Small Plane Goes Down Near Brewton Airport
December 5, 2017
A single engine plane went down in a field near the Brewton Airport Tuesday afternoon.
The Piper PA-28 Cherokee contacted air traffic control at the Pensacola International Airport and advised that they lost their engine, according Mike Lambert, chief deputy of the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office. The pilot then sat the plane down in a field about 4.5 miles southeast of the Brewton Airport, near the intersection off Travis and Woodchuck roads, just a few thousand feet from the Alabama-Florida state line.
Both the pilot and a passenger walked away from the crash with no injuries, Lambert said.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office secured the scene with the FAA responding to conduct an official investigation.
Pictured: A Piper P-28 like this one went down Tuesday afternoon near the Brewton Airport. File photo.
Seventh Death Of The Year Under Investigation At Century Correctional
December 5, 2017
The Florida Department of Corrections on Monday released the name of an inmate that died last week at Century Correctional Institution, the seventh inmate death at the prison this year.
Inmate Jack Meyer was identified as the deceased by Michelle Glady, director of communications for FDOC. As first reported last week by NorthEscambia.com, Meyer’s death is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FDOC Office of the Inspector General. Due to the ongoing investigation, Glady declined to release further information.
There have been six other inmate deaths reported this year at Century CI, according to the FDOC. One death was been determined to be from natural causes, while six remain under investigation. One of the six was a murder; the FDLE has arrested Century inmate Robert L. Hunt for the stabbing death of Jorge Slaughter in June. He was stabbed multiple times in the abdomen with a metal weapon inside the G dorm.
Deaths reported this year at Century Correctional are:
- George James, February 7, ruled natural causes
- Monday Demarsh, March 16, pending – FDLE investigation
- Rafael Urguiaga, March 22, pending – FDLE investigation
- Jerry Abbott, June 9, pending, Office of the Inspector General investigation
- Jorge Slaughter, June 19, pending – FDLE investigation
- John Hollis, November 4, pending – FDLE investigation
- Jack Meyer, November 29, pending – FDLE investigation
During the period 2012-2016, there were seven total inmate deaths reported at Century Correctional, according to Florida Department of Corrections data. Two of the deaths were suicides and four were found to be from natural causes. The cause of one inmate death in 2015 was listed as “undetermined”, but an FDLE investigation found there were no criminal violations associated with the death.
Pictured above and below: An inmate involved in a serious altercation is transported by ambulance out of Century Correctional Institution in May 2017, to a nearby medical helicopter before being airlifted to a Pensacola hospital. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia District Schools Name Top 10 Teachers Of The Year
December 5, 2017
The Escambia County School District has name their Top 10 Teachers of the Year.
Teacher of the Year were named in October for each school in the Escambia County School District (see list), and now that list has been narrowed to 10 as the district moves toward naming an overall Teacher of the Year in January.
The Top 10 Teachers of The Year are, in alphabetical order:
- Amy Blamires — Hellen Caro Elementary School
- William Broome — Woodham Middle School
- Shana Brown — Molino Park Elementary School
- Megan Carroll — Northview High School
- Suzanne Hollingsworth — Beulah Elementary School
- Donna McKay — Blue Angels Elementary School
- Lori Martin — Oakcrest Elementary School
- David Mellor — Brown Barge Middle School
- Tereasa Newton — West Pensacola Elementary School
- Carla Ross – Washington High School
The Golden Apple Awards will be held January 26.
Business Burglary Suspect Arrested
December 5, 2017
A man wanted for a Pine Forest Road local business burglary is now behind bars.
Justin Chaise Evers, 27, was booked into the Escambia County Jail early Monday evening after being featured on NorthEscambia.com and other local media last weekend.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he is responsible for for the November 23 burglary of APS Waste on Pine Forest Road.
Evers was charged with multiple counts including burglary, grand theft, criminal mischief and grand theft auto. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $159,500.
Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Escambia County $23 Billion Tobacco Case
December 5, 2017
In a victory for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, the Florida Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up an Escambia case that initially involved a more than $23 billion verdict against the cigarette maker.
The estate of Michael Johnson Sr., a longtime smoker who died at age 36, asked the Supreme Court to take up the case after the 1st District Court of Appeal in February ordered a new trial. A three-judge panel of the appeals court blasted an attorney for the estate, pointing to the “depth and pervasiveness” of improper closing arguments in the Escambia County case.
The Supreme Court, as is common, did not explain its reasons for declining to take up the case, though two justices, R. Fred Lewis and Peggy Quince, disagreed with the decision, according to an order posted on the Supreme Court website.
A jury initially awarded nearly $16.9 million in compensatory damages and $23.6 billion in punitive damages to the estate. But the trial judge later tossed out the punitive-damages award as excessive and ordered a new trial for R.J. Reynolds on punitive damages.
The February ruling by the appeals court required a new trial on the overall issues in the case, not just punitive damages. A brief filed in the Supreme Court said Johnson started smoking at age 13 and was diagnosed with lung cancer at age 35.
The case is one of thousands in Florida that are known as “Engle progeny” cases. Such cases are linked to a 2006 Supreme Court ruling that established critical findings about the health dangers of smoking and misrepresentation by cigarette makers.
by The News Service of Florida
FWC Law Enforcement Report
December 5, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the two week period ending November 30 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Allgood and Manning worked on the Escambia River checking hunters. They observed a vessel that was tied up along a wooded area where the occupants appeared to be hunting in the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The officers marked the spot and came back later when the individuals were not hunting, to check the area for bait. Shortly after they returned, they heard a vessel traveling to their location. When the subjects saw another boat in the area, they commented, “They better not be hunting my ground blind.” The two hunters were interviewed and confessed to placing bait at two nearby stand sites. Both hunters were carrying small plastic bags containing corn. Both baited stands were located and the hunters were issued notice to appear violations for placing bait in a management area.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer J. Rockwell was in Blackwater WMA when he noticed a small boat on the side of the road. Officer Rockwell ran the registration to identify the owner and later that afternoon, determined the vessel was stolen out of Okaloosa County. Officer Rockwell contacted the owner and returned the vessel.
While conducting surveillance on a local fishing pier, Officer Ramos observed a man and woman emerge from under the pier carrying fishing poles and equipment. They went to a vehicle and loaded all the gear into the car. Then, the man returned under the bridge and brought up a cooler. Officer Ramos approached the pair and asked if they had caught any fish. They replied, “No.” After checking fishing licenses and receiving consent to search the cooler, Officer Ramos discovered an undersized spotted seatrout, measuring 11 inches, hidden under ice. The man admitted he caught the fish and didn’t check its size. A database search revealed the man had two previous citations for similar offenses. The fish was seized and a notice to appear citation was issued.
While off duty, Officer Lugg received a report of a potential redfish violation occurring at the East River boat launch in Navarre. Once at work, Officer Lugg traveled to the boat launch to follow up with the information that he had received. The tip stated that a couple fishing at the boat launch were keeping undersized red drum and placing them in a white cooler. The individuals were located and a fisheries inspection was conducted. The couple stated that they were not keeping any fish and had not caught any fish to keep. There were no coolers around where the individuals were fishing and the individuals were adamant that they had not kept any fish. After a brief interview, their vehicle was located and their cooler was inspected. Officer Lugg discovered an undersized red drum, measuring 9½ inches. A notice to appear citation was issued for the violation.
While on land patrol in the Yellow River WMA, Officer Lugg observed a suspicious vehicle turn its headlights off while traveling through an intersection. The vehicle also failed to stop at a stop sign as it left the area in a hurry. During a stop of the vehicle, blood was observed in the back of the truck. After a brief interview, the operator admitted to shooting an undersized deer the day before and disposing of the carcass in the woods. Officer Lugg located the carcass of a spotted fawn. The subject was issued a notice to appear citation for the violation.
From a considerable distance, Officer Ramos observed a vehicle operating oddly in a remote neighborhood after midnight. When the vehicle stopped moving for a while, Officer Ramos drove closer and discovered that its hazard lights were now flashing due to a crash that had just occurred. Dispatch was informed that the truck had jumped a deep ditch and then ran head on into a large tree. The vehicle’s airbags had deployed and the driver had been knocked into the rear cab of his pickup with life threatening injuries. Fire Rescue and EMS personnel were notified and arrived to remove the driver. The driver was transported to a local hospital. The crash investigation was turned over to Florida Highway Patrol to determine the cause.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past two weeks; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Showers And Thunderstorms; Turning Colder
December 5, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 9pm, then a chance of showers between 9pm and midnight, then a slight chance of rain after midnight. Low around 48. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday: Rain likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 44 by 5pm. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: Rain likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Rain likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 48. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: Rain likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Rain likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 31.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 55.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 34.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Girls Basketball: Milton Cruises Past Northview
December 5, 2017
The Milton Lady Panthers defeated Northview in varsity and junior varsity basketball action Monday in Bratt.
Milton 43, Northview 8
The Milton Panthers defeated the Northview Chiefs 43-8 Monday night. Milton took a 5-0 lead in the first period and increased their advantage to 14-2 at the conclusion of the second period. The Lady Chiefs varsity (0-4, 0-2) will host Baker on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Milton 35, Northview 3 (JV)
In junior varsity play, Milton defeated Northview 35-3. Northview remained scoreless in the two periods, down 20-0 at the end of the second. The Chiefs scored three points in third period. The MV Lady Chiefs (0-3, 0-1) will host Baker on Thursday.
For more game action photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Santa Shop Opens At Molino Park; Movie Night Is Thursday
December 5, 2017
The annual Santa Shop is going on Tuesday, December 5 and Wednesday, December 6 at Molino Park Elementary School.
Family Christmas ie Night will be Thursday, December 7. The Santa Shop will be open from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5:30 for $1 per person. The classic Christmas movies will be at 6:00.
Family Christmas Movie Night is sponsored by the Molino Park Elementary School PTA.
Former Florida Congresswoman Gets Five-Year Sentence For Charity Scam
December 5, 2017
Describing the fraud as “shameless,” a federal judge Monday sentenced former Democratic Congresswoman Corrine Brown to five years in prison for her role in a scam that involved using charitable contributions for personal expenses and events.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan, came after Brown was convicted in May on 18 felony counts. Corrigan also sentenced to prison Brown’s longtime chief of staff, Ronnie Simmons, and a woman who started the purported charity, Carla Wiley.
In a 25-page sentencing order, Corrigan said the One Door for Education charity, which was originally established to help children, was “operated as a criminal enterprise” by Brown, Simmons and Wiley. He detailed how the charity raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, which forensic accountants said was siphoned off in cash withdrawals and used for such things as sky box seats at an NFL game and a luxury box at a Beyonce concert.
“These defendants systematically looted One Door funds which otherwise would have been available to help deserving children,” Corrigan said in the sentencing order. “Just think of the good that could have been done with that money if it had been used for its proper purpose.”
The Florida Times-Union reported that Brown, who served 24 years in Congress until losing a re-election bid last year, will report to prison no earlier than Jan. 8. The Times-Union also reported that Brown’s attorney, James Smith, said she will appeal the sentence.
The sentencing was a final step in the downfall of Brown, 71, long an influential figure in Jacksonville politics and the city’s African-American community. The 12-term congresswoman, whose district stretched from Jacksonville to Orlando, was also a master of constituent services, using “Corrine Delivers” as a slogan to tout her ability to bring home projects and services.
In a sentencing memo filed last month, Brown’s attorney said she had been one of the “greatest soldiers” in the civil-rights movement. Smith requested that she receive probation and community service, rather than a prison sentence.
“Corrine Brown’s life from this point forward will be extremely difficult,” Smith wrote. “She will never hold public offense again. The stigma of her federal convictions will make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for her to find productive and gainful employment. There is simply no reasonable basis to believe that she will ever commit another crime.”
In his order Monday, Corrigan said that he “seriously” considered the request for probation and community service, “but a sentence of probation for a member of Congress convicted of 18 counts involving mail, wire, and tax fraud would not be sufficient.”
Corrigan said Brown, one of the first black members of Congress from Florida since Reconstruction, was a “trailblazer who also has lifted up others.”
“But, having overcome all hurdles and risen to high office, Ms. Brown unfortunately succumbed to greed and an entitlement mentality,” Corrigan said.
The judge also sentenced Simmons to four years in prison and Wiley to 21 months. He said Wiley started the One Door for Education charity in 2011 to establish scholarships for students who were interested in becoming teachers, like Wiley’s mother.
“The defendants’ fraud was particularly shameless because it utilized a charity established to honor Ms. Wiley’s mother that was supposed to help disadvantaged children,” he said in the sentencing order. “Yet precious little of the hundreds of thousands of dollars donated to One Door was used for this purpose. Rather, One Door funds were primarily used to line the pockets of Ms. Wiley, Mr. Simmons and Ms. Brown or to fund events that mainly benefitted Ms. Brown, but did not help children.”
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: Florida Congressman Corrine Brown spoke in favor of an Amtrak return to the Gulf Coast during an Amtrak inspection train stop in Atmore last year. Pictured inset: Brown shakes the hand of a veteran at the Atmore Amtrak event after walking through a sword arch provided by the Northview High School NJROTC. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.