Accused Colorado Massacre Suspect Makes First Court Appearance
July 23, 2012
The man accused of killing 12 people and wounding 58 others in a Colorado movie theater made his first court appearance Monday, as investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
James Holmes, his hair dyed bright orange, appeared disoriented and unemotional in Monday’s appearance, staring at the floor or straight ahead as the judge told him there was probable cause to charge him with first-degree murder.
The judge then ordered that Holmes be held in detention until next Monday, when he is due back in court to be formally charged. The prosecutor’s office says it is considering pursuing the death penalty.
Holmes has been held in solitary confinement since police arrested him early Friday outside the theater in Aurora, Colorado, near Denver. Authorities say he is refusing to talk about what prompted him to open fire on a crowd watching the film The Dark Night Rises.
[VOA]
Lou Boyd
July 23, 2012
Lou Boyd, age 84 of Cantonment, passed through the gates of heaven on Wednesday, July 18, 2012. She was born in Robertsdale, AL on Dec. 10, 1927. Lou graduated from Winter Haven High School and attended Southern College in Lakeland, FL.
Lou was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church where she faithfully served the Lord and loved every minute she was there. She had many talents but her greatest gift was that of a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. “MawMaw” made all who loved her feel uniquely special.
Lou was preceded in death by her parents, W.D. and Betty Grubbs; a brother, Eugene Grubbs; and sisters, Frances Harmon and Lois Grace.
Lou is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Hubert “Gabby” Boyd; her sister, Gladys English; her children, Beth Taylor (Jimmy), Patsy Moye, Ronnie Boyd, Cindy Parker (Tim), and Randy Boyd; grandchildren, Jennifer Benz (Stephen), Jimmy Salter (Nicole), Scott Traynom, Beth Culberton White, Ashlee Weber (James), Kyle Parker, Katelyn Boyd and Karla Boyd; great grandchildren, Jackson Benz, Chase White, Brooks Salter, Molly Benz, Everett Salter, William Benz, Aiden Weber, Camryn Traynom, Melinda Lula Salter, and Mason Weber; numerous cousins,nieces and nephews.
Memorial service will be noon Tuesday, July 24, 2012, at Hillcrest Baptist Church with Rev. Jim Locke officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons and grandsons-in-law and one great grandson. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.
Inturnment will be in Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church Building for Life, 800 Nine Mile Rd, Pensacola, FL 32514.
You’re Invited: Open House Tuesday At New Tax Collector, Property Appraiser Offices
July 23, 2012
An open house is planned tomorrow for the new Escambia County Tax Collector and Property Appraiser offices in Molino.
The event will be held on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until noon. The newly constructed offices have been open since July 2 at 6440 Highway 95A, next to the old Molino School.
Pictured: The new Escambia County Tax Collector and Property Appraiser offices in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
James “Billy” Smith
July 23, 2012
Mr. James “Billy” Smith, 78, passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2012, in Monroeville.
Mr. Smith was a native of Bratt, a former resident of Davisville and a resident of Monroeville for the past four years. He was a member of Iron Workers Local #798 for 60 years and he attended the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Velma Jean Powell Smith.
Survivors include his son, Doug (Johnnie) Smith of Mexia, AL; one daughter, Gayle (Paul) Godwin of Bratt; three grandchildren, Shawn (Sara) Smith, Chad Smith and Matthew Godwin; and two great-grandchildren, Miles Smith and Lexy Smith.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, July 25, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the Godwin Cemetery with the Rev. Gene Pickern officiating.
Visitation will be Tuesday, July 24, 2012, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Buddy Byrd, Billy Franklin, Thomas Qualls, Jack Odom, Lynn Powell and Justin Sawyer.
Honorary pallbearers will be Iron Workers.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Pine Forest’s Brown Sets School Pole Vault Record
July 23, 2012
A Pine Forest High School senior set a new school pole volt record Saturday during a street competition in Mobile.
Kelly Brown set the record of 13.9 feet during the 1st Annual Dauphin St. Street Vault event.
“I am happy to be doing so well and would like to eventually surpass 15 feet before the end of this school year,’ said Brown, who hopes to earn a track scholarship to the University of South Alabama.
Over 70 athletes took part in Saturday’s pole vault event in downtown Mobile in front of a crowd of several hundred people.
Pictured top: Pine Forest’s Kelly Brown prepares for a pole vault jump Saturday during a pole vault event on Dauphin Street in Mobile. Pictured inset: Brown’s winning vault. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Deputy Shooting Suspect Arrested
July 23, 2012
A man wanted in connection with the July 11 shooting of an Escambia County deputy was arrested Sunday.
Antonio Emmanuel Moorer, age 27 of Pensacola, was taken into custody by the Pensacola Police Department following a traffic stop at “J” and Brainerd streets. He is charged with attempted first degree murder, vehicle theft and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Deputy Ryan Robinson, 32, was shot as he worked in the Oakwood Terrace Apartments on Truman Avenue.
A shot was fired into Robinson’s stomach, but his bulletproof vest stopped the round. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was treated and released.
The incident happened about 10:45 p.m. July 11 as three members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Anti-Crime Unit, also known as TAC unit, were conducting “proactive police work” in the apartment complex. Deputy Robinson gave chase, and one of the men fired at him.
Deputies quickly surrounded one apartment and removed four people, one of which they believed to be the shooter. In the meantime, someone stole an unmarked TAC Unit vehicle that was found abandoned a short time later a few blocks away at the intersection of Coons and Norris avenues. A manhunt followed in the area for the suspect with numerous officers, K-9 units and the department’s helicopter.
The Sheriff’s Office said Moorer had fled the scene that night. But a warrant was issued for his arrest when the investigation concluded.
Pictured: The scene at the Oakwood Terrace Apartments on Truman Avenue off W Street after an officer was shot Wednesday night. Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mollie Ball Stanton Pilgrim
July 23, 2012
Mollie Ball Stanton Pilgrim, age 89, was a native of North Hampton, England, a former resident of Flomaton and Mobile, and relocated after the death of husband, W.L. Pilgrim, six years ago, to live next door to her daughter in Jay. She departed this earth on Sunday, July 22, 2012, to live eternally with her Lord and Savior.
In heaven she will enjoy the company of the love of her life her, deceased husband, Henry Stanton and beloved daughter, Jackie Presley as well as many other friends and relatives.
Mollie is survived by her daughter, Janice (Sam) Davis and her son David Stanton; grandchildren Cindy (Kerry) Wallace, Tammie (Danny) Free, Teresa (Alan) Carnrike, W. H. “Billy” (Pam) Moye, Lauren Stanton and David Stanton, Jr.; and eight great-grandchildren who adored listening to Gran Mollie’s stories of life during the wartime in England.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, from noon until 2 p.m. followed by the funeral at 2 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers will be David Stanton, Jr., Billy Moye, Henry “Jerry” Cassady, Jackson Free, Danny Free, Dillion Lambert and Dr. C. David Smith.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Ashley Diamond Burkett for all the love, pampering and care given to Gran-Gran this past year. We would also like to thank the staff at Jay Hospital along with Dr. Lance Raney and Dr. Jeffrey Kelley for their superb care. We would like to extend a very special thank you to Dr. C. David Smith for all the extra special love and medical care the past few years. Mrs. Mollie truly felt blessed to have him as her physician and friend.
No Injuries In Herbicide Semi Truck Rollover
July 23, 2012
There were no injuries when an 18-wheeler hauling dry herbicide rolled over on I-10 near Scenic Highway about 1:30 a.m. Monday.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 31-year old Robert Maurice Kline of Ponchatoula, LA, was eastbound on I-10 when be began to fall asleep and lost control of the 2012 Peterbuilt semi. He veered onto the shoulder where the vehicle overturned.
Kline was not injured. He was citied for careless driving by the FHP.
An Escambia County Fire Rescue Hazmat team was called to the scene as a precaution.
Pictured above and below: There were no injuries when an 18-wheeler hauling dry herbicide rolled over on I-10 near Scenic Highway early Monday morning. Photos by Kevin Winingar for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Shut Out BayBears 1-0 To Take Series
July 23, 2012
Five Blue Wahoos pitchers combined to bewilder BayBears batters to just two hits, while right fielder Josh Fellhauer drove home shortstop Billy Hamilton from first in the eighth for the game’s only tally of the contest as Pensacola shut out Mobile 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
The win improved the Fish’s second half record to 18-12 to guarantee at least a share of first place in the Southern League’s South Division with the Montgomery Biscuits. Mobile fell to 13-17 since the Southern League’s All-Star Break. The win gave the Blue Wahoos their ninth series victory in their last ten series dating back June 7-10 at Birmingham and their ninth shutout victory of the year.
Both teams were held scoreless until the eighth, when Pensacola plated the only score of the contest. Hamilton reached on an infield single, his third base knock of the contest, before coming around to score from first on Fellhauer’s double down the right field line.
After yielding just three hits last night, the Fish held BayBears batters to just two base hits in the series finale. Pensacola starter Wirfin Obispo (5.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 SO) allowed just three base runners, including only one hit while striking out six in his scoreless five frames in his second start of the year.
Blue Wahoos relievers Wilkin De La Rosa (0.1 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO), Drew Hayes (0.2 IP, 2 SO), Brian Pearl (1.0 IP, 1 H) and Curtis Partch followed Obispo by combining for the final scoreless innings. Pearl earned the victory to bump his record to 1-1 this year, while Partch notched his sixth save in as many opportunities by tossing the last two frames.
BayBears starter Derek Eitel (6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 SO) also did not factor in the decision after giving up five hits in his six scoreless frames, while LHP Eury De La Rosa (2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 3-2 after allowing the game’s only run.
Mobile’s biggest threats to score came in the first and sixth frames, when the BayBears stranded a runner at third. CF Evan Fry led off with a walk and moved to third on a groundout, before RF Alfredo Marte was retired to end the frame. Fry again walked in the sixth and stole both second and third, but Hayes came on and struck out the next two hitters to end the potential peril.
Hamilton (3-4, 1 R, 1 2B) recorded a game-high three hits in the victory, while CF Ryan LaMarre (2-4) and 2B Brodie Greene (2-4) also collected multi-hit efforts in the win. Hamilton has now reached base in all 11 of his contests with Pensacola, tallying hits in all but two of those games, while Greene finished the four-game series with a .500 average (8-16) versus Mobile.
Following an off day Monday, the Blue Wahoos will return to action on Tuesday night to begin a five-game series with the Huntsville Stars, the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the bayfront stadium, with both teams’ starters not yet announced for the series opener.
Fans attending Tuesday night’s contest are asked to wear red to the ballpark in honor of Pensacola’s affiliation with the Cincinnati Reds. Several Reds top front office members are also expected to be attendance, including General Manager Walt Jocketty, while the Blue Wahoos will be wearing authentic Reds uniforms.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Wirfin Obispo fanned six and allowed just one hit in his five solid frames Sunday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged In Nightclub Stabbings
July 22, 2012
A Cantonment man has been charged with stabbing multiple people at a nightclub back in May.
Samuel Ransome Pert III, 26, was arrested on an outstanding aggravated battery warrant. He was held in the Escambia County Jail early Sunday without bond.
Deputies said he allegedly cut two people during a scuffle back on May 30 at the Live Night Club on Pensacola Boulevard at Nine Mile road. Only one of the people stabbed decided to press charges.