Two Wanted For Skipping Court On Felony Grand Theft Charges
October 8, 2013
Authorities are on the lookout for two Perdido, Ala., residents who failed to show up in the court on charges that they skipped the registers at a Pensacola Walmart with two buggies of items worth over $1,000.
Ronald Eugene Haager, 46, and Anna Trisha Hamric, 35, were both charged with felony grand theft back in June. Haager was also charged with misdemeanor resisting.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, a loss prevention employee at Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard noticed the couple acting strange and then exiting the store without paying for two shopping carts full of merchandise.
The loss prevention officer followed the couple outside and asked them to return to the store. They complied at first, but then Haager took off on foot, the report states. An off-duty officer at a nearby business detained Haager.
The two shopping carts contained 169 items valued at $1,010.28 that were returned to the store.
Judge Joel Boles issued failure to appear warrants for both Haager and Hamric when they were not in court for a set hearing. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or their local law enforcement agency.
Solari Named National Merit Commended Student
October 8, 2013
Courtney Solari of Northview High School has been named a Commended Student in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program.
A Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program, will be presented by Principal Gayle Weaver to Solari.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2014 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2014 competition by taking the 2012 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
“The young men and women being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
Ruby Drew James
October 8, 2013
Ruby Drew James, 87 of Atmore, passed away Monday, October 7, 2013, in Atmore. She was a homemaker, born in Atmore on May 17, 1926, to the late Dewitt and Alvenia Green Drew. She was a member of the Pine Level Primitive Baptist Church of Atmore.
She was married to Harold James for 40 wonderful years, who precedes her in death. She also is preceded in death by four brothers, Charles Drew, Carl Drew, Gene Drew and Julian Drew; two sisters, Gladys Criswell Solomon and Liz Weaver.
Survivors include three daughters, Sandra (Gary) Hare of Atmore, Joan (Gerald) Malone of Bay Minette and Cathy (Steve) McKinley of Atmore; two sisters, Georgia Brooks of Atmore and Ann (Wayne) Sanders of Lawrenceville, GA; five grandchildren, Connie (Chris) Wilson; Jeff (Emily) Malone; Lisa (Brian) Wheatley; Jan (Adam) Smith and Vicki (Seth) Dettling; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services will be Wednesday October 09, 2013, at 11 a.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Grindle officiating. Music will be rendered by grandson Hunter Dettling and cousin Blake Presley.
Interment will follow in Pine Level Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Jeff Malone, Adam Smith, Dustin Wilson, Chuck Brooks, Will Malone, and Chris Wilson.
Honorary pallbearers are her caretakers, Stacy Stokes, Linda Peacock, Sharon Webb and Toni Boutwell.
Family will receive friends, Wednesday October 09, 2013 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is entrusted with all arrangements
Dennis George Westervelt
October 8, 2013
Dennis George Westervelt, 73 of Atmore, passed away Friday, October 4, 2013 in Atmore. He was a Kodak display organizer, born in Bronx, N.Y. on February 08, 1940, to the late Eugene George and Geneviève Pickard Westervelt. He served his country by serving in the U.S. Navy.
Survivors include his wife, Rose Rhodes Westervelt of Atmore; four daughters, Denise Eckdahl of Connecticut, Susan Hillie of New Jersey, Lisa Conner and Danielle Guinter both of Pennsylvania; and 10 grandchildren.
Graveside services were held Monday, October 07, 2013, in Judson Cemetery with military honors.
Interment was in Judson Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is entrusted with all arrangements.
Rachel Powell
October 8, 2013
Rachel Powell, 82, a native of Evergreen, AL and a longtime resident of Cantonment, passed away October 15, 2013.
She had a green thumb for growing roses and gladiolas and enjoyed gardening very much. Mrs. Powell was an excellent cook, especially pecan pies, chicken and dumplings, apple tarts, and fried chicken. She was an avid student of the Bible and was a member of First Baptist Church Cantonment for more than 50 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, John Powell; son, Rodney Powell and six brothers. Survivors include her daughter, Beverly (Gary) Kubina; son, Jeffrey (Dianne) Powell; grandchildren: Michael, Makenna, and Matthew Powell; and brother, Roger (Hazel) Kearley; several nieces, nephews and many friends.
The family will receive friends Friday, October 18, 2013 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment. The funeral service will be conducted from the Chapel of Faith Chapel Funeral Home North at 7:30 pm.
Interment will be in Arkadelphia Cemetery in Evergreen, AL on Saturday, October 19, 2013, at 11 a.m. Dr. Will Stone and Reverend. Larry Huff officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Emerald Coast Hospice or to Alzheimer’s Family Services.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Hwy 29S, Cantonment, FL is entrusted with arrangements.
Former Prison Employee Sentenced For Smuggling Phones Into Facility
October 7, 2013
A former Century Correctional Institution employee has been sentenced for smuggling a cell phone into the facility.
Sara Elizabeth Lowery, age 31 of Flomaton, pleaded no contest to a felony charge of smuggling a contraband cellular phone or communications device and a felony charge of possessing a contraband cellular phone or communications device on the grounds of a state correctional facility.
Judge Ross Goodman withheld adjudication in sentencing Lowery to three years probation and 200 hours of community service.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Lowery went through a routine check last May as she reported for work. The check revealed Lowery had five packs of unopened cigars, eight AA batteries, two cell phones wrapped in M&M paper, three cans of smokeless tobacco, two lighters, five activation cards, two packs of colored pens, two packs of single cigarettes and $100 worth of $20 bills. All of the items were retained by the prison.
Cooler, Near 50 Tonight
October 7, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 51. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 80. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Final Day To Submit Name Ideas For Northview Stadium
October 7, 2013
Northview High School is considering naming their football stadium, possibly in memory of late teacher and coach Tommy Weaver. And today is the final day for the public to offer their input.
The school received an official request to name the stadium for Weaver, which set the naming process in motion. For a 30 day period, the school has accepted suggestions from the community for potential stadium names. Any name change would then be considered by the Escambia County School Board.
Suggestions must be submitted by the end of the school day today by email to bjohnson3@escambia.k12.fl.us.
Weaver was a longtime DCT and Ag instructor and assistant coach who passed away suddenly at the age of 61 in March 2012. The Chiefs’ entire 2012 state championship football season was dedicated to Weaver.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Look To Reduce Vehicle Registration Fees
October 7, 2013
Florida Senate leaders are quickly trying to revive a plan to reduce vehicle-registration fees, with the Senate Transportation Committee scheduled to take it up Wednesday. Appropriations Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, has said the proposal (SB 156), which would roll back fee increases approved in 2009 to help close a budget shortfall, could save vehicle owners about $230 million.
Senators pushed the fee reductions during the 2013 session, but the proposal died — at least in part because it would have been funded by eliminating a tax break that benefits the politically influential insurance industry. The new bill does not include the insurance-tax issue.
Negron hopes Gov. Rick Scott will include the vehicle-fee reductions in a package of $500 million in tax and fee cuts that would be considered during the 2014 session.
Photos: This Weekend Wreck Was Just Nuts
October 7, 2013
A Saturday wreck in Santa Rosa County was just nuts. Seriously nuts. A peanut wagon apparently came loose from a truck and hit three parked cars, sending peanuts everywhere near the Allentown crossroads. There were no injuries reported. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
