Local Woman Celebrates 105th Birthday
December 18, 2017
Myrtle Louise Joiner Peacock Gilmore recently celebrated her 105th birthday, surrounded by family and friends, at Solaris HealthCare on University Parkway.
When asked if she was having a good birthday, she replied, “I’ve had so many Happy Birthdays, I’ve run out of places to keep them.”
Myrtle attributes her long life to being thankful. She has said that she rarely goes more than a few minutes without thanking the Lord for all He’s done for her and her family.
‘Severe Meth Addict’ Gets Jail Time For ‘Viciously Beating’ Small Dog
December 18, 2017
A Cantonment woman who pleaded guilty to”viciously beating” a small dog while it “cried out in pain” has been sentenced to 90 days in the county jail.
Heidie Creamer, 35, “intentionally and repeatedly” inflicted “unnecessary pain and suffering on a one-year old, five pound Chiweenie (chihuahua/dachshund mix) dog by picking the dog up by its back leg, raising it in the air, then viciously beating the animal while it screamed out in pain and suffering” on September 19, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Creamer and her boyfriend had been living in a tent on a woman’s property on Frank Ard Road. The woman said Creamer is a “severe meth addict” and her drug abuse had grown out of hand, according to the report. The woman told deputies that Creamer walked over the dog and snatched it up as as it was peacefully sleeping in the shade. After the alleged beating, she carried the dog upside down by one leg about 50 feet back to her tent. The woman said Creamer had beat the dog four or five times in the past month.
Several witnesses provided deputies with a similar account of the incident.
Creamer was also sentenced to three years probation following her release from jail.
In their report, deputies describer Creamer’s tent and living area as “utterly filthy” with a strong body odor. The report also states Creamer was covered all over her body with festering sores and she appeared to be high on some substance.
The deputy reported that when Creamer stepped out of the tent, the Chiweenie and a Yorkie appeared to cower away and try to move away from her as if in great fear.
Inmate Gets Death Penalty For Murdering Cellmate
December 18, 2017
A Santa Rosa Correctional Institution inmate was sentenced Monday morning to death for the murder of a cellmate in 2012.
Shawn Rogers attacked inmate Ricky D. Martin, 24, on March 30, 2012. Martin died from blunt force trauma to his brain on April 8, 2012.
Martin, who was from Collier County, was serving time for 2007 conviction on charges of grand theft, armed burglary, trafficking in stolen property and four counts of grand theft of a firearm.
Rogers was already serving a life sentence for robbery with a deadly weapon and a 15-year sentence for aggravated battery with deadly weapon.
Florida Lawmaker Seeks Year-Round Daylight Savings Time
December 18, 2017
With the measure dubbed the “Sunshine Protection Act,” a House Republican on Friday proposed a bill that calls for Florida to observe daylight-saving time throughout the year.
The bill (HB 1013), filed by Rep. Jeanette Nunez, R-Miami, indicates it would depend on Congress changing a law to authorize states to stay on daylight-saving time year-round. But the Nunez proposal, which says Florida “should be kept sunny year-round,” could clash with a bill (SB 858), filed by Sen. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, that would lead to the state exempting itself from daylight-saving time and observing standard time.
The bills are filed for consideration during the 2018 legislative session, which starts Jan. 9. Daylight-saving time this year started March 12 and ended Nov. 5.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
December 18, 2017
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. For the upcoming holiday season, there will be no lane closures or other activities which impede traffic on state roads beginning at 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22, 2017 and ending at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2018.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- The eastbound, right lane will be closed across the bridge from 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 to 5 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 as crews perform concrete work.
- State Road (S.R.) 742 (Creighton Road) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway to Scenic Highway – Intermittent and alternating lane closures between Davis Highway and Scenic Highway from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 through Thursday, Dec. 21 continue as crews perform milling, paving, sidewalk and curb replacement.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I -The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10A and 10B) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 through Thursday, Dec. 21:
- Alternating east and westbound I-10 and north and southbound U.S. 29 lane closures.
- The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
- The exit ramp from I-10 westbound to U.S. 29 south (Exit 10A) will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured to U.S. 29 north (Exit 10B).
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- Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north (Exit 10B).
- County Road 182 (Molino Road) over Penasula Creek Bridge Replacement- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane closures the week of Monday, Dec. 18 as workers complete minor construction activities on the project.
- I-10 Widening from Davis Highway to the Escambia Bay Bridge – The following lane restrictions will take place on I-10 and Scenic Highway the week of Monday, Dec. 18 for construction activities.
- Intermittent and alternating day and nighttime lane closures on I-10 between Davis Highway (Exit 13) and Scenic Highway (Exit 17),
- Intermittent and alternating day and nighttime lane closures on Scenic Highway, between Whisper Way and Northpointe Parkway.
- The on-ramp from Scenic Highway to I-10 westbound ramp will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 as crews pave. Traffic will be detoured on I-10 eastbound to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) to access I-10 westbound.
- U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road – Alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 21 on U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road as crews continue drainage work.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – The following lane restrictions will take place on I-10 and Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 through Friday, Dec. 21 as crews widen the roadway and reconstruct the overpass.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10 from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of Avalon Boulevard.
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- Alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange.
- U.S. 90 Roadway Testing over Simpson River- Beginning Monday, Dec. 11 and continuing through Thursday, Dec. 21 east and westbound traffic over Simpson River can expect intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday as crews perform roadway testing.
- S.R. 87 Pipe Maintenance from Laredo Street to Nevada Street- Drivers can expect intermittent lane restrictions from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 21 as crews continue to seal and line existing pipes.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Traffic between County Road 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather
Bratt Elementary Names Students Of The Month
December 18, 2017
The following students were named Students of the Month for December at Bratt Elementary School.
Pre-K
KayLeigh Morris
Michael Flowers
Kindergarten
Jadon Long
Weston Spicer
Houston Smith
Makyla Mason
Brylynn McGhee
1st Grade
Nathan Gilmore
Mason Helton
Pryce Flowers
Parker Marsh
2nd Grade
Sawyer Gilmore
Eli Anthony
Waylon Pardue
Kaylee Wilson
3rd Grade
Wesley Lambeth
Michael Griffs
Annberly Dunn
4th Grade
Reagan Peebles
Aydin Odom
Jasmine Zisa
James Patrick
5th Grade
Hannah Smith
Kaya Mason
JaCee Dortch
Anthony Miller
Houston Smith and Michael Griffs have been chosen to represent Bratt Elementary for Escambia County Students of the Month for December
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
December 18, 2017
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of December 18-22:
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Pensacola-Escambia Promotion and Development Commission Board of Directors – 10 a.m., 418 W. Garden St., LAB Building Conference Room 307
CANCELED: District 1 Coffee with the Commissioner
CANCELED: Value Adjustment Board
Wednesday, Dec. 20
Board of Adjustment – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Sick Leave Pool Committee – 11 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Granat Returns To Tate As Pitching Coach
December 18, 2017
James Granat has bee named the new pitching coach for the Tate High School Aggies baseball team. He is a 2013 Tate High School graduate. He won a JUCO national championship with Florida State in 2015 and completed his career at UWF, before assisting with the PSC Baseball program. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to to enlarge.
Wreaths Across America Honors Those That Served
December 17, 2017
Thousands of Christmas wreaths were placed on graves at Barrancas National Cemetery on NAS Pensacola and other area cemeteries on Saturday.
The wreaths were placed as part of the national event “Wreaths Across America”, a tradition that began over 20 years ago at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington.
Pictured top and bottom: “Wreaths Across America” at Barrancas National Cemetery. Pictured inset: A wreath placed on the Atmore grave of LCpl. Travis M. Nelson of Bratt. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF’s Dream Season Comes To An End in National Title Game
December 17, 2017
UWF saw its amazing postseason run come to an end in a place few envisioned when the season kicked off in early September. The Argonauts finished as the Division II National Runner Up following a 37-27 loss to No. 8 Texas A&MCommerce in the championship game at Children’s Mercy Park.
UWF (11-4) grabbed the attention of the nation with its postseason run that saw it reach the title game in just its second season of competition – and its 26th all-time game.
But on Saturday night, the winners of Super Regional 2 were unable to contain the Lions and Harlon Hill Trophy winner Luis Perez. He had 323 yards on 23-of-30 passing with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.
A&M Commerce (14-1) had 477 yards of total offense and never trailed, leading by as many as 17 midway through the fourth quarter.
“First off, congratulations to A&M Commerce on a fantastic game,” UWF head coach Pete Shinnick said. “They had an amazing year, really played one heck of a game, well deserving of today’s win. Extremely proud today of our guys. Just how they’ve continued to fight and continued to play, throughout the course of the whole season.
“These guy have worked extremely hard to put a second year program in the National Championship. Our offensive line coach, Steve Sauliner said, ‘You know if we would have lost to West Georgia, people would have patted us on the back and said nice job for going 6-4 in your second season.’ From that point we put ourselves into the national championship.
For UWF, Mike Beaudry was 22-of-48 for 252 yards with a touchdown and interception. He was also sacked five times. The redshirt freshman ended the season with 3,215 passing yards and 29 touchdowns – both UWF single-season highs.
Antoine Griffin led all players with 112 yards on eight receptions, in addition to his first career interception on a Lion fake punt in the first quarter.
The Argos got the ball at midfield following the turnover and tied the game at 7-7 ten plays later on a Chris Schwarz 1-yard run. But the momentum swung back to TAMU-C when Reggie Kincade returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a lead they never relinquished.
The Lions stretched their lead to 20-7 with a pair of Kristov Martinez field goals before the Argos ended the half with one of their patented end of half drives. This was a 10-play, 77-yard march in 2:54 that ended with a 20-yard Beaudry-to-Griffin connection, pulling the Blue and Green within 20-14 at the intermission. It was the 11th time in 15 games to score before the buzzer.
UWF’s Johnathan Coleman came up big with a forced fumble that Austin Dukes returned to the five. The Argos moved to the one on two rushes before a sack had them settle for a 27-yard Austin Williams field goal.
Commerce converted a pair of third down plays on its next possession that stretched the lead to 27-17, before another Williams field goal – this one from 47 yards – made it a 27-20 contest.
The Lions got another quick score, going 61 yards in four plays late in the third and a Martinez 19-yard field goal with 7:41 left in the game to lead 37-20.
The Argonauts cut it to 37-27 on Schwarz’s second score with 4:45 on the clock. They got the ball one more time and moved it to near midfield but turned the ball over on downs as the Lions were able to get one first down and run out the clock.
The Argonauts had 276 yards of offense and a season-low 24 net rushing yards. Coleman had a game-high 14 tackles for his third double-digit effort in the last five games.
The future is definitely bright for the third year of the program in 2018. UWF’s starters for the majority of the playoff run had just three seniors on defense, one on offense and zero among the specialists.
Photos courtesy UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
