Man Hit Over Head With Glass Vase After Talking About Suspect’s Mother
June 7, 2012
A 64-year old Cantonment man was arrested for busting a glass vase over man’s head after he said not so nice things about his mother.
Fredie Eugene Milner of Robinson Street was charged with felony aggravated battery after the incident Tuesday night.
Deputies found the 58-year old victim walking up and down Robinson Street, bleed from his head. He told Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies that had gone to girlfriend’s house to retrieve a cell phone charger. He said her brother answered the door and hit him over the head with glass bottle. He was transported to West Florida Hospital for treatment.
Milner admitted to deputies that he used a glass vase to strike the victim over the head when the victim said bad things about his mother, according to an arrest report.
Early Thursday, Milner remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $10,000.
Man Busted For Using Device To Steal Gas
June 7, 2012
A Hileah man was arrested in Santa Rosa County after allegedly using a device connected to a service station gas pump to keep the cashier from knowing how much fuel was being pumped.
Elian Laguna, age 38 of Katy, TX, was charged with use of an anti-shopping control device countermeasure and criminal mischief.
He was caught when an Exxon Fuel Express employee noticed the fuel pump stayed at $0.45 and was not registering any other amount as Laguna pumped diesel into his Ford F-350 Super Duty pickup. The owner noticed a device connected to the pump and called the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrived while the fuel was still flowing into Laguna’s truck. He denied stealing diesel fuel and told deputies the device was already there when he started pumped.
“Deputies verified that the device connected to the fuel pump allowed the pump to flow at a normal rate while not showing any reading on the digital pump display,” according to Sgt. Scott Haines, spokesman for the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office.
A search of his truck also revealed another device and pump with nozzle that could be used to siphon fuel from a tank.
“These pumps are commonly used by thieves to steal fuel from large trucks at rest areas or truck stops,” Haines said.
Laguna remained in the Santa Rosa County Jail with bond set at $8,000.
More Local Candidates Qualify For General Election
June 7, 2012
Friday is the deadline for candidates to officially qualify to be on the ballot for the 2012 general election in Escambia County.
Candidates qualified by the close of business Wednesday are:
Candidates that qualified on June 6
Superintendent of Schools
- Claudia Brown-Curry, Dem.
County Commissioner, Dist 3
- Lumon May, Dem.
- Annie Thomas Walker, Dem.
County Commissioner, Dist 5
- Sam Archer, Rep.
- Glenn Austin, Rep.
Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District Group 3
- Anne B. Bennett (Nonpartisan)
City Council, District 5
- Gerald C. Wingate (Nonpartisan)
Candidates that qualified on June 5
Clerk of the Circuit Court
- Henry John Misiak, Write-In
Sheriff
- Mindy Lynn Pare, Write-In
County Commissioner, Dist 5
- Jim A. Taylor, Rep.
ECUA, Dist 1
- Vicki H. Campbell, Rep.
ECUA, Dist 3
- Clorissti Mitchell, Dem.
ECUA, Dist 5
- Larry Walker, Rep.
Santa Rosa Island Authority
- Thomas Campanella (Nonpartisan)
Pensacola City Council, District 7
- Jewel Cannada-Wynn (Nonpartisan)
Candidates that qualified on Monday, June 4
Clerk of the Circuit Court
- Pam Childers, Rep.
- Ernie Lee Magaha, Rep.
Sheriff
- David Morgan, Rep.
- John R. Powell, Rep.
Property Appraiser
- Chris Jones, Dem.
Tax Collector
- Janet Holley, Dem.
- Mike Whitehead, Rep.
Superintendent of Schools
- Malcolm Thomas, Rep.
Supervisor of Elections
- David Stafford, Rep.
County Commissioner, Dist 1
- Jesse Casey, Rep.
- Wilson Robertson, Rep.
Bobby Spencer, NPA
County Commissioner, Dist 3
- John R. Johnson, NPA
- Tiffany Washington, Rep.
County Commissioner, Dist 5
- Steven Barry, Rep.
Packy Mitchell, NPA
School Board, Dist 4
- Patty Hightower (Nonpartisan)
School Board, Dist 5
- Bill Slayton (Nonpartisan)
ECUA, Dist 3
- Calvin Avant, Dem.
Pensacola City Council, At-Large B
- Charles L. Bare (Nonpartisan)
- Victor Cross (Nonpartisan)
Pensacola City Council, District 1
- P.C. Wu (Nonpartisan)
Pensacola City Council, District 5
- John Jerralds (Nonpartisan)
Ernest Ward – Sixth Grade Awards
June 7, 2012
The following sixth grade students received awards recently at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Overall Most Outstanding Student
- Triston Long
Overall Most Improved Student
- Myisha Syria
A Honor Roll
- Korbin Bryan
- Kayla Galvan
- Bailee Hinote
- Triston Long
- Hannah Nelson
- Celeste North
- Sarah Perritt
- Olivia Reber
- Sabra Stewart
- Tara Windham
A/B Honor Roll
- Anna Belle Barberree
- Alayna Brown
- Dawson Brown
- Logan Calloway
- Rhayeshawanna Davidson
- James Davis
- Aaron Dees
- Eli Deese
- Breanna Deloach
- Logan Doremus
- Jason Fischer
- Austin Ging
- Kayla Godwin
- Logan Hall
- Abby Hammond
- Raegan Harrell
- Cole Hassebrock
- Madelyn Lathan
- Cheyanne Lee
- Lari McCann
- Kamryn Mothershed
- Robin Nahkala
- Patience Newsome
- Andrew Sharpless
- Trevor Singleton
- Fisher Spence
- Hunter Spence
- Jayda Warner
- Destiny Watson
- Jake White
- Brandy Wooten
Golden Eagle Top Gun Award — Students who receive this award are recognized for maintaining grades of C or higher on report cards, having 10 or less absences, and receiving no referrals during the course of the school year.
Golden Eagle Top Gun Award
- Josh Bailey
- Anna Belle Barberree
- Alayna Brown
- Dawson Brown
- Korbin Bryan
- Logan Calloway
- Jerni Crabtree
- Aaron Dees
- Eli Deese
- Logan Doremus
- Jason Fischer
- Kayla Galvan
- Austin Ging
- Hannah Godwin
- Clint Gunter
- Logan Hall
- Abby Hammond
- Wesley Hardin
- Raegan Harrell
- Cole Hassebrock
- Bailee Hinote
- Cody Kite
- Madelyn Lathan
- Mallory Lathan
- Cheyanne Lee
- Triston Long
- Elizabeth Mbeng
- Lari McCann
- Jacob McCullough
- Kamryn Mothershed
- Anna Nelson
- Hannah Nelson
- Patience Newsome
- Savana Nielsen
- Celeste North
- Sarah Perritt
- Angel Philyaw
- Olivia Reber
- Mary Sanders
- Heath Sheldt
- Trevor Singleton
- Tori Smith
- Fisher Spence
- Hunter Spence
- Sabra Stewart
- Evan Till
- Jayda Warner
- Kirsten White
- Tara Windham
- Brandy Wooten
Glenda Bell’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Trevor Singleton-Advanced Reading
- Jenna Black-Reading
- Most Improved Improved Students
- Jaquarius Thomas-Advanced Reading
- Shavon Hall-Reading
Laura Chaver’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Triston Long-Geography
- Logan Hall-Geography
- Bailee Hinote-Geography
- Hannah Nelson-Geography
- Tara Windham-Geography
- Most Improved Improved Students
- Myisha Syria-Geography
Kathleen Ellis’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Jake White-Health Career Wheel
- Robin Nahkala- Health Career Wheel
- Triston Long- Health Career Wheel
- Korbin Bryan- Health Career Wheel
Vickie Grant’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Jake White-Advanced Science
- Kamryn Mothershed-Science
- Rhayeshawanna Davidson-Science
- Bailee Hinote-Advanced Science
- Patience Newsome-Science
- Most Improved Students
- Logan Calloway-Advanced Science
- Jarrod Davison-Science
- Chase Gifford-Science
- James Davis-Advanced Science
- Tori Smith-Science
Jeremy Greenwell’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Austin Ging-P.E.
- Hunter Carter-P.E.
- Heath Sheldt-P.E.
Dee Hendrix and Mary Johnson’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Hannah Godwin-Reading
- Most Improved Improved Students
- Levi Wagner-Reading
Julie Lowery’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Jacob McCullough-Reading
- Triston Long-Advanced Reading
- Sarah Perritt-Advanced Reading
- Kayla Galvan-Advanced Reading
- Hannah Nelson-Advanced Reading
- Anna Belle Barberree-Advanced Reading
- Kayla Godwin-Advanced Reading
- Anna Belle Barberree-Research
- Mallory Lathan-Research
- Tori Smith-Reading
- Lari McCann-Reading
- Most Improved Improved Students
- Myisha Syria-Reading
- Aaron White-Reading
Regene Martin’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Shay Kidd-Science
- Heath Sheldt-Science
- Anna Belle Barberree-Geography
- Trevor Singleton-Geography
- Clayton Findley-Geography
- Kamryn Mothershed-Geography
- Austin Ging-Geography
- Jake White-Geography
- Kayla Godwin-Language Arts
- Kamryn Mothershed-Language Arts
- Rhayeshawanna Davidson-Geography
- Hannah Godwin-Geography
Robin McCall ’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Kamryn Mothershed-Math
- Mallory Lathan-Math
- Clayton Findley-Math
- Patience Newsome-Math
- Jayda Warner-Advanced Math
- Trevor Singleton-Advanced Math
- Hannah Godwin-Math
- Jake White-Advanced Math
- Tara Windham-Advanced Math
- Cheyanne Lee-Math
- Jarrod Davison-Math
- Most Improved Improved Students
- Jack Nielsen-Math
Brenda Rutherford’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Kayla Galvan-Orientation to Technical Occupations
- Triston Long- Orientation to Technical Occupations
- Hannah Nelson-Exploratory Wheel-Keyboarding
- Jake White- Exploratory Wheel-Keyboarding
- Sarah Perritt- Exploratory Wheel-Keyboarding
- Anna Belle Barberree- Exploratory Wheel-Keyboarding
Ashley Salter’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Hannah Nelson-P.E./Cheer
- Triston Long-Science
- Sabra Stewart-Science
- Trevor Singleton-P.E.
- Destiny Watson-P.E.
- Jordan Parham-P.E.
- Michael Harrelson-P.E.
Charles Tucker’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Triston Long-Beginner Band
- Sabra Stewart-Beginner Band
- Kayla Galvan-Chorus
- Anna Belle Barberree-Chorus
- Celeste North-Chorus
Ron Wark’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Shay Kidd- Math
- Most Improved Improved Students
- Jenna Black-Math
Katie Ward’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Tori Smith-Language Arts
- Patience Newsome-Language Arts
- Cheyanne Lee-Language Arts
- Tara Windham-Advanced Language Arts
- Kayla Galvan-Advanced Language Arts
- Anna Belle Barberree-Language Arts
- Rhayeshawanna Davidson-Language Arts
- Triston Long-Advanced Language
- Brandy Wooten-Advanced Language Arts
- Most Improved Improved Students
- Hunter Carter-Language Arts
- Lari McCann-Language Arts
- Mallory Lathan-Language Arts
Cindy Wilson’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Bailee Hinote-Ag
- Cody Kite-Ag
Students of the Month
- Celeste North, September
- Bailee Hinote, October
- Cody Kite, November
- Hannah Godwin, December
- Josh English, January
- Jake White, February
- Rhayeshawanna Davidson, March
- Hannah Nelson, April
- Fisher Spence, May
The Principal’s Award, presented by Nancy Gindl-Perry, is awarded to students who show overwhelming improvement in their behavior, attitude, or academic status over the course of the school year.
Principal’s Award
- Sabra Stewart
Voter Registration Drive To Resume
June 7, 2012
The League of Women Voters of Florida said Wednesday it will resume voter registration efforts following a federal judge’s ruling last week overturning portions of a 2011 state election law critics say is too restrictive.
“Failure was never an option in this battle against voter suppression,” said President Deirdre Macnab. “Now it’s time for our volunteers to work overtime to make up for lost ground. Our goal? To make sure every eligible Floridian has the opportunity to have their voice heard and their vote counted.”
The League and Rock the Vote challenged the law passed last year that placed more restrictions on signature gathering groups.
Last week, Federal Judge Robert Hinkle temporarily halted enforcement of some provisions, including a 48-hour deadline for signatures to be turned in and reporting requirements for some registration volunteers that Hinkle determined were overly burdensome and likely violated federal voting rights protections.
By The News Service of Florida
Watchdog Group: Florida Most ‘Corrupt’ State
June 7, 2012
Florida may be the nation’s fourth most populous state but it leads the nation in the number of federal corruption convictions, a dubious honor that could be easily remedied, a government watchdog group said Wednesday.
Based on U.S. Department of Justice data, Florida led the nation in the number of convictions between 2000 and 2010, according to data compiled by Integrity Florida, a non-profit research group founded earlier this year by former Florida Chamber spokesman Dan Krasner and former Common Cause Florida executive director Ben Wilcox.
“We’re number one for our beaches,” Krasner said. “We’re number one for our sunshine, but it’s time we dust off our government in the sunshine laws and once again become number one in the world for government in the sunshine and open government.”
The data, which includes only federally initiated cases, shows that Florida had 781 convictions for various corruption charges for the 10-year period ending in 2010. Florida was followed by California (753), Texas (741) and New York (670.)
Most of the federal corruption cases involve local officials, who by their sheer numbers represent the largest segment of public officials.
The group outlined a series of changes that could be done within existing law while also calling on state lawmakers to make some changes in state statutes to put more teeth in anti-corruption laws.
Florida law does not allow the Commission on Ethics to initiate its own investigations, a restriction groups like Common Cause and others have tried, unsuccessfully, to change for years.
Last year, the commission acted on 169 complaints that were deemed to be valid. The group said even high profile cases are out of reach unless someone files a formal complaint.
“It’s like having speeding limits but no officers on the beat to catch speeders when they break the law,” Krasner said.
The Ethics Commission plans to meet next week to map out its 2013 Legislative agenda.
Among a list of recommendations, Integrity Florida said state lawmakers should give the commission more police powers while also raising the cap on allowable fines from $10,000 to $25,000.
The commission itself has asked for such powers in the past, suggesting it be allowed to initiate cases. Two years ago the commission also asked for a higher fine limit of $100,000.
Also in 2010, a statewide grand jury slammed Florida laws for being too lax on corruption, and made a number of suggestions, most of which were never implemented. Then-Gov. Charlie Crist called for that grand jury investigation in 2009 following a string of high profile arrests of public officials and political figures. He noted at the time that he had been forced to remove 33 public officials from office in less than three years as governor because of varying instances of wrongdoing.
Integrity Florida is also calling on lawmakers to expand the scope of state ethics laws to include private vendors who benefit from their relationships with public officials. Current law, Krasner said, only addresses one side of the transaction.
Other recommendations include garnishing wages from public employees who are fined and putting financial disclosures, Commission findings and investigations on line.
By The News Service of Florida
Judy Marie Ging
June 7, 2012
Judy Ging of Molino, passed away on Monday, June 4, 2012, after a courageous six year battle with cancer. She was a lifelong member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
She was a loving daughter, wife and mother that enjoyed the beach, working in her yard, antiquing, reading, and being JuJu and mam to her grandchildren. She enjoyed being involved with her church and giving her time to numerous community and volunteer services. She also loved traveling near and far with her “sissies” that were with her on her last journey to be with Johnny.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, John Ging Jr. and her parents, Jamie and Evelyn McCurdy.
She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Nowlin; son, Jayson (Karen) Ging; grandchildren, Dylan Nowlin, Hanna Ging and Austin Ging; brother, Don (Susy) McCurdy and her sister, Kay Iannone.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Cancer Society or Aldersgate Cemetery Fence Fund.
Pallbearers will be Dudley Herrington, Larry Enfinger, Ben Abbott, George Hairston, Steve Nicholson and Donnie Nicholson.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 8, 2012, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Reverend Allan Gantzhorn officiating. Interment will follow at Aldersgate Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, June 7, 2012, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Eulene Cooper Carroll
June 7, 2012
Eulene Cooper Carroll, age 74, of Milton, went home to be with her Lord, on Monday, June 4, 2012. She was from Flomaton and resided in the Pensacola and Milton area for many years.
She was preceded in death by her mother Bertha Cooper; her husband of 43 years Emanuel Carroll; father and mother-in-law Lonnie M. and Carmon Carroll; brother-in-law Clyde Carroll and brother and sister-in-law Lloyd and Betty Carroll.
She is survived by her daughter Carmon Cooley; son Mandel Carroll; grandchild Chana Sweeney; great grandchildren Damon Taylor and Cameron McDuffie; sister in law Yvonne Carroll; brother and sister in law Grady and Kathy Carroll; brother and sister in law Robert and Peggy Carroll; sister in law Linda Connor; sister and brother in law Barbara and Danny Glass, all of Milton. sister in law Eunice Melvin of Las Vegas, NV; brother and sister in law Lonnie and Bonnie Carroll of Jay.; brother and sister in law Preston and Toni Carroll of Port Allen, LA; and sister and brother in law Sharon and Frank Cope of Houston, TX; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Eulene touched many lives and will be truly missed by all who had a special place in their heart for her.
A special thank you to Bob Daniels, Karl Hazelwood, Dawn Downs, Chuck Mathews, Richard Pittman, Preston and Toni, Carroll, Robert Carroll, Sharon Cope, Linda Connor, Barbara Glass, Grady and Kathy Carroll and Jack and Cheryl Graham, for their support during this difficult time.
Funeral services for Mrs. Carroll will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday June 8, 2012, from the Gazebo of Memory Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday June 7, 2012, at Lewis Funeral Home in Milton.
Active pallbearers will be: Karl Hazelwood, Chuck Mathews, Harold McClean, Tommy Downs, Jack and Jacob Graham.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Daniels, Grady Carroll, Lonnie Carroll, Robert Carroll and Preston Carroll.
Perdido Gators Win ‘Slide Into Summer’ 14U Tourney
June 7, 2012
The Perdido Gators travel softball team won the USFA “Slide Into Summer” Fast Pitch Girls 14U tournament last weekend, going undefeated Saturday and Sunday.
The Perdido Gators softball team is made up of players from Bratt, Molino, Milton, Pensacola, Perdido, and Gulf Breeze that attend Northview, West Florida, Tate, Escambia, Milton and Gulf Breeze high schools.
Pictured: Members of the 14U Perdido Gators are Ashley Young, Angel Lathan, Olivia Printiss, Sara Spears, Ali Cutaio, Mallory Ryan, Kota Berry, Sydney Ezelle, Kristin Gunter, Lauren Brennan, and Morgan Peppers (not pictured). Coaches are Jeff Cutaio, Greg Spears, Eddie Ryan and Tracy Ezelle. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Study: Florida Leads The Nation In Length Of Jail Sentences
June 6, 2012
The time Florida prisoners spend behind bars has grown dramatically – more than in any other state, according to a study released Wednesday by the Pew Center on the States.
The report, “Time Served: The High Cost, Low Return of Longer Prison Terms,” examined data from 35 states amounting to 89 percent of the prison releases in 2009, and found that Florida saw a 166 percent increase in the average prison sentence over the previous 20 years, costing taxpayers $1.4 billion in 2009.
Drug-related sentences rose 194 percent during the 20-year period, from an average of 0.8 years to 2.3 years. Sentences for violent crimes increased from 2.1 years to 5 years, or 137 percent – again, the highest in the study.
Florida’s perch at the top of the study was largely attributed to two factors: the 1995 “Truth in Sentencing” law requiring inmates to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences, and the “10-20-Life” law establishing minimum mandatory sentences for crimes involving firearms.
A companion analysis found that some nonviolent prisoners could have been released up to two years earlier; it examined nonviolent offenders released from Florida, Maryland and Michigan in 2004, concluding that many could have served sentences between three months and two years shorter with no threat to public safety: 14 percent of all offenders released in Florida, 18 percent in Maryland, and 24 percent in Michigan.
By The News Service of Florida