In His Own Words: The Ride Of A Lifetime With The Blue Angels
November 2, 2012
This morning, NorthEscambia.com takes you along for a flight with the Blue Angels with Escambia County School Board member Jeff Bergosh, in his own words:
The interesting aspects of the experience were numerous, but the standout in my mind is just the professionalism of the entire team, from the support staff, to the briefing personnel, to the PAO, to the ground crew, to the pilots.
For our rides, the #7 pilot, who also doubles as the team’s narrator, was tapped for the job. Lt. Mark Tedrow, a 2004 Naval Academy graduate, was extremely gracious and accommodating. In addition to his gregarious demeanor, this pilot was physically impressive.
He was easily 6’3”, and when I shook his hand before and after the flight, I felt like I was shaking hands with a bronze statue—this guy was a rock—kind of what one would expect as a Naval aviator from the movies. I also learned that none of the pilots wear “G Suits” during their flights—they have to control the G-forces’ effects on their bodies via a muscle flexing and breathing regimen called the HICK maneuver.
As we taxied down the runway we talked a bit, and he told me he was a football player, wide receiver. “On a team that didn’t like to pass the ball,” he quipped. An interesting thing I learned from Lt. Tedrow was that as a part of the rotation process coming on to the Blue Angels, many of the pilots spend their first year serving as narrator, before they rotate up to the actual demonstration team.
While serving as narrator, these pilots still train and fly, and these are the pilots tapped for giving VIP rides. Another thing I learned was just how lucky I was to get a ride; the ground-crew member who assisted with buckling me into the 14 point restraint system in the cockpit told me it took him eight years to earn his first backseat ride — eight years serving with the Blue Angels before he got a ride! That puts it into perspective for me — I was SO LUCKY to get this chance!
BLAST OFF
My ride lasted 30 minutes, and started with a bang as Lt. Tedrow began our flight by executing a high-speed, high performance takeoff that pulled six G’s of force. After we flew down the runway at 300 Knots, Lt. Tedrow put the nose of the jet straight up, vertical, and hit the afterburners. The jolt of the sudden change in direction pushed my whole body forward as we quickly ascended into the sky.
Once we hit our cruising altitude of 16,000 feet, we flew about 30 miles off the coast, descended toward the ocean, and performed a series of low and high speed maneuvers that resulted in various levels of G-forces on our bodies — from three to five G’s sustained — during some of the turns. The highlight for me, aside from the ridiculously insane takeoff, was when Lt. Tedrow lit the afterburners and we broke the sound barrier and went supersonic. I have never felt anything like that in my life; it was incredible!
And how many civilians will ever get the chance to break the sound barrier? Flying upside down was also an amazing sensation — and the views out of the canopy when one is flying upside down simply defy description. Awesome.
Aside from the majestic beauty of the day which allowed for views of over 20 miles up and down the coast, the final highlight was coming in to NAS Pensacola for a landing amidst the beauty of our local beaches and emerald water. After the flight, the Blue Angels presented me a signed commemorative photograph, as well as the complete cockpit video of the entire flight (Something my wife and kids now affectionately refer to, as their “endless source of entertainment” due to my facial expressions up there during the flight.) And to answer the one lingering question everyone has asked — NO, I did not black out during the flight — even while pulling G’s. I did grunt and strain but never blacked out!
The 30 or so minutes I spent up there that morning are 30 minutes I will remember as long as I live. I still can’t quite believe I was so fortunate to be selected for this honor, so much so that a part of me is still up there in the sky — on cloud nine!
Pictured top: Escambia County School Board member Jeff Bergosh flies with the Blue Angels. Pictured insets: Bergosh with the Blue Angels. Pictured below: Bergosh’s autographed ride photos. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
He’s Back: County Hires George Touart As Interim County Administrator
November 2, 2012
Former county administrator George Touart is back — the Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to hire Touart as interim county administrator
“This would be nothing less than temporary until we could find a qualified, permanent, top shelf, class act replacement,” Commissioner Gene Valentino said as he made a motion to bring Touart in to to temporarily fill the position vacated when the commission voted to fire Randy Oliver last month.
District 5 Commissioner Kevin White, who did not seek re-election and will be off the board in about two weeks, seconded the motion for discussion purposes. But White said he wanted the job.
“I was going to throw my name in the hat tonight,” White said, eliciting laughter from some of his fellow commissioners. “Seriously, I brought my resume, he said.”
Touart’s return to Escambia County government will be effective December 1 and he will remain until the board hires a permanent county administrator, a process estimated to take about six to 12 months. His employment will be at will, meaning that he can be terminated at any time. A regional search for a permanent administrator will begin in January.
“It’s a patch on the tire; it should not be construed as part of some longer term scheme,” Valentino said.
“It still have a problem with us making a decision on this when in two and a half weeks you are going to have two new board members in here,” White said.
Grover Robinson said he wants to have a new county administrator in place by March when work begins on next year’s budget.
The move to hire Touart at a $130,000 annual salary passed in a 3-2 vote Thursday night, with Commissioners Grover Robinson IV and Marie Young voting against. Touart will also receive a $500 monthly car allowance and “other benefits commensurate with county employment.”
“At least somebody could have made a motion for me,” White said.
Touart served as county administrator for five years, resigning amid ethics questions in 2007. All formal ethics complaints against him were dismissed.
Century Man Sentenced For DUI, Threatening To Kill Three Deputies
November 2, 2012
A Century man was sentenced this week for DUI and threatening the lives of three Escambia County deputies following an April 16 traffic stop at North Century Boulevard and Highway 4 East.
Jeremy Scott Young, 35, pleaded guilty to three counts of corruption by threat of public servants and he was found guilty of DUI. He was sentenced by Judge Darlene Dickey to a total of 24 months probation for all charges and sentenced to 50 hours of community service for refusing a DUI test. His license was suspended for one year, his vehicle was impounded for 10 days and he was ordered to complete recommended counseling.
Young was stopped by an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy after he was observed driving erratically on North Century Boulevard. The deputy reported smelling the odor of alcohol from Young’s breath and vehicle. The deputy also noted an open light beer container in an Auburn hugger on the dash of the truck. Young refused multiple requests to submit to a field sobriety test.
Just before being taken to jail, Young reportedly told two deputies that he would “see them tomorrow night and that they would die”, according to an arrest report, adding that his threat was not a joke. He then obtained the unit numbers for both deputies “and continually began stating their numbers over and over trying to remember” them.
Young then told the deputy transporting him to jail that he would kill him if he was “molested” while in jail.
Northview Hosting Mini Dance Team Clinic Saturday
November 2, 2012
The Northview High School Dance Team will hold a “Mini Dance Team Clinic” for girls ages 5-12.
Practices will begin Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until noon in the school gym. Registration forms were sent home from area schools and select private dance classes. Or, click here to download and print a registration form.
The Mini Dance Team will perform before the November 9 Northview home game versus West Florida High School.
Pictured: The Northview Dance Team performs at a recent football game. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Cross Country: Jay Lady Royals Win Districts, Boys Place Fourth
November 2, 2012
The Jay Lady Royals won the District 1-1A cross country championship Thursday, with the Royals boys finished fourth overall. Bot teams will advance to the regional meet on Saturday, November 10 at Sunny Hill Farms in Tallahassee.
The top 15 runners automatically advance to the Regional meet.
The Lady Royals had four girls to make the top 15, including top runner sophomore Jessica Thornton at second place overall with a time of 19:39.
The boys had two runners in the top 15. Micah Kemp finished fourth overall with a personal best and new school record of 16:25. Cody Wolfe ran seventh overall with a new personal best of 17:43.
JAY GIRLS
2. Jessica Thornton 19:39
5. Jorja Agrait 20:08 (PR)
7. Savannah Brown 21:10 (PR)
10. Jenna Thornton 21:28 (PR)
25. Alexis Mitchem 23:23 (PR)
32. Kendra Weekes 24:22 (PR)
33. RayAnn Free 24:44 (PR)
JAY BOYS
4. Micah Kemp 16:25 (PR)
7. Cody Wolfe 17:43 (PR)
17. Mark Foley 19:05 (PR)
36. Austin Gonzalez 21:31 (PR)
43. Joey Belanger 23:10
44. Noah Goodson 23:19 (PR)
PR denotes new personal record.
Girls Team Results:
1. Jay 49
2. Rocky Bayou 50
3. PCA 73
4. Central 85
5. Freeport 131
6. Baker 159
7. Paxton 183
Boys Team Results:
1. PCA 25
2. Paxton 94
3. Central 106
4. Jay 107
5. Laurel Hill 124
6. Freeport 132
7. Rocky Bayou 158
Friday Night Football Scores
November 2, 2012
Here is a look final scores from across the area tonight
FLORIDA
- Northview 40, Baker 6 [Read more, photos...]
- Freeport 40, Jay 7 [Read more, photos...]
- Tate 35, Washington 27 [Read more, photos...]
- West Florida 28, Tallahassee Chiles 21
- Milton 35, Pine Forest 21
- PHS 24, Escambia 3
- Pace 16, Catholic 15
- Gulf Breeze 45, Rutherford 15
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 63, Central Hayneville 20
- Baldwin County 20, Escambia County 0
- T.R. Miller 28, Sweetwater 27
- W.S. Neal 66, Millry 20
AISA 3A Playoffs
- #1 Tuscaloosa Academy 28, Escambia Academy 8
Football Pundit Chief Nostradamus: Northview Over Baker
November 2, 2012
Here’s a look at Friday night’s Northview Chiefs game against Baker from NorthEscambia.com’s new Northview football pundit - Chief Nostradamus, “The Cow Pasture Prophet” —
The Chiefs shouldn’t overlook this 5-3 Gators team in Friday night’s contest because this is a must-win district game. With a win, Northview clinches the District 1 championship.
Now for a closer look at Baker. It is just one alleged missed referee call from beating Freeport a few weeks ago. A win in that game would have given the Gators a 6-2 record, which would currently be the same as the Chiefs. Additionally, Baker scored 21 points on a quality Bozeman squad, which demonstrates that the Gators can put-up points on good team. So, Baker’s 5-3 record sounds pretty good on the surface. That is until one looks into the team’s wins and losses. When the game records are put down out on the table, there is a quick realization that the Gators haven’t beaten a team with .500 or better record. Baker’s wins came against South Walton (0-8), Rocky Bayou Christian (2-6), Sneads (3-5), Jay (3-5), and West Gadsden (0-8) – a combined record of 8-32. The three loses came in the ways of a 54-14 drubbing by Holmes County, a 32-21 thumping by Bozeman , and a 41-34 stumbling to Freeport. Nonetheless, it is obvious that Baker can score points even in defeat, and that makes this Gator team a force that must be reckoned with.
So here’s the prediction for Friday night’s match up. After contemplative gaze across the cow pasture, Chief Nostradamus prophesizes that the bovine fertilizer piles are not in a promising alignment for a Baker win; unable to hold-off Northview’s mighty Chiefs Friday night, the Baker’s Gators will go down in defeat by a considerable tally, 45-6.
That’s about it for now Chiefs fans. Come on out Friday evening and make the short drive over to Baker because our boys from Bratt need to hear you all cheering ‘em on to victory. GO CHIEFS!
Jeanene Murphy Hadley
November 2, 2012
Jeanene Murphy Hadley, 78, of Pensacola, our precious Mother went home to be with our Lord on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, after a long fight with cancer.
She has joined her loved ones by being reunited with husband, Hubert Hadley; parents, James Steve and Martha Murphy; brother, Don Murphy; and nephew, Shan Murphy.
Mother loved to laugh and tease. She loved her family and friends and enjoyed spending time with them. Our world will never be the same without Granny Ha Ha.
She leaves to cherish many sweet memories her daughters and “sons”, Janie and Rick Malbeck of Milton, FL and Donna and Ben Porter of Molino, FL; a granddaughter, Sandra Porter, who was very dear to her heart; brothers, Jr. and Yvonne Murphy, George Ray and Sharon Murphy; sister in law, Eileen Murphy; along with many special nieces, nephews and friends.
She was loved and we will miss her greatly.
The family wishes to thank everyone for the many prayers and the staff on 4th floor north at West Florida Hospital. Your love and compassion for Mother was amazing and appreciated.
Funeral services will be held at 2PM at Lewis Funeral Home, Pace Chapel on Sunday November 4, 2012 with Bro. Robert Porter and Bro. Ron Carnley, officiating. Interment will be at 11AM Monday, November 5, 2012 at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6-8PM on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Steve Murphy, Ron Coulter, Bobby Porter, Larry Houck, Bro. Robert Driver and Dillon Vardeman.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Murphy and the men at Farm Hill Holiness Church.
Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
John 14 1-3
Two Arrested On Drug Charges Following Bratt Traffic Stop
November 1, 2012
Two people were arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop east of Bratt.
Javis Cane Grimes, age 28 of Century, and Amanda Leeann Davis, age 33 of Jay, were both charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Davis was released on a $3,000 bond, while Grimes remained jailed early Thursday with bond set at $6,000.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop on a 2001 Nissan Altima driven by Davis just before midnight Monday on Highway 168 near Wawbeek Road. The stop was initiated due to no tail lights on the vehicle.
Davis granted consent to search the vehicle, and deputies found methamphetamine, two syringes and multiple items used to manufacture methamphetamine inside the vehicle, according to an arrest report.
Grimes is currently on probation for an unrelated narcotics violation involving methamphetamine, according to court records.
Corrections Officer Hopeful Arrested For Murder
November 1, 2012
A man studying in Escambia County to become a corrections officer has been arrested for an Arizona murder that took place over five years ago.
The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 32-year old Jack Bates Rider III of Milton as he left an academy class at the George Stone Technical Center on Longleaf Drive. Rider is the sole suspect in the premeditated murder of Krystal Wilson on July 19, 2007, in Yavapai County just outside Phoenix.
Rider had recently enrolled at George Stone to become a corrections officer, according to marshals.
“There was no way for the officials at George Stone to know he was a wanted man,” said Marshals Task Force spokesman Inspector Dominic Guadagnoli. “For case sensitive reasons Rider was not listed as a fugitive in NCIC (National Crime Information Center); so if the school checked it would not show him being a wanted man.”
Rider was arrested without incident and booked into the Escambia County Jail as a fugitive from justice to await extradition to Arizona.
He allegedly strangled the victim “either during or after the course of a personal relationship”, according to a statement from the U.S. Marshals.