Daycare Owner Indicted For First Degree Murder In Toddler’s Death
November 13, 2014
A Santa Rosa County Grand Jury has indicted 55-year old Thelma Denise Lowery for first degree felony murder in the death of a 15-month old child that was attending her daycare.
She is currently being held without bond. If convicted as charged, she will face a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.
According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office the 15-month old was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with traumatic injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome. Investigators said the injuries to the child occurred under Lowery’s care at her home daycare business at 4738 Ward Basin Road in Milton.
The toddler later died at Sacred Heart Hospital , according to the State Attorney’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office said Lowery was the person responsible for inflicting the injuries on the toddler.
Lowery remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
Mae Day: Dog’s 11 Months On The Run End With Happy Reunion
November 13, 2014
Perhaps the best known dog in Atmore is no longer on the run; she’s back home in Birmingham today, ending an 11-month game of cat and mouse.
Back on January 15, Vickie Clark’s son was visiting Atmore from Birmingham along with 15-month old Mae the dog. Mae jumped the fence, beginning the 11-month saga.
Atmore Animal Shelter employee Brandon James and other animal shelter employees began, very unsuccessfully, to capture Mae.
“She’s one of the smartest dogs I’ve ever come across,” James said Wednesday. “She’d smell you from a long way away and take off.”
The Clarks and the animal shelter turned to the community which in turn provided numerous Mae sighting reports over the past several months. Animal shelter employees would head out, only to be outsmarted or outrun by Mae each time.
“Brandon James has been my lifeline to the whereabouts of this lost puppy. Our family looked for Mae numerous times but sadly she would run from familiar voices and was truly scared and in ‘flight’ mode,” Clark said in a letter praising James and the animal shelter. “Brandon and his team never gave up. The community would contact Brandon with every Mae sighting and he would go out to try to capture this elusive rascal. When I would start to lose hope, Brandon would lift me up and remind me to keep the faith that they would get our girl. Brandon worked tirelessly to capture Mae in every way possible. ”
Members of the Atmore community would feed Mae. One resident would even toss her flea medication stuffed inside a hot dog on a regular basis. James called her “Atmore’s mascot”.
The was one capture along the way but it turned out to be a male look alike.
Then there was a big break in the hunt for Mae last week. She was spotted in a fenced-in yard. James said an animal shelter staffer got close enough — from the upwind side — to hit her with a tranquilizer dart.
“I thought we had her since she was in a fenced-in yard, but no,” James said. “She got away, and then there was a three block foot chase. But she went down from the tranquilizer and we were able to pick her up.”
A quick check by a local veterinarian revealed that Mae was in remarkably perfect health — no worms, no other problems despite her 11-month time on the lam.
Mae was reunited with her “mom” Vickie Wednesday at the animal shelter. There was brief celebration, and then it was back home to Birmingham. Clark said she had no planned stops between Atmore and Birmingham to eliminate any other escape possibilities.
Pictured top: Mae reunited with her family Wednesday, along with members of the Atmore community and the Atmore Animal Shelter staff that took part in her 11-month rescue. Pictured inset: Atmore’s “mascot” dog Mae. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Tate Softball Players Sign Letters of Intent
November 13, 2014
Three Tate High School Lady Aggies softball players signed their National Letter of Intent to play at the next level Wednesday.
Rachel Wright will be attending University of West Florida, Lauren Brennan will be attending Lewis University (in a suburb of Chicago, IL), and Tori Perkins will be playing at the University of Alabama Birmingham. The trio has played softball together since their T-ball days at NEP, and they were also starters on Tate’s Final Four team last year.
Pictured top: Tate’s softball signees and their parents. (front, L-R) Diana Wright, Rachel Wright, Tori Perkins, Lauren Brennan, Dorice Brennan, (back, L-R) Marty Wright, Greg Mason, Chris Mason and Mike Brennan. Pictured below: The Tate softball seniors. Pictured bottom. The individual signees and their parents. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Looking For Deputies, Will Pay For Training
November 13, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is hiring deputies, and thanks to a new Cadet Law Enforcement Student Trainee Program, the ECSO is offering to pay for training.
With the recent addition of 15 deputy positions to the budget, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is currently actively recruiting qualified deputy sheriff applicants. The Cadet Program has been designed to attract men and women that may have an interest in law enforcement but may not necessarily have the means to pay for the law enforcement academy.
Cadet applicants will be selected, hired full-time and attend the law enforcement academy. They will receive comprehensive law enforcement training while being paid and receiving benefits as a full-time employee. Once the academy is complete, applicants will take their state exam for certification. Those certified will sign a two year commitment to work full-time as a deputy sheriff for Escambia County.
A law enforcement career offers paid holidays, sick leave, annual leave, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, free employee health clinic, 24 hour gym access and the Florida Retirement System (FRS).
“The ECSO is recruiting those unique individuals who have the aptitude and the sense of commitment to serve their community and make a difference in Escambia County,” Sheriff David Morgan said. “Our goal is to provide the highest level of professional public service to the diverse population of Escambia County. We believe we can achieve this by offering this vision to high caliber candidates in our area.”
Qualified applicants must be 21 years of age by June 30, 2015. They must also possess a GED or high school diploma, a valid driver’s license, and have the ability to complete a basic physical abilities test to advance into the hiring process. For a complete job description visit www.escambiaso.com and click on the “jobs” tab.
The Pensacola Police Department also has a Police Cadet Program for males and females ages 18 and up who want to pursue careers in law enforcement.
Cadets work a 40-hour week and are given preference in hiring at age 21 if they successfully pass all examinations required for police officer candidates. Among cadet duties are directing traffic at vehicle accident scenes, completing offense reports for minor crimes, assisting with crime prevention presentations, and fulfilling routine obligations required by various department sections.
For more information on the Pensacola Police Department’s Cadet Program, please contact Officer Lonnie Isom at 850.435.1912 or by email at LIsom@cityofpensacola.com.
Northview To Hold Thursday College And Career Night
November 13, 2014
Northview High School will host a College/Career Night this Thursday from 6-7 p.m.
Attendees will be able to receive information and speak to representatives from local colleges and businesses about job opportunities for high school graduates.
For more information, contact the school at (850) 327-6681.
Darion Taylor Riley
November 13, 2014
Darion Taylor Riley passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2014. She was born in Pensacola on February 15, 1998. She was a junior at Northview High School. She loved her school, teachers and friends. She will be remembered for her incredible intellect, great sense of humor and creative mind. Darion has always had a love of art and music. She loved all the time she spent in band and especially guitar.
Darion is proceeded in death by her father, Kelly Riley; uncle, Joe Derrico; grandmother, Patrica Derrico; grandfather, Stephen Riley; and great-grandmother, Deloris Kennedy.
She is survived by her mother, Tammy Riley; two brothers, Connor and Christian Riley; stepfather, Dave Bradley; stepbrother, Toby Bradley; grandmother, Deloris Perry; grandfather, Roger Kervin; uncle, Brian Lenon; and adopted grandparents, Kathy and Paul Kattau, among many other family members.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2014, at Faith Chapel North with Brian Calhoun officiating. Visitation will begin at 12 p.m., prior to services.
Pallbearers will be Rickey Smith, Derick Edmonson, Lane Carnley, Dale Brown, Kevin Kervin and Troy Kervin.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Faith Chapel North in her name or donate in her name to your favorite charity.
A reception will follow the service at Highland Baptist Church.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Jean Nacole Johnson
November 13, 2014
Jean Nacole Johnson, 34 of Atmore, passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2014, in Bay Minette. She was born in Atmore on January 19, 1980, to Ronald and Linda Pugh Johnson.
Survivors include her parents, Ronald and Linda Johnson of Mccullough; two sisters, Janice Johnson (Douglas) Cook of RoeNoe Park, CA and Magan Noel Johnson of McCullough; grandmother, Edna Johnson; aunts and uncles, Michael (Susan) Johnson, Larry Johnson, Karen Pugh and Johnnie Pugh; and one nephew, William Lemmon of Mccullough.
Services will be Friday, November 14, 2014, at 11 a.m. from the McCullough Christian Center with Rev. C.P. Phillips officiating.
Interment will follow in McCullough Cemetery.
Family will receive friends, Friday, November 14, 2014, at the McCullough Christian Center from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc is in charge of all arrangements.
Alice Faye Kimmons Wilson
November 13, 2014
Mrs. Alice Faye Kimmons Wilson, 68, passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2014, in Flomaton.
Mrs. Wilson was a native of Frisco City, AL. and a resident of Flomaton for the past 28 years. Mrs. Wilson retired from Vanity Fair after 30 years of service. She was a member of the Holy Ground Holiness Church. Her parents, Russell and Allie Kimmons, three brothers, Marvin, Junior and Mack Kimmons and one daughter-in-law, Loraine Kimmons, precede her in death.
Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Carl Wilson of Flomaton; one son, Jerry Walter “Buddy” Kimmons of Brewton; three daughters, Kathy (Mickey) Stophel of Flomaton, Brenda (Billy) Goodman of Flomaton, and Lisa Robbins of Flomaton; two sisters Estelle Buckhault of Bratt and Betty Wilson of Flomaton; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Bobby Carnley and Brandon Stophel officiating.
Burial will follow at the Flomaton Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, November 13, 201, from6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be will be Robert Wilson Jr., Junior Emmons, James Kimmons, Jesse Robbins, Jamie Young and Adam Young.
James Hosea Wright
November 13, 2014
James Hosea Wright age 69 of Jay, finished the race and went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 10, 2014. Jim, as he was called, was born in Tuscaloosa, AL on December 21, 1944. He graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in recreation from the University of Alabama. He was in the ministry and was preaching at the Church of Christ in Graceville, FL.
Jim is survived by his wife, Leah Crouse Wright of Jay; his son, Wyeth Wright and daughter-in-law Jona of Monroe, LA; brother, Tom Wright of Birmingham; sister, Beth Page and brother-in-law Alfred of Tuscaloosa; five grandchildren, Tyler Blackmon and Zachary Blackmon of Jay, and Braxton, Avery, and Paisley Wright of Monroe, LA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Walton H. Wright and Mary Lou Wright of Tuscaloosa; aunt, Myrtle Harper of Tuscaloosa; and daughter, Misty Wright Herring of Jay.
Jim grew up in Tuscaloosa and became a Christian at the age of eight. He spent the next 61 years of his life serving God and helping others. Upon graduation from the University of Alabama, he became director of The Boys Club in Tuscaloosa before joining his father in the family business, Wright’s Bakery and Restaurant. He continued this for 18 years until being called into ministry and has been doing so ever since. He has touched many lives in many places and had a true heart for ministry. He was a Godly man who loved the Lord and his family more than anything. He sought to please God and honor Him throughout his life, and he did just that.
A “Celebration of His Life” will be held in his honor and memory on Friday, November 14, 2014, at Century Church of Christ, 430 E Highway 4, in Century. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. Services will follow at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the James H. Wright Memorial Fund through the United Bank of Jay.
Police: Man Used Craigslist To Solicit Sex With Escambia County Child
November 12, 2014
An Okaloosa County man has been charged after he allegedly used Craigslist to arrange a meeting in Escambia County for sex with what he thought was a 12-year old girl.
William McNeal Goode, 47, of 5851 Saratoga Drive, Crestview was charged with solicitation of a parent or legal guardian for unlawful sexual conduct, attempted lewd and lascivious battery on a minor, traveling to meet a minor for sexual purposes, and using a two-way communication device for an unlawful act.
The investigation began November 5 after the Pensacola Police Department’s Computer Crimes Unit received a complaint about someone soliciting parents via Craigslist to have sex with their children.
The investigation is continuing to determine if Goode had prior sexual contact with children.
Members of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force participating in the investigation included the Pensacola Police Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Anyone having information about suspicious activity involving Goode is asked to contact the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Officer at (850) 651-7547 or the Pensacola Police Department at
(850) 435-1900