Time Change: Fall Back, Replace Smoke Alarm Batteries
October 31, 2015
Don’t forget to “fall back” and set your clocks back one hour night before heading off to bed Saturday night as daylight savings time comes to an end.
Escambia Fire Rescue is also reminding residents that it’s time to make another potentially lifesaving change — replace the batteries in your smoke alarm.
“Most home fire fatalities occur overnight when most families are sleeping,” according to Escambia Fire Rescue. “Changing the batteries in your smoke alarms and performing other maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk and a working smoke alarm can give the extra seconds needed to get out safely.”
In addition to checking smoke alarms, residents should plan “two ways out” and practice escape routes with the entire family. Families should also prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.
Each year more than 3,000 people lose their lives in residential fires. The majority of these deaths are a result of unattended cooking. It is strongly recommended that someone always be present when cooking on top of the stove and that smoke alarms be located properly and in working order. Test the smoke alarm monthly and change the batteries at least every six months.
For more information about fire safety, Escambia County Fire Rescue at 475-5530 or visit www.myescambia.com. For information about obtaining a home smoke alarm call 850-595-HERO (4376).
Man Charged With Murder For Child Abuse Death
October 31, 2015
Escambia Sheriff’s Investigators have arrested a man in connection with the death of a 14-month-old child.
On October 21, Escambia Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Sacred Heart Hospital for a suspected child abuse case. When they arrived, they received information that A’Niyla Marie Mitchell was undergoing treatment for injuries she had sustained as a result of what appeared to be blunt force trauma to the head. A’Niyla was placed in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
At about 5 p.m. on October 23, A’Niyla succumbed to her injuries.
Cornelius Kendale Nickson is charged with first degree murder and aggravated child abuse. He is currently being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Friday Football Finals
October 31, 2015
Here is a look at tonight’s high school football final scores:
FLORIDA
- Baker 35, Northview 21 [Read more, photo gallery...]
- Pine Forest 47, Tate 28 [Read more, photo gallery...]
- Escambia 28, Washington 26
- Navarre 47, Gulf Breeze 7
- Milton 30, Pace 27
- West Florida 23, PHS 13
- OFF: Jay, Catholic
ALABAMA
- W.S. Neal 26, T.R. Miller 17
- Bessemer 20, Escambia Academy 8 (Thurs. pm)
- Flomaton 22, Monroe County 20
5K Run Saturday At Byrneville Elementary
October 30, 2015
Byrneville Elementary School’s Student Government Association is hosting a 5K Run for all ages on Saturday, October 31 at 11 a.m. Entry free is $25; registration begins at 9 a.m. and includes a free t-shirt. There will also be a costume contest at 10 a.m. and face painting.
Appeals Court Ruling Will Send Century Man Back To Prison On Drug Charge
October 30, 2015
A Century man that recently completed a prison sentence for a drug charge will be headed back to prison following an opinion issued this week by Florida’s First District Court of Appeals.
Steven Daniel Kite was arrested as part of the “Operation Blister Pack 2″ sweep in April 2013. It took an Escambia County jury just under an hour to find Kite guilty of conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a listed chemical – pseudoephedrine.
However, Kite moved for and obtained a judgement of acquittal on the conspiracy to traffic count. The trial judge cited two grounds for the judgement of acquittal — inaccurate wording and the failure to prove that there was any agreement between Kite and any other person to purchase and deliver pseudoephedrine. The state appealed the ruling.
Wednesday, the appeals court found the acquittal on the conspiracy to to traffic count to be incorrect and ordered the trial court to reinstate the jury’s original guilty verdict.
The appeals court found that Kite did conspire to traffic in methamphetamine. Between December 2010 and April 2013, Kite made 53 purchases of pseudoephedrine, totaling 123.94 grams, from various pharmacies. He would deliver the package of pseudoephedrine to the home of a known methamphetamine cook and receive half a gram of meth each time in return.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, Kite faces a minimum mandatory sentence of seven years on the reinstated trafficking charge. The seven years must be served day by day without the possibility of parole or gain time. He will not be able to receive any credit for the two years already served under the possession charge.
Kite previously received a two year sentence, with credit for 122 days previously served, on the possession charge. According to Florida Department of Corrections records, Kite was released from prison on September 20. A court date for sentencing on the reinstated charge has not yet been set.
In 2013, Operation Blister Pack targeted nearly 80 individuals on methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine related charges. Many of those arrested were involved with drug groups dubbed “The Village Group”, centered around “The Village” area of Forrest Street and Lakeview Avenue in Cantonment; and “The Ayers Group”, a group centered around Ayers Street in Molino, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Offfice.
Rain Moving In Saturday
October 30, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 78. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. East wind 5 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms after 7pm. Low around 71. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. West wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Teen Convicted Of Attempted Murder
October 30, 2015
An Escambia County teen is facing up to 40 years in prison under Florida’s 10-20-Life law.
Marquis Weathers was convicted by Escambia County Jury of two counts of attempted second degree murder with a firearm and two counts of aggravated battery.
The conviction stemmed from a shooting that occurred when Weathers was just 16. On October 27, 2014, off Rio Grande Circle, two individuals suffered gunshot wounds while sitting in their car. Both victims survived their injuries. Weathers and the co-defendant Jamaal Ervin Williams, 18 were arrested two days later.
Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh scheduled sentencing for December 8. Weathers is facing a minimum of 40 years in state prison as a minimum mandatory. Williams is facing trial next week.
Northview High’s FFA Receives National Chapter Award
October 30, 2015
The Northview High School FFA chapter was awarded one of the highest national honors presented by the National FFA this week in Louisville, KY. Northview’s FFA received the Two Star Chapter award during the 88th National FFA Convention & Expo. In addition, the Northview High School FFA Alumni received a bronze award. Pictured top: In Louisville, KY, are Northview FFA sponsor Perry Byars and officer team member (L-R) Haylee Weaver, Mitchell Singleton, Kaitlyn Kleinatland, Courtney Weekly and Cody Kite. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
National Manufacturing Month Event Held At Ascend
October 30, 2015
Along with FloridaWest, Ascend Performance Materials opened its doors for a special breakfast and tour Thursday as part of an effort to change people’s perceptions about today’s manufacturing environment and draw attention to the outstanding opportunities that a career in manufacturing can provide.
Manufacturing Month is an annual national event supported by thousands of manufacturers as they host students, teachers, parents, job seekers and other local community members at open houses, plant tours and presentations designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers
Manufacturing is a key driver in the Northwest Florida regional economy, providing approximately 16,523 direct jobs that generate approximately $1,123,521,993 in total wages with average wages per worker in excess of $67,000 per year.
Pictured: Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry presented a proclamation declaring the month of October 2015 as “National and Florida Manufacturing Month” in Escambia County. (L to R) District 3 Commissioner Lumon May, District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry, Donnie McMahon representing FloridaWest, Ascend Plant Manager John Johnannemann, District 4 Commissioner Grover Robinson, Danita Andrews, Director of Business Development for FloridaWest. Pictured inset: Rep. Clay Ingram addresses the group. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sheriff’s Office Seeks Suspects Known To Frequent Cantonment
October 30, 2015
UPDATE: Thomas Jackson was booked into the Escambia County Jail at 11:20 a.m. Friday.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for two suspects known to frequent the Cantonment area.
Thomas Jackson, 23, and Christoper Staten, 21, are wanted for shooting into an occupied dwelling and are also wanted for questioning in a separate drive-by shooting incident.
Jackson and Staten frequent the Cantonment area and should be considered armed and dangerous, according to the Escamabia County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information regarding the location of these suspects or information regarding the crimes is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850 436-9620.