One Of Texas’ Most Wanted Fugitives Arrested In Atmore
July 20, 2017
One of the most wanted men in Texas has been arrested in Atmore — where he’s lived for the past 20 years.
Ricky Lee Waters, age 60, has been charged with identity theft, giving false information to a law enforcement officer and possession of a controlled substance. He’s now in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton on local charges and awaiting extradition back to Texas.
Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said Deputy Dereck Lowry was on routine patrol near Short Street in Atmore when he was tipped off that Waters was wanted and was in a Ford F150 pickup. Lowry turned around on the vehicle on Jack Springs Road where Waters was exceeding the posted speed limit.
Waters did not have his driver’s license or insurance information with him, and he provided the deputy with a similar but false name. They also located a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. Deputies found paperwork in the suspect’s wallet with the name Ricky Lee Waters, which they soon found was their suspect. They learned he was wanted out of Texas for parole violation, aggravated rape and attempted capital murder with a deadly weapon.
For the Escambia County traffic stop, Water was charged with giving false information to a law enforcement officer, identity theft and possession of a controlled substance.
Waters has lived in the Atmore area for the past 20 years on Rockaway Creek Road, just north of the Florida state line. Lambert commended Lowry for the capture.
During those 20 years, Waters has been listed as on of the 10 Most Wanted fugitives in Texas.
Waters was sentenced to 20 years in prison back in 1979 in Texas for aggravated assault, aggravated rape and attempted capital murder.
Waters and another man abducted a young couple from a Texas bar, forcing the 20-year old man to drive his 22-year old girlfriend and Waters to a secluded area. Waters bound the man at the wrists with a belt, punched him in the face and stabbed him twice in the stomach.
After Waters and the other man left the victim to die, they took his girlfriend to a motel, where she was repeatedly raped and assaulted by both men.
Within 10 years, Waters had been paroled and got into a fight with another man at a drive-thru restaurant, tied his hands together with a belt and punched him. He was armed with a knife at the time. He was sentenced to 10 years for aggravated assault.
Aerial Photos: Boggy Creek Bridge Construction
July 20, 2017
The $3 million bridge replacement project on County Road 97A over Boggy Creek near Enon in Escambia County is underway. Traffic has been moved to a temporary bridge while crews construct a new, modern bridge encompassing 12-foot travel lanes, eight foot shoulders and a solid concrete barrier railing. The bridge approaches will also be replaced. Work is anticipated to be complete in the fall of 2017, weather permitting. The bridge to be replaced was constructed in 1969. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Plans Orientation For August 3
July 20, 2017
From Northview High School:
We will issue class schedules, hall lockers, and textbooks to returning 10th, 11th and 12th grade students on the first day of school. Ninth graders and new students will attend an August 3rd Orientation and will receive everything they need at that time. Please remember that May 24, 2017, as noted on the registration cards, was the last day to request schedule changes. There is a processing procedure which students may utilize to request schedule changes, once school has started. However, since the parent and student approved the schedule at registration time and since the master schedule and teacher assignments have been made based upon these requests, all requests must support both the student’s requested schedule and teacher assignments. Please be advised that schedule changes at this time are extremely rare and are allowed only for registration adjustments or academic requirements based on the FSA end-of- course exam scores. Students will not have the opportunity to request schedule changes during the textbook issuing time. Textbooks will be issued to correspond with the student’s printed schedule. Locker assignments will also be printed on the class schedules, so students should be extremely careful not to leave their printed course schedules unattended.
August 3, 2017
School Offices will be closed from 11:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
1 PM – 2:30 PM 9 th Grade and New Student Orientation
All incoming 9th grade and new students in grades 10, 11, and 12 should report to the theater before 1 p.m., on Thursday, August 3. In the theater, students will have a short introduction and welcome program. Immediately afterwards, the students will be divided into groups to facilitate the processing of schedules and lockers. Orientation will include a brief tour of the Northview campus. Parent Chromebook training will be provided as well. Students with signed Cromebook contracts will be issued Chromebooks to take home after school begins. Students without a signed contract will not be issued a Chromebook but will check one out daily from the media center. The entire process should take approximately 90 minutes, so parents are asked to be prompt in picking up their students at the breezeway after the conclusion of this activity.
Blue Wahoos Capture Opening Game Against Montgomery
July 20, 2017
Nick Senzel drilled a line drive, three-run home run to left field in the seventh inning and now has hit in 19 of his first 24 games with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Senzel’s homer, his third for the Blue Wahoos, broke a 2-2 tie and Pensacola went on to win, 5-3, Wednesday over the Montgomery Biscuits at Riverwalk Stadium.
The top prospect in the Cincinnati Reds organization, the 22-year-old third baseman has come through with a walk, single and two homers that have led to the Blue Wahoos winning four games in the second half.
The first half champions in the Southern League South Division improved to 14-12 in the second half and 54-42 overall. The team owns first place a half-game ahead of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
The 19 games that Senzel has earned a hit, he is 28-72 and batting .389. He’s hitting .315 on the season for Pensacola in his first time in Double-A. In Wednesday’s victory, Senzel was 2-4 with a double and homer, on run scored and three RBIs, giving him six doubles, three homers, 15 RBIs this year with the Blue Wahoos.
Pensacola center fielder Gabriel Guerrero also smacked a homer, his second this season, when he hit a line drive over the center field wall. His solo shot put Pensacola ahead, 2-0, in the fourth inning. Guerrero was 3-4 in the game with two runs scored and an RBI. Guerrero has 31 RBIs this season and 28 multi-hit games in 88 games with Pensacola this year.
Left fielder Tyler Goeddel hit a two-out single to left field to drive in Pensacola’s first run, 1-0, in the second inning when Guerrero crossed the plate.
Montgomery knotted the score, 2-2, with two runs in the bottom of the sixth when left field Cade Gotta drove in third baseman Grant Kay on a sacrifice fly to right field and right fielder Justin Williams singled to center to bring in DH Joe McCarthy.
Pensacola also got a strong start from Keury Mella who worked five innings, gave up two runs on three hits and three walks and struck out four. However, Blue Wahoos middle reliever Robert Stock earned the win to improve to 6-1 with a 2.59 ERA by pitching two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out one.
Foxtail Loop To Be Closed
July 20, 2017
Foxtail Loop will be closed from 5 a.m. Thursday, July 20 until 8 p.m. Friday, July 21 as crews work to relocate utilities. Drivers entering and exiting Nature Trail Subdivision must use Salt Grass Drive to access Nine Mile Road, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Woman Arrested For Allegedly Hitting Father With A Cast Iron Skillet
July 19, 2017
A woman has been arrested for attacking her father in Cantonment, even allegedly hitting him on the head with a skillet.
Erica Leanne Tull, 31, was charged with first degree battery and felony aggravated battery using a deadly weapon.
Tull and her father got into argument at a home on Kittrell Street, just off Muscogee Road in Cantonment, over her late mother’s “hope chest”. She wanted to take possession of the hope chest, but her father denied her. She then struck him with a propane bottle and a cast iron skillet, according to her arrest report, before “trashing” the house.
The father was treated for his injuries at Pensacola hospital.
When deputies caught up with Tull on Lakeview Avenue “she appeared under the influence of various narcotics”, the report states. She remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $21,500.
Hot, Humid, Fewer Showers
July 19, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 105. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Century Gets Legal Advice, Moves Forward With Community Redevelopment Area
July 19, 2017
Century’s attorney has recommended the next steps for the town to establish a a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
Upon declaration of an area as blighted, the CRA works to improve conditions. As property tax values rise, most of the increase is funneled back into the redevelopment area for further improvements.
Attorney Matt Dannheisser has recommended that the town first send letter to all taxing authorities that Century intends to form the CRA. No resolutions or other actions can be taken during the 15 day period after the letters are send.
In the meantime, Dannheisser recommended that the town spend $245 to join the Florida Redevelopment Association for additional instruction and further legal advice.
The CRA under consideration in Century is bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, State Road 4 to the north and the centerline of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King.
Essentially, CRAs use redevelopment funds within a deteriorating area to transform it into one that again contributes to the overall health of a community. The money can roll over year to year, up a 40-year life for a CRA.
CRA funds can be used for a variety of public purposes, including items specified in the agency’s redevelopment plan, planning and surveys, acquisition of real property, affordable housing development and community policing innovations.
There are currently nine other redevelopment districts in Escambia County — Atwood, Barrancas, Brownsville, Cantonment, Englewood, Ensley, Oakfield, Palafox and Warrington — and three within the City of Pensacola.
Congressional Group Recommends Restoration Of Gulf Coast Amtrak Service
July 19, 2017
The Gulf Coast Working Group released a report to Congress last night that recommended restoring daily round trip Amtrak train service between New Orleans and Orlando.
The working group, which outlined a number of steps that would have to be taken before service is restored, cited the potential for expanded tourism and business travel along with improved access to jobs, education and healthcare among the reasons it recommended restoring the route.
Amtrak service between New Orleans and Orlando was suspended in 2005 due to significant damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
“This report makes clear the need to restore passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast and provides a path to get us there,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), who helped create the working group Congress approved as part of the FAST Act in 2015. “While there’s lots of work ahead, this service will not only help us meet the future transportation needs of the region but could also be a boon for tourism and the local economy. “
Southern Rail Commission Comments On Gulf Coast Working Group’s Report
Yesterday’s delivery to Congress of the Gulf Coast Passenger Rail Working Group’s Final Report by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) provides positive endorsement for the Southern Rail Commission’s long standing recommendation that passenger rail service be restored across America’s Gulf Coast. The Report details anticipated capital costs of less than $112M, plus estimated $5M for project development and planning. The culmination of more than 18 months of dedicated service on the part of the Gulf Coast Working Group (GCWG) appointees, including Amtrak, CSX, FRA, SRC, and over 30 regional stakeholders, the Report is the result of comprehensive, thoughtful analysis and unbiased consideration of participants’ input.
The GCWG was created by Congress to study this service in Section 11304 of Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. This provision stated that FRA is to “convene a working group to evaluate the restoration of intercity rail passenger service in the Gulf Coast region between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Orlando, Florida.” The Southern Rail Commission was appointed by name in the FAST Act to be part of this group.
“We are encouraged that FRA has found that rail service can begin quickly and at a reasonable cost. The SRC is grateful for the unified political and grassroots support the restoration of Gulf Coast passenger rail service has received from Mayors to Governors to the gulf south’s Congressional Delegation,” said Greg White, Chairman of the SRC. “Since 2012, the base of this support has consistently expressed that daily passenger service is essential for the economic resiliency of America’s gulf coast.”
All SRC members are especially pleased to see this Report’s recommendations regarding passenger service for the Gulf Coast, and give full support to the Report’s consideration of safety for all passenger rail users, including Positive Train Control and other recommended safety measures.
The GCWG recommended two preferred service options: daily long-distance train service between Orlando and New Orleans with estimated annual operating need of $5.48M, and a daily regional train between New Orleans and Mobile with an estimated annual operating need of $4M.
The Report outlines a number of capital improvements and operating costs associated with launching these services, and some of this funding could be acquired through new federal rail programs such as the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program for capital expenses and from the Restoration and Enhancement Grant (REG) Program for operating support. The SRC has also received significant interest and initial commitments from private sector partners across the gulf coast interested in contributing to the rail project.
Also noted in the Report, the SRC and FRA are currently providing $1.33M in grant funds to communities in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama for station area planning and rail safety improvements. These communities have contributed their own cash match, resulting in more than $2.6M in projects underway in preparation for service restoration.
Attached as a part of the FRA report is a letter from the Southern Rail Commission that addresses what we consider unjustifiable cost demands by CSX (www.southernrailcommission.org/news/fra-gcwg-report). The FRA and SRC have diligently worked to address the purported obstacles to restoring service that CSX identified. Recognizing that issues and details remain to be negotiated and resolved, the GCWG Report recommends continued coordination and collaboration among Working Group partners. The SRC remains committed to being a part of these ongoing efforts.
“Congress has identified this route as being of high importance and interest for the public”, said Greg White. “Continued investments in our national passenger rail system are vital as our society becomes increasingly mobile and we look for ways to improve access to skilled workers, jobs, and new opportunities for economic development. The SRC is committed to ensuring the Gulf Coast region of our country is not left out.”
Escambia Restore Plan Comment Period Closes Today
July 19, 2017
The public comment period for Escambia County’s RESTORE Act Direct Component Multi-Year Implementation Plan closes Wednesday, July 19. Public comments can be submitted in the following ways:
- Online: Read the MYIP and submit comments on the MYIP webpage
- Email: restore@myescambia.com
- Mail: Attention – Escambia County Natural Resources Management – RESTORE, 221 Palafox Place, Pensacola, FL 32502
- Phone: 850-595-0820
Once the comment period closes, RESTORE staff will review and address comments in the MYIP. Escambia County will submit the MYIP to the U.S. Treasury Department for a 30-60 day review and approval process. The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners anticipates voting to accept the approved MYIP in September.
Approval of the MYIP allows Escambia County to begin individual grant applications for the projects included in the MYIP. It is anticipated that final adoption of grant awards will occur in January 2018, with projects beginning shortly thereafter.
About the MYIP
The MYIP prioritizes eligible activities for Direct Component (Pot 1) funds awarded to the county through the Deepwater Horizon Settlement and RESTORE Act, or the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012. The Multi-Year Implementation Plan also seeks to obtain broad-based participation from individuals, businesses, Indian tribes and non-profit organizations.
To view Escambia County’s draft MYIP with a list of projects, click here.