Escambia 4-H Team Places Second In State Meat Judging Contest
May 4, 2019
The Escambia County 4-H senior meat judging team placed second at the state 4-H Meat Judging Contest at the University of West Florida’s Meat Processing Center.
Participants had to identify 50 retail cuts, place eight retail, primal or carcass classes, answer questions relating to the meat industry, and give two sets of oral reasons on why and how they placed a class.
The senior team comprised of youth ages 14-18 included Jessica Conti, Hannah Schnupp, Ethan Thorne and Hannah Thorne. When the individual scores were tallied, Conti was the high individual and top meat judging 4-H member in Florida. Other individual results were Thorne placing seventh, Schnupp 10th and Schnupp 11th.
The senior 4-H meat judging team will now have the opportunity to compete at the Western National Roundup meat judging contest in Denver as part of the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in early January 2020.
The 4-H meat judging program develops life skills through activities related to the processing of beef, pork, and lamb, including retail identification, factors relating to meat quality, and cooking methods. Participants developed an understanding and appreciation of the basic scientific principles involved in eating and cooking quality, nutritional value, and consumer appeal of meat. 4-H members on the team also learned life skills such as effective decision-making, critical thinking, goal setting, and teamwork.
Fire Heavily Damages Home In Cantonment
May 3, 2019
Fire heavily damaged a home in Cantonment Friday afternoon.
The fire was reported about 12:45 p.m. in the 3000 block of Woodbury Circle. The fire was reported to be heavily involved in the garage area of the 3,000 square foot brick home.
There were no injuries reported, and the cause of the blaze is under investigation.
Multiple stations from Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Firefighter Trainee Allegedly Steals Truck From Walnut Hill Fire Station, Facing Multiple Alabama Charges
May 3, 2019
A former volunteer firefighter trainee behind bars in Alabama will be charged with stealing a brush truck from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
Lawrence Eathan Coon, 22, was taken into custody in Escambia County, AL, on unrelated charges of tampering with physical evidence, carrying a concealed pistol without a permit, third degree criminal mischief, third degree reckless endangerment, interference with a domestic violence emergency call, stalking, third degree theft of property, first degree criminal mischief and second degree theft of property.
According to Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson, his department responded to domestic disturbance involving Coon and his ex-girlfriend on Ross Gate Road north of Atmore. Coon was in a vehicle blocking the roadway that sped away as the deputy approached, Jackson said, and the deputy stopped the vehicle on Butler Street. A pistol belonging to Coon was in the glovebox of the vehicle, the sheriff said, adding that Coon had allegedly ran his ex-girlfriend off the road before deputies were called.
He faces extradition back to Escambia County, FL, on a charge of vehicle theft, a third degree felony.
Coon had access to the Walnut Hill Fire Station as a volunteer. He allegedly entered the fire station and took a brush truck late the night of April 14 and drove around for more than hour, including crossing the state line to Flomaton before returning the truck.
Officials say as a trainee he was not authorized to drive any fire department vehicle. Coon resigned from the volunteer fire service when confronted with the allegations.
We are still awaiting details on what led to Coon’s charges in Alabama.
Interim County Administrator Lovoy Departing Two Months Earlier Than Expected
May 3, 2019
Interim County Administrator Amy Lovoy will be leaving Escambia County at the end of next week, over two months sooner than originally thought.
The county commission approved letting Lovoy depart before working out the 90 day notice she gave when she submitted her resignation. She had been set for a last day of July 12.
Assistant County Administrator Matt Coughlin plants to align his last day with Lovoy’s final working day with the county.
New County Administrator Janice Gilley won’t begin work until about June 24, leaving the county without an acting administrator for over six weeks if Coughlin departs early.
It is expected that Natural Resources Management Department Director Chips Kirschenfeld will be named active administrator until Gilley arrives.
Thursday, the Escambia County Commission approved a 5 percent retroactive raise for Lovoy to cover the time she has worked as interim administrator through May 9. After voting unanimously for the pay increase, the commission gave Lovoy a standing ovation.
National Day Of Prayer Events Held (With Photo Gallery)
May 3, 2019
Atmore marked the National Day of Prayer Thursday with several events, drawing the faithful and pastors from Atmore and the North Escambia area.
A prayer service was held at the Atmore City Hall Thursday morning. A community prayer service and Bible reading was held Thursday afternoon in the Cornell Torrence Gym at Escambia County High School.
Community, business and spiritual leaders led those gathered in prayer for government, the church, the family, media, education and business. A Bible scripture reading followed.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Jay For District Softball Title; Love Hits Go-Ahead Grand Slam
May 3, 2019
The Northview Lady Chiefs won their first 1A district title since 2011 Thursday night with an 8-2 defeat of the Jay Lady Royals in Jay.
Aubree Love had a go-ahead grand slam homer over the center field fence in the fifth inning on the first toss from a Jay relief pitcher.
“My coaches just told me to go in there and be confident,” Love said. “I wasn’t trying to hit a home run, just score that runner at third…It’s awesome when you hit a home run, especially with it being a district game and us coming through with a district title…it’s just an awesome feeling.”
“They changed out the pitcher, and Aubree came through clutch. I told her you are looking for one pitch, that first pitch and she drove it in,” Northview Head Coach Amy Holland said. With two on base, Kailyn Watson also drove in a three-run in park home run for the Chiefs.
“We felt really good about the game; we felt very well prepared after coming off a sloppy win against Freeport,” Holland said.
Tori Herrington pitched a complete game win for Northview.
The Northview Lady Chiefs will host Franklin County as regional play gets underway at 7:00 next Thursday night, May 9.
For a photo gallery celebrating the championship and game action, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Heavily Damages Home Near Jay
May 3, 2019
Fire heavily damaged a home in Jay Thursday afternoon.
The fire in 4200 block of Watermill Road, about a mile from Jay High School, was reported just after 3 p.m.
The Jay, Allentown , Berrydale, Century and Flomaton fire stations responded. Further details haven not been made available.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Lady Aggies Win Sixth Consecutive District Title
May 3, 2019
The Tate Lady Aggies won their sixth consecutive district title Thursday night 14-2 over the Escambia Gators.
The District 1-7A championship game was tied 2-2 headed into the top of the seventh when Shelby McClean doubled on a 0-1 count, scoring one run.
The Aggies were on fire in the seventh with a 12 runs, including an Amber Decoux home run.
Avery Beauchanie went seven innings in the circle for Tate, allowing four hits on two runs while striking out six Gators.
For Tate: Decoux 2-5, 2R, RBI; Hanna Halfacre 1-5, R, 2RBI, Beauchanie 3-4, RBI; Ryleigh Cawby 2-4, 2R; RBI; Christina Mason 2-4, R, RBI; Cam Wolfenden R; Lilly Locke 3-4, 2R, RBI; Gabby Locke 2-3, R, RBI; McClean 2-4, 2R, 2RBI; Alyssa Rowell R, Courtney Lundquist R.
The Lady Aggies advance to host Navarre in the Region 1-7A quarterfinals.
DeSantis To Choose From Six Finalists To Be Escambia County Judge
May 3, 2019
Gov. Ron DeSantis will consider six people to replace Escambia County Judge Joyce Williams following her resignation in March.
The six finalists picked from 13 applicants by the First Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission are forwarded to the governor for consideration are:
- Paul Hamlin
- Andrew McGraw
- Charles V. Peppler
- Charles Russell
- David Stevens
- Charles Young
DeSantis has upto 60 days to appoint his selection.
Tate Aggies Celebrate Senior Night, Beat Gulf Breeze (With Gallery)
May 3, 2019
The Tate Aggies earned an 11-6 senior night win over Gulf Breeze Thursday night.
Jace Dunsford pitched the win for the Aggies, allowing two runs on four hits over three innings, striking out three and walking none. Dalton Biggs, Jordan Jarman, and Sam Shackle all put in work in relief out of the bullpen.
Raymond Lafleur homered in the sixth inning for the Aggies.
The Tate Aggies honored 10 seniors – Will Clary, Mason Land, Kaden Kings, Easton Sidner, Jace Dunsford, Trey Lafleur, Brantley Culbertson, Hunter McClean, Patrick Lascell and Mikey Potts.
For a photo gallery from Tate Senior Night festivities, click here.
Photos by Crystal Tolbert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
