Lows In The Upper 30’s Tonight; Freeze Watch For Saturday Night
October 31, 2014
There is a freeze watch in effect for Saturday night with a light freeze possible. There is also a wind advisory in effect. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 38. Breezy, with a north wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
- Saturday Sunny, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a north wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
- Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 31. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
- Monday Sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
- Wednesday A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 79.
- Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
- Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
- Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
- Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Driver Crashes Into West Nine Mile Road Business
October 31, 2014
One person was serious injured in a three vehicle crash that left a car inside a Nine Mile Road business Thursday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 59-year old Harvey Milton Jeffcoat of Pensacola crashed his 1991 Honda Accord into the Gulf Coast Fresh Seafood Company at 2250 West Nine Mile Road after being involved in an accident at the intersection of West Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road about 10:30 p.m. He was transported to West Florida Hospital with serious injuries by Escambia County EMS.
Two other drivers collided in the intersection — 19-year old Alyson D. Anderson of Cantonment in a 2003 Toyota Rav 4 and 18-year old Tanner Cole Phillips in a 1999 Ford Explorer. Anderson, Phillips, and a passenger in Phillips’ vehicle were not injured.
No charges were filed in the incident by the FHP.
The owner of the business, Jonathan Patti said the seafood company will be reopened once repairs are made. In the meantime, an adjacent seafood restaurant that shares the building will remain open once it’s closed off from the damage.
Pictured: A 59-year old man was seriously injured after his car plowed into the Gulf Coast Fresh Seafood Company on West Nine Mile Road after he was involved in a wreck at West Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Trick-Or-Treat Safety: Most Sex Offenders Can Give Out Candy
October 31, 2014
There are lots of ways to make trick-or-treating safer for children, including a quick check for sex offenders in the neighborhood.
According to the FDLE database, there are 23 sex offenders and predators in the Century area, six in the Walnut Hill/McDavid area, 15 near Molino and 60 in the Cantonment area. The numbers per zip code generally only increase further south in more populated areas in Escambia County. For instance, there are 162 registered offenders in the 32505 zip code.
Most Florida sex offenders and predators are legally allowed to hand out candy to children in their neighborhoods as long as they are no longer on supervised probation, according to law enforcement officials.
The Florida Department of Corrections will work in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies to keep the streets safe by ensuring sex offenders under felony supervision do not take part in any Halloween activities involving minors, the DOC said Thursday afternoon. Community Corrections officers will be making personal contact and conducting surveillance during trick-or-treat hours in local communities. Safety efforts will also include surprise visits by probation officers, multiple residence drive-bys, and increased surveillance at motels and treatment facilities that sex offenders use.
Authorities say that parents can turn to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s sexual offender database to find the address of registered sex offenders that may be in an area where their children will trick-or-treat. In addition to addresses, the FDLE database also offers photos and descriptions of offenders along with information about their crimes.
Sex offenders that are sill under supervised probation are not allowed to give out candy or treats, are required to turn off their porch lights and close blinds, have no outside decorations, are not allowed to dress in a costume or mask, and are not allowed to answer their doors for trick-or-treaters.
“Offenders who do not remain in compliance with the terms of their supervision will be subject to immediate arrest,” according to the DOC.
To search the FDLE sex offender database, click here. To check the Alabama sex offender database, click here.
In addition to checking the FDLE database, officials said parents should make sure trick-or-treaters are accompanied by an adult, have a flashlight and cellphone.
There are also several community fall festivals and events planned across the area tonight, offering a “safe” alternative to the traditional door to door trick-or-treating. For a list of many of those events, click here.
Ransom Knights Place In Gulf Coast Classic Chess Tournament
October 31, 2014
Nine students from Ransom Middle School’s Chess club, the Ransom Knights, recently participated in the 2014 Annual Gulf Coast Classic Chess Tournament in Mobile.
The tournament was host to 27 students from the greater Mobile area who competed in three divisions, with the Ransom Knights scoring in the top 10 in all three divisions.
In the K-12 under 1200 rating division, Ransom Knight Kaleb Hoskins won third place, Ryan Carty won fourth place, Andrew Hoskins took seventh place and Miles Gibson won eighth place.
In the K-6 under 600 rating division, Ransom Knight Devin Rising won fourth place. In the K-9 Novice division, Ransom Knight James Conti won third place and James Streit won fourth place. Also participating in the tournament were Ransom Knights Connor Crisco and Caleb Loving. =
The Ransom Knights will host a scholastic tournament, The Panhandle Classic, on December 6.
A Spooky Museum Visit, Trunk Or Treats And Fall Festivals Tonight
October 31, 2014
Several events are planned for this evening, from a spooky night at the Molino Museum to family friendly Halloween alternative trunk or treats and fall festivals.
Editor’s note: There are no official trick or treat times in Escambia County, FL.
Molino Community Fall Festival
A community wide fall festival will be held on Friday, October 31, at Victory Assembly of God church in Molino from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. There will be lots of food, fun, games, trunk-or treat, and a hayride. The event is sponsored by Highland Baptist Church, Victory Assemby of God, Crossfaith Church and Molino First Assembly of God. The event is free and everyone is invited.
First Baptist Cantonment Trunk or Treat
The First Baptist Church of Cantonment will hold a Trunk or Treat on Morris Avenue from 6-8 p.m. The public is welcome.
Pine Forest Assembly/Cantonment Fall Festival
The Pine Forest Assembly of God Church at 3125 Pine Forest Road in Cantonment will hold a Fall Festival from 6-8 p.m. with free food, games, prizes and lots of fun.
Heritage Baptist Chruch Fall Festival
The annual Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Heritage Baptist Church at 3065 Hwy. 297-A in Cantonment, Ponies, mechanical bull, Reno’s Reptiles, Tumble Jungle Bus, train, bounce house, games, lots of candy, and food. Everything is free.
St. Monica’s Fall Festival/Cantonment
The annual Fall Festival at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church in Cantonment will be held from 6-8 p.m at 699 Highway 95A, Cantonment.
Bratt Assembly Fall Festival
A Fall Festival will be held at Bratt Assembly of God beginning at 6 p.m.
Molino Branch Library Halloween
The Molino Branch Library will present “It Happened One Night at the Molino Museum” at 6 p.m. Kids and enjoy a night of skits, spooky stories and trick or treating — and visit the spooky Molino Museum if they dare.
Dogwood Park Baptist Peanut Boil/Fall Festival (Saturday)
Dogwood Park Baptist Church at 3301 Highway 97, Molino, will hold its annual Peanut Boil and Fall Festival on Saturday, November 1 from 1-5 p.m. There will be games, face painting, food and entertainment by the country, gospel and bluegrass group Rollin Tide. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Northview, Baker Battle It Out Tonight For District Title
October 31, 2014
The District 1-1A championship is on the line this Halloween night as the Northview Chiefs hit Highway 4 and travel to Baker.
The Gators are unbeaten at 8-0 and ranked third in the state, while the Chiefs are ranked fifth and are 6-1 against a much tougher schedule against larger schools.The Chiefs have taken down 4A teams Marrianna and Walton and gave Choctaw, the top team is 2-6A, a serious run.
The Chiefs won the 1A state championship back in 2012, but Baker beat Northview in Bratt last year 24-20 to earn a district title for the Gators. Tonight, the Northview Chiefs are looking to take their experience and put an end to the Baker Gator’s 19-game regular season winning streak and prevent a repeat of last year.
Northview Coach Sid Wheatley said the Gators will be a formidable opponent, standing behind their quarterback John Beck who comes in well over six-feet. “Their defense plays extremely hard; the have a big offensive line.”
“I think they are better up front; I think their backs are very physical. They’ve got the Newsome and the Lett kid,” Matt Brunson, Baker head coach told WEAR. “They are great on defense. I think it will be a great high school football game.
Cameron Newsome is averaging 7.9 yards per carry this season, with 601 yards rushing and five touchdowns. He also has nine receptions for 89 yards. “The Lett Kid” — Keondrae Lett — may be Baker’s Halloween nightmare. He leads the Chiefs with 1188 rushing yards, 1,431 total yards with 16 touchdowns.
Northview will treat Baker to several more names tonight from their trick or treat bag. Quarterback Gavin Grant is 29 of 47 for 420 yards and eight touchdowns. On the defense, Hunter Sherouse has 70 tackles, Tydre Bradley has 57, and Jaylen Parker has 50. Plus fourother Chiefs are at about 40 tackles each this season — Jacob Weaver, Zach Payne, Nick Lambert and Toney Harrison. Harrison is also looking forward to getting to know Baker’s quarterback; Harrison has a team leading five sacks.
“It’s going to be fun; it’s going to be exiting. Our kids are anxious,” Wheatley said. “I think our kids know exactly what is at stake. Some of these guys were here last year when Baker came over and beat us and won the district championship. What we’ve got to do is execute and not have turnovers. We need to just play clean football, but I believe we’ll be ready.”
NorthEscambia.com will live score the game on our Facebook page and on Twitter.
Pictured: 1A Northview beat 4A Walton 35-28 last Friday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UF Poll Says Florida Governor’s Race Is Tied
October 31, 2014
A new University of Florida poll indicates the governor’s race is deadlocked, with Republican incumbent Rick Scott and Democratic challenger Charlie Crist each getting the support of 36 percent of likely voters and Libertarian Adrian Wyllie receiving 6 percent, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
The poll of likely voters was conducted from October 24-28 for the Tampa Bay Times, Bay News 9 and News 13 of Orlando by the University of Florida’s Bob Graham Center for Public Service and Bureau of Economic and Business Research. The poll had a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.
Earlier Thursday, Quinnipiac University released a poll that showed Crist leading by a margin of 43 percent to 40 percent, with Wyllie at 8 percent. That poll had a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points. With Tuesday’s election nearing, Quinnipiac said Crist has received a boost from independent voters.
by The News Service of Florida
Toddler Dies, Daycare Owner To Face Second Degree Murder Charge
October 30, 2014
A toddler died Wednesday after allegedly being abused by a daycare owner, and the State Attorney’s Office is filing a second degree murder charge in teh case.
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 the care of 55-year old Thelma Denise Lowery, who runs a daycare business from her home at 4738 Ward Basin Road in Milton.
The toddler died Wednesday at Sacred Heart Hospital , according to the State Attorney’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office said investigators obtained sufficient probable cause to believe Lowery was the person responsible for inflicting the injuries on the toddler. She was charged with aggravated child abuse prior to the child’s death, but will be arraigned on the second degree murder charge on Friday afternoon.
A Santa Rosa Grand Jury will be scheduled to hear evidence and determine whether sufficient evidence is present for a first degree felony murder indictment. A first degree murder indictment can only be charged by a Grand Jury in Florida.
The Department of Children and Families has revoked Lowery’s license to operate her home daycare. Lowery remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
Alabama Pastor Murder Suspect Arrested In Texas
October 30, 2014
The Santa Rosa County man wanted for the murder of a pastor Monday morning in Escambia County, AL, has been arrested this afternoon along I-40 in Amarillo, TX.
Brett Richard Yeiter, age 46 of Little Paul Lane in Santa Rosa County, was taken into custody without incident by U.S. Marshals and local Texas law enforcement. He was still driving the same truck in which he allegedly fled the murder scene, according to Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert. He will be held in Texas awaiting extradition back to Escambia County, AL, to face an open count of murder.
The shooting occurred a the Book of Acts Holiness Church on Jimmy Sellers Road, just north of the Florida line about 15 miles northwest of Munson, FL. Responding deputies found 69-year old Paul Phillips suffering from a gunshot wound from a shotgun. He passed away a short time later. Phillips was reportedly the pastor of the small church.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Amarillo authorities received a tip about 3 p.m. that Yeiter was traveling east through the Texas Panhandle on I-40. A Texas trooper in the area spotted the vehicle a short time later and conducted a traffic stop.
Authorities possibly located Yeiter because he used his credit card in western Oklahoma, a Texas DPS spokesman told the Amarillo Globe-News.
Yeiter was Phillips’ son-in-law, Lambert said. The only known motive for the murder, Lambert said, was an ongoing domestic dispute.
Pictured: Brett Richard Yeiter was booked into the Carson County, Texas, jail after his arrest. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Poll: Independents Giving Crist A Slight Lead Over Scott
October 30, 2014
Pointing to support from independent voters, a poll released Thursday gives Democrat Charlie Crist a slight edge over Republican Gov. Rick Scott as they head into the frantic final days of this year’s campaign.
Crist has the support of 43 percent of likely voters, while Scott has 40 percent and Libertarian candidate Adrian Wyllie is at 8 percent, according to the Quinnipiac University poll.
But the race remains a virtual toss-up as Floridians cast early ballots or prepare to vote Tuesday: The poll’s margin of error was 3.4 percentage points. Also, it said 9 percent of voters were undecided.
“Crist, who always has sought to portray himself as a pragmatist rather than an ideologue, seems to have sold that message to independents who historically have favored problem-solvers who are less politicaI,” Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said in comments released early Thursday with the survey results.
A Quinnipiac poll released Oct. 22 showed Scott and Crist tied at 42 percent, with Wyllie getting 7 percent. Other recent polls also have shown the contest as too close to call.
Brown said Crist, a former Republican governor running as a Democrat this year, might have received a late boost because of his performance in three debates. One of the debates drew widespread attention because of Scott’s initial absence from the stage amid a dispute about an electric fan used by Crist.
“It would be a reasonable hypothesis that the candidates’ debates made a big difference in this race,” Brown said. “Scott was ahead going into them and behind after them. It could be a coincidence, but it would be a pretty large coincidence. Crist has long been thought of as an excellent campaigner and he used those skills to his advantage.”
The poll found that independent voters support Crist over Scott by a margin of 47 percent to 29 percent, with Wyllie getting 16 percent. That contrasts with the Oct. 22 poll, which showed Crist ahead of Scott among independents by margin of 41 percent to 38 percent.
Among other groups, Scott held a 10-point lead over Crist among men, while the Democrat held a 14-point lead among women.
The Connecticut-based Quinnipiac frequently conducts polls in Florida and other states. The new poll surveyed voters from October. 22 to Monday.