Hundreds Of Students Gather To Pray At The Pole (With Photo Gallery)
September 25, 2013
Hundreds of students gathered at their schools across the area Wednesday morning during the annual See You at the Pole event.
Students gathered as school began to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. Students prayed for their school, friends, teachers, government and the nation.
For photos from Northview High, West Florida High, Jay High, Ransom Middle, Ernest Ward Middle and Molino Park Elementary, click here for a photo gallery.
Have See You at the Pole photos? Email them to news@northescambia.com.
Pictured top: See You at the Pole Wednesday morning at Ernest Ward Middle School. Pictured inset: SYATP at Northview High School. Pictured below Molino Park Elementary, West Florida High School, Ransom Middle School, Jay High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lottery Store Murder Suspect Enters Plea, Faces Up To 30 Years
September 25, 2013
One of the two men involved in the robbery and shooting death of a Davisville lottery store owner last November has entered a plea.
Brent Dewayne Lambeth, 21, has pleaded no contest to second degree murder. Under his plea deal, he will receive no more than 30 years in prison, provided he testifies against his co-defendant and alleged triggerman, 25-year old Malcolm McGhee Jr.
McGhee’s trial in set to begin in November on charges of premeditated first degree murder and robbery with a firearm for the shooting death of 74-year old Thomas “Tommy” Kroll during a robbery on November 6, 2012, at the State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97.
Investigators said McGhee and Lambeth targeted Kroll’s business because they had previous purchased “Spice” there and the duo intended on robbing the store of more of the synthetic marijuana.
Pictured top and bottom: The scene outside the State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97 following the murder of store owner Thomas Kroll on November 6, 2012. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Approves $354.5 Million Budget, Pay Raises
September 25, 2013
The Escambia County Commission has approved a balanced $364.5 million budget for fiscal year 2013-14, which begins October 1.
The new budget includes a three percent cost of living raise for all county employees, including constitutional offices and the Sheriff’s Office. The raises are the first for all county employees since 2007 and will cost about $2.6 million.
The $364,520,055 budget is 2.36 percent more than last fiscal year’s budget of $356,102,136.
The tax millage rates approved are 6.6165 for the County-wide millage rate, .3590 for the Library Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) and .6850 for the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU).
The total millage rate proposed for Fiscal Year 2013-14 is 0.12 percent below the “Rolled Back Rate” certified by the property appraiser. This represents the percentage decrease in property taxes tentatively adopted by the county commission. The “Rolled Back Rate” is a computed millage rate that would generate the same amount of ad valorem tax dollars as the prior fiscal year, based on the proposed year’s tax roll, excluding new construction.
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.