Preliminary Investigation Determines Man Shot Himself After Shooting Alabama Sheriff
September 8, 2012
An initial investigation by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation has confirmed that a Flomaton man took his own life after shooting Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff Grover Smith Friday morning in Flomaton.
Deputies first arrived at the Arrington Lane home of 59-year old James Arrington Jr. about 8:30 a.m. Friday. The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office was joined by a tactical response team from the Brewton Police Department in an attempt to serve a mental health commitment order to pick up Arrington and transport him to a mental health facility.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
An Escambia County (Fla.) EMS unit was on standby at the nearby Arrington Auto Parts Store, owned by a relative of the suspect. Deputies were prepared for the possibility of violence; Arrington had a historyof previous run-ins with law enforcement, including an incident involving a meat cleaver. Arrington, a Vietnam veteran, had a history a mental health issues, according to family friends.
Arrington became uncooperative with authorities and barricaded himself alone inside his residence.
About 10:30 a.m., the Brewton tactical team and Smith entered the home. Arrington fired one round at Smith, striking him in the right forearm. Arrington then turned the gun on himself. He was pronounced dead at 10:39 a.m.
No officer fired a weapon during the incident.
Smith was transported in good condition by the waiting Escambia County (Fla.) EMS unit to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton and later to a Pensacola hospital for surgery. His injuries were not life-threatening.
Because an officer was shot, the investigation was turned over to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. The ABI’s final report and any findings will be presented to the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney for review. Officials said that report may not be complete for several weeks.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: Investigators remained on scene for hours after the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff was shot Friday morning at this home in Flomaton. Pictured top inset: Sheriff Grover Smith. Pictured bottom inset: The shooting scene. Pictured below: An Escambia County (Fla.) EMS unit arrives at the scene Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Armed Bandits Hit Three Auto Parts Stores Friday Night
September 8, 2012
Armed robbers hit three different auto parts stores Friday night in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
An 7:43 p.m., an armed bandit held up the Advance Auto Parts on Mobile Highway. Moments later, an armed robbery was reported at 8:08 p.m. at the O’Riley Auto Parts store on Pace Boulevard.
Less than two hours later, an armed robbery was reported at an Advance Auto Parts store in Navarre.
There was no immediate word any arrest, and it was not known if the robberies were related. The incidents are under investigation by the Escambia and Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Offices.
Man Hospitalized After ‘Fun’ Jump From Bob Sikes Bridge
September 8, 2012
A man was hospitalized Friday afternoon after jumping from the Bob Sikes Bridge on Pensacola Beach.
Witnesses told deputies that the man and his friend thought it would be fun to jump from the hump on the Bob Sikes Bridge. One of the two men jumped, landing face first in the water and remaining that way until a nearby boat arrived and pulled him from the water about 1:15 p.m.
The victim was brought to shore and then taken to a local hospital. His condition is not known at this time.
The man’s name has not been released.
Isaac Causes $13 Million In Damage To Escambia County Beaches
September 8, 2012
Escambia County leaders say Hurricane Issac left behind $13 million in damage to Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key.
Of that, about $10 million is eligible for reimbursement from FEMA.
A preliminary damage assessment found Pensacola Beach lost 250,000 cubic yards of sand, which will cost about $8 million to fix. Perdido Key lost 180,000 cubic yards and had up to $6.3 million in damage.
About half the damage to Perdido Key is not eligible for reimbursement because FEMA only recoups damage to engineered beaches. Escambia County authorities are confident the state will qualify for FEMA reimbursement.
Pictured: Damage along SR 399 between Pensacola Beach and Navarre. Photo by Anthony Pura, WEAR for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Prison Health Privatization Could Start January 1st
September 8, 2012
After months of legal battles, a state budget panel next week could clear the way for the Department of Corrections to contract with two companies to provide health services in Florida’s prisons.
Next week, the Legislative Budget Commission will consider a department request to transfer money within the budget so the privatization can occur. The department plans to contract with Wexford Health Sources to provide health services at prisons in South Florida and with Corizon to do the work in the rest of the state. Information included in the LBC’s agenda indicates the privatization would take effect January 1.
Lawmakers directed the department last year to privatize inmate health care. But a legal challenge by the Florida Nurses Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees tied up the issue.
The challenge centered on a legislative decision to include the change in budget fine print, known as “proviso” language, instead of approving it in a regular bill.
A Leon County circuit judge did not rule on the challenge because the proviso language expired with the June 30 end of the 2011-12 fiscal year. Even without the proviso language, the department argues it can continue with the effort to privatize health services under already-existing state law.
By The News Service of Florida
Pictured: The Medical Unit at Century Correctional Institution. NorthEcambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Comes Up Short To Marianna, 48-42 (With Gallery)
September 8, 2012
The 1A Northview Chiefs held a 42-26 lead over the 4A Marianna Bulldogs Friday night in Bratt, but the Chiefs just could not hold on, losing 48-42 on an overtime forth down with a fumbled ball just inches from the goal line.
“At that point, you really clamp down; you put the vise on them defensively, and we were unable to do that,” head coach Wheatley said about the 42-26 lead. “It was just a matter of taking momentum away from them…which we did with the score, but they immediately got it back and kept believing ‘hey, we are in this thing’. And sure enough, they were.”
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band, cheerleader, mini cheerleader and dance team photos will be published on Sunday.)
The Chiefs, ranked number two in Florida’s Class 1A headed into Friday night’s game, took an early 8-0 lead with 10:07 to go in the first quarter. A LaMikal Banks interceptions set up a six yard touchdown run from senior Roderick Woods, LaMikal Kyles was in on the two point conversion.
The Bulldogs scored to make it 8-7, then Northview answered with a pass deep into the end zone from backup quarterback Daulton Tullis to junior Dalton Daniel, 15-0. Tullis was in at QB Friday night for starting quarterback Kevin Vaughan who is suffering from a wrist injury. Vaughan still stepped up for the Chiefs as kicker.
After the Bulldogs scored to trail 15-13, Neino Robinson returned a Marianna punt 75 yards for a touchdown, 22-13. A Brannon Freeman TD upped Northview’s lead to 28-13. Marianna scored a couple of times, 28-26.
Woods scored again for the Chiefs, 35-26, while a Jaron Myles touchdown made it 42-26.
But the Bulldogs bit back, eventually evening the game up at 42-42 to force overtime.
Marianna was up first in OT, adding a touchdown suffering a block kick, 48-42.
On Northview’s first down of overtime, Kyles drove to the five. On second down Kyles pushed to the one yard line. On third down of overtime, Woods was stopped shot inside the one. And on the fourth, and final down of overtime, the Chiefs fumbled the ball away for a 48-46 Marianna. win.
“At times, I thought we played with energy. We had a couple of big plays,” Wheatley said after the loss. “We’ve got to get better fundamentally. We had way to many missed tackles tonight. And we are going preach about finishing football games because we were unable to close it out tonight, and it cost us a win.”
Next Friday night Northview will host Chipley in a rematch of last year’s state semifinal game. The Chiefs were eliminated just shy of a trip to the state championship with a 25-21 loss.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band, cheerleader, mini cheerleader and dance team photos will be published on Sunday.)
Pictured top: Northview head coach Sid Wheatley expresses his disappointment in a team huddle following the Chiefs loss to Marianna Friday night. Pictured top inset: LaMikal Kyles picks up yardage for the Chiefs. Pictured bottom inset: Northview’s Neino Robinson on a 75-yard punt return. Pictured below: A Marianna Bulldog heads over a pile short of a touchdown. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fort Walton Downs Tate 27-7
September 8, 2012
The Tate Aggies list to Fort Walton 27-7 Friday night in Cantonment’s Pete Gindl Stadium. It was a delayed season opener and coaching debut for Brad Naggatz after last week’s Tate road trip to Louisiana was spoiled by Hurricane Isaac.
The Aggies’ lone touchdown came with 2:39 to go in the game on a 9-yard run by Lorenzo Long.
A minor foot injury sidelined Tate starting quarterback David Moorhead in the first half, with junior Brian Davis stepping in to the QB spot
Next week, the Tate Aggies will be at home against West Florida High School.
Holmes County Shuts Down Jay’s Royals 52-14
September 8, 2012
The Holmes County Blue Devils handily defeated the Jay Royals Friday night in Bonifay, 52-14.
The Blue Devils held a commanding 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. In the second, Ricky Cofield, who a had 163 yards on 23, put the Royals on the board with a 77-yard touchdown run.
By the half, Holmes County was up 45-6.
In the third, the Jay Royals scored on a 12-yard quarterback keeper from Tate Upton.
The Jay Royals (1-1) will be at home next Friday night against Sneads.
Pictured: The Jay Royals at Holmes County in Bonifay Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Michelle Gibbs, click to enlarge.
+Prep Football Finals
September 8, 2012
Here are football scores from across the area from Friday night:
- Marianna 48 Northview 42 OT [Read more...]
- Ft Walton 27 Tate 7 [Read more...]
- Holmes 52 Jay 14 [Read more...]
- West Florida 39 Washington 0
- PHS 25 Navarre 24
- Crestview 35 Escambia 7
- Pace 28 Niceville 17
- Pine Forest 72 Arlington Co 0
- Freeport 41 South Walton 7
- Washington 37 Flomaton 20
- Monroe Academy 38 Escambia Academy 0
- Staughn 36 W.S. Neal 30
- TR Miller 21 Opp 7
- Clarke County Escambia County 0
James Devoter Arrington
September 8, 2012
Mr. James Devoter Arrington, Jr., age 60 of Flomaton, passed away at his home on Friday, September 7, 2012.
Mr. Arrington was a native of Century, but was a lifetime resident of Flomaton where he was a member of the 1970 graduating class of Flomaton High School, the football team and a member of Flomaton First Baptist Church. Mr. Arrington was a veteran of the United States Army having been stationed in Germany and serving there during the Vietnam War. Mr. Arrington loved to garden.
He is survived by his parents, James and Margaret Stallworth Arrington, Sr. of Flomaton; brother, William (Irma) Arrington of Flomaton; sister, Gail (Keith) Stokes of Pensacola; three nieces, four great nieces and one great nephew; aunts, uncles and cousins.
Graveside services will be held for Mr. Arrington on Sunday, September 9, 2012, at 3 p.m. at Flomaton Cemetery with Rev. Freddy Stallworth officiating.