Century Man Charged With Aggravated Battery With Deadly Weapon
January 7, 2015
A Century man has been charged with placing a gun to forehead of a mentally disabled woman and threatening to kill her.
John Andrew McClain, 45, was charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon and criminal mischief property damage. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $110,000.
The 44-year woman met deputies at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Century Precinct to report the incident. She told deputies that she is mentally disabled, unable to read or write, and had been involved in a “dating relationship” for several years with McClain.
She told deputies that on January 2 she was riding in a vehicle with McClain when a man called her cellphone. Later that night, she said McClain pressed the barrel of a handgun against her forehead and told her that he would kill her. According to an arrest report, the victim had a small wound on her forehead, apparently from the gun barrel.
He also allegedly grabbed her and held her in a “bear hug”. Over the next few days, she said McClain continued to drive past her house to make sure that she was home, but she was so afraid that she did not immediately report the gun incident.
A few days later, she said McClain drove her to the grocery store in Century and left her there, taking her vehicle back to her residence and sabotaging it so that it would not crank. McClain later allegedly grabbed her flip-style phone and broke it in half.
When deputies arrested McClain, spontaneously said he does not own any guns and that the victim is crazy, according to an arrest report.
Century Gets Big Break On DEP Permit Fee
January 7, 2015
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is giving the Town of Century a big break on needed permit.
The dredge and fill permit, part of the north Century drainage improvements project, has a normal fee of $5,000 based on a 3-10 acre impact area, according to town consultant Debbie Nickles
But Century qualified for a $4,900 discount, for a permit fee of just $100, due to lower than average income and property values in the town.
GED Classes Beginning At Molino Community Center
January 7, 2015
GED classes will being Monday, January 12 at the Molino Community Center from 6-8 p.m. each Monday and Thursday evening in Room 124.
New students will need to take the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) before registration for the GED classes. The test will be given free only at the Molino Community Center on Thursday, January 8 at 6 p.m. for new students 18 or over with a photo identification.
Students under 18 will need to take the TABE and get an age waiver in person at George Stone Technical Center. Returning students may register online at www.georgestonecenter.com. For more information, call George Stone at (850) 941-6200 or (850) 516-4451.
For more information on the Molino GED class, call the Molino Library at (850) 435-1760.
Hill Proposes Help For Disabled Kids In Military Families
January 7, 2015
A Northwest Florida lawmaker Tuesday filed a bill that could help clear the way for developmentally disabled children in military families to get services from the state.
The bill filed by Rep. Mike Hill, R-Pensacola Beach, focuses on active-duty military members who get transferred to Florida, members of the Florida National Guard and members of the military reserves who are based in Florida. Under the proposal, the state would be required to provide what are known as “home- and community-based services” to developmentally disabled children whose parents or guardians are in the National Guard or reserves.
Also, it would be required to provide the services to children of active-duty military members transferred to Florida if the children were receiving such services in other states. Florida has long had a waiting list in the home- and community-based services program.
The bill will be considered during the annual legislative session that starts in March.
Northview’s Lett Named All-State First Team; Two Jay Players Make Second Team
January 7, 2015
One player from the Northview Chiefs and two from the Jay Royals have been named to the Class 1-A all-state football team.
Senior running Keondre Lett (5-9, 170) from the Chiefs was the only North Escambia area player named to the first team offense. Lett finished the season with 1,234 yards for the Chiefs, along with 13 touchdowns and 121 carries on the ground. He also recorded 114 yards and two touchdowns on 14 receptions, and four kick off returns for 151 yards and the final of his 16 touchdowns.
Running back Braden Cross (5-10, 170) from Jay was named to the second team offense, as was senior Tucker Harrington (6-2, 280).
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Blood Drive Thursday At Ascend Performance Materials
January 7, 2015
A blood drive will be held from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Thursday at Ascend Performance Materials in Gonzalez.
Local needs are for O Negative, B Negative, A Negative and platelet donors for accidents, surgeries, cancer treatments and newborns. Persons can donate at age 16 with guardian consent. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in generally good health and have a picture identification.. Donors will receive a wellness check, cholesterol screening and a gift of appreciation.
Northview Boys Beat Freeport
January 7, 2015
Northview 64, Freeport 56 (Boys)
The Northview Chiefs beat the Freeport Bulldogs Tuesday night in a district game in Bratt, 64-56.
The Chiefs were coming off a Monday night 72-60 road win over the Baker Gators. Cameron Newsome had 26 for the Chiefs Monday night.
The Northview Chiefs (6-6, 4-1) will travel to Holmes County on Friday before hosting Escambia Charter on Monday and Tate on Tuesday, January 13.
Freeport 63, Northview 30 (Girls)
In girls’ basketball action, Freeport defeated Northview Tuesday night 63-30. The Lady Chiefs were coming off a Monday road loss to Baker, 50-34.
The Northview Lady Chiefs (1-7, 0-4) will headto Holmes County on Friday.
Freezing Cold — Protect Pets, Plants, Pipes And Other Tips
January 7, 2015
It is time to take necessary precautions to protect pipes, pets and plants, and check on elderly friends and neighbors.
For tonight’s latest forecast, click here.
Here are ways to stay safe during this year’s first round of cold temperatures, courtesy of the American Red Cross:
- Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing body heat.
- Know the signs of hypothermia – confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. If someone has these symptoms, they should get immediate medical attention.
- Watch for symptoms of frostbite including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness or waxy feeling skin.
- Bring the pets indoors. If that’s not possible, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.
- Avoid frozen pipes – run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night to help avoid freezing pipes.
- Do not use a stove or oven to heat the home.
- Space heaters should sit on a level, hard surface and anything flammable should be kept at least three feet away.
- If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
- Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
And here are a few extra details and tips from ECUA on protecting pipes against the freeze:
- Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas: Pipes located in unheated areas of your house, such as a garage or crawl space under the house or in the attic, are subject to freezing. If you have time to do this before freezing temperatures arrive, wrap these pipes with insulation materials made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses: Detach all hoses from faucets and allow them to drain. This action guards against the water in the hose or pipe from freezing and bursting the faucet or pipe to which it is connected.
- Run a trickle of water: When forecasts call for sustained and / or severe freezing temperatures, run a thin trickle of water from the faucet furthest from the water line coming to your house. Usually this is in a room at the back of the house or outside, in the yard. Allowing the water to circulate through your home’s plumbing helps to keep it from freezing. Some consider this a waste of water but the cost of the water used is extremely slight compared to repairing broken pipes and the resulting water damage.
- Remember the backflow preventer: Residents and business owners who have backflow preventers on their properties for water lines, fire lines, irrigation systems, and swimming pools need to protect their backflow preventers from freeze as well. Extended freezes can burst the body of the backflow assembly, rendering it useless. Wrap these pipes with insulation materials, made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers. If the device and the water line are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.
Mary Joyce Crabtree Mason
January 7, 2015
Mary Joyce Crabtree Mason, 75 of Atlanta, passed away January 4, 2015, in Atlanta.
Joyce was born on April 26, 1939, in McKinnonville, FL, where she was raised. At a young age she helped her daddy in his turpentine business. She later met and married Paul Mason. She was always a mother first and was always involved in her daughter’s activities. She did cheerleader camps to rodeos across the United States. She worked as a church secretary for many years at the First United Methodist Church of Atmore and was a lifetime member. She attended another Methodist Church in Atlanta after moving to Georgia. She was also an employee for Olan Mills for years before retiring. Joyce was incredibly loving and a very loyal friend. She was always trying to help others and often went out of her way to do something nice for them. Unfortunately, Joyce had many health issues, which caused her to move to Atlanta for the past 10 years to live with her daughters so they could care for her. She was the best mom and wife anyone could ever have.
She is preceded in death by her parents Leander and Inez Lewis Crabtree and her husband Paul Mason.
She is survived by her daughters Shayne Lee and Missy (Harley) Kindig and two grandsons Garrett Lee and Colby Kindig all of Atlanta. She is also survived by her sister Lillian Jackson of Pensacola, a nephew Tommy Jackson of Pensacola, and a niece Jeannie McKenzie of Macon, GA. She had a lifelong friendship with Doris Van Pelt; they were close as sisters and took many enjoyable trips together with their husbands and families.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at noon from the First Methodist Church of Atmore with Rev. Leon Stewart officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 7, 2015,from 11 a.m. until service time at noon from the First United Methodist Church of Atmore.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore is in charge of arrangements.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott Sworn In For Second Term
January 6, 2015
Gov. Rick Scott was sworn in for a second term shortly after noon Tuesday, beginning a new four years in office that in some ways brings as many questions as the first.
Scott took the oath of office on the steps of the Old Capitol during a sunny, cool day in Tallahassee. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Attorney General Pam Bondi also were sworn in to start their second terms, as was Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who took office early last year.
Scott, a former health-care executive who shocked the political establishment by getting elected in 2010 and came from behind to beat former Gov. Charlie Crist in 2014, now moves from the challenges of governing as a newcomer to the challenges of holding off lame-duck status as attention shifts to the 2016 presidential campaign and, two years later, to the race to succeed him.
In his inaugural address, excerpts of which were released Monday, Scott was expected to pitch Florida to residents of states with Democratic governors and repeat some of the small-government conservative prescriptions that got him elected in 2010, before he eased off hard-edged conservatism in his re-election bid.
“In Florida we are proving that government can do better without getting bigger,” Scott, who has seen state spending grow from a shade under $70 billion in his first budget to around $77 billion in the current year, said in one of the excerpts.
For the full text of Scott’s speech, click here.
Scott was joined for the inauguration by Texas Gov. Rick Perry and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — both potential 2016 presidential candidates — along with other dignitaries including former Florida Govs. Bob Martinez and Wayne Mixson.
The day began with a prayer breakfast at Florida A&M University that was attended by Scott and First Lady Ann Scott, their daughters, Lopez-Cantera, Atwater, Putnam, FAMU President Elmira Mangum and a number of legislators and state agency heads.
The speakers, who represented a wide array of faiths, called on Floridians to pray for Scott’s term in office.
“Our dear governor can’t do it on his own,” said keynote speaker Jim Towey, president of Ave Maria University in Southwest Florida. “He needs the help of God and the prayers and effort of each one of us. … Democracy is not a spectator sport.”
Acting as host was Kirt Anderson, the pastor of Naples Community Church, which the Scotts attend. Upon taking the podium, Anderson quipped, “I thought I was going to have a fan” — a reference to Crist, whose use of a fan to keep cool during one of their debates sparked a controversy.
Scott has ditched some of the traditional inauguration festivities in Tallahassee, instead opting for a post-election tour of the state to tout the economic recovery. He held a reception Monday night at the governor’s mansion, watching a video reviewing his second campaign and delivering brief remarks in line with the themes his inaugural.
“We will be No 1 as the global hub for business,” Scott said.”And that’s our whole agenda for the next four years.”
by Brandon Larrabee and Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida