Byrneville Elementary 5th Graders ‘On Trial’
May 13, 2017
Fifth grade students from Byrneville Elementary School had the opportunity to visit the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Center on Friday to learn about the judicial process.
They were able to meet with Judge Scott Duncan and see how trials work, learn the differences between criminal and civil and more. They also had the chance to see holding cells, a visiting judge’s chambers, meet with court reporters and learn how they type so fast and view the surveillance cameras.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Top Birmingham, 6-0 To Close Series
May 13, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos right fielder Aristides Aquino smacked only three hits against the Birmingham Barons. Two left the ballpark and the other bounced into the right field corner for a triple.
The 22-year-old playing in his first year in Double-A crushed a three-run homer to left field in the fourth inning Friday to lead Pensacola to a, 6-0, victory over the Birmingham Barons in front of 4,567 at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Pensacola snapped a three-series losing streak, defeating Birmingham, 4-1.
Despite struggling in the Southern League at the plate, hitting just .164, the No. 6 prospect in the Cincinnati Reds farm system leads the Blue Wahoos with four home runs and is tied for first in RBIs with 14. Aquino hit a two-run blast on Thursday for homers in back-to-back games.
He also tripled into the right field corner in the eighth inning to drive in first baseman Eric Jagielo that put Pensacola ahead, 5-0.
“I’ve been working hard,” Aquino said. “I didn’t lose my confidence.”
The stats don’t matter to Aquino, he said.
“I don’t think about it,” the Dominican Republic prospect said. “I do what I can to help the team win.”
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said new hitters often struggle when facing Southern League pitching, which he considers among the best in the minors. He enjoyed seeing the right-handed hitting Aquino triple to the opposite field in right field.
“Hitting the other way is a great sign,” Kelly said.
Aquino’s homer capped a four-run inning. The other run in the fourth scored when Jagielo ripped a line drive to right field that drove in third baseman Josh VanMeter with the first run of the game.
Jagielo, who went 1-3 with a walk, scored twice and drove in one run Friday, was 6-15 (.400) in the series against Birmingham and raised his average 38 points from .186 to .224.
The other hot bat against the Barons’ was left fielder Tyler Goeddel, who was 9-21 (.429) with a homer and three RBIs.
Meanwhile, Deck McGuire, the No. 11 pick in the first round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010, threw six scoreless innings. The 6-foot-6 righty allowed three hits, walked three and struck out seven to pick up his first win since April 20 against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
McGuire, who has bounced around between five teams in six minor league seasons, improved to 2-2 with a 3.40 ERA.
Kelly pointed out that all three of McGuire’s walks in the game came with two outs.
“He pitched well but he was a little tentative with two outs,” Kelly said. “He had a tough game in Chattanooga. It’s nice to get a win in the next start.”
The Pensacola bullpen also blanked Birmingham. Reliever Ariel Hernandez threw two scoreless innings, giving up three hits, and Brennan Bernardino finished off the ninth inning, allowing just one hit, one walk and striking out two.
It was the Pensacola pitching staff’s fifth shutout of the season and dropped its Southern League-leading ERA to 2.62.
Pensacola improved to 19-16 and remain tied with the Biloxi Shuckers for first place in the South Division.
Rotary Academic All-Stars Named, Chief Justice Encourages Students To Follow God
May 12, 2017
The Atmore Rotary Club recognized 132 area high school students as Academic All-Stars Thursday night as the chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court encouraged the students to follow God.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year, with at least one A for each grading period.
Those who have maintained this status from the 9th through the 12th grades, were honored as Four-Year Academic All-Stars (pictured top) and received a scholarship.
The Randolph B. Luttrell, Sr.Scholarship, valued at $2,000, was presented to Jade Adams of Escambia County High School. The Mary Joyner Grissett Memorial Scholarship, also for $2,000, was presented to Zian Young of Escambia County High School.
All total, more than $17,000 in scholarships were awarded by the Atmore Rotary Club Thursday night at the First Baptist Church of Atmore.
For a photo gallery, click here.
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Guest speaker for the event was Atmore native Lyn Stuart, who was appointed April 26 by Gov. Kay Ivey as chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Stuart was first elected as a member of the Alabama Supreme Court in 2000.
“I want you to know that you can do anything that you want to do with God’s help,” Stuart said as she related her personal story of growing up in Atmore to becoming chief justice. “It does not matter where you are from or who your family is, whether you are rich or poor….with God’s help you can do anything you want to do.”
“It is never too late to have goals or make plans,” she said.
“You need to ask God for help with whatever plans or goals you may have, and you need to allow Him to help you get through the tough times in life,” Stuart continued before reading from Philippians 4.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you,” the Chief Justice read from the Bible.
“Have high visions; have high goals,” Stuart said. “I wish you the best, the very, very best…with God’s help, you can accomplish anything you can dream.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Those honored as Atmore Rotary Club Academic All Stars were:
(Four-Year Academic All-Stars are denoted with asterisks)
ATMORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Ninth Grade
Lylia Albritton
Tenth Grade
Kyle Hostetler
Eleventh Grade
Kamryn Mothershed
Jasmina Stahly
Twelfth Grade
Grace Terry
Kia Zundel
ESCAMBIA ACADEMY
Ninth Grade
James Koons
Bryant Quimby
Anna Ruth Smith
Gaines Tanner
Tenth Grade
Jabe Dawe
Lexie Hollinger
Mary Thompson Lancaster
Raeven Ramer
Eleventh Grade
Jackson Breckenridge
Andrew Howell
Anna Kathryn Rolin
Austin Williams
Brandy Wooten
Twelfth Grade
Carson Barnett
Eli Godwin*
Paolo Gorme
Kainoa Gumapac
Kalynn Johnson
Bailey Lancaster *
Trae Lee
Abby Smith*
ESCAMBIA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL (Atmore)
Ninth Grade
Shelby Bartley
Angel Bouler
Kayley Johnson
Trevon Lambert
Taliyah Leslie
Shelton McKenzie
Amber Phillips
Joshua Richardson
Nakieyah Robinson
Calvin Stots
James Wilson
Ladarious Wilson
Tenth Grade
Christiara Jones
Jasmine Rivers
Johnika Roberts
Olivia Simmons
Adonis Williams
Eleventh Grade
Lazarrian Boykin
Destiny Freemon
ShaDiamond Harris
Josaline Hollinger
Kristen Gore
Nylah Knight
Terriana McNeil
Zaria Smith
Adrienne Tedder
LaDasia Willis
Keyaira Wilson
Twelfth Grade
Jade Adams*
David Albert IV
Gabe Bennett
Jadajah Bright
Chille’ Ford*
Tydaiza Gamble
Tyranie Henderson *
DerikKidd *
Triston Knott
Hannah Martin
Melea McGhee
Justin Pearson *
Kettrick Reynolds
Wil’neshia Robinson
Ariel Whatley *
Derrion Williams
Ziah Young
NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Ninth Grade
Addison Claire Albritton
William Milton Beach
Keaton Adam Brown
Lacie Elizabeth Carter
Karlee’ Nicole Criswell
Jackson Thomas Edwards
Ashlan Kaile Harigel
Anna Christine King
Abigayil O. Mascaro
Kayla Marie McKillion
Charleigh Elaine Parham
Kinzie Brooke Rackard
Savannah Nicole Roley
Marissa Denae Rothrock
Keaton Alan Solmonson
Savannah Grace Spence
Bailey Anna Van Pelt
Jace Benjamin Weber
Brianna Shay White
Tenth Grade
Austin Joshua Adams
Lexxi Olivia Baggett
Ashtyn Brooke Carnley
Logan Wade Chavers
Rebecca Nicole Dunn
Dalton Dewayne Hamilton
Seth Hammac Killam
Gabrielle Faith Kline
Tanner Brett Levins
Hannah Grace McGahan
Sara Delaney Reynolds
Valen Taylor Shelly
Madison Alyssa Sherouse
Eleventh Grade
Anna Belle Barberree
Dawson Christophe Brown
Jarrod Latrell Davison
Jason Riley Fischer
Austin Laine Ging
Orelbis Oscar Rodriguez
Fisher Logan Spence
Hunter Ashton Spence
Natasha Nykeria Walk€r
Destiny McKenna Watson
Madison Skye White
Tara Faith Windham
Twelfth Grade
Victoria Anne Amerson
Natalie Grace Barrow
Alyssa Marie Bell
Alyssa Brianna Borelli *
De’asia Ja’shay Fountain
Mallory Olivia Gibson
Emily Michelle Heard *
Adrian Daniel King
Brandon Edward Korinchak *
Shyla Nicole Pope
Zachary Chase Sheldon
Mitchell James Singleton *
Brianna Morgan Smith *
Jessica Lauren Stacey
David Conrad Weber *
Hadley Marie Woodfin *
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Caught Selling Stolen Tires
May 12, 2017
A Cantonment man is facing charges after allegedly trying to sell stolen tires to an undercover investigator.
During a burglary at Dave Howell Tires on Pensacola Boulevard, 41 large truck tires valued at $13,000 were stolen after a fence was cut.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigators received tips that 36-year old Johnny Antwan Lee was selling tires with distinctive markings like those stolen from the business. An undercover investigator met Lee at his home on Irene Lane in Cantonment where he sold three tires valued at $261 each for a total of $300. The tires were later positively identified as being stolen from Dave Howell Tires.
Lee was charged with felony dealing in stolen property. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $25,000
The burglary investigation is continuing. Anyone with any information about this this incident can call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Search Continues For Molino Killer, Silver Volvo
May 12, 2017
Sunday will mark two weeks since a Molino woman was found murdered on Gibson Road, and, so far, there have been no arrests .
Deputies believe Anna Louise Brown, also known as Anna Louise Brown Vega, was shot and killed by a person known to her. Witnesses near the scene said they heard gun shots in the area around 4:00 p.m. on April 30 and saw an early 2000’s silver four-door Volvo, like the one pictured, leaving the scene.
Brown was pronounced deceased at the scene; her body was discovered on or near the roadway.
Maj. Andrew Hobbs of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the agency has not yet named a suspect in the case. But he said the department has been busy following up on the case and numerous tips that have been received from the public.
“We want anyone that thinks they know anything to call us, no matter how small they believe what they know is. The smallest piece of information might be the piece of the puzzle we need.”
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Lawsuit Targets Prison System Over Hepatitis Care
May 12, 2017
Three inmates filed a class-action lawsuit Thursday alleging that the Florida Department of Corrections is failing to provide proper care to thousands of prisoners diagnosed with hepatitis C.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Tallahassee, contends in part that the prison system has not provided a relatively new type of drug — known as direct-acting antivirals — effective in treating the liver-damaging disease.
The lawsuit said the department, as of July 2016, knew of 4,790 inmates with chronic hepatitis C but that the actual number could be far higher.
“Despite the clear agreement in the medical community that all persons with chronic HCV (hepatitis C virus) should be treated with DAA (direct-acting antiviral) drugs, the FDC (Florida Department of Corrections) does not provide these lifesaving medications to FDC prisoners with HCV,” wrote lawyers for the Florida Justice Institute, which is representing the inmates. “Instead, defendant has a policy, custom, and practice of not providing DAA medications to prisoners with HCV, in contravention of the prevailing standard of care and in deliberate indifference to the serious medical needs of prisoners with HCV.”
Grand Jury Indicts 32 In Narcotics Investigation
May 12, 2017
An investigation by the Brewton Police Department Narcotics Division has led to 32 individuals being indicted for distribution of various controlled substances. Most of those arrested and those with outstanding warrants are from the Brewton or Flomaton areas.
Narcotics agents presented evidence to a recent Escambia County Grand Jury that secured indictments against the 32 suspects.
During the investigation controlled substances including heroin, crystal methamphetamine, crack/cocaine, spice, marijuana, hydrocodone and oxycodone were purchased from the suspects.
Agents also purchased two handguns from convicted felons and were able indict two registered sex offenders with the distribution and possession of controlled substances.
As of late Thursday, warrants are several suspects were still outstanding. They were being actively pursued by the Brewton Police Department and other area law enforcement agencies.
Those arrested so far include:
- Mary Wiggins Lane, 52, Brewton – distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance / alprazolam
- Michael Ray Depew, 41, Flomaton – distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance / methamphetamine
- Eric Scott Risley, 37, Brewton – distribution of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana in the first degree / marijuana
- Faith Nicole Lane, 18, Brewton – distribution of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana in the first degree / marijuana
- Karen Nelson, 47, Brewton – distribution of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana in the first degree / marijuana
- Sonja Ann Burch, 59, Brewton – distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance / hydrocodone
- Tarik Dashunn Banks, 20, Brewton – distribution of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana in the first degree / marijuana
- Deborah Burkett Hall, 55, East Brewton – distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance / methamphetamine
- Russell Lee Jackson, 70, Brewton – distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance / oxycodone
- Baby Eldgerls Jackson, 72, Brewton – distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance / diazepam, certain persons forbidden to possess a pistol
- Christopher Alex Ewing, 23, Brewton – distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance / methamphetamine
- Jennifer Elliott, 33, Brewton – distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance / crack-cocaine
- Heath Crook, 26, Brewton – distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance / heroin
- Christopher Gabel, 24, Brewton – distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance / Klonopin
Anyone with information is asked to call the Brewton Police Department at (251) 867-3212 or their local law enforcement agency.
Ex-Congresswoman Brown Convicted In Charity Scam
May 12, 2017
Former Democratic Congresswoman Corrine Brown was found guilty Thursday on 18 counts in a federal corruption trial, the latest chapter in a stunning fall for a longtime Jacksonville political institution.
Brown, who was defeated for re-election last year after 24 years in the U.S. House, was convicted on all but four counts for her part in a scheme that used a sham education charity to finance personal expenses and events. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan could hold a sentencing hearing for Brown, 70, within 90 days.
“Former Congresswoman Corrine Brown violated the public trust, the honor of her position, and the integrity of the American system of government when she abused one of the most powerful positions in the nation for her own personal gain,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Blanco said in a statement issued after the ruling. “She shamefully deprived needy children of hundreds of thousands of dollars that could have helped with their education and improved their opportunities for advancement, and she lied to the IRS and the American public about secret cash deposits into her personal bank accounts.”
Brown’s attorney, James Smith, told reporters outside the Jacksonville courtroom that Brown would ask for a new trial, though Smith declined to say on what grounds.
“She wants to let her supporters know that she is still strong and resolute,” Smith said. “She still maintains her innocence, and she thanks everyone for their prayers and their support.”
Smith pointed to the case of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, whose conviction on corruption charges was later set aside by the U.S. Supreme Court because justices disagreed with the government’s interpretation of an “official action.”
“The American legal system has a number of levels, and this is just the first step,” Smith said.
The case against Brown, though, had less to do with what she did as a congresswoman than what she did while she was in office. Brown was found guilty of counts charging her with conspiracy, concealing material facts on required financial disclosure forms, filing false tax returns and related charges.
According to the government, Brown — along with former chief of staff Ronnie Simmons and Carla Wiley, both of whom pleaded guilty — used One Door for Education-Amy Anderson Scholarship Fund at least in part to finance their own expenses while working with other people to solicit more than $800,000 for the charity.
Congressman Al Lawson, who defeated Brown in a Democratic primary last year, was circumspect in a statement issued by his office following the verdict.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Rep. Brown, her family, and all those affected,” he said. “I believe Jacksonville is a better place, because of her three decades of public service.”
Brown left the courtroom quietly, with her head hanging slightly, a contrast to the flamboyant and often bombastic style she used for years in confrontations with political opponents and the media.
She was a verbal pugilist, comparing an attempt to redraw her district to slavery and rhetorically asking reporters who inquired about the criminal charges whether they were pedophiles, as a way to point out that the allegations weren’t yet proven.
But the 12-term, Jacksonville-based congresswoman was also a master of constituent services, using “Corrine Delivers” as a slogan to tout her ability to bring home projects and services to the voters who elected her. That ability helped her cultivate a political base that seemed unassailable.
She was also in many ways a historic figure, one of the first African-Americans elected to Congress from Florida since Reconstruction.
But ahead of the 2016 elections, her district was redrawn under a voter-approved ban on gerrymandering. The courts chose maps that swapped out one of her power bases in Orlando for parts of North Central and Northwest Florida, including a portion of Tallahassee, that barely knew her.
As Brown was fighting that change, the indictments were handed down, providing an even larger opening for Lawson, based in Tallahassee. She lost a three-way primary to Lawson by 8.6 points.
On Thursday, Smith said he was struck that some of the contributors to the charity would testify as part of the government’s case, only to embrace Brown after leaving the stand.
“People cannot and will not forget all the good that she’s done,” Smith said. “Let’s remember, no one’s life is a snapshot. Our lives are films, and you have to look at each and every frame. And Corrine Brown is not going to be defined by what happened here today in this courtroom. She still has plenty of days left on this earth.”
Pictured top: Florida Congressman Corrine Brown spoke in favor of an Amtrak return to the Gulf Coast during an Amtrak inspection train stop in Atmore last year. Pictured inset: Brown shakes the hand of a veteran at the Atmore Amtrak event after walking through a sword arch provided by the Northview High School NJROTC. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Saturday Is ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Food Drive
May 12, 2017
Escambia and Santa Rosa Letter Carriers will join forces Saturday to help Stamp Out Hunger in our community. In its 25th year, the annual food drive has grown to the largest national single-day effort that benefits millions of Americans who struggle to put food on the table.
“This is the single most important food drive in the two counties and will largely determine how well providers will meet the needs of the hungry in the coming months,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Manna Food Pantries’ Executive Director.
Residents are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag of non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox prior regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 13. Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers will collect food donations for local food banks including: Manna Food Pantries, Warrington Emergency Aid Center, Feeding the Gulf Coast in Pace and Milton, ACTS Ministry of Holley Assembly of God in Gulf Breeze, and We Care Ministries of Navarre United Methodist Church. Last year, the organizations received a total of 72,367 pounds of food from the drive.
“We rely on this food drive to keep our shelves fully stocked to help needy families, children, seniors and the homeless in Gulf Breeze and Navarre,” said Pastor Doug Barber, ACTS Ministry of Holley Assembly of God. “Without the help from the NALC and the community during the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive, ACTS Ministry would almost be non-existent.”
Last year, Manna Food Pantries helped a total of 21,129 individuals through their pantries and programs in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Of those, 37 percent were children and 27 percent were senior citizens. Manna helped a total of 11,254 families and 14 percent of them were active duty, reserve, retired or veteran military.
“I would like to thank everyone in our community who donates food, our volunteers, local businesses,” said Phillip Skipper, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers Northwest Florida Branch 321. “Please give generously this year, so we can help provide food to those who are less fortunate.”
Pictured: Volunteers, including the Gulf Power Transformers, work to sort local Stamp Out Hunger food drive donations last year at the Cantonment Post Office. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Culinary Arts Program Makes School Board Presentation
May 12, 2017
The Northview High School Culinary Arts Academy made a presentation Thursday to the Escambia County School Board. They also delivered oatmeal pecan chocolate chip cookies to board members, staff and other guess. Pictured below (L-R) and Northview High Principal Gayle Weaver, culinary academy members Jordan Parham, Lari McCann, Laura Kinley, and Victoria Amerson, and instructor Vicki Cook. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
