FWC Law Enforcement Report
February 21, 2015
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending February 19 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson and Lieutenant Hahr responded to an anonymous complaint of a doe deer hanging in a shed. They located the suspect’s residence and observed the carcass of a doe deer hanging in plain view. They also observed an open bathroom window facing an area in the yard where corn had been scattered and rye grass had been planted. There was a folded towel in the window sill that appeared to be a shooting rest. They made contact with the people at the residence who called the suspect. When the suspect later arrived, he initially stated the deer was killed in Alabama during the open season. After examining the suspect’s Alabama hunting license, the officers determined he had not filled in the harvest report. Examination of the deer carcass showed that the deer was not taken nine days ago, but more recently, as it was not yet decomposing. K9 Officer Pineda and K9 Kane arrived on scene to assist. After confronted with the evidence, the suspect admitted to killing the deer in his yard with his rifle five days earlier. K9 Kane alerted to a small amount of blood in leaves near the corn. The officers recovered three bags of deer meat and seized a high powered rifle and scope. The suspect was issued a notice to appear for taking an antlerless deer out of season and driving on a suspended driver’s license.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week;however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC. No Escambia County report was submitted.
Former IRS Examiner, Three Other Escambia Residents Indicted For Mail Fraud
February 21, 2015
Four Escambia County residents, including a former IRS tax examiner, have been indicted for conspiring to file false claims for payment in connection with the 2010 BP oil spill.
Rosa M. Bonner, 52, Ariyanna S. Lampley, 33, Jimmie A. McCorvey, 41, and Marcia D. McCorvey, 42, are charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud for filing false claims with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (“GCCF”) alleging lost income as a result of the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The indictment alleges that between 2010 and 2012, the defendants agreed to have McCorvey file false GCCF claims in their names. Lampley is also alleged to have provided McCorvey with additional identities for filing false GCCF claims. The indictment alleges that as a result of these false claims, GCCF paid $95,200 to the defendants.
McCorvey, who was an IRS employee at the time, is also charged with conspiring to file false tax returns. The indictment alleges that between 2009 and 2011, McCorvey prepared and filed approximately 25 fraudulent federal income tax returns, resulting in the issuance of more than $62,000 in tax refund checks. The indictment further charges McCorvey with aggravated identity theft for fraudulently using other people’s identities in both schemes.
Trial in this case is currently set for April 6, 2015, before Senior United States District Court Judge Roger Vinson. This case resulted from investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division.
Northview Gets District Win Over Baker
February 21, 2015
The Northview Chiefs beat Baker Friday night in Bratt 3-2 in a district game. The varsity Chiefs will host Rocky Bayou at 5:00 Monday.
In junior varsity action, Northview beat the Baker Gators 9-0.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
.
Sheriff, Woman Shot In Hostage Standoff Settle Lawsuit For $975K
February 21, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has settled for just under $1 million with a woman being held hostage who was shot five time by deputies.
Jackie Rosenbloom was taken hostage by Philip Monier, a former boyfriend, in her home in 2010. He used her as a shield when deputies opened fire; she was hit five times in the neck and legs. Monier was not seriously injured, shot only in the hand.
Rosenbloom sued in federal court, claiming excessive force was used and that Morgan failed to provide proper training.
Three deputies were also shot in the incident, including Jeremy Cassady who was critically injured.
Monier was charged with multiple crimes arising from this incident and was convicted by a jury on eight felony counts, including four counts of attempted murder and aggravated kidnapping with a weapon. On January 20, 2012, he was sentenced to life without parole and consecutive additional sentences totaling 20 years in state prison.
The lawsuit was set to go to court in Panama City earlier this month. The Florida Florida Sheriff’s Association-sponsored Risk Management Fund made the business decision to settle the lawsuit for $975,000, of which $10,000 will be paid from Morgan’s budget
According to a statement released Friday by Morgan, the settlement avoided the risk of an adverse jury finding and judgment that would include the requirement to pay the extensive attorney fees incurred by Rosenbloom’s legal team, and also avoided potential costly appellate litigation, possibly to the Supreme Court.
“This was purely a business decision” said Morgan. “This is not a concession of any fault or misconduct by this office or any of the deputies involved, each of whom demonstrated extraordinary bravery by risking, and, in the case of former Deputy Jeremy Cassady, nearly losing their lives in their effort to rescue Ms. Rosenbloom.”
Weekend Gardening: February Tips
February 21, 2015
Here are gardening tips for the month of February from your local Extension Service:
Flowers
- Re-fertilize cool season flowerbeds, using a liquid or granular form of fertilizer. Be careful not to apply excessive amounts and keep granules away from the base of stems.
- Prepare flowerbeds for spring planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Till or spade the bed to incorporate the amendments with the existing soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Allow the prepared bed to lie undisturbed for 3 to 4 weeks before planting. This provides time for some important biological activity to take place, and new plants are less likely to suffer from stem and root rots as a result. Have a soil test done. Sometimes lime is needed. However, a lime application should be made only if the need is revealed by the test.
- Replenish mulch in flowerbeds.
- Prune rose bushes.
Trees and Shrubs
- February is possible the best month for rejuvenation of old, overgrown shrubs. When pruned now, plants have an entire growing season to recover.
- Prune summer flowering deciduous shrubs such as Althea and Hibiscus. Since they flower on current season’s growth, flowering can actually be enhanced by proper pruning
- Do NOT prune the spring flowering shrubs yet. Azaleas, Spiraeas and Forsythia flower during early spring because buds were formed last summer and fall. Pruning in February would therefore remove most of the flower buds.
- Cold damaged trees and shrubs should NOT be pruned until new growth appears. You want to preserve as much healthy plant material as possible.
- Replenish mulch in shrub beds
- Finish planting ornamental and fruit trees.
Fruits and Nuts
- Fertilize established pecan trees. Use a “special pecan fertilizer” that contains zinc. Use 2 lbs. for every year of age of the tree up to a maximum of 55 lbs. Broadcast the fertilizer evenly beneath the tree.
- Fertilize established peach, plum, pear, persimmon, apple and fig. Apply about 1 ½ lbs of a 10-10-10 (or similar) fertilizer for each year of age of the tree until a maximum of 10 to 15 lbs. per tree is reached.
- Blueberries are very sensitive to nitrogen and can be killed easily, particularly when they are young. Fertilize only if your goal is to increase yield or berry size. An annual application of 2 ounces of a special “azalea/camellia” or “special blueberry” type fertilizer per plant in February is ample fertilizer on 2-year-old plants.
- Prune muscadine grapes between mid-February to mid-March. A standard method is to allow 2 to 4 node spurs spaced every 6 inches of cordon. You may notice that pruning cuts bleed, but there is no evidence that this is injurious to the vine.
- Grapes (bunch and muscadine) should be fertilized at the rate of 1 ½ lbs of 10-10-10 for each year of age with a maximum of 5 lbs per plant applied in late February.
- Last call for planting fruit trees! Most fruit trees such as pecans, plums, persimmons, figs, peaches and nectarines are shipped bare roots and should be planted during the dormant season.
- Apply a spray containing horticultural oils emulsion to dormant fruit trees and ornamental shrubs. Follow label directions carefully.
Vegetable Garden
- Several winter vegetables can still be successfully grown by starting them this month. Plant beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, endive/escarole, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, parsley, English peas, radish and turnips.
- Plant Irish potatoes. Purchase certified seed potatoes rather than using the grocery store kinds. Use 2-ounce seed pieces with eyes and plant them 3 to 4 inches deep.
- Prepare spring vegetable and herb beds for planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Wait 3 to 4 weeks before planting.
Lawns
- Hold off on fertilizing the lawn. It is still too early for an application of nitrogen containing product. Cold temperatures and lack of plant response would likely result in wasted fertilizer. However, your winter weeds would benefit greatly.
Tate Shuts Out West Florida (With Gallery)
February 21, 2015
The Tate Lady Aggies shut out the West Florida Jaguars Friday night 4-0.
Tate senior Tori Perkins struck out 14, recorded no walks and allowed only one hit. For the Lady Jags, Farrah Nicholas pitched seven, allowing four runs and striking out nine. For the Lady Aggies, Casey McCrakin went 2-4, with two doubles and two runs; Perkins was 1-4 with a run and an RBI.
The Lady Aggies will host Navarre on Tuesday. JV play begins at 4:30 followed the varsity at 6:30. West Florida will be at Washington on Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Split Games With Chipley (With Gallery)
February 21, 2015
The Northview Lady Chiefs lost to Chipley 4-1 Friday night at home in Bratt. Senior pitcher Mallory Ryan struck out 12 and allowed only two walks for the Lady Chiefs.
In junior varsity action, the JV Lady Chiefs beat Chipley 9-3.
Next week, the Lady Chiefs will be at home Monday night Washington, home Tuesday night against Baker and home Friday night against Baker. Junior varsity games begin at 4:00 with varsity games following at 6:00 each evening.
Photos by Gary Amerson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Charles Edward Byrd
February 21, 2015
Mr. Charles Edward Byrd, 65, passed away Thursday, February 19, 2015, in Pensacola.
Mr. Byrd was a native of Atmore and a lifetime resident of McDavid. Mr. Byrd was an US Army Veteran, Vietnam Veteran, loving father and grandfather.
Survivors include his son, Jeremy (Melessa) Byrd of Pensacola; daughter, Miranda Byrd of Monroeville; sister, Faye (Hollis) Dortch of Cantonment; cousin, Thomas “Buddy” (Gayle) Byrd of McDavid; and two grandchildren, Brandon Byrd and Tyra Watkins.
Funeral services will be held Monday, February 23, 2015, at 11 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial will follow at the Pine Barren Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, February 23, 2015, from 9 a.m. until service time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Walnut Hill Brush Fire Extinguished
February 20, 2015
A half-acre brush fire in Walnut Hill was quickly extinguished on North Cypress Street in Walnut Hill Friday afternoon. The fire posed no serious threat to any structures. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Large, Two Story Escambia County Home
February 20, 2015
Fire destroyed a large two story home just off Scenic Highway Thursday night, leaving an elderly couple unharmed, but homeless.
The fire was reported just before 8 p.m. in the 4500 block of Baybrook Drive. The two-story, 5,100 square foot house was fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene. Within a short period of time, three of four sides of the home had collapsed.
The exact cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Firefighters were forced to keep water flowing on a neighboring home to protect it from the original blaze. There were no other injuries reported.
Escambia Fire Rescue stations from as far north as Cantonment responded to the blaze. Many firefighters were on scene for hours.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
