Bill Would Limit Backyard Shooting
November 20, 2015
A Senate committee Thursday unanimously approved a proposal aimed at preventing people from shooting guns at backyard ranges in residential areas.
The vote by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee readied the bill (SB 130) to go to the Senate floor during the 2016 session, which starts in January.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, would make it a first-degree misdemeanor for people to intentionally shoot guns in outdoor areas that are “primarily residential in nature” and include one or more residences per acre.
Ponce Inlet Police Chief Frank Fabrizio, who represented the Florida Police Chiefs Association at the committee meeting, said the bill addresses situations such as people using wooden palettes and dirt to fashion backyard gun ranges.
“This legislation clarifies the law without compromising the Second Amendment rights,” Fabrizio said. Committee Chairwoman Anitere Flores, R-Miami, said the bill also could help address problems with people shooting guns into the air during celebrations of events such as New Year’s Eve.
by The News Service of Florida
Supervisor Of Elections Office Receives International Recognition
November 20, 2015
The office of Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford received Recognition for Outstanding Achievement from the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies for their work with the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council and its international visitors.
In 2009 the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office and the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council began a partnership that continues to this day to promote international dialogue on free and fair elections. Since then they have hosted representatives from over 50 countries from across the globe and shared the opportunity to learn about the Democratic systems and practices essential to successful elections.
“It is a tremendous honor for our program to be selected as a finalist for such a prestigious and competitive award. We appreciate the opportunity to work with our friends at the Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council on this initiative,” said Stafford.
The three finalist for the category of the International Institutional Engagement Award were:
- Venice Commission, Council of Europe
- Manuel Carrillo Poblano, National Electoral Institute of Mexico
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office and the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council, USA
Pictured top: Jena Melancon, executive director of the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council, and Davis Stafford, Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, with the Recognition for Outstanding Achievement from the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies award. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Students Coots, Brown Named To All County Academic Team
November 20, 2015
Tate High Schools students Bryce Coots (left) and Samantha Brown will represent Tate High School and the Escambia County School District on the 2015-2016 All County Academic Team. They are pictured with Tate Principal Rick Shackle. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Honors Top Volleyball Players
November 20, 2015
The Northview High School volleyball program recognized outstanding players at their annual banquet.
- Best Offensive Award — Ellie Amerson, JV, with 14 aces, 20 kills and 33 assists; Brittany Ward, varsity, with 16 aces, 3 kills and 146 assists; Hanna Ging, varsity, with 33 aces, 36 kills and 5 assists.
- Best Defensive Award – Natasha Walker, JV, with 6 blocks; Leah Fischer with 37 blocks and 15 digs; Jamia Newton, varsity, with 14.5 blocks and 10 digs.
- Most Improved – Alysa Whatley and Kayla Galvan, JV; Jamia Newton and Brittanie McLemore, varsity.
- Coaches – Brittany Ward
- Best Attitude – Lyndia Smith, JV; Savanna Roux, varsity.
- Effort Award – Alyana Brown, JV; Hanna Ging and Laurie Purdy, varsity.
Team members were recognized:
Junior Varsity
- Ellie Amerson
- Samantha Roux
- Kayla Galvan
- Alyana Brown
- Alysa Whatley
- Olivia Porter
- Autumn Albritton
- Lydia Smith
- Madison Sherouse
- Natasha Walker
Varsity
- Brittany Ward
- Savanna Roux
- Maddi Weber
- Leah Fischer
- Hanna Ging
- Courtney Griml
- Laurie Purdy
- Brittanie McLemore
- Catie Clayton
- Jamia Newton
Pictured: Northview’s varsity (top) and junior varsity (below) volleyball teams. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Library Holds ‘Thank-You’ Event; Coloring Contest At Molino Library
November 20, 2015
A “Thank You Kids!” program was held Thursday afternoon at the Century Branch Library. The program celebrated youth with stories, crafts and treats.
A Thanksgiving coloring contest is continuing through Saturday at the Molino Branch Library. Children 11 and under can pick up an sheet, color a Thanksgiving turkey and return it to the library by Saturday for a chance to win a prize. Winners will be announced on Monday.
Photo by August Whorff for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Peanut Butter Drive Continues
November 20, 2015
The Escambia County Extension office, along with the University of Florida Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences and the Florida Peanut Producer Association are collecting peanut butter now through next week to help take a bite out of hunger.
The groups are accepting donations of unopened jars of peanut butter to be donated to local food pantries during Farm-City Week.
Unopened jars of peanut butter of any brand can be dropped off until November 25 at any of the following locations:
Escambia County
- Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
Peanut butter collected in Escambia County last year was donated to food pantries in Molino, Bratt and Century.
Pictured: The Godwins of Godwin Farms in Santa Rosa County, (L-R) Steven, Laryn, Valarie, Kylei, Rachael. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Inmate Dies In Escambia County Jail
November 19, 2015
An inmate died at the Escambia County Main Jail after being found unresponsive Wednesday from an apparent medical condition. Escambia County Corrections medical personnel discovered 21-year old Samuel Devon Averheart unresponsive in the infirmary unit and called emergency medical services at 3 a.m. with crews arriving on scene at 3:09 a.m. He was pronounced dead at 3:23 a.m.
Averheart was arrested on Tuesday, November 10, charged with felony violation of probation and held without bond. He was moved to the infirmary on Tuesday, November 17 after being evaluated, treated and released on the same day by a physician at a local hospital for a medical condition. Jail records show he was housed alone and checked every hour by medical staff since being released back into custody, according to a statement by Escambia County, which operates the jail.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.
Escambia Man Convicted On Federal Child Exploitation Charges
November 19, 2015
A federal jury has convicted an Escambia County man on child exploitation charges.
Robert M. Grafton, Jr., 29, was convicted of attempted enticement of a minor for sex and he pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography just prior to jury selection in Pensacola.
At trial, the government presented evidence that, in May 2015, Grafton communicated online with an undercover law enforcement officer for the purpose of meeting a 12-year-old special needs child for sexual activity. Grafton was arrested when he arrived at the arranged meeting location in Pensacola. A search of his cellphone and digital media at his residence revealed numerous images and videos of child pornography.
For the attempted enticement of a minor charge, Grafton faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. For the possession of child pornography charge, Grafton faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 27, 2016.
The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, Pensacola Police Department, Gulf Breeze Police Department, and other agencies that are part of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
Century Man Allegedly Attacks Victim With Machete In Sheriff’s Precinct Parking Lot
November 19, 2015
A Century man was jailed after allegedly ramming his truck into another pickup, pinning his wife, and going after a man with a stick and machete in the parking lot of the Sheriff’s Office precinct in Century.
Norman Tracy Tedder, 49, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill, battery, aggravated batter with a deadly weapon and criminal mischief with property damage. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Deputies responded to a reported disturbance at a home in the 7000 block of North Century Boulevard, adjacent to the parking lot of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Century Precinct and the Century Courthouse.
A victim told deputies he went to the address to pick up Tedder’s wife because she thought he was going crazy. Tedder allegedly tried to ram the victim’s truck, and Tedder’s wife was wedged between the two vehicles. The victim stated that after his truck was hit, he pulled over in the parking lot and ran toward the precinct. He told deputies that Tedder ran over to him with a large stick and struck him before retrieving a machete and busting out the taillight on his truck.
The victim stated that he feared for his life as Tedder swung the machete at him.
Multiple witnesses, who were at an ECAT bus stop in the parking lot, corroborated the victim’s story, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The woman struck by Tedder’s pickup told deputies that she got in the way, and she was unintentionally hit by her husband. She suffered an apparent broken leg, according to an arrest report.
A witness in the vehicle with the man that was attacked told deputies the altercation started because Tedder sent nude photos of his wife to his phone. The witness had texts and pictures on his phone to back up the story, the report states.
Escambia Man Arrested For Arson; Suspected In Four More Fires
November 19, 2015
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office has arrested an Escambia County man for purposely setting a fire at a Pensacola business, and they said he is suspected in at least four more blazes.
David Matthew McIntyre, 37, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a charge of arson. He was released with a GPS monitor on $50,000 bond.
On November 2, State Fire Marshal investigators from the Pensacola field office responded to and conducted a fire examination at 2009 East Olive Road in Pensacola. A building located near the rear of Ruth’s Uniforms had burned and investigators determined that the fire had been intentionally. A neighborhood canvas identified McIntyre as a possible suspect and witness statements led to an arrest warrant being filed for his arrest. Days later, he was arrested for arson without incident, bond was set at $50,000, and McIntyre was ordered to wear a GPS monitor until trial.
During the defendant interview process, McIntyre was questioned about and admitted to several other fires that had occurred in previous years in the Pensacola area. Additional charges related to these fires are forthcoming.
They include:
• Ruth’s Uniforms, located at 2009 East Olive Road in Pensacola
• Attitude’s Bar, located at 100 East 9 Mile Road in Pensacola
• Residential fire, located at 8146 Binkley Street in Pensacola
• Knight’s Inn Hotel, located at 5829 Pensacola Boulevard in Pensacola
• Hope’s Treasures, located at 43 West 9 Miles Road in Ensley
If convicted, McIntyre faced 20 years in prison.