Death Row Inmate Pleads Guilty To Murdering Cellmate
August 20, 2019
An inmate already on death row has pleaded guilty to murdering his cellmate.
Rocky Ali Beamon entered guilty plea to first degree premeditated murder for the January 2017 murder of inmate Nicholas Anderson.
Beamon and Anderson were cellmates at the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution. Beamon punched the victim in the face, tied his hands and feet together, and strangled him with bed sheets. Beamon also stabbed the Anderson in the neck with a homemade weapon, but the cause of death was strangulation.
The State Attorney is seeking the death penalty for Beamon, and he faces a minimum sentence of life in prison. Since Beamon waived his right to a jury trial to determine his sentence, he will be sentenced by Judge Darlene Dickey. The sentenced date has not yet been set.
Beamon is current on death row for the July 2012 murder of a sex offender inmate at the Apalachee Correctional Institution in Jackson County, Florida. He is also serving a life sentence for murder in a 2005 case in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Train Hits Pickup Truck On East Kingsfield Road; Driver Ticketed
August 19, 2019
There were no injuries when a train struck a vehicle on East Kingsfield Road Monday afternoon.
Roley Edgar Kiker, age 63 of Pensacola, was traveling west when he failed to stop his 2012 Nissan Titan for the posted railroad crossing signal, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The train was moving approximately 35 mph when it hit Kiker’s pickup truck that was stopped in the train’s path.
There were no other vehicles involved.
The crash tied up traffic for some time at the on East Kingsfield and at East Kingsfield at Highway 95A intersection.
The Florida Highway Patrol cited Kiker with failing to obey a traffic control signal.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
a
College Nightmare: ACT Loses Test Results For Local Students, Possibly Costing One A Bright Futures Scholarship
August 19, 2019
[EXCLUSIVE] ACT tests taken by Florida and Alabama students in Atmore were lost, and one local mom believes it may have cost her daughter a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. NorthEscambia.com has spent over two weeks investigating and attempting to get answers from state officials.
There were 18 students that took the ACT test June 8 at Escambia County High School in Atmore, but those answer sheets are nowhere to be found, according to ACT.
“The package containing the answer sheets for 18 students who took the ACT at Escambia County High School on our June 8 national test date has not yet been received by ACT,” Ed Colby, senior director of Media and Public Relations at ACT, told NorthEscambia.com. He said the answer sheets were lost in transit by the transportation carrier.
We spoke to a local mother of a Florida student that took the June 8 ACT in Atmore in hopes of qualifying for a Bright Future Scholarship. The state funded program provides full or partial scholarships to students that meet certain academic levels, including minimum ACT or SAT scores. Her daughter had failed to make the required ACT score on previous attempts, and a good score on the June 8 test was her last hope to meet the qualification deadline for the scholarship.
“We had very high hopes this would be the test with good results. She could had have a four-year college scholarship, but now that the tests are lost, how will we ever know? She could have possibly gone to college on a scholarship,” the student’s mother told NorthEscambia.com. We have independently verified that her student took the June 8 test and other aspects of her story, but she spoke for this report based upon a condition that she and her daughter remain anonymous.
“She had taken the ACT test several times and had improved each time. She was very close to earning Bright Futures,” she said. “She had set a goal and had spent as much time as she could. It was her last shot, give it all you can. She didn’t work at a job; she treated like preparing for the ACT was her job.”
June was the last possible date for a Florida student to take the ACT in order to qualify for a Bright Futures Scholarship. The program has an “all or none” policy; everything is complete by the deadline or it’s no chance of a four-year scholarship.
We reached out to Cheryl Etters, deputy director of communications for the Florida Department of Education (FDOE), which administers the Bright Futures Scholarship program. We spoke to her on the phone August 1, and followed up by email seeking information about any policy FDOE may have in place to assist a student unable to apply for the scholarships due to no fault of their own, such as the lost ACT scores.
As of August 18, we had received no response whatsoever from FDOE.
We also spoke to Florida Senator Doug Broxson on August 1. He too attempted to get a response from the Department of Education.
NorthEscambia.com had numerous contacts with Broxson’s office during our two week investigation. His staff quickly responded to us each time, and repeatedly attempted to obtain answers from FDOE. As of last week, the only response the state senator’s office had received from FDOE was yet another promise to provide information.
As for ACT, they say they are sorry this happened but it was beyond their control. ACT refunded the testing fee to each of the 18 students, and they are allowing each student to take the ACT again for free. The next testing date is September 14, too late for students on deadline to apply for Bright Futures.
“This is a very unfortunate situation, and we sincerely regret that students have been impacted by it through no fault of their own. Packages can go missing during the shipping process, but this is a rare occurrence, and usually they do turn up at some point. So, our search continues, and we are hoping for the best,” Colby said.
He stressed that Escambia County High School and its representatives were not at fault; they shipped the answer sheets back as instructed via FedEx. FedEx has been unable to find the lost package.
“I can confirm that the package was picked up at the school and scanned by the carrier. The package went missing while in transit,” he said.
The local mom said her daughter will take the ACT test again. She’ll be in college this fall with the family forced to foot her education bill, may have a job and will be studying hard to pass her classes.
“She will never have another opportunity to take the ACT again while focusing on it as hard as she did in June,” she said.
“I know in my heart this cost her a four year scholarship from the state that she should have got.”
The Seattle Times last week reported on a similar situation last week in Washington state where the answer sheets of 40 students were lost by FedEx. The Seattle Times also reported that 440 tests from North Carolina were lost earlier this year, 125 from California went missing in 2017, and 53 from New York were lost in 2016.
NorthEscambia.com photo and graphic.
McDavid Native Trains U.S. Navy Future Warfighters
August 19, 2019
Sailors are some of the most highly-trained people on the planet, according to U.S. Navy officials, and this training requires highly-dedicated instructors.
At Naval Education and Training Command, this obligation falls upon hard-charging, professionals who train and mentor the Navy’s future warfighters.
Petty Officer 1st Class Jonathan Moretz, a native of McDavid, Florida, is an instructor at NETC, providing the fleet with sailors who possess the basic technical knowledge and skills necessary for naval service.
“The sense of pride training furture engineers for the fleet is what I enjoy most about teaching,” Moretz said.
Instructors are experts in the subject matter they teach, and they provide cutting-edge technical training transforming new recruits into mission-ready sailors.
Moretz, a 2013 graduate of Northview High School, credits success as an instructor to many of the lessons learned growing up in McDavid.
“I learned a great work ethic by working long hours and this really prepared me for my job as an engineer and helped me to adapt well to the Navy culture,” Moretz said.
NETC educates and trains those who serve our nation, taking them from street-to-fleet by transforming civilians into highly skilled, operational, and combat ready warfighters, while providing the tools and opportunities for continuous learning and development.
Six commands provide a continuum of professional education and training at NETC in support of Surface Navy requirements preparing enlisted sailors and officers to serve at sea, providing apprentice and specialized skills training to 7,500 sailors a year.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Moretz plays an important role in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances, and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results, and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Moretz is most proud being appointed as the engineering duty officer while serving on a ship.
“The engineering officer entrusted me with the department in port,” Moretz said. “This gave me a great sense of pride knowing I was being entrusted with the responsibility based on my knowledge and integrity.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Moretz, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Moretz is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“Several of my family members served in the military but most importantly, my dad did,” Moretz said. “I’m working hard to beat him out of his pay grade.”
As a member of one of the Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Moretz and other instructors, know they are part of a legacy lasting beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“There’s a sense of honor serving my country while seeing the world and training junior sailors,” Moretz said. “I continue to learn every day.”
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
More Showers And Thunderstorms
August 19, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Miracle League In Desperate Need Of Volunteers To Help Repair Field For Fall Season
August 19, 2019
The Miracle League of Pensacola is in need of numerous volunteers to help them prepare a damaged field in time for their fall season.
The field is covered with hundreds of tiles to create a safe playing surface. All of the tiles must be removed, pressure washed and replace. This will require a “massive” number of volunteers and hours of service, according to league officials.
They will be working each evening this week, weather permitting at 5:30 p.m. Volunteers may need gloves, but no other tools are required.
The park is located at 555 East Nine Mile Road, at the corner of Nine Mile and Airway Drive.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Nearing A New Summertime Low
August 19, 2019
Florida gas prices are nearing a new summertime low. Sunday’s average price of $2.427 per gallon is one-tenth of a cent above the current low, set back in June.
On average, Florida drivers have paid nearly 20 cents per gallon less than last summer. Since Memorial Day, gas prices have averaged $2.56 per gallon. The highest price this summer was $2.70 per gallon in July; 21 cents per gallon less than the highest price last summer. The highest daily average price so far this year was $2.80 per gallon, in April.
The average price per gallon Sunday in Escambia County was $2.43. At least two Cantonment stations were at $2.24 a gallon Sunday night.
Compared to all other states in the U.S., Florida has the 14th lowest daily average price. It also had the second-largest monthly decline of any other state (-27 cents), and the fourth-largest yearly decline of (-34 cents).
“Florida drivers continue to benefit from oil prices that remain lower than last year,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Fortunately, the highest gas prices of the year, are likely far behind us. As long as economic and global demand concerns continue, it’s unlikely drivers will see a significant jump at the pump anytime soon.”
Pedestrian Struck By SUV, Seriously Injured On Pine Forest Road
August 19, 2019
A 42-year old Pensacola woman was seriously injured when she was hit by a SUV on Pine Forest Road near Godwin lane Saturday night.
Michelle Phillips, 52, was traveling north on Pine Forest Road when she changed lanes and struck the pedestrian, Angela Schmidt of Pensacola. Phillips failed to observe Schmidt in the roadway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Schmidt was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition. Phillips was not injured.
Schmidt was cited for failing to yield right of way to traffic.
Here Are This Weeks Construction Delay Traffic Hotpots (Including A Highway 29 Closure)
August 19, 2019
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 from Lillian Highway (State Road/S.R. 298) to West of Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – There will be intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 18 through Thursday, Aug. 22 as crews finish paving the final layer of asphalt.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) – Drivers will experience the following impacts to traffic Sunday, Aug. 18 through Saturday, Aug. 24:
- Nine Mile Road will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19 until 6 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20 at Highway 29 as crews place concrete for the center pier footer. Alternating lane shift traffic on Nine Mile Road as crews construct the new southbound bridge, end bents, and center pier.
- U.S. 29 traffic between Interstate 10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 18 through Sunday, Aug. 25.
- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road/C.R. 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) - Post mounted delineators have been erected between the Thrift Store and Cross Roads Dollar General to prevent cut-through traffic from Molino Road. Workers are clearing trees and shrubs and excavating for roadway widening at the Molino Road intersection. Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions as crews and heavy equipment enter and exit the roadway.
- · S.R. 727 (Fairfield Drive) Drainage Improvements from Usher Circle to Hestia Place- Crews have completed the installation of the box culvert under Fairfield Drive and paved the mainline roadway. Fairfield Drive is currently in its final configuration, which includes a newly constructed center turn lane. Workers will continue grading ditches, installing sod, signs, and final pavement markings. Motorists are reminded to travel with caution.
- · C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- Crews continue driving production piles. Traffic will remain shifted onto the special detour until the new bridge is constructed and reopened to traffic.
- · Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek - Bratt Road continues to be closed near Canoe Creek. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road. The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
- Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek - Construction activities continue. The roadway is temporarily closed during construction. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road. The project is anticipated to be complete late 2019.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 18 through Sunday, Aug. 25:
- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- I-10 Widening from the Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – Drivers can expect alternating and intermittent lane closures on I-10 from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19 through Thursday, Aug. 22 as crews finish final work list items.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Maintenance over Blackwater River- Traffic will be reduced to one lane over Blackwater River Bridge, .5 miles east of S.R. 87, from 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19 to 4 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20 as crews perform maintenance work. Traffic flaggers will be on site to assist drivers through the work area.
- S.R. 87 Utility Operations over Yellow River Bridge- Southbound motorists may encounter daytime lane closures Monday, Aug. 19 through Saturday, Aug. 24 on the Yellow River Bridge as utility crews perform adjustments to their facilities.
- S.R. 281(Redfish Point Road) Bridge Maintenance- Traffic will be reduced to one lane, .7 miles north of U.S. 98, from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20 to 4 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21 as crews perform bridge maintenance.
- I-10 Bridge Maintenance Over Blackwater River- The westbound lane over Blackwater River Bridge, four miles west of S.R. 87 (Exit 31), will be closed from 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22 to 4 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23 as crews make deck repairs.
- S.R. 399 Bridge Maintenance over U.S. 98 in Gulf Breeze- Northbound lane closure from 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22 to 4 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23 as crews perform bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic will encounter alternating and intermittent minor delays between Nicholas Lake Road and Vonnie Tolbert Road from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday until Tuesday, Dec. 31 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
ESPN Pensacola Radio Expands Coverage Area Today
August 19, 2019
ESPN Pensacola, the local sports radio station currently heard on 94.5 FM, is expanding its listening area.
Beginning Monday, August 19, ESPN Pensacola will be heard on AM 1330 and FM 99.1.
According to station owner Dave Hoxeng, “adding AM 1330 will greatly increase ESPN’s daytime coverage area. At 25,000 watts, AM 1330 is the strongest AM radio signal between Jacksonville and New Orleans.”
On the FM dial, FM 99.1 will broadcast the same programming as the current ESPN Pensacola FM 94.5.
The station will continue to broadcast on FM 94.5 through September. ESPN Pensacola is also broadcast on WYCT-98.7-HD2 and is now being added on WYCT-98.7-HD4.
ESPN Pensacola will continue to air the same popular weekday ESPN programs as are currently broadcasting on FM 94.5, including Golic & Wingo, from 5-9 a.m. 5-; Dan LeBatarad and Stugotz, from 9 a.m. until noon ; and Paul Finebaum, from 2-5 p.m..
Locally, Chad Brillante will continue to host ‘The Sports Drive’” from 5-7 p.m along with ‘Talk Football” with Coach Kay Stevenson’ from noon until 1 p.m. weekdays. Both are live local shows.
“SportsCall” with ESPN Pensacola’s Davis Allen broadcasts live every Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The station will again broadcast the UWF Argo football games every Saturday, and the high school football game of the week on Friday nights at 7 p.m. And, the station is also the broadcast home of Pensacola’s Blue Wahoos.
ESPN Pensacola is locally owned and operated by Pensacola residents Dave and Mary Hoxeng. The Hoxengs also operate sister stations CatCountry 98.7 and NewsRadio 92.3 ▪ AM1620.