Century Man Gets 15 Years In Prison For Burglary Of An Occupied Home
June 12, 2018
A Century man has been sentenced for his role in a burglary in the Wawbeek community.
Curtis Matthew Capers was sentenced to 15 years in state prison for burglary of an occupied dwelling by Judge Gary Bergosh.
Capers was the getaway driver for Vernon Lambeth of Century in the burglary of a home on Highway 168. In October 2016, a woman returned home to found Lambeth inside.
“I noticed some things were out of place, and then there he (Lambeth) was, standing in the hallway looking at me,” the victim told NorthEscambia.com on the day of the incident. She said she returned quickly to her 21-month old child, who was outside in a vehicle, to call 911 as Lambeth ran outside and into a nearby wooded area.
A K-9 team from Century Correctional Institution was able to track Lambeth down and take him into custody near Wawbeek Road.
Capers was seen leaving in the area in an older model green SUV with bullet holes. The vehicle was located in Alabama just north of the state line on Sam Jones Road, about two miles from the burglary. A K-9 was able to track Lambeth down; he had attempted to conceal himself with roofing tiles in an abandoned barn. A pillowcase that contained stolen items from the home on Highway 168 was also located. And Capers was positively identified by the burglary victim.
Law enforcement also observed screwdrivers and a crowbar inside of the vehicle. Capers was arrested and interviewed by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Investigator David Preston. During the interview, Capers admitted to his knowledge and involvement, not only to this burglary, but two additional burglaries in which he and Vernon Lambeth committed. He still faces charges of armed burglary and grand theft of a firearm for those burglaries on Rockaway Creek Road and North Pineville Road.
In all three incidents, Capers dropped Lambeth off and waited down the road as a look out until Lambeth called to be picked up. Afterwards, they would sell the stolen items and split the proceeds.
A photograph published on NorthEscambia.com (left) after Lambeth’s arrest for the Wawbeek Road burglary showed him wearing a diamond ring. That ring was identified as one stolen during a burglary on Rockaway Creek Road. Lambeth took items including the ring, firearms and currency valued at $3,180 from the home. Most of the items, according to court documents, were sold or traded from drugs at his home at 120 Front Street.
Lambeth was also charged with the burglary of a home on North Pineville Road where he took jewelry, firearms and money totaling $3,350.
Lambeth pleaded no contest to burglary of an occupied dwelling; two counts of burglary of a dwelling while armed with a firearm, two counts of grand theft; two counts of criminal mischief; introduction of contraband articles into a county detention facility; and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). He was sentenced in August 2017 by Circuit Judge Gary L. Bergosh to 17 years in state prison with a mandatory minimum 10 year prison sentence.
Pictured above and below: The manhunt following burglary on Highway 168 in October 2016. Pictured immediately below: Vernon Lambeth is taken into custody. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Poll Points To Trouble For Many Ballot Proposals
June 12, 2018
Only four of the 13 state constitutional amendments on the November ballot have enough voter support to be enacted, according to a poll from the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
The poll, conducted in late May and early June, showed four amendments with the necessary 60 percent of voter support. They are:
— Amendment 1, which would expand the homestead property-tax exemption. It was placed on the ballot by the Legislature, with the chamber survey showing 67 percent of voters in support, 22 percent opposed and 11 percent undecided.
— Amendment 3, which would require voter approval of gambling expansions in the state, including allowing casinos. The amendment, which was placed on the ballot through a voter petition drive backed by Disney World and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, was supported by 61 percent of voters, with 23 percent opposed and 15 percent undecided.
— Amendment 7, which would require the payment of death benefits when law enforcement officers, paramedics, correctional officers and other “first responders” are killed while performing their official duties. The measure, which came from the Constitution Revision Commission, also would establish a governance system for the 28 state and community colleges and require a supermajority vote by university boards of trustees and the university system’s Board of Governors when raising student fees. It has support from 80 percent of voters, with 7 percent opposed and 13 percent undecided, the poll showed.
— Amendment 8, which would impose an eight-year term limit on school board members. It would also allow an alternative process for approving public schools, including charter schools, rather than by local school boards. It would establish a requirement for teaching civic literacy in public schools. The measure, which came from the Constitution Revision Commission, has support from 75 percent of voters, with 11 percent opposed and 15 percent undecided.
In a memo sent Friday to members of the Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors, Mark Wilson, the organization’s president, noted support and opposition for the 13 amendments will be impacted by media campaigns seeking to sway voter opinion.
“In other words, these numbers will change as November approaches,” Wilson wrote.
He also noted that with the large number of amendments on the Nov. 6 general-election ballot, the most since the 1998 election, “voter fatigue is certainly a concern of ours.” But he also said the survey showed nearly nine of every 10 voters said they planned to vote on the ballot measures.
Some ballot measures fell short of the 60 percent approval requirement but were close in the survey.
Among them was Amendment 9, which would ban offshore oil drilling and vaping in workplaces and restaurants. It was supported by 55 percent of voters, with 31 percent in opposition and 14 percent undecided.
Also, Amendment 12, which would establish a new ethics standard for public officials and impose a six-year lobbying ban on state elected officials, state agency heads and local elected officials, had support from 55 percent of voters, with 18 percent in opposition and 27 percent undecided.
Among the measures with the lowest voter support was Amendment 4, which would restore voting rights to ex-felons who have served their sentences. The measure, which was the result of a petition drive, had support from 40 percent of the voters, with 17 percent opposed. However, 43 percent of the voters said they were undecided, showing there is room for supporters of the measure to persuade voters to back it.
Only 34 percent of voters supported Amendment 5, which came from the Legislature and would require a supermajority vote by the state House and Senate when enacting taxes or fees. Some 36 percent of the voters were in opposition, with 30 percent undecided, the poll showed.
Another measure that would ban greyhound racing in the state had 47 percent support from the voters, with 36 percent in opposition and 17 percent undecided. Amendment 13, which came from the Constitution Revision Commission, is being contested in court by groups that support dog racing.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce poll was conducted by Cherry Communications between May 25 and June 2. Some 605 “likely” voters were polled, including 249 Democrats. 237 Republicans and 119 others. The margin of error was 4 percentage points.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
More Showers And Thunderstorms
June 12, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
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 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
Bergosh: OLF 8 A Win-Win For Escambia Residents
June 12, 2018
by Jeff Bergosh, chairman, Escambia County Commission
This December, the County will finally acquire the 636-acre, $17.3 Million property known as OLF 8.
We must prepare now for the future of this land.
The Restore Act-born out of the devastating 2010 oil spill and providing $70 Million Dollars to Escambia County over the next 12 years- will soon fund a Master Plan for OLF 8.
The Restore Act Committee (an Escambia citizen’s advisory committee composed of citizens, leaders and experts) –after studying over 100 project submissions for 4 years–ranked job creation at OLF 8 their #1 economic development project.
That’s the same plan that the BCC consistently voted to support over the last two years and submitted as a project under the Restore Act last September.
And contrary to what some people proclaim—previous economic-development projects have been successful in Escambia County: Heritage Oaks, sold out, incredibly successful. Marcus Pointe, tremendous success (only one small useable lot left). Ellyson Field, beat employment projections early and supports 123 companies and 3600 jobs. Solid success. The Central Commerce Park-phase 1- nearly sold out (only one small 3-acre parcel remains) and downtown’s 9-acre Tech-Park will soon house a high-tech center for cyber-security, advanced-manufacturing and robotics in partnership with UWF.
We’re fortunate for our tourist industry jobs, our military jobs, and our robust health-care sector– But to attain further jobs diversification — we must continue to seek new high-tech, advanced-manufacturing firms for Escambia County.
9-Mile road will be 4-lanes next year, a new interchange at Beulah road is progressing, Beulah’s fire station will be renovated and expanded, a library is finally coming to District 1, a grocery store is coming at the Beulah road-9-Mile Road intersection, Mobile Hwy at Beulah Road is getting a traffic light, and various other road and infrastructure projects are being planned.
Building a new, clean-tech center at OLF 8 would be an additional win for the area.
Imagine an elementary school in the southeast corner (15-acres), a walking/biking trail all the way around this field, and as many as 6-8 parcels (along 9-Mile road) to bring restaurant and other service related businesses to Beulah (perhaps an urgent-care facility and a postal-store for two of these spots?). We might sell 75 acres to NFCU for additional jobs they may bring. Maybe we’ll set aside recreation facilities for citizen use. Let’s plan intelligently so everyone can get something from this land–but most importantly, let’s support a “jobs per acre” plan to create diversified employment opportunities going forward.
There’ll be people that HATE this plan; there’ll be pressure to acquiesce to the voices of dissent and opposition.
But just Imagine the devastating loss if leaders 20 years ago, to appease naysayers then, had rejected the Navy Federal Pensacola campus in Beulah?
Some think we should simply leave the field vacant. Others support development that produces no significant revenue or jobs.
Some private-sector developers have circulated renderings illustrating a depressing vision for OLF8… townhomes, apartments, a hotel, and more low-wage retail-development throughout–with another discount store and gas station to boot. They’d love to buy this parcel from the county to quickly double their money off the taxpayers. I’ll never support this.
I’ve owned a home directly across the street from OLF 8 for nearly 15 years. My family, friends, neighbors, constituents, and taxpayers county-wide all have a vested interest in seeing good and beneficial development at OLF 8.
I won’t support smoke stacks, crushing machines, loud noises or foul odors—I will support well-planned, attractive development benefitting ALL of Escambia’s residents!
Jeff Bergosh
Chairman, Escambia Board of County Commissioners
Florida Democratic Candidates For Governor Find Common Ground In Debate
June 12, 2018
Two days after they took out the knives in Tampa Bay, the four top Democrats running for governor avoided the slightest flare-up during a cordial, two-hour debate Monday evening in Miramar.
The candidates were united on nearly all fronts, including their condemnation of President Donald Trump and Gov. Rick Scott, in the quest to return the Florida governor’s mansion to Democratic control after nearly two decades.
Two of the Democrats — Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and Orlando-area entrepreneur Chris King — sought to capture the “most progressive” title during the forum, whose hosts included Service Employees International Union Florida, New Florida Majority, Planned Parenthood and other left-leaning groups.
Gillum, who called himself “the most unapologetically progressive” candidate, struck a familiar note during his opening remarks, saying he is running on behalf of “anybody who has ever been told that they don’t belong.”
King, who has never held elected office and has unabashedly courted progressive voters, said he entered the race “because he is alarmed.”
As he did during a debate Saturday night in Pinellas Park, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, who has pumped at least $8 million of his own money into his campaign and spent much of that on television ads, spoke in Spanish, pledging to “level the playing field” and restore the American dream to Floridians.
And former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, who lives in Tallahassee but who grew up in South Florida, promised to “make sure that the soul of Florida is returned to the people” after being “crushed by 20 years of Republican rule.”
Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene, a Democrat who entered the governor’s race last week, did not attend Monday’s debate, broadcast by public radio station WLRN.
Like Saturday’s session, Monday’s debate opened with a series of questions about guns, with all of the Democrats promising to ban military-style “assault” weapons and impose stricter background checks on gun purchases.
At the urging of moderator Luis Hernandez, a host with WLRN, all four candidates attacked Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam over a report that a former employee of Putnam’s failed for more than a year to conduct national background checks on applications for concealed-weapons licenses. Putnam, a Republican running for governor in a heated primary against U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, told reporters Saturday that the former employee failed to follow up on 365 applications and that the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services had revoked 291 permits that had been issued in error.
Each of the Democratic candidates called for Putnam to resign and drop out of the governor’s race.
Levine likened Putnam to a bus driver who “ran right over” his former worker to avoid taking responsibility for the error.
Gillum blasted Putnam, the “establishment” candidate in the GOP primary who has garnered more than $30 million in support, for calling himself an “NRA sellout” and “bragging” about the number of concealed weapons licenses — nearly 2 million — the department has issued under during his eight-year tenure.
The Tallahassee mayor called for an independent investigation into the matter.
“Somebody ought to be arrested,” he said.
The Democrats were also aligned on every issue that could appeal to base voters in the Aug. 28 primary, such as raising the minimum wage, eliminating “high-stakes testing” and pumping more money into the state’s public education system.
And three of the four candidates supported free college tuition for students who agree to work in Florida after they graduate. King vowed to introduce free college and vocational training for all students.
Also, the Democrats unanimously said they would oppose any legislation that would diminish abortion rights.
As she has in the past, Graham used her gender to set herself apart from her male opponents.
“As a woman, it’s time that we have women at the table to fight for women health care issues,” she said, vowing to “take out my red pen” to veto any anti-abortion bill.
The candidates were also unified in their support for the environment, including efforts to address climate change.
“I don’t have to think about what I’m going to do because as the former mayor of Miami Beach I actually did it,” Levine said, adding that he “raised roads, put in pumps, raised sea walls” and put together a $500 million infrastructure program to address sea-level rise.
Levine said he would appoint a “chief resiliency officer” in Tallahassee, as well as “regional resiliency officers” to address the issue. Graham said she would appoint a commission and insist that all government buildings be built with solar panels.
King blamed “big sugar” for the failure to adequately protect the state’s natural resources.
“Sugar has a vice grip on environmental policy in the state of Florida,” he said. “We have to stand up to sugar. And we have to have the political courage to not just not take their money but to educate folks that they are standing in the way of progress.”
On the issue of prison privatization, again the candidates showed no separation. Each vowed to refuse to accept any contributions from the private prison industry when asked by a young woman who identified herself as a member of the “Dream Defenders” organization, one of the sponsors of the debate.
Gillum said he wanted to outlaw private prisons and reminded the audience of his solidarity with the Dream Defenders, who held a month-long sit-in inside the Capitol in 2013.
“When you all slept in for 30 days on the cold, hard marble floors of the state Capitol, I was pleased and proud to sneak food into you every night so you could eat,” he said, sparking applause from the crowd.
And each of the candidates promised to reject the anti-“sanctuary” policies embraced by the Trump administration, as well as Republican gubernatorial candidates Putnam and DeSantis.
“No. Donald Trump, stay out of Florida. Stop trying to use your hateful, divisive negative approach to Washington, D.C. in influencing what needs to be here in the state of Florida,” Graham said.
Gillum pointed out that he debated House Speaker Richard Corcoran on the sanctuary city issue earlier this year.
“To quote a famous rap song, I walk it like I talk it,” he quipped.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Gulf Power Crews Honored For Assistance In Puerto Rico
June 12, 2018
The Edison Electric Institute presented Gulf Power with the association’s special 2018 Emergency Assistance Award for Puerto Rico Power Restoration recognizing its contributions to the unprecedented emergency power restoration mission on the island following Hurricane Maria.
The devastating Category 4 hurricane made landfall in Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, impacting all critical infrastructure, damaging at least 80 percent of the island’s energy grid, and leaving all island residents without power.
“Our lineworkers, engineers, team leaders and support staff who went to Puerto Rico demonstrated great efforts in assisting with restoration in Puerto Rico,” said Adrianne Collins, Gulf Power’s vice president of Power Delivery. “They were away from their families much longer than a normal storm trip and yet never wavered from their commitment to safety and dedication to restoring power and hope to the residents.”
Gulf Power joined its sister companies in Southern Company, which were among nearly 60 investor-owned electric companies and public power utilities that committed crews, equipment and/or materials to the emergency power restoration mission. Overall, approximately 3,000 industry lineworkers and support personnel were involved in the restoration effort on the island.
One Gulf Power storm team left for Puerto Rico in late January and worked 60 days; another team followed in March and worked for 21 days. Also, several team leaders, engineers and safety and IT employees took part in the effort.
The storm teams faced challenging and complex restoration work because extensive portions of Puerto Rico’s energy grid are in rugged, mountainous terrain that has little or no road access. Getting crews and equipment to Puerto Rico was also much more complicated and time-intensive than deploying mutual assistance in the mainland, and it required extensive coordination among responding companies.
On May 22, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority announced that power had been restored to 99 percent of its customers across the island who can receive electricity. This is a significant milestone that was reached by PREPA and its restoration partners, including FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its contractors, and industry mutual assistance crews. The resources, equipment, and people sent from the mainland, greatly accelerated the restoration process.
“The power restoration effort in Puerto Rico was a massive and unprecedented mission, and electric companies from across the country, including Gulf Power, responded to the call for help,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “The electric power industry pulled together with one goal in mind, to restore power to the people of Puerto Rico — it truly was one team, one mission. Gulf Power is deserving of this recognition for providing tremendous support to PREPA and our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico.”
Escambia Man Sentenced For Dragging Dog Behind Pickup Truck
June 12, 2018
An Escambia County man has been sentenced for dragging his dog behind his pickup pickup truck.
Thomas Ward, 71, was sentenced on an animal cru by Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh to 90 days in the county jail, followed by one year of community control to be followed by two years of probation. He was ordered to not possess any animals.
On August 11, 2017, witnesses saw Ward driving his truck and dragging his pit bull that was tied to the hitch of his vehicle. Witnesses followed him to his home where they observed Ward remove the dog’s lifeless body to a shed located on his property.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County Animal Control responded to the scene. Over Ward’s objections, law enforcement retrieved the animal’s body but unfortunately, the dog had already passed away. A necropsy was performed and the results confirmed that the dog died from asphyxiation and wounds consistent with road rash.
Molino 10U Wins All-Star Championship
June 12, 2018
The Molino 10U All Stars recently won the Gulf Coast Youth Baseball tournament. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Academy Presents Student Awards
June 12, 2018
Century Academy presented the following year-end student awards:
- Grayson McLellan – Most Improved
- Seth Dean – Super Student
- Bentley Kirkland – Super Student
- Adolfo Smith – Outstanding Student
- Braxton Hale – Super Star for Improvement
- Mason Hale – Super Student
- L.J (John) Bradley – Reading Award (Not Pictured)
- Austin Gibbs – Reading Award
- Michael Allen – Award of Excellence in Art
- Isaak Armstrong – Award of Excellence in Math
- Ethan Lathem – Outstanding Student
- Ryan Hudson – Most Improved
- Joseph Franklin – Most Improved
- Chad Sager – Award of Excellence in Social Studies
- Brandon Odom – Super Student
- Ella Kizer – Most Improved
- Sarah Brooks – Award of Excellence in Math
- Olivia Lambeth – Award of Excellence in General Studies
- Rose Boutwell – Award of Excellence in Science
- Sage Moon – Certificate of Awesomeness
- Chauni Lathem – Reading Award
- Maggie McCauslin – Award of Excellence in Spelling
Dalton Lane Davis
June 12, 2018
Mr. Dalton Lane Davis age 22, of Uriah passed away on Sunday, June 3, 2018. He was a native of Greenville, AL and worked in the construction industry.
Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his stepfather, Brady Champion.
He is survived by his father, Jerry (Rudy) Davis, Jr. of Monroeville, AL; mother, Brenda Champion of Greenville, AL; step-parents Mitch and Sharon Johnson of Uriah, AL; one brother, Shannon Champion of Uriah, AL and one sister, Michelle Reid of Uriah, AL.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at Goodway Baptist Church from 5 until 7 p.m.
Johnson Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.