Murder Charges Dropped Against Escambia Man; Child Died Of Natural Causes
September 25, 2013
Charges have been dropped against an Escambia County man accused of murdering his child earlier this year after an autopsy determined the child died from meningitis.
Jeffrey Antwan Simmons, 30, was arrested in February, charged with second degree murder and aggravated child abuse for allegedly causing the death of a 22-month old.
The child was in Simmons’ care at the time of the incident. The child was discovered suffering seizures and was unresponsive; the mother attempted to perform CPR prior to the arrival of EMS.
When the victim arrived at the hospital, her symptoms were consistent with non-accidental traumatic brain injury. It was believed at the time that Simmons caused the injuries. The child was hospitalized for 10 days before being declared dead. Throughout this time, it was believed that the child died as the result of a traumatic brain injury.
Following the child’s death, an autopsy determined that the child was suffering from meningitis and that the cause of death was an infection of the central nervous system. The autopsy confirmed the child died of natural causes, the State Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
Pickup Plummets Into Rain Swollen Creek Near Bratt
September 25, 2013
A driver received only minor injuries after his pickup truck plummeted into a rain-swollen creek in Bratt Tuesday evening.
The man was westbound on West Highway 4 near Dortch Road in heavy rain about 6:30 p.m. when he hit standing water in the roadway and hydroplaned, he said. The pickup left the road and struck a guardrail and sign, sheering off a tire. The Dodge 1500 then dropped several feet into a concrete culvert at the Beaver Dam Bridge. The pickup came to rest on its side in several feet of water.
After crawling out of the truck, the man said he was unable to crawl up the culvert wall, so he was forced to swim across the rushing creek to the opposite band before crawling out.
His injuries were not severe, and he refused medical treatment.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
AG Bondi Apologies For Delaying Killer’s Execution
September 25, 2013
Attorney General Pam Bondi repeatedly apologized Tuesday for asking Gov. Rick Scott to reschedule an execution from the night of her waterfront “campaign kickoff” fundraiser, as she addressed the Tallahassee media for the first time since the reason for the delay became public.
Bondi said her request to move the execution of convicted murder Marshall Lee Gore from Sept. 10 to Oct. 1 was a “mistake” that “won’t happen again.”
Scott has said he was simply complying with a request from a state Cabinet member when he rescheduled the execution. Bondi, who has yet to receive a challenger in her 2014 re-election campaign, said her staff was aware of the reason for the request.
Attorneys for Gore, whose sanity has been the focus of two prior successful efforts to block the execution, have again filed a challenge to the planned execution.
“We are fighting that,” Bondi said.
Gore was convicted of killing two women in 1988 in Miami-Dade and Columbia counties. Gore’s death warrant is for the murder of Robyn Novick, whose nude body was found in March 1988 in a rural area of Miami-Dade.
Asked if she was concerned the incident could hinder the perception of her as a crime fighter, Bondi replied: “I asked that a killer’s date be changed and he was given 20 more days, and it won’t happen again. I’m sorry.”
Belle Foods Stores Sold At Auction
September 25, 2013
At least 30 Belle Foods stores are expected to remain open after 43 stores went on the bankruptcy auction block. Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc., made the $16.13 million winning bid plus an agreement to purchase the inventories of several other stores at a discount.
AWG filed a “stalking horse” bid plan, with a group of 11 other bidders that must be accepted by bankruptcy court. Under the plan, some of the other 11 buyers will close the Belle Foods stories and liquidate their inventories. Some may or may not reopen under a new or existing name. Belle currently operates stores as Belle Foods, Piggly Wiggly, Food World, Southern Family Markets and Bruno’s.
The Atmore Belle Foods store, along with one previously operated as a Piggly Wiggly in Luverne, AL, will be sold to Ramey Enterprises in Waynesboro, MS. Ramey operates the “Ramey’s” supermarkets in 14 Mississippi Locations plus locations in Butler and Chatom, Alabama. The company also operates two CashSavers stores and one Pic n Sav.
The Brewton, AL, store will be purchased by Food Giant Supermarkets, Inc. It is currently slated to be closed, with the assets sold to AWG.
The Food World stores in Pensacola, previously owned by Belle, were already sold prior to Tuesday’s bankruptcy auction.
Editor’s note: The Piggly Wiggly store in Davisville is not associated with Belle Foods or involved in bankruptcy.
Hundreds Attend Middle School Open House Events
September 25, 2013
Hundreds of parents attended Open House events at middle schools across Escambia County Tuesday evening. Parents had the opportunity to learn more about their child’s middle school education and learn more about how to become involved at their child’s school.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School teacher Laura Chavers explains her class to parents Tuesday night. Pictured inset: EWMS teacher Renee Wilkins discusses her language arts class with parents. Pictured Parents at Tuesday night’s Open House at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Jay In District Volleyball (With Photo Gallery)
September 25, 2013
The Northview Lady Chiefs earned an important district win against the Jay Royals Tuesday evening in Bratt.
In varsity action, Northview defeated Jay 23-25, 25-16, 25-18, 12-25, 15-19. Tiffani Pritchett had 5 aces, 2 kills, and 17 digs for the Lady Chiefs, while Hanna Ging had 4 aces, 1 kill, and 7 digs. A portion of the matches was played in dim conditions after half of the lighting in the Northview gym failed due to power problems in a heavy thunderstorm.
In junior varsity action, Jay defeated Northview 18-25, 25-13, 11-15. Dimonique Brown had 1 ace, 6 kills, and 5 digs, and Leah Fischer had 3 aces, 4 kills, 1 block, and 4 digs for Northview.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The varsity Lady Chiefs will travel to Jay Thursday to play Freeport in a district match up.
Pictured top and inset: The Northview Lady Chiefs take on the Jay Lady Royals Tuesday in Bratt. Picture below: The varsity Chiefs celebrate a win. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Open House Is Thursday
September 25, 2013
Byrneville Elementary School will hold an Open House event this Thursday, September 26.
The event begins at 6 p.m. and includes the Open House, a Title I meeting and PTO meeting. For more information, contact the school.
Heavy Rains Cause Flooding, Damage
September 25, 2013
Thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall and flooding to the North Escambia area Tuesday evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Mobile, Doppler radar estimated up to four inches of rain fell in just over an hour. The Atmore Police Department reported extensive flooding in their city, particularly in the downtown area.
Several downtown Atmore businesses and residents reported minor damage from flooding.
In Florida, minor street and creek flooding occurred, but there was no damage reported.
Pictured top and inset: Flooding on North Main Street in Atmore as water seeps into the Alabama Wing House. Pictured below: A portion of a gas station awning downed and flooding at North Main Street and Jacks Branch Road in Atmore. Pictured bottom: Flooding at Highway 21 and Medical Park Drive in Atmore. Reader photos by Kristen Branch, Lori Eddins and Pamela Iutzi for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
USPS Proposes Three Cent Increase In Cost Of Stamps
September 25, 2013
The U.S. Postal Service has announced proposed price changes, including an increase in the price of a first class letter from 46 cents to 49 cents. The proposed changes, which would go into effect in January, are intended to generate $2 billion in annual revenue for the Postal Service.
Other types of mail would also increase in cost:
- Letters (1 oz.) — 3-cent increase to 49 cents
- Letters additional ounces — 1-cent increase to 21 cents
- Letters to all international destinations (1 oz.) — $1.15
- Postcards — 1-cent increase to 34 cents
In a letter disseminated to customers today, Board of Governors Chairman Mickey Barnett described the “precarious financial condition” of the Postal Service and the “uncertain path toward enactment of postal reform legislation” as primary reasons for seeking price changes. He also indicated that the price adjustment is necessary in order to ensure that the Postal Service will be able to maintain and continue the development of postal services.
“Of the options currently available to the Postal Service to align costs and revenues, increasing postage prices is a last resort that reflects extreme financial challenges,” said Barnett in the letter. “However, if these financial challenges were alleviated by the timely enactment of laws that close a $20 billion budget gap, the Postal Service would reconsider its pricing strategy. We are encouraged by the recent introduction of comprehensive postal reform legislation in Congress, and despite an uncertain legislative process, we are hopeful that legislation can be enacted this year.”
Pictured top: Forever stamps. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Patricia Ann Wiggins
September 25, 2013
Mrs. Patricia Ann Wiggins, 64, passed away on Monday, September 23, 2013, in Mobile.
Mrs. Wiggins was a native of Century and a resident of Perdido since 1999. Mrs. Wiggins retired from Piggly Wiggly in Century after 23 years of service. Her first husband, Elbert Ronald Wiggins; second husband, A.G. Smith; one son, Elbert “Bert” Ronald Wiggins, Jr.; and mother, Mary E. Peacock, precede her in death.
Survivors include her three sons, William Henry (Patty) Wiggins of Atmore, Bruce Kendall “Kenny” (Susan) Smith of Perdido and James Agee (Teresa) Smith of Bay Minette; one daughter, Becky (David) Macks of Perdido; two brothers, Raymond Simmons of Missouri and Bo Simmons of Milton; two sisters, Brenda Peacock of Perdido and Linda Sue Wiggins of Bratt; and eight grandchildren.
Funeral services will Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Tony Floyd officiating.
Burial will follow at the Godwin Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Bruce Smith, John Brantley, Chris Macks, Cameron Macks, Jimmy Wiggins and Henry Wiggins.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC, is in charge of all arrangements.