NHS Grad Wilcoxon Promoted In U.S. Army
July 14, 2012
Casey B. Wilcoxon was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer 1 (WO1) at the US Army Warrant Officer Candidate School, Fort Rucker, AL, in a ceremony on July 12.
Wilcoxon, formerly a sergeant in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) at Fort Campbell, KY, has been in the Army for six years. He will move on to the US Army’s Warrant Officer Flight Training program, also at Fort Rucker, to receive instruction as a helicopter pilot.
He is a 2006 graduate of Northview High School. Wilcoxon and his wife, Kelley (also a 2006 Northview graduate) and daughter, Kali Grace, will reside at Fort Rucker until his training is completed.
Wilcoxon is the son of the late William Bradford Wilcoxon and Pamela Pritchett and step-son of Erbie Pritchett. His grandparents are James and Mildred Lambeth of Flomaton and the late John Wilcoxon and Grace Wilcoxon of Century.
Weekend Gardening: Spots On Your Crape Myrtle May Mean Disease
July 14, 2012
As the heat and humidity increase in Northwest Florida, expect to see some diseases appear in the landscape. One problem that is popping up on crape myrtles is Cercospora leaf spot. While not a deadly problem, it can greatly detract from the beauty of crape myrtles.
The initial symptom on crape myrtles is the appearance of tan to dark brown spots randomly scattered on yellow to red discolored leaves. The spots develop first on the lower leaves and progress upward in the canopy. Spots will continue to develop from mid-summer through fall. The color change is due to the production of a toxin by the fungal pathogen.
Infected leaves will drop prematurely and serve as a source to spread the pathogen causing further disease development. As the summer progresses, many infected trees will have dropped all but the newest leaves.
Older varieties of crape myrtles are more susceptible to this disease than newer varieties. The crape myrtle varieties most tolerant to Cercospora leaf spot are Natchez, Muskogee, Basham’s Party Pink, Sioux and Tonto.
Long term, this disease is not detrimental to a tree, although it will slow down growth on younger plants. Plants growing in conditions that are not ideal will be more affected by the leaf spot disease.
The best control is selecting a planting site with good air circulation so that the foliage will dry quickly. Thinning interior branches will also promote air flow.
The use of fungicides to control this disease has not been very effective because they would have to be applied repeatedly on a regular basis throughout the growing season. If used, fungicide applications should be started in early summer when the spots are first noticed and continued at one to two week intervals when the weather is warm and wet. Consult your local Extension office for fungicide recommendations.
As always, be sure to read and follow all label directions. Fungicides can be classified by how they work on the fungus or how they work on the plant. Products that work in a similar way on fungi have the same mode of action (also referred to as chemical family or class).
Contact fungicides are sprayed onto plants and act as a protective barrier from pathogen infection. They prevent infections from occurring when applied before symptoms are visible, but infections that have already occurred will continue to develop.
Systemic fungicides move into the plant, but movement inside the plant is limited. The vast majority of fungicides only move upward in the plant vasculature, but not down. Some fungicides only move locally into the plant part treated. Some systemic products exhibit curative action, which means the disease is stopped during its development. For managing fungicide resistance, products with different modes of action should be used in rotations.
Since this disease will result in early defoliation or the loss of leaves, it is critical to practice good sanitation. Raking and destroying fallen leaves should be a routine practice in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
For more information, contact Theresa Friday at (850) 623-3868 or email tlfriday@ufl.edu. Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Wahoos Sweep Twin Bill From Lookouts
July 14, 2012
The Blue Wahoos swept their double header against Chattanooga, taking the first game 2-1 thanks to a seven-inning complete game from starter Tony Cingrani, while a five-run third pushed Pensacola to a 6-1 win in the second contest over the Lookouts as they won their eighth straight series on Friday evening at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The twin bill sweep, combined with a Montgomery loss tonight, gives the Blue Wahoos a one game lead in the Southern League’s South Division with a 14-8 record in the second half. Chattanooga dropped to 12-10 since the league’s All-Star Break. With the 2-1 series victory over the Lookouts, the Fish have also won each of their last eight series dating back to June 4-7 at Birmingham, the longest such stretch in the Southern League this year.
Pensacola SS Billy Hamilton led off the first contest with a single and then stole second and third to tie for the tenth highest steal total in a single-season in Minor League Baseball history, before drawing a walk in the second game and later swiping second for his 108th stolen base of 2012.
Cingrani (7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) shut down the Chattanooga offense in game one, earning the win after yielding a lone unearned run on just four hits in his seven-inning complete game. It was the first complete game in Blue Wahoos history, as well as the first in the southpaw’s career. Chattanooga starting pitcher Aaron Miller (3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 4-6 on the year after allowing an earned run on four hits in his 3.1 innings pitched.
The Lookouts plated their lone tally against Cingrani in the fourth, when 3B C.F. Retherford doubled and then advanced to third on a ground out prior to taking home on a passed ball. It was the first run given up by Cingrani since June 22 at Chattanooga, ending a team-high stretch of 24.0 consecutive scoreless innings. The Blue Wahoos then scored their two runs in the first contest in the fourth. 3B David Vidal reached on a two-bagger to right and RF Andrew Means drew a free pass, before both were sent in on C Tucker Barnhart’s triple down the right field line.
Chattanooga struck first in the second game of the twin bill, with a tally in the opening frame thanks to a solo shot from CF Nick Buss. The roundtripper was the fifth of the year for the outfielder and first since June 8.
The Fish however, countered back with a five-spot in the third thanks to a pair of clutch extra-base hits. C Mark Fleury began the inning with a single prior to free passes drawn by RF Josh Fellhauer and CF Ryan LaMarre, which loaded the bases for 1B Bill Rhinehart. The first baseman drove the first pitch into deep right-center for a ground-rule double to plate Fleury and Fellhauer to push Pensacola ahead 2-1. After 2B Brodie Greene’s base-on-balls again got the bases full, LF Bryson Smith cleared the bases with a triple to right, making it 5-1.
Following Hamilton’s free pass and steal in the seventh, LaMarre would bring him home from third with a single to center to complete the scoring for the Fish at 6-1.
Pensacola starter Mark Serrano (5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO) earned the victory to improve to 6-1 after allowing the lone earned run on just four hits while striking out five, while relievers Wilkin De La Rosa (0.1 IP, 1 BB), Curtis Partch (1.0 IP, 1 SO) and Drew Hayes (0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) combined for the final two frames. Lookouts starter Chris Reed (2.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB) suffered the defeat after allowing five earned runs on three hits in 2.2 innings.
The Blue Wahoos now head back home to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium for a four-game set with the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, with first pitch of the series set for Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. RHP Kyle Lotzkar is expected to get the nod for the Fish, while the Suns’ starter has not yet been announced.
By Andrew Green.
Pictured: Tony Cingrani fired a 7-inning complete game in the 1st game of the twin bill Friday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: FAMU, Scandal, Voters And Drugs
July 14, 2012
Fireworks hit the capital city the week after the Fourth of July, with sparks flying over the resignation of a besieged university president, allegations of inappropriate behavior in the lieutenant governor’s office and a high-profile court case upholding a tough Florida drug law.
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle filed a flurry of financial disclosures, giving the public a good first look at campaign contributions following the redrawing of political boundaries.
Gov. Rick Scott spent the week at the Farnborough International Air Show in London, flying the Florida flag as he met with aviation executives and tourism officials as part of his continuing mission to attract businesses and tourists to the state and bring jobs, jobs, and jobs.
FAMU’S AMMONS LATEST TO GO DOWN FOLLOWING HAZING DEATH
Florida A&M University President James Ammons was the latest school official to pay a price for the November hazing death of “Marching 100″ drum major Robert Champion.
Ammons, who makes upwards of $325,000 a year, resigned mid-week amid continuing fallout from Champion’s death and a lingering list of other concerns at the historically black university ranging from poor student-retention rates and sexual abuse to budget deficits and accounting fraud.
Ammon’s resignation came a month after receiving a vote of no-confidence from the FAMU Board of Trustees and nearly eight months after Champion’s death. The resignation was tendered the same day Champion’s family filed a lawsuit in Orlando against FAMU and the company that operated the charter bus in which the hazing allegedly occurred.
Ammons said he would stay as president until Oct. 11 and remain on campus after that time as tenured professor. Trustees will meet Monday by telephone to discuss his resignation.
Champion died on a charter bus in November after the university’s renowned marching band performed at the annual Florida Classic football game in Orlando. Thirteen band members have been charged in Champion’s death. Of those, 11 face felony hazing charges and could face up to six years in prison. Two others were charged with misdemeanors.
While the hazing case has drawn national attention, some university-system officials have been as troubled by other issues, including allegations of fraud involving summaries of an audit that hadn’t actually been done and a sexual assault of a minor at FAMU’s research school.
“This is not about hazing, this is about leadership or lack of leadership at FAMU,” said Trustee Rufus Montgomery. “There have been over 30 serious issues over the past year that have come before this board ….This all came under the watch of the current president. For the last seven months we’ve danced around it week after week, problem after problem….”
LAWSUIT: CARROLL CAUGHT IN COMPROMISING POSITION:
Controversy swirled within Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll’s office this week as a former aide said she caught Carroll in “a compromising position” with another aide shortly before getting fired.
Former aide Carletha Cole, who faces criminal charges for sharing a recorded conversation of Carroll’s chief of staff with a reporter for The Florida Times-Union, made the accusations of sexual impropriety as part of her defense. The allegations were included in response to a request by prosecutors to seal some of the court documents in Cole’s upcoming trial.
The lieutenant governor has vehemently denied the accusations.
“Unfortunately, as an elected official character deformation that is totally fabricated can occur like this and there is not much I can do,” Carroll wrote in response to an email from Mary Jane and George Duryea of Lake Mary. “The media loves to put out sensational stories without doing due diligence to verify the authenticity.”
Cole’s motion portrays a dysfunctional office where Carroll’s aides frequently recorded conversations and the lieutenant governor pushed for a website where fans could follow her. It also says Steve MacNamara, former chief of staff for Gov. Rick Scott, viewed Carroll as a “loose cannon,” in the words of the filing.
But its most sensational anecdote concerns Cole inadvertently walking in on what she believed to be a sexual encounter between Carroll and a female employee.
“When she entered the office, she found the Lieutenant Governor and her Travel Aide, Beatriz Ramos, in what can only be described as a compromising position,” according to a motion filed by Cole’s lawyer.
Cole passed a polygraph late last year concerning her claim. Polygraphs are not admissible in court, but details of the test were included in the court file.
According a report from the polygraph expert, a retired FDLE chief polygraph examiner, Cole answered “yes” to questions about the incident, including “Did you ever observe Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll and … Ramos in a sexually compromising position in the Capitol?”
DRUG LAW UPHELD
The Florida Supreme Court ruled a state drug possession statute can force some defendants to prove their innocence, in one of the most closely watched drug cases decided in recent years.
In a 5-2 ruling, the court upheld a 2002 Florida law that says defendants busted with drugs are presumed to have known the substance they were holding was illegal. And if they claim they didn’t, the law requires them to prove that to a jury.
The provision puts Florida at odds with at least 48 other states that require prosecutors to convince a jury that defendants knew they were carrying illegal drugs.
Under the Florida law upheld Thursday, the state still must prove that defendants knew they were in possession of something. For example, if drugs are found in the trunk of a car, the state would have to prove the defendant knew that some substance was there.
The high court was asked to weigh in on the case after a state circuit judge in Manatee County last year threw out 46 drug possession cases, saying they conflicted with a recent federal court opinion that found the law unconstitutional. Lower federal court decisions aren’t binding on state courts, but some state judges have dismissed cases based on the federal ruling. That led to the Manatee case being sent directly to the state’s highest court.
STATE TO RELEASE VOTER LIST
State officials will release a list of 180,000 names at the center of a controversy over attempts to remove non-citizens from the voting rolls, after determining that the information is a public record, according to the Department of State.
The collection is essentially the master list that the Secretary of State’s office used to come up with a sampling of 2,700 names of suspected non-citizens that was then sent to county elections supervisors. Supervisors have since said that many of the names either belong to citizens or to people who can’t be contacted.
Some non-citizens have been removed from the rolls as part of the voter purge.
In late June, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle rebuffed a request by the U.S. Department of Justice to issue a restraining order blocking the state from continuing its purge efforts, but only after receiving assurance from the state that it was no longer actively pursuing the initiative.
At least two other lawsuits have been filed against the state, which is in turn suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to gain access to a federal database that officials say would make future efforts more accurate.
STORY OF THE WEEK: FAMU President James Ammons steps down.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “We’ve got the FAMU students on trial this fall in the Champion case, we have no band this fall, we’ve got a drop in enrollment coming, and I read the other day the Florida Senate’s (considering) investigating the school. I mean, come on, you all, we need to deal with this.” FAMU Trustee Rufus Montgomery expressing his frustration over the slow pace of reforms at the university.
Molino Man Shot After Driving Into Cantonment House
July 13, 2012
A Molino man was shot multiple times after driving his vehicle into a house in Cantonment Friday morning in what is being described as a domestic violence related incident.
The shooting happened in the 900 block of Jacks Branch Road just south of River Annex Road about 4:20 a.m.
John Alex Godwin, 34, crashed is his car into the home of 25-year old Heather McKamey of Cantonment. The car literally pushed in the front door, door frame and surrounding bricks.
Godwin was shot by 25-year old Andrew Lundy of Cantonment, said Deputy Matt Baxter, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, adding that Lundy will not face charges.
Godwin, who reportedly suffered multiple gunshot woulds to the chest, was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where he remained in critical condition Friday afternoon. Baxter said Godwin is expected to survive his wounds.
Charges are pending against Godwin, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Baxter described Godwin as McKamey’s ex-boyfriend.
A third person in the home, who has not been identified, had no part in the shooting, Baxter said. That person’s name has not been released.
Pictured: A man was shot early Friday morning after driving his car into this house in the 900 block of Jacks Branch Road in Cantonment. Deputies say the incident was a domestic violence incident. Photos by WEAR for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cancer Scam Woman Asks Judge To Let Her Out Of Jail
July 13, 2012
A Molino woman convicted of faking a cancer diagnosis has asked a judge to let her out of jail, but the judge said no.
In early May, Sonja Luker was sentenced by Judge Joel Boles to 364 days in jail to be followed by 18 months probation and 200 hours of community service.
Luker’s letter to Judge Boles asked that he consider letting her out of the Escambia County Jail due to the conditions at the jail, the fact that restitution and court costs in the case were paid, and the fact that she had never been in trouble before, Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said. The letter also raised health issues, her trouble-free record behind bars and pointed out that she is an inmate worker.
Marcille said Luker also asked that Boels sentence her to community control, plus any additional probation that the judge might desire, when letting her out from behind bars.
Boles denied Luker’s request on the same date it was filed.
Back in March, Sonja Luker pleaded no contest to a felony fraud charge; a previous grand theft charge against her was dropped in May 2011. Charges were dropped against her husband, Gerald “Chris” Luker after he made restitution to each identifiable victim and made a donation to the American Cancer Society.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, numerous fundraisers were held between May 2004 and October 2010 that raised over $19,000. Sheriff’s investigators found that about $14,000 was used in 2009 to avoid foreclosure on their home in the 4700 block of Pine Circle Drive and about $4,000 in cash was used by Chris Luker to purchase a 1997 Harley motorcycle, according to an arrest report.
Chris Luker provided the funds to make restitution to those that donated to the “Sonja Luker Kickin Cancer Fund” and checks were mailed to victims in February. Victims that made donations by check received the full amount of the original donation.
By tracing bank deposits, prosecutors found $8,506.81 in donations that were made in cash by unknown donors to Sonja Luker. Chris Luker agreed to make an equal donation of $8,506.81 to the American Cancer Society “with the intent of the original donors to support the cure for cancer”, according to a letter that known victims received from the State Attorney’s Office.
Under the plea agreement, Chris Luker will be unable to claim a tax deduction for his donation to the American Cancer Society. Clerk of the Court records do not indicate that Sonja Luker paid any restitution, just $518 in court costs.
Pictured inset: Sonja Luker’s mugshot after she was booked into the Escambia County Jail in May. Pictured top: Sonja and Chris Luker (in black shirts) are seen in a 2009 NorthEscambia.com photo from a motorcycle ride fundraiser that benefited her alleged fight against cancer. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
It’s Blue Angels Airshow Weekend At Pensacola Beach
July 13, 2012
It’s the big Red, White and Blues Week on Pensacola Beach, with the Blue Angels’ annual air show taking place this weekend.
On Friday, the show is a full dress rehearsal from 11:30 until 2 p.m.. The Blue Angels fly at 2 p.m. On Saturday, the Pensacola Beach Air Show begins at 11:30, with the Blue Angels scheduled to fly at 2 p.m.
In additiona to the Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet, aircraft scheduled to take part in the show include: a Grumman Widgeon G-44 flown by Julian MacQueen, Prometheus flown by Skip Stewart, Team RV, and a MX2 flown by Gary Ward. There will also be Marine C-130 standing in for the famous Fat Albert; Fat Albert is out for a paint job.
Red Star and the Dragon–Dragon Aviation; Fat Albert, a C-130 Hercules; and the Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornets.
Are you heading to the show? Send us your pictures! Email news@northescambia.com
Pictured top: Lt. John Hiltz, Blue Angel right wingman, flies an F/A-18 Hornet in the, “dirty configuration” during a practice flight demonstration over Pensacola Beach Thursday. Photo by by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Johnson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Identified In Fiery Fourth Of July Traffic Crash
July 13, 2012
The driver killed in a fiery crash July 4 in Escambia County has been identified by the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Sean Matthew Kerr, age 27 of Pensacola, lost control for unknown reasons and slammed into a tree about 11:07 p.m. on Muldoon Road south of Cerny Road. The vehicle was fully involved in flames when first responders arrived on scene and was complete destroyed by the fire.
Kerr was pronounced deceased at the scene by a paramedic.
Summer Showers, Thunderstorms Likely
July 13, 2012
Showers and thunderstorms moved through the North Escambia area Friday afternoon, and there is chance of more rain for tonight and Saturday.
Pictured: A storm cloud rolls toward Flomaton just before 4:00 p.m. Friday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Pictured: A storm cloud rolls toward Flomaton Friday afternoon, as seen from Flomaton Small Engines. Photo by Jeremy Bondurant for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE’s ‘Safe Summer’ Nets 23 Sex Offender Arrests, Five In Escambia County
July 13, 2012
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and local law enforcement agencies have arrested 23 sex offenders and predators statewide who failed to comply with Florida registration requirements as part of Operation Safe Summer. Five of those arrests were in Escambia County.
“We identified and targeted the most dangerous absconders. In most of the cases we were dealing with cold leads,” said FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey. “Working with our law enforcement partners, new leads were developed allowing us to locate and arrest these sex-offenders-in-hiding.”
Officers arrested five of 23 captured statewide in Escambia County:
- Timothy Melburn Perlberg, 63
- Willie L. Maxwell, 51
- Charvis Markeith Satterwhite, 41
- James Erik Cross, 32
- Christopher Thomas Dasinger, 29
Of over three dozen individuals wanted across from the state, one is from Escambia County – Travis Nelson Delles, age 36. He is believed to have fled to China.
Investigators believe a total of 20 targeted absconders have fled the country. Their identities have been given to the US Marshals Service so they can be arrested immediately if they try to return.
“The Sheriffs of Florida and their thousands of dedicated staff have declared war on sex offenders and internet predators–if you hide from us, we will find you,” said Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson, president of the Florida Sheriffs Association. “We are dedicated to keeping the streets safe and ensuring citizens know when an offender lives among them.”
Operation Safe Summer coincided with the end of the school year, because FDLE said children are more likely to come in contact with sex offenders or predators during the summer months.
Click the graphic below to enlarge and see those wanted by FDLE.
