escambia’s Class of 2012 Earns Over $23 Million In Scholarships
June 4, 2012
The 2012 graduating class from the Escambia County School District has earned over $23 million in scholarships, according to Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
“That speaks volumes about this year’s graduating class,” Thomas said, adding that the Class of 2012 scholarships are higher than any other graduating class since he has been superintendent.
“Students that are willing to study and work hard have excellent opportunities to be reward,” he said.
Bratt Elementary Releases Fourth Nine Weeks Honor Roll
June 4, 2012
Bratt Elementary School has released their honor roll for the fourth and final nine weeks.
All A’s
Anna Adams
Maggie Amerson
Lexxi Baggett
Haley Baker
John Bashore
Brody Black
Tanner Boone
Sarah Branch
Luke Bridges
Aiden Broadhead
Lexi Broadhead
Keaton Brown
Meggan Brown
Abbie Buford
Katie Buford
Conner Byrne
Emilee Cabral
Ashtyn Carnley
Noah Casson
Karlee Criswell
Justin Cruce
Cassie Davis
Sheyenne Dillan
Savannah Doremus
Ryan Dove
Jason Fayard
Jamyla Feagin
Amanda Franklin
Gabby Franklin
Makayla Garrett
Caitlyn Gibson
Alabama Gilley
David Gilley
Amber Gilman
JP Gilman
Emma Gilmore
Gracie Godwin
Shelby Godwin
Zane Gurganus
Kara Hawkins
Sarah Margaret Hetrick
Hannah Hughes
April Johnson
Anna King
Trent Knighten
Kennedy Long
Braeden McGhee
Bailie Merchant
Colby Morris
Mary Paige Nassar
Abby Nelson
Travis Nelson
Chris Nordman
Jaylon North
Madison Peterson
Matthew Pruitt
Dallon Rackard
Kinzie Rackard
Tyler Ray
Kenna Redmond
Teriana Redmond
Delaney Reynolds
Samantha Roux
Carter Sigafoose
McKenna Simmons
Arquavian Smith
Lydia Smith
Savannah Spence
Alyssa Stabler
Bailey Van Pelt
Kiara Wesley
Cailee Wilburn
Clay Wilson
Lane Wilson
Kendall Wise
All A’s and B’s
Erich Amerson
Susannah Amerson
Adyn Barrow
Shelby Bartley
Shelby Bashore
Zoe Bergfield
Leah Berry
Bryuana Bivins
Riley Blackwell
Garret Bodiker
Reini Bodiker
Emilee Bomba
Trevor Bomba
Ann-Margaret Boothe
Cassidy Boutwell
Destiney Bradley
Kelley Bradley
Gracen Brook
Logan Brown
Anastasia Bryan
Juliana Bryan
Kadence Burklund
Caren Cannon
Catherine Casey
Landon Chavers
Logan Chavers
Asthon Cloud
Cameron Cloud
Keosha Davis
Tyler Davis
Franki Daw
Wyatt Dillon
Colton Dockens
Cody Edwards
Jackson Edwards
Alexis Evans
Ar’mya Findley
Cameron Findley
Neionni Findley
Tatyanna Findley
Savannah Fullerton
Paige Gibbs
Eddie Gonzalez
Tony Hall
Summer Harrell
Gabe Henderson
Kerry Hicks
Zachary Hilton
Jakayla Jackson
Trent Kite
Gabby Kline
Anna Lee
Cameron Long
Kaleigh Macks
Tobias Madison
Ansleigh Maholovich
Angel Merchant
Joshuwa Merchant
Michael Merchant
Adam Miller
Cassie Mullins
Madison Nassar
Audrey Odom
Joseph Parker
Taviana Parker
Blaize Parrish
Braxton Peebles
Gabbie Peebles
Memory Peebles
Adam Peterson
Larry Philyaw
Libby Pugh
Jaylee Redmond
Allison Rice
Mary Rice
Shelby Rice
Torian Richardson
Savannah Roley
Kasen Sawyer
Kaylee Sawyer
Adrianne Shanks
Madelin Sheedy
Madison Sherouse
Vivyan Smith
Aaliyah Tucker
Hunter Wainwright
John Michael Ward
Ahmad Warmack-Elliott
Summer Waters
Da’Mius Wesley
T’ahna Wesley
Addie White
Cassidy White
Autumn Williams
Wyatt Windham
Ty Wise
Connor Wolfe
Hiring Event Tuesday For Walnut Hill Jobs
June 4, 2012
The hiring process for jobs paying up to $20 an hour will begin Tuesday for a new crude oil transfer station planned for Walnut Hill.
Workforce Escarosa will assist Genesis Rail Services and their partner, Rail Solutions of Florida with the recruitment and hiring of rail car unloading operators at a hiring event next from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Walnut Hill Community Center (Ruritan Bulding) at 7850 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School.
Genesis Rail Services representatives will be on-site and may choose to conduct interviews with selected individuals at the event.
Rail car unloading operators will be responsible for offloading crude oil from rail cars.
Operators will be required to work 12 hour shifts with four days on and four days off. Positions offer a full benefits package with a pay rate of $16 to $20 per hour. Individuals interested in applying for rail car unloading operator positions must have a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and will be required to pass a security screening, physical and a drug test.
To view a complete job description and a list of additional requirements, log on to the Employ Florida Marketplace, www.employflorida.com, and review job order number 9677713.
Genesis’ Senior Vice President of Business Development, Paul Davis, said the company will be creating about 30 new jobs at the Walnut Hill facility over the next couple of years.
New Escambia Voter Registation Cards Being Mailed
June 4, 2012
All Escambia County voters will receive a new voter information card in the next few weeks, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
The new cards will reflect district and precinct changes associated with the once-a-decade redistricting process. In addition to precinct boundary changes resulting from new district lines, several of Escambia County’s precincts have been consolidated.
The popularity of absentee voting and early voting has resulted in a decrease in the percentage of voters casting their ballot at the polling place on Election Day. Stafford said in the last presidential election more than half of all votes in Escambia County were cast before Election Day.
As a result of this decreased usage, budgetary constraints, and redistricting, 11 of Escambia County’s 90 precincts have been consolidated into adjoining precincts. The plan was approved by the Escambia County Commission last month.
All registered voters will receive a new voter information card, which will contain not only the new House and Senate information, but also the precinct number and polling location.
Voters can also use the “Precinct Finder” option at EscambiaVotes.com, or call the Supervisor of Elections office (850-595-3900) to find their polling location. A precinct map of the county is also available at EscambiaVotes.com/maps. In addition, all voters will be mailed a personalized sample ballot prior to the beginning of early voting for both the Primary and General Elections, which will include their polling place information.
Pictured: Escambia County’s district five.
Jacksonville Suns Hold Off The Blue Wahoos, 5-4
June 4, 2012
Jacksonville scored five runs in the final three frames, including two in the ninth, and stopped a last inning Blue Wahoos rally as the Suns defeated Pensacola 5-4 on Sunday afternoon in Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
With the win the Suns improve to 27-30 and take a 2-0 lead in the series, while the Blue Wahoos fell to 25-32 in the loss.
After Jacksonville entered the frame tied at 4-4, RF Jose Duarte led off with a walk, advanced to second on pinch hitter Kyle Jensen’s base knock and moved to third on a groundout before coming home on 2B Paul Gran’s sacrifice fly to take the lead. After an intentional walk placed Jensen at second, C Kyle Skipworth reached base on a strikeout, with a Pensacola defensive miscue bringing home Jensen to put the Suns ahead by two.
The Blue Wahoos would not go down without a fight however in their half of the ninth. With two outs, CF Ryan LaMarre and SS Didi Gregorius reached on back-to-back singles before 2B Brodie Greene sent in LaMarre to cut the deficit to one, but Jacksonville reliever A.J. Ramos was able to set down 1B Joel Guzman to shut down the comeback hopes.
Pensacola and Jacksonville were held scoreless until the fifth, when the Blue Wahoos struck first with two tallies. RF Andrew Means and C Chris Berset got it started with consecutive singles, while starting pitcher Tony Cingrani helped his own cause by reaching on an infield single to load the bases from LaMarre. The outfielder would drive home Means with a base knock to right before an RBI groundout from Gregorius made it 2-0.
The Suns got three runs in the seventh to take their first lead with three straight run-scoring singles from pinch hitter German Duran, SS Chris Gutierrez and Gran. The Blue Wahoos then drew the margin even at 3-3 in their half of the seventh courtesy of Gregorius’ RBI single to score LaMarre.
Cingrani (6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) did not receive a decision in his Double-A debut despite yielding just two earned runs on five hits in 6.2 innings, while Jacksonville starter Jose Alvarez (5.1 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 SO) also did not factor in the final decision for the Suns. Ramos (2.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 SO) earned his third win of the year after allowing a run on four hits in the final two frames, while Pensacola closer Donnie Joseph (0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO) suffered the loss.
Gran, Skipworth and CF Donnie Webb all tallied a pair of base knocks for the Suns in the victory, while LaMarre led all batters with three hits. Gregorius, Greene and 3B David Vidal each collected multi-hit efforts as well in the loss.
Jacksonville and Pensacola are scheduled to meet again on Monday evening, with first pitch set for 7:00 pm. The Blue Wahoos are expected to send RHP Kyle Lotzkar to the bump, while the Suns are expected to counter with RHP Bryan Evans.
By Andrew Green
Scott Appeals State Employee Drug Testing Case
June 4, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott has followed through on his vow to appeal a federal court ruling that blocked drug testing of state employees.
Scott’s attorneys have filed a notice of taking the case to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. The governor said he would pursue an appeal after Miami federal judge Ursula Ungaro ruled last month that a plan to drug test employees violated constitutional protections against unreasonable searches.
Scott issued an executive order last year calling for drug testing, but it was quickly challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. State lawmakers this year also approved a measure aimed at drug testing, but it has not been carried out because of the legal fight.
The notice of appeal does not detail the arguments that Scott’s attorney will make.
By The News Service of Florida