Mary Louise Brogden
October 24, 2014
Mary Louise Brogden, 72 of Atmore, passed away October 23, 2014, in Brewton. She was born on October 8, 1942, in Washington, D.C. to the late John and Juanita Carter Davison. She was a Registered Dietician, a member of the West Florida Dietetic Association and Mobile Dietetic Association. She was a graduate of Auburn University and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Atmore. She was instrumental in organizing the City of Atmore National Day of Prayer events.
She is survived by her husband Judge Joseph B. Brogden of Atmore; son, Robert Judson and his wife, Nicole Gant Brogden of Lawrenceville, GA; grandchildren, Ayden and Seth Brogden; sisters, Pat Norman of Mount Airy, GA, and Lynn (Lee) VunKannon of Pace; nieces and nephews, Michael VunKannon, Laura Spitznagel and Heather Keen and one great-niece, Emery Keen.
A celebration of life will be held Sunday, October 26, 2014, at 2:30 p.m. from the First United Methodist Church of Atmore with Rev. Deborah Bishop officiating.
A private inurnment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time at 2:30 p.m. from the First United Methodist Church of Atmore.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Atmore or other churches or charities of your choice.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Cantonment Gas Station Carjacking, Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested
October 23, 2014
[UPDATED 9:30 a.m.] A Cantonment man has been arrested in connection with the carjacking of a woman at a Cantonment gas station last month and an attempted sexual assault a short time later.
Eddie Lee Atkins, age 27 of 622 Muscogee Road, has been charged with attempted sexual assault with force and carjacking without a firearm or weapon, a first degree felony. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond Thursday morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said DNA evidence from both cases and the “tireless work” of sex crimes investigators led to the arrest.
At approximately 8:15 a.m. on September 18, a carjacking was reported at the Raceway gas station at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road. The victim had pumped gasoline and entered the store when Atkins allegedly entered her unlocked vehicle and concealed himself in the backseat. The victim did not see Atkinst and drove away from the store with him in the vehicle.
Atkins reportedly confronted the victim once the vehicle was moving. He told her that he had a knife and to keep driving or he would “stick” her. She drove around randomly and eventually drove to a neighbor’s residence. Once there she honked the car’s horn in distress to get someone’s attention. Atkins then struck her and pushed her from the vehicle, according to investigators.
Atkins then left in the car, heading back towards Highway 29, deputies said. The victim was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Shortly afterward, the vehicle was located on Pine Street.
A little more than 15 minutes later, the attempted sexual battery of a female jogger was reported on Rocky Avenue. The victim reported that as she was jogging when an unknown black male suspect grabbed her from behind and dragged her into awooded area. Once there he struck her in the face and attempted to remove her clothing but the victim fought back and was able to escape.
Pictured below: A composite sketch of a carjacking and attempted sexual assault suspect released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office shortly after the crime.
Gulf Power Customers Face January Increase
October 23, 2014
Gulf Power customers will see an increase on their bill next year. The Florida Public Service Commission allows expenses such as power plant fuel to be passed along to consumers, but they are not allowed to earn a profit on fuel charges.
A Gulf Power residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours a month will pay $139.29, up from $132, according to the PSC.
Fuel costs are a major component of each customer’s monthly bill. The industry commonly uses 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity for residential customers as a benchmark, though many customers use more power than that each month.
Customers of two other major Florida utilities – Florida Power & Light and Tampa Electric – will see very minor decreases on their bills.
Escambia Schools Offering Free Flu Vaccine To Students
October 23, 2014
The Escambia County School District is offering the mist form of the flu vaccine for free to all students.
The FluMist vaccine is a nasal spray – no needles are involved. It’s made from the weakened live virus, stimulating the production of antibodies in the blood and the nose. Health officials say there’s no risk of getting the flu from the vaccine.
Permission forms have already been sent home at some schools, and the forms will be headed home from other schools this week. Parents must return the forms by November 5 for their child to receive the FluMist the following week.
Son Charged After Dad Reports $37K In Musical And Fishing Equipment Stolen
October 23, 2014
A Cantonment man was arrested on long list of charges after allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of musical and fishing equipment.
Andrew Mark Hintz, 32, was charged with at least 10 counts of felony fraud for providing false information to a pawn broker, 10 felony counts of dealing in stolen property and three felony counts of larceny.
Hintz allegedly took the items from his father’s home in Beulah while the father was working out of the country. Items reported stolen included numerous pieces of musical equipment, guitars, amplifiers and fishing equipment with an estimated value of $37,000.
Hintz pawned over $15,000 worth of property belonging to his father, receiving a total of $3,570, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
According to the report, Hintz had permission to be in his father’s house while he was out of the country, but no permission to take and pawn the items. The victim told deputies that his son has a drug problem.
Hintz remained in the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning with bond set at $25,000.
FHP Aims To ‘Stuff The Charger’ During Food Drive
October 23, 2014
The Florida Highway Patrol is working to “Stuff the Charger” during their inaugural food drive.
Through November 6, the FHP will be collecting non-perishable food at their district headquarters at 150 Stumpfield Road in Pensacola to stuff in a Charger and deliver to a local food bank in time for Thanksgiving.
The following items are needed:
- Canned Goods: Sweet potatoes and yams, carrots, green beans, corn, spinach, sweet peas, black eyed peas, cranberry sauce, shelf-stable canned ham, canned meats, hearty soups and pie fillings
- Dried Goods: Stuffing, instant potatoes, gravy mix, macaroni & cheese, rice, cornbread mix, grits and oatmeal
- Other Goods: Nuts, evaporated milk, broth
Poll: Scott, Crist Deadlocked As Election Day Nears
October 23, 2014
Now less than two weeks before Election Day, the fierce race between Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic challenger Charlie Crist is a dead heat, according to a poll released Wednesday.
The Quinnipiac University poll shows Scott and Crist deadlocked, with each receiving 42 percent of the vote and Libertarian candidate Adrian Wyllie receiving 7 percent. If Wyllie is not factored in, Scott and Crist were tied at 44 percent.
“For all the money spent on this race, it now appears the winner will be the one whose organization excels at the blocking and tackling of politics — getting their voters to the polls,” Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said in a prepared statement accompanying the results.
The survey of 984 likely voters was conducted from Oct. 14 to Oct. 20, so it does not take into account the race’s third and final debate Tuesday night in Jacksonville. The poll has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.
The results are similar to a Quinnipiac Poll conducted last month that showed Scott with 44 percent of the vote, Crist at 42 percent and Wyllie at 8 percent. The new poll indicated that 90 percent of voters who said they supported a candidate are unlikely to change their minds before the Nov. 4 election.
Wednesday’s results also reinforced that voters have negative views of Scott and Crist, after months of the two sides attacking each other. Brown said voters will be casting ballots for the “lesser of two evils.”
“Will nice guys finish last in the Florida governor’s race? According to voters, there are no nice guys in this race, since neither Scott nor Crist are viewed favorably,” Brown said.
The Connecticut-based Quinnipiac frequently conducts polls in Florida and other states for major media nationwide. They are considered among the nation’s most accurate political pollsters.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
It’s National Forest Products Week
October 23, 2014
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Service are celebrating the benefits of Florida’s forest industry this week during National Forest Products Week.
“Florida’s forest industry produces significant economic and environmental benefits for this state,” Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam said. “The industry’s $16 billion economic impact supports 84,000 jobs, and forestry land management promotes healthy populations of native plants and animals.”
Florida’s 17 million forest acres provide more than 5,000 types of consumer goods that most people use on a daily basis. Some are easily recognized, like paper goods and lumber, while others are not. By the time forest products reach consumers, they are transformed into products such as cosmetics, medicines and fabrics used to make clothing. Pharmaceuticals developed to treat cancer have also originated from chemicals extracted from trees.
“To maintain a sustainable supply of forest products in our state, more than 70 million trees are planted in Florida each year,” said State Forester Jim Karels. “That means more than three trees are planted for each person in the state every year.”
Florida ranks eighth in tree planting across the country. The Florida Forest Service manages more than 1 million acres of public forest land while protecting 26 million acres of homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire.
Cleaning Up: Century To Hold Surplus Auction This Saturday
October 23, 2014
The Town of Century is cleaning house and putting surplus property on the auction block this Saturday.
Most of the items are from the former Helicopter Technology building in the town’s industrial park, and the town is anxious to make a deal to get rid of items left behind by the former tenant.
The items are grouped into several lots – couches and chairs, a marble slab, office desks and chairs, plastic tanks, shelving and wooden tables. The preview begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at 6081 Industrial Boulevard. Sealed bids will be opened at 11 a.m.
The town purchased the industrial building at public auction for less than $1 out of pocket back in August 2009, following the town’s foreclosure judgment against the now defunct Helicopter Technology company. The surplus sale is being held to clean out the building and increase its marketability as the town seeks a new tenant and new jobs.
Century – Heart and Soul: This was the fourth story is a two-week series on NorthEscambia.com featuring Century.
Northview Chiefs Name Players Of The Week
October 23, 2014
The Northview Chiefs have named Players of the Week from last Friday night’s 43-9 away win over Freeport. They are:
OFFENSE
Keondrae Lett –14 carries, 216 yards, three touchdowns and one catch for 10 yards
DEFENSE
Toney Harrison – eight total tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack
SPECIAL TEAMS
Chasen Freeman — two good PAT, one field goal, 39 yards per punt, one punt downed inside 20
DOMINATOR
Everette Garvey — for a tackle on sideline
Hunter Cofield — for a block on TD run
Images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.