Friday, May 17, 2013
WZEP AM 1460
WZEP AM 1460 First News
Friday, May 17, 2013
Brought to you by
Army Aviation Center FCU
Walton Career Development Center
News 1 News 2 News 3 News 4 Sports Obits Contact Subscription
WZEP congratulates Good Neighbor Sherry Ellis.
Check out all the Good Neighbors and see what they get by clicking here!
News Segment 1
Walton Courts 2 Murder Suspects update
Two people suspected of murder were before Judge Kelvin Wells for a pre-trial conference. The court docket also had a number of people charged with sexual offenses and drug charges. Wells heard about 142 cases. In several the defendant did not show. In several others, the judge reminded them how important it is they not only show up for court, but get with and work with their public defender. He expressed how much value they are getting for free when using the Public Defender. One defendant, when told he would need to return in early June, asked the judge, “Are you kidding?” Wells said he does not kid about that.
Barry Davis, of DeFuniak Springs, was arrested for the homicide of 41-year-old Heidi Rhodes, of Panama City Beach, and 49-year-old John Hughes, of Santa Rosa Beach. In May 2012, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office began a missing person investigation. They were last heard from by family and friends early in May. Davis was seen by numerous individuals driving another vehicle belonging to Hughes. Davis and Tiffani Steward got into a verbal argument, witnesses saying they heard Davis yell at Steward, “I had to kill two people for our family to survive.” Steward gave a statement about blood on a wall, and told of an event in the evening hours May 7th. Steward said Davis grabbed Rhodes and strangled her down on the floor. Hughes was already lying on the floor not moving. Through a research of financial transactions, Davis was found to have made numerous debits from Hughes’ accounts after the couple’s disappearance. Leads show Davis benefited financially and materially via Hughes’ assets and property.
Davis’ attorney told Judge Wells his client would not waive a speedy trial. This means the case will move quicker, giving less time for preparation. Wells explained to Davis his lawyers would use the time to better prepare and the case would go to trial in August. Wells also let the defendant know he could not use the quick time as a defense down the line. He told Davis to “get Ready.”
Also before the Judge was a juvenile charged with the death of an elderly man. Hayley Nichole Bowden, now 17, is one of two people charged in the death of 77-year-old Gerald Anderson. She is charged with an Open Count of Murder, Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling with Battery and Grand Theft Auto. The Grand Jury also indicted 22-year-old Chrispen Ramirez with premeditated murder. Ramirez is also charged with arson, resisting arrest and interference with child custody. The state has yet to decide whether or not to seek the death penalty for Remirez. Bowden will not face the death penalty due to her age.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office had been searching for Bowden, listed as a runaway. They found the two at a home in Mossy Head. Ramirez is reported to have resisted arrest when he threatened deputies. The two were taken into custody and Bowden was returned to her parents. Information arose that lead deputies to consider the two in the disappearance of Anderson. His car was found in a pond on Beaver Dam Road in Mossy Head. Anderson’s body was found nearby. Deputies then found a home where they believe the killing took place. There was evidence of arson. The Sheriff’s Office says the two attempted to break into a home and were discovered by Anderson. The couple allegedly stabbed Anderson to death, tried to burn the evidence, took his vehicle and dumped it in a pond.
News Segment 2
SWFD
Despite the fact that spring break ended for many last month, the South Walton Fire District (SWFD) still experienced a busy April by responding to 363 incidents. In addition the SWFD Communications Center received 1,135 calls for service for the month of April.
SWFD Lifeguards experienced a busy month as well as they made contact with over 32,000 beach visitors this past month. That was a significant increase of 8,000 more visitors this year than last year at this time. SWFD urges all beach visitors to please continue to monitor the beach flags and surf conditions on a daily basis and always swim in areas with lifeguards. Beach conditions can always be followed on their facebook page and their website www.swfd.org.
As always, stay alert when driving, avoid texting and driving, allow yourself extra time to get to your destination(s), expect delays during inclement weather and be mindful and aware of pedestrians. Remember during rain, braking distances may be altered. Stay focused anytime you are behind the wheel.
SWFD responded to the following incidents for the month of April.
April
Fire-14
Medical-242
Hazardous Conditions-3
Service Calls-30
Good Intent- 33
False Alarms- 41
TOTAL= 363
News Segment 3
395 and 30A Intersection
They are getting around to an intersection, probably with a roundabout. Remember the story about what to do with the 395 and 30A intersection? The discussion has included a roundabout. After meetings with property owners, engineers, staff and commissioner Meadows, a plan has been suggested. Meadows said they could use an officer to help now and work on the project during the off season.
The commissioners had previously decided to use a roundabout, but some say it will take too much room. Another idea is a hybrid signal option improving the intersection, offsetting the lanes to the north slightly, keeping 395 and 30A in tack for the most part and adding turn lanes. The feeling from the group, including the landowner EBSCO, is that a signal should be used. EBSCO would trade property to help with the needs. They also want the multi-use path to remain on the north side.
Commissioner Imfeld said he has talked with the sheriff and they both have concerns about a “traffic cop” at the intersection. Commissioner Comander agreed. The cost for a signal would be an additional $400,000 over the roundabout budget. Meadows said a traffic light should have turn lanes.
Meadows noted the trees and look of Old Seagrove. She said they do not want a traffic circle and they do not think it will work. She said there is no reason to blow out the intersection for 40 feet on each side just for 15 weeks a year. She said the group all agreed and came up with the signal solution.
The idea of a traffic officer was brought back up with some saying they use them in big cities. Major Joe Preston also raised concerns. Imfeld said the sheriff was never consulted. Meadows said she did not think it would be a problem to have someone move traffic around.
Pedestrian movements were also talked about and engineer Cliff Knower said a pedestrian tunnel is actually feasible. He also suggested moving the utilities underground. Meadows made a motion to enter into agreements with EBSCO on the property, bury the utilities, do the lane improvements and move forward with a phased approach.
The roundabout was brought up again. Commissioner Meadows, who lives in the area, said the residents do not want a roundabout. Meadows motion failed. A previous Board action last fall has already funded burying utilities and the roundabout. EBSCO said they are ok with the roundabout, but the county will need more property. Commissioner Comander made a motion to negotiate on the land swap with EBSCO.
News Segment 4
Looking for the arrest report? http://jailpublic.co.walton.fl.us. This is the new jail search page. Use the drop down calendar to find dates.
Sports - Listen to WZEP for national and local sports. Email us your local sports stories and scores.
On Saturday, May 18th, it’s the DeFuniak May Day MaFesto at the Douglass Crossroads Park from 3-8 pm. Enjoy baseball and basketball, good food, live entertainment, car show, and more. For more information, call 333-2684.
Northwest Florida State College is hosting two Baseball Camps--June 10-13 and June 17 -20 on the college’s Niceville campus. Expert coaching staff and players from the NWF State College Raiders Baseball Team will serve as camp instructors and will teach participants about the fundamentals of baseball in an educational and entertaining setting. The camp’s half-day sessions will be held at the college’s Raiders baseball field each day from 9 am until noon. The camp is open to boys ages 7 to 14 and the fee is $90. Campers may enroll in person at any NWFSC area campus or center for course #XRL 6024; Ref# 86114 (for June 10-13) or Ref# 86115 (June 17-20). The registration form is also available on the Raider Athletics website at www.nwfraiders.org.
Obituaries - Listen in the morning, just after noon and the 4pm hour
Eva Merle Creamer Padgett, age 79, of DeFuniak Springs, passed away Monday, May 13, at West Florida Hospital in Pensacola. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 17, in the chapel of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home beginning at 3 p.m. Committal services will follow at Leonia Cemetery. Flowers are being accepted. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.daviswatkins.com. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home.
Mrs. Donna L. Howell, age 69, passed away Saturday, May 11. Memorial services will be held 1:00 PM, Saturday, May 18, at New Beginnings Church; 1564 Highway 20 West, Freeport, Florida 32439. Burial will be held at Black Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers family request donations be made to the Alaqua Animal Shelter at 914 Whitfield Road, Freeport, FL 32439. You may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign guest book at www.clary-glenn.com. Clary-Glenn Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cBqotV0MFzjcmLZXOcmLCibIZvvIkd5SAXr52oP0Aps/edit
NOTE TO OTHER MEDIA: If any of these are the basis or imputers for a story you write or develop, please credit WZEP AM 1460 professionally by indicating "as reported on WZEP AM 1460."
Newsletter Subscribe or Unsubscribe
If you would like to be added to or removed from our newsletter mail list, please go to our website and use the Google Groups submission box. You do not have to have a Google Groups account to get the newsletter. You may also simply email from the account you wish to receive the newsletter at by letting us know at wz...@wzep1460.com or by sending an email to wzep-subscribe@googlegroups.com...@googlegroups.com.
Contact WZEP AM 1460
Visit our website for more at http://www.wzep1460.com
Located: 449, N. 12th Street, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
Mail: PO Box 627, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Station: 850-892-3158 wz...@wzep1460.com Fax: 850-892-9675
Sales: 850-892-5130 sa...@wzep1460.com
News: Kevin Chilcutt, News Director Cell 850-333-1852