Alabama Death Row Inmate Executed At Atmore Prison For 1998 Shooting Of Father Of Seven
July 19, 2024
The execution of Alabama death row inmate Keith Edmund Gavin was carried out by lethal injection on Thursday at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore.
He was pronounced deceased by a physician at 6:32 p.m.
On Wednesday, Gavin had three visitors and no phone calls. On Thursday he had four visitors, no phone calls, refused his breakfast meal, accepted his lunch meal, had a few snacks and refused his final meal. He id not make any special requests.
Gavin was sentenced to death for the 1998 capital murder of William Clinton Clayton, Jr. , in Cherokee County. Clayton was the father of seven and had stopped at an ATM to withdraw money for a date night with his wife.
“After a Cherokee County courier, William Clayton, Jr., finished his day’s work, he stopped at an ATM so he could treat his wife to dinner, only to be robbed of his life by Keith Gavin,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement. “After receiving a death sentence, Mr. Gavin appealed time after time for years to avoid justice, but failed at every attempt. Today, that justice was finally delivered for Mr. Clayton’s loved ones.
“I offer my prayers for Mr. Clayton’s family and friends who still mourn his loss all these years later,” Ivey said.
Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Anthony Pleasant Meet & Greet, Catfish Fundraiser Saturday In Century
July 19, 2024
Two-time Super Bowl champion and Century native Anthony Pleasant will return to the park that bears his name for a youth football fundraiser Saturday.
Blackcats Black & Gold Night will be held 4-8 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at Anthony Pleasant Park off East Highway 4 in Century.
Catfish plates will be available for $14 each with preorder pick up at 6 p.m. Limited plates are available. Call or text Kaley at (850) 417-0412 to order. All proceeds will got to Century Blackcats Football & Cheer.
Admission is free.
A meet and greet with by held with Anthony Pleasant, and there will be flag football games for all ages.
Pictured: Sporting a “Blackcats Pride” hat, two-time Super Bowl champion and Century native Anthony Pleasant speaks to the Northview Chiefs football team in October 2022. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Officials Warn Of Possible Alligator In Flomaton’s Hurricane Lake
July 19, 2024
Officials have received reports of alligators in a Flomaton lake.
The Flomaton Police Department has received reports of alligator sightings in the lake at Hurricane Park
“Please use caution while we work on a solution to remove the alligator,” the Flomaton Police Department said.
Pictured: An alligator was spotted in Flomaton’s Hurricane Park Lake in 2021 and the lake was closed. State wildlife officials were unable to locate the alligator. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hank’s Furniture to Pay $110K In EEOC Religious Discrimination Lawsuit
July 19, 2024
Hank’s Furniture, Inc. will pay $110,000 and furnish other relief to settle a religious discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over and incident at nationwide retailer’s store in Pensacola.
According to the lawsuit, a former assistant manager at Hanks on Davis Highway notified the company that her religious beliefs prevented her from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Rather than discuss the employee’s religious beliefs to determine the feasibility of an accommodation, management ignored accommodation requests then summarily denied the employee’s requests and attempted to dispute the validity of her sincerely-held religious beliefs, the EEOC said.
The commission said the alleged conduct violated a prohibition on religious discrimination, which requires an employer to accommodate an employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs if the employer knows or suspects the beliefs conflict with an employer requirement, and there is no undue burden on the employer.
Under the three-year decree settling the case, Hank’s will also adopt and implement a written policy assuring employees the retaler will interpret religious accommodation requests broadly based on EEOC guidance and will accommodate religious beliefs that do not put an undue burden on the company. Additionally, decision makers, managers and employees will receive updated training about religious accommodation and anti-discrimination provisions.
Voter Registration And Party Change Deadline Is Monday, July 22
July 19, 2024
The registration and party change deadline for the August 20 primary is Monday, July 22, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender.
Those who do not register before this deadline will be unable to vote in the Primary Election. Voters who wish to change party affiliation for the primary and do not act by this deadline will have to vote with the party they are currently registered with.
Registration and party changes can be made online at registertovoteflorida.gov. Physical applications can be found at EscambiaVotes.gov and submitted by mail or in-person at the main office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in Pensacola. There are also applications available to complete upon arrival at the Supervisor of Elections office.
For more information, visit EscambiaVotes.gov.
Head On Crash Injures Two In Beulah
July 18, 2024
Two people were injured in a crash before daybreak Wednesday in Beulah.
The crash happened at the intersection of Beulah Road and West Nine Mile Road at 3:07 a.m.
Authorities said two vehicles were involved in the head-on crash. One patient was extricated from their vehicle.
Two people were transported by Escambia County EMS to area hospitals.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
FWC Removes 14 Boaters For Boating Under The Influence During Blue Angels Air Show
July 18, 2024
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says they removed 14 boaters suspected of boating under the influence during the four days of the Pensacola Beach Air Show.
FWC als said despite the substantial numbers of vessels in the water, only two minor boating incidents were reported and there no significant or fatal boating accidents occurred over the course of the event.
“Blue Angels Weekend is a much-anticipated tradition for so many people in our area,” said Maj. Robby Creech, FWC Northwest regional commander. “I am proud of the dedication and commitment shown by the officers in our region, our local law enforcement partners and FWC officers from outside our area who volunteered to take time away from their lives and their family to travel here to protect the boating public and provide a safe environment for everyone to enjoy. That’s really what it’s is all about.”
Century Spending Over $3.3 Million On Five Sewage Lift Stations
July 18, 2024
The Town of Century has approved over $3.3 million for five sewage lift stations.
Lift stations are designed to move wastewater from lower to higher elevation using a pump.
The lift stations to be construction or reconstructed are:
- Lift Station 1 – Century Correctional (including the mechanical bar screen and standby generator)
- Lift Station 4 – Century Woods
- Lift Station 8 – Highway 4 West
- Lift Station 16 – Jefferson Avenue
- Lift Station 20 – Pond and Jefferson
The bid was awarded to Talcon Group, LCC, of Havana, Florida for $3,365,175. Talcom was the lowest of two bidders. Pensacola Concrete Construction Company $10,561,045.88
The town has a total of 22 lift stations, and this is phase two of the repair and replacement process.
The council voted 3-0 to award the project with council members Dynette Lewis and Shelisa McCall absent.
Pictured: A wastewater lift station near Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church on Jefferson Avenue at Pond Street in Century out of service and running on a temporary pump as seen May 10, 2022. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets Life Sentence For Murdering Roommate Before Staging Her Drowning
July 18, 2024
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing his roommate before staging the scene to make it appear she drowned in a small water feature in a yard.
James Edwards Hicks, 62, was sentenced to by Judge Linda Nobles after he was found guilty by an Escambia County jury of second degree murder.
The jury found that, on August 12th, 2022, James Hicks killed his roommate, 65-year-old Terri Jo Williams, and then staged a scene to make it appear as if she had drowned herself in a small garden pond in the front yard. During the death investigation, Hicks stated that his roommate had been emotional and depressed for weeks, and that he thought she committed suicide.
The jury was presented with evidence from the scene, death investigation, neighbors and family members, and the medical examiner who determined the victim’s death was the result of homicide.
Catholic’s TJ McCants Drafted By Chicago White Sox
July 18, 2024
Pensacola Catholic High School graduate TJ McCants was selection in the 16th round of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox.
McCants played college baseball at Ole Miss and Alabama. He went to the White Sox as the 469th overall pick.
In one season for the Crimson Tide, McCants made 56 starts for Alabama in the outfield. He had a .306 batting average with 17 home runs and 53 RBOs. McCants also had 14 stolen bases.