Escambia Extension Offering Free Gardening Programs
February 26, 2012
The Escambia County Extension Service is offering hands-on gardening programs featuring local plants, gardening practices, and highlighting the Escambia County Demonstration Garden.
All sessions are free and will be held at the Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment. Preregistration is required and registration closes three days before each event.
The next program, “Propagation by Cutting and Division”, features easy propagation techniques for many ornamental greases, perennials, and the care of plants throughout the remainder of the growing season. Participants can attend either Friday, March 9th, or Saturday, March 10th, from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m.
Participants should dress for outdoor weather, bring water, and may bring a lawn chair if needed.
For more information or to register for a specific day, contact Beth Bolles at bbolles@ufl.edu or by phone at (850) 475-5230.
Kevin White’s Withdrawal Letter
February 18, 2012
Incumbent District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Kevin White withdrew from the race Friday. The following is a letter from White faxed to NorthEscambia.com —
To the citizens of District 5 and Escambia County,
Just over eight years ago, I walked from Cantonment to Century to kick off-my campaign for the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, District 5. The walk was long, but it gave me a unique opportunity to listen to the citizens along the way about what they perceived as challenges facing our community. Many expressed the desire for better jobs, and a smaller, more efficient county government. Others wanted the county’s infrastructure improved with paved roads and sidewalks. And some wanted our community cleaner with an emphasis on protecting our natural resources.
I was fortunate that the citizens put their trust in me and elected me to two successful terms. Every day I worked to make our community better, not just for the citizens of District 5, but the community as a whole. My experience in the United States Air Force, Air National Guard and as a small business owner helped me become a more effective commissioner. I am proud of the progress we’ve made as a county over the past eight years. We’ve recruited businesses and created jobs and cut the county budget by 71 million dollars. District 5 has benefited with more paved roads, newer parks, sidewalks and bike paths, and new trees planted in many areas. I believe the quality of life is better than it has been in a generation.
With this in mind, I have decided not to seek a third term for the District 5 seat. I still care very deeply about Escambia County and will remain active to see that our community moves forward in a positive direction. I have given eight years to Escambia County and I believe that it is time for someone else to have the opportunity to serve. The District 5 seat doesn’t belong to me……it belongs to the people….and I am humbled and thankful for the experience.
Being a member of the County Commission and serving with my colleagues has been a challenging and rewarding experience. We have tackled many policy issues that impacted the citizens for the county. I am proud of the way everyone worked to put the community back together after the devastation of Hurricane Ivan; I am thankful to the dedicated county employees who continue to amaze me with their commitment to the betterment of Escambia County. I could not have accomplished so many goals without them.
This chapter in my life is coming to a close and I will always remember having the awesome responsibility of serving the citizens of Escambia County. They are very informed and I have learned a lot from their insights.
May God bless you and Escambia County. It has been a wonderful ride.
– Kevin White
Minnie Godwin Roley
January 27, 2012
Mrs. Minnie Godwin Roley, 95, passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at a Pensacola, FL hospital.
Mrs. Roley was a native of Jackson, AL, and a resident of Davisville, FL since 1950. She was a retired nurse, a former employee of T G & Y, and a member of the Bratt First Baptist Church. Preceded in death by her Husbands, Henry Godwin and Tommy Roley, and a Daughter, Bobbie MaLue.
Survivors include: two Daughters, Faye Cobb of Stockton, AL, and Brenda and Norman Steele of Davisville, FL; 5 Grandchildren; 12 Great-Grandchildren; 24 Great-Great-Grandchildren; a Brother, L.C. and Thelma Amerson of Norfolk, VA; and two Sisters, Shirley and Leroy Whatley of Bratt, FL and Allie Myers of Maryville, LA.
Funeral services will be Saturday, January 28, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Paul Enfinger officiating..
Burial will follow at the Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 28, 2012, from 12:30 p.m. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home
Pallbearers will be Keith Berry, Pete Amerson, III, Wade Amerson, Zachery Steele, Nathan Whitley and Richard Nahkala.
Brittany Hedwig Etheridge
January 13, 2012
Brittany Hedwig Etheridge of Atmore, Alabama took her last breath in a peace-filled moment late in the evening of Tuesday, January 10, 2012, a full 22 days before her 22nd birthday.
She was a 2008 graduate of Escambia County High School in Atmore and a student at Faulkner State community college in Bay Minette where she had one class remaining before completion of an associates degree in pursuit of a future career as an accountant.
Brittany always sought and shared beauty and will be remembered as a lover of life who graced hearts with joy and happiness. She fought leukemia with grace and unrelenting determination.
She was preceded in her journey by three grandparents, one cousin and two paternal uncles.
She is survived by her mother, Evelyn Etheridge; her father, Jimmy Etheridge; one brother, James Bernard Etheridge; her paternal grandfather, Alton Etheridge: seven aunts; six uncles; 18 cousins; and many other family and friends.
A funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday January 13, 2012, at 10 a.m. from the St.Roberts Bellarmine Church in Atmore by Father Jan Zagorski, her former pastor, with Father Gordon Milstead, acting as master of ceremonies. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Rosary will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday evening January 12, 2012, from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore is in charge of all arrangements.
FDLE Operation Amalgamate Arrest List
December 16, 2011
Here is the complete list of those arrested in Operation Amalgamate as provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement:
Barnes, Christopher M., 08-31-87, Tampa, Florida –Hillsborough
Two counts computer pornography & one count attempted sexual battery
Belledent, Karl Edwin, 03-26-96, N. Miami – Miami Dade
One count computer pornography, four counts of sexual battery, four counts of sexual performance by a child & one count of extortion
Billings, Michael D., 06-11-69, Leesburg, Florida — Volusia
Two counts computer pornography & one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Blyth, Dennis Richard, 11-25-47, Daytona Beach, Florida — Volusia
Two counts computer pornography & one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Brandstedter, Cristy, 01-23-49, Land O Lakes Florida — Pasco
10 counts of child pornography
Briggs, James Michael, 11-28-61, Ft. Myers, Florida — Hardee
Two counts computer pornography & one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Brown, Gene Hamilton, 02-01-61, Cantonment, Florida — Escambia
Three counts of child pornography
Brown, Kris Karl, 04-29-75 – (No residence address) –Broward
20counts of child pornography & one count of computer pornography
Brown, Michael Robert, 08-04-80, Dade City, Florida — Volusia
Two counts computer pornography, one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, one count of cannabis under 20 grams & one count of possession of drug paraphernalia
Bueno, Alvin Grullon, 11-14-81, North Lauderdale, Florida –Broward
25 counts of child pornography
Calloway, Dustin S., 04-15-86 (no arrest affidavit) (No residence address) — Leon
Carver, Ricky Lamar, 02-26-71, Jacksonville, Florida — Leon
Five counts of computer pornography
Chu, Anthony, 06-15-87, Orlando, Florida — Orange
10 counts of child pornography
Coons, Zachary, 06-07-93 (No residence address) — Leon
Two counts of computer pornography
Deloge, Steven Robert, 05-22-74, Jacksonville, Florida –Duval
One count of computer pornography
Echevarria, Nelson, 04, 09,80, (No residence address) — Broward
One count of cannabis under 20 grams, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia & one count of possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon
El-Refai, Sherif, 10-19-87, Tampa, Florida –Hillsborough
Two counts of computer pornography & one count of attempt lewd and lascivious assault
Figueroa, Carlos Alberto, 02-26-85, Miami –Miami Dade
Three counts/violations of The Florida Sexual Predator Act
Fluery, Douglas, 08-03-53, Sunrise, Florida — Broward
Two counts of computer pornography, one count of attempt lewd and lascivious assault & one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Fochs, Donald William Jr., 06-23-73, New Port Richey, Florida — Pasco
One count of solicitation of a minor for sex acts
Gutierrez, Omar, 06-02-83, (No residence address) — Orange
Two counts of computer pornography
Hudnall, Richard, 11-30-56, Jacksonville, Florida –Leon
Two counts of computer pornography
Ingersoll, Michael, 05-16-84, Arvada, Colorado –Volusia
Two counts computer pornography & one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Jarrell, Jason, 05-01-80, Tallahassee, Florida — Leon
Two counts of computer pornography
Kalinowski, Edward L., 06-27-52, Daytona Beach, Florida — Volusia
Two counts computer pornography & one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Kessler, Phillip Michael, 01-10-76 (no arrest affidavit) –Bay
Lentovich, Eric Joseph, 08-27-75, Ft. Myers, Florida –Hardee
Two counts computer pornography & one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Leon, Hector Ramon, 12-26-65, Greenacre, Florida – Palm Beach
10 counts of child pornography
Martinet, Christian, 04-10-87, Pembroke Pines, Florida — Broward
30 counts of child pornography
Martinez, Jorge M. Jr., 09-26-89, West Park, Florida — Broward
One count of child pornography & one count of computer pornography
Masters, Rickey O., 07-17-46, Hollywood, Florida –Broward
10 counts of child pornography
Milboer, Scott Andrew, 01-113-78, Naples, Florida — Collier
Two counts of computer pornography, one count of attempt lewd and lascivious assault & one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Mizner, Stephen, 03-14-70, Sarasota, Florida
Two counts computer pornography, one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device & one count attempted sexual battery
Moss, Mario Dwayne, 12-08-84, Lake City, Florida — Columbia
10 counts of child pornography
Orr, Curtis, 04-09-70, (No residence address) — Broward
24 counts of child pornography
Peixoto De Almeida, Marcus F., 11-03-73, Hallandale Beach, Florida –Broward
20 counts of child pornography
Perez, Jorge Arturo, 04-14-83, Boca Raton, Florida –Palm Beach
Possession of child pornography
Rains, Paul David, 05-08-49, Orlando, Florida — Orange
10 counts of child pornography
Rees, James F., 10-28-60, Deltona Florida — Volusia
Two counts computer pornography & one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Sauleda, Donovan A., 05-13-86 (no arrest affidavit) — Wakulla
Shelley, Dean A. 12-15-59, Palm Harbor, Florida — Hillsborough
Two counts of computer pornography & one count of Attempt Capital Sexual Battery
Stowell, Kevin A., 10-26-58, Port Richey Florida — Pasco
10 counts child pornography
Torres, Michael, 12-11-76, Oakland Park, Florida — Broward
30 counts of child pornography
Vela, Francisco Javier, 07-10-77, Greenacre, Florida –Palm Beach
One count of child pornography
Walker Rober Lee Jr., 10-09-77, Orlando, Florida — Orange
10 counts of child pornography
White, Harvey, 03-13-53 (No residence address) — Broward
10 counts child pornography
White Leon, 07-12-52, Davenport, Florida — Osceola
10 Counts of child pornography
Example Photo From Northview Game
December 1, 2011
Video: Madeline Cates On Fox & Friends
November 20, 2011
Madeline Cates, fiancee of fallen Marine LCpl. Travis Nelson, was on FOX & Friends Sunday morning after FOX News picked up a November 12 NorthEscambia.com story.
Watch the video below, or click here.
To read the original NorthEscambia.com story, click here.
Letter To The Editor: Northview Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk
October 9, 2011
Letter to the editor –
I continue to strive at keeping the registration cost low to have more people participate. My goal is to hook the 1st time walkers and runners into the great thrill of crossing the finish line. Most likely, their first race won’t be their last. My mother started 5 years ago and now at 71 she’s addicted to 5k runs. I feel exercise is her greatest motivator in beating breast cancer and positive outlook in life. It’s never to late or too soon to start exercising. Debra Parker & Bert Rice, both winners in today’s Grand Master Category are great examples of life long runners. Jae Heaton, our youngest participant came running in with a huge smile. Her smile lets you know she will be back. I love the enthusiasm of each person when they cross the line of completion. Their face shows their success. It’s not always about the speed, it’s about getting up and getting motivated.
Next year’s Goals for the 3rd Annual Chief Challenge will be to have high tech-timing, race clock, more student participants, and more categories for adults.
My apologizes to Matt Arnold and Rebekah Amerson with fumbling over their results.
The event’s success is from our many local sponsors and volunteers. A special thank you to the sponsors and volunteers; Atmore Pepsi, Atmore Family Medicine, Walnut Hill Fire & Rescue, Northescambia.com, Marion Cooper, Vicky Godwin, NJROTC, Tribal Beat Drum Line, Cheer, FBLA, Volleyball, FFA, Construction & Technology Academy, Northview Cross Country, Wellness Coordinator, Eagle’s Cross Country, Tater, Northview’s Athletic Trainer, and the Bratt community.
Natalie Nall
Chief Challenge 5K Organizer
Map To Jay Peanut Festival
September 28, 2011
Cain Win In Florida Straw Poll Upends Florida Race
September 25, 2011
Herman Cain, a pizza magnate seen as a minor candidate in a crowded field for the GOP nomination, scored an upset victory Saturday in the Republican Party of Florida’s Presidency 5 straw poll, raising questions about the standing of the two front-runners and the bellwether status of the fundraising event.
Cain easily won the straw poll with 37.1 percent of the 2,657 ballots cast. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, viewed as the favorite in the event after riding to the top of opinion polls, came in second with 15.4 percent. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the nationwide favorite before Perry entered the race, took 14 percent of the ballots.
After those three were former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania with 10.9 percent; U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, 10.4 percent; former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, 8.4 percent; former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, 2.3 percent; and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, 1.5 percent.
In a video message to his supporters, Cain reveled in the win.
“Folks, this is what you call momentum. … The Herman Cain train is picking up steam,” he said.
The Perry campaign tried to distance itself from the notion that the loss had hurt the Texas governor’s chances of securing Florida and the nomination in the primary fight, pointing out that Perry had been in the race for less than two months.
“This is a devastating loss for Mitt Romney,” press secretary Mark Miner said. “He’s been running for president for over five years, and he came in third today.”
But Romney had long ago announced he would bypass direct competition in the straw poll event, and was one of three GOP candidates — along with Bachmann and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, who was not on the ballot — who didn’t either present a case to the GOP delegates or send a surrogate to do so for him.
Perry, on the other hand, did contest the event, with surrogates including Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon taking to the stage to defend him. And Perry had been pummeled in the press and by conservative pundits for his performance in Friday night’s presidential debate and a remark suggesting those who opposed one of his more moderate policies on immigration were heartless.
Even some of Perry’s supporters at the straw poll said those debate snags might have hurt his showing.
“I think he’s going to have to go back and talk a little more about the immigration issue,” said Marion County GOP Chairman Roy Abshier, a Perry backer.
Matt McCary, an Orange Park resident, said Cain had won his support during the straw poll and the primary itself with his showing this weekend.
“The first time I heard Herman Cain speak, that did it for me,” he said.
Cain’s final, fiery speech, shortly before delegates headed to vote, clearly electrified the crowd.
He drew repeated standing ovations by drawing on the Declaration of Independence — at one point telling delegates, “We’ve got some altering and abolishing to do” — and Ronald Reagan’s famously optimistic description of America.
“Let’s push that shining city on a hill back up to the top of the hill,” he said.
It’s unclear whether Cain can transfer the energy of the victory to the ballot box in the state’s yet-to-be-scheduled GOP primary. The former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza and cancer survivor’s only prior run for office was a bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia. He finished a distant second to then-Congressman Johnny Isakson in the Republican primary, though he beat out another incumbent congressman in that race.
Bachmann, after all, won the Iowa Straw Poll last month before her last-place showing Saturday.
But party leaders have pushed for weeks the notion that the Florida event often predicts the winner of the nomination. Reagan won the event in 1979, followed by George H.W. Bush in 1987 and Bob Dole in 1995.
“As Florida goes, so goes the nation. And as you go, so goes Florida,” Gov. Rick Scott said Saturday, before the results were announced.
Cain’s upstart bid could put that theory to the test.
By Brandon Larrabee
The News Service of Florida