Disabled Naked Man Collapses, Dies As Deputies Attempt To Subdue Him
August 20, 2013
A disabled naked man collapsed and died after trying to break into several homes in Escambia County.
He was identified as 55-year old Norbert A. Chabannes.
Just after 5 p.m. Monday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 14000 block of Canal Drive after witnesses reported a naked man crawling across a yard and attempting to break into several houses by throwing bricks and other objects at windows. Chabannes, who is disabled and had only one leg, had also attempted to break into an elderly couple’s home and cut his arm in the process.
A deputy arrived to find Chabannes still naked, delirious, and covered in blood and sweat. As the deputy tried to subdue the man, it became clear that he had no pulse, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. Attempts by deputies and EMS to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
Further investigation revealed that the incident began when Chabannes arrived home and became confrontational with his housekeeper. The victim stated that during the altercation, Chabannes began gouging her eyes and repeatedly banged her head against a wall. The victim had injuries that were consistent with her statements, deputies said. The victim managed to escape and flee to a neighboring home for help.
The incident is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Stand Your Ground Special Session Officially Won’t Happen
August 20, 2013
There will officially not be a special session to deal with the state’s “stand your ground” self-defense law.
Secretary of State Ken Detzner sent a letter Tuesday to Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders notifying them that a poll of lawmakers came up well short of the 96 legislators who would need to support a special session to consider changes to the law, which grants immunity to people who use deadly force if they have reason to believe their lives are in danger.
In fact, 108 lawmakers voted against calling a session, while 47 voted for it. Another four legislators did not cast a vote.
The vote for the session fell largely along party lines, with seven House Democrats joining Republicans to quash it: Reps. Mike Clelland of Lake Mary; Mark Danish of Tampa; Dwight Dudley of St. Petersburg; Katie Edwards of Plantation; Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda of Tallahassee; Linda Stewart of Orlando; and Carl Zimmermann of Palm Harbor.
The poll stemmed from a sit-in protest at the Capitol by a group called the Dream Defenders. The group protested against the “stand your ground” law after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, though Zimmerman’s attorneys did not use the law as a trial defense. The protesters left the Capitol last week.
Meanwhile, Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, filed legislation Monday to repeal the law, but that bill remains unlikely to pass during the 2014 regular session.
story by The News Service of Florida
Pictured: Secretary of State Ken Detzner (right) listens to Gov. Rick Scott speak. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Lake Serenity Resort Campground Planned For Molino
August 20, 2013
A Cantonment resident is looking to build an RV campground resort in Molino.
The “Lake Serenity Resort” would be located at 5424 Schaag Road, about a half mile south of Omega Drive. The resort would include an RV campground, tent campground and cabins, along with amenities such as a pool, bathhouse, playground and a pavilion, all near an existing lake on the 40 acre property.
The land is owned by a family trust, with Judi Aliff of Cantonment making a pre-application to the Escambia County Development Review Committee for the project. The plans must pass numerous other hurdles in the application process before the project could begin with final approval from the county.
Pictured top: The hand drawn preliminary plans for the Serenity Lake Resort on Sascha Road in Molino as submitted to the Escambia County Development Review Committee. Pictured below: An aerial view of the lake property. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola, Century Officials Spending Two Days In The Sunshine
August 20, 2013
Officials from Pensacola and Century will spend their Tuesday and Wednesday in the Sunshine.
Barbara Peterson, president of the Florida First Amendment Foundation, will conduct sunshine and public records law training for Pensacola city employees, board members and council members all day today at Pensacola’s Saenger Theatre.
Wednesday, Peterson will meet with the staff and board members of the Greater Pensacola Chamber for training. The chamber’s Sunshine Task Force asked for the second day because there are some unique issues for the organization since it’s not a government body.
While all of the meeting are open to the public, a third session geared toward the public will be held Tuesday from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. at the Saenger called “Sunshine in the City”.
Since the free training meetings are open to the public, the Town of Century is going to take advantage of the training too. Century Mayor Freddie McCall, council member Gary Riley, Assistant Deputy Clerk Angela Suggs and Citizen Services Clerk Kim Godwin will attend Tuesday’s training session. On Wednesday, Century council member Sandra McMurray Jackson, Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez and Citizens Service Clerk Erin Weekes will attend the free session with the Pensacola Chamber.
Both training days are the result of recent reports by the State Attorney’s Office. On July 2, State Attorney Bill Eddins issued a report that Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward’s city administrator and his press secretary/public information officer had violated the state’s public record laws. He also had numerous complaints on how Pensacola dealt with public record requests–some were taking months to fulfill.
Later in the month, the state attorney issued an opinion that the Pensacola chamber does fall under the state’s Sunshine Laws because of its managing economic development and tourism for the county and city.
Meet The Northview Chiefs Tonight
August 20, 2013
The Northview High School Quarterback Club will sponsor the annual “Meet the Chiefs” at 7:00 tonight at the NHS stadium.
Planned festivities for the night include performances by the Northview Chiefs Tribal Beat Marching Band, the Northview High School cheerleaders, the Northview Dance Team, and the introduction of the 2013 Northview varsity and junior varsity Chiefs. Admission is free.
The Chiefs will host a preseason classic against Bay High School Friday night at 7:00.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Charges Upgraded: Molino Woman Charged With Murder After Husband Dies
August 20, 2013
A man shot three times by his wife Saturday night in Molino died Monday afternoon, and charges against her have been upgraded to murder.
Rebecca A. Rogers, 43, remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond, now charged with second degree murder.
She allegedly shot her husband, 42-year old Jason Lee Rogers, in the head about 10:45 p.m. Saturday at the couple’s home in the 3400 block of Highway 29 near Mathison Road. He was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. He was pronounced dead just after 1 p.m. Monday.
The shooting was domestic violence related, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Rebecca Rogers called 911 to say that her husband choked her and she shot him, according to an arrest report. Deputies arrived to find Rebecca Rogers standing outside the home. They found Jason Rogers lying unconscious in the back bedroom of the home on his stomach with what appeared to be a gunshot to his head. According to the report, he also suffered two other gunshot wounds to the back.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Two Blood Drives In Cantonment Today
August 20, 2013
There will be two blood drives going on in Cantonment on Tuesday.
One will be at International Paper from 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., and there will be a public blood drive at the Winn Dixie at 1550 South Highway 29 from 3-6:30 p.m.
Blood donors will receive a wellness check, a cholesterol screening and a t-shirt. All donors will also be entered into a drawing to win Outback Steakhouse for a year (vouchers for $240 value, 24 dinners for a year.)
Blood donations are always needed especially during the summer months and celebration events. Every two seconds someone needs a blood transfusion in the United States. Generally, healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood.
Escambia County Jail Transfer Workshops Continue
August 20, 2013
Escambia County and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will continue negotiations for the transfer of the Jail and Central Booking operations Wednesday, August 21, beginning at 9 a.m.
The workshop will be held at 221 Palafox Place in the fourth floor training room in the Escambia County Administration office. While space is limited, the meeting is open to the public.
Back To School Photo Gallery
August 20, 2013
Thousands of area students headed back to class on Monday. We asked NorthEscambia.com readers to submit back to school photos, and we received hundreds.
Click here for a photo gallery.
We regret that we are unable to run all of the photos.
Pictured top: Fourth grader Kasen Sawyer with his teacher, Kim Ryan, at Bratt Elementary School. Pictured below: The “Atallah Bunch” – Adrianna, Madeleine, and Ayden attend Byrneville Elementary; Trystan attends Bratt Elementary; and Tryniti attends Molino Park. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Randall Ovila Comeau
August 20, 2013
Randall Ovila Comeau, 78, of Cantonment died on Sunday, August 18, 2013, at Covenant Hospice at West Florida Hospital.
He is survived by his five children, Jeffrey Comeau and his wife Denise, Christopher Comeau, Lynn Ann Covell and her husband David, Brent Comeau and his wife Elizabeth, and Rebecca Sherrouse and her husband Nicholas; eight grandchildren, Sydney Milke, Jessica Comeau, Christian Comeau, Jacob Covell, Macy Comeau, Matthew Covell, Seth and Zachary Comeau (along with their mother Andrea Comeau); one great-grandchild, Lola Milke; and many nieces and nephews.
He served in the U.S. Navy 1953-1977 (retired as Master Chief). He also served his community as a management analyst in the Federal Civil Service, as a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee for 25 years, and as a minister to shut-ins for more than 30 years.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church at 6:00 p.m., Friday, August 23, 2013. The presiding celebrant will be Monsignor Michael P. Mooney.
Burial services will take place at Barrancas National Cemetery on Monday, August 26, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. at the columbarium gazebo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Hospice, 5041 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32504.