Man Gets 30 Years For Child Sex Abuse
April 7, 2016
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 30 years in station prison after pleading to child sexual abuse charges.
Robert Whitehead, 29, entered a plea to lewd or lascivious molestation and battery of a child.
The case involved an ongoing pattern of sexual abuse by Whitehead on a young child.
Escambia County Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh sentenced Whitehead to 30 years state prison. After his release from prison, Whitehead will be on lifetime sexual offender probation. Whitehead will be required to register as sexual predator and comply with all statutory requirements.
Tate High Drama To Present ‘The Bully Plays’
April 7, 2016
The Tate High School Drama Department will present “The Bully Plays” at 7:00 each night Friday and Saturday in the school cafetorium. Tickets will be sold in advance and at the door for $5..
The Bully Plays was commissioned in response to the growing epidemic of bullying and the all-too-often tragic results. The anthology includes 10-minute plays that are touching, imaginative, powerful, uplifting and funny. A botched chemistry experiment creates a horde of homophobic teenage zombie bullies. Three dinosaurs at a museum surprise three bickering kids on a school outing. A bully is forced to confront his victim “on the other side.” A girl on an anti-bullying crusade must face her own bullying. High-school kids discuss the heartbreak of realizing they contributed to a classmate’s death by remaining bystanders. A mother and brother try to come to terms with the suicide of their “technicolor” son and brother.
The trickle-down effect of bullying is explored in several plays, along with the dangers of cyber-bullying.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Food Stamp Recipients Face Work Requirement
April 7, 2016
About 300,000 Floridians who qualified for food stamps now face a work requirement that went into effect Jan. 1 — and the possibility of at least temporarily losing benefits if they don’t meet the guidelines.
As of the first of the year, able-bodied, childless adults ages 18 to 49 were required to work, get job training or volunteer 20 hours a week to receive food stamps through what is formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Otherwise, they’re limited to three months of food assistance in each 36-month period.
Similar requirements also took effect in 21 other states. Gov. Rick Scott’s administration pointed to job opportunities in the state, but Sen. Bill Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat who represents a massive swath of rural communities, said food-stamp beneficiaries can’t find work in some areas.
“Especially in North Florida, in these rural counties that I represent, they have not felt this economic revival that people talk about,” Montford said. “Unemployment is still high. The jobs are not there. … The needs the SNAP program meets, I would say the needs in these rural counties are just as great as they were in 2009.”
The work requirement dates back to a 1996 welfare overhaul, but the federal government waived it in 2009 during the economic recession. Now, after unemployment rates have dropped, states are resuming the use of the work requirement.
The left-leaning Center for Budget and Policy Priorities said 21 Florida counties have jobless rates high enough and sustained enough to qualify for an exemption from the work mandate from the federal government.
“A few Southeastern states are electing to re-implement the time limit statewide even though some or all of the state qualifies for a waiver,” the center reported last month, noting that 500,000 to 1 million people will lose their food stamps in 2016. “Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi and North Carolina will be particularly hard hit.”
Scott’s administration sees a brighter picture because of the economy, and people will be able to continue receiving food stamps if they meet the work requirements.
Department of Children and Families spokeswoman Michelle Glady said in an email that the state’s unemployment rate is at an eight-year low of 4.9 percent.
“No Floridian currently receiving benefits will lose their eligibility,” Glady said. “However, they must meet minimum federal requirements for work, volunteering or active job search activities.”
Department of Economic Opportunity spokeswoman Morgan McCord echoed Glady and also said the state is trying to help people meet the requirements.
“In every county around the state, Florida’s CareerSource centers are working to help beneficiaries meet those requirements,” McCord wrote in an email. “Since January 1, 2016, 106,129 people have been placed into new jobs by the state’s 24 CareerSource locations.”
But others, such as Montford, say the state is diverse, and economic conditions vary.
For instance, in the district of Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, people have been coming to his office for help after losing their food-stamp benefits. He said many are working, but their low-wage jobs don’t add up to 20 hours a week.
“They’re being penalized even though they’re trying, even though their effort is good,” Bullard said.
What’s more, tens of thousands of Floridians were sanctioned for not complying with the mandate in the first month.
“If you don’t comply, what will happen is that you will immediately be sanctioned and lose your food stamps, even though you haven’t yet used up your three-month time limit,” said Cindy Huddleston of Florida Legal Services.
In January, 67,982 Floridians were sanctioned for not meeting the work requirement, thereby losing their food stamps “for a minimum of one month or until they comply with the work requirement, whichever is longer,” according to a letter sent to beneficiaries by the state. For a second act of noncompliance, the penalty is the loss of benefits for at least three months.
“By the nature of the work requirements and the exemptions and exceptions to the work requirements, it’s really mostly affecting the most vulnerable people that don’t have any other social safety net in place,” said Liam McGivern of Legal Services of Greater Miami.
Food-stamp benefits are typically worth $150 to $170 per month. The potential loss of benefits does not apply to people who have children or disabilities or to seniors.
The Department of Children and Families could ask the federal government to waive the work mandate. But a budget bill passed during a special legislative session last June would require the department to get legislative authority before applying for such a waiver.
“I would certainly encourage DCF to approach the Legislature, get permission, and request another waiver,” Montford said.
Debra Susie, executive director of Florida Impact, which works to reduce hunger and poverty, said the group is also concerned about what will happen to food banks and other non-profits that were already stretched thin by the recession.
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
Effort Underway To Preserve Bricks From Former Century High School
April 7, 2016
After the announcement that the former Century High School will be demolished, local residents all calling for bricks and a campus monument to be saved to preserve Blackcat spirit.
Closed 20 years ago, the Century High Building was constructed in the middle 1930’s. It was damaged during the EF-3 tornado that hit Century February 15 and will be torn down by the Escambia County School District.
Century resident Ray Hammond is spearheading an effort to save the bricks to be sold, engraved and placed at some sort of monument to the school. Hammond and Mayor Freddie McCall have a few potential locations in mind…the front lawn of City Hall, the Nadine McCaw Park or Showalter Park.
Buck Showalter, whose name appears on Showalter Park, was the son of a long time principal at Century High School.
McCall said he will request the bricks and the monument from the Escambia County School District. The town will also form a committee to decide how to use the bricks and memorialize the old Century High School. For more information, contact Hammond at (850) 256-2014.
For an earlier story about plans to demolish the school, click here.
Pictured: A dedication monument dated 1936 outside the former Century High School. Pictured below: The present day condition of the building. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Visiting Kentucky Team Downs Northview
April 7, 2016
Visiting Corbin, KY, defeated the Northview Chiefs Wednesday night 12-2.
After a one-run first inning, Corbin powered ahead 6-0 with a five run second inning. The Chiefs two runs came in the fourth inning, which ended with Northview at a 9-2 disadvantage.
The Chiefs will be home Friday night as they host Chipley at 5:00.
Courtney Laine Pridgen
April 7, 2016
Miss Courtney Laine Pridgen, age 17 of Coleman Lane, Brewton, passed away Wednesday April 5, 2016, in a Mobile hospital. She was a native of Pensacola and a lifelong resident of Brewton.
Miss Pridgen was a member of the Flomaton First Baptist Church, She attended Flomaton High School where she was a member of the Beta Club and on the Annual/Yearbook Staff. Courtney was very social. She loved her family, friends, and all animals.
She is survived by her father, Jeremy (Daphne) Pridgen of Flomaton; mother Tonya (Jr) Emmons of Brewton; brother Cody Pridgen of Flomaton; stepbrothers Colby Taylor and Deston Taylor of Flomaton; stepsister Tiffany Sullivan of Milton; maternal grandmother Sandra Jackson of Brewton; maternal Pa Pa Larry Spinks of Bratt; aunt Michelle (Justin) Baxter of Castleberry, AL: uncle- Bubba (Rhonda) Pridgen of Flomaton; cousin Ethan Cardwell of Castleberry, AL; and paternal grandparents Glendall and Gracie Pridgen of Flomaton.
Visitation will be held Friday night April 8, 2016, from 6-9 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Brewton. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday morning April 9, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Nicholas Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Sardis Cemetery Flomaton, AL.
Willie Ray Bonds, Jr.
April 7, 2016
Willie Ray “Chip” Bonds, Jr. died unexpectedly Thursday, March 31, 2016, at the age of 45. He was born February 14, 1971. A lifelong resident of Pensacola, Chip worked for AT&T for over 20 years. This took him to Auburn, AL for a few years which led to him meeting the love of his life, Brandy Brooks, who he was engaged to and set to marry May 14, 2016. He not only fell in love with Brandy, but also her three children, which he considered his own. Chip, Brandy and the kids would often take family camping trips and numerous other family adventures.
Chip was an avid Alabama fan. He also had a love for racing, both driving and helping others who raced, especially his nephew Randy. Chip was well known and liked in the short track racing industry, having started a racing radio company with two of his good friends. Chip also left his mark in R.C. racing, traveling the country to enjoy a hobby he loved. He was a loyal friend to many, often putting others before himself. Chip, being a loving family man and a great friend to many people, will be missed but never forgotten.
Chip is preceded in death by his grandparents, Grady and Ruby Albritton; father, Bill Bonds; brother, Billy Thompson; and his niece, Tasha Thompson.
He is survived by his fiancé, Brandy Brooks and her children, Hannah, Kiley and Brayden Brooks; Brandy’s mother, Fawn and Freddie Hann; mother, Christine Bonds; brothers, Ricky and Joni Thompson and Tim Thompson; sister, Tonya and Mike Brantly; half-brother, Mike Bonds; half-sister, Gail and Bob Falke; nieces and nephews, Randy Thompson and Alisha Lay, Grady Thompson, Dana and Rueben Guy, Dagan, Dawson and Bristol Guy and Joey Tammaro; many other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held Friday, April 8, 2016, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be Saturday, April 9, 2016, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North at 11 a.m. with Dr. Dale Patterson officiating.
Interment will follow at Eastern Gate Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Tim Thompson, Randy Thompson, Bobby Hinkle, Chad Lovelace, Tim Harris and Steve Neshem.
Honorary pallbearers will be Joey Tammaro, Josh Bundy, Freddie Hann, Justin Huggins, Mark Biles and Brent Royster.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for the children in Chip’s memory.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Adult Male Critically Injured In ATV Accident In Bratt
April 6, 2016
A Bratt man remained in critical condition Thursday afternoon after an all-terrain vehicle accident Wednesday in Bratt.
Boyd Sigafoose, 77, was injured in the ATV accident in pasture on Oakshade Road, a short distance behind Northview High School. He was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola as a “trauma alert”.
Atmore Ambulance and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the accident.
Further details have not been released.
Pictured top: A 77-year old male was injured in the ATV accident in pasture on Oakshade Road. Pictured below: The victim was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola as a trauma alert. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
School Officials: No Credibility To Threat Against Tate High School
April 6, 2016
Officials say there was no credibility to a rumored threat against Tate High School today.
The rumor began making the rounds a little before 10 p.m. Tuesday as text messages were spread between students. Rumors of those text message threatening a violent act were then posted and spread on social media, often by parents concerned about their children.
But Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said there was no evidence that the threat was credible. He said school district officials and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office worked through the night to track down the source of the alleged threat.
“There was just no credibility to this thing. We would have tracked it down; if it had been credible and the Sheriff’s Office would have been knocking on a door during the middle of the night,” Thomas said, adding that his own granddaughter is in attendance at Tate High today. “It is just too easy to spread false information on social media.”
He encouraged parents to send their children to school and added that there would be an extra law enforcement presence at the campus today out of an abundance of caution.
“It is just going to be a normal day here at Tate High School,” Thomas said from the campus Wednesday morning.
Pictured above: Excerpts from one of the text messages being spread among Tate High School students Tuesday night that was forwarded to NorthEscambia.com. The name of a student mentioned has been redacted. NorthEscambia.com image, click to enlarge.
Another Pharmacy Break-in Linked To Pharmacy Burglary Spree
April 6, 2016
Authorities in Atmore are linking another pharmacy burglary to a string of break-ins at smaller independent pharmacies in Escambia County, FL, and in two other Alabama cities.
According to information released Tuesday by the Atmore Police Department, their agency received a an alarm at the Buy-Rite Pharmacy on Medical Park Drive at 4:28 a.m. Monday. Patrol officers arrived four minutes later to find that the front door and security bars had been pried open.
Police said the surveillance video showed what appeared to be two males in hooded jackets, masks and gloves entered the pharmacy, placed several placed several controlled substance items in a trash bag and exited the store in less than a minute.
Atmore Police said the burglars’ description and method of operation closely matches that of other recent burglaries in Robertsdale, AL, Wetumpka, AL, and Escambia County, FL, as well as a burglary at same Atmore pharmacy in November 2014.
As we previously reported, three other pharmacies were burglarized early Monday morning just hours apart, and the crimes appear to be related.
Kim’s Family Pharmacy in the 700 block of South Highway 29 in Cantonment was the first to be hit about 1:25 a.m., according to owner Kim Cadenhead. The thieves got in through the bottom of the front door and stole narcotics.
Burglars forced their way into the Jackson Pace Pharmacy on Nine Mile Road about 2:30 a.m., according to owner Steve Jackson, clearing shelves and dumping the drugs into trashcans for their getaway.
Then the Lee Drug Drug in Robertsdale, AL, was hit at 3:30 a.m. when two people wearing gloves, masks and long sleeves forced their way in, taking a large amount of pills and narcotics in trash cans. The Robertsdale Police Department confirmed that photos from the Escambia County burglaries showed the same suspects as those in Robertsdale.
The burglaries came about three weeks after similar burglaries in Ensley and Jay, and few months after a similar pharmacy burglary in Molino.
Anyone with information on any of the burglaries is asked to call their local law enforcement agency.
Pictured: A Monday morning burglary at the Buy-Rite Pharmacy in Atmore. Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
