Frontier, Cox Communications Both Experience Outages
December 3, 2011
Two communications providers in the area experienced major outages Friday.
Frontier Communications, which serves customers in Walnut Hill, Bratt, Molino and Atmore, experienced a major internet outage from about 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Friday. Frontier phone services was not effected.
Cox Communications, which serves customers in the Pensacola area, experienced an internet, phone and 911 outage for a few hours Friday evening.
“We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience,” Cox Public Affairs Manager David Deliman said.
Ernest Ward Middle Ships Care Packages To Overseas Soldiers
December 3, 2011
Students at Ernest Ward Middle School raised over $600 for Christmas care package items for American soldiers serving overseas. Clubs and athletic groups at the school donated a portion of their own fundraising proceeds toward the project.
In addition to snacks and other items, the students also included hundreds of handmade Christmas cards for the packages that were mailed Friday.
Pictured: Representatives from several Ernest Ward Middle clubs and athletic groups packed Christmas care packages Friday for overseas American soldiers. Pictured are Bethany Reynolds, cross country; Peighton Dortch, FFA; Mallory Gibson, cheerleading; Brianna Parker, basketball; Amber Freeman, band; Gavin Grant, basketball; and Austin Whitehead, football. Several other clubs that are not pictured also contributed to the effort. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Open House At Wildlife Sanctuary Of Northwest Florida
December 3, 2011
The Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida is holding a Holiday Open House and Give A Hoot Supply Drive today at 105 North “S” Street in Pensacola. The event will take place from noon until 3:30 p.m.
There will be facility tours, music, unique gifts, children’s story time, food and games. Cameras are encouraged.
The facility is in need of these items on daily basis: sweet potatoes, venison or red meat, fresh or frozen chicken or fish, peanuts in the shell, pecans, puppy Science Diet, suet, peanut butter, liquid laundry soap, first class stamps, monetary donations and gift cards from Walmart, Lowe’s and Home Depot.
For more information on making a donation, call (850) 433-9453 or www.pensacolawildlife.com.
Cantonment Man Is One Of America’s Most Wanted
December 3, 2011
A former Cantonment resident that was the suspected triggerman in the shooting a death of a Pensacola toddler over two months ago is being named one of America’s Most Wanted.
The America’s Most Wanted television program is filming a segment this weekend about 19-year old Dwayne “Money” Pinestraw. He’s wanted on an open count of murder for the shooting death of Ty’Quarius Moultrie, 19 months old; aggravated battery for the shooting of Vincent Dennis, 23; and firing a weapon into an occupied building for the incident that occurred in July at Pensacola Village, 500 East Fairfield Drive.
Multiple shots were fired into the apartment back on July 15, according to Pensacola Police, shortly after several people were involved in a drug transaction nearby.
Pinestraw’s last known address was on Lake Drive in Cantonment. Pinestraw is a black male, approximately 5-feet 6-inches tall and approximately 130 pounds. He should be considered armed and dangerous, according to Pensacola Police.
Anyone having information on the Pinestraw’s location or the shooting is asked to contact Lt. Doug Baldwin at (850) 435-1908, Detective James Reese at (850) 435-1976, or the Desk Sergeant’s Office at (850) 435-1900.
Pinestaw is expected to be featured on America’s Most Wanted with John Walsh on December 17 as part of a special two hour primetime special.
Man Arrested In Early Morning Murder Of Escambia Teen
December 2, 2011
An arrest has been made in the early morning murder of an Escambia County teen.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office charged Michael Palmer Davis, 25, with second degree murder for the shooting death of Alonzo Dewayne Knight.
Deputies responded to the 7100 block of Princess Lane near Fairfield Drive and Patricia Drive just after 2 a.m. Friday for a shooting victim. Upon arrival, Knight was
pronounced dead at the scene from a gunshot wound.
Davis is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Chipley 25 Northview 21 FINAL
December 2, 2011
Chipley beat Northview in tonight’s state semifinal game 25-21.
Details and photos Saturday morning.
Cox Experiences Internet, Phone, 911 Outage
December 2, 2011
Cox Communications customers are currently experiencing service outages that include 911 telephone service. Residents in need of emergency services are advised to use their cell phones to call 911. Cox is currently working on the issue and hopes to restore services soon, according to Cam Johnson, Escambia County spokesman.
Chipley High Bus Burns On The Way To Northview
December 2, 2011
A bus transporting Chipley High School’s football team to Friday night’s semifinal game at Northview High School burned on the interstate.
There were no injuries and the team was able to save all of the equipment, Mike Morrison, public information officer for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office told NorthEscambia.com. The bus fire began during the 4:00 hour on I-10 at the 74 mile marker near Defuniak Springs.
The photograph on this page was taken as the fire was starting; it engulfed and destroyed the bus, according to Tracy Hinote, mother of Chipley player Kyle Hinote. She confirmed that there were no injuries and none of the football equipment was lost. She said that several players did lose their personal items on the bus, such as jackets
The team secured another bus to continue to Northview High School.
Pictured: Chipley High School’s bus burns Friday afternoon on I-10 near Defuniak Springs. Exclusive photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Highway 29 Crash
December 2, 2011
There were no serious injuries reported in a Friday morning accident in Cantonment, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The accident happened about 11:15 a.m. on Highway 29 north of Archer Road, near St. Monica’s Episcopal Church.
The accident did cause traffic delays in the area for a short period.
Further details have not been released; the accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Our View: NHS Quarterback Sheets’ Suspension Just Isn’t Right
December 2, 2011
Tonight’s the biggest football game ever in Bratt, and certainly the big one for seniors like Brandon Sheets, starting quarterback and free safety.
But Brandon won’t play tonight, his suspension upheld Thursday by the Florida High School Athletic Association for taunting. Really? This is high school football. This is a sport for young men; this is not third grade kickball.
That said, there should have never been a flag on Sheets after his short touchdown late in the third. Video from two different angles clearly shows Sheets steeping across the goal line and stopping near immediately. There’s a Freeport defender wrapped around his legs. The tackle does not bring him down, but he stops until the Freeport player turns loose. Yes, he does look down, waiting to see when Mr. Freeport is going to let go. Then within a second, he turns and walks away with another Chief.
Plenty of “smart” armchair quarterbacks have read the reports on NorthEscambia and chimed in on how immature he was, how he should be taught a lesson, how the suspension was correct and lots of other uneducated comments. Some theorized that it was what he said that irked the referee. Most probably did not even see the game, blowing hot air behind their keyboards.
The videos clearly show he did not do anything wrong. But, most importantly to me, I did not see anything wrong. I’m not playing armchair quarterback or making that call from the perspective of a fan in the stands. I’m saying that as the person standing closer to the play than anyone else in the stadium except for other players. I was just feet away on the edge of end zone, closer than any referee. If he said anything wrong, I certainly did not hear it, and it would have been impossible for any referee to hear.
I never saw a second flag against Sheets. No one caught it on video. In fact, I can’t find anyone that saw the second flag, even among us media types on the field. There was never a clear signal from a ref that Sheets was ejected.
If Brandon Sheets did run back on the field clapping, then sorry Mr. Referee, he wasn’t making fun of you (again, this is not third grade kickball and no one’s out to get you). He was encouraging his team. That’s what Brandon Sheets does play after play, game after game. That’s leadership, not taunting.
After the game, Wheatley told me, and told other reporters in separate interviews, that Sheets was not ejected. Wheatley said he pulled him from the rest of the game, allowing backup quarterback Kevin Vaughan excellent playtime in the QB slot.
But somewhere between Friday night and Monday morning, an official from the Miracle Strip Association, decided and reported to the Florida High School Athletic Association that Sheets was ejected.
That’s another interesting issue. The Miracle Strip Association that provided the officials is based in Shalimar, about 30 miles from Freeport, with officials from across that area. They are, just to make the note, the likely officials for the Northview vs. Chipley game. Chipley is a short 75 miles from Freeport.
Ejections have their place in high school sports. Throwing punches, spitting, attacking an official physically, throwing a sissy fit — those are valid reasons for ejections. Ejections have been issued overturned on appeal this year in our area for players involved in fights and players that were arrested.
But what’s done is done, as wrong as it may be. Brandon Sheets will sit out Friday night’s game. He will hold his head high knowing his team, his fans and most of Escambia County are behind him.
Junior Kevin Vaughan will step and he will lead the Chiefs on the field tonight. Rest assured, his team is behind him, and they are ready to “Do it with Dewey”, as he is called by those that know him. The fans will pack the stands; those that can’t be there will follow our score updates on their computers and smartphones. We all have your back Kevin, and we are supporting you and each of the players fully.
Win or lose, we won’t be making excuses come Saturday morning, even though we know the suspension was wrong. The entire area will stand tall behind the Boys from Bratt. Most of us are already checking the couch cushions for gas money for Orlando. (Can you say Road Trip?!?)
Go Chiefs!
William Reynolds, Publisher
NorthEscambia.com