Tate Beats Pine Forest (With Photo Gallery)
October 28, 2017
The Tate Aggies held on to beat the Pine Forest Eagles 34-27 Friday night in Cantonment.
Pine Forest took a 7-0 lead with 7:37 to go in the first quarter, but the Aggies answered less than 30 second later. Tate made it 7-7 on a 75-yard run from junior Hunter Riggan .
By the third quarter, it was tied at 20-all when the Aggies took the lead 27-20 Shemari Jones took it to the house on a long run. Jones was in again after Tate recovered an on-side kick to make it 34-20 at the end of the third.
Tate improved to 5-3, 2-1 in the district while Pine Forest fell to 3-5, 1-2.
The Tate Aggies will wrap up their regular season with a long Alabama road trip to Smiths Station (0-9) next Friday night.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Man Gets 50 Years In Sexual Battery Case
October 28, 2017
Sammie Lee Smith, IV, age 20, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Edward P. Nickinson to 50 years in state prison. This sentence is a minimum mandatory sentence that must be served day for day; he will not be released until the full 50 years have been served. Smith was also designated as a sexual offender.
An Escambia County Jury convicted Smith of one count of sexual battery with a deadly weapon or force likely to cause serious personal injury, kidnapping, domestic battery by strangulation, and two counts of battery.
On June 9, 2016, the victim was standing outside with a co-worker at her place of employment when Smith showed up unexpectedly. Smith took her cell phone and retreated to his vehicle. The victim followed him into the vehicle to retrieve her phone. Once inside the vehicle, the defendant demanded the password to her phone. When she refused to give it to him, he started hitting her. She then attempted to get out of the vehicle. Smith grabbed the victim and locked the doors to the vehicle.
He then drove to an isolated area where he began to beat the victim, strangled her to the point of breathlessness, and sexually battered her. Eventually, Smith allowed the victim to leave the car. The victim returned to work and law enforcement was called.
Smith was arrested several days later in Ft. Pierce, FL, his place of residence.
Baker Tops Northview (With Photo Gallery)
October 28, 2017
The Northview Chiefs last beat Baker Gators in 2012 on their way to the schools first and only state championship.
The Gators came out on top Friday night, 42-25 in Bratt. It was the closest any team has come to beating the top-ranked Gators this year, except for Chipley.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“I thought it was a good football game for four quarters; that’s a heck of a football times,” Northview head coach Derek Marshman said. “The played for a state championship last year and they returned everybody.”
“Our kids left everything on the field, there’s no doubt about that. We played for four quarters,” he said.
Baker took an early 7-0 lead over the Chiefs with 10:45 to go in the first quarter. The Chiefs answered with a Seth Killam field goal at 3:28 in the first quarter, before the Gators bit back with another first quarter touchdown seconds later.
The Chiefs opened the second quarter with a 30-yard touchdown run from Killam to make it a 13-10 ballgame. With 1:39 in the second, the Chiefs took a 17-13 lead after a turnover when Trent Peebles powered in from one yard out.
But the Gators scored two touchdowns in the final 95 seconds of the first half to give them a 28-17 lead heading to the lockers.
The Chiefs score on more touchdown on a long run Tim Bush in the second half as Baker went on for the win.
“I thought Seth Killam played a heck of a game at quarterback; he was real tough. Trent Peebles played good — the whole offensive line was good. Baker really prides themselves on being tougher up front, but we were tough up front tonight. I thought they had a little more skilled athletes than us. They made some plays when were not able to cover the passes well. Defensively, I thought Lance McLaughlin had a great game. Daniel Merit played good after a couple of mishaps. Our defensive front played great as well,” Marshman said.
With the loss, the Chiefs fell to 1-8 while Baker improved to 9-0. Next week, the Chiefs will wrap up their season as they host Snook Christian Academy (4-4) of Foley.
“We are going to keep working. We are going to keep trying to get better. Baker was probably the best team we’ve played, and we found we can rise up to the occasion. We are going to work to finish this season strong. We are going to focus everything on Snook Christian.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Steve Nodine, Former Mobile Commissioner, Arrested In Atmore
October 28, 2017
A former Mobile County Commissioner is free on bond after turning himself in on an Atmore arrest warrant.
The misdemeanor warrant was issued for Stephen Nodine after he allegedly contacted a woman there in a harassing manner via several text messages earlier this month.
The third degree domestic harassment complaint will be heard in Atmore Municipal Court.
A “petition for protection from abuse”, was also filed in Escambia County (AL) Circuit Court by the female victim who claimed she had been in a date relationship with Nodine and she was now fearful that she would become the victim of abuse.
“Defendant texted me on several different occasions to let me know ‘I’m in Atmore’ after contacting several of my friends disparaging me. He has in the past been accused of murder of his ex-girlfriend Angel Downs. I am fearful of what he can do,” she wrote on the petition. She listed Nodine’s address as being in Jupiter, FL, on the paperwork.
In May 2010, Nodine resigned his post as a Mobile county commissioner after the shooting death of his girlfriend, Angel Downs. He was arrested for her murder, but his trial ended with hung jury. Nodine did serve about three years total in prison after pleading no contact to perjury and gun charges.
Photos: Halloween Fun At The Century Branch Library (With Gallery)
October 28, 2017
A Haunted Halloween was held Thursday night at the Century Branch Library. Superheroes, goblins and other costumed characters enjoyed arts and crafts, treats and a spooky lights-out Halloween story.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Veterinarian Joins Escambia County Animal Shelter
October 28, 2017
Escambia County Animal Services is welcoming a new veterinarian to the animal shelter staff, who will be responsible for the care of animals and ensuring they are spayed, neutered, healthy and ready for adoption.
Dr. Johnna Lee joins the Escambia County Animal Shelter from Hartselle, Alabama, where she most recently worked as the chief of staff at Banfield Pet Hospital in Decatur, Alabama. Lee graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor’s Degree in poultry science and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine with a Doctorate’s Degree in veterinary medicine before completing her clinical rotations at Auburn University.
At Banfield Pet Hospital, Lee managed the hospital, provided veterinary care and trained new veterinarians. While working at Banfield, Lee also served as the veterinarian for the Decatur Police Department’s K-9 unit, ensuring the canine officers’ health and well-being.
Lee started with the county on Sept. 12, beginning her first experience working at an animal shelter. Although the job is still new, Lee said she’s already loving it and looks forward to coming to work every day.
“I think at any job, you need to have a purpose, you need to feel like you’re making a difference,” Lee said. “Even though I’ve been here a short time, I already feel like I’m making a difference…Honestly, I think it’s the people here. The people that work here, they’ve got it right. They really do care, and they really do have the best interest of all of these animals at heart.”
Escambia County Animal Services Director John Robinson said he and his staff are excited to have an in-house veterinarian again, which the shelter has been without for nearly a year.
“I’m even more thrilled that it’s a great vet,” Robinson said. “One of the challenges is that I wasn’t out there just to find a vet, but to find the right vet. I think that’s the best part is that Dr. Lee is amazing.”
While the shelter was without a veterinarian, Robinson said they had the support of local veterinarians and Pensacola State College to help with spay and neuter surgeries, medical issues and medical profiles for cruelty cases.
To aid in finding good homes for as many animals as possible, the Escambia County Animal Shelter transferred dogs to other shelters in the north, such as Providence Animal Center and Michigan Humane Society, who had space to take animals in for adoption. The shelter’s ongoing partnership with the nonprofit group Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter helped coordinate this transport effort.
Several local and non-local rescue groups along with the Pensacola Humane Society also helped by pulling animals from the shelter to adopt out from their respective organizations. Robinson said it has been a group effort to keep animals healthy and get them adopted during the search for a veterinarian, and the community was a huge help.
“That is the great thing about the animal welfare community – they will always come to your aid in a time of need,” Robinson said. “We are happy to return the favor when we can.”
Although the outside support was much appreciated, Robinson said having a permanent veterinarian on staff is ideal since Lee will become more familiar with the animals and their needs. With an in-house veterinarian, animals will also be able to get spayed and neutered more quickly so they can be ready for adoption.
Along with general care of the animals at the shelter, Robinson said Lee’s job responsibilities include educating staff and the community.
“The only the way the shelter succeeds and reaches the goals it wants to is if we help our community understand how to better care for their animals,” Robinson said.
Lee said her goals while at the shelter include keeping the animal population as healthy as possible so they can find good homes. While it’s always a work in progress, she said it’s already rewarding to see animals getting adopted more frequently.
“It’s something we strive really hard for every day,” Lee said. “Every day, and every week I come in, and there’s more empty kennels – and that’s awesome.”
For more information about the Escambia County Animal Shelter, including how to adopt a pet, click here.
Friday Night Finals
October 27, 2017
Here are Friday night football finals from around the area:
FLORIDA
Baker 42, Northview 25 [Read more...]
Tate 34, Pine Forest 27 [Read more...]
Jay 40, Freeport 21
West Florida 33, Pensacola High 0
Escambia 48, Washington 7
Navarre 29, Gulf Breeze 23
Milton 25, Pace 19
Open: Catholic
ALABAMA
Escambia Academy, 34, Bessemer Academy 28
W.S. Neal 27, Escambia County 8
Bayside Academy 22, Flomaton 0
Clarke County 27, T.R. Miller 17
Pictured: Northview’s coaching staff celebrate as the Chiefs take the lead over Baker Friday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Dies In Beulah Crash
October 27, 2017
A Milton man died in motorcycle crash late Friday morning in Beulah.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 73-year old James Elliott of Loxley was driving a 2016 Hyundai Sonata stopped at stop sign on Bridlewood Road facing south toward Nine Mile Road when he pulled into the intersection and collided with a 2005 Honda motorcycle driven by 23-year old Josef Martens of Milton.
Martens will pronounced deceased at the scene of the 11:58 a.m. crash. Elliot was not injured.
Any charges in the accident are pending the outcome of a FHP traffic homicide investigation.
Escambia County Deputy Involved Shooting Under Investigation
October 27, 2017
A deputy involved shooting this morning in Escambia County is under investigation.
A male entered Warrington Bank on Barrancas Avenue and told the employees “you better call the police or an employee is going to get hurt”, according to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chip Simmons.
The suspect then left the bank and walked a short distance to the south, Simmons said, where three deputies arrived and confronted him near the Redeemer Lutheran Church and School at 333 Commerce Street.
“He claimed to have a gun; he then pulled out a gun and began firing,” the chief deputy said. “The deputies returned fire.”
The unidentified male suspect was taken to a local hospital. One of the deputies received a minor injury but was not hospitalized.
The shooting is now under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, as is standard procedure.
Pictured above: The scene of a deputy involved shooting Friday morning on Commerce Street in Escambia County. Pictured below: Chief Deputy Chip Simmons explains the events as they unfolded. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Amends Floodplain Management Ordinance
October 27, 2017
The Town of Century has approved revisions to their Floodplain management ordinance requiring a minimum construction height in certain areas.
Last month, the town approved the submission of a draft interlocal agreement with Escambia County asking the county floodplain administrator provide additional review of all development permits for construction within the town’s special flood hazard areas.
To maintain consistency between the town and the county, the county floodplain administrator recommended a “freeboard requirement” under which all development in a flood hazard area be construction at least three feet above the the designated FEMA Base Flood Elevation.