Alleged Gang Leader, Former Century Resident, Set For Trial
November 2, 2013
Trial has been set for January for an alleged gang member that claimed to live in Century at the time of his arrest.
Jason Marshall Bullock, 37, gave a home address at the Century Woods Apartments at 20 West Highway 4 when he was arrested in Escambia County. Also known as “Sir J-Mac”, he allegedly was the head of the Simon City Royals street gang in Mississippi, operating out of the Hattiesburg area. Bullock identified himself as the “Prince of Mississippi”.
He was scheduled to plead guilty on October 23, but changed his mind and opted for trial. He is accused of attempted murder, kidnapping, bank robbery, drug distribution and bribery.
According to ATF Special Agent Randy Beach, Bullock moved away from the Century Woods Apartments about a year ago. He was taken into custody without incident at a home on Tennessee Drive in Pensacola on July 9.
Friday Night Finals
November 2, 2013
Here are Friday night football finals from across the area:
FLORIDA
- Baker 24, Northview 20 [Read more...]
- Jay, 47, Freeport 14 [Read more...]
- Catholic 31, West Florida 13
- Pine Forest 21, PHS, 20
- Escambia 63, Washington 10
- Gulf Breeze 42, Arnold 23
- Milton 21-Pace 14
- Davidson 24, Navarre 21
- Vernon 35, Sneads 19
- Crestview 17, Niceville 10
Open: Tate
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 50, Central-Hayneville 16
- Escambia Co. (Atmore) 29, Baldwin County 20
- Escambia Academy 55, Macon East 6
- W.S. Neal, 42, Millry 12
- T.R. Miller 27, Sweet Water 6
Time Change: Fall Back, Replace Smoke Alarm Batteries
November 2, 2013
Don’t forget to “fall back” and set your clocks back one hour night before heading off to bed Saturday night as daylight savings time comes to an end.
Escambia Fire Rescue is also reminding residents that it’s time to make another potentially lifesaving change — replace the batteries in your smoke alarm.
“Most home fire fatalities occur overnight when most families are sleeping,” according to Escambia Fire Rescue. “Changing the batteries in your smoke alarms and performing other maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk and a working smoke alarm can give the extra seconds needed to get out safely.”
In addition to checking smoke alarms, residents should plan “two ways out” and practice escape routes with the entire family. Families should also prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.
Each year more than 3,000 people lose their lives in residential fires. The majority of these deaths are a result of unattended cooking. It is strongly recommended that someone always be present when cooking on top of the stove and that smoke alarms be located properly and in working order. Test the smoke alarm monthly and change the batteries at least every six months.
For more information about fire safety, Escambia County Fire Rescue at 475-5530 or visit www.myescambia.com. For information about obtaining a home smoke alarm call 850-595-HERO (4376).
Crist Officially Files For Gubernatorial Race
November 2, 2013
Former Gov. Charlie Crist made it official Friday: He will run for his old job again in 2014, setting up a potential battle with Republican Gov. Rick Scott for the state’s highest office.
Crist, who is set to announce his candidacy Monday morning at Albert Whitted Park in St. Petersburg, quietly filed his paperwork Friday with state election officials. The move allows him to begin raising money immediately. He becomes an instant front-runner in a Democratic primary that also includes former state Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich of Weston.
But Crist, who was governor from 2007 to 2011, will have to prove himself to Democrats after being a Republican for most of his life and, beginning in 2010, becoming an independent. It was only in late 2012 that he joined the Democratic Party.
In an interview this week with The News Service of Florida, Crist said he is running because he genuinely cares about the state.
“I love Florida,” he said. “I love her with all my heart. I’m someone who really cares. That’s my core. I’ve been true to my principles and my core my whole life.”
Running as a Democrat is the latest chapter in a long and sometimes improbable political career for Crist. In 2006, he won election in a cycle hostile to Republicans, with his sunny optimism and ability to win over voters from both parties. By 2008, he was reportedly on the vice-presidential shortlist for the party’s presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
In 2010, Crist decided to forego what was expected to be a relatively easy re-election bid to run for an open U.S. Senate seat. But the emerging tea party movement, scornful of moderates that it considered “Republicans in name only,” rallied behind former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, eventually chasing Crist out of the party. Running as an independent, Crist lost to Rubio in a three-way election.
Republicans drew on that history Friday, continuing their attack on Crist as a political opportunist who cares primarily about himself.
“Charlie Crist has now officially filed to run for the position he once abandoned,” said Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry. “When Florida needed Charlie Crist the most during difficult economic times, he ran away. If he really wants to be Governor now, why did he quit the first time?”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
USDA-NRCS Conservation Assistance And Funding Applications Accepted
November 2, 2013
Now is the time for farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers to visit their local USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office to receive more information and apply for conservation technical assistance and possible funding opportunities.
NRCS offices across the country, including those in Florida, are resuming work with farmers and ranchers to implement conservation activities. All offices are open and are working to address the backlog of requests expediently.
“If you are interested in conservation assistance you should visit with our staff as soon as possible,” said Assistant State Conservationist for Financial Programs, Jeffrey Woods. “Our agency is able to proceed with implementation of several conservation programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program.”
Florida NRCS has established November 15, 2013, as the application cutoff date for consideration for Federal Fiscal Year 2014 funds for these two programs.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a conservation program that provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers who face threats to soil, water, air, and related natural resources on their land. Through EQIP, NRCS develops contracts with agricultural producers to voluntarily implement conservation practices. Persons engaged in livestock or agricultural production and owners of non-industrial private forestland are eligible for the program.
The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is available on Tribal and private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land. CSP encourages producers to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner by undertaking additional conservation activities; and improving, maintaining, and managing existing conservation activities.
Applications received after November 15th will be considered for future funding periods.
Authority to enroll acres in several other programs, including the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), expired on September 30, 2013, due to the expiration of the Farm Bill.
Additional information on NRCS, conservation assistance, and programs is available on its website at www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov or at your local USDA – NRCS office. To find the nearest office go to your telephone directory under “U. S. Government, Department of Agriculture”, or http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.
Baker Downs Northview For District Championship; Chiefs Still Get Playoff Ticket
November 2, 2013
The Baker Gators won the District 1-1A championship Friday night by beating Northview 24-20, but the defending state champion Chiefs are still headed into the playoffs.
The Gators held the lead throughout most the night, up 17-6 at the half and 24-6 in the third.
“Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes. We dug ourselves a hole,” head coach Sid Wheatley said. “It was 24-6. I thought our kids were resilient they way they come back. The defense came back and got important stops.”
But a comeback to 24-20 just wasn’t enough for the Chiefs as the final seconds ticked away in Bratt.
“Ultimately, it turned out to be the turnovers,” he said. “We moved the ball well…it sounds like last week when we moved the ball between the 20’s but we did not punch it in.”
For a photo gallery, click here. Cheerleader, band and Senior Night photos will be published Sunday and/or Monday.
The Gators were up first on the board with a 25-yard field goal early in the first. Northview then scored on a 21-yard run from Ladarius Thomas with about six minutes into the game, giving the Chiefs their first, and last, lead for the night.
Northview’s Neino Robinson caught a Daulton Tullis pass in the end zone with no time on the clock in the second. It was first ruled a touchdown, but called back to the 23 on a flag. The Chiefs and the Gators headed to the lockers at 17-6, Baker.
Baker made it 24-6 with 10:10 on the clock in the third. At the 5:06 mark, Brannon Freeman scored for the Chiefs on a 17-yard pass from Tullis. A failed two-point attempt, and Baker was up 24-12.
With 7:01 to go in the game, Keondrae Lett scored on a 3-yard run for the Chiefs. With a good pass from Tullis to Freeman, the Chiefs closed in at 24-20.
“Ours kids fought. I know they are hurting right now. I’m hurting for them,” he said. “Baker has got a good football team. But we are going to bounce back, play Blountstown next week and get going in the playoffs.”
Northview (3-5, 2-1) will be on the road next Friday in a non-district game against Blountstown (9-0, 4-0).
The playoffs get underway on November 15. The Northview Chiefs will travel to play Vernon, while Baker will host Sneeds. That sets up a potential rematch between the Chiefs and Baker in the round two of the playoffs.
Wheatley is looking forward to starting on the road back to Orlando. “Our kids still have a lot of fight in them; we are still excited about the future.”
For a photo gallery, click here. Cheerleader, band and Senior Night photos will be published Sunday and/or Monday.
Pictured top: The Baker Gators downed the Northview Chiefs 24-20 Friday night in Bratt. Pictured top inset: Northview’s Neino Robinson catches a Daulton Tullis pass in the end zone for a touchdown called back on a flag. Pictured bottom inset: Northview assistant Coach Derek Marshman reacts to a play. Pictured below: An official goes down. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Brothers Sentenced To 20 Years For Shooting
November 2, 2013
Two Escambia County brothers will spend the next 20 years in prison for a shooting last year.
Circuit Judge Michael Allen sentenced Tevin Watson and Carderrial Watson to serve 20 years state prison, day for day, under Florida’s 10-20-Life Law. Both defendants were convicted on October 2 by an Escambia County jury of aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm.
The charges stemmed from the shooting of Cordarrell Prim in the Sunrise Apartment Complex around noon on November 20, 2012. After an argument between Prim and Carderrial Watson, both Watson brothers pulled guns and fired at Prim. Prim was struck one time in the leg. Several eyewitnesses identified both Watson brothers as the shooters.
Jay Beats Freeport
November 2, 2013
Jay sent Freeport’s Bulldogs running back home with their tails tucked Friday night as the Royals poured it on for a 47-14 win at Merle North Stadium.
Jay improved to 5-4 overall and 1-2 in District 1-1A, while Freeport remained winless at 0-9 overall, 0-3 in the district. The Jay Royals will wrap up their season next Friday night as they host 3A Maclay High School (3-6) of Tallahassee.
Braden Cross had a couple of TD’s for the Royals in the first, and A.J. Nash Nash added another touchdown.
Photos by Michele Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Fish Fry Is Today
November 2, 2013
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department annual Fish Fry is today from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97.
Plates will be $7 each with your choice of catfish fillets or grilled chicken, plus baked beans, cole slaw, hush puppies, homemade bread and cake. There will also be drawing for door prizes beginning at 1 p.m. and a live auction.
The Northwest Florida Blood Center Bloodmobile will also be on hand for a blood drive.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
David Lee Adams
November 2, 2013
David Lee Adams, 70, of Cantonment, passed away on Saturday, November 2, 2013. David was known in the area as the Peanut Brittle man for nearly 30 years. He was a charter member of Spoken Word Church for many years.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 42 years, Norma Floyd Adams; sister, Kay Martin; and his parents, Newton T. and Louise Adams.
He is survived by his children, Leigh Ann Rawlins (Bill), Anthony Wayne Adams (Jodi), Aimee Yvonne Solari (Mark); six grandchildren, Stephanie Solari, Courtney Solari, Ryan Rawlins, Molly Adams, Kyleigh Rawlins and Will Adams; and brother, Larry Adams (Cheryl).
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 5, 2013, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. with funeral services to begin at 1:00 p.m. at Spoken Word Church with Pastor David Floyd officiating.
Interment will follow at Eastern Gate Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.