Escambia Businessmen Convicted On Federal Spice Charges
July 6, 2019
Benjamin Galecki, former Pensacon CEO, and Burton Ritchie, former owner of The Psychedelic Shack in Pensacola, were convicted in federal court in Nevada on 24 counts related to manufacture of synthetic cannabinoids, commonly known as “spice”.
According to the evidence presented during the 10 day trial, Ritchie, 48, of now Park City, Utah, and Galecki, 44, of Pensacola, committed these crimes in the District of Nevada, from March 21 to July 25, 2012. The evidence showed that Ritchie and Galecki were the owners and managers of Zencense Incenseworks, a company that manufactured smokable synthethic spice and marketed their products as “potpourri,” “incense,” and “aromatherapy.”
They were convicted by a federal jury of operating a continuing criminal enterprise, manufacturing and possessing with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and controlled substance analogues, money laundering, mail and wire fraud, and related charges.
Ritchie and Galcki rented a warehouse in Las Vegas for the sole purpose of manufacturing spice products which contained the dangerous chemical XLR-11, which the jury found to be a controlled substance analogue. Ritchie and Galecki ordered XLR-11 from chemical suppliers in China and Hong Kong. At the Las Vegas warehouse, a Zencense employee mixed the XLR-11 with acetone, liquid flavoring and applied the chemical mixture to dried plant material. The warehouse employee mailed the compounded spice in draw string garbage bags to Ritchie and Galecki in Pensacola, Florida, where other workers placed the spice into small retail bags. The defendants sold their products with suggestive brand names including, “Bizarro,” “Orgazmo,” “Headhunter,” and “Defcon 5 Total Annihilation,” to smoke shops across the United States. From June 1 to July 25, 2012, Ritchie and Galecki were responsible for manufacturing and distributing approximately 4,000 pounds of spice and grossed more than $1.6 million dollars in sales.
The minimum penalty for a continuing criminal enterprise is 20 years’ imprisonment and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The penalties for the controlled substance analogue, wire fraud, mail fraud, and six money laundering counts each carry a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment.
Hundreds In Molino Left Without Power Friday Afternoon
July 6, 2019
Several hundred Molino residents spent up to an hour without air conditioning due to a power outage Friday afternoon. About 4:05 p.m., a power line fell on Molino Road just east of Highway 95. That left just over 300 Gulf Power customers without power as repairs were made, according to the utility. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thelma Wiggins Holley
July 6, 2019
Thelma Wiggins Holley, 90, died Friday, July 5, 2019, at her home in Bratt after a lengthy illness. Mrs. Holley was born in Bratt on March 9, 1929, the daughter of Robert and Addie Wiggins. She was a graduate of Ernest Ward High School. Upon her marriage, she moved to Pensacola in 1954, where she lived for forty-three years. She was a long-time teacher aide, first in the Head Start program, and then at McMillan and Brentwood Elementary Schools. She was a faithful member of First Free Will Baptist Church in Pensacola. Upon her retirement in 1997, she returned to Bratt, where she was a member of Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Edgar Holley, in 1963; by her brothers Robert James Wiggins, H. B. Wiggins, Rufus Wiggins, Henry Wiggins, Leon Wiggins, and M. L. “Buddy” Wiggins; by her sisters Bertha Wiggins, Dorothy Norris, Myra Brantley, and Essie Coleman; and by her step-son and daughter-in-law, Talmadge and Dorothy Holley.
She is survived by her son, Darrell Holley, also of Bratt; and by her sisters, Glyndal Robbins of Bratt and Jessie Wiggins of Pensacola; by her four step-grandchildren, as well as by a large extended family.
Visitation will be Monday, July 8, 2019, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church in Bratt, located at 5410 North Highway 99.
Funeral services will be Monday, July 8, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church in Bratt, with Rev. Matthew Pinson officiating.
Pall bearers will be Gregory Robbins, Brian Robbins, Marvin Wiggins, Joe Brantley, John McCall, and Rev. James Sage.
Burial will be at Godwin Cemetery in Bratt.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Petty Eastside Funeral Home of Atmore.
Blue Wahoos Start Fast, But Surging Barons Continue Winning Ways
July 6, 2019
The Birmingham Barons staggered into the first half season break with the Southern League’s worst record.
But they are far different team two weeks into the second half, as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos can attest.
The Barons (27-42 overall first half, 11-5 now), produced a four-run rally in the sixth inning Friday night in winning for the ninth time in 10 games, including the first two games of this series, with a 7-3 victory against the Blue Wahoos at Regions Field in Birmingham.
A crowd of 6,347 watched the Barons, affiliate of Chicago White Sox, fall behind in the fourth inning before turning the game in their favor to continue their best performance stretch this season.
The Blue Wahoos (47-39 overall, 9-7) got their three runs in the top of the fourth on two swings. Alex Kirilloff led off the inning with a homer over the right field wall, his third as a Blue Wahoos players. Mark Contreras followed four batters later with a two-run shot, scoring catcher Ben Rortvedt, who was hit a pitch after Kirilloff’s homer.
Those two blasts, however, were among only four Blue Wahoos hits in the game. They had only two baserunners the rest of the game.
Birmingham relievers Vince Arobio and Kodi Medeiros combined to allow just one hit and one walk in the final four innings of the game.
Bryan Sammons started for the Blue Wahoos, his first since June 25 before going on the injured list. He faced the minimum nine batters in the first three innings, yielding only a walk.
But in the fourth inning, the Barons’ gifted outfielder Luis Robert led off with a solo homer, his eight of the season to trim the deficit.
In the fifth inning, Ti’Quan Forbes walked. The Barons’ Luis Gonzalez tripled to score Forbes. With Sammons coming off an injury and having a pitch limit, the Blue Wahoos went to Andro Cutura with two outs in the fourth.
Cutura gave up a double to Ramon Torres to score Gonzalez and tie the game.
In the sixth inning, the Barons scored four runs on three hits against Cutura.
Nick Madrigal doubled to start the rally. Blake Rutherford singled to score Madrigal. Gavin Sheets reached on a fielding error. Both runners were moved on a sacrifice bunt. Cutura issued an intentional walk to load the bases.
Laz Rivera produced a squeeze play bunt to score Rutherford and keep the bases load. With two out, Ramon Torres worked a walk against Cutura to score another run. Robert was then hit by a pitch to force in the fourth run of the inning.
Unlike previous games of their six-game winning streak that ended Thursday, the Blue Wahoos could not get baserunners in the final five innings to set up a potential rally.
Travis Blankenhorn, Kirilloff, Contreras and Joe Cronin had the Blue Wahoos four hits.
The teams will play the third game of a six-game series on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with the Blue Wahoos’ Randy Dobnak (4-0, 2.54 ERA) going against the Barons’ Tanner Banks (1-5, 3.43 ERA).
The Blue Wahoos’ Adam Bray pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Cutura.
Betty Stuckey Owens
July 6, 2019
Betty Stuckey Owens, age 83, of Jay, Florida, went to be with the Lord on July 2, 2019. She was born and raised in Byrneville, Florida. She married James Edward Owens on August 29, 1953, and moved to Jay. She was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker, and she faithfully served her church, Jay First Baptist, for many years.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, James Owens; her father, T.W. Stuckey; mother, Margaret Matheny Stuckey; and sister, Aleece Stuckey Hayes.
She is survived by her sons, Gary (Judy) Owens, Larry (Ramona) Owens, and Ricky (Sabrina) Owens; eight grandchildren, Redina (Jack) Gavin, Amanda (Shane) Dawsey, Micah (Jessica) Owens, Meredith Owens, Carly Owens, Zach Owens, Adam (Brittany) Olsen, and Kaity (Nick) Dishler; nine great-grandchildren, Lane Burgess, Alex Gavin, Laura Gavin, Owen Dawsey, Oakleigh Dawsey, Opal Dawsey, Adaline Owens, Landyn Dishler, and Raylan Olsen. Betty is also survived by her brother, William (Linda) Stuckey.
Betty was a loving wife and mother, and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends..
The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. David Smith, Jay Hospital, and The Terrace for the excellent care given to Betty during her illness.
Services were held Friday, July 5, 2019 at Jay First Baptist Church.
Graveside services immediately followed at Jay Cemetery.
Douglas Anthony Hadley
July 6, 2019
Douglas Anthony Hadley, 75 of Century, FL passed away Monday, July 1, 2019, in Milton, FL. He was an retired equipment operator with Swift Lumber Company. He was born in Escambia County, FL on December 16, 1943, to the late Louie Lee and Ola Mae Spence Hadley. He was an avid Alabama football fan, Atlanta Braves fan and coached Little League Baseball for many years.
He is preceded in death by his father, Louie Lee Hadley; and sister, Lisa Allen.
Survivors include his mother, Ola Mae Weekley of Walnut Hill, FL; two sons, Anthony “Tony” (Teresa) Hadley of Canoe, AL and Nicky (Valire McGhee) Hadley of Poarch, AL; one daughter, Jolene (Brian Joiner) Elliott of Walnut Hill; five brothers, Billy Taylor of Frisco City, AL; Roger Hadley, Ronnie Hadley, Joe Hadley and Brian Hadley all of Perido, AL; three sisters, Patsy Newhart of Atmore, Janice Williams of Nokomis, AL and Peggy McDuffie of Perdido, AL; eight grandchildren, Tashina, Emily, T.J., Anna, Lyn, D.J., Nakisha and Joe Michael and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Friday July 5, 2019, from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Hazel Smith Strawbridge
July 6, 2019
Hazel Smith Strawbridge, 74 of Atmore, AL, passed away Wednesday July 3, 2019, at her residence. She owned and operated Hazel’s Curl Country Beauty Salon for over 50 years. She was born in Huxford, AL on April 13, 1945, to the late Grover Frisco and Myrtle Irene McKinley Smith. She was a member of the Robinsonville Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lewis G. Strawbridge; grandson, Dylan Strawbridge; three brothers, Carvin McKinley, Roy Smith and Billy Smith.
Survivors include two sons, Keith (Ashley) Strawbridge of Atmore, and Michael Strawbridge of Huxford, AL; one brother, David (Brenda) Smith of Atmore; two sisters, Wanda Speron of Atmore and Patricia (Eddie) Baker of Robinsonville, AL; two grandchildren, Keely and Braylee Strawbridge.
Services were held Saturday, July 6, 2019, from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Phil Johnson officiating.
Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Potentially Dangerous Heat Expected Through The Weekend
July 5, 2019
The National Weather Service is warning of dangerous heat the next several days.
Very hot temperatures are expected this weekend, with highs reaching the mid to upper 90s and heat indices climbing into the 101 to 107 degree range. Some locations closer to the coast could reach or exceed 110 degrees during peak heating hours. This level of dangerous heat is expected to continue through the weekend and potentially into next week.
Take special precautions if planning outdoor activities; stay hydrated and take frequent breaks in the shade to avoid overexposure, according to the weather service.
Thursday, Pensacola tied a record high of 97 set back in 1992.
Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 108. Calm wind.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Calm wind.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Calm wind.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Oldest Living Poarch Creek Indian, Alabama WWII Vet Passes Away
July 5, 2019
The oldest living member of the Poarch Creek Indians and the oldest living World War II veteran in Alabama has passed away.
Carl ‘Buster’ McGhee, 102, passed away this week in Atmore
McGhee was born in Huxford, Alabama, and was formerly of Walnut Hill. He served in the United States Marine Corps during WWII.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. from the Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. James Boyd and Bro. Rowdy Boyte officiating. Burial will follow in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
He is survived by his children Gilbert (Mary) McGhee of Walnut Hill, FL; Carl Farron “Fay” McGhee of Poarch, AL; Robert (Annette) McGhee of Saraland, AL; Glenn (Billie) McGhee of Pensacola, FL; Larry E. McGhee of Poarch, AL; Harold (Lynna) McGhee of Brewton, AL and Sandra (Larue) Chunn of Theodore, AL. One sister Thelma Henson of Frost Proof, FL; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-three great grandchildren; ten great- great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Century Still Seeking Charter Review Committee Applicants; Little Interest So Far
July 5, 2019
The Town of Century is continuing to accept applicants for a Charter Review Committee, but so far they’ve had little interest expressed by local residents.
Applicants must reside within the town limits and submit an application by 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 25. As of early this week, only two applications had been received.
If the town council goes forward, the committee will explore the town charter — the document that establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The current Century charter has not been updated in almost 40 years.
The town council held a workshop in May with Lynn Tipton of the Florida League of Cities explained to the council that municipal governments in Florida often review and update their charters to meet the ever-changing landscape of government.
The Century town charter was adopted on November 27, 1979, and ratified by referendum on January 8, 1980. It has been unchanged since.
Tipton said the first step toward possible changes to Century’s charter would be the formation of a charter revision committee. The committee would hold several public forums and would work to involve local citizens every step of the way in a process that could easily take a year.
“The role of citizens in this process is crucial,” Tipton said.” Representation of the public, ability to weigh issues and to understand the charter’s importance of the city’s governing foundation.”
The number of council members, the length of their terms and how the mayor is selected could all be changed through an updated charter.
To download an application (PDF), click here.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
