‘Gun Response Team’ Investigating Pensacola Drive-By Shooting
August 8, 2012
The new Gun Response Unit — a multi-agency law enforcement team — is investigating a drive-by shooting Tuesday afternoon in Pensacola.
The incident occurred about 3:30 p.m. with multiple shots fired at a home in the 2400 block of West Jackson Street.
Pensacola Police Department Capt. David Alexander said multiple people were inside and outside the residence when shots were fired from a Dodge Durango that was last seen headed northbound on S Street.
Witnesses initially told police four black males with their faces covered were inside the vehicle when it pulled up to the house. Alexander said detectives believe more than one person fired the shots.
An exact number of people inside and outside the house at the time of the shooting was not available. There were no injuries.
The Gun Response Team is being utilized in the investigation of this incident. The team was first announced Monday as a join operation of theEscambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office. Also assisting in the venture will be the Florida Department of Probation and Parole, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the U.S. Marshal’s and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Authorities Searching For Missing Woman
August 8, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in locating a missing adult.
Update: The Sheriff’s Office reported Thursday morning that the missing adult has been found.
Garcia L. Regas was last seen about 7:30 p.m. Monday in the 3100 block of Flintlock Drive. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Garcia Regas you are asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Century Road Closure Today
August 8, 2012
Hecker Road at the intersection of Lodge and Alger roads in Century will be closed today for resurfacing.
Motorists can use Front Street as a detour route.
Flomaton Police Chief Target Of Criminal Investigation, Resigns
August 8, 2012
Flomaton Police Chief Daniel Thompson is under criminal investigation and has resigned. Over the past three years, Flomaton has been unable to keep a police chief more than a few months…with Thompson the second chief to be the target of a state law enforcement agency.
Thompson submitted a letter of resignation Monday, citing “personal reasons”, according to Flomaton Mayor Dewey Bondurant.
On Tuesday, the top investigative law enforcement agency in Alabama announced that they are investigating Thompson.
“At the request of the Escambia County District Attorney, Stephen M. Billy, the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) is conducting a criminal investigation involving Flomaton Police Chief Daniel Thompson. Upon completion, the findings of the ABI’s investigation will be turned over to District Attorney Billy,” said Sgt. Steve Jarrett of the Alabama Department of Public Safety, the agency that includes the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. Details about the investigation have not been released.
The Flomaton Town Council held a special meeting Tuesday evening, quickly going into executive session and discussing Thompson behind closed doors as allowed under Alabama law when discussing the “good name and character” of an employee. About five minutes later, the council returned to session.
“I need a motion that we accept his resignation,” Bondurant said. The council unanimously approved a motion to accept the resignation. No interim chief was named.
Thompson was not present at Tuesday’s meeting, and attempts to contact him were unsuccessful.
Thompson was promoted to chief in early March after the Flomaton Town Council fired then chief Geoffery McGraw after his arrest. McGraw was in court Tuesday morning, accused of kidnapping for arresting a man across the state line in Florida. Read more…
McGraw, a former investigator for the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force, was named police chief in late January 2011. He replaced former chief Katarius Jenkins. Bondurant claimed that Jenkins quit, but Jenkins said Bondurant fired him in November 2010. Bondurant asked the town council to officially fire Jenkins, but the council would not do so.
Terri Tolbert resigned as Flomaton police chief in May 2010. She had been hired to replace Tim Hardage who was released during a six month probationary position. Hardage was hired in February 2009.
Mike Lambert had previously served as Flomaton’s chief before being hired as chief deputy for the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office, a position that he still holds.
Pictured top: The Flomaton Town Council voted Tuesday evening to accept the resignation of Police Chief Daniel Thompson, who is the subject of a state criminal investigation. Pictured inset: Residents discuss the resignation outside the town hall following a brief special council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt Soldier Returns Home After Tour Of Duty
August 8, 2012
A Bratt soldier was welcomed home Tuesday morning at the Pensacola International Airport after a year deployment to Iraq and Kuwait. SFC Chad Wiedel served the tour of duty with the Florida Army National Guard’s 1-111th Aviation Battalion of Jacksonville.
Wiedel was welcomed back from deployment by his wife Annie, daughters Joselynn and Rebecca, son Chris and other family members.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Homestead Exemption Fraud Costing Escambia $1 Million A Year
August 8, 2012
Escambia County is being robbed of up to $1 million annually by property owners committing homestead exemption fraud, Property Appraiser Chris Jones said Tuesday.
“Unfortunately some property owners claim exemptions to which they are not entitled,” Jones said. “These may include rental or vacation properties, second homes or other properties in which the owner does not reside.”
There are currently about 650 cases of homestead fraud per year in Escambia County, Jones said. Homestead fraud occurs when a person who is not a resident of Escambia County files for and is granted a homestead exemption; when that person is not in good faith residing on the property which has been granted the exemption; or is claiming a resident benefit in some other location while at the same time claiming an exemption on the property on which they filed. Homestead fraud is punishable by up to a year in jail, a fine of $5,000, or both.
“In the past the property appraiser’s office has recovered as much as $600,000 a year by being aggressive in pursuing homestead fraud.” Jones said, “Everyone should care about this because those fraudulently claiming a homestead exemption are essentially stealing from our law enforcement and our schools, and adversely impacting the quality of life of the majority of citizens who are following the law.”
Jones urges citizens who are aware of any homestead fraud to report it to his office.
“If you are aware of anyone who is claiming an exemption on property where they do not reside, which is rented, vacant or merely a vacation home, I would ask you to call our office,” he said.
Anyone contacting the property appraiser’s office to report potential fraud can be assured of confidentiality by either calling the Homestead Fraud Department at (850) 434-2735 or by filling out a form online at www.escpa.org.
“By helping to control homestead fraud the vast majority of citizens of Escambia County who abide by the law, can help ensure that we all receive the same homestead benefits afforded us under the law,” Jones said. “Homestead fraud is not a game or some clever way to gain an advantage. It’s illegal.”
Century Receives $155K Housing Grant, Applying For $650K More
August 8, 2012
Century has been awarded $155,000 in grant money to harden homes against hurricanes, and the town is about to start the applications process for $650,000 in grants to rehabilitate private homes in town.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management awarded Century $105,000 in Residential Construction Mitigation Program Funds. The Community Action Program Committee will provide an addition $50,000 in grant money, bring the total dollars for hurricane retrofits to $155,000.
In the coming weeks, the town will begin the process of apply for an additional $650,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to rehabilitate or replace homes that are currently occupied by persons of low or moderate income.
Work is wrapping up now in the Century on a $650,000 CDBG grant and a $100,000 hurricane retrofit grant that was awarded last year. About a dozen private homes were rehabilitated under the program. [Read more...]
Pictured: One of about dozen homes rehabilitated in Century last year using grant funds. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Freshmen Orientation Thursday
August 8, 2012
Tate High School will host their Freshmen Transition Program on Thursday.
Incoming freshmen are invited for a quick “camp” at Tate. They will have the opportunity to meet with club sponsors and coaches, and will have small groups sessions with Tate Leadership students to answer an questions the students may have.
With over 10 different buildings on a large campus to explore, the freshmen will go through a scavenger hunt and a campus tour.
At the end of the program, students will receive their schedules for the upcoming school year, and Leadership students will help them find their classes.
The program take place on Thursday from 8 a.m. until noon, beginning in the Fryman Gymnasium.
The first day of school is Monday, August 20.
Second Mother Also Gets 25 Years In Fire Deaths Of Three Children
August 8, 2012
The second twin sister from Atmore accused of murder after their three young children died home alone in a house fire last year is headed to prison.
Tekeevia Lajoseialan Abner has entered a plea of guilty to three counts of reckless murder and has been sentenced to 25 years on each count, to be served concurrently. Her sister, Akeevia Lajoseia Abner entered a plea of guilty last month and received the same sentence.
The sisters were charged in connection with the deaths of 3-year olds Aniyia Abner and Takia Abner, and 22-month old Michael Coleman in house fire last November on 1st Street in Atmore.
A State Fire Marshal’s investigation determined the fire was caused by an unattended stove. Authorities say the mothers had left the children home alone while they were elsewhere in the neighborhood.
“They showed an extreme indifference to these children’s lives and created a grave risk of death to the children by leaving them home alone on November 2, 2011,” the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney’s Office said in a prepared statement following the arrests.
Two of the children were found dead in a hallway while the third was found in a bedroom. And prosecutors said that a mattress was blocking the living room door.
Forensics evidence determined that three young children died from smoke inhalation, authorities said.
Pictured top: Three young children were killed in an Atmore house fire in November 2011. Pictured below: This photo shows the oven door propped open inside the kitchen of a home were three children died in a house fire. Pictured below: The scene of the fire the night of November 2, 2011. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Scott: Florida Ready To Help Panhandle If Need, The Assist Other States
August 8, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott on Monday said Florida is poised to help its Gulf state neighbors as Isaac appeared to spare much of the state from significant damage.
But the governor cautioned that the next 36 hours will be critical for residents of the far western Panhandle, who may face up to 18 inches of rain and tropical storm winds by sunrise Wednesday.
“Now our biggest concern is, especially, the western Panhandle where it appears they are going to get more rain; we can’t take much at all in the Panhandle because of (Tropical Storm) Debbie,” Scott said.
Reports coming in from South Florida and the Tampa Bay region were favorable, with no major damage or injuries reported so far. About 81,000 customers were without power in South Florida.
Shelters were closed Monday after housing 700 residents and visitors Sunday night in South Florida.
“We are very thankful for Florida that this storm is moving west but we are absolutely concerned about the citizens of Louisiana and the other states it could impact,” Scott told reporters Monday evening in Tallahassee.
Scott said he spoke to Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Monday, the last of four Gulf State governors Scott has been in contact with since preparations began.
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas have forged partnerships and mutual assistance compacts to pool resources. Louisiana officials called up 4,000 national guard troops to assist. Arkansas has called up 2,000 national guard troops.
“All of the southern states have a very good working relationship together,” Scott said. “We’ll all show up.”
Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Craig Fugate spent the day in Tallahassee and is now moving to Alabama to oversee response there. Earlier in the day, Fugate said the storm’s size made it more difficult to pinpoint efforts.
“This is not a New Orleans storm,” Fugate said. “This is a Gulf Coast storm…Everybody’s focusing on New Orleans and they don’t understand this threat is not a point. It’s a large area.”
Scott cancelled his plans for the Republican National Convention, which will be in full swing beginning Tuesday, a day later than scheduled in deference to Isaac. Initially scheduled to give an opening night speech on Monday, the governor has instead turned his attentions to monitoring the storm.
“My job is to make sure that the 19 million people who live in our state are safe along with all our visitors, including the delegates to the RNC,” Scott said. “Everybody here (is) focused on the safety of everybody in our state.”
By The News Service of Florida