Flame Broiled: No Injuries In Vehicle Fire
June 16, 2014
There were no injuries in a vehicle fire on West Owens Street next to Burger King in Atmore this morning. The fire was quickly extinguished by the Atmore Fire Department before the car was a total loss. A witness said the female and her small dog escaped without injury. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Gets 15 Years In Prison For Drug Trafficking
June 16, 2014
A Century man has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison on drug charges that stemmed from a traffic stop in Pensacola.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in August 2013 for improper window tint on Old Spanish Trail at the Moorings Apartments. The driver, 34-year old Kevin Lamar Brown of Ramar Street in Century, admitted to deputies that he did not have a valid driver’s license.
Inside the vehicle, deputies reported finding a plastic bag containing an unmarked pill bottle containing a large quantity of acetaminophen-hydrocodone pills and a digital scale.
Brown told deputies that he and a female had found the bag while visiting Wayside Park at the foot of the 3 Mile Bridge. He said he was taking the pills to a friend to see if they could be sold for money, according to an arrest report. Deputies also reported finding a plastic bag with crack cocaine and marijuana.
Brown was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance (hydrocodone), possession of drug paraphernalia, cocaine possession and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Judge Terry Terrell also ordered Brown to pay $105, 568 in fines and court costs when he handed down the 15 year sentence.
Deputies Searching For Attempted Murder Suspect
June 16, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man wanted for attempted murder.
Michael Jerome Gratton, 30, is wanted in connection to a double shooting that happened on May 6th.
Just after 7 p.m. that evening, an 18-year old was shot in the leg near the 2500 block of South Catherine Avenue and North “S” Street. The victim was a “trauma alert” as he was transported to Baptist Hospital by Escambia County EMS.
A few minutes later, a second shooting was reported a on West Yonge Street. The 20-year old male victim of that shooting was transported as a trauma alert to Sacred Heart Hospital. He was reportedly shot in the back, possibly with a shotgun.
If you know the whereabouts of Gratton, you are asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at a (850) 433-STOP.
Slight Rain Chances Today, Tuesday
June 16, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Tuesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Wednesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light west after midnight.
- Friday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
- Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
- Saturday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
- Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Appeals Court Backs Man In Anonymous Public Records Request
June 16, 2014
Siding with a man who filed public-records requests without giving his name, an appeals court said the city of Greenacres, Fla., could not require him to fill out a form before obtaining the documents.
The 4th District Court of Appeal overturned a lower-court decision to dismiss the case filed by Joel Edward Chandler. The case stemmed from public-records requests that were submitted by email to the city but did not include the name of the sender.
The city clerk responded that the sender needed to fill out a form on the city website before receiving the documents. The form was not filled out and, ultimately, a lawsuit was filed under the state’s public-records law.
The city argued, in part, that it did not improperly block access to the records but that filling out the form was required as part of the process to obtain payment for costs associated with providing the documents, according to the ruling. But a three-judge panel of the appeals court rejected those arguments.
“In sum, the city could not properly condition disclosure of the public records to the then-anonymous requester on filling out the city’s form and giving an ‘address or other identifiable source for payment of the associated costs,’ ” said the opinion, written by Judge Martha Warner and joined by judges Melanie May and Spencer Levine. “The city could have sent an estimate of costs through e-mail to the requester just as it could through regular mail, had the request been made via paper by an anonymous requester. Requiring appellant (Chandler) to provide further identifying information prior to disclosure could have a chilling effect on access to public records and is not required by the Public Records Act.”
by The News Service of Florida
Election Watch: It’s Qualifying Week For Local Candidates
June 16, 2014
Today is the first day of qualifying week for candidates seeking local offices in Escambia County, Century and Pensacola. Friday is the last day to qualify.
Local offices of interest on the ballot this year are listed below along with the name of the incumbent currently holding that postition:
- Escambia County Commission District 2 – Gene M. Valentino
- Escambia County Commission District 4 – Grover C. Robinson, IV
- ECUA District 2 – Louis Benson
- ECUA District 4 – Dale Perkins
- Santa Rosa Island Authority- Thomas Campanella
- Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District Group 1 – Jacob Gilmore
- Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District Group 2 – Jeff DeWeese
- Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District Group 4 – Lynn Laird
- Century Town Council Seat 3 – Jacke Johnston
- Century Town Council Seat 4 – Gary E. Riley
- Century Town Council Seat 5 – Sandra McMurray Jackson
- Escambia County School Board District 1 – Jeff Bergosh
- Escambia County School Board District 2 – Gerald Boone
- Escambia County School Board District 3 – Linda Moultrie
- Pensacola Mayor- Ashton J. Hayward
- Pensacola City County District 2- Sherri F. Myers
- Pensacola City County District 4 – Larry B. Johnson
- Pensacola City County District 6 – Brian Spencer
- State Senator District 2 – Greg Evers
- State Representative District 1 – Clay Ingram
- State Representative District 2 – Mike Hill
Bill Signed Aimed At Honoring Veterans
June 16, 2014
Florida will redesign 11 military-related specialty license plates and add a new plate — the Combat Medical Badge plate — to the inventory as Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill (HB 559) into law intended to further honor veterans.
The law, which goes into effect July 1, also requires some editing of state laws, changing all references of the Korean Conflict to the Korean War and the Vietnam Era to the Vietnam War. The changes were requested by veterans.
“This legislation is one more way we thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice,” Scott said in a prepared statement. The bill will add related campaign medals or badges to the following already-existing plates: Florida National Guard; United States Armed Forces Reserve; Ex-POW; Pearl Harbor survivor; Operation Desert Storm; Operation Desert Shield; Operation Iraqi Freedom; Operation Enduring Freedom; Combat Action Badge; Vietnam War Veteran; and the renamed Korean Conflict Veteran.
Currently, only the Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge plates are stamped with the likenesses of the related campaign medals or badges.
The changes are expected to cost the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles $52,920 to do the redesigns.
by The News Service of Florida
ECUA Free Flood Debris Collection Ends
June 16, 2014
The free ECUA flood debris removal program has ended.
After June 16, normal ECUA policy regarding the collection of C&D materials will be back in force, and materials such as sheetrock, lumber and flooring, will be collected with an additional charge. Once materials are placed at the curb, ECUA customers may call (850) 476-0480 to request a quote for C&D debris removal. The ECUA can also provide roll off containers and dumpsters for removal of debris at an additional charge. Furniture and other large non-construction related items will continue to be collected weekly after June 16 free-of-charge as part of the ECUA’s bulk waste collection program.
For more information on ECUA residential sanitation and recycling programs, customers may visit the ECUA website at www.ecua.fl.gov, or contact customer service at (850) 476-0480.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
BayBears Over Wahoos 4-2
June 16, 2014
The Mobile BayBears broke a two-two tie with a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth inning on their way to a 4-2 win over the Blue Wahoos in the series finale at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile.
Pensacola took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third inning on an RBI double by Yorman Rodriguez and a Devin Lohman sacrifice fly. The lead was short lived when Mobile answered with a run in the bottom of the inning. In the fifth inning, an error by Juan Silverio at third base opened the door for a pair of runs by Mobile which proved to be the difference in the game.
Fabian Williamson (L, 0-5) was on the mound when the BayBears scored the two go-ahead runs, thus saddling him with the loss. Both runs, however, were unearned. BayBear starter Charles Brewer (W, 3-1) picked up the win. He gave up 2 R/0 ER over 6.0 innings on four hits. He struck out eight against just two walks in his second consecutive win. Kaleb Fleck (S, 4) worked a perfect ninth inning to record his fourth save of the season.
Rodriguez led the way for the Wahoos offensively snapping an 0-for-15 slump with a 2-for-4 afternoon including a run scored and an RBI. Steve Selsky (2-for-3) also had a multi-hit game for Pensacola. Rey Navarro extended his on-base streak to a team-high 23 games with a walk in the third.
Pensacola will enjoy a three day break for the Southern League All-Star game. The Blue Wahoos will return to the field on Thursday, June 19 against the Huntsville Stars to open a five-game series.
by Tommy Thrall
Clyde Verneal Huff
June 16, 2014
Clyde Verneal Huff was born January 12, 1922, to Joseph Oswald and Fannie Vera Darr Huff of Millport, Alabama. He died Friday, June 13, 2014.
He was married for over 67 years to Frances Adele Flowers Huff, a wonderful wife and mother of their three children. Preceding him in death are his son, Joseph Hobson Huff (Charlotte), his daughter, Brenda Joyce Huff, and brother, Derral Huff. Mr. Huff is survived by his wife Frances, his son, Larry Waldo Huff (Susan), brother Fred Huff of Thomasville, Alabama, four granddaughters, Tammy Hester, Wendy Huff, Vivian Ruth Huff, and Amanda A. Hindsman (Craig), one grandson, Christopher Lee Huff, numerous great grandchildren and one great-great grandson.
Clyde served in the Army in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Dutch East Indies where he served as a member of a mortar crew. He received the Purple Heart in the Philippines. He mustered out of the service on December 25, 1945, and returned home to Millport where met and married the love of his life, Frances Flowers.
After graduating from Millport High School, Clyde attended Mississippi State College where he played semi-pro baseball. Clyde moved his family to Pensacola in the late forties. He worked at Saint Regis Paper and retired as a head finisher after working there for 28 years.
Clyde loved to hunt and fish with his friends. “Bro. Clyde”, as he was known by most, was a man of his word. If he told you he was going to do something, you could always depend on him doing it one way or another. Clyde also loved coaching softball and flag football. He influenced many young people by his dedication and commitment, not to the game, but to them. When you played for Mr. Clyde you were expected to play your best, act your best and always play fair.
Clyde’s greatest joy, besides being married to the greatest woman he had ever known, was sharing the love of Jesus by what he could do for others around him in need. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior when He was 32 years old, during a revival at Plainview Baptist Church. He was ordained and served as a deacon. He was a wonderful man, fine husband, father, grandfather, brother, and all around friend to everyone who was privileged to have known him. Clyde has come to the end of his journey here on this earth and has now heard the Lord say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Welcome to your reward in paradise.” So now his greatest journey has just begun. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Funeral service for Mr. Huff will be Tuesday, June 17, 2014, at 2 p.m. at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.