Man Arrested With Large Purse Full Of Cash And Cocaine
December 11, 2015
An Escambia County man was arrested in a neighborhood off Ten Mile Road with a purse containing a large mount of cash and cocaine.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 700 block of Ridge Road where they had received multiple reports of a suspicious male carrying a large gold purse and running through yards.
They found 29-year old Leslie Jamel Randall who was placed under arrest on an active warrant. A K-9 search of the area found a large gold purse containing narcotics and a large quantity of cash nearby. The purse contained approximately 650 grams of cocaine along with almost $4,500 in cash that was bundled in increments consistent with illegal narcotics sales, according to deputies.
Randall was charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $110,500.
Unusually Warm Weather Continues
December 11, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Low around 52. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 66. West wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 45. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67.
Molino Utilities Awarded $165K Improvement Grant
December 11, 2015
Three North Escambia area projects were amoung those that received a total of $2.4 million in grant funding for water supply development Thursday from the Northwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board.
In Escambia County, a $165,000 grant was awarded to Molino Utilities to replace aging and undersized water lines with upgraded water mains and structures.
In Santa Rosa County, Moore Creek Mount Carmel Utilities received $151,020 to install a filtration system to remove dieldrin and other contaminants from two sand-and-gravel water supply wells. And the Town of Jay received $204,733 for the construction of a looped water system with an existing water main to improve pressures and system reliability.
The funding was awarded as part of a competitive grant program to help local governments and non-profit utilities address local water supply challenges and meet regional water supply protection and management needs.
Pictured: Molino Utilities on Molino Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Photos: Flomaton Christmas Parade
December 11, 2015
The annual Christmas Parade rolled through the streets of Flomaton Thursday night. The parade featured floats, vehicles, the Flomaton High School cheerleaders and band, the Northview High School NJROTC, twirlers, plenty of candy throws and Santa Claus.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Police Chiefs Will Back Open Carry Bill
December 11, 2015
Acknowledging “momentum” behind a proposal that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to openly carry guns, the Florida Police Chiefs Association said Thursday its board of directors had voted to back the controversial measure — as long as changes designed to protect law-enforcement officers are included.
A spokeswoman confirmed that the police chiefs’ group had contacted the sponsors of the proposal (SB 300/HB 163), Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and his son, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, who both say they’re on board with the changes.
“The police chiefs understand that momentum is building,” association spokeswoman Sandi Poreda said. “And because of their concerns for police officers’ safety, they wanted to go ahead and reach out to the bill sponsors and work on these amendments, which they believe will better protect officers.”
If the measure passes, 1.45 million Floridians with concealed-weapons permits would be able to openly carry guns. Opponents — including a number of Florida sheriffs — warn that people who openly display guns could get hurt as a result, either by criminals or law enforcement.
Gun bills will be heavily debated during the 2016 legislative session, which starts Jan. 12. Along with the open-carry proposal, lawmakers are looking at allowing people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns on college and university campuses and are considering a proposal to shift a burden of proof in “stand your ground” self-defense cases.
By a vote of 15-7, the police chiefs association’s board of directors — who represent law-enforcement agencies in different districts of the state — agreed to support the open-carry bill when the amendments are adopted.
In a “Red Alert” email Wednesday to association members, Executive Director Amy Mercer cautioned that the police chiefs’ group “reserves the right to oppose the bill in the future, particularly if our amendments are changed or removed or if other amendments are added that are found not to be in the best interest of the FPCA and our members.”
Lawmakers will consider four proposed amendments, which have not yet been filed.
One amendment would add a provision to the Senate bill. The amended version would include House language stating that a person who displays a firearm “intentionally … in an angry or threatening manner, not in necessary self defense” is not covered by the proposed open-carry law.
Second, both current versions of the proposal would allow fines to be imposed on people — including police officers — who infringe on others’ rights to openly carry guns, unless probable cause exists to believe that crimes have been committed. A proposed amendment would ease that standard for law officers, who would be required to have “reasonable suspicion” before stopping people to verify or investigate the carrying of guns.
Third, the current proposal states that no one who infringes on the right to openly carry guns — including police officers — would be immune from legal consequences. However, the agreement between the Gaetzes and the police chiefs association specifies that nothing in the bill would be intended to restrict a law enforcement officer’s ability or authority to conduct investigations as otherwise allowed by law.
“Sovereign immunity is a vital tool that allows law enforcement officers to perform their duties without fear of frivolous lawsuits,” Mercer wrote. “Officers will not fear losing sovereign immunity when investigating a person open or concealed carrying.”
The fourth amendment would require a holster for purposes of openly carrying a firearm.
The original versions of the bills have started moving through House and Senate committees. Matt Gaetz said Thursday he expects the changes to be added when lawmakers return to the issues after the first of the year.
“In the next committee in which the bill is heard, either the House Judiciary Committee or the Senate Judiciary Committee, it is my expectation that those amendments will be adopted,” Matt Gaetz said.
The Florida Sheriffs Association would not comment Thursday. But Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, a staunch opponent of open carry, said the four amendments wouldn’t make the bill acceptable to him — or safe for people who openly display their guns.
For instance, he said, if an officer arrives at the scene of a crime and sees someone with a weapon, “At a minimum, they’re going to be thrown down on the ground with a gun pointed at them — or worse.”
And if good citizen with a concealed weapon walks into, say, a bank during an armed robbery, Gualtieri added, “he’s going to take one in the chest because he’s a threat.”
“It’s not good for Florida, it’s not good for the economy, it’s not good for tourism,” he said.
Don Gaetz, however, pointed to the emerging differences between opponents such as Gualtieri and the police chiefs association.
“Well, he now will have the opportunity to debate that issue with his fellow law-enforcement officers who are taking a different view than he is,” Don Gaetz said.
National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer, who strongly backs the measure, dismissed the critics.
“That’s rhetoric. That’s reaching,” she said. “Every time we do something to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners, somebody will come up with a ‘what if?’ ”
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
Escambia Man Gets 40 Years On Drug, Weapons Charges
December 11, 2015
An Escambia County man was sentenced to decades in prison on drug and weapons charges Thursday.
Ethan Lamar Anderson was convicted of trafficking in methamphetamine (28 grams or more but less than 200 grams) while in possession of a firearm, resisting an officer without violence, possession of cannabis (less than 20 grams), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Following the verdict, Circuit Judge Ross Goodman sentenced Anderson to a total of 40 years in state prison with 10 years to be served day for day under Florida’s 10-20-Life law.
In the early morning hours of January 8, 2015, Escambia County deputies followed the Anderson into a parking lot of a motel near the corner of Old Corry Field Road and Barrancas Avenue. Deputies observed suspicious behavior by the Anderson and determined that he had stashed a large quantity of methamphetamine and a firearm behind his car.
When deputies approached Anderson, he fled the scene on foot. He was apprehended after a brief pursuit. A search of the his vehicle discovered a small quantity of drugs together with a box of baggies and a digital scale.
Anderson had previous convictions for grand theft, grand theft auto and burglary of a dwelling.
Two Men Sentenced For Escambia County Shooting
December 11, 2015
Two Escambia County men have been sentence to prison for a 2014 shooting.
Marquis Weathers and Jamaal Williams were sentenced to state prison for their roles in the October 27, 2014, shooting off of Rio Grande Circle.
Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh sentenced Weathers to a total of 50 years in state prison, of which 40 years are to be served day for day under Florida’s 10-20-Life law.
Williams was sentenced by Bergosh to a total of 25 years in state prison of which 20 years are to be served day for day under Florida’s 10-20-Life law.
Weathers was previously convicted of two counts attempted second degree murder with a firearm and two counts of aggravated battery by an Escambia County jury. Williams previously entered a plea to two counts of attempted second degree murder with a firearm.
The charges stemmed from a shooting that occurred on October 27, 2014, off of Rio Grande Circle where two individuals suffered gunshot wounds while sitting in their car. Prosecutors said Weathers and Williams both shot into the vehicle. One victim suffered a gunshot wound to the head and the other victim suffered an injury to his arm. Both victims survived their injuries.
Sweet Treats At The Library; Santa To Visit Century And Molino Branches
December 11, 2015
‘Tis the season for Christmas programs at area library branches.
The Molino Branch Library recently held a Holiday Candy program where patrons learned to make a simple candy recipe.
Santa will make a special appearance at the Molino Branch Library on Monday, December 14 at 6 p.m., and Santa will visit the Century Branch Library on Tuesday, December 15 at 5 p.m.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power, Other Utilities Pour Money Into Solar Initiative
December 11, 2015
Four major electric utilities continued pouring money last month into a proposed solar-energy ballot initiative, as backers race to try to qualify for the November 2016 ballot.
The group known as “Consumers for Smart Solar” raised $2,135,010 during the month, bringing its total to more than $5.9 million since July, according to a new finance report. It also spent about $2.23 million in November and had slightly less than $35,000 in cash on hand as of Nov. 30. The initiative has drawn heavy support from the utility industry.
In November, Duke Energy contributed $650,000 to the group; Florida Power & Light contributed $450,000; Tampa Electric Co. contributed $285,000; and Gulf Power contributed $260,000, the report shows.
Backers of the initiative need to submit 683,149 valid petition signatures to the state by Feb. 1 and had submitted 359,594 as of Thursday afternoon. They also need the Florida Supreme Court to sign off on the proposed ballot wording.
Consumers for Smart Solar is competing with a rival solar-energy initiative backed by a group known as “Floridians for Solar Choice.” That group’s updated finance numbers had not been posted to the state Division of Elections website late Thursday afternoon.
by The News Service of Florida
Tip Leads To Narcotics Arrest
December 11, 2015
Escambia Sheriff’s Narcotics Investigators have arrested 35-year-old Lamarion Williams following a lead that he was in possession of narcotics with intent to distribute.
A search warrant was execyted at an apartment located in the 8400 block of Old Spanish Trail Road. During the course of the search, investigators discovered a quantity of cocaine and marijuana in Williams’ sweatshirt pocket as well as a digital scale containing drug residue.
They also discovered and seized approximately $11,000 in cash.
Since Williams was unable to provide documentation of any lawful means of gainful employment, investigators had reason to believe that the money was all proceeds from the illegal sale of narcotics.
Williams was transported to the Escambia County Jail on charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and for possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held with bond set at $11,000.