West All-Stars Win In Softball, Baseball
May 24, 2013
The West beat the East Thursday night in the Subway All-Star Softball Game at the University of West Florida, 4-3. It was the first time in many years that high school seniors of the West, representing Escambia County, beat the East girls from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
Jessica Brigg of West Florida High School was named the West MVP. The West was coached by Amy Holland of the Northview Chiefs.
In the Subway All-Star Baseball game, the West of Escambia County beat the east 13-6 for the West’s first win in seven years.
Pictured top: West All-Star Coach Amy Holland (second from right) with Northiew All-Star players (L-R) Shaquanna Jones, Ariel Holland, Misty Doran and Morgan Payne. Pictured below: The 2013 Subway West All-Star Softball team. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NOAA Predicts Active 2013 Hurricane Season
May 24, 2013
In its 2013 Atlantic hurricane season outlook issued Thursday, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting an active or extremely active season this year.
For the six-month hurricane season, which begins June 1, NOAA’s Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook says there is a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher).
These ranges are well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.
“With the devastation of Sandy fresh in our minds, and another active season predicted, everyone at NOAA is committed to providing life-saving forecasts in the face of these storms and ensuring that Americans are prepared and ready ahead of time.” said Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D., NOAA acting administrator. “As we saw first-hand with Sandy, it’s important to remember that tropical storm and hurricane impacts are not limited to the coastline. Strong winds, torrential rain, flooding, and tornadoes often threaten inland areas far from where the storm first makes landfall.”
On Stage: Hope 4 Halee Cabaret To Benefit Tate Senior
May 24, 2013
A Hope 4 Halee Charity Cabaret will be held this Saturday at the Pensacola Little Theatre to benefit Tate High School senior Halee Boyd, who is fighting a rare form of cancer. Many Pensacola youth favorites will be performing, and all profits go to the Hope 4 Halee charity.
The event is being hosted by Tori Patton, a junior in the International Baccalaureate program at Pensacola High School as her community service project. Patton and Boyd have been friends for years, both members of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus.
“We had our first rehearsal last Tuesday, and we have had multiple rehearsals since. I am completely amazed at the talented youth we have here in Pensacola. It is going to be an incredible performance, for an extremely worthy cause,” Patton said. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase the talented peers and friends of Halee’s (current and former members of the Pensacola Childrens’ Chorus), many of whom are actually majoring in Musical Theatre, and to give back to a very sweet girl who needs the donations.”
Performances scheduled include a set from B.E.T.A. (Broadening Education Thru Arts) Theatre and select performances by Savannah Green, Haylee Grace, Tori Patton, Cameron Gonzales, Sara Goff, Janah Brown, Kendall Parrett, Elliot Friedman, Michael Frazier, Brianca Wright, Kourtney Jones, Lindsay Riddle, Mary Tempesta, Gabe Friedman, Riana Lonquist, Teya Lonquist, Jocelyn Lonquist and Nigel Walden.
General admission is $15, priority seating is $25 for the Hope 4 Halee Charity Cabaret. Tickets are available by phone at (850) 434-0257, online at www.pensacolalittletheatre.com or at the box office. Doors will open at 6:30 Saturday at the Pensacola Little Theatre at 400 South Jefferson Street, with the performance at 7:00.
Pictured top: Performers in the Hope 4 Halee Charity Cabaret. Pictured below: The BETA Theatre Company. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cleaning Fluid Causes Massachusetts Avenue Hazmat Scare
May 24, 2013
A large drum of a cleaning solution caused a hazardous materials scare Thursday on Massachusetts Avenue, about a block from Montclair Elementary School.
The orange 55-gallon drum was believed to have fallen off a truck just before noon, landing near some railroad tracks. About a half dozen homes were evacuated as a precaution as officials worked to determine exactly what was in the leaking drum. Some residents reported a strong chemical odor.
There were no injuries reported.
The hazmat scene closed down roads in the area for a couple of hours. An investigation is now underway by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Pictured top: An Escambia County Fire Rescue Hazmat team on scene of a chemical spill Thursday afternoon on Massachusetts Avenue. Pictured below: A decontamination area is set up in the parking of University Auto Recyclers. Reader submitted photos by Edwin Schaff for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama’s Jo Bonner Resigns From Congress
May 24, 2013
Alabama Congressman Jo Bonner announced Thursday that he is retiring effect August 15 in order to take a newly-created position at the University of Alabama System. Bonner has held his congressional seat since 2003.
“I trust you know that serving as your congressman this past decade has truly been one of the highest honors of my life,” Bonner said. “While I had every intention of completing this term, sometimes opportunities come along that are so rare – and so special – that it forces you to alter even your best-made plans.”
Bonner will serve as the vice chancellor for government relations and economic development with the college system, reporting directly to UA System Chancellor Robert Witt. He is a 1982 Alabama graduate, and Judy Bonner, his older sister, was named presented of the university last November.
Bonner’s 1st Congressional District includes Mobile, Baldwin, Monroe, Jackson, Clarke and Escambia counties in Alabama. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley will set a date for a special election to replace Bonner.
“Jo is one of the hardest working legislators and a close friend for whom I have a great deal of respect. Over the last decade I have had the privilege of working closely with him on a bevy of issues that affect the Florida and Alabama Gulf Coast,” Florida Congressman Jeff Miller said Thursday afternoon, applauding Bonner’s work on issues including Hurricane Ivan recovery, the BP oil spill and new Airbus facility in Mobile.
“Jo has been a friend not only to me, but to the many people whose lives he has touched across the State of Alabama and the entire Gulf Coast. I will miss his commonsense approach to legislating and his unquestionable integrity. My wife Vicki and I wish Jo and Janée all the best in this new chapter in their lives,” Miller said.
Pictured: Alabama Congressman Jo Bonner during a town hall meeting last year in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lookouts Come Back For 5-3 Win Over Wahoos
May 24, 2013
The Chattanooga Lookouts scored four runs in the eighth inning to down the Blue Wahoos 5-3 in the series opener at AT&T Field in Chattanooga on Thursday night. Pensacola scored a run in top of the inning to claim a brief one-run advantage before the Lookouts responded in the bottom of the frame.
Chattanooga struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Miguel Rojas scored from second on an RBI single by Blake Smith. An error by first baseman Joe Mather on a throw from third kept the inning alive resulting in the run being ruled unearned.
Pensacola answered with run in the top of the second when Brodie Greene singled home Devin Lohman from second base to tie the game at one. The game stayed tied until Bryson Smith delivered a bases loaded two-out single scoring Tucker Barnhart from third.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Lookouts tied the game when Rojas scored from second on a base hit by Yasiel Puig. After an intential walk loaded the bases, C.J. Retherford drove home two with a double to the right field corner putting the Lookouts up for good. Their final run scored from third on a caught stealing by J.T. Wise.
Travis Mattair provided a solo home run in the top of the ninth, but that was all the Wahoos would get before the Dodgers rehabbing reliever Scott Elbert retired the side to close out the game and earn the save.
Pensacola collected a season-high 14 hits, 12 of which were singles. Ryan LaMarre’s third inning double was the other in addition to Mattair’s home run. The Blue Wahoos matched a season-high with 12 runners left on base. Pensacola has also tied a season-high with five straight losses.
Despite pitching six innings and allowing just one unearned run, Chad Rogers took a no-decision. He struck out three, walked one and allowed just three hits. Loek Van Mil (L, 0-2) was charged with all four Lookout runs in the eighth to take the loss. Hector Nelo earned the win out of the Lookouts bullpen despite pitching just one out.
The two teams continue the series on Friday night. The Blue Wahoos will send LHP Ryan Dennick to the mound against Lookouts LHP Chris Reed. First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m.
story by Kevin Burke
Our View: Century Council Shouldn’t Be Firing Squad
May 24, 2013
The Century Town Council was forced to seat itself as a “firing squad” of sorts Thursday afternoon, terminating a lower level employee with an attendance problem.
The employee, even by his own accounts, was repeatedly late for work in the mornings and late returning from lunch, and numerous times over recent weeks he simply failed to show for work without calling his supervisors. The employee agreed with Mayor Freddie McCall that his termination after over four years of employment was justified after he had already received fair warnings and reprimands.
Under Century’s own employment rules and regulations, the mayor is the town’s top boss, but the mayor can’t fire an employee without a vote of the town council. And, under those same town rules, the Mayor can’t make his termination recommendation known until a special meeting of the firing squad — the town council — begins.
Florida’s Sunshine Laws stipulate that public notice be given prior to all special council meetings, which, of course, draws the local media. Now the afternoon show with the employee in the cross hairs of the firing squad has turned into a public spectacle.
We understand and appreciate that employment records in Florida, for the most part, are public record. The employee’s termination is, and should be, public record. But should a public circus be made over firing a town laborer?
We think not, and the council apparently agrees. The mayor and the council discussed Thursday afternoon the need to look at the employment regulations of nearby governmental bodies and find a model that allows for lower level employee terminations to take place without a full-blown public meeting. Employee files would remain, as required by law, public record, so everything would remain above board and still “in the sunshine” as required by the Sunshine Law.
Does the Escambia County Commission call a special meeting to terminate a janitor, a secretary or a dump truck driver? Does the City of Pensacola assemble a special council meeting to terminate a maintenance man or a receptionist? No….those terminations are handled in the chain of command in place in the city or county. And as Century’s top boss, we believe the mayor should be able to terminate a laborer for documented poor work attendance.
Employees that serve at the pleasure of the council and are hired by the council — department heads and the town clerk — should still face a termination hearing before the council if the need arises. And in the case of any alleged employee wrongdoing or mishandling of money or property, the council, and thus the media and the public, should be involved.
As for the employee terminated Thursday, he performed a quality job for the town at a very minimal salary for years, except for the recent attendance issues. The mayor says he’ll give the employee a positive review, and the employee had an amazingly positive attitude for someone who had just received his pink slip.
The name of the fired Century employee is public record, as are the names of the janitors, official personnel, laborers and other non-management employees that have been terminated in recent years by Escambia County or the City of Pensacola. The media and the public have the right to obtain those names and employee files.
But local media outlets, NorthEscambia.com included, did not report on the terminations of those low level Pensacola and Escambia County employees because their firings were in the course of ordinary business. So in this case, we choose not to report the name of a laborer so publicly lined up before a firing squad Thursday. If the town had not been forced, by its own regulations, to call a public meeting, we would not have been involved in this employee issue at all.
You, as a member of the public, have a right to make a public records request for the man’s name, or for that matter the name of the last secretarial employee terminated by the county. And we support your right.
Rest assured, we will always report on the termination of government employees accused of wrongdoing, or upper level employees, department heads or managers that are terminated by the board or council they serve.
We call for the Century Town Council, again as they expressed they already wish to do, to quickly revisit town employment regulations to avoid such public firing squads as assembled Thursday.
Pictured top: The Century Town Council sits as a “firing squad” during a special meeting to terminate an employee Thursday afternoon. Pictured inset: Mayor Freddie McCall address the council. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Aaron “Bill” Rackard, Sr.
May 24, 2013
Mr. Aaron “Bill” Rackard, Sr., 93, passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, in Atmore, Alabama.
Mrs. Rackard was a native of Huxford and a resident of Atmore for most of his life. Mr. Rackard was a Veteran of WWII, was in the U.S. Navy and Boiler Makers Union. He is preceded in death by a wife, Annie Rackard, two sons, Aaron Rackard, Jr. and Jackie Rackard, one daughter, Billie Jo “Bit” Moorehauser, parents and a brother.
Survivors include Wife, Betty Rackard of Atmore; one son, Robert “Bobby” Rackard of Cape Coral, FL; two stepsons, William Jerry Wiggins, Jr of Bay Minette and Israel Dewayne Wiggins of Atmore; four daughters, Jill Abrams of Pennsylvania, JoAnn Welch of Shamong, NJ, Gail Reburton of Shamong, NJ, and Johnni Ruth Chapine of Shamong, NJ; two stepdaughters, Tammy Smith of Bratt and Sharon Stewart of Mobile ; two sisters, Lois Amos of Poarch and Wynice McGhee of Poarch; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Saturday, May 25, 2013, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. James Baker officiating.
Pallbearers will be Jason Rackard, Larry Flurnoy, David Gehman, Garris Sells, Joe Frank McGhee and Jerry Hawkins.
Burial will follow at the Poplar Springs Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, May 24, 2013, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Albert “Papa Ceta” Jackson
May 24, 2013
Mr. Albert “Papa Ceta” Jackson, 109, of Atmore (Freemanville community) died Thursday, May 16, 2013, at his residence.
He was a member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Freemanville and served his country as a member of the Buffalo Soldiers. At the time of his death, he was one of the oldest residents in Atmore and Escambia County, Ala. and was an avid drinker of Dr. Pepper. He had recently been awarded a year’s supply of Dr. Pepper by the Pepsi-Cola Company in Atmore. His most noted scripture was the Fifth Commandment (Exodus 20:12), “Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”
Four brothers, Nathaniel Jackson, Richard Jackson, Joseph Jackson and Willie Jackson; and four sisters, Lucy Rabb, Alberta Thomas, Annie Louise Johnson and Lizzie Mae Thomas preceded him in death.
Those left to cherish the legacy of Mr. Jackson are nine devoted nieces and nephews, Obie Lewis Johnson and Elois Johnson both of Atmore, Annie M. Wesley of Atlanta, Jahaser (Leroy) Sass of Moncks Corner, SC, Ella F. Brown of Riegelwood, NC, Georgia M. (Preston) Jones of Clearwater, FL, Eric (Johnnie M.) Johnson of Vista, CA, Gideon G. Johnson of Monroeville and Connie Linda (Nathaniel) Royal of Warner Robbins, GA; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2013, at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Freemanville with the Rev. Robert Davis, pastor, officiating. Retirement of his remains with military honors will be in the Pierce/Rabb Cemetery in Freemanville. Public viewing will be held from 2:00 until 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2013, at the funeral home and a family hour will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time at the church with Turner Funeral Chapel, LLC directing
Jesseca Miller Williams
May 24, 2013
Jesseca Miller Williams passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, after a lengthy illness. Jesseca was born on July 22, 1985, in Pensacola.
A loving mother, daughter, sister and friend, Jesseca loved to go to the beach or the river and spend time with her friends and family. Jesseca also enjoyed shopping and spending time with her children.
Jesseca captivated the hearts of everyone around her.
Jesseca is survived by her parents Ronny Miller (Becky), and Sherry Chance (Ray); her children, Destanyann Miller, Noah Williams, and Cole Harris; her stepchildren, Cameron Dansalan and Adrian Dansalan; her soulmate Santee Dansalan; her sisters, Desere Downing and Crystal Holliday (Bobby); step-siblings, Faith Williams, Hope Livingston, and Brian Williams; nieces and nephews, Crystalyn Daly, Dathan Church, and Dakota Downing.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at 12:30 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with funeral services immediately following at 1:30 p.m.
A graveside service will then follow at Highland Baptist Church Cemetery in Molino.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of services.