Motorcyclist Injured In Early Morning Crash With A Deer
January 18, 2017
A motorcyclist was transported to an area hospital after hitting a deer on Highway 95A near Quintette Road about 4:15 Wednesday morning. The deer ran away from the scene. The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Jay Woman Sentenced To Prison For Sex With Underage Boy
January 18, 2017
A Jay woman is headed to prison for sex with an underage boy.
Kimberly Ann Seevers pleaded no contest to having sex with a minor and was sentenced Tuesday to 38 months in state prison. She will be on probation for 36 months once released and will be required to register as a sex offender for life.
Seevers, 46, still faces a separate sexual battery charge involving another teenager. She is due back in court in that case on January 24.
Her attorney, Barry Beroset, asked Circuit Court Judge Ross Goodman to depart from minimum sentencing guidelines and sentence her to just probation because the underage boy was about one month shy of his 18th birthday when the incident occurred.
The attorney cited a Florida Supreme Court decision from 2001 in which the minor victim was a willing participant was a mitigating factor in supporting download departure from the sentencing guidelines.
The Jay High School student stated that when he arrived at Seevers’ home, she was drinking more than a small quantity of wine.
“Seevers wasn’t super drunk, but she was becoming intoxicated. He described Ms. Seevers as being kind of tipsy and flirty,” Beroset wrote in a letter to the court. The victim said he could have initiated the encounter and that he was willing participant, the lawyer said.
Escambia Man Pleads To Sending ISIS Threats To Sheriff
January 18, 2017
An Escambia County man pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges for mailing threatening communications to the sheriff.
In June 2016, Walker mailed a threatening letter on notebook paper to Sheriff David Morgan at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. In the letter, Walker claimed several people who had joined ISIS would simultaneously attack military bases, beaches, and schools at a nonspecific time and could not be stopped by law enforcement.
Walker made specific reference to the recent attack in Orlando, Florida, that killed approximately 50 people. Walker wrote that the attackers planned on “not giving up,” and that they “plan on dying.” He appeared to sign the note as “ISIS ALLAH.”
Walker faces a maximum of five years in federal prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 6 at the United State Courthouse in Pensacola.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the case.
Sign Guy Had Just One Job: But This Molino Detour Goes In Circles
January 18, 2017
The sign pictured above on Chestnut at Crabtree Church Road incorrectly advises drivers to take a right hand turn to detour around a closed bridge on Molino Road. The “sign guy”, as one NorthEscambia.com reader observed, even had written instructions marked on the pavement with a left hand arrow. Drivers that follow the detour, as incorrectly marked, will circle back to their starting point.
The Florida Department of Transportation is replacing the Molino Road (CR 182) bridge over Penasula Creek at a cost of $1,128,303. The project is expected to be completed in the fall.
Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Senate Panel To Take Up ‘Stand Your Ground’ Law
January 18, 2017
The Senate Judiciary Committee next week is expected to take up a proposal that would shift the legal burden of proof in “stand your ground” self-defense cases — but the panel is not slated to consider a controversial measure that would expand the ability of people to carry guns in public.
The Judiciary Committee’s agenda for a meeting next Tuesday includes the “stand your ground” bill (SB 128), filed by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island.
The bill stems from a Florida Supreme Court ruling in 2015 that said defendants have the burden of proof to show they should be shielded from prosecution under the “stand your ground” law. In “stand your ground” cases, pretrial evidentiary hearings are held to determine whether defendants should be immune from prosecution.
The bill — and an identical proposal in the House (HB 245) — would shift that burden of proof from defendants to prosecutors. But the Judiciary Committee’s agenda does not include a gun bill that has drawn wider debate.
That bill (SB 140), filed by Judiciary Chairman Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to openly carry handguns in public and also would allow them to be armed on college and university campuses.
Under the bill, they also could carry guns at airport passenger terminals; in elementary and secondary schools; and at legislative and local government meetings.
The committee had been scheduled to consider Steube’s bill Jan. 10, but the meeting was canceled.
by The News Service of Florida
Stead Pre-Files For Century Council Seat
January 18, 2017
The first candidate has pre-filed for an upcoming special election in Century to fill two council seats.
Kevin L Stead pre-filed Tuesday for Century Town Council, Seat 2, a non partisan office.
Stead currently hold the seat on a temporary basis, appointed as the temporary replacement for Annie Savage, who passed away in late October. The election will fill the seat until the end of Savage’s term in January 2021.
The Century election is set for February 14 and/or February 28, depending on the number of candidates that qualify. The official qualifying period is January 23 and January 24.
Ten NHS Weightlifters Advance To Girls’ Regionals
January 18, 2017
Ten members of the Northview High School Girls Weightlifting team recently advanced to today’s regional meet…the largest number of Lady Chiefs headed to weightlifting regional in recent memory. Those qualifying fo regional competition include:
- Audriene Odom
- Crystal Douglas
- Myisha Syria
- Lexxi Broadhead
- Peighton Dortch
- Catie Clayton
- Mallory Gibson
- Daysha Kite
- Aubree Love
- Rayeshawanna Davidson
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Injured In Highway 95A Two Vehicle Crash
January 18, 2017
One person was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries after a two vehicle accident on Highway 95A near Tate School Road just before 8:00 Wednesday morning. The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Involved In Fatal Crash
January 17, 2017
A Cantonment man was involved in fatal crash early Sunday morning in Escambia County, according to information released Tuesday morning by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The FHP said 45-year old Todd Adam Doten of Cantonment was southbound on Pace Boulevard at Bobe Street in a 2014 Mack semi truck when the driver of a 1980 Chevrolet C1500 failed to stop for a stop sign. Ray Jose Willis, age 39 of Pensacola, pulled directly into the path of the semi at 4:10 a.m., troopers said. Willis and his passenger, David Matthew Russ, 36 of Pensacola, were both not wearing seat belts and were both ejected from their vehicle.
Willis died a short time later at Baptist Hospital; Russ was listed in critical condition. Doten received only minor injuries.
Any charges in the crash are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation, according to FHP.
Cantonment Celebrates With Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade (With Gallery)
January 17, 2017
Hundreds of residents of Cantonment celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday with a parade in the area around Carver Park.
Hundreds gathered to enjoy the parade, plus catch candy, beads and other items.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
