Three Jailed On Drug And Weapons Charges After Traffic Stop
April 11, 2017
A Century woman and two area men were jailed on multiple drug and weapons charges after a traffic stop in Pensacola.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Impala with no tag at the intersection of Beverly Parkway and Concordia Boulevard.
Driver Garrett Michael Williamson, 25, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, using or displaying a firearm a during a felony, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to register a motor vehicle. Tara Janes Pitts, 27, of West Highway 4, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, using or displaying a firearm during a felony and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. Tristan Matthew Benton, 21, was jailed on charges of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Inside the vehicle, deputies reported finding a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine in clear plastic bags under the driver’s seat and in the rear passenger seat where Benton was seated. Inside Pitts’ purse, deputies found a semiautomatic firearm and 10 Adderall pills with no prescription label. They also reported finding “Spice” and another firearm that was previously reported stolen from Georgia in the car.
Pitts was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $15,000 bond. Williamson remains in jail with bond set at $32,000, while Benton remained behind bars with bond set at $10,500.
William Thomas McGee, Jr.
April 11, 2017
Mr. William Thomas (Skip) McGee Jr., 73, passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2017, in Atmore, Alabama.
Mr. McGee was a former resident of Poarch, AL and had resided in Little Rock, AL for the past three years. He attended the Robinsonville Baptist Church. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Poarch Band of Creek Indians and the Emergency Corp. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Thelma McGee and all of his siblings.
He is survived by his wife of 51 and a half years, Sue McGee of Little Rock, AL; one son, William McGee (Alyssia) of Little Rock, Al; two grandchildren, Shawnee McGee and Cheyanne McGee.
Funeral services were held Monday, April 10, 2017, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Jones officiating.
Burial will follow at the Judson Creek Indian Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Chris Blackburn, Jerry Blackburn, Marlon Gunn, James Green, Paul Bell, and Douglas Kelly.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Grant Provides $15K In Tornado Housing Recovery
April 10, 2017
On February 15, 2016, the town of Century was directly hit by an EF-3 tornado.
Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE) and over a dozen partners of the Escambia Long Term Recovery Group have been working to assist survivors in their recovery since that time. BRACE received a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant for $15,101.89 that has been fully expended in the effort to address housing needs.
By utilizing these funds, World Renew Disaster Response Services (DRS) and United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) were able to repair homes for seven families in Century.
These families are now back in their homes and have resumed their normal daily activities.
“Although much work remains to be done, it is gratifying that these seven families are now back on their feet. This has been made possible through the generosity of the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and our volunteer partners,” said Greg Strader, executive director of BRACE.
The tornado first touched down southwest of Lambert Bridge Road southwest of McDavid at 3:32 p.m. on February 15, 2016. The first EF-2 intensity damage was on Holland Road where a workshop was destroyed. As it moved into Century, the tornado reach peak intensity with widespread EF-2 damage with isolated EF-3 level damage that destroyed numerous homes.
The tornado continued to track across the state line into Alabama with EF-2 damage on Old Fannie Road east of Flomaton. The tornado continued toward Pollard, AL, where it weakened and lifted at 3:55 p.m.
The EF-3 tornado was on the ground 16.5 miles with a path up to 300 yards wide.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
April 10, 2017
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia County as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
· Interstate 10 (I-10) over the Escambia Bay Routine Bridge Maintenance- Eastbound alternating lane closures over Escambia Bay as crews perform routine bridge maintenance on the bridge.
· U.S. 98 Routine Sign Maintenance from Navy Boulevard and New Warrington to Garden Street and Palafox Street– Alternating east and westbound lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 11 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, April 12 as crews repairs signs.
· Nine Mile Road at Pine Forest Road Turn Lane Construction- Westbound lane closure from 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 11 to 2 a.m. Thursday, April 12 as crews construct a right turn lane on to Pine Forest Road (County Road 297).
· U.S. 98 over Heron Bayou Bridge Maintenance Work- Eastbound and westbound lane closures from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
· I-10 over Eleven Mile Creek Bridge Maintenance Work- Eastbound and westbound lane closures from 11 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 to 1 a.m., Thursday, April 13 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
· I-110 over Cross Street Routine Bridge Maintenance- Southbound lane closure from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, April 13 as crews replace bridge joints.
· Perdido Key Drive (State Road (S.R.) 292) Resurfacing from the Alabama State line to the ICWW (Theo Baars Bridge) – Drivers can expect intermittent, isolated daytime lane restrictions Monday, April 10 through Friday, April 14 as crews complete miscellaneous construction activities on the project. Drivers can expect minor delays.
· I-10/ U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 9 through Thursday, April 13 as crews perform paving work.
o Alternating lane closures on I-10 near U.S. 29 (Exits 10A and 10B).
o The U.S. 29 north to I-10 westbound ramp will be closed. Traffic will be detoured north to make a U-turn at Broad Street to access I-10 westbound.
o Intermittent lane closures on the I-10 westbound to U.S. 29 north ramp (Exit 10B). Traffic will be detoured to Exit 10A for access U.S. 29.
o The U.S. 29 south to I-10 eastbound ramp will be closed. Traffic will be detoured south to make a U-turn at Diamond Dairy Road to access I-10 eastbound.
o The U.S. 29 north to I-10 eastbound ramp will be closed. Traffic will be detoured north to make a U-turn at Broad Street to access I-10 eastbound. The U.S. 29 ramps to I-10 eastbound will not be closed at the same time.
In addition, drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 near the I-10 interchange Sunday, April 2 and Monday, April 3 as crews place barrier wall.
· I-10 Widening from Davis Highway to the Escambia Bay Bridge - Alternating eastbound lane closures, between Davis Highway (S.R. 291/Exit 13) and Scenic Highway (U.S. 90/Exit 17), from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of Monday, April 10 as crews perform paving work.
· U.S. 29 (S.R. 95) Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Alternating lane closures continue from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road and on Nine Mile Road near the U.S. 29/ Nine Mile Road overpass as crews perform drainage and bridge operations.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road to U.S. 29- Alternating lane closures continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews perform jack and bore operations.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area.
Pictured top: Work on Nine Mile Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Dry Week Ahead
April 10, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 81. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 57. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.
Tuesday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 82. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.
Photos: Century Sawmill Pageant Winners Announced
April 10, 2017
The 25th Annual Century Sawmill Pageant was held recently, sponsored by the Century Lions Club. All proceeds will go towards the purchase of eye glasses for needy children in the local tri-county area.
Overall queens, pictured top L-R were 2-5 years: Lexi Knowles, 6-9 years: Khloe Hamilton, and 10-16 years: Skylar Crawford.
Scroll down below photos for additional winners.
Toddler Miss Winners (2-3 years):
Picture above, L to R: 3rd- Mallory Marn; 2nd-Jillian Sanders; Queen-Marley Schoonover, and 1st-Lexi Knowles.
Little Miss Winners (4-5 years):
Picture above, L to R: 2nd-Abigail Hawthorn; Queen-Alydia Sutton, and 1st-Laurel Wadkins.
Young Miss Winners (6-7 years);
Picture above, L to R: Photogenic-Lexie Smith; 2nd-Kayleigh Forbes; Queen-Ansley Nowling; 1st-Khloe Hamilton; and 3rd-Jessica Pritchett.
Young Junior Miss Winners (8-9 years):
Picture above, L to R: 3rd-Jacie Himes; 2nd-Emily Brown; Queen-Lanie Stephens; and 1st-Leah Smith.
Junior Miss Winners (10-12 years):
Picture above, L to R: 3rd (tied)-Nevaeh King; 2nd-Morgan Hicks; Queen-McKenna Simmons; 1st-Bentley Glover & 3rd (tied)-Jordan Sanders.
Teen Miss Winners (13-16 years):
Picture above, L to R: 3rd-Whitney Kimbler; 2nd-Melissa Sunday; Queen-Victoria Scott; and 1st- Skylar Crawford
House, Senate Differ On ‘Stand Your Ground’ Change
April 10, 2017
The House and Senate are in a stand-off, for now, about a controversial bill dealing with “stand your ground” self-defense cases.
The two chambers have approved different versions of a proposal (SB 128) intended to shift a key burden of proof in “stand your ground” cases from defendants to prosecutors in pre-trial hearings.
As the bill returns to the Senate after the House approved its version this week, House and Senate leaders are maintaining support for their different positions.
The House wants to require prosecutors in “stand your ground” cases to overcome the asserted immunity sought by defendants through “clear and convincing evidence.” The Senate, which rejected the “clear and convincing evidence” language earlier this session, has set a higher standard known as “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
“I’ve said from the beginning, if the government wants to convict you of a serious crime and send you to prison, they should have the burden of proof at every stage of the proceeding beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt,” Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, told reporters on Thursday. “It’s the highest legal standard in the world. It’s served us well. And in order for the government to prevail in the underlying criminal case they’re going to have to prove beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt. So I prefer the Senate’s higher legal standard.”
When asked if the House language could kill the bill, Negron, an attorney, replied, “It’s only week five (of the legislative session). I assume they’ll send the bill back to us, and it will be up to the senators on what they want to do. My preference would be that we stand on the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt criminal standard.”
The 60-day regular session is scheduled to end May 5.
The overall proposal, backed by groups such as the National Rifle Association and the Florida Public Defender Association, stems from a Florida Supreme Court ruling in 2015 that said defendants have the burden of proof to show they should be shielded from prosecution under the “stand your ground” law.
House sponsor Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, told reporters Thursday the clear-and-convincing-evidence threshold was a “reasonable and fair place to land” after hearing from numerous groups regarding how the 2005 law should be interpreted.
“We need to consider the opportunity for encouraging victims to come forward in those particular situations,” Payne replied when asked why he supported the “clear and convincing” language.
On Wednesday, before the House voted along party lines to support the bill, Rep. James Grant, a Tampa Republican who is an attorney, also defended the House clear-and-convincing-evidence approach.
“If the government cannot beat the lesser, easier burden in an immunity trial, then they darned sure can’t meet beyond and to the exclusion of each and every reasonable doubt when they ask for a conviction,” Grant said.
The Senate voted 23-15 to approve its version of the bill on March 15.
The “stand your ground” law has long been controversial. It says people can use deadly force and do not have a duty to retreat if they think it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm.
In its 2015 ruling, the Supreme Court majority opinion — written by Justice Barbara Pariente — said immunity in the “stand your ground” law “is not a blanket immunity, but rather, requires the establishment that the use of force was legally justified.”
But a dissenting opinion, written by Justice Charles Canady and now highlighted by Republican lawmakers, countered that the majority ruling “substantially curtails the benefit of the immunity from trial conferred by the Legislature under the Stand Your Ground law.”
“The factual question raised by the assertion of Stand Your Ground immunity in a pretrial evidentiary hearing is the same as the factual question raised by a Stand Your Ground defense presented at trial: whether the evidence establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant’s conduct was not justified under the governing statutory standard,” Canady wrote.
The proposed change has been opposed by Democratic lawmakers and groups such as the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association and the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, who have argued it would put an end to cases before all the facts are revealed. They also contend the “stand your ground” law has disproportionate effects on minorities, as it is used more successfully as a defense when white shooters kill African-Americans.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Escambia Students Of The Year Honored
April 10, 2017
Students of the Year were recently honored by the Escambia County Council of PTAs and PTSAs.
Every Escambia County School District school and many special centers selected a student for this honor. Students were selected for a variety of reasons from overcoming life’s obstacles, to community service, to assisting classmates. The one thing they all had in common was they each had a story that would touch a heart.
Students of the Year were:
A.K. Suter Elementary – Taylor Blaydes
Bellview Elementary – Jeremiah Spann
Bellview Middle – Leanne Grace Blake
Beulah Academy of Science – Fisher Peacock
Beulah Elementary – Joel Arenas
Blue Angels Elementary – Tristan Thomas Hargon
Booker T. Washington High – Voshon Williams
Bratt Elementary – Jake Lyndon Warner
Brentwood Elementary – Isabella Bonilla
Brown-Barge Middle – Richard Rickter
Byrneville Elementary – Meredith Johnston
C.A. Weis Elementary – Amiya Robinson
Cordova Park Elementary – Nathaneal Rodriguez
Ensley Elementary – Osvaldo Barragan-Vera
Ernest Ward Middle – Taviana Parker
Escambia Charter – Maritsa Berio
Escambia High – Joshua Dufurrena
Escambia Westgate – Elementary – Amaya Katumba
Escambia Westgate – High – Nyree Cameron Vereen
Escambia Westgate – Middle – Michael Maurice Shoemo
Ferry Pass Elementary – Hanna (Thien-Huong) Uc
Ferry Pass Middle – Zackery Causey
George Stone Technical Center – Kentrell Stewart
Global Learning Academy – Angie Cela Yac
Hellen Caro Elementary – Audrey Hausmann
Henry McMillian Pre-K Center – Jayden King
J.H. Workman Middle – Bennett Rhone
Jim Allen Elementary – Ian Swanson
Jim C. Bailey Middle – Austin Blevins
L.D. McArthur Elementary – Dolon Zachary Babcock
Lakeview Day Support – Elementary – Sean Chason
Lakeview Day Support – Middle – John Thomas Baker
Lincoln Park Primary – Travoun Collins
Longleaf Elementary – Johnathon Money
Molino Park Elementary – Dylan Wood
Montclair Elementary – Juelz Lang
Myrtle Grove Elementary – Joseph Baye
N.B. Cook Elementary – Sarah Botts
Navy Point Elementary – Leiland Remo
Northview High – Autumn Albritton
O.J. Semmes Elementary – Darius Williams
Oakcrest Elementary – Bobby Joe Hicks
Pensacola High – Emma Dinsmore
Penscola Beach Elementary – Molly Kimbrough
Pine Forest High – Allen Fink
Pine Meadow Elementary – Brianna Harris
Pleasant Grove Elementary – Adam Houston
R.C. Lipscomb Elementary – Gabrielle Halls
Ransom Middle – Ta’niya Ashuna Lewis
Reinhardt Holm Elementary – Ciara McConnell
Scenic Heights Elementary – Maria Contreras
Sherwood Elementary – Illeana Mendez
Success Academy – Elijah Deckard
Tate High – Bycari Davis
Warrington Elementary – Bernard Watts
Warrington Middle – Kassidy Tillman
West Florida High – Haley Hauck
West Pensacola Elementary – Clarissa Hinerman
Woodham Middle – Adalia Burris
Pictured top: Bratt Elementary’s Student of the Year Jake Lyndon Warner. Photo courtesy Stone Studio for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Congressman to Hold Service Academy And ROTC Nights
April 10, 2017
Congressman Matt Gaetz is hosting Service Academy and ROTC Nights in Pensacola and Crestview.
Service Academy Nights provide constituents with information regarding admission processes, Congressional Office nomination process and a chance to meet and ask questions of service academy representatives from the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy and University ROTC programs.
Service Academy Nights will be held on Monday, April 17 at Pine Forest High School from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Crestview High School in Crestview from 6 to 8 p.m.
Special guest speakers include Jason Crawford of Pensacola and Retired Air Force Colonel Edward Hubbard of Fort Walton Beach.
Jason Crawford served eight years in the U.S. Army Infantry with tours in Baghdad, Bosnia, and Korea. He is currently the C.E.O. for Intelligent Retinal Imaging Systems.
Col. Edward Hubbard is a retired U.S. Air Force pilot, and former Vietnam POW. Hubbard is now an internationally known speaker, management consultant, artist, and author.
For more information, please contact Communications Director, Kavontae Smalls or Deputy Director of Military Affairs, Nathan Nelson USAF Capt. (Ret.) at (850) 479-1183.
Wahoos Tie Series With Tennessee Smokies
April 10, 2017
Gabriel Guerrero always seemed to hit well against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos when he played for the Mobile BayBears.
Now, Guerrero plays for Pensacola and Sunday he had a walk-off single as the Blue Wahoos came from three runs down to defeat the Tennessee Smokies, 4-3, in front of the fourth straight sellout of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Guerrero went 3-5 at the plate, hitting a double off the left field wall on one hop and scoring Pensacola’s second run in the eighth and then hitting a bloop single to left that drove in Pensacola second baseman Josh VanMeter in the ninth.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly, who coached Gabriel’s uncle Vladimir, said after the way Guerrero feasted on Blue Wahoos pitching in the past, he’s happy to have claimed him off waivers and have him play for his team this season.
“He loves hitting in this park,” Kelly said. “We figured we should get him for 70 games instead of just 10.”
Guerrero couldn’t stop smiling after the game. With runners on first and third, Tennessee elected to pitch to him. He was looking for a fastball but hit a slider for the game-winning hit, for Pensacola’s first walk-off this season. Last year, the team had a record 12 walk-offs.
“I always hit well here, I don’t know why,” Guerrero said. “It’s always exciting to have a walk-off run. It was a good win for the team. We kept fighting. We kept doing our job. We knew something was going to fall.”
Guerrero admitted he talks regularly to his uncle, who played 16 years in the Major Leagues and won the American League MVP in 2004 when he hit 39 home runs, drove in 126 RBIs and batted .337 for the California Angels.
“He’s my mentor. He’s my leader,” the 23-year-old Guerrero said. “I respect my uncle. It’s always good to have a guy around like him to talk to. I talk to him a lot.”
The Smokies bad luck in Pensacola continued. The Chicago Cubs Double-A affiliate hasn’t won a series in Pensacola since 2012 — the longest drought for Tennessee in the Southern League.
This time, Pensacola catcher Adrian Nieto pulled the Blue Wahoos within, 3-2, in the eighth inning when he lined a single to center that scored both first baseman Eric Jagielo, who was hit by a pitch, and left fielder Gabriel Guerrero, who doubled.
Nieto said the key was to stop thinking about his swing when he was up to bat.
“My first couple at bats, I was thinking about my mechanics,” he said. “I told myself, ‘Get ready. Be on time. See the ball and hit it. Put the barrel on it.”
Nieto was also involved with an odd play in the fifth inning. Pensacola shortstop Alex Blandino hit a chopper to third base with the bases loaded and the Smokies turned a double play. It appeared that Nieto had scored from third to pull Pensacola within, 3-1.
However, the umpires ruled that pinch hitter Angelo Gumbs interfered with the double play on his slide into second base. The umpires took the Blue Wahoos run off the board, putting Nieto back on third base and center fielder Brian O’Grady back on second.
Kelly got thrown out for the first time this season arguing the call.
To Kelly, one of the key’s to Pensacola’s comeback victory to tie the series, 2-2, and have a chance to win the series at 6:35 p.m. Monday, is the bullpen. Its four relievers — Alex Powers, Domingo Tapia, Ariel Hernandez and Ismael Guillon — have combined to pitch five shutout innings and strike out six.
“The biggest thing is the bullpen throwing those scoreless innings that kept us in the game,” Kelly said. “We had one bad inning (Saturday) but other than that the bullpen has been fantastic. It’s good having those guys backing up our starters.”
The Blue Wahoos relievers have allowed just three runs in 14.1 innings, not counting allowing five runs in one inning to Tennessee in Saturday’s game.
Tennessee left fielder Charcer Burks, who has feasted on Pensacola pitching batting .333 in four games, started the game by creaming a pitch to left field out of the park.
The Smokies then went up, 2-0, in the first inning when Blue Wahoos’ Nieto threw to second base trying to catch Tennessee second baseman Davis Bote stealing. But the ball glanced off Pensacola’s Blandino’s glove, allowing Tennessee third baseman Jason Vosler to score.
Tennessee added another run in the second inning when centerfielder Trey Martin walked, stole second base, advanced to third on a groundout and then scored on pitcher Preston Martin’s groundout to first base for a 3-0 lead.
Meanwhile, in his Double-A debut, Tennessee right-hander Preston Morrison picked up where he left off in A ball last season. He dominated.
Morrison, who Baseball America pegged as the 29th best prospect in the Chicago Cubs organization, had a no-hitter until Aristides Aquino hit an infield single to third base. He pitched five scoreless innings, allowing two hits, walking four and striking out three.
Morrison moved up to the Smokies this season after going 13-5 with a 1.92 ERA in 26 starts and 150.1 innings in two seasons in the minors.
“We kept saying, something’s going to fall in,” Kelly said. “We said there has got to be a hole out there somewhere. If I remember, it’s the Wahoo way.”