Ernest Ward Middle Names March Students Of The Month
April 24, 2012
Ernest Ward Middle School has named March Students of the Month. They are: Rhayeshawanna Davidson, sixth grade; Hunter Kite, seventh grade; and Blake Green, eighth grade .
Pictured: March Students of the Month at Ernest Ward Middle School (L-R) Rhayeshawanna Davidson, Blake Green and Hunter Kite. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Sentenced To Jail For Stabbing Nine Mile Road Restaurant Owner
April 24, 2012
A Cantonment man that stabbed a Chinese restaurant owner in the neck after tying to skip out on his bill has pleaded guilty.
Connor James Stenson, 20, pleaded guilty to simple battery and petty theft. He was sentenced to 180 days in the county jail on the battery charge and a concurrent 60 days for petty theft. He will get credit for 77 days he has already spent behind bars awaiting trial.
Victim Shou Chen, owner of King Buffet, said Stenson ate a meal and left the building without paying his $16.95 food and drink bill.
Chen followed him to the parking lot and confronted him. That’s when Stenson pulled out a knife, according to an arrest report, and stabbed Chen in the neck, leaving him with a non-life threatening laceration about four inches long. A witness backed up Chen’s story.
Stenson was also ordered to pay $16.95 in restitution in addition to $870 in fines and costs. A judge also ordered him to stay away from the buffet restaurant.
Deputies: No Prior Reason To Suspect Abuse Of Mentally Handicapped Woman
April 24, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that they did not have any reason before Saturday to suspect that a young mentally handicapped woman was being abused.
The Sheriff’s Office had responded to a home in the 2800 block of Christine Street twice in recent months, according to Deputy Matt Baxter, ECSO spokesman. Nothing about those visits tipped off deputies that the 21-year old was being abused.
Deputies were called to the home Saturday after neighbors reported someone screaming in the backyard. They found the young woman outside, wearing a sandwich-board sign made of plywood and held around her neck with chains. She was crying, bleeding and walking in the rain around a swimming pool. She had worn a path into the ground she had walked so much. She said she was being punished for taking two pieces of candy.
The signs around her neck read “I am a liar and a theif” (sic) and the other read “I well not” (sic). The chains holding the signs had become sightly embedded in her neck.
Deputies also found that she had a four-inch gash in the back of her head. The victim said the suspects hit her with a bucket. Deputies found that the suspects had used superglue to attempt to close the wound. The next day the wound was still open so the suspect sewed it closed with a needle and thread.
Her adoptive parents — Rondal Floyd Hale, age 59, DeeAnn Marie Hale, age 58 — and a visiting friend — Clinton Michael Carr, age 53 — were charged with aggravated abuse of a disabled adult, a first degree felony. Deputies said additional charges may be filed. All three remained in the Escambia County Jail as of Tuesday morning. Bond for Rondal Hale and Carr was set at $100,000 each, while DeeAnn Hale was being held on $50,000 bond.
Neighbors told a Pensacola media outlet over the weekend that they had called deputies before to report that the woman was being abused. But that’s not really the case, according to Sheriff’s Office records.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the home on March 31 for a reported disturbance, Baxter said. The noise turned about to be from a pool party, with several children playing and screaming in the pool. Baxter said the person that called the Sheriff’s Office refused contact from a deputy.
Last December, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy went to the home at the request of Florida Department of Children and Families investigator. The deputy was simply on “standby” outside the home, Baxter said, and had no part of any investigation. DCF did not report finding any signs of abuse during the visit.
The 21-year old victim was transported to a local hospital under the custody of DCF. It was not known Monday if she remained in the hospital or her condition.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win 10-4, Even Biscuit Series At Two
April 24, 2012
The Blue Wahoos bounced back on Monday night after back to back losses to beat the Montgomery Biscuits 10-4 at Riverwalk Stadium. After a four-run first inning, the Blue Wahoos never looked back as they evened the series at two games apiece.
Joel Guzman and P.J. Phillips both delivered two-run doubles in the first inning to put the Wahoos in front in front 4-0. The Biscuits responded with a run in the bottom of the inning against Blue Wahoos starter Tim Crabbe (W, 1-0). It was the only run he would allow until the sixth inning.
After giving up back to back singles in the bottom of the second, the Wahoo starter proceeded to retire the next 12 batters he faced from the second inning through the fifth. He walked the first two batters of the sixth, but still got out of the inning after allowing just those two runners to score.
The offense got cranked up again in the seventh when Henry Rodriguez doubled home Miguel Rojas and Ryan LaMarre. The Wahoos added four additional runs in ninth to make it 10-3. Montgomery added a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth from Greg Sexton to cap the scoring for the game.
Five Blue Wahoos had multi-hit games for Pensacola. LaMarre, Didi Gregorius, Rodriguez and Guzman all had two hits while Cody Puckett finished the game 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Gregorius’ two-hit game raised his average to a league leading .403.
Crabbe earned his first win of the season with his longest start of the year. Kyle Lobstein (L, 1-2) allowed all four first-inning runs and gave up six hits over four innings in the losing effort.
The two teams wrap up the series in Montgomery on Tuesday. The Blue Wahoos will send right-hander J.C. Sulbaran (1-1, 2.65) to the mound against Montgomery righty Joe Cruz (1-2, 5.02). First pitch is set for 10:35 a.m. at Riverwalk Stadium.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured top: Tim Crabbe worked a season-high six innings in his first win of the season. Photo courtesy Emmele Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Green To Run For Property Appraiser
April 24, 2012
A political newcomer pre-filed Monday to seek the office of Escambia County Property Appraiser.
Charles M. Green IV of Navy Boulevard pre-filed as a Republican for the office currently held by Democrat Chris Jones. There are currently no other announced candidates in the race.
Louise A. Narramore
April 24, 2012
Louise A. Narramore passed away at her home on Saturday, April 21, 2012. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Edward Narramore and her son, Anthony B. Narramore.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Edward Lee and Evalyn Narramore, grandchildren, W.E. “Ward” Narramore (Denise), Lea Narramore, Shandy Ruvalcaba and step grandson, Thomas Hollinger as well as five great grandsons. One of seven children, she is also survived by two sisters, Maxine Cocoris and Mary Taylor.
Louise was born on March 14, 1922m in Atmore and graduated from local schools. During WWII she worked in Mobile where she met her husband of 52 years. She retired from the Escambia County School System where she was the cafeteria manager at Edgewater Elementary School. Mrs. Narramore, commonly known as “Oma” was devoted to her family and loved to laugh. She was liked by all who knew her.
Her family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Covenant Hospice. The funeral will be held at Bayside Memorial Park on Thursday, April 27. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. and the service at 1 p.m.
BREAKING NEWS: 4-H Kids Vote To Sell Langley Bell
April 23, 2012
The children and teens on the Escambia County 4-H Council have voted to 21-16 sell the Langley Bell 4-H Center by approving a memorandum of understanding.
The vote results were announced tonight by Supervisor of Elections David Stafford at the Escambia County Extension Service office before a group of 4-H supporters.
Navy Federal will pay $3.6 million for the 240 acre property.
Complete reaction and details later on NorthEscambia.com.
The Informant: Subject Of Matt Damon Movie Speaks
April 23, 2012
His life story was so compelling that Matt Damon portrayed him in a 2009 Warner Brothers movie. He was one of the top executives at one of the largest companies in the world. Making $3 million per year, living in a huge house with his wife. He was on top of the world.
Until his wife called the FBI.
Then, he discovered his real happiness behind bars in a federal prison — making not millions, but $20 a month.
Mark Whitacre, now 54, made history as the highest level corporate whistleblower ever, working undercover with the FBI for years to expose a price fixing scheme at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), a massive global food processing corporation.
“Society will give you a second chance and they will forgive you,” Whitacre said as he addressed a group of GED graduates and their fellow inmates at Century Correctional Institution. Whitacre is no stranger to being in prison; he spent nine years in federal prison after ADM accused him of embezzling $9 million while he was working as a FBI mole. “It is about redemption and second chances.”
In the early 1990’s, Whitacre’s wife began to notice that something was wrong with him. He fessed up, telling her about the price fixing scheme.
“I told her that it effects everyone that goes to the grocery store,” he said, “that we were stealing from them.” ADM makes food additives such as high fructose corn syrup and other products found in most of the processed foods in the average grocery store. “It was wealthy people taking advantage of poor people.”
“She turned me in,” Whitacre said, “within an hour to the FBI.”
In federal prison, he knew things had to change.
“I knew I had to come out different than I went in,” he said. “I came out better.”
A few months into his prison sentence, Whitacre said he made the decision to help his fellow inmates. Whitacre helped inmates obtain their GED certificates and their correspondence course college diplomas. He finally felt he was earning his keep in life, while making $20 a month behind bars — a far cry from that $3 million a year ADM salary.
“Helping people…I will continue that until I am gone,” he told the Century Correctional inmates.
There are three steps that all inmates need to take, he said….steps that can also be applied to those on the outside.
The first is taking personal responsibility and not blaming others for being in prison.
“I got everything I deserved; the 9.5 years were my fault,” he said. “I had a catch me if you can attitude. It took a stay at home mom to start the probe into the largest price fixing scheme in U.S. history….but it was all my fault.”
The second step is surrounding yourself with positive influences.
“Show me your friends, and I will show you your future,” he said.
The third step, he said, is giving back.
“There is nothing more rewarding than giving back in your community, even in prison.
Once released from prison, Whitarce went to work for the biotech company Cypress Systems, Inc., a company that is heavily involved in cancer research. He started at the bottom of the employment ladder and eventually worked his way up to his current position of chief operation officer and president of operations. He often speaks at FBI events and was the guest speaker in 2011 at the Quantico FBI Academy where he told his story of second chances.
As for his wife…they couple is still married. She is a recent teacher of the year at Warrington Middle School in Pensacola.
“I stand here as living proof,” he said to Century Correctional inmates, “that America does forgive and give you second changes. You can get your life back.”
Whitacre’s story was later made famous in the Warner Brothers movie “The Informant!” with Matt Damon was Whitacre.
For a previous story about the Century CI graduation, click here.
Pictured top: “The Informant” Mark Whitacre addresses GED graduates at Century Correctional Institution. Pictures top inset: Century Correctional inmates listen to Whitacre speak. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Miss Century Care Participates In NWFL Senior Pageant
April 23, 2012
The Annual Miss Senior Northwest Florida Pageant was held Friday, with Sally Kenney from Uni-Health of Santa Rosa taking the crown.
Miss Dorothy Roper was the Century Care Center entrant in the annual event. “She didn’t win, but she still feels like a princess,” Century Care Activities Director Mae Hildreth said.
In the question and answer portion of the pageant, Roper was asked “What is your favorite time of the year and why?”. Her response was “Summer, ’cause it’s hot, hot, hot!”.
Pictured top: Miss Century Care Center Dorothy Roper at the Miss Senior Northwest Florida Pageant Friday with program host Sue Straughn of WEAR. Pictured below: Pageant contestants. Pictured bottom: Century Care Center staff work to get Dorothy Roper ready for the pageant. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
IP Awards Grants To Ransom, Tate And A Dozen Other Groups
April 23, 2012
International Paper Pensacola Mill (IP) has awarded $50,000 in Foundation Grants to local community organizations. Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement and critical community needs.
Grant recipients included Ransom Middle and Tate High schools.
Ransom’s “From Dirt to Dinner” initiative involves the Ransom Eco Club, FFA and agriculture student groups in school garden. The project presents a unique opportunity to address recent challenges, such as increased global food prices, and rethink the role of agriculture and its economic and ecological benefits. The project also improves the school campus environment with a green zone.
Tate’s “Recycling Fever, It’s an Epidemic” project will all the school’s Environmental Club purchase 120 tall plastic recycling bins which will replace cardboard boxes that are currently used but not up the job — they become flimsy when wet, they tear and teachers complain that they don’t hold enough. Large bins that roll will also be purchased for weekly clean sweeps of recyclables such as moving materials from copy rooms to the recycling dumpster.
IP grant award recipients were:
- Autism Pensacola – “Kids for Camp Summer Learning Lab”
- Ballet Pensacola - “Discover Dance”
- Community Action Program Committee – “Code Enforcement 2012”
- Council on Aging of West Florida – “Big Green, Little Green”
- Escambia County Extension Horticulture Program – “Sustainable Gardens”
- Escambia County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence – “Literacy Grant Partnership with International Paper”
- Every Child a Reader – “Project Ready”
- JM Tate High School – “Recycling Fever, It’s an Epidemic”
- Pensacola Promise – “New Wave Project”
- Pensacola State College Foundation – “Summer Environmental Camp”
- Ransom Middle School – “From Dirt to Dinner”
- United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida – “Building Literacy Skills for Pre-School Children with Special Needs”
- UWF Foundation – “College Reach Out Program”
- WSRE-TV Foundation – “Raising Readers for Tomorrow”