Lester V. Lambright
January 28, 2014
Lester V. Lambright was born April 28, 1952, in Portland, IN, to Valentine and Mary Lambright. Lester went home to our Heavenly Father Sunday, January 26, 2014. He married his lovely wife, Georgene Lambright, April 28, 1973, in St. James, MO moving to the Gulf Coast and providing for his family as an employee with Southern Mill and Supply.
Lester is survived by his loving wife, Georgene Lambright; daughters, Sara (T.C.) Nipper and Mary (Ben) Trice; Step-daughters, Shelly (Jeff) Cain and Kristen Douglas; Mother, Mary Burkholder Lambright; brothers, Ervin (Carol) Lambright, Eli (Sue) Lambright, Felty Jr. (Mary Esther) Lambright and Menno (Louanne) Lambright; sisters, Sarah (David) Hochstettler, Ella Lambright, Rosa (Herman) Miller and Elsie Shell and eleven grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North Thursday, January 30, 2014, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Services will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North Friday, January 31, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Dennis Daniel officiating. Interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Ervin Lambright, Eli Lambright, Felty Lambright, Menno Lambright, T.C. Nipper and Ben Trice.
Please make memorial contributions in lieu of flowers to Gulf Coast Baptist Church Building Fund in Lester’s memory.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangement.
Man Charged In Child Sex Sting
January 28, 2014
A Niceville resident was arrested Monday afternoon after he drove to Escambia County believing he was going to have sex with a 12-year-old girl.
John Bryan Hood, 25, was arrested just before 1 p.m. at a location on Scenic Highway. He was charged with using a computer to solicit parent/guardian consent, traveling to meet after using a computer to lure child, and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
Pensacola Police Detective Lisa Alverson began communicating with Hood in November 2013 after he responded to an ad she placed on an internet site asking for a “mature male to help with a family problem”.
Hood and Alverson exchanged multiple emails and texts about him having sex with her daughter until January 14 when he agreed to drive to Pensacola to have sex with whom he
thought was a 12-year-old female, according to police.
Hood was taken into custody today when he met Alverson at an agreed upon location.
Scott Touts Increase In Education Budget
January 28, 2014
Continuing to roll out an election-year budget full of politically popular spending ideas, Gov. Rick Scott on Monday proposed boosting education funding by more than half a billion dollars in the fiscal year that begins July 1.
“We need to provide the tools, training and funding to give our students the best chance for success,” Scott said in a statement from his office.
The bulk of the new spending — $542 million — would go to public schools. While that is far lower than the approximately $1 billion increases Scott sought in each of the last two years, his office touted the fact that it would bring spending on education to the highest level in state history in terms of raw dollars.
The governor also proposed another $40 million for state colleges and $40 million for universities, with both amounts to be divvied up based on performance and measurements of how well students do after they graduate. Scott has pushed those schools to focus more on making sure that students get high-paying jobs when they enter the workforce.
“We expect our students to get the best education at our state institutions of higher education that leads to a great job and career. … Our students deserve the best quality education, and this funding will help to ensure that every degree achieved is followed by a great career,” he said.
The reaction from the Florida Education Association, the state’s primary teachers union, was more tempered. While saying the FEA was “appreciative for any increase,” FEA President Andy Ford said per-student funding would still fall short of the amount set aside in the 2007-08 budget year.
According to Ford, per-student funding would be about the same under Scott’s new budget as it was when the governor was elected.
“The FEA believes the existing statutory policy mandates that involve Florida’s accountability system, its standards, its state and local assessments, implementation schedules, performance pay, material needs, technology and technology infrastructure will absorb this increase and much more,” Ford said.
Democrats were more cutting, with state party Chairwoman Allison Tant saying Scott was “rewriting his record” to help his re-election bid.
“Scott has consistently put corporate tax giveaways first and put the needs of Florida’s kids last,” Tant said in a statement. “When they go to the polls this November, Floridians won’t remember this governor’s politically motivated education budget. They’ll remember that when they needed this governor’s help most, he ignored them.”
In recent weeks, Scott has unveiled a slew of initiatives focused on increasing spending on child welfare, public safety and economic development. He’s expected to present his entire budget Wednesday, when he meets with newspaper editors and reporters from across the state.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Floyd Sentenced To Death For Murdering Girlfriend
January 28, 2014
An Atmore man was sentenced to death Monday for shooting and killing his girlfriend in early 2012. Cedric Jerome Floyd, 32, killed Tina Jones, also of Escambia County, in 2011.
Floyd was found guilty on October 7, 2013, by a jury in Escambia County Circuit Court following a three and a half week long trial. The Attorney General’s Office presented evidence that Floyd jumped through the bedroom window of the Jones’ home just after midnight on January 2, 2011. He shot her in the back as she was trying to flee and then fired two additional shots in execution-style.
The slaying was motivated by the victim’s intention to end a violent and tumultuous off-and-on two-year dating relationship with the defendant. Only hours before the victim’s death, the defendant sent threatening cell phone messages to the victim saying “don’t make me send myself to prison,” and “ya’ll going to hate you ever met me.”
During the sentencing phase of the trial, the jury recommended a verdict of death in under 40 minutes of deliberations by a vote of 11 to 1 after the prosecution had proved four aggravating circumstances: that the murder was committed by a defendant under a sentence of imprisonment, that the defendant had previously been convicted of another felony (in this case, first-degree rape) involving the use or threat of violence; that the murder was committed during the commission of a burglary, and that the murder was particularly heinous, atrocious, or cruel.
Floyd’s attorneys, Charles Johns and Kevin McKinley, contended during the trial the Atmore Police Department did not properly handle evidence in the case. They also unsuccessfully tried to obtain a change of venue in the case because of pretrial publicity they said would make it impossible for Floyd to receive a fair trial in Escambia County, Ala.
“This is a heartbreaking and appalling situation, in which the victim tried desperately to save herself and was viciously killed by someone who had threatened and abused her for years,” said Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange. “If any case demands the death penalty, it is this, and today’s sentence is an important step to bring a measure of justice to Tina Jones and her family.”
The Murder
Jones called 911 at 12:46 Sunday morning, January 2 to report that Floyd was breaking into her home. Two minutes later, Atmore Police officers arrived and found Jones lying in the floor of the home with what appeared to be several gunshot wounds, according to Atmore Police. She was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
“Witnesses at the scene said they were asleep, but were waken by Floyd demanding keys to a vehicle. After several moments, Floyd fled the scene on foot,” said Jason Dean, Atmore Police chief, said shortly after the crime.
“While officers were at the residence, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from Cedric Jerome Floyd, 28 years of age, the boyfriend of Jones, stating he wanted to turn himself in. Deputies responded to Freemanville Drive where Floyd met officers. Floyd was then taken into custody,” said Dean.
Police said Floyd made forcible entry into the home through Jones’ bedroom window in the rear of the home.
Escape To Pensacola
Floyd escaped from the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center in Brewton in October 2012. After a massive manhunt, he was captured the following day as he was walking near Pace Boulevard and Clarinda Lane, just south of the Pace-Palafox split, in Pensacola.
Winter Storm Warning: More Ice, Sleet, Snow Likely Tonight
January 28, 2014
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the entire area. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Snow and freezing rain, possibly mixed with sleet before midnight, then a chance of snow and freezing rain between midnight and 3am. Low around 20. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Total nighttime snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 16. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 46. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 60. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.
Supreme Court Allows Florida Pot Vote To Move Forward
January 28, 2014
A narrowly divided Florida Supreme Court paved the way for state voters to decide whether doctors should be allowed to prescribe marijuana as a treatment for some conditions.
By a 4-3 margin, the court ruled that the summary of a constitutional amendment that voters will see at the polls isn’t deceptive, swatting away arguments from Attorney General Pam Bondi and legislative leaders that the proposal is actually far broader than the summary lets on.
“We conclude that the ballot title and summary fairly inform voters of the chief purpose of the amendment and will not mislead voters, who will be able to cast an intelligent and informed ballot as to whether they want a provision in the state constitution authorizing the medical use of marijuana, as determined by a licensed Florida physician, under Florida law,” the majority wrote in a joint opinion.
Joining the majority were Justices R. Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente, James E.C. Perry and Peggy Quince. Chief Justice Ricky Polston dissented, along with Justices Charles Canady and Jorge Labarga, who normally votes with the other four justices.
The battle largely turned on whether two phrases would give voters the wrong view of the amendment.
First, while the ballot language says that people with “debilitating diseases” would be eligible to get pharmacological pot, the amendment would allow a doctor to prescribe marijuana to a patient with “a debilitating medical condition.”
Some opponents also argue that a section of the summary saying the amendment “[d]oes not authorize violations of federal law” might wrongly lead voters to believe that federal government allows marijuana use for medicinal purposes.
In a dissent, Chief Justice Ricky Polston said the ruling “will result in Floridians voting on a constitutional amendment in disguise.” He said the amendment would allow a far wider use of pot than the ballot suggests.
“For example, despite what the title and summary convey to voters, minor aches and pains, stress, insomnia, or fear of an upcoming flight could qualify for the medical use of marijuana under the text of the amendment,” Polston wrote. “This is seriously misleading.”
The ruling followed news Friday that People United for Medical Marijuana, the group pushing the amendment, had gathered enough signatures statewide and in the required 14 congressional districts to place the initiative on the ballot.
Democrats, who are expected to benefit from increased turnout of young and socially liberal voters, applauded the ruling.
“We need to quit devoting government resources to meddling in the lives of people who are suffering and focus our resources on making life better and more productive for the citizens of Florida,” said George Sheldon, a Democratic candidate for attorney general.
Republicans blasted the ruling.
“Make no mistake: this is not about compassionate medical marijuana,” said House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. “This is about the Coloradofication of Florida, where the end game is a pot shop on every street corner.”
In a statement issued by his office, Gov. Rick Scott took a more measured approach.
“I have a great deal of empathy for people battling difficult diseases and I understand arguments in favor of this initiative,” Scott said. “But, having seen the terrible affects of alcohol and drug abuse first-hand, I cannot endorse sending Florida down this path and I would personally vote against it.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Escambia River Electric Prepped For Winter Storm
January 28, 2014
Escambia River Electric Cooperative is ready to act on whatever winter weather we may receive today.
EREC takes necessary steps to make certain its power system is prepared for whatever weather may come our way. Our generation and transmission facility, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, is anticipating a peak load during this storm event. However, generation resources are in place to cover all energy needs, and staff are making necessary preparations to ensure capacity needs are met.
EREC will immediately respond to any power outage on its system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Power crews will work non-stop to ensure any disruption in power is restored as quickly and safely as possible.
Here are safety tips to follow during extreme cold temperatures:
- Never touch a fallen power line, and assume all wires on the ground are electrically charged. Call EREC at 1-877-OUT-EREC or 1-877-688-3732 to report it immediately.
- In the event of an outage, use an alternate heating source—such as a fireplace, propane space heater, or wood stove. Extreme caution should be taken.
- Stay in an area of the home where the alternate heat source is located.
- Fuel- and wood-burning heating sources should be vented. Be sure to follow manufacturer’s directions.
- Make sure carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors are working properly.
- Do not use a gas-powered oven for heating. A gas oven may go out or burn inefficiently, leading to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Do not use a gas or charcoal grill inside the home. Do not use charcoal briquettes in the fireplace.
- If you use a portable generator to power a heating source, be sure the generator is located outside your house for proper ventilation. Do not use a generator in an attached garage. Follow manufacturer’s directions for operating the generator.
- Take special care not to overload a generator. Use appropriately sized extension cords to carry the electric load. Make sure the cords have a grounded, three-pronged plug and are in good condition.
- Never run cords under rugs or carpets.
- Never connect generators to power lines. The reverse flow of electricity can electrocute an unsuspecting utility worker.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s telephone number to report outages is 1-877-OUT-EREC or 1-877-688-3732.
Winter Weather Driving Tips From The Florida Highway Patrol
January 28, 2014
With a winter storm warning posted for portions of North Florida, the Florida Highway Patrol urges motorists in affected areas to prepare for the possibility of adverse driving conditions. National Weather Service forecasts show a severe cold front moving into Florida, bringing with it the possibility of freezing rain
and snow resulting in hazardous driving conditions for motorists.
The FHP offers the following tips for driving in this type of weather conditions:
- Stay put. Avoid driving, if at all possible. The safest place to be is off the roads.
- Slow down. When roads are icy, vehicles don’t have the traction required to stop quickly.
- Stay alert. When the temperature is near freezing, the roadway may look wet when in fact ice is
- Remember that bridges and overpasses are more prone to freezing in these types of conditions.
- Don’t attempt to pass slower vehicles.
- Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
- Gently apply your brakes and accelerate at a slow speed.
- Be patient and courteous. Driving in adverse weather conditions can be stressful.
- Remember to dial *FHP (347) from your cell phone if you are on the road and need assistance.
Motorists are encouraged to monitor the changing weather conditions and adjust their driving as necessary. .
Gulf Power Readies For Winter Weather
January 28, 2014
Gulf Power Company employees are geared up and ready as a wintry mix of ice and snow is predicted to fall in Northwest Florida.
Line crews have increased their staffing into the night Tuesday, as well as on Wednesday morning.
“Our crews recently assisted Oncor with winter restoration in Texas,” said Jeff Rogers, Corporate Communications manager. “It’s tough working in these frigid temperatures, but our crews have been tested and are ready. Should an outage occur, we are ready to respond and restore power as quickly and as safely as possible.”
Freezing rain and sleet can build up on tree limbs, which then break and fall onto power lines. Rogers said the company’s year-round vegetation management system helps maintain high reliability of service to their customers.
If you come across a downed power line, assume that it is live and call 911, as well as Gulf Power, at 1-800-487-6937.
If there is an outage, customers can help Gulf Power restore power by turning off their heating systems until power is restored. Once power is back on, customers should wait a few minutes before turning their heating system on.
“If customers lose power, we ask that they wait 10 – 15 minutes after their power is restored before turning their heat back on,” Rogers said. “That helps us manage the load so we can bring all customers back on as quickly as possible.”
Customer service representatives will be working 24/7 to handle any questions customers might have. Customers can call 1-800-225-5797.
In addition to line service crews on standby, many Gulf Power employees at Plants Crist, Smith and Scholz are going into storm shifts. Gulf Power generating plants have run through checklists to protect critical equipment, and the plants are bolstering their staffing to ensure they can provide uninterrupted service during the potential icy conditions.
Pictured: Gulf Power crew works to restore power after a snowstorm last winter near Hot Springs, Arkansas. File photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries: Laundry Room Fire At Century Care Center
January 28, 2014
Firefighters responded to laundry room fire at the Century Care Center Monday night.
Residents from one wing of the facility were evacuated to other portions of the facility away from the fire. The minor fire was quickly brought under control by responding firefighters. There were no injuries reported.
The Century, McDavid, Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the fire, along with the Flomaton Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
