FWC Law Enforcement Report
July 27, 2016
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending July 21 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
FWC officers provided waterborne security during the annual Blue Angels Air Show on Pensacola Beach. During the three‑day event, a total of 60 FWC officers conducted 589 hours of law enforcement patrol in and around Pensacola Beach providing security to the estimated 750,000 people attending the show by both land and water. An estimated 20,000 people attended the show by way of water aboard approximately 3,000 vessels. FWC officers conducted more than 250 vessel stops, checked more than 1,000 users and issued several citations and warnings for boating safety violations. Additionally, four boaters were arrested for BUI, two for underage drinking and two for assault.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
(No report submitted for Santa Rosa County.)
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.
Pet Oxygen Masks Donated For All Escambia Fire Rescue Stations
July 27, 2016
Escambia County Fire Rescue has received a donation of 66 pet oxygen masks, which can be used to help save the lives of dogs, cats and other pets suffering from smoke inhalation from a structure fire.
These specially-designed animal masks can be used on conscious pets suffering from smoke inhalation or pets that need to be resuscitated after losing consciousness from exposure to the dangerous toxic fumes. The masks will be washed and reused.
Escambia County resident and animal lover Jackie Harrison, with the assistance of Sherry Burton, made the $1,900 donation to ECFR.
Montgomery Biscuits Roll To 10-5 Victory Over The Blue Wahoos
July 27, 2016
The Montgomery Biscuits welcomed the Pensacola Blue Wahoos to Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium by jumping out to a 10-1 lead.
The Biscuits knocked out usually reliable starter Tyler Mahle by scoring eight runs against him in his 4.2 innings of work and went on to win, 10-5, Tuesday.
Montgomery benefited from two two-run home runs by right fielder Justin Williams in the third inning and shortstop Willy Adames in the fifth inning off of Mahle. Mahle fell to 5-2, allowing nine of Montgomery’s 11 hits, walking. two and striking out one.
Pensacola fell to 23-27 on the road. The first half Southern League champions are now 15-16 in the second half. Montgomery improved to 19-12 and leads the North Division.
Montgomery didn’t take long to start rolling. DH Cade Gotta led off the bottom of the first inning with a double and came around to score on shortstop Adames ground out to third base to put the Biscuits up, 1-0. Adames was 2-4, scored twice and knocked in three runs.
Biscuits left fielder Granden Goetzman doubled to start the second inning and reached third on a wild pitch. Montgomery Williams then smashed a homer to left center to bring in Goetzman for a 3-0 lead.
Montgomery center fielder Braxton Lee doubled and went to third on an errant throw by Mahle trying to pick him off. Second baseman Thomas Coyle then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Braxton and put Montgomery ahead, 4-0.
Pensacola finally got on the board in the third inning to pull within, 4-1, when catcher Chad Wallach singled to third base and then Alex Blandino singled to shortstop. Both first baseman Jake Bauer and Adames were charged with throwing errors on the play to make the run unearned.
It was the only run that Montgomery starter Taylor Guerrieri would give up to Pensacola in six innings to improve to 11-4 becoming the first pitcher in the Southern League to 11 wins. He gave up four hits, one walk and struck out five.
Montgomery tacked on another run in the fourth when Goetzman tripled and was driven in by Williams single to right field for a 5-1 lead.
The Biscuits extended its lead in the fifth inning to 7-1 on a two-run homer to left center by Adames that also scored third baseman Kean Wong. Williams then doubled on a pop up to left field that deflected off of Pensacola shortstop Zach Vincej’s glove and scored Goetzman to go ahead, 8-1.
Vincej went 2-2 with a walk, and is now batting .333 in July, his best monthly average this season.
Montgomery scored two more runs in the seventh inning to make the score, 10-1. Williams smacked a line drive to center filed that scored both Adames and Bauers.
Pensacola finally broke out with four runs in the eighth inning to pull within, 10-5. Blue Wahoos right fielder Sebastian Elizalde singled in Blandino. Pensacola third baseman Taylor Sparks, who was 2-5, Tuesday scored on a wild pitch after a single to center. Blue Wahoos left fielder Jeff Gelalich singled to center to score Elizalde. The fourth and final run crossed the plate when DH Brandon Dixon, who had walked, scored on a wild pitch.
In the ninth inning, Pensacola loaded the bases with one out, but Montgomery closer Jeff Ames came in and faced Brandon Dixon, who popped out to the catcher, and Jeff Gelalich, who struck out, to end the threat. Batters are now, 0-10, against Ames with the bases loaded.
Cat Country 98.7 Nominated For Prestigious NAB Award
July 27, 2016
Pensacola’s locally owned country radio station, CatCountry 98.7, has been nominated for a National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award. This is the station’s third nomination for the prestigious award.
CatCountry 98.7 is one of just five stations in the country nominated for the 2016 award.
The station helped United Way raise more than $240,000 for tornado relief and raised money for toys for needy children at Christmas — just two of many community events spearheaded by CatCountry during the past year.
“I’m so proud to work with this team. I genuinely believe we are the hardest working team in the business,” said Brent Lane, program director and morning show host.
“We are proud of our team and constant effort they put in to make our community a better place,” said Dave and Mary Hoxeng, owners and operators of CatCountry 98.7.
The winners will be announced September 22 at the NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner and Show in Nashville.
Murder Suspect Captured, Released Days Prior To Cantonment Shooting
July 26, 2016
An Escambia County man was captured after a manhunt in Cantonment just days before he allegedly murdered a man Saturday night also in Cantonment, NorthEscambia.com has learned.
Marquis Derrell Bryant, 19, is wanted for homicide in connection with the shooting death of 29-year old Alphonso Leon Griffin. Griffin suffered a gunshot wound and was found in the yard of a residence in the 200 block of Sheppard Street in Cantonment just after 9 p.m. Saturday. He was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital where he later passed away.
Bryant was captured by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office just five days before the shooting, but not placed under arrest.
On Sunday, July 17, Bryant allegedly stole a classic Ford Mustang. On Monday, July 18, deputies spotted Bryant in the stolen 1965 Mustang at 3:47 p.m. near Hicks Street and Muscogee Road, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. When a deputy attempted a traffic stop, Bryant refused.
The deputy followed the vehicle, not exceeding the speed limit. Bryant opened the driver’s side door while the vehicle was still in motion. He then jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot.
The Sheriff’s Office said Bryant was located by a K-9 a short time later.
Sgt. Andrew Hobbs, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said deputies suspected that Bryant ingested some type of narcotics before being captured. He was transported to a local hospital for medical care. Hobbs declined to say which day Bryant was released from the hospital, citing medical privacy laws.
Hobbs said deputies submitted a grand theft auto warrant for judicial review. At the time of the murder, the warrant had not yet been signed by a judge.
Bryant now has an outstanding homicide warrant. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
FHP: Jay Man Driving The Only Vehicle To Strike, Kill Pedestrian
July 26, 2016
A Jay man was the driver of the only vehicle that struck a pedestrian in a fatal crash early Sunday morning, the Florida Highway Patrol said Monday.
Tyler Watson Shook, 18, was westbound on Willard Norris Road near Emerald Forest Road when he struck a pedestrian identified as 36-year old Rodney Ross Cropper II of Jay. Cropper was pronounced deceased on the scene.
On Sunday, the FHP originally issued a media release in which they said Shook was driving the second vehicle to strike Cropper. However, on Monday the FHP said that after a forensic review, it was determined that Shook’s Ford Bronco was the only vehicle to hit Cropper.
Any charges against Shook are pending the outcome of a Florida Highway Patrol investigation.
Operation Lifesaver 40 City Anniversary Tour Visits Atmore
July 26, 2016
“If we can save just one life, it’s worth all the effort.”
Those were the words of Nancy Hudson, Operation Lifesaver Alabama Executive Director. Operation Lifesaver is a nonprofit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and trespassing on or near railroad tracks.
This year is the 40th anniversary of the program in Alabama, and Operation Lifesaver is on a 40-city tour across the state to spread their safety message. Monday, the tour stopped in Atmore where the group presented a program to senior citizens, public safety employees and the media. The Atmore City Council also heard from Hudson and Stephen Curlee, manager of community affairs and safety for CSX as they proclaimed Monday as “Rail Safety Tour Day” in Atmore.
“We want everyone to think train when they see tracks and be careful,” Hudson said.
Pictured top: Operation Lifesaver Alabama Executive Director Nancy Hudson addresses the Atmore City Council Monday afternoon. Pictured inset: CSX Manager of Community Affairs and Safety Stephen Curlee explains crossing safety to the council. Pictured below: Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks, Fire Chief Ronald Peebles, Curlee, Mayor Jim Staff and Hudson address the media about Operation Lifesaver’s 40-city anniversary tour. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bernie Sanders Lauds Hillary Clinton As Convention Opens
July 26, 2016
PHILADELPHIA — After last week’s raucous and divisive Republican National Convention, Democrats opened their convention Monday looking to present a striking contrast in unity as they prepare to nominate former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for president.
There’s always Day 2.
Between suspected Russian hackers and renegade delegates committed to U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia often looked at least as rowdy as last week’s proceedings in Cleveland.
The soon-to-be nominee’s name drew boos on the convention floor. The outgoing Democratic Party chairwoman was jeered in front of her home-state delegation, leading to a late decision to strike her from the main program to avoid a repeat in front of a larger audience. At least one delegate had taken a “Stronger Together” sign, scratched out the last word and wrote in its place: “with Bernie.”
All of that was bracketed by complaints about logistics that undermined Democrats’ attempt to be the steady convention.
Not that they didn’t try. Sanders himself touted Clinton twice in the space of a day — once during a boisterous event with his delegates and again before the full convention. In his late-night speech at the Wells Fargo Center, Sanders gave perhaps his most full-throated endorsement of Clinton so far.
He noted how this year’s Democratic platform was, in his view, the most progressive the party has ever produced.
“Our job now is to see that strong Democratic platform implemented by a Democratically-controlled Senate, by a Democratic House and a Hillary Clinton presidency. … Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president, and I am proud to stand with her tonight,” Sanders said.
Even before he took the stage, Sanders was pushing his supporters to line up behind Clinton. In an email to delegates after some of the booing early in the day, Sanders scolded those who had taken part.
“The political revolution is not about one election or one candidate. … Our credibility as a movement will be damaged by booing, turning of backs, walking out or other similar displays. That’s what the corporate media wants. That’s what Donald Trump wants,” he wrote.
But even Sanders drew boos on some of the occasions when he praised Clinton.
Sanders had also told a group of supporters earlier in the day that supporting Clinton was important in her November election against the Republican nominee Trump.
“We have got to elect Hillary Clinton and (vice presidential candidate) Tim Kaine,” he said as some delegates cheered and many booed. “This is the real world that we live in.”
The party also rolled out other popular or Sanders-friendly public figures to try to patch over differences between Clinton and the opponent she defeated in the primaries after a grueling, months-long battle.
Paul Simon played “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Sarah Silverman, a comedian who backed Sanders in the primary, put the message most succinctly and most bluntly.
“To the ‘Bernie or Bust’ people: You’re being ridiculous,” she said.
First Lady Michelle Obama, who is wildly popular among the Democratic base, also implicitly drew a comparison between diehard Sanders delegates and Clinton, who responded to a primary loss to President Barack Obama in 2008 by joining his Cabinet.
“Hillary did not pack up and go home, because as a true public servant, Hillary knows that this is so much bigger than her own desires and disappointments,” Michelle Obama said.
The day started out on a discordant note; outgoing Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, someone viewed with disdain by Sanders supporters, was jeered at a breakfast for delegates from Florida, where she serves as a congresswoman.
“It is so wonderful to be able to be here with my home state,” Wasserman Schultz said, as a cascade of boos and heckling began. “All right, everybody. Now, settle down.”
The appearance came less than 24 hours after Wasserman Schultz announced she would step down as chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee at the conclusion of this week’s convention.
Wasserman Schultz was tripped up after leaked internal party emails raised questions about her impartiality in the presidential primary between Clinton and Sanders. The emails are believed to have been obtained by Russian hackers.
Some Sanders supporters Monday shouted “Shame on you!” at Wasserman Schultz, while her supporters chanted her first name. The congresswoman tried to put a brave face on the intense interest surrounding her decision to resign as party chair, reportedly under pressure.
Despite his overtures to Clinton, though, Sanders showed no signs of sadness Monday about Wasserman Schultz’s departure. At a rally for his delegates, the crowd roared when Sanders brought up Wasserman Schultz’s departure.
“Her resignation opens up the possibility of new leadership at the top of the Democratic Party that will stand with working people and that will open the doors of the party to those people who want real change,” Sanders said.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Thomas: Escambia Schools Need To Aim Higher
July 26, 2016
Educators must change their mindset to move forward, rather than falling further behind.
That was the message Monday from Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas as he addressed school administrators and some of the district’s teachers Monday at Washington High School.
Citing the book “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” from author Carol Dweck, Thomas said a fixed mindset is unacceptable when compared to a growth mindset.
“There are fixed mindsets that believe that there is going to be no change, that children will have a certain IQ just because of their zip code. But we need a growth mindset, that we can develop the mind and achieve acceptable results,” Thomas told NorthEscambia.com after the speech.
“Our problem isn’t that we are arming too high and missing the mark,” Thomas said, referencing and paraphrasing a quote from Michelangelo. “Our problem is that we are aiming too low, and we are successful.”
“There are teachers in the system that have been there a long time, and they teach like they have always taught. A shift has to be made toward the growth mindset,” he said.
Escambia County’s district grade from the state dropped this last school year from a B to a C, and many individual schools also experience a drop in their school grade. Thomas said he does not care about test scores if children are learning at the level they need to learn, but he said that is not happening overall.
“We are obsessed with tests and standards. We need to be teaching every day and making sure the kids are learning at the right level.”
Students return to class in Escambia County on August 10.
Pictured top: Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas addresses administrators and faculty Monday at Washington High School. Pictured below: Administrators and faculty listen to Thomas, including (foreground, L-R) Northview High Assistant Principal Gerry Pippins, Northview High Principal Gayle Weaver, Ernest Ward Middle teacher Laura Chavers, Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Gindl Perry and Ernest Ward Assistant Principal Virkeisha Palmer. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Powerball Jackpot Soars To $422 Million For Wednesday’s Drawing
July 26, 2016
The Powerball jackpot has soared to an to an estimated $422 million for Wednesday night’s drawing. The Powerball jackpot has rolled 22 times since the May 11 drawing.
Jackpot prizes are paid in 30 annual installments or as a one-time, lump-sum payment. Jackpot prizes must be claimed within 60 days after the draw to receive the cash option of an estimated $291 million. Winners have 180 days from the applicable drawing to claim their prize.
Pictured: A billboard on North Century Boulevard in Century teases drivers Monday a fternoon with a $422 million Powerball drawing set for Saturday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
