Man Sentenced In Federal Feather Selling Case
May 29, 2012
An Atmore man has been sentenced to probation for violating federal laws dealing with the possession and sale of protected bird feathers. He was also ordered to pay $31,000 in restitution for killing protected migratory birds.
In February, Alexander D. Alvarez pleaded guilty before a federal judge to violating the Lacey Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) for illegally selling and possessing the feathers of anhingas and other migratory birds protected under the MBTA.
He faced as much as five years in federal prison and a half million dollars in fines.
Enrolled members of federally-recognized American Indian tribes may possess eagle and other migratory bird feathers and parts for religious and ceremonial purposes, but federal law strictly prohibits the sale of migratory birds, feathers or their parts by any person.
Alvarez is not an enrolled member of a federally-recognized American Indian tribe, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. He was employed by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians as a teacher, but has since reportedly lost that job.
“Mr. Alvarez sought to profit from selling protected bird feathers he had no legal right to possess,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. “Federal law prohibits the sale of migratory birds, feathers or their parts for commercial gain. In enforcing these wildlife laws in partnership with tribal law enforcement, we share a duty to protect the nation’s scarce and precious wildlife resources. In protecting these resources for future generations, we also ensure the ability of federally recognized tribal members to possess eagle and migratory bird feathers for religious and ceremonial practices.”
According to court documents, Alvarez communicated via email with an individual in Louisiana and eventually exchanged two anhinga tails that Alvarez possessed for a crested caracara tail, a Harris’s hawk tail and $400, which the individual possessed. Alvarez later sent 14 sets of anhinga tail feathers to this individual and asked the individual to photograph and offer the tails for sale via email. Alvarez received payment from the Louisiana individual for the anhinga tail feathers that were sold. A federal search warrant was executed at Alvarez’s home on March 11, 2009, and feathers from several migratory bird species were seized.
Pictured: Alex Alvarez discusses traditional Poarch Creek dance during a Fall Festival at Bratt Elementary School last November. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Resurfacing Project, Traffic Delays Begin On Nine Mile Road
May 29, 2012
A major resurfacing project is underway on Nine Mile Road.
Panhandle Grading and Paving will mill and pave a 6.5 mile section of Nine Mile Road from Pine Cone Drive (County Road 97) to the Perdido River Bridge and the Alabama state line. The project also includes minor drainage work, signal upgrades and the placement of new pavement markings and signs.
In an effort to minimize traffic congestion and delays, work requiring lane closures will take place at night. Motorists can expect lane restrictions between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Weather permitting the $3.3 million project should be complete sometime during the summer.
Photo Gallery: Atmore Area Memorial Day Service
May 29, 2012
About 200 people gathered in Atmore Monday morning for a Memorial Day service to recognize those that have served from Atmore, Walnut Hill, Bratt and surrounding areas.
“We need to put the ‘memorial’ back in ‘Memorial Day’,” keynote speaker Brigadier General (Ret.) Wendell B. McLain said. “Let’s not let this day be merely the first day of summer, let’s make it a time for reflection and to express gratitude.”
McClain said veterans are often taken for granted, especially those from the post-September 11th era. “There are so many heroes, many so young,” he said.
Members of American Legion Post 90 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7016 took part in a solemn ceremony, reading aloud the names of each deceased service member that appear on a spire-shaped monument. A bell was tolled in honor of those that served.
The names memorialized included LCpl Travis Nelson of Bratt, killed in a action in August 2011 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was just two weeks after his 19th birthday and only about a month after he arrived in Afghanistan.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: A Memorial Day service in Atmore honored those who have served from across the area. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Pensacola NAS Memorial Day Service
May 29, 2012
Scores of people attended a Memorial Day service Monday morning at the Naval Aviation Memorial Chapel at Pensacola Naval Air Station.
Guest speakers for the event were Congressman Jeff Miller and John Sepulveda of the Veterans Administration. During the event, names of service members were read in a solemn roll call by veterans.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: Scenes from the annual Memorial Day service at the Naval Aviation Memorial Chapel aboard Pensacola NAS. Photos by Cheryl Casey Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Brush Fire Consumes 5 Acres
May 29, 2012
A brush fire burned about five acres near Walnut Hill late Monday afternoon.
It took firefighters from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue about two hours to extinguish the blaze on Eicher Road, just off South Highway 99. The fire consumed mostly grass and scrub brush in what was formerly used as multiple cattle pastures. Firefighters were hampered by barbed wire fencing which prohibited easy access to all areas of the fire.
The cause of the blaze was not known.
Pictured: A brush fire on Eicher Road Monday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia PTSA Names Students Of The Year
May 29, 2012
The Escambia County Parent-Teacher Student Association recently named the Students of the Year from each school.
Winners from participating schools included:
Elementary Schools
A.K. Suter: Margaret Minyard. Bellview: Jacqueline Tunoa. Beulah: Kyler Nielsen. Blue Angels: Izabella Crawford. Bratt: Cailee Wilburn. Brentwood: Christian Smith-Williams. Brown-Barge: Alexis Tinker. Byrneville: Tanner Brett Levins. C.A. Weis: Raynesha Sampson. Cordova Park: De’Brian Robbs. Ensley: Belinda Zhou. Escambia Westgate Center: Dylen Castleberry. Ferry Pass: Ashlei Steinbruegge. Global Learning Academy: Tridarius Gray. Hellen Caro: Jordan Fuqua. Holm: Vinnai Cannon. Jim Allen: Lauren Martin. Lincoln Park: Stonney James. Longleaf: Jamal Crenshaw. McArthur: Ana Rios. Molino Park: Savannah Hart. Myrtle Grove: Nykheria Grimsely. N.B. Cook: Makenna Taylor Harvey. Navy Point: Robert Clark. O.J. Semmes: Chiteriya Page. Oakcrest: DaJohn Jemison. Pine Meadow: Hannah Hardy. Pleasant Grove: Antencia Hall. R.C. Lipscomb: Jacqueline Smith. Scenic Heights: Daniel Holzknecht. Sherwood: Lillian Randall. Warrington: Kim Nquyen. West Pensacola: Kamali Henderson.
Middle Schools
Bailey: Brianna Hartshorn. Bellview: Daniel Rutherford. Escambia Westgate Center: Tatiyana Clarke. Ferry Pass: Darrian Wayne Mitchem. Ransom: Emma Rogers. Warrington: Michelle Accord. Woodham: Aaliyhia Croom. Workman: Evianna Salyers.
High Schools
Booker T. Washington: Cassidy Walley. Escambia: Karyn Johnson. Escambia Westgate Center: Ja’Varis Vincent Massenburg. Northview: Marquita Allen. Pensacola: Carlos Espinoza. Pine Forest: Audrey Michelle Ward. Tate: Evan Taylor. West Florida: Caitlin Haveard.
Byrneville 5th Graders Hit New Orleans (With Gallery)
May 29, 2012
Fifth grade students at Byrneville Elementary took their annual fifth grade trip to New Orleans recently.
The students visited the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, saw an IMAX movie, rode a trolley and toured New Orleans.
For a photo gallery from the trip, click here.
Pictured: The Byrneville Elementary School fifth grade trip to New Orleans. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Charged With Weekend Shooting
May 29, 2012
An Escambia County man has been charged with shooting another man in the leg during a weekend argument.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 29-year old Timothy Lewis Johnson was shot in the left leg about 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the 4400 block of Rochelle Drive. Johnson told deputies that he was “hanging out” with friends in front of a house on Rochelle Drive when a black male exited a maroon colored SUV armed with two handguns. The suspect, 28-year old Lavote Tamar Stokes, fired a shot, striking Johnson as he tried to flee the area. Johnson was treated at an area hospital for a non-life threatening injury.
During the incident, Stokes also allegedly grabbed a woman and held a gun to her head.
Stokes then fled the area, but was later located a the Palm Court Inn on Pensacola Boulevard. He was arrested with incident.
Stokes, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, discharging a firearm in public and battery by strangulation. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $87,000.
Photo Gallery: Ernest Ward Football Car (And Tractor) Wash
May 29, 2012
The Ernest Ward Middle School 2012 football team held a fundraising car wash at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino on Saturday.
Organizers offered their thanks to the church, as well as the community that supported the event and purchased tickets in advance. The car wash, which also included tractors, was organized by EWMS Coach Jeremy Greenwell to purchase needed equipment and supplies for the upcoming season.
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle held a fundraising car wash Saturday at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dobson Takes Master’s Division In Eglin Run
May 29, 2012
Matt Dobson of Jay was the overall Master’s winner in the Memorial Day Gate to Gate 4.4 Mile Run/Walk at Eglin Air Force Base Monday. Dobson also placed sixth overall in the 27th annual event.
The 41-year old Dobson’s winning time was 24:21. The overall winner was Ben Payne of Ft. Walton Beach with a time of 22:06.
According to official race results, there were no other North Escambia area runners that finished the event.