Morgan Invites Residents To Learn About Neighborhood Watch Programs
October 30, 2014
Sheriff David Morgan is inviting the public to a Neighborhood Watch Academy class taking place November 18 at the Sheriff’s Main Administration Building at 1700 West Leonard Street.
Morgan said the Neighborhood Watch Program is one of the best means of eliminating and preventing criminal activity in your neighborhood. Attendees of the class will learn how to organize a successful neighborhood watch program and prevent crime in their homes and neighborhoods. Topics to be covered in this one evening seminar include:
- The history of the neighborhood watch program
- How to make an effective call for a police response without fear of retribution
- How to become less likely to be a victim or crime
Robert J. Overstreet
October 30, 2014
Robert J. Overstreet 71, of Atmore, passed away October 28, 2014, in Atmore. He was born August 23, 1943, in Robinsonville to the late Willard and Rosie Godwin Overstreet. Mr. Overstreet was a carpenter, a loving and caring christian man and he had his sense of humor until the end. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Tommy Overstreet; and sister, Suzie Godwin.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Lancaster Overstreet of Atmore; sons, Michael and Joey Overstreet both of Atmore; two stepsons, Keith and Jonathan Coleman both of Bay Minette; daughter, Michelle Overstreet of Atmore; step-daughter, Lynissa Newsome of Bay Minette; two brothers, Jerry Overstreet of Tuscaloosa, AL and Jim Overstreet of Atmore; two sisters, Lois Presley of Atmore and Mary Overstreet of Virginia; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild and seven step-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 1, 2014, at 12 p.m. from the Brooks Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. Robert Heard and Rev. Paul Enfinger officiating.
Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, November 1, 2014, from 10:30 a.m. until service time at 12 p.m. from the Brooks Memorial Baptist Church.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Katherin “Kay” Hull
October 30, 2014
Katherine “Kay” Hull, 61, of Cantonment made her journey home to be with the Lord.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Alton Ray Stephens and Bernice Ayers-Stephens; her husband, John T. Hull; her brother, Jack Stephens; and a great-nephew, Dillon Ray Sanderson.
Kay is survived by her stepson, Mike Hull of Lamar, MO; three grandsons, Zane, Wyatt, and Eli; five sisters, Pat Gilliland of OK, Nancy James of FL, Tommie Morgan of OK, Ginger Watson of FL, Sheila Hood of OK; two brothers, Gary Stephens of LA and Roy Stephens of LA; nieces; nephews; great nieces; and great nephews; a special little angel named Sage that was her life; and a very special “friend” Keith Bell.
Kay was the aunt that all the nieces and nephews loved. “Kerry”, called by her family, never met a stranger. With a life of prayer she knew that she would be accepted into Heaven with open arms.
Kay had many friends and will be missed by all.
Kay loved life and lived life to the fullest every day. Live, Laugh, Love
Memorial services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2014, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home , FL is in charge of arrangements.
Deputies Seek Suspect, Possible Witness In Double Shooting
October 29, 2014
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a suspect and a possible witness in a Monday double shooting.
Jamaal Ervin Williams, 18, is wanted on two counts of attempted homicide in connection with the shootings in the 1200 block of Rio Grande Circle. One gunshot victim was found in a yard, and the other was inside a vehicle.
The Sheriff’s Office said 16-year old Marquis Tyreek Weathers is wanted for questioning only as a possible witness in the case.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts or Williams or Weathers or with any information on this incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Navy Federal To Create 5,000 New Local Jobs With Expansion
October 29, 2014
This morning, Navy Federal Credit Union announced it will continue expanding its operations in Pensacola, bringing 5,000 new jobs and $350 million in capital investment to the region by 2026.
“This is our largest expansion in Pensacola thus far. It underscores what we’ve long been saying about this great community—it’s a great place to grow your business and a wellspring of talented people to employ,” said Cutler Dawson, CEO/president of Navy Federal. “Continued growth for Navy Federal not only signifies the strength of the credit union, but also means upholding our high standards for member service. It takes the best to serve the best, and that’s why we continue to invest in Pensacola.”
The expansion will include facilities and parking for an additional 5,000 employees, bringing the total number of employees on the Nine Mile Road campus to 10,000 by 2026 and an overall capital investment of $1 billion.
“Today’s announcement that Navy Federal will create 5,000 more jobs for Floridians is a huge win for the Florida families. Because of companies like Navy Federal, we have created 651,300 private-sector jobs since December 2010, and we will continue working hard to create jobs so that every Floridian can live the American Dream,” said Gov. Rick Scott.
Potential employees can apply for existing jobs online.
Navy Federal is a growth story in Pensacola, beginning in 2003 with 60 employees. In 2014, Navy Federal has added 530 jobs, bringing its current total in the region to over 3,800 employees with an annual payroll of $160 million. Gov. Scott recognized these efforts and awarded Dawson the Business Ambassador Award, given to individuals for their efforts in creating jobs and opportunities for Florida families.
“When FORTUNE Magazine named Navy Federal Credit Union as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2014, they highlighted what we in Northwest Florida have known for more than a decade,” said U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller. “Our friends at Navy Federal have not only been good corporate neighbors, they have become part of the community. We appreciate them choosing Pensacola, and we look forward to having them in our neighborhood for many years to come.”
In January 2014, FORTUNE Magazine named Navy Federal on its list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For.” This marked Navy Federal’s fourth appearance on the list, having first been recognized in 2008, 2012 and 2013. Navy Federal has also been recognized for the sixth straight year as a Best Place to Work in Florida.
Train Hits Vehicle In Bogia
October 29, 2014
A train hit an unoccupied vehicle on the railroad tracks at East Bogia Road, just east of Highway 29, Tuesday night.
The northbound CSX train with about 60 cars hit the vehicle shortly before 11:00. It was not immediately clear if the 56-year old driver was stuck or simply stopped on the tracks. He told authorities that he thought he was on Jordan Street in Pensacola.
The train engineer saw the vehicle on the tracks and began an emergency stop before reaching the crossing, but the train struck the car and pushed it down the tracks over 100 feet. There were no injuries.
The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. The driver’s name has not been released. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the accident.
Pictured: This car was pushed over 100 feet down the tracks after being hit by a train Tuesday night in Bogia. The train was backed away from the vehicle prior to the photos in order to open the railroad crossing. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rain Possible, Turning Colder
October 29, 2014
Rain is possible tonight in the North Escambia area, and cooler temperatures are on the way. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a slight chance of showers between 7pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday Sunny, with a high near 72. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 43. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Sunny, with a high near 75. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 40. North wind around 10 mph.
- Saturday Sunny, with a high near 60. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Sunday Sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
- Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
- Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Three Local Residents Sentenced, Two Indicted For Federal Tax Fraud
October 29, 2014
Three local residents, including a Cantonment man, have been sentenced to federal prison and two more have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in related tax refund fraud and identity theft schemes.
Tuesday, 29-year old Rex E. Robinson, Jr.of Cantonment was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson to 75 months in prison after having pled guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft charges stemming from his participation in a scheme to defraud the IRS by filing over 100 false tax returns using other people’s identities, the majority of whom were deceased.
Robinson was found in possession of approximately 566 individuals’ identities, 179 of which were actually used to file the fraudulent returns attributed to the scheme. As a result of his scheme, the IRS mailed out $87,324 in fraudulently obtained tax refund checks to Robinson’s various addresses, which Robinson was ordered to pay back in restitution as part of his sentence.
Ariyanna S. Lampley (previously Schuyler J. Nickerson), 32, of Pensacola, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers to 75 months in prison after having pled guilty to theft of government money and aggravated identity theft. Lampley forged a deceased person’s signature and deposited into her account one of the fraudulent tax refund checks obtained by Robinson, knowing that Robinson had obtained it by filing false returns.
Lampley was ordered to pay back $212,792.96 in restitution to the IRS not only for the check she deposited for Robinson, but for the over 70 additional fraudulently obtained federal tax refund checks she had cashed for others since 2010.
This past July, Brian Richardson, 28, of Cantonment, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson to 12 months and one day in prison after having pled guilty to aggravated identity theft. Richardson stole the personal identifying information of over 40 elderly hospital patients from his employer and provided it to Robinson for use in the tax fraud scheme.
In addition, on October 21, a federal grand jury indicted Richard J. Beverly II, 25, and Andrey C. Cook, 33, both of Pensacola, on mail fraud and aggravated identity theft charges in a related but separate case. The indictment alleges Beverly filed approximately 40 false tax returns to get over $85,000 in tax refunds using the identities of deceased persons and disabled patients living at a group home in Pensacola, which were stolen and provided by Cook. Both defendants have pled not guilty, and trial is currently scheduled for December 1, 2014, before Senior U.S. District Judge Lacey Collier.
These cases resulted from investigations by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Division, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Kim.
CareerSource Escarosa Offering Skills Assessment Testing In Century
October 29, 2014
An employment skills assessment test will be offered Thursday in Century. All Escambia County residents who are seeking employment, looking to further their career, or enhance their skills and education, are urged to participate in this free program.
Through partnership with local government and a consortium of community organizations, CareerSource Escarosa will offer Skill Assessment Tests to Escambia County residents as part of the Escarosa Community Occupational Talent Search, a targeted workforce development initiative.
E-COTS participants will have access to a variety of no-cost programs and services offered through CareerSource Escarosa which include; educational workshops, career training and guidance, tuition assistance, skill enhancement sessions, and more.
Testing sessions will be available at 9:30 a.m. at 1:30 p.m. at the Carver Community Center, 7040 Jefferson Avenue in Century.
A basic skill assessment is required for program participation. To register, call (850) 607-8750 or visit careersourceescarosa.com/ECOTS.
Kids House Receives $50K Donation Thanks To Local Felons
October 29, 2014
Thanks to local felons, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office made a $50,000 contribution Tuesday afternoon toward the expansion of the Gulf Coast Kids House.
The donation was funded from the State Law Enforcement Trust Fund. The law allows law enforcement to use funds from contraband seized during the commission of felonies to be used in the community.
The expansion will help the nonprofit organization better serve victims of child abuse in Escambia County and will be completed in 2015. The donated funds will be used for a new medical examination room in the Advocacy and Education wing of Gulf Coast Kids House.
Pictured: Sheriff David Morgan (center) presents a $50,000 donation to representatives of the Gulf Coast Kids House, Pam Schwartz, board chair; Debbie Ritchie and Stan Connally, co-chairs of Captial Expansion; and Stacey Kostevicki, executive director. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.