Shots Fired At Repo Man
May 2, 2012
Authorities in Escambia County, Ala., are searching for the person that allegedly opened fire as a repo man attempted to find and reclaim a white Cadillac.
The incident happened about noon on Goldenrod Lane, near the intersection of East Sunset and Martin Luther King drives just outside the Atmore city limits. An employee of an repossession company was searching for the vehicle when it pulled up. A short time later, the repo man reported hearing shots fired.
There were no injuries reported in the incident.
Authorities are asking that anyone with information about the incident call the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office at (251) 867-0304 or the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.
Wahoos Win 5-4 Over Jackson Generals
May 2, 2012
Blue Wahoos left fielder Cody Puckett drove in three runs, including the tying run on a solo home run in the sixth and a walk-off single in the tenth, to give Pensacola a 5-4 extra-inning victory over the Jackson Generals on Tuesday night at Pensacola’s bay-front stadium.
The win gives Pensacola a 1-0 advantage in the five-game series with the Generals, who entered tonight’s contest with the Southern League’s best record at 17-8.
With two outs in the extra frame, C Koyie Hill reached base on an infield single and went to second on an error by Jackson reliever Brian Moran to set the stage for Puckett. The left fielder drove the 1-2 pitch over the head of Generals left fielder Chris Pettit to end the game and cue the celebration.
Puckett (3-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB) also led off the sixth inning with a solo blast to left to tie the game at 4-4 and drove in another run on a run-scoring single in the fourth as part of his three-hit day. Hill (2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI) along with 3B Henry Rodriguez (2-4, 1 BB) also recorded multi-hit efforts for the Blue Wahoos in the contest.
Jackson got off to an early 4-0 lead after three innings courtesy in part to RBI doubles from SS Nick Franklin and 1B Rich Poythress in the opening inning. After an RBI groundout in the third, Pettit increased the margin to 4-0 with an RBI double in the fourth.
Pensacola reliever Donnie Joseph (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 SO) earned his third victory of the season as part of a Blue Wahoos relief corps that yielded just three hits and no walks in the final six frames. Moran (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER) suffered the loss to fall to 0-1 after pitching the tenth frame.
The Blue Wahoos and Generals will meet again Wednesday night for the second game of the series, with first pitch set for 7:00 pm from Pensacola’s multi-use stadium. RHP Pedro Villarreal is expected to get the nod for Pensacola, while LHP James Paxton, the third-best prospect in the Seattle Mariners organization according to Baseball America is slated to start for Jackson.
By Andrew Green
Pictured top: Cody Puckett’s walk-off single in the bottom of the tenth gave Pensacola a 5-4 win over the Jackson Generals Tuesday night in Pensacola. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Getting Ready: Gulf Power Holds Hurricane Drill
May 2, 2012
Gulf Power held their annual hurricane drill Tuesday, just a month before the official start of hurricane season.
Even though our area of the Gulf Coast might be spared from a storm, the electric utility’s employees know they are likely to go somewhere in the Southeast to help restore power after a major storm.
“We prepare year-round for storm restoration,” said Natalie Smith, Gulf Power Media Relations, “and, because of our training and the assistance we offer to other regions every year, our crews are among the best in the nation at emergency restoration. We are glad to help others because we know we can count on them to help us if a hurricane hits here.”
The company follows a detailed plan to rebuild the electrical system following a hurricane and works closely with county emergency management personnel. Every Gulf Power employee has a storm assignment and if needed, the company brings in thousands of outside utility workers to help.
The drill included scenarios that tested the company’s comprehensive plan to restore electric service and to handle the logistics of feeding, housing and supplying thousands of workers for more than two weeks.
“After Hurricane Ivan we had more than 5,000 workers who came to Northwest Florida to help us,” Smith said. “That means we have to have thousands of meals prepared, thousands of clean beds and be prepared to provide bathroom facilities, medical treatment, clothes-washing facilities, diesel fuel for the trucks, ice, water — not to mention miles of wire, hundreds of new poles and transformers and other equipment. The logistics are extremely important to ensuring a safe, orderly and swift restoration of power. That’s why drills and planning are so important.”
The utility said planning is also important for Gulf Power’s 431,000 customers. Gulf Power’s storm center website offers comprehensive preparation and safety information, as well as general storm tips and directions on how to report outages.
“Providing assistance to other utilities every year gives us a chance to test our logistics and help others in need,” Smith said. “The work is long and hard, but we are prepared and willing to help if needed. Everyone knows their assignments and our employees really come together to not only restore power, but also restore hope for our
customers and our communities.”
Pictured top: Gulf Power workers help with power restoration near Baltimore last year following Hurricane Irene. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Deputy’s House Burglarized, Set On Fire; Weapons, Ammo, Badges Stolen
May 2, 2012
The Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office is investigating the targeted attack upon the home of one of their own — an attack that ended with the theft of guns, ammunition, bulletproof vests and badges, spray painted his patrol car and attempted to burn his house to the ground.
The incident occurred Saturday, April 21 at the officer’s residence in Milton, the SRSO announced on Monday. The officer, Lt. Chris Watson, and his wife, Bonita Watson (a Santa Rosa County probation officer) were away for the weekend. While they were away, an unknown suspect or suspects came to their residence and burglarized it, along with his county vehicle.
Numerous firearms, ammunition, bullet proof vests, badges, and other law enforcement items were stolen from the home and vehicle. A large amount of electronics and jewelry was also taken. The suspect then vandalized his county patrol vehicle with spray paint, stole his personal pickup truck (a 2005 dark blue Chevy Avalanche), and then set fire to the home after dousing the master bedroom with gasoline. The fire did not destroy the entire house; however, it caused extensive damage.
The Chevy Avalanche was recovered three days later along Scenic Highway in Pensacola.
The Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office believes this was a targeted attack on the lieutenant or his wife because some of the graffiti on the patrol vehicle state “You can get 1 but you cant get m all (expletive)”.
“This incident is being investigated and every available resource is being utilized to identify, capture, arrest, and convict the person or persons responsible for these criminal acts. The
nature and severity of this case should be of substantial concern to the public, as well as to the law enforcement community as a whole. Those responsible for this crime already have a bold and dangerous mindset in order to commit this type of crime; now they are armed with weapons, badges, and body armor,” said Scott Haines, spokesperson for the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information on the crime or who may have seen Watson’s 2005 Chevy Avalanche during the time period is asked to call Santa Rosa Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP. Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers is providing a cash reward of $5000.00 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime.
Pictured top: The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle belonging to Lt. Chris Watson. Pictured below: Someone torched Watson’s bedroom on April 21, according to information released May 1. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thousands Of Students Attend SkillsUSA Events
May 2, 2012
More than 5,000 students are gathering this week in Pensacola for the 2012 Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo and Florida SkillsUSA State Competition.
Florida SkillsUSA competitors will face off to showcase their technical trade talents and leadership abilities at the Florida SkillsUSA State Competition, which will be held conjunction with the Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo. The event started Sunday and continues through today.
The Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo is showcasing businesses and vendors in technical and vocational career fields by engaging more than 3,000 local seventh- and eighth-grade students, and more than 2,000 high school and college students from throughout the state of Florida. Many of the students are from the North Escambia area.
The expo is featuring exciting hands-on and interactive experiences in 16 “worlds” and “industry sectors” ranging from the “World of Energy” to the “World of Finance.”
“We are so excited to participate in the ‘World of Energy’ again this year,” said Jennifer Grove, Gulf Power’s Workforce Development coordinator. “We’re hopeful this expo will help spark the interest of many students to carefully consider their education so they can begin preparing for a career.”
The four-day event is estimated to have a $2.5 million economic impact on the local community,
Lt. Gov: Stand Your Ground Task Force Will Be Unbiased
May 2, 2012
Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, chair of a public safety task force charged with reviewing Florida’s “stand your ground” law, moved quickly at the group’s first meeting Tuesday to dispel criticism that it was stacked with pro-gun members.
Critics have charged that the panel – appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to review the law that has figured prominently in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin – includes members who helped pass the law in 2005, but no known opponents.
“Before the task force had even convened its first meeting, the press had already speculated what we will and will not do,” Carroll said. “They have already discounted this task force as politically unbalanced.”
She said that aside from four current or former lawmakers who voted for “stand your ground” – Carroll, House sponsor Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, Sen. David Simmons, R-Maitland and a co-sponsor, and Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando – she had no idea how the other 15 members of the Citizen Safety and Protection Task Force felt about the controversial statute.
“So it’s a mischaracterization to assume that this task force is not balanced,” Carroll said.
She asked members to approach their task “with an unbiased mind.”
Scott formed the panel after the Feb. 26 shooting of Martin by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, 28, attracted national attention, including sparking marches as far away as New York and California. Zimmerman claimed he shot the unarmed Martin, an African American, in self-defense and cited the “stand your ground” law allowing individuals to use deadly force if they feel threatened.
Most of the panel’s first meeting was devoted to housekeeping – introductions, a review of Florida’s Sunshine Law, the history of the “stand your ground” law and the development of a mission statement and work plan.
The panel will take public testimony at future meetings. The next will be June 12 in Sanford.
Other dates and locations: July 10 in Desoto County; Sept. 12 in Miami, with an effort to meet in Martin’s hometown of Miami Gardens; and Sept. 13 in Palm Beach County. The panel agreed to hold its October meeting in Pensacola and its November meeting in Jacksonville, but did not set specific dates.
Carroll said no changes could be made to a meeting agenda once that meeting had been publicly noticed. She said that was why she had declined Sen. Chris Smith’s April 26 request to speak to the task force at its inaugural meeting.
Smith, who was in the audience, released the recommendations of his own “stand your ground” task force on Monday. It was started, he said, because the governor had waited too long to convene the public safety panel, and its recommendations included revisions to the law but not its outright repeal.
Despite his concerns, Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, said he had confidence in the “legal minds” on Scott’s panel, particularly Katherine Fernandez Rundle of Miami, the state attorney for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.
“They have some political appointees on there, and people that may have a political agenda,” he said. “But I hope that they take a legal agenda and really look at the law from a legal standpoint and how it’s being used and misused in the state of Florida.”
Smith will present his panel’s recommendations at the next meeting in Sanford.
On Tuesday, the task force spent most of its time debating its mission, work plan and meeting locations.
Baxley, referring to himself as “the father of the Castle Doctrine” on which the “stand your ground” law is based, argued against a mission statement narrowly focused on revising that statute.
“I understood the task to be much broader,” Baxley said. “We’re not talking about one case. This is about the safety of our citizens.”
Carroll responded that with more than 170 public safety laws in Florida, the panel doesn’t have time to examine them all.
“Other public safety laws may pop up,” she said. “It may be beyond our scope, but it’s our responsibility to bring to the Legislature any recommendations” about other laws to examine.
As the work plan unfolded, it became clear that the task force likely would meet until the 2013 legislative session starts in March – although Smith has been calling for a special session to revise “stand your ground.”
“We’re not going to rush this process,” said Rev. R.B. Holmes, the vice chair. “We laid out a clear road map to get us to March to bring before the governor. With all due respect to my good friend Sen. Smith, this is not a South Florida task force. This is a state of Florida task force that is very, very inclusive.”
Smith said he wanted a special session as soon as possible due to continued misunderstanding of the law.
“I think it’s still urgent,” he said. “Because of the Trayvon Martin case and all the publicity it’s gotten, you’ve got people around the state that still believe that they have the right to have a gun and go out and kill someone, and then you stand your ground, be the aggressor, or patrol your neighborhoods and confront anyone and use this.”
The public is encouraged to email the task force at CitizenSafety@eog.myflorida.com. John Konkus, Carroll’s chief of staff, said 700 emails had already come in. The meetings will be streamed live on the site, and minutes will be posted there as well.
By The News Service of Florida
Lane Restrictions Today On 9 Mile In Beulah
May 2, 2012
Today, motorists can expect lane restrictions on Nine Mile Road at the I-10 overpass from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. as crews from Transfield Services replace lights on the bridge.
Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the speed limit when traveling through the construction area, and to use caution, especially at night when driving in work zones, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Daniel Franklin Ziglar
May 2, 2012
Daniel Franklin Ziglar, age 61 of Cantonment, passed away on Monday, April 30, 2012.
He was born April 7, 1951, in Troy, AL. A graduate of the J.M. Tate High School Class of 1969, he served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and worked most of his life as an electrical technician which took him all over the world. In retirement, as an avid fishermen, Danny enjoyed spending time on the river with his family, especially fishing with his grandchildren, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by brother, Oscar Ziglar, and nephew, Kevin Ziglar.
He is survived by parents Silas and Claudine Ziglar, children Matthew and Brandi Ziglar, Danielle Ziglar and EJ Jarman, Brad and Joli Butler and Ashley Hardy, grandchildren Hunter Martin, Grant Hofberger IV, Brayden and Brooke Butler and Delaney Hardy, sibling Sharon Ziglar and many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2012, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment with Rev. Mark Torres officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, May 3, 2012, from 5-7 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South Cantonment is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to a charity of your choice.
Annette Simmons
May 2, 2012
Mrs. Annette Simmons, 69, passed away on Monday, April 30, 2012, in Flomaton.
Mrs. Simmons was a native of Perdido and a resident of Flomaton for most of her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband Clifford Simmons, son Tony Simmons, mother Perry Lee Strength and brother Edward Turner.
Survivors include husband, Charles Nichols of Flomaton; son, Tommy Simmons (Amber) of Flomaton; two daughters, Pauline Chancery (Gene) of Pineview and Karen Nall (Butch) of Century; sister Judy Towery of Milton; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel with Bro. Waylon Stuckey and Rev. Chuck Day officiating. Burial will follow at Flomaton Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Dakota Chancery, Brad Futral, Jason Dall, Kenny Higdon, Michael Hagen and Ryan Hawkins.
Elizabeth Juanita “Nita” Sheffield
May 2, 2012
Mrs. Elizabeth Juanita “Nita” Sheffield, 84, passed away on April 24, 2012, in Century.
Mrs. Sheffield was a native and life long resident of Flomaton. When she was young she loved movies, music and friends; she was an avid, award-winning roller skater. She was member of Bethel Baptist Church.
Mrs. Sheffield was preceded in death by her parents, Robert E. and Daisy Ellis Sr.; brothers, Robert E. Ellis Jr. and Charles V. Ellis; and husband James Grady Curenton Sr.
She is survived by son, James Grady (Chery) Curenton of Montrose, AL; daughter, Sharon (Donny) Marshall of Flomaton; two grandchildren, Samantha Tullis Hanks of Flomaton and Jessica M. Curenton of Daphne; and three great-grandchildren, Logan Hanks, Dalton Hanks and Destiny Hanks.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 27, 2012, at the Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Keese officiating.
Burial will followed at Green Acres Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Steve Stanton, Matt Hanks, Larry Zangas, Mitchel Norman, William Reaves and Larry White.