Cases Postponed For Three In Two North Escambia Murder Cases
February 20, 2014
Three defendants in two unrelated North Escambia murder cases were scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, but both cases were continued to later dates.
Brent Lambeth previously pleaded no contest to second degree murder in the November 2012 shooting death of a Davisville lottery store owner. Under his plea deal, he will receive no more than 30 years in prison in exchange for his testimony against Malcolm McGhee, previously sentenced to life in prison, and Michael Brad Orso. Lambeth’s sentencing was postponed until late March.
Orso was also due in court Wednesday for a docket hearing prior to his jury trial. But his case was reset for a docket hearing in mid-April and a jury trial in late April. Orso has pleaded not guilty to the first degree premeditated murder charge against him in connection with the lottery store murder.
Rebecca A. Rogers was also due for a court hearing on Wednesday. She allegedly shot her husband, 42-year old Jason Lee Rogers, in the head last August at the couple’s home in the 3400 block of Highway 29 near Mathison Road. He died about two days later. Rogers, who is claiming the shooting was self defense, is now due back in court in mid-April with her jury trial currently set for late April.
Public Workshop Set On Nine Mile Road Widening Project
February 20, 2014
The Florida Department of Transportation will host a public workshop next week concerning the reevaluation of a study for widening Nine Mile Road from two to four lanes beginning at U.S. 90/Mobile Highway to Pine Forest Road.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 25, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Plainview Baptist Church, 1101 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola. There will be no formal presentation. Maps, drawings and other study information will be on display and FDOT representatives will be available to answer questions.
Burglary Suspect Busted
February 20, 2014
A Pensacola man man has been arrested in connection with a string of burglaries.
Craig Warren Jackson, 35, is facing a list of burglary, larceny, fraud and other charges brought by both Pensacola Police and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He’s being held with bond set at $82,500.
Pensacola Police said Jackson is a suspect in burglaries in the city in which thousands of dollars worth of electronics, jewelry and other items were stolen. Man of those items have been recovered.
Police also said Jackson is a suspect in a Valentine’s Day burglary on Filly Road in Cantonment that prompted a North Escambia man to offer a reward and start a Facebook page looking for clues. It was a story that NorthEscambia.com was first to report on Monday morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has not released details on their charges against Jackson or if he has been charged in connection with the Filly Road break-in.
But Cantonment resident Craig Morgan said police recovered most of his mother’s belongings with the arrest of Jackson.
“My Mom did get back most of her belongings and she is very happy,” he said Wednesday night.
The burglary at his mother’s Cantonment home occurred between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. last Friday, with the thieves forcing their way into the home, ransacking a bedroom and stealing a small safe, jewelry belonging to his mother, as well as jewelry and other items from his father. Morgan’s dad, who retired from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in 1989, passed away three years ago.
Morgan said his newly created “Cantonment Fl. Break ins” Facebook page will remain in place in hopes of helping solve other Cantonment area crimes. After being published on NorthEscambia.com, the page quickly grew to over 1,500 likes.
“This is only the beginning for this page and there is more to come. I am committed to helping our community,” he said. “We can do this together.”
Pictured: A ransacked bedroom at a home on Filly Road in Cantonment following a burglary last Friday. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Resident Celebrates 102nd Birthday
February 20, 2014
Della Godwin of Century celebrated her 102nd birthday on Wednesday with a party attended by family and friends.
Godwin was born in Jay back in 1912, one of 12 children born to her parents Annie and William Griffis. She has two younger surviving siblings - Jean Clark and Veda Welch. She raised two sons, one of which is deceased, and has four grandchildren.
She was raised in the Mount Carmel community of Santa Rosa County. In her early years, she spent most of time in the cotton fields, but she was always in church on Sundays.
Godwin attributes her long life to hard work. Those who know her will say that she was always caring for and helping others. She always put family first, even if it meant she had to do without the things she needed.
Godwin is the oldest resident at the Century Care Center.
Pictured top: Century resident Della Godwin turned 102 on Wednesday. Pictured below: Godwin celebrated her 102nd birthday posing for photos with family and friends. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
House Adds Ammo To Ban On Insurers Discriminating Against Gun Owners
February 20, 2014
Insurance companies could face tougher penalties if they impose higher rates or take other actions against auto or homeowner policyholders due to lawful gun ownership — or ammunition possession — under a measure that received its second House committee backing on Wednesday.
While Florida law already prohibits such actions, the House Civil Justice Subcommittee in an 8-2 vote approved a bill by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, that would provide a court remedy to policyholders.
Along with higher rates, the bill would target insurers who refuse to issue or renew policies or cancel policies.
“The laws that we have on the books now only allow the government to step in and stop an insurance company from discriminating against someone for exercising a constitutional right,” Gaetz said. “As of now they would be blocked at the courthouse steps.”
The committee also agreed to amend the bill, backed by the National Rifle Association and Unified Sportsmen of Florida, to include a ban on crafting insurance policies that discriminate against people for possession of ammunition. The measure must still get through the House Regulatory Affairs Committee.
The Senate version (SB 424) has already been backed by the Banking and Insurance and the Criminal Justice committees and has only to clear the Appropriations Committee before reaching the Senate floor.
by The News Service of Florida
Northview Orientation Tonight For Incoming 9th Graders
February 20, 2014
Northview High School will host an orientation for eighth graders (incoming ninth graders next school year) from 6-7:00 tonight. The orientation session is designed to provide information for students entering the ninth grade and provide for a more efficient transition to high school.
The program will cover:
- How to Calculate a Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Courses Required for Graduation
- What Pre-requisites are Required for Courses
- What are Credits
- What is Class Size Reduction
- Specific Courses
- Special Programs: Academies, NJROTC, Band, etc.
- Reading FCAT
- How Absences Affect Grades, Exams, and Final Grades
- EOC’s: Algebra, Geometry
- Counseling Services
- Tutoring
- Required On-line Course
- Virtual Schools: EVA not FLVS
- Sports and GPA Requirement
- Random Drug Testing for Extracurricular Activities
- Parking on Campus and GPA of 2.0
- Medicines and the Clinic
- Free and Reduced Lunch Application Process
- Club Participation
- Student Behavior: Tardy Policy, ISS, OSS, Cell Phone Policy
- Parent Conferences
- Parent Portal and FOCUS: Grades and Attendance
For more information, call (850) 327-6681.
Ernest Ward Celebrates FFA Week With Breakfast
February 20, 2014
FFA students at Ernest Ward Middle School did their part to celebrate National FFA Week with a Wednesday morning breakfast for faculty and staff.
Students prepared a breakfast of French toast sticks, grits, biscuits, bacon, sausage and more for the EWMS faculty and staff.
Pictured: FFA students at Ernest Ward Middle School provide breakfast for the school’s faculty and staff Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
High School All-Star Soccer Rosters Announced
February 20, 2014
Tonight, the best boys and girls senior soccer players from Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties will play in the 7th annual Subway High School All-Star Soccer game at Asthon Brosnaham Park. The Pensacola Sports Association is pleased to announce this year’s coaches and rosters.
The coaching staff for the west teams, comprised of Escambia County schools, consists of Gerald Praylow from Pensacola High School for the girls’ team and Felipe Lawall from Washington High School leading the boys’ team.
Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County Schools make up the east team. Jeff Klug from Milton High School will lead the girls’ team while Navarre High School’s Zac Preston will coach the boys’ team.
Girls West Team:
- Catholic Kaitlyn Lockridge, Holey Sherman, Mallory Hermann
- West FL Olivia Griffin, Andrea Rivera, Kaysi Roberts
- East Hill Meghan Doyle
- Tate Brittany Barth, Samantha Flaherty, Anna Del Gallo, Carlie Del Gallo
- Washington Megan Sauer, Haley Burgess, CJ Gascoigne
- Escambia Rori Cassedy
- Pensacola Tianna Little, Molly Ambrose, Lauren Scott
- Pine Forest Danielle Corda, Kayla Hall
Girls East Team:
- FWB Kerri Andre
- Gulf Breeze Alyssa Pejic, Kylie Feltenberger, Frances Harpole
- Niceville Brooke Sneller
- Crestview Baylee O’Marra
- Rocky Bayou Amber Smith
- Navarre Hannah Gullickson, Hunter Moorer, Ella Burkhart, Bri Young, Gabby Armstrong, Jade Whitley
- Pace Katelyn Burkhart, Taylor Burkhart, Jenna Dilauro
- Milton Keely McNeal, Alexia Tzagakis, Megan Melendez
- Choctaw Maggie VanHusan, Sam Shaw, Rachyl Sutton
Boys West Team:
- East Hill Stephen Churchill
- Escambia Jesus Perez, Augustine Maldonado, Patrick Land, Max Schnieder
- Catholic William Keegan, Marcus Valles, Brandon Wiley
- Pensacola Aron Byrd, Long Le
- Pine Forest Jordan McBride, Thomas Aadnanes, Augusto Bustamante
- West FL Christopher King, Austin Broussard
- Tate Michael DeMars, Keenan Grace, Brandon Jenkins, Paul Shelton
- Washington Mitchell Lipham, Holder Hudson, Antonio Collins
Boys East Team:
- Choctaw Kevin Sanchez
- Crestview David Born, Blake Brooks
- FWB Josh Popoy, Merle Thumma, Tristan Tiegan
- Gulf Breeze Lucas Zalar, Josh Ceravolo
- Milton Brian Abenojar, Jacob Schiowitz, Adrian Dunn
- Navarre Ricardo Hidalgo, Cameron Smith, Noah Hughson, Cody White, Edward Layne
- Niceville Mikey Swiercz, Lucas Van Decar, Andy Rodriguez
- Pace Luke Breland, Chandler Castleman
- Rocky Bayou Joe Neau
Final game rosters are subject to change.
Tickets to the SUBWAY High School All-Star Game are $7 at the gate and $5 with a canned good item dontation. The PSA is teaming with Manna Food Bank for a canned good drive and encouraging everyone to help families by bringing a canned good item.
NRCS Florida Agricultural Assistance Application Deadline Is Friday
February 20, 2014
Farmers and ranchers can apply until Friday, February 21 for conservation technical assistance and financial assistance for the following initiatives:
Organic Initiative–helps producers install conservation practices on USDA certified organic operations or those working toward organic certification.
Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative–helps producers install high tunnels designed to extend the growing season, increase productivity, keep plants at a steady temperature, and conserve water and energy.
On-farm Energy Initiative–helps producers conserve energy on their operations.
Longleaf Pine Initiative–helps private landowners improve the sustainability and profitability of Longleaf pine forest ecosystems.
Working Lands for Wildlife Initiative–provides technical and financial assistance for landowners who voluntarily choose to implement conservation practices that benefit the habitat of the target species–the gopher tortoise in Florida–while continuing to manage the habitat as working lands.
Gulf of Mexico Initiative–helps producers located in the Escambia River andMiddle Suwannee River Area watersheds to focus on reducing soil erosion, improving soil health, improving water quality, and wildlife habitat on cropland, pastureland and forestland. Producers in these watersheds can sign up for assistance under this initiative by contacting the local NRCS office below:
- Escambia County District Conservationist Joshua McElhaney at (850) 587-5404, x3, 151 Highway 97, Molino.
- Santa Rosa County District Conservationist Trent Mathews at (850) 623-3229, x3, 6285 Dogwood Drive, Milton.
Additional information on NRCS, conservation assistance, and available programs is offered on its website at www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov or at your local USDA – NRCS office.
Benny Killam
February 20, 2014
Benny Killam, age 59 of Jay, went home to be with the Lord on the February 19, 2014. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was a member of Poplar Dell Baptist Church. He enjoyed drinking coffee and talking friends, being around his grandchildren, cooking at his barn for friends and family, and farming with his son. He never met a stranger.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Claud Killam; brother-in-law, Alvin White; and niece, Laura Dunn.
He is survived by his loving, devoted wife of 39 years, Debbie Killam; son, Lucas (Kendra) Killam; daughter, Lana (Rhett) Rowell; grandchildren, Major and Piper Rowell; sisters, Shirley Dunn, Diane White, and Annette (Ladon) Hall; brothers, Clinton (Ann) Killam, and Dewayne Killam; brother and sister-in-laws, Tim and Ann Russell, Alan and Marilyn Michel; and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 21, 2014, from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home with the funeral immediately following at 6 p.m.
The family would like to thank the staff of the dialysis center in Century and all the friends that helped him daily. Benny will be greatly missed but is happy and well with a new body in Heaven.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Benny’s name to the American Diabetes Association at http://www.diabetes.org or 1-800-DIABETES.