Middle 30’s Tonight
November 7, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Clear, with a low around 36. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 39. Calm wind.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Calm wind.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 76. Light east wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph.
- Veterans Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
“You Didn’t Have To Murder Him” – Wife Remembers Lottery Store Owner
November 7, 2012
A family and a community are mourning the loss of local business owner who was gunned down in his lottery store Tuesday afternoon in Davisville.
Thomas “Tommy” Kroll, 74, was found behind the counter of the State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97 — one of the top Florida Lottery retailers in the entire state.
“These scumbags killed one of the nicest men you could want to meet He would have given you the money. You didn’t have to murder him, Kathy Kroll, his wife of 44-years said early Wednesday morning. Tommy and Kathy were planning on retiring in about six months to spend time together traveling.
“He helped many people out all the time if they were in need,” she said. “He loved his children and he was so proud of his grandson and granddaughter. They now have been stolen of their years with their love and guidance of grandpa.”
The Krolls had owned the lottery store, located in a bright pink building just yards south of the Alabama state line, for about 11 years. He typically worked there most every day.
Years ago, the Krolls also owned Echo Bowling Lanes in Ensley, located on property that was later sold and eventually became home to Walmart. Tommy always had a love of bowling. He was in the bowling hall of fame and was the first bowler in Pensacola to carry a 205 average, Kathy said.
As word of Tommy Kroll’s murder spread Tuesday afternoon, community members shared fond memories of man that would go out of his way to help someone in need like they were a member of his own family.
“Everyone was touched by Tommy,” she said.
“Please keep our family in your prayers,” Kathy said. “My darling husband, I miss you more than I can say…God bless my sleeping Angel.”
For more about the murder, click here.
Pictured: A K-9 unit searches for a suspect Tuesday afternoon after the murder of a lottery store owner in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
One Suspect Apprehended In Lottery Store Murder
November 7, 2012
Click here for an update to this story.
(Updated 1:55 p.m.) One person is in custody in connection with the shooting death of the 75-year old owner of the State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97 in Davisville Tuesday afternoon, and authorities are continuing their search for a second suspect.
Malcolm Troy McGhee, Jr. was arrested during the early morning hours Wednesday after a search warrant was executed at a home in Escambia County, Alabama. McGhee is being held awaiting extradition back to Florida to face charges in connection with the incident.
Authorities continued their search for a second suspect throughout Tuesday night and Wednesday.
The victim was found behind the counter Tuesday suffering from a gunshot wound about 1:40 p.m. Tuesday and was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was identified as Thomas “Tommy” Kroll, the longtime owner of the small bright pink-colored store known for selling numerous winning Florida lottery tickets just yards from the Alabama state line. The store is one of the top lottery retailers in Florida.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Deputies said two tall and thin males wearing ski masks and blue jeans entered the store armed with a handgun and attempted to rob Kroll. Kroll was shot and killed “after an exchange of gunfire”, the Sheriff’s Office said. The suspects fled in an unknown direction following the shooting. K-9 units from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Century Correctional Institution were unable to locate a track on the suspects. No further description of the suspects was available.
Numerous law enforcement officers from Florida and Alabama surrounded the store and scoured the area following the shooting looking for the suspects as investigators questioned several potential witnesses.
Investigators have not said what, if anything, was taken during the robbery.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
For more about Tommy Kroll and words from his wife, click here.
Pictured: The first deputy arrived at a reported robbery and shooting at the State Line O’ Yes Lotto just a few moments after the was reported. Pictured inset: A K-9 unit from Century Correctional Institution searches for a possible suspect track. Pictured below: The search for a suspect Tuesday afternoon in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Four More – Barack Obama Re-Elected President
November 7, 2012
President Barack Obama defeated his Republican challenger Mitt Romney Tuesday to win a second and final term in office.
Romney conceded the long, hard fought 2012 campaign in a speech before a crowd of disappointed supporters in Boston, Massachusetts, the state he once governed. Standing alone on the podium, he congratulated Obama on his election victory, saying “this is a time a great challenge for our nation, and I pray the president will be successful in guiding our nation.”
Romney also praised his vice presidential running mate, Congressman Paul Ryan, calling him “the best choice I’ve ever made” next to marrying his wife Ann.
Supporters at the president’s campaign headquarters in Chicago waved flags and cheered at the news, which came after Obama won enough states to reach the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the election.
“We are an American family, we rise and fall together as one nation, as one people,” Obama said during his victory speech early Wednesday morning. “For the United States of America, the best is yet to come.”
Obama’s campaign staff Tweeted “Four more years,” and included a picture (left) of the president hugging his wife, Michelle Obama. The Empire State Building in New York lit its light atop the iconic building blue, the color of the Democratic Party.
Pictured top: President Barack Obama delivers his victory speech early Wednesday morning. Pictured inset: Obama’s campaign staff Tweeted “Four more years” and this photo after the victory. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thomas Retains Superintendent Job
November 7, 2012
Escambia County Schools Superintendent Malcolm Thomas was re-elected Tuesday nearly a 2-1 margin.
Republican Thomas received 64 percent of the vote to Democrat Claudia Brown-Curry’s 36 percent.
“I’m certainly happy with the results,” Thomas said. “For an incumbent to win another term is a validation that you have been doing the job you were elected to do.” Thomas said his number one priority will continue to be the children in the school district and a continued effort to make improvements.
“I look forward to continuing to protect the interest of the students in the district,” he said. “We have accomplished a lot in four years and will continue to work to become stronger and stronger.”
Complete Escambia Local Election Results
November 7, 2012
Here are a complete, but unofficial, vote totals for local races in Escambia County.
Escambia County Winners:
- Sheriff — David Morgan
- Property Appraiser — Chris Jones
- Tax Collector — Janet Holley
- School Superintendent — Malcom Thomas
- Commission District 1 — Wilson Robertson
- Commission District 3- Luman May
- Commission District 5 — Steven Barry
- ECUA District 1 — Vicki H. Campbell
79 of 79 precincts reporting
Escambia (Ala.) Election Results
November 7, 2012
Here are complete, but unofficial, results from local races in Escambia County, Alabama:
Escambia County Probate Judge
- Doug Agerton – 7,397
- Emilie Mims – 7,157
Escambia County Court Clerk
- John Robert Fountain – 8,498
- Becki Breckenridge – 5,954
School Board District 3
- Mike Edwards – 940
- Jack Crutchfield – 768
County Commission District 4
- Brandon Smith – 2,107
- Junior Hall – 956
School Board District 7
- Coleman Wallace – 930
- Chuck Brooks – 818
Barry, May, Robertson Elected To Escambia Commission
November 7, 2012
Two new faces and an incumbent were elected Tuesday to the Escambia County Commission.
In District 1, incumbent Wilson Robertson defeated challenger Bobby Spencer. Robertson garnered about 65 percent of the vote.
In District 3, Lumon May received 71 percent of the vote for the seat being vacated by Marie Young, who did not seek re-election.
In District 5, Republican Steven Barry received 70 percent of the vote to defeat NPA candidate Packy Mitchell for the seat currently held by Kevin White, who dropped out of the race before the primary election.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to serve, the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the county and the commission district,” Barry said Tuesday night.
He said he wants Escambia County business conducted in such a way that is always above board, and he wants Escambia County to be perceived as a great place to do business.
“I want to see a difference,” he said. “I want things to be better.”
Jeff Miller Easily Re-elected
November 7, 2012
Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller was easily re-elected Tuesday, defeating little known Democrat Jim Bryan and Libertarian Calen Fretts.
Miller, of Chumuckla, has been the Congressman in the state’s westernmost Panhandle Congressional District 1 since 1998. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
The race was never expected to be close, with both challengers little known and drawing little financial support.
Bill Nelson Defeats Connie Mack For Third Term
November 7, 2012
Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson easily won a third term on Tuesday, defeating Republican U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, whose name recognition as the son of a well-liked former senator didn’t pay off.
Mack appeared to be the victim in part of stronger than expected turnout by Democrats in Florida, but his candidacy never really got off the ground, even with many Republicans.
Nelson appeared to benefit from considerable ticket splitting with large numbers of Republicans who voted for Mitt Romney for president supporting Nelson instead of Mack. For example in Pasco County, where Romney appeared headed for a solid win, Nelson was ahead by about 20,000 votes with more than 80 percent of ballots counted.
Nelson was first elected to the Senate in 2000 in a race overshadowed by the presidential recount drama of that year, but has been in public office for much of the time since 1972 when he was elected to the state Legislature.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, hoping to hold on to the Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate claimed victory in the race almost as soon as the polls closed. State Democrats did as well.
“He is a true champion for middle class families and a passionate advocate for our state,” state Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith said of Nelson. “He has delivered for the people of Florida, and tonight they have delivered him a decisive victory.”
Mack got into the Senate race late, after party members complained that several candidates in the race didn’t seem to be polling well against the popular Nelson. But Mack didn’t take off either.
Mack did chase several Republicans from the race, including former state lawmaker Adam Hasner, who switched to a race for Congress, and former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, who dropped out.
Republicans had hoped Mack’s name would make him more viable. Mack’s father, Connie Mack, was a popular U.S. senator from the state. He also shares the name of his great-grandfather, who was a baseball manager for more than 50 years.
After his time in the state Legislature, Nelson was elected to Congress in 1978 and served six terms, representing the Orlando and Space Coast areas. As a result, Nelson was allowed to go into orbit on the space shuttle Columbia in 1986.
In 1994, Nelson was elected to the Cabinet as insurance commissioner, after an unsuccessful bid for governor in 1990, when he lost to Lawton Chiles in the primary.