ECSO Seeks Three For Questioning In Convenience Store Murder
September 25, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking to question three additional people in the September 13 homicide of a convenience store owner.
Investigators are looking for Willie Mae Thornton, 39, Devarian Tevion Weatherspoon, 19, and Brittany Janeisha Dixon, 20, for questioning only for the homicide of 50-year old Phuong Nguyen Truong.
Investigators had been looking for Dontonio Diaz Thornton earlier in the week. He has been located and has spoken with investigators. On September 13 shortly before 2 p.m, Truong was found deceased behind the counter at his place of business, the T M Food Mart located in the 1000 block of West Michigan Avenue.
Anyone with any information as to the whereabouts of any of these individuals is asked to call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Century Man Charged With School, Residential Burglaries
September 25, 2014
A Century man was arrested this week for stealing thousands of dollars worth of items from an empty Century school and local homes in a series of burglaries.
Taylor Blade Scott, 18, is accused of breaking into the former Carver/Century K-8 School, which closed in 2009. Once inside during the July burglary, Scott, allegedly took an ice machine, computer wiring, garbage disposal, two stainless steel sinks, four stainless steel garbage can boxes and an window air conditioner. The property was valued at $3,000, and damage to the building was estimated at $1,100.
The day after stealing the items, Scott and a second man allegedly sold the items at Advanced Environmental Recycling in Flomaton for $199.17. An arrest warrant is outstanding for the second suspect.
For the school burglary, Scott was charged with grand theft, burglary of an unoccupied structure and felony criminal mischief with property damage.
In August, Scott allegedly took a Stihl leaf blower valued at $400 from a shed in the 6800 block of North Century Boulevard. He later told deputies that he tried to pawn it but was only offered $80, so he sold it to a man in the parking lot of the Cash America Pawn Shop on Nine Mile Road for $100 “because he needed money’, according to an arrest report.
He was charged with grand theft and dealing in stolen property for the leaf blower theft.
Scott was also charged with an August burglary at a second residence in the 5800 block of North Century Boulevard. He is accused of stealing a 40-foot ladder, a bushwhacker, tools, a battery charger, jewelry, cell phones, and a .22 caliber gun.
He was charged with grand theft of a firearm, grand theft of dwelling, burglary, criminal mischief and two counts petit theft.
Sc0tt remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond due to a probation violation charge.
Great Weather Continues, Rain Chance By The Weekend
September 25, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Sunday Night A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
- Monday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
- Monday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
- Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
- Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
- Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Bad Boys, Whatcha Gonna Do When They Come For You? Meet Century CI’s New K-9 Pups
September 25, 2014
They are cute. They are adorable. They are adorably cute. But they could also be your worse nightmare if you are a convict on the run, or a cute little blessing if you are lost in the woods.
These cute (have we mentioned that enough yet?) little puppies are K-9 tracking dogs in training in the Century Correctional Institution.
The Florida Department of Corrections has 38 K-9 programs statewide which are used to support other law enforcement agencies with felon apprehension, searching for missing persons and locating and providing aid to persons in distress.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Standing Strong: NJROTC Annual Inspection Held (With Photo Gallery)
September 25, 2014
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held Wednesday at the school, with cadets undergoing face to face scrutiny with a retired Navy commander.
Commander Merlin Ladner, USN (Ret) conducted the inspection. The day’s events began with a personnel inspection, drill demonstration and a pass-in-review in the school gym. The commander also conducted a financial record review, briefings, administrative inspections, supply inspections and more.
One by one, Cmdr. Ladner went face to face with each cadet, asking them questions about their NJROTC experience and conducting a complete inspection of their uniform.
“Yes, sir,” the cadets answered as they faced the questions about their NJROTC service, their ribbons, the shine on their shoes and some less than expected questions about every day life and football that left some cadets trying not to crack a smile.
“They did a very fine job this morning” said Ladner, who conducts annual inspections at dozens of high schools in the Southeast, told the entire group following his inspection. “And they are working their way to the top of my 50 or so units.”
Northview’s NJROTC is under the command of Senior Naval Science Instructor Captain Charlie Code and Chief Jeffrey Simpkins. The unit is led by Company Commander LCDR Lane Carnley and Executive Officer Cadet LT Sean Allister.
For a photo gallery from the inspection, click here.
Pictured: Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate, Ernest Ward, Northview, Flomaton Place In Cross Country Meet
September 25, 2014
Pensacola Christian and Milton took the top spots during a cross county meet Tuesday afternoon at Northview High School in Bratt.
There were 118 runners — 47 female, 71 male — that finished the race from Central, Ernest Ward Middle, Flomaton High, Milton High, Northview High, Pensacola Christian Academy and Tate High.
Results were as follows:
Female Teams
- 1st – PCA 41
- 2nd – Milton 58
- 3rd – Central 71
- 4th - Ernest Ward 178
- 5th – Northview 179
Top 5 Females
- Katylyn Buschman -PCA
- Lauren Cochran-PCA
- Emma Shows-Tate
- Isabella Potate –Milton
- Camryn Gilliard-Central
Male Teams
- 1st -Milton 30
- 2nd – PCA 38
- 3rd – Tate 94
- 4th- Central 135
- 5th – Flomaton 166
- 6th – Northview 231
- 7th - Ernest Ward 334
Top 5 Male
- Myles Osbourne-Milton
- Alex McDonald-Milton
- Dave Nolen –Tate
- Hunter Stewart-PCA
- Cody Price-Milton
Other results (provided by the school) were:
Top Northview 5 Boys
- Brandon Korinchak
- Heath Sheldt
- Joshua Borelli
- Austin Ates
- Zach Calloway
Top Northview 5 Girls
- Moriah McGahan
- Bethany Reynolds
- Mary Sullivan
- Jessica Barrows
- Tamara Barrows
Top Ernest Ward 5 Boys
- Brandon Sheldt
- Bryce Korinchak
- Shane Hardin
- Keaton Brown
- Alexander Floyd
Top Ernest Ward 5 Girls
- Addison Albritton
- Cailee Wilbirn
- Sierra Harrison
- Lexxi Baggett
- Anna Sullivan
Escambia Schools Focus On Student Athlete Transfer Policies
September 25, 2014
In order to improve e student athlete transfer process, the Escambia County School District is implementing plans to review procedures for high school student athlete transfer requests, and provide additional training opportunities for coaches and parents on Florida High School Athletic Association ) rules.
Malcolm Thomas, superintendent of Escambia County Schools, says that while these actions are a result of the recent events involving Escambia High School’s football program, they will benefit athletic programs across the county.
“When an event occurs that causes this much heartache and impacts so many students and faculty at one of our schools, it becomes our responsibility to take time to examine the situation to understand what can be learned, and make determinations to prevent reoccurrences in the future,” he said.
Several allegations have been made during and after the recent FHSAA investigation. Thomas pledged every complaint reported to a school or district official will be examined. If an investigation yields evidence of rule violations, self-reporting to the FHSAA will be required by the offending school.
“All reported incidents about student athletes who have transferred high schools are being thoroughly reviewed,” the superintendent said. “There will be consistency in enforcement of the FHSAA rules.”
“Training will be increased for athletic directors and coaches regarding FHSAA rules and procedures,” Thomas added. “The district will make a request for the FHSAA to utilize their expertise to facilitate training for all of our District coaches, whether they are new or veterans.”
Athletic directors from all area high schools provided input into the development of new Standard Operating Procedures for the reinstatement of a transfer student’s athletic eligibility. The new procedures began implementation in August 2014. An important change is the creation of a District Student Athlete Eligibility Review committee. The committee reviews requests and determines athletic eligibility for transferring student athletes. This increases consistency and removes the burden from individual schools, thereby reducing the amount of responsibility placed on athletic directors for transfer issues.
“By establishing this committee, students and parents will be able to submit a transfer review request form and receive a determination of whether the student athlete is eligible to play at their new school. Once that student’s eligibility has been reinstated by the committee, the student, parents and coaches will have the confidence that the transfer meets FHSAA requirements,” Thomas said.
A FHSAA information session will be offered for parents and guardians of student athletes to understand the rules, regulations, and procedures that could affect their student athletes’ eligibility. This information session will also be advertised to parents of middle school athletes, so they will know and understand the rules before they make high school commitments with, and for, their child.
Changes already underway include:
- Concerns about our current student athletes who have transferred high schools have been addressed, or are currently being reviewed.
- District athletic department leadership worked with athletic directors to create the Student Athlete Eligibility Review committee to review and reinstate a student’s athletic eligibility for any student athlete who transfers between schools at any time of the year.
- A Student Athlete Eligibility Review form has been made available online at http://ecsd.fl.schoolloop.com/SchoolChoice or at the Office of School Choice.
- Students, parents and athletic directors of transferring student athletes will be informed about the eligibility of a student athlete who has transferred.
The following steps will also be taken:
- FHSAA eligibility and compliance experts will be invited to Pensacola to provide training for all district athletic directors and coaches.
- While the FHSAA experts are in town, an information session will be offered in the evening to help parents of high school and middle school student athletes understand how to protect their students’ athletic eligibility.
- Parents of student athletes will also be directed to the FHSAA web site and the links for students and parents (www.fhsaa.org).
- Details (time/location) for the information session for families will be promoted via a call-out and through the local media.
Court Sets Hearing On Requiring Drug Tests For Welfare
September 25, 2014
A federal appeals court is scheduled to hear arguments November 20 in a long-running battle about Gov. Rick Scott’s attempt to require drug testing as a condition for people receiving public-assistance benefits.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week scheduled the arguments in an appeal filed by the Scott administration after a federal district judge blocked the program, according to an online docket.
The state is seeking to require drug testing for people who receive welfare benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
But it has faced a series of legal setbacks, with U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven in December issuing a 30-page ruling that concluded the urine tests would violate Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government and that “there is no set of circumstances under which the warrantless, suspicionless drug testing at issue in this case could be constitutionally applied.”
The Scott administration, however, argues in part that drug use can impede the ability of public-assistance beneficiaries to get jobs and also harms families.
The case stems from a 2011 law, which was challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Luis Lebron, a Navy veteran and single father.
by The News Service of Florida
Lonnie Lee Rackard
September 25, 2014
Lonnie Lee Rackard, 65 of Atmore, passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2014, in Pensacola. He was a retired superintendent of Atlantic Marine Ship Yard of Mobile. He was born in Escambia County, Al. on February 20, 1949, to the Late Edgar and Ruthie Mae McGhee.
Mr. Lonnie was a member of the United Pentecostal Church of Atmore, a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and was on the Board of Directors of Muskogee Inn.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Carolyn Rackard of Atmore; two sons, Jason (Mary) Rackard of Poarch and Jeremy (Jasmine) Rackard of Deatsville, AL; five grandchildren, Kinzie, Destiny, Dallon, Khalia, and Jackson; one brother, Eugene (Karen) Rackard of Chipley; five sisters, Hazel (Ardis) Rolin of Atmore, Ruby (Jerry) Hawkins of Poarch; Dorothy (Joe Frank) McGhee of Atmore, Mary (Gary) Cordes of Jasper and Glenda Carlton of Poarch; and numerous extended family and friends.
Services were held Thursday, September 25, 2014, from the United Pentecostal Church of Atmore with Pastor Mary S. Gibbs and Rev. Coleman Pylant officiating.
Interment was in New Home Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Poarch Creek Fire Department.
Honorary pallbearers will be Poarch Creek Tribal Council.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home,INC in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, Al.
Brenda Lois Godwin
September 25, 2014
Brenda Lois Godwin 65, of Davisville, passed away Wednesday, September 24, 2014, in Pensacola. She was the owner and operator of The Looking Good Hair Salon. She was born in Flomaton on November 14, 1948, to the late Thomas Guy and Marie Porter Nicholas. Ms. Brenda was a loving wife, mother and a great friend who touched the lives of many.
She is preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters.
Survivors include her husband, Freddie Godwin of Davisville; three daughters, Sonia (Quint) Wilson of Bratt, Tonia (Tom) Presley of Byrneville, and Brandy Ramer of Davisville; one brother, Ralph “Bill” Scott; two sisters, Pearline Torelli and Jackie Grantham and seven grandchildren, Patrick (Elizabeth), Wilson, Tabitha Presley, Danielle Wilson, Tiffany Presley, Talisa Presley, Raven Ramer and River Ramer; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Services will be Saturday, September 27, 2014, at 11 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ted Bridges officiating.
Interment will follow in Godwin Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers are Timmy Ramer, Bobbie McCall, Bernard Owens, Buddy Scott, Louie Thrower, and Michael Johnson.
Family will receive friends Saturday ,September 27, 2014, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, is in charge of all arrangements