Century Little League Registration Underway Now
January 5, 2019
Century Little League registration for 2019 is happening now.
Registration fees are as follows:
- Now to January 14 – First Child $50; $45 each additional
- January 15 to 14 February 14: First Child $60; $55 each additional
- February 15 to March 2: First Child $70; $65 each additional
Register online here, or in person registration dates will be held on the following Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon at the Showalter Park press box:
- January 19
- February 9
- February 16
- March 2
All fees are due at the time of registration. Credit and debit cards are accepted online. In person registration is cash or check only.
Escambia Man Sentenced For Robbery, Kidnapping
January 5, 2019
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to state prison for kidnapping a woman.
Ontorius Larrell Turner was sentenced to 30 years in state prison as a habitual felony offender by Circuit Judge Scott Duncan. On November 20, 2018, Turner was convicted by an Escambia County jury of burglary of a dwelling while armed with a dangerous weapon, two counts of robbery with a firearm; carjacking with a firearm; armed kidnapping; and false imprisonment with a weapon.
On October 20, 2017, Turner and his co-defendant Avery Lamont Goss kidnapped a Pensacola woman from her home after carjacking her fiancé at gunpoint and forcing him to take them to their home. The defendants demanded money and forced the victim to drive them around Pensacola for almost two hours before she was rescued.
Turner was identified in a photo lineup and was later arrested in Alabama.
Co-defendant Avery Lamont Goss was tried and convicted by the same jury of sexual battery with a weapon and battery in addition to burglary of a dwelling while armed with a dangerous weapon, two counts of robbery with a firearm; carjacking with a firearm; armed kidnapping; and false imprisonment with a weapon. The sentencing of Avery Lamont Goss is still pending.
Flood Warning Continues For The Escambia River
January 5, 2019
A flood warning is in effect until Tuesday for the Escambia River near Century.
Midday Saturday, the river was at 18.6 feet, above flood stage of 17 feet. The river is forecast to continue to fall below floods stage by midnight Monday.
At 17 feet, there is considerable flooding of lowlands. At 19 feet, low lying pasture will flood, forcing the movement of cattle to higher ground.
January Is ‘Move Over’ Month In Florida
January 5, 2019
January is Move Over month and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) urges all motorists to move over for emergency and service vehicles stopped along the roadway. Preliminarily in 2018, there were 231 crashes and almost 17,000 citations issued for motorists failing to move over. DHSMV and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) are partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Sheriffs Association and AAA – The Auto Club Group to ensure all law enforcement, first responders, service and utility workers and Road Rangers Arrive Alive in 2019.
“When a crash occurs, law enforcement and first responders are there. When a disabled vehicle needs assistance, Road Rangers or tow truck drivers are there. When power lines need repairs, utility and service workers are there,” said DHSMV Executive Director, Terry L. Rhodes. “The Move Over Law is in place to protect those who serve all of us on the roadways, giving them a safe space to do their jobs. Move Over, Florida, and help ensure that these public servants come home safely each day.”
The Move Over Law was added to section 316.126, Florida Statutes, in 2002. The statute, which was originally introduced in 1971, requires motorists to move or yield right-of-way to emergency vehicles and in 2014, utility and sanitation vehicles were added to the Move Over Law. The Move Over Law states that drivers must move over as soon as it is safe to do so for any authorized law enforcement, emergency or service vehicles displaying any visible signals while stopped on the roadside, including Road Rangers, sanitation vehicles and tow trucks.
“Troopers, first responders and utility workers put their lives on the line every day on our roadways,” said Colonel Gene S. Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Protect the men and women that answer the call for service in Florida and Move Over, so they can return home to their families.”
When motorists cannot vacate the lane closest to the emergency or service vehicle, they must slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. Failure to yield or move over puts law enforcement officers, emergency first responders and public service workers in danger while they are on the job protecting and serving the citizens and visitors of Florida.
Florida Department of Transportation Interim Secretary Erik R. Fenniman said, “The Department’s Road Rangers provide important assistance to motorists, lessen delays and support the Florida Highway Patrol on Florida’s roadways. We want each of our Road Rangers, and all responders, to remain safe while maintaining Florida roads and encourage all drivers to Move Over for service and emergency vehicles.”
“Police chiefs around the state of Florida work hard to ensure that their officers return home safely at the end of each shift. However, the Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) knows that we can’t do it alone. Law enforcement needs our citizens help to ensure the safety of each and every officer and first responder out on our roadways,” said FPCA President and Florida State University Police Chief David Perry. “The FPCA reminds you to always slow down and move over so that law enforcement can quickly and safely assist Florida’s drivers so they can return home to their loved ones.”
“Our deputy sheriffs, along with other first responders, willingly place themselves in harm’s way daily to proudly protect the citizens we serve. Our Florida sheriffs fully support the ‘Move Over, Florida!’ campaign to protect those who protect us,” said Sheriff Mark Hunter, President of the Florida Sheriffs Association.
“This law is in place to protect the ones who protect us,” said Matt Nasworthy, Florida Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Not focusing on the road puts your life and others at risk. To help ensure everyone’s safety, drivers should also move over if a motorist is stranded on the side of the road.”
To comply with the Move Over Law drivers must:
Multi-Lane Roadway:
- Vacate the lane closest to the stationary emergency vehicle, sanitation vehicle, utility service vehicle, Road Ranger or wrecker and always signal the intention to change lanes.
- Slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit if a driver cannot move over safely.
- Be prepared to allow those who are attempting to move over into the next lane.
Two-Lane Roadway:
- Slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
- Travel at 5 mph if the speed limit is 20 mph or less.
The public is encouraged to report aggressive drivers by dialing *FHP (*347). For more information on the Move Over Law, visit: https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/move-over/.
Barn, Greenhouse Destroyed During Early Morning Storm Near Jay
January 4, 2019
A pole barn and a greenhouse were destroyed during an early morning storm near Jay.
A resident said it “sounded like a tornado” on Watermill Road, and the winds lasted for about a minute to a minute and a half. The storm hit sometime between 1:30 and 1:45 a.m.
There were no injuries reported.
The Jay Fire Department responded to a report of a tornado on Pine Level Church Road near Highway 178, but nothing was found.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Grand Jury To Review Century Town Operations; Council Members Charged With Sunshine Law Violations
January 4, 2019
A grand jury will investigate operations of the Town of Century, and three council members have been charged with violating the Sunshine Law.
“A number of issues have been brought to the attention of the State Attorney’s Office regarding the manner in which the town has operated, and these are the issues that may brought before the grand jury,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said Thursday afternoon. The issues, he said, span a period of several months.
He said a grand jury is always in place in Escambia County, and a new grand jury is convened twice per year. The Century issues will be presented to a new grand jury that will begin their term before the end of January.
“Under Florida law, not only can they (the grand jury) charge a crime, they can investigate how a city or county is being operated and make a report to the general public of their findings that will be educational to the general public and hopefully helpful to the city of Century,” State Attorney Bill Eddins said.
Town council President Ann Cofield Brooks and council members Sandra McMurray Jackson and Luis Gomez, Jr. were charged Thursday with noncriminal violations of the Florida Government in the Sunshine Law, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors allege the three council members “did unlawfully engage in a discussion or exchange of information with other members of the Century Town Council regarding a matter which foreseeably could come before said board or commission for action, outside of a public meeting, in violation of … Florida statues,” according to the charging documents.
Last summer, three council members allegedly attended at least some portion of a closed-door meeting with CPA Robert Hudson, Town Clerk Kim Godwin and the town’s auditors. The meeting was not advertised as a public meeting, which would forbid more than one council member from taking part under Florida’s Sunshine Laws.
They are due at an arraignment hearing on January 24 at 8:30 a.m. “They will enter a plea before a judge,” Marcille said, “then set for trial unless their plea is not guilty.” Each faces a maximum fine of $500.
Noncriminal Sunshine Law charges were filed against four individuals accused of violating Florida’s Sunshine Law in 2016. The former members of a Citizens Advisory Task Force were charged with having a public meeting that was not properly advertised. A July 26, 2016, meeting was advertised in a legal notice to begin at 4 p.m. The meeting was actually held at 2:00 p.m., preventing the public from attending. Each defendant signed a deferred prosecution agreement and charges were dropped.
The State Attorney’s Office put the town on notice in 2016 that future Sunshine Law violations would be taken seriously.
Marcille said Thursday prosecutors will not be looking for tenancy against the town council members charged with violating the Sunshine Law, but would instead hold them accountable as elected officials.
“That case was different in that it was a citizens’ board, not elected officials. In this case, we would ask for the maximum fine,” he said.
Pictured top: Century Council members (L-R) Luis Gomez, Jr., Ann Cofield Brooks and Sandra McMurray Jackson at the council’s most recent meeting on December 17, 2018. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Residents Left Without A Home After Atmore Apartment Fire
January 4, 2019
Fire heavily damaged one apartment in a multi-unit building Thursday night at the McRae Apartments in Atmore.
The blaze in a downstairs apartment caused fire, smoke and water damage. The origin of the fire was traced to a kitchen electrical outlet, according to Atmore Fire Chief Ronald Peebles.
The American Red Cross is assisting the apartment residents left without a home. There were no injuries reported.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue was also dispatched to assist the Atmore Fire Department with the 6:30 p.m. blaze.
NorthEsambia.com photos click to enlarge.
DeSantis Names Secretaries Of Corrections, DCF
January 4, 2019
Filling top jobs at two of the most-scrutinized agencies in state government, incoming Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday appointed new secretaries of the Florida Department of Corrections and the Florida Department of Children and Families.
DeSantis named Mark Inch, a retired U.S. Army major general who also worked as director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, to serve as secretary of the Department of Corrections.
DeSantis also announced that Chad Poppell will head the mammoth Department of Children and Families. Poppell served in outgoing Gov. Rick Scott administration as secretary of the Department of Management Services before resigning in March 2017.
With DeSantis set to take the oath of office Tuesday, his transition team has gradually announced appointments to top administration positions.
The new secretaries of the Department of Corrections and the Department of Children and Families will take over agencies that in recent years have drawn scrutiny — and litigation — because of issues such as the treatment of inmates and tragedies involving abused children.
Inch will replace Julie Jones, who has served as corrections secretary since January 2015. In Thursday’s announcement, DeSantis called Inch “one of the foremost experts on criminal justice.”
“I look forward to working with him to strengthen Florida’s Department of Corrections and ensure efficiency and accountability at such an important agency,” DeSantis said.
Before being named to run the Federal Bureau of Prisons in September 2017, Inch’s Army career specialized in military incarceration. Inch left the federal prisons position last year after what The New York Times called a “turf” battle between presidential adviser Jared Kushner and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
While Inch’s career has been focused on the military and federal system, DeSantis’ appointment of Poppell continued moves to bring back some current and former members of Scott’s administration.
Prior to serving as secretary of the Department of Management Services, which oversees issues such as state human resources, procurement and real estate, Poppell worked as chief of staff at the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
“Chad Poppell is a dedicated public servant with a proven track record of achievement within the public sector,” DeSantis said in a prepared statement. “From this service at the Department of Economic Opportunity to his leadership at the Department of Management Services, Chad is the kind of leader who will be committed to strengthening Florida’s families and fighting for Florida’s children.”
Since leaving state government, Poppell has worked as an IBM industry client leader for Florida’s public sector.
The Department of Children and Families has been led since September by interim Secretary Rebecca Kapusta. She replaced longtime Secretary Mike Carroll, who resigned last year.
Along with the choice of Poppell to run the Department of Children and Families, DeSantis’ decisions to hire people with ties to the Scott administration have included appointing Visit Florida chief Ken Lawson to serve as executive director of the Department of Economic Opportunity.
Also, DeSantis has kept Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Barbara Palmer and Florida Lottery Secretary Jim Poppell and has retained Scott’s budget director, Cynthia Kelly.
by Christine Sexton and Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Health, Wellness Fair Saturday At Molino Library; Weekly Walking Program On Tuesdays
January 4, 2019
The Molino Branch Library will hold a Health and Wellness Fair Saturday with fitness fun for all ages.
There will be story time with Walker Wiggle, nutrition information, information about estheticians and massage therapy and signups for non-certified CPR instruction. OneBlood will be onsite for blood donations, and those that donate blood can have up to $50 in late fees waived from their West Florida Library account.
The health fair will be from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Also, the Molino Branch Library is inviting participants for “Walk This Way at Molino Branch Library” every Tuesday at 8 a.m. Groups will walk the track behind the library every Tuesday morning at 8:00.
NorthEcambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Double Shooting Suspect Ordered Held Without Bond
January 4, 2019
A judge has ordered a Molino double shooting suspect held without bond as he awaits trail.
Justin Demarte Young, 21, will be back in court January 24 for an arraignment hearing on two counts of attempted first degree premeditated murder.
He is charged with shooting Aretha Vaughn and her adult daughter Mea Vaughn about 7:50 p.m. Tuesday night on Barth Road in Molino.
Mea Vaughn was shot on the left side of her face, and Aretha Vaughn was shot in the back and abdomen. The victims were transported to area hospitals by Escambia County EMS.
For a photo gallery from the shooting scene, click here.
Young fled the scene and was taken into custody about 25 miles away in the 7700 block of Kipling Street off East Olive Road. He was charged with two counts of attempted first degree premeditated murder. His bond was set at a quarter of a million dollars. While being transported to the Escambia County Jail, Young denied being at location of the shooting on Tuesday.
Young had been temporarily staying with the Vaughns, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The women told deputies that he just walked in the door and started shooting at them without saying anything.
Young had allegedly moved in with the women after being kicked out of his residence after allegedly pulling a gun. According to an arrest report from that September 20 incident, he allegedly threatened to shoot woman, claiming she was the reason he lost his job. Her child younger son was reportedly in the room at the time. He is awaiting trial on two counts of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence related in connection with the incident.
For a photo gallery from the shooting scene, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
