Waffle House Robbery Suspect Arrested — At Waffle House
February 14, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has nabbed a suspect in a couple of Wednesday robberies.
Thomas Aaron Byrd, age 18 of Eight Mile, AL, is charged with two counts of armed robbery and remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $16,000.
The first reported robbery was at a Waffle House in the 6900 block of Pensacola Boulevard, the second in the 4600 block of Mobile Highway. The suspect in both robberies was a white male driving a grey Dodge Charger. Shortly after 10:00p.m., a deputy observed a matching vehicle at the Waffle House located in the 100 block of New Warrington Road.
Byrd exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.
Caleb Michael Bourne
February 14, 2014
Caleb Michael Bourne, born October 2, 2013 in Milton, was called to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 12, 2014. He is the son of Chris and Melissa Bourne and brother to Alyssa Bourne who reside in Milton. His grandparents are Mike and Debbie Bourne of Cantonment; Pat Speas of Milton, Keith Speas of Laurel, Iowa; great-grandparents, Reba Bourne of Versailles, Kentucky; Joe and Wanda Rascoe of Pensacola; aunt Michelle Speas of Milton; uncle Greg and aunt Danielle and cousin Brayton Bourne from St. Petersburg, Florida; several great uncles and cousins and aunts from Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Ministry Village, Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, Florida in Caleb’s memory.
Pallbearers will be his great uncles, Mark Rascoe, Steve Rascoe, David Wilson and second cousin, Joshua Wilson.
Visitation will be held at Olive Baptist Church, Saturday, February 15, 2014, from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. with the funeral service to begin at 2 p.m. Dr. Ted Traylor will be officiating.
Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in entrusted with the arrangements.
the road to the crown: Meet The Girls (part three)
February 14, 2014
Today, it’s part three of our multi-part series “the road to the crown” as we follow 14 young ladies at Northview High School in their quest for the crown and the title of “Miss NHS 2014″.
Today we introduce you to the third and final group of contestants. Their biographies, as submitted by the girls, are below along with their photos. You can click any photo below to enlarge. (For the first set of contestants, click here; for the second set, click here.)
Our series “the road to the crown” will continue tomorrow. The pageant is Saturday night at 7:00, and NorthEscambia.com will have the new Miss Northview High School and all the photos here Sunday morning.
Tickets are available at the Northview High School office.
Tiffani Nichole Pritchett
Tiffani is 17-years old and is a senior at Northview High school. Tiffani has been a member of the volleyball team for four years and the softball team for four years. She has been on the weightlifting team for two years. She has been a member of Rho Kappa for two years, an FCA member for two years and CECF (DCT) member for one year. She has received many awards including the 2014 Coach’s Award in weightlifting, 2011 best offensive volleyball player, 2012 most improved award in volleyball and the 2013 Subway volleyball all star. She has also received the Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star award. Tiffani is a member of the 2013 Class 1-A state volleyball team and the student chair of Discipline Committee. In her community she is a member of the First Baptist Church of Bratt, played softball at the Molino ballpark for seven years, and helps to coach young girls softball.
Her hobbies are playing sports, cooking, photography and spending time with loved ones.
Her future plans are to attend FSU and pursue a medical degree.
Brianna Morgan Smith
Brianna is 16-years old and is a freshman at Northview High school. Brianna is a member of the National Honor Society and SGA. She is also a member of the junior varsity Lady Chiefs softball team and a majorette with the Tribal Beat marching bad. In her community she is vice president of the Greater Pensacola Youth Bowling Association. She is a seven-time youth bowling all-star. Brianna is a member of the United States Bowling Congress and VSBC Junior Gold Medal. She has won several scholarship tournaments in bowling. Brianna also dances with Heather Leonard’s Danceworks and twirled baton with Twirl Time for six years.
Her hobbies are bowling, baton, softball, dancing, fashion designing and doing crafts of all kinds.
Her future plans are to attend a college that offers bowling and softball as well as a marching band so she can continue her hobbies and attain a degree in teaching.
Morgan Nicole Digmon
Morgan is 17-years old and is a senior at Northview High school. Morgan has been a member of the Northview Dance team for three years and played softball for one year. She is a member of the Beta Club for three years, Glee Club for one year and Fellowship of Christian Athletes for three years. She has received the Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star Award, was named Miss Poise and Appearance in the Miss NHS pageant in 2011 and a talent show winner in 2013. In her community she volunteers at Relay for Life and Manna Food Bank. She has danced at Heather Leonard’s Danceworks for nine years. Morgan attends Ray’s Chapel Baptist church where she participates in the youth group and volunteers in the church nursery.
Her hobbies are dancing, singing, shopping, listening to music and spending time with her family and friends.
Her future plans are to attend Auburn University and pursue a degree in nursing and become a neonatal nurse. She also hopes to become a member of the Tiger Paws dance team.
Olivia Kate Neal
Olivia is 17-years old and is a senior at Northview High school. Olivia has been a member of the varsity cheerleading team for one year and a member of the competition cheer team for one year. She has been a member of the Glee Club member for one year, a member of the weightlifting team for two years, junior varsity volleyball team for two years, Students Against Destructive Decisions member for one year and FFA for one year. In her community, Olivia attends Little Escambia Baptist Church and is an active member of the youth group. She is lead singer for her youth praise band.
Her hobbies are playing the guitar, singing, cooking, attending mission trips and spending time with her loving family and unfailing friends.
Her future plans are to attend Pensacola State College to obtain a degree in culinary arts.
Jessica Kathryn Amerson
Jessica is 16-years old and a sophomore at Northview High school. Jessica has played the French horn for six years and has been a member of the Tribal Beat band for two years. She is a member of the SGA, yearbook staff, math team, battle of the book team and a member of the mock United Nations team. Jessica was freshman class historian, and represented the sophomore class on the 2013 Homecoming Court. She has been a member of the junior honor society for three years and is currently the top student in her class. Jessica was a sophomore representative for the Pensacola spelling bee, placed third in the VFW Voice of Democracy districts, and won first place in the Rotary Four-Way Test essay contest. She has also placed in the science Olympiad competition and was voted into honor society at summer camp. In her community she is a member of St. Robert Bellarmine church.
Her hobbies are reading, camping, writing, drawing, horseback riding, playing piano, traveling and taking pictures.
Her future plans are to master and become fluent in at least three languages other than English, with basic knowledge of as many languages as possible. Jessica plans a career in government as a translator with plans to be a UN Ambassador for the White House.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott Signs Death Warrant For 1987 Killer
February 14, 2014
Gov. Rick Scott signed a death warrant Thursday for Robert Lavern Henry, who murdered two women at a fabric store in Deerfield Beach more than 26 years ago. The execution is scheduled for March 20 at Florida State Prison near Starke.
Henry, 55, who has been on Death Row since 1988, was convicted in the deaths of Phyllis Harris and Janet Thermidor.
When police and firefighters responded to a call on Nov. 1, 1987, the women were found in the store’s restrooms. Harris was tied up and dead in the men’s room. Thermidor, located in the women’s restroom, was conscious despite a head wound and burns to more than 90 percent of her body. Thermidor stated that Henry, the store’s maintenance man, hit her on the head with a hammer, left with the store’s money, only to return to douse her in a liquid before setting her on fire. Thermidor died the next day.
A year later, Henry was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, one count of armed robbery, and one count of arson.
The warrant comes a day after the execution of Juan Carlos Chavez, who committed the notorious 1995 murder of 9-year-old Jimmy Ryce in Miami-Dade County. Chavez was the 13th Death Row inmate executed in Florida since Scott took office in 2011.
Also Wednesday, a North Florida circuit judge ruled that a new lethal-injection drug would not violate the rights of Paul Augustus Howell who is scheduled for execution on Feb. 26. Howell was convicted in the 1992 killing of a state Trooper James Fulford in Jefferson County.
Dove Award Winning Couple To Perform Saturday During Miss NHS Pageant
February 14, 2014
Husband and wife Dove Award winners Candi and Jonathan Shelton will provide the entertainment during Saturday night’s Miss Northview pageant.
Candi Shelton is a singer, songwriter, voiceover artist and published author based in Atlanta. For the last 15 years, she has worked with a long list of artists, served as a worship leader with Passion Conferences for six years and performed on may of Integrity Music’s collaborative worship albums.
Candi wrote and performed the title track on the Glory Revealed album, a multi-artist collaboration with Mac Powell of Third Day, Shane & Shane and Brian Littrell of The Backstreet Boys. Her work on the project earned her a Dove Award.
She is a Northview High School graduate and a former Miss NHS.
Her husband Jonathan is an Atlanta born and raised musician. A career guitar player, he has been writing and performing since high school as part of many local Atlanta bands and performing at many of Atlanta’s large music festivals.
Jonathan has shared the stage with Fuel, Edwin McCain, Brand New Immortals, Sister Hazel, Live, Maroon Five, and many others. Jonathan was a singer and songwriter for the Glory Revealed 2 Album, which garnered him a Dove Award and included artists such as Sara Evans, Bear Rinehart of NeedToBreathe and Mac Powell of Third Day.
Candi and Jonathan Shelton’s performance is included in the price of admission to the Miss Northview pageant at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are available at the Northview front office.
Rep. Jeff Miller Honored For Championing Employment Of Disabled
February 14, 2014
U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller received the AbilityOne Congressional Champion Award Thursday in recognition of his support for the employment of people with significant disabilities.
Richard “Micky” Gazaway, executive director, South Region, SourceAmerica, presented the award on behalf of AbilityOne, a program that leverages the purchasing power of the federal government to promote employment for people who have significant disabilities.
The AbilityOne Congressional Champion Award is given to elected federal policymakers who support the AbilityOne Program and employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Franklin Louis Dillow
February 14, 2014
Franklin Louis Dillow, 83, of Cantonment, passed away Wednesday, February12, 2014, at a local hospital. Frank was a member of Cottage Hill Assembly of God Church where he served as church treasurer and also prepared the church bulletins. He was currently serving as president of the Board of Cottage Hill Water Association. He proudly served his country for 24 years in the United States Navy.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley M. Dillow; son, Robert F. Dillow; and his daughter, Sandra Lee Dillow.
He is survived by his daughters, Juanita Daniels (Bill) and Linda Buck (James); sons, Franklin Dillow (Melissa), Mike Dillow and Bruce Dillow (Anna); daughter-in-law, Debbie Dillow; 22 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Shirley; half-brother, Raymond; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Covenant Hospice in Franklin Dillow’s memory.
Visitation will be held Monday, February 17, 2014, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2014, at 11 a.m. with Reverend Ron McGlothren officiating at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Interment will follow at Cottage Hill Assembly of God Church Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Annie Jewel Jones
February 14, 2014
Annie Jewel Jones, 91, of Walnut Hill, passed away Monday, February 10, 2014, at her residence. She was a homemaker, born in Escambia County, Fla., on March 11, 1922 to the late William A. and Annie Wasten Luker. She was a member of Bratt Assembly of God. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Jones; son, Kenneth Jones; grandsons, Damon Jones and J.J. Jones; two brothers, W.J. Luker and Carlton Luker; and one sister, Gladyne Graham.
Survivors are her two sons, George R. (Lois) Jones of Pensacola Beach and James E. (Peggy) Jones of Thonotosassa, Fla.; two brothers, Mex (Cozett) Luker and Edwin (Beverly) Luker; one sister, Janice Shelton; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Services were held Thursday, February 13, 2014, at 11 a.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Thron Collingsworth officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Grove Baptist Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Covenant Hospice.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc, is in charge of all arrangements.
Nita Marie Thompson
February 14, 2014
Nita Marie Thompson, 78, of Bratt, passed away Thursday, February 13, 2014, in Century. She was an accountant. She was born in Walnut Hill on May 3, 1935, to the late Walter and Ida Locke Garrett. She attended Liberty Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Willie “Buck” Thompson; son, Randall Thompson; one brother and three sisters.
Survivors include her two sons, Gary (Donna) Thompson of MS and Greg Thompson of Arkansas; two daughters, Charlotte (Travis) Lowery of Walnut Hill and Sharon Thompson of Milton; two brothers, David (Ronell) Garrett of Walnut Hill and Justin (Carolyn) Garrett of Atmore; eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
A Special thanks to Century Care Center.
Services will be Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tim Wetzel officiating.
Interment will follow in Godwin Cemetery.
Family will receive friends Saturday, February 15, 2014, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 1:30p.m. until service time at 2:30 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc is in charge of all arrangements.
Parasailing Regulations Get Launched In Florida Senate
February 14, 2014
An effort to impose minimum regulations on the parasailing industry, aided by video of a ghastly accident last summer that went viral on the Internet, is starting to get off the ground in the state Legislature.
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Thursday unanimously backed a measure (SB 320) that sponsor Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, said should lessen the chance Florida will again find itself showcased worldwide as a risky place for amusements. It would prohibit parasailing operations when sustained winds are 20 mph or higher or when lightning storms are within seven miles.
The video involved a parasailing accident last summer in Panama City Beach that seriously injured two Indiana teens.
“When you see those storm clouds coming up (on the video), and those two young girls slammed against buildings and balconies, and then going up against power lines and finally landing against on an SUV, you think why is this happening,” Sachs said after the committee hearing. “That dramatized the need for safety regulations and I think that, unfortunately, that had to happen before a lot of people said, ‘You know what, we need to do this’.”
Similar measures — opposed by the parasailing industry mostly because of increased insurance costs — failed in the last six years.
The House version of the bill (HB 347) was unanimously supported last week by the Business and Professional Regulation Subcommittee, and it is now headed to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee.
“We are not trying to punish the industry. … We only want to make this a safe activity,” said Rep. Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed, D-Deerfield Beach, the sponsor of the House bill.
The proposal — named the “White-Miskell Act” — was aided Thursday by appearances at the Capitol by Alexis Fairchild, who was one of the two Indiana teens injured July 1, and by family members of Amber May White, 15, of Belleview, who died in 2007 after a line snapped on a parasail, resulting in her hitting the roof of a hotel.
“If this law had been passed when it was brought up the first time I wouldn’t be standing here,” Fairchild, who suffered head trauma and had to undergo surgery to her spine, told Senate committee members. “If it was passed the second time, I wouldn’t be standing here. I don’t want another person to be standing here.”
Shannon Kraus, White’s mother, added that lawmakers have a “moral obligation” to approve the legislation.
The other part of the bill is named after Kathleen Miskell, a 28-year-old Connecticut woman who died in 2012 after she fell from a harness while parasailing over the ocean off Pompano Beach.
The measure has the support of people in the industry, said Larry Meddock, executive director of the Water Sports Industry Association.
“They’ve accepted the fact that they need to have best practices to try to do a better job,” Meddock said.
Meddock said operators have come around to “reality” after being advised by the U.S. Coast Guard that if regulations backed by people in the industry are not in place, the federal agency would impose rules, due to the “frequency of incidents” in recent years.
“That message was sent out loud and clear,” Meddock said.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates there are about 100 active commercial operators in Florida, most along the coasts, with one at Walt Disney World on Bay Lake in Orange County.
From Jan. 1, 2001 through Oct. 30, 2013, the state has recorded 21 parasailing incidents that have resulted in 23 injuries and six fatalities. Nearly half were due in part to wind conditions, with others because of equipment or operator error.
The legislative measure would require owners of vessels engaged in commercial parasailing to carry at least $1 million in bodily injury liability coverage, for the boats to be equipped with a functional VHF marine transceivers and separate electronic devices capable of providing access to weather forecasts and current weather conditions, and for operators to record the weather whenever on the water with passengers.
Putting the information in a log was among the hurdles that have kept past efforts to impose regulations on the industry from advancing in the Legislature, Sachs noted.
“It’s been a hurdle, but I figure if they can swipe a credit card, they can log the weather,” Sachs said.
The effort to impose regulations was aided last summer when Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, advised those in the parasailing industry to talk to Sachs after he heard from constituents who had witnessed the accident involving Fairchild and her friend Sidney Good.
During a meeting in November with about 250 owners and operators, Meddock said, nobody objected when asked if they had a problem with the proposed legislation.
The measure doesn’t impose regulations on the types of equipment used by parasailing operators, but Sachs said the insurance regulation should force those in the industry to demonstrate they are up to date on safety to get their policies.
The proposal still must get support from the Senate Commerce and Tourism and Community Affairs committees.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida