Battle Of The Champs: 1A Northview Challenges 5A West Florida Tonight
November 10, 2011
It might be Thursday, but it’s time for some football tonight, including a matchup between District 1A and 5A champs for their regular season finale.
The District 1-1A champion Northview Chiefs (6-2, 3-0) will head to Pensacola to take on the District 1-5A champion West Florida Jaguars (8-1, 3-1). The game kicks off at 7 p.m. at Marlon L. Bullock Field at Woodham Middle School on E. Burgess Road.
Both teams will begin the state playoff series on November 18 on their respective home fields. Northview will host Wewahitchka in the regional semifinals, and West Florida will host Tallahassee Godby. Home field advantage could remain throughout the playoffs for the Chiefs until the state championship game in Orlando.
In other Florida games across the area on this Thursday night Pensacola High will be at Choctawhatchee, at 7 p.m., Washington will be at Catholic at 7:30 p.m., and Wakulla will be at Escambia at 7:30 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century Awards $230K In Grants To Repair Four Private Homes
November 10, 2011
The Town of Century has awarded $230,567 in grant-funded contracts to rehabilitate four private homes in the town.
The town was awarded a $650,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to rehabilitate or replace about nine homes that are currently occupied by persons of low or moderate income. The town also received $100,000 in Residential Construction Mitigation Program Funds for hurricane retrofits.
The town first selected five homes to be rehabilitated under the programs, but later decided to reconstruct a home at 511 East Pond rather than rehabilitate it.
Bids were awarded for housing rehabilitation as follows:
- 6 Howard Street/Cullie Mae Carter — Motes Construction, Inc., $50,560
- 521 East Hecker Road/Ollie Kelly — Thompson Contractor Resources, Inc., $67,902
- 411 Cedar Street/Dorothy Newton — John Claude, General Contractor, $38,215
- 7820 Jefferson Avenue/Elsie Reaves — Parker Custom Homes, Inc., $73,980
Pictured top: Grants will fund $67,902 in repairs to this house at 521 East Hecker Road in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Video: Superintendent Malcolm Thomas Veterans Day Address To Ernest Ward Middle School
November 10, 2011
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas delivered a the keynote address to Ernest Ward Middle School during their annual Veterans Day program Wednesday morning.
For the complete story and photo, click here.
If you do not see the video above, it is because your home, school or work firewall is blocking external videos.
Family Fun: Bratt Elementary Fall Festival Today
November 10, 2011
The annual Bratt Elementary School Fall Festival will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. today at the school with plenty of food, games, entertainment, an auction and vendors.
Tickets
Admission is free. Game and attraction tickets will be sold for 25 cents each at the Fall Festival. (Presold tickets purchased prior to Thursday can be picked up at the ticket booth.)
Entertainment Schedule
4:15 – 5:00 Pow Wow Dance Team
5:00 – 5:30 Mr. Willie’s Band
5:30 – 5:45 Crown King and Queen, Bakeoff
6:00 – 6:30 Auction
6:30 – 7:00 Mr. Willie’s Band
Bakeoff
This year will be the first annual PTA dessert bakeoff, with any type of dessert accepted as an entry. All desserts must be turned into the school by 3:30 p.m. Thursday with the winner of $50 announced at 5:30. Bakeoff desserts will be sold for a $1 per slice or 6 slices for $5 during the festival.
Auction
The following items will be auctioned during the Fall Festival:
Wind Creek Hotel Package
1-night hotel stay
2 day spa passes
2 cooking studio passes
Dinner for 2 at the Fire Steakhouse
Donated by: Wind Creek Hotel
Thanksgiving Package
$25 Gift Certificate to Food World
30 qt. Turkey Fryer
Donated by: Home Depot
Grocery Shopping
$50 Publix Gift Card
Cooler 40 qt. Red/White Ice Chest
Donated by: Bonderant Lumber
Outdoors Package:
Hummingbird Feeder
Donated by: Coley’s Petals and Parties
RYOBI Driving Tools
Donated by: Home Depot
K-9 Dog Cleaners Basket
Donated by: K-9 Dog Cleaners
Pensacola Goody Basket
Donated by: Pensacola Wahoo’s League
Farm Bureau Basket
Donated by: Farm Bureau
Auburn National Championship 2010
Framed Picture
Donated by: D&E Framing
1 Auburn Wreath
Donated by: Sheer Delight
Hunting Package:
Barska precision rifle Scope
Deer Camera
2 Bags of Deer Corn
12-volt Wild game Trophy Hunter Digital Feeder
Donated by: Rocky Creek Hunting Supply,
Marvin’s, Scott’s Hunting Supply, Central Farm Supply
Kyser Kuntry Basket
Donated by: Kyser Kuntry
Vendor Basket
Donated by: Vendors
Bedroom Set:
Twin Mattress Cover
2 Black Table Lamps
Donated By: Canoe Furniture, Hainje’s furniture
Game Day Wreaths:
1 Alabama Wreath
Donated by: Sheer Delight
Friday night hangout:
FREE Wing Party @ Buffalo Wild Wings
$25 to T.G.I. Fridays
$20 to Mello Mushroom
Date Night:
2 $10 Off Coupons to Applebee’s
$25 Gift Certificate to Bonefish Grill
Night at the Ballet and Dinner for two:
2 Ballet Vouchers to See the Nutcracker
$25 Gift Certificate to T.G.I Fridays
Just Another Shopping Day:
$25 to Academy Sports
2 Free Meals to Golden Corral
It’s A Meal Deal:
2 Pizza Hut Passes
1 6″ Sub at Subway
$5 Gift Certificate to Dean’s Grill
It’s Another Meal Deal:
2 $5 Gift Certificates to Dean’s Grill
1 Personal Pan Pizza at Pizza Hut
1 6″ Sub at Subway
Running Errands:
$50 Tom Thumb Gift Card
Dinner and a Movie:
$25 Gift Certificate to Pintolli’s
Movie Pass to Strand Theatre
Kid’s, Kid’s, Kid’s package 1:
John Deere Tractor
Donated by: John Deere
Toy Saw
Donated by: Mooney’s Diesel
Kid’s, Kid’s, Kid’s package 2:
Wooden Barn
Donated by: Atmore Truckers
Photo Package:
$80 Photo package by Amanda Lassiter
Time for Mom and Dad:
$5 Off at David’s Catfish House
$25 Off at Dixie Catfish
$20 Wranglers
Family Fun Pass:
1 Wristband to Sam’s Fun City
1 Small Drink at Whataburger
4 Justaburgers at Whataburger
1 Fry at Whataburger
1 Taquito at Whataburger
Shopping Day in Jay:
$25 Gift Certificate to Bliss
$25 Gift Card to Dura-med Pharmacy
Night on the Town:
$25 Mello Mushroom
$20 Dinner for 2 at the Tuscan Oven Pizzeria
It’s a Date:
$40 Coupon to Red Lobster
$25 Gift Certificate to Fish House
Mommy’s Day
1 Free Pedicure
1 Free Haircut
1 Free Wax
1 Free Manicure
1 Purse from Nana’πs Nails
Donated by: The Nail Shop of Atmore, Uptown Salon of Jay, Elaine’s of Atmore
Family Fun Day:
2 Passes to Triple Play
2 Taquitos at Whataburger
1 Fry at Whataburger
2 Justaburgers at Whataburger
2 Whataburgers at Whataburger
1 Small Drink at Whataburger
Family Pack:
2 Passes to Triple Play
2 Personal Pan Pizzas at Pizza Hut
2 Whataburgers at Whataburger
2 Small Drinks at Whataburger
2 Fries at Whataburger
Family Dining:
2 $5 Gift Certificates to Dean’s Grill
2 $5 Coupons to Olive Garden
$20 Gift Certificate to Buster’s
Avon Holiday Package
Donated by: Heidi Sigafoose
Pensacola Airport Has New Name
November 10, 2011
Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport has a new name — the Pensacola International Airport.
Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward said the name change was part of a broader effort to position Pensacola as an attractive place for businesses to locate or expand.
“We live and compete in a global economy, and we need to prepare and position our city to be competitive,” said Hayward. ”We don’t have to be a huge city to be a great place to do business, and this name change sends a signal to the region, the nation, and the world that Pensacola is accessible, that we are open for business, and that we are prepared to grow.”
Hayward said that other airports in the region were assumed to be larger and more worthy of investment or bonding simply because of their name or location. Airport Director Melinda Crawford had first-hand experience dealing with credit and bond agencies that assumed Pensacola was a smaller player in the Gulf Coast air passenger market based on the name of the airport.
“Pensacola serves more passengers than any other airport between New Orleans and Jacksonville, but when it comes to competing for capital dollars and bond ratings, a lot of inaccurate assumptions have been made about us based on our name,” said Crawford. ”That’s going to change today.”
The airport does not offer any international flights.
The announcement came as Mayor Hayward dedicated the airport’s new terminal expansion, part of an $82 million, five-year capital improvements project. The improvements also included a new baggage screening system, enlarged security checkpoint area, and new seating, flooring, and signage throughout the terminal.
Pictured: A new logo and name plaque unveiled Wednesday at the Pensacola International Airport. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Veterans Events Planned
November 10, 2011
Several events are planned across the area for Veterans Day:
VFW Post 7016 in Atmore will host a Veterans Day Program on Friday, November 11 at 11 a.m. at the memorial in front of Atmore City Hall. The event will include a flag disposal ceremony.
On Friday, November 11, Reading is Fundamental will hold its third annual Veterans Day celebration at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 1200 Airport Blvd. Events begin at 11 a.m. with a special children’s story time. A recognition ceremony is planned for 1 p.m. and will include guest speakers Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas; Lt. Col. Julie Eldred, who is retired from the Army Nurse Corps; and Phyllis Pia of the Pensacola USO. The program includes a performance of “Taps” by members of the Tate High School band, a color guard display by students from Washington High School NJROTC and patriotic songs sung from Molino Park Elementary students.
Pictured top: Work a memorial in honor of LCpl Travis M. Nelson at the Bratt Community Park, which will be renamed Tuesday in Nelson’s honor. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Some Bratt, Century Area Residents Lose Power
November 9, 2011
A small number of Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers in the Bratt and Century areas lost power Wednesday night.
EREC says about 45 households lost power in the Bratt area due to a problem in the Bratt substation. After power was restored to the Bratt area, an undetermined number of EREC customers in the North Century Boulevard, Highway 164 and Milstead Road areas lost power when a large tree limb knocked out a breaker, according to the company.
Power was restored to all EREC customers before 9:30 p.m.
Two Arrested After Three ‘One Pot’ Meth Labs Found In Bratt (With Photo Gallery)
November 9, 2011
[Exclusive] The discovery of a methamphetamine lab at a mobile home in Bratt led to the arrest of two people on multiple drug charges.
Working on an anonymous tip early Tuesday evening, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office developed information that a meth lab was located at the home in 4200 block of Rigby Road, just south of West Highway 4.
After obtaining a search warrant late Tuesday night, investigators with the county’s Narcotics Unit located three “one pot” methamphetamine labs in the residence, at least one of which was active. They also found a variety of drug paraphernalia and an active “gas generator”.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
For video of the cleanup, click here.
Mark Steven McGhee, age 44 of Rigby Road in Bratt, and 24-year old Charissa Leigh Clarke of North Highway 99 in Walnut Hill, were taken into custody at the scene. They were charged with possession of methamphetamine/trafficking, two counts of possession of an illicit chemical and manufacturing methamphetamine. They were booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $40,500.
According to investigators, the mobile home’s electricity was disconnected and an extension cord to a neighboring home was being used for power. They said the home had no running water, and it appeared that a lawn chair with a large hole in the seat was being used as an improvised toilet behind the residence.
A hazardous materials team from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response unit responded to the scene to neutralize the meth labs and associated chemicals about 2 a.m. Wednesday.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
For video of the cleanup, click here.
Pictured top: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response unit hazardous materials teams works to neutralize an the “one pot” meth labs about 2 a.m. Wednesday in Bratt. Pictured top inset: Charissa Leigh Clarke is taken into custodyby Deputy George Kichler. Pictured bottom inset: Three “one pot” meth labs located inside a Bratt mobile home. Pictured below: Deputy James Gilman (left) places Mark Steven McGhee into a patrol vehicle. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt Park Renamed For Fallen Marine
November 9, 2011
LCpl Travis Nelson left behind a short, simple note just in case he did return from the battlefield in Afghanistan.
“Dear friends and family, if you are reading this, I didn’t get to come home. I love each and every one of you. I have no regrets, I died for a meaningful cause.”
Nelson was killed August 18 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was just two weeks after his 19th birthday and only about a month after he arrived in Afghanistan.
Family, friends, community leaders and government officials including Congressman Jeff Miller gathered Tuesday afternoon at a new county park on Highway 4 in Bratt to unveil a monument in his honor and official dedicate the park as the Travis M. Nelson Park. As a young boy, Nelson grew up in house just two doors down from the site of the park.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
“He played right on these very grounds,” Scott Nelson said standing in the park named for his son. “He’d shoot his BB gun, ride his go cart.”
“He had the biggest go cart in all of Bratt,” his mother, Beckie Nelson, said.
“”I think it’s great. Even for our family to see for years to come. And our children, our grandchildren, I think it’s fantastic,” Scott Nelson said. “It’s an honor… a big honor,” Beckie Nelson added.
“Indeed we are free, but our freedom is far from being free. I challenge you to take advantage of this very special place the LCpl. Travis Nelson Park and each time you come and look at this monument, remember the sacrifice that not only Travis made for you, but the sacrifice his family will make each day of their life from this moment forward,” said longtime family friend Janet Little Cooper.
Pictured above: The family of Lance Cpl. Travel Nelson react Tuesday afternoon to the unveiling of a monument in his honor at the Travis M. Nelson Park on on West Highway 4. Pictured: (L-R) Nelson’s fiancee Madeline Cates, Louise Nelson, sister Anna Nelson, and parents Scott and Beckie Nelson. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Bond Set For Sisters Charged With Murder In Fire Deaths
November 9, 2011
The mothers of three children who died in a house fire last week in Atmore were in court Tuesday afternoon where a judge set their bond at $300,000 each.
Akeevia Lajoseia Abner and Tekeevia Lajoseialan Abner, both 18, were arrested Monday for three counts of reckless murder of 3-year olds Aniyia Abner and Takia Abner, and 22-month old Michael Coleman. The women face up to life in prison on each count if convicted.
A State Fire Marshal’s investigation determined the fire on 1st Street last Wednesday night was caused by an unattended stove. Authorities say the mothers had left the children home alone while they were elsewhere in the neighborhood.
“They showed an extreme indifference to these children’s lives and created a grave risk of death to the children by leaving them home alone on November 2, 2011,” according to the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney’s Office.
Two of the children were found dead in a hallway while the third was found in a bedroom. And prosecutors said that a mattress was blocking the living room door.
Forensics evidence determined that three young children died from smoke inhalation, authorities said.
Funeral services for the children will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the New Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 1712 M.L. King Avenue in Atmore. The Rev. Dr. Harold Askew will be officiating.
For earlier stories about the fire, including photos from the aftermath of the fire Wednesday night, click here and click here.
Pictured below: The aftermath a fire November 2 in Atmore that claimed the lives of three young children. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
