Charges Dropped Against Century Men For Stealing, Selling Classic Cars As Scrap
July 22, 2012
Charges have been dropped against two Century men accused of stealing a 1961 Ford truck and a 1964 Ford Mustang from a home in Bratt and selling them as scrap.
In November 2011, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office charged Jessie James Tedder and Brandon Lee Lambeth, both of Century, with felony grand theft of a motor vehicle. The victim reported that he planned to restore the two classic vehicles that were in a state of disrepair when they were taken from a home in the 3600 block of West Highway 4. The victim told deputies that he found the remnants of the vehicles at Advanced Auto Recycling in Escambia County, Ala.
Featured Recipe: Easy, Zesty Chicken Nuggets The Family Will Love
July 22, 2012
The humble chicken nugget isn’t just for kids anymore. And there’s no more frozen with this zesty homemade version.
Featuring six different seasoning blends plus Italian bread crumbs, these bite-sized delights are packed with flavor. Frying them fresh means they’ll be extra crunchy – perfect for dipping in a favorite sauce like barbecue or honey mustard. But be careful – they’re addictive.
For a printable pdf of today’s featured recipe, click the image below.
Molino Resident Named Florida’s Social Worker Of The Year
July 22, 2012
A Molino resident has been named the Florida Social Worker of the Year.
Rikki Vidak received the award from the Association of Social Workers, Florida Chapter after she was first named the Social Worker of the Year for the Northwest Unit. She will now be in the running for the national Social Worker of the Year award.
Vidak is a behavioral science coordinator for the Family Residency Program at the Navy Hospital in Pensacola where she has faithfully served Pensacola’s military and their families for decades.
She is also the unit chair for the Northwest Unit of the NASW-FL, and has been a strong leader building community among social workers in Northwest Florida. She was selected as Social Worker of the Year because of her leadership, her service to the community, and her outstanding professionalism, according to the group.
Escambia Recognized As Florida Healthy School District
July 22, 2012
The Escambia County School District has been designated as a Florida Healthy School District.
The Coordinated School Health Partnership and the Florida Action for Healthy Kids (FLAFHK) recently announced the winners of the 2012 Florida Healthy School Districts. The Escambia County School District was selected as a Silver Level Award Winner. Recognition is determined by submission of the Florida Healthy School District Self-Assessment.
“Both educators and parents recognize the significance of a fit and healthy lifestyle. Escambia schools are working to ensure that our students know the benefit of living and eating well,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Hardball Politics And Wawa
July 22, 2012
Tallahassee saunters through humidity and swarms of mosquitoes, campaign action is picking up in legislative races across the state, and redistricting and the exodus of longtime lawmakers have helped create a collection of marquee election battles.
The campaigns took a nasty turn this week when a mail piece attacked the personal life of former Senate President Tom Lee, who is running against Rep. Rachel Burgin for a Hillsborough County Senate seat. The mail piece also highlighted the prevalence this year of shadowy political committees that are collecting large amounts of money to try to influence legislative races — often by tearing down candidates.
Gov. Rick Scott isn’t on the ballot this year, but even he isn’t seen much in Tallahassee these days. Scott spent part of the week touting more jobs coming to Florida, though two new reports showed that the employment picture remains murky.
READY TO RUMBLE
Politics, as the old cliché goes, ain’t beanbag. But the mail piece this week attacking Lee even drew a public rebuke from state Republican Chairman Lenny Curry.
The mailer, in big letters, said “Character Matters” and lumped Lee with Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Rob Turner, who has been embroiled in controversy recently about sending pornographic emails. The intent of the mailer clearly was to cast doubt about Lee among Republican voters in the largely conservative District 24, as the Aug. 14 primary against Burgin approaches.
A group called The American People Committee, Inc., was behind the mailer, which asserted past marital infidelity by Lee. The committee is chaired by lobbyist Keyna Cory, whose lobbyist husband, Jack, backs Burgin.
Lee, who is seeking to return to the Legislature after six years on the sidelines, blasted the mailer.
“This is a full-contact sport — I get that,” he told The Tampa Tribune. “But it shouldn’t touch your family.”
Republican Senate leaders, meanwhile, continued rallying around Lee’s campaign, with Sens. John Thrasher of St. Augustine and Joe Negron of Stuart publicly backing him. Burgin said she wasn’t surprised and contended that Republican leaders have targeted her because they don’t agree with her conservative agenda.
“It is unprecedented,” the Riverview Republican said. “But I’m not overly surprised to see that the Tallahassee insiders are trying to circle the wagons.”
The Lee-Burgin contest is on a short list of the most closely watched legislative races. New campaign-finance reports offer a good guide to those fights, which in the Senate also include a Jacksonville-area race between Rep. Mike Weinstein and former Rep. Aaron Bean; a Daytona Beach-area race between Rep. Dorothy Hukill and Volusia County Chairman Frank Bruno; a St. Petersburg-area race between Reps. Jeff Brandes and Jim Frishe; and a South Florida race between Sens. Ellyn Bogdanoff and Maria Sachs.
But as in the Lee-Burgin race, the candidates’ campaign-contribution reports likely only tell a piece of the story. Obscure political committees — often with upbeat names such as Teachers United for Better Schools and Florida Freedom Council — have been busy collecting and parceling out money to try to influence races.
SCOTT GOES WAWA FOR JOBS
Scott continued his quest to attract jobs, including making an appearance Wednesday at the opening of Florida’s first Wawa convenience store in Orlando. Wawa, which operates in five other states, plans to open 100 Florida stores and employ 35 people in each.
“Today’s grand opening is evidence that more companies want to grow and expand here in Florida because of all we are doing to make our state the best place for business,” Scott said in a news release.
Scott also announced Digital Risk, a company that provides mortgage-related services, will expand in Florida, The expansion is expected to total 1,000 jobs, with 150 added in Boca Raton by early September.
But a state report came out Friday that showed only modest jobs improvement in June. That report showed the state’s jobless rate unchanged from 8.6 percent in May — though it was 2.1 percentage points lower than in June 2011.
Earlier in the week, state economists released another report crediting much of the recent drop in the state’s unemployment rate to a shrinking labor pool and not to more people finding work. Nevertheless, Scott remained positive after Friday’s report.
“As companies are choosing to grow and expand in our state, we are continuing to see Florida experience a positive economic recovery,” the governor said in a statement. “Floridians have more and more opportunities to get back to work, and last month, 9,000 Floridians were able to get a job and provide for their families.”
PRIVATIZATION PLAN GETS NEW LIFE
Barring a successful legal challenge, two firms — Corizon and Wexford Health Sources — likely will be looking to add employees in Florida during the coming months.
The only catch: The Department of Corrections will be shedding many of those same employees.
DOC this week decided to move forward with a controversial plan to privatize prison health services across the state, with Corizon and Wexford getting the contracts. The decision came after Leon County Circuit Judge Kevin Carroll declined to rule in a challenge filed by the Florida Nurses Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
The groups’ lawsuit centered on the fact that lawmakers last year used budget fine print, known as proviso language, to call for prison health privatization. The lawsuit contended that making the change in proviso language was unconstitutional, but Carroll did not rule on the question because the language expired with the June 30 end of the fiscal year.
State lawyers have long contended DOC has the legal authority to do such a privatization, regardless of the proviso language. In announcing Tuesday that the agency would move forward, Secretary Ken Tucker said the move would save money and was “best for the taxpayers.”
But the announcement could spur further legal wrangling.
“It doesn’t shock me,” said Don Slesnick, an attorney for the nurses association. “It disappoints me that the state is that devious and the DOC is being that anti-employee.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: The Department of Corrections decided to move forward with privatizing prison health services.
“My worst nightmare is we get close to a presidential election, and someone challenges maybe 100,000 possible non-citizens at the polls on Election Day. If that happens, we won’t get our results for weeks.” — Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall, expressing caution about trying to purge ineligible voters, even after the state received approval to use a U.S. Department of Homeland Security database.
Two Arrested In Pensacola Drive-by Shootings
July 22, 2012
Two Pensacola men were arrested Saturday in connection with drive-by shootings last week in Pensacola, and police say more arrests may be forthcoming.
William Johnson Jr., 23 of Pensacola, was charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Aaron Kaleb Allen, 18 of Pensacola, was charged with attempted murder and accessory after the fact.
Both were charged in connection with a shooting that occurred around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday at the corner of Sixth Avenue and DeSoto Street. A 15-year-old Pensacola male told police he and a 14-year-old male friend were standing at the corner of Sixth Avenue and DeSoto Street when a four door red or maroon car pulled up to them. He said the driver’s side rear passenger showed a handgun out the window and fired a single shot. The vehicle then left the area.
Police found the victim outside a house in the 900 block of North Sixth Avenue. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment after he was shot in the thigh.
“These investigations have involved officers from all divisions within our department,” said Pensacola Police Chief Chip W. Simmons. “They have spent many hours trying to identify and find the suspects, and I am proud of their efforts.
The investigation also determined Allen and Johnson were involved with an incident that occurred just before midnight Tuesday in the 600 block of East Strong Street. Police responded to the area after a woman called 911 and said a four-door maroon car had just stopped in front of her father’s house and that someone had fired several shots at the house. No one inside the residence was injured.
Also, officers also were dispatched to the same home about 12:48 a.m. Thursday after a 55-year-old woman called police and said she was sleeping when she was awakened by the sound of gunfire. The woman told police she jumped out of bed, but did not see who had fired the three shots into the residence. No one was injured.
Motives for the shootings remain under investigation.
Anyone with information on the shootings is asked to call the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Blue Wahoos Beat BayBears
July 22, 2012
Blue Wahoos center fielder Ryan LaMarre collected two-hits, including a solo homer in the fourth inning, while the bullpen trio of Drew Hayes, Josh Ravin and Justin Freeman combined for four hitless frames as Pensacola bested the Mobile BayBears 4-2 on Saturday night at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
With the victory, Pensacola improved to a 17-12 mark to guarantee at least a share of first place with Montgomery in the South Division’s second half standings. Mobile fell to a 13-16 record since the league’s All-Star Break with the loss. Once again, several busloads of Blue Wahoos fans were on hand, as the team offered a free trip with tickets to the contest for season-ticket holders.
The BayBears were held to just three hits in the contest, with starter J.C. Sulbaran (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO) giving up all three, in addition to two earned runs as he received a no-decision. The reliever triumvirate of Hayes (1.0 IP, 1 SO), Ravin (1.1 IP, 2 BB, 2 SO) and Freeman (1.2 IP, 1 SO) supported Sulbaran by shutting down the BayBears bats, totaling just two walks in their four hitless frames. Hayes earned the win, while Ravin was handed his first hold and Freeman notched his tenth save.
Mobile took an early 2-0 lead in the third thanks to the longball. After BayBears starting pitcher David Holmberg singled with two outs to extend the frame, 2B David Nick made the Wahoos pay with his two-run blast to left. It was the fourth roundtripper of the year for the infielder.
The Blue Wahoos however, would answer with single tallies in the fourth and fifth frames to even the contest at 2-2. LaMarre led off the fourth inning with his third big fly of the year to left, while RF Andrew Means reached on a fielder’s choice before scoring on Pensacola starter Sulbaran’s RBI triple to left-center.
The Fish would then take their first and only lead in the seventh. 2B Brodie Greene led off with a base knock and 1B Donald Lutz doubled prior to Barnhart’s RBI groundout, which plated Greene. Lutz subsequently scored on pinch hitter Billy Hamilton’s infield single to increase the margin to two.
LaMarre (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) and Greene (2-4, 1 R) both recorded a pair of base knocks in the game, while no BayBears batters tallied two hits or more in the contest.
Holmberg (8.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 SO) fired eight inning for Mobile and suffered the loss after yielding four earned runs on ten hits to fall to 2-3, while relief pitcher Bryan Woodall (1.0 IP, 2 SO) tossed a scoreless final frame and tallied two punchouts.
With Pensacola leading the series 2-1, the two teams will square off Sunday afternoon in the series finale, with first pitch scheduled for 2:05 p.m. in Mobile. The Blue Wahoos are expected to send RHP Wirfin Obispo to the hill, while the BayBears are expected to counter with RHP Derek Eitel.
By Andrew Green
Photo by Chris Nelson for NOrthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cruisers Unlimited Shows Off, Grills Out For Ronald McDonald House
July 22, 2012
The Cruisers Unlimited car and truck club of Atmore recently provided a grilled dinner for the family staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Pensacola. The group also had a few of their classic vehicles on hand for small car show for the residents.
The local Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home for family members of children who travel from their homes to receive medical treatment in Pensacola.
Each of the 26 rooms at the Ronald McDonald House has been full for most every night for the past two weeks, leaving the RMH in need of items that are used on a daily basis. Some of the items on the RMH wish list include:
- Paper plates, napkins and plastic utensils
- Large boxes of cereals
- travel/trial size deodorants
- 13-gallon trash bags
- kitchen and bathroom sponges
- brownie mix
- one and two gallon zip top bags
- ranch dressing
- breakfast bars
- 8.5 x 11 copy paper
- dryer sheets
- stamps
The Ronald McDonald House is located at 5200 Bayou Boulevard in Pensacola. For more information, contact (850) 477-2273.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Man Involved In Train, Vehicle Crash In Okaloosa County
July 21, 2012
A train driven by a Jay man hit a vehicle on the tracks late Friday night in Okaloosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol says John C. French of Holt was traveling east on Highway 90 when he attempted to turn north onto Galliver Cutoff. He was traveling too fast for the wet roadway and slid past the intersection and onto nearby train tracks. He was unable to move the vehicle off the tracks and exited the car.
A short time later, French’s 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier was struck by an eastbound train driven by Jack A. Gavin, 44, of Jay. The impact pushed the car 66 feet.
Neither man was injured in the crash.
French was charged with speed too fast for conditions and failure to register the vehicle.
Man Accused Of Indecent Exposure, Leading Police On Chase
July 21, 2012
A Cantonment man is accused of exposing himself to women in Pensacola Friday night before leading police on a chase that ended with a police dog finding him under a house.
Jim Beam Collins, 36, alleged exposed himself from his pickup to pedestrians attending the Gallery Night in downtown Pensacola. Pensacola Police Department officers spotted him a short time later. When he saw the police officers, Collins allegedly almost hit an officer as he sped away. He was chased by Pensacola Police before he ran from his pickup at Belmont and Tarragona streets.
He ran under a house that was quickly surrounded. A police dog was sent under the house, and Collins was reportedly bit. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment before being booked into the Escambia Count Jail on charges that included indecent exposure, fleeing and eluding, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. He remained in jail Saturday morning with bond set at $20,500.
According to Escambia County Clerk of the Court records, Collins was convicted of indecent exposure once in 2008 and twice in 2010.