Charges Pending After Hwy 29 Crash In McDavid
January 21, 2012
Two people were injured and charges are pending after a two vehicle crash early Saturday morning in McDavid.
The accident happened about 3:30 a.m. near Cox Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 2010 Mazda driven by 22-year old Dwayne K. Fountain of Florence, Ala., was legally parked next to Highway 29. His vehicle was struck by a northbound 1999 Ford Taurus driven by 27-year old Anna Maria Rae Lynn of Atmore. The parked Mazda was knocked into a wooded area by the force of the collision.
Fountain and Lynn were transported to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. A passenger in Lynn’s vehicle, 29-year old Elizabeth A. Skelton of Atmore also received minor injuries.
Charges are pending against Lynn, according to the FHP.
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
Pictured: One person was injured in this two vehicle crash earl Saturday morning in McDavid. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chance Of Rain For Sunday
January 21, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Isolated showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 10 mph.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Calm wind.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. East wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73.
- Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 53.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Navy Federal Named One Of The Best Employers In U.S.
January 21, 2012
One of the best companies to work for in the country is located in Escambia County, according to FORTUNE magazine.
FORTUNE announced Friday that Navy Federal Credit Union was ranked #95 on their 15th annual list of The 100 Best Companies To Work For. Navy Federal also made the list in 2008 and is the only credit union to ever receive the honor.
“Service and commitment are a two-way street – employees take care of our members and we take care of our employees. I’ve always believed that Navy Federal is a great place to work. I’m proud of our dedicated and talented team members who contribute to making us one of the ‘100 Best,’ ” said Cutler Dawson, President/CEO, Navy Federal Credit Union.
A Little Good News On The Unemployment Front
January 21, 2012
The latest job numbers released Friday showed a little bit of good news in the three-county North Escambia area — while Florida’s state unemployment rate dropped to the lowest level in two and a half years.
Escambia County’s unemployment was down slightly from 10.1 percent in November to 9.9 percent in December. There were 455 jobs gained during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 13,512 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 11.3 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment slipped from 9.2 percent to 9.1 percent in December. Santa Rosa County added 97 jobs during the period, with a total of 6,385 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 9.8 percent.
The employment news was also good in Escambia County, Alabama, where unemployment dropped from 9.2 percent in November to 9.0 percent in December. That represented 39 people returning to work during the month. There were 1,305 people unemployed in the county during the month.
Florida’s unemployment rate in December fell to 9.9 percent, its lowest level in two and a half years. December’s rate translates to 913,000 jobless Floridians out of a potential work force of 9.2 million.
Alabama’s seasonally unemployment rate, at 8.1 percent in December, was down from November’s rate of 8.7 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 9.1.percent.
The unemployment figures do not include discouraged workers who have given up on their job search or part-time employees who would rather be working full time. If those are added, the jobless rate typically climbs by several points.
Local Bride-To-Be Misses Dream War Eagle Wedding
January 21, 2012
A North Escambia area woman won’t get the free complete wedding package of her dreams this spring on Samford Lawn on the campus of Auburn University.
Jennifer Coleman, a Flomaton High School graduate, and her groom-to-be, Wes Sinor, fell short of first place in the War Eagle Wedding contest.
“Not the perfect ending, but still a very successful run at the War Eagle Wedding,” Coleman said. “Thanks everyone for your votes and support. Although we did not win, Auburn University has generously gotten us this much closer to our dream wedding.”
The couple of Katie Oliver and Slade Ponder were announced as winners on Friday of the May 26 wedding of their dreams including the dress, tuxedos, flowers, photos, cakes, limousine, entertainment, reception — a complete wedding package worth thousands. Oliver and Ponder received 9,992 votes for the win. The other two couples received 7,181 votes and 3,352 votes, but contest officials did not name which couple was second and which was third.
For an earlier story about Jennifer and Wes, click here.
Pictured: Wes Sinor and Jennifer Coleman of Flomaton, pictured here at the 2011 Auburn-Mississippi State game, are huge Auburn football fans. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ball Registration: NWE, Molino, Cantonment, Atmore
January 21, 2012
Baseball and softball registrations have been scheduled for Northwest Escambia, Molino, Cantonment and Atmore.
The Northwest Escambia League will hold open registration for baseball and softball for ages 3-18 as follows:
- Friday, January 27 from 5-8 p.m.
- Saturday, January 28 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The cost will be $50 for the first child, $40 for the second child and $10 for the third child from each family. A copy of the child’s birth certificate should be brought to registration at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
Molino Ballpark registration will be held every Saturday until February 18 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Don Sutton Ballpark. Cost is $50 for the first child, $45 for the second and $40 for the third from the same family. A copy of the child’s birth certificate should be brought to registration.
Cantonment Baseball and Softball registration will he held every Saturday until February 18 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Cantonment Ballpark, 681 Well Line Road.
Ages 4 and up. Registration is $80 for the first child, $70 for the second, $60 for the third and additional child per family.
Teams include:
- T-ball 4-6
- Coach Pitch 7-8
- Minors 9-10
- Majors 11-12
- Pony 13-14
Atmore Babe Ruth Softball registration for ages 6-16 will be held each Saturday until February 4 at the concession stand at the softball fields at Tom Byrne Park.
Tryouts will be Saturday, February 11 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the softball fields at Tom Byrne Park. Players may register on the day of tryouts.
The registration fee will be $45 for one child and $40 each for the second and additional children. A copy of the player’s birth certification should be brought to registration.
Early Voting Underway
January 21, 2012
Early voting is underway with four sites in Escambia County for the January 31 Presidential Preference Primary.
Early voting will be available Sunday, January 22 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.; and from Monday, January 23 through Saturday, January 28 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Early voters will cast paper ballots through digital scanners. As a result of the renovations of the downtown library, the Genealogy Branch Library will not be available as a polling place; the Tryon Branch Library will be used instead.
Early voting will take place at:
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Supervisor of Elections Annex, 292 Muscogee Road, Cantonment
- Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Avenue
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
Votes may also be cast by mail or on primary day.
By Mail: Voters may vote by mail using an absentee ballot, which can be requested through the online form at EscambiaVotes.com, or by contacting the Supervisor of Elections by mail, phone (850-595-3900), e-mail (absentee@escambiavotes.com), or fax (850-595-3914). Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and the address, and must be received no later than Wednesday, January 25. Voted ballots must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location on Election Day. Absentee voters may track the status of their ballot at EscambiaVotes.com by clicking Track My Ballot.
At Your Precinct: The third option for voters is to cast a paper ballot at their precinct on Election Day, January 31, using our digital scanners. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. A touchscreen is also available at each polling place and early voting site for persons with disabilities.
Voters are reminded to bring their photo and signature ID with them to the polls, and are encouraged to contact the Elections Office by phone or e-mail with any questions.
Prison Privitization Measure Headed To Budget Panel
January 21, 2012
Senate President Mike Haridopolos said Friday he will send a controversial prison-privatization plan to another committee for review — but stopped short of fulfilling a request by Sen. Mike Fasano for greater scrutiny.
Fasano, R-New Port Richey, sent a letter to Haridopolos arguing that bills dealing with the privatization plan are of “such a magnitude” that they deserve to be heard by three committees that focus on criminal-justice and government-oversight issues.
“In my opinion a subject as complex as prison privatization should have been referred to the substantive committees that oversee this subject matter (i.e. Criminal Justice, Governmental Oversight and Accountability and Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations),” wrote Fasano, chairman of the Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee. “The Senate has a rich history as a deliberative body that examines and allows for full vetting of proposed policy changes both major and minor.”
Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, released a memo a short time later saying he would send the primary privatization bill (SB 2038) to the Budget Committee, which is chaired by Sen. JD Alexander, a chief proponent of privatization. Until that announcement, the bill had only been assigned to the Rules Committee.
In the memo, Haridopolos said he decided to “proceed in an abundance of caution” after hearing concerns from senators about the issue, which would lead to privatizing prisons in 18 counties in the southern half of the state. But he also defended his handling of the plan, saying it was fully considered and approved by the Senate during the 2011 legislative session.
Lawmakers included the privatization plan in the fine print of the 2011-12 budget. But a Leon County circuit judge rejected that decision, saying such a plan had to be approved in state law.
Haridopolos and Alexander, R-Lake Wales, say the plan would save tens of millions of dollars for the state, though it is vehemently opposed by correctional officers.
In defending his handling of the issue, Haridopolos also said in the memo that he had “authored an opinion piece stating my position that it is paramount that we prioritize our state’s spending by privatizing prisons, which has the potential to save a minimum of 22 million taxpayer dollars that I firmly believe are better spent on education, health care and economic development.”
The Senate Rules Committee is scheduled to take up the issue Monday, and Haridopolos’ memo said it will go to the Budget Committee on Wednesday.
By The News Service of Florida
Deputy Convicted Of Battery
January 21, 2012
An Escambia County deputy was convicted Friday of misdemeanor battery; he was originally charged with felony battery.
Deputy Zachary McArthur was charged in connection with a December 2010 incident at the Escambia County Jail. According to the State Attorney’s Office, McArthur battered Justin Johnson while he was being detained at the jail. As a result of the incident Johnson received 11 stitches for an injury to his face. The entire incident was captured on video.
According to court records, Johnson went to Chan’s Nightclub on December 8, 2010, a week after a deputy had told him to leave the business. Johnson said he did not see deputies at the nightclub during a four to five hour period until Deputy McArthur and a bouncer snatched him from his seat and taken outside where he was placed in the deputy’s cruiser.
Johnson told investigators that he was never told he was under arrest. He said that he remembered arriving at the Escambia County Jail where his head was slammed into something before blood poured down his face. Johnson said that while in the jail’s booking area, he made the statement that he wanted to kill himself just so someone would get him medical attention.
A State Attorney investigator said he viewed video from the jail’s booking area at the time of Johnson’s arrival with Deputy McArthur. According to the investigator, a black male and three other deputies, one of which was a sergeant, were also in the booking area.
The investigator stated that McArthur used his upper body to throw Johnson to the floor. “Deputy McArthur then grabs Justin Johnson by the handcuffs and drags him about 3-4 feet and leaves him lying on the floor bleeding,” State Attorney Investigator Richard Furmaniuk stated. “After Justin Johnson is dragged to the front of the bench, you can see the trail of blood on the floor, from Justin Johnson’s face.”
Furmaniuk said the video shows that Johnson is left on the floor for four minutes with no medical attention from McArthur or any of the other deputies in the booking area.
The incident was investigated by both the State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Man Sentenced To 30 Years For Touching Girl
January 21, 2012
An Escambia County man is headed to prison for inappropriately touching a seven year old girl.
Steven Gibout was sentenced by Judge Joel Boles to 30 years in state prison with 25 years minimum mandatory. He was also designated as a sexual predator.
Gibout was found guilty last month by an Escambia County jury of lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim under 12 years of age.
In 1992, Gibout was convicted of third degree murder and served approximately 13 years in state prison.
The investigation and arrest were conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.