Escambia Man Sentenced On State, Federal Charges
June 3, 2017
An Escambia County man has been convicted on federal and state charges.
Robert Lamar Gerald was convicted by an Escambia County jury of possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer without violence and driving while license suspended,
On June 9, 2015, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy on patrol stopped the vehicle Gerald was driving. After the stop, Gerald fled on foot and was apprehended after a brief chase. The search of his vehicle revealed marijuana, cocaine, drug paraphernalia and a loaded 9 MM pistol.
Gerald was a multi-convicted felon from Hillsborough County who had been released from the Department of Corrections custody on April 7, 2014.
In a joint effort with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, Gerald was prosecuted for the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in federal court. He was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison as and armed career criminal.
The Office of the State Attorney continued to prosecute Gerald for the remaining charges.
Judge Gary Bergosh sentenced Gerald to 69 months in state prison and ordered this sentence to run consecutive to the federal sentence.
The investigation was a joint effort by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Gun Crime Response Team.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Presents Scholarships
June 3, 2017
The Barrineau Park Historical Society presented two scholarships Friday night. Jared Aliff received a $500 Louis Crabtree Senior Scholarship, and Deborah Rogers received a $1,000 Barrineau Park Historical Society Scholarship. Both are home schooled. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jumbo Shrimp Tie Up Series With The Wahoos
June 3, 2017
The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp have gotten some revenge for getting swept by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in the teams’ first meeting this season and going 4-15 in Blue Wahoos Stadium the last two years.
Jacksonville received home runs from catcher Austin Nola and third baseman Brian Anderson to beat Pensacola, 7-2, Friday in front of 4,778 Pensacola fans. Jacksonville evened the series, 2-2, heading into Saturday’s final game between the teams.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly watched helplessly as his team, which scored 19 runs in the first three games, was blanked for the first six innings by Jacksonville starter Mike Kickham and managed just two runs Friday.
“It’s one of those days,” Kelly said. “We hit into three double plays and fell behind. It was very tough to make up the deficit.”
Pensacola Blue Wahoos right-hander Deck McGuire entered the game having won four straight starts. But the Jacksonville Shrimp knocked him around, earning five runs on six hits to jump out to a, 5-0, lead after the first five innings. McGuire also allowed two walks and struck out seven in his five innings of work Friday.
McGuire, a former first-round draft pick, got off to a stellar start striking out the first three Jumbo Shrimp batters he faced in the first inning. The loss dropped his record to 5-3 on the season and increase his ERA to 3.25.
“He was just a little off,” Kelly said. “I thought they truly hit some good pitches.”
Jacksonville right fielder John Norwood, who doubled to start the inning, scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by first baseman Taylor Ard to put the Jumbo Shrimp up, 1-0. With two outs, Jacksonville center fielder Yefri Perez smacked a triple into the right center gap to score left fielder Cal Towey for a 2-0 lead.
In the fourth inning, Nola clobbered a solo home run, his second of the season, to left field, putting the Jumbo Shrimp up, 3-0.
Anderson also clubbed a two-run home run in the seventh inning off of Pensacola reliever Brennan Bernardino to left field for a 7-0 Jacksonville lead. Anderson, who MLB Pipeline.com ranks as the Miami Marlins third best prospect, was 3-5 and added a triple and single for four RBIs in Friday’s game.
Pensacola second baseman Angelo Gumbs reached base seven straight at-bats over the last two games, before grounding out into a double play in the ninth inning. He was 2-4 with a triple but reached on a fielder’s choice and scored one of the Blue Wahoos’ two runs.
Pensacola is 30-24 but remain in first place in the Southern League South Division where they’ve been in all but six days this season.
Valedictorian Reflects On High School And Value Of Community
June 2, 2017
Alyssa Borelli of Molino started last Saturday morning anxious for graduation, but a little sad that four years filled with lots of hard work and many laughs was coming to an end.
“I’m excited,” Alyssa quickly stated when asked the first thing that comes to mind when told she is Northview High School’s 2017 Valedictorian. “My parents deserve a huge thank you for being my biggest supporters throughout high school. My teachers and friends definitely deserve to be thanked as well.”
As the Executive Officer, or XO, of Northview’s NJROTC, the vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America, and actively involved in Beta Club, the Student Government Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the school advisory council, and several other organizations, Alyssa worked hard not only in her studies, but to be an active student too.
Alyssa plans to attend the University of West Florida where she will major in mathematics. She wants to minor in education and teach high school math after graduating college.
When reflecting on the community, Alyssa realizes just how valuable it can be.
“This community is really important to me. I’ve been able to make a lot of close friends and even people I’ve just met are really nice and easy to talk to.”
Alyssa even touched on why she chose the University of West Florida when discussing the importance of the community to her.
“When picking between UWF and UF,” she stated, “I chose UWF to stay close to my family and friends.”
Century Chamber Questions Future Of Economic Development Director
June 2, 2017
The board of directors of the Century Area Chamber of Commerce voted Thursday to seek a county attorney opinion concerning the employment status of their economic development coordinator.
Chamber President Freddie McCall told the board that Janet Etheridge is repeatedly missing work without notifying him, is not attending board meetings to provide status reports on a regular basis, has not submitted required paperwork to the county and is generally not performing her expected duties. Etheridge was not present at Thursday’s meeting, and McCall said she did not provide any reason in advance.
Etheridge’s position is funded by a yearly grant to the chamber by the Escambia County Commission. For that reason, McCall will, at the board’s direction, ask the Escambia County attorney’s office to review her employment contract to determine what options are available to the chamber board.
The chamber board expects to call a special meeting on Etheridge once they receive the attorney opinion.
Pictured: Century Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Coordinator Janet Etheridge at a 2016 meeting. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Vandals Strike Cantonment Sportsplex For A Third Time
June 2, 2017
For the third time in less than two weeks, vandals have once again struck at the Cantonment Sportsplex.
Thursday, ballpark officials reported that a sprinkler system was vandalized.
Previously damage was reported to lights and bathroom fixtures on May 30 and bathrooms were vandalized the previous week with fixtures broken and paper towels used to cause overflows.
Anyone with information on any of the incidents is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Enterprise Florida In ‘Wait And See’ Mode On Cuts
June 2, 2017
Florida’s business-recruitment agency is bracing to operate with less money from the state but has not outlined changes that might need to be made.
Nor are Enterprise Florida officials publicly expressing hope that negotiations between Gov. Rick Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, will bolster the money available for the agency.
“We’re going to wait to see what the governor does,” Mike Grissom, interim president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, said in reference to how Scott handles the new state budget (SB 2500). “We’re privately planning. But we’ll wait and see.”
Leaders of the public-private Enterprise Florida, as they began a two-day meeting Thursday in Tallahassee, outlined plans to alter marketing but otherwise mostly expressed disappointment in the spending package lawmakers formally sent to Scott on Wednesday.
“Would I like us to have a bigger budget so we can do some very targeted marketing during certain specific times when you would do TV? We don’t have that, so we’re going to focus on digital and print,” said Eric Silagy, president and chief executive officer of Florida Power & Light and chairman of Enterprise Florida’s Marketing Committee. “We’ll leverage wherever we can. … It’s going to have to be very, very specific. But limited.”
A year after slashing operations by one-third, including eliminating nearly 30 positions, the agency is once again faced with having to make changes with the arrival of the new fiscal year on July 1.
There was no public talk Thursday of eliminating positions. And while the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors meets Friday at Florida State University, the board appears more likely to conduct conference calls later in the month — once Scott acts on the budget — to direct any changes.
Scott, who chairs the Enterprise Florida board, has expressed anger with the funding package but hasn’t indicated if he’ll sign the $82.4 billion budget before a June 15 deadline or detailed the extent of potential vetoes.
Scott proposed $85 million for Enterprise Florida to use for business incentives, but lawmakers did not provide any of that funding. Corcoran led opposition to Scott’s proposal, likening incentive programs to “corporate welfare.”
But ongoing negotiations may be in play that could increase the $16 million that lawmakers agreed to provide to Enterprise Florida for daily operations.
Senate President Joe Negron told The News Service of Florida he is aware of ongoing talks between Scott and Corcoran regarding a sweeping education bill — which contains a priority of the speaker — and Enterprise Florida.
“I know those are discussions between those two parties that are occurring. From the vantage point of the Senate, we have been supportive of the governor having the ability to compete for new employers to come to Florida as long as it’s done in a transparent and reasonable way,” Negron, R-Stuart, said, pointing out that the Senate funded Scott’s budget requests for Enterprise Florida and tourism-marketer Visit Florida. “I think the Senate’s track record in supporting the governor’s priorities speaks for itself. But I understand that there are discussions on possible ways to resolve some of these differences as the governor is now considering the entire budget.”
Corcoran, who did not immediately return a request for comment, wants to avoid a veto of a sweeping education bill (HB 7069) that he has made a priority. The education bill — opposed by groups such as the Florida School Boards Association and the Florida Association of District School Superintendents — includes money for such things as a charter-school expansion and pay bonuses for teachers and principals.
Enterprise Florida leaders said they’ve heard of such talks for weeks, but remain focused on the spending plan that lawmakers delivered to Scott. Along with rejecting Scott’s request for business-incentive money, the budget would reduce the agency’s funding for general operations from $23.5 million in the current year.
The state funding reduction is forcing the agency, which can still raise money from private donors, to scale-back its $8.5 million in marketing programs intended to make out-of-state and international business leaders aware of Florida’s business attributes.
The budget, however, allows Enterprise Florida to maintain its international offices and continue foreign trade missions.
Scott unsuccessfully asked for $250 million a year ago for incentives, and this year his request was for $85 million to fund the Quick Action Closing Fund.
“I don’t think we should be spending what New York is spending or California, and I don’t think we should be offering $100 million (incentive deals) or whatever people do. But I don’t think we should unilaterally disarm,” Silagy said. “We need to compete. You can’t go on the field — and to use a football analogy — you can’t go out on the field against the New England Patriots without pads. You’re going to get creamed.”
On May 9, a day after the budget was approved by the House and Senate, Scott told reporters in Panama City that Florida won’t be in the “game for economic development” due to the cuts to Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida.
“I hope everybody remembers that this is the day that for sure we start not being competitive,” Scott said.
Scott hammered a similar message later in May when announcing updated tourism and unemployment numbers.
“Businesses and site selectors have taken notice of the Florida Legislature’s decision to turn their backs on the incredible return on investment economic-development programs like Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida have brought to our state,” Scott said in a prepared statement May 16.
The state can still offer tax rebates to businesses through programs such as the Qualified Target Industries, which typically requires a local government match.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Northview Presents Grade 9-11 Awards
June 2, 2017
Northview High School presented end of the year awards to students in grades 9-11 as follows:
11th Grade Reading Highest Academic Average — Rhayeshawann Davidson
11th Grade Reading Exemplary Student — Anna Belle Barberree
Advanced Guitar Highest Academic Average — Jude Parham
Advanced Guitar Exemplary Student — Tyler Wilson
Agriscience Foundations Exemplary Student — Raeleigh Woodfin
Agriscience Technology Highest Academic Average — Cole Hassebrock
Agriscience Technology Exemplary Student — Donnie Dixon
Algebra 1 Highest Academic Average — Jace Weber
Algebra 1 Exemplary Student — McKayla McConathy
Algebra 1A Highest Academic Average — Elana Marie Ward
Algebra 1A Exemplary Student — Kaitlyn Jane Respress
Algebra 1B Highest Academic Average — Charity Josephine Johnson
Algebra 1B Exemplary Student — Anthony James Harrelson
Algebra II Highest Academic Average — Findley, Clayton
Algebra II Exemplary Student — Chavers, Logan
Algebra II Honors Highest Academic Average — Beach, William
Algebra II Honors Exemplary Student — Carnley, Ashtyn
Anatomy and Physiology Highest Academic Average — Brianna Hardy
Anatomy and Physiology Exemplary Student — Jarrod Davison
Beginner Guitar Exemplary Student — Gracen Brook (9th)
Biology Highest Academic Average — Susannah Amerson
Biology Exemplary Student — Charity ” Joey” Johnson
Biology Honors Highest Academic Average — Lexxi Baggett
Biology Honors Exemplary Student — Logan Chavers
Culinary Arts 11th Grade Award Highest Academic Average — Anna Belle Barberree
Culinary Arts 11th Grade Award Exemplary Student — Jordan Parham
Culinary Arts 9th Grade Highest Academic Average — Kayla McKillion
Culinary Arts 9th Grade Exemplary Student — Lacie Carter
Culinary Arts Award for 10th Grade Highest Academic Average — Delaney Reynolds
Culinary Arts Award for 10th Grade Exemplary Student — Lydia Smith
Digital Design II Highest Academic Average — Tara Windham
Digital Information Technology (DIT) Highest Academic Average — Jace Weber
Digital Information Technology (DIT) Exemplary Student — Nicholas Trump
Earth Science Highest Academic Average — Cole Hassebrock
Earth Science Exemplary Student — Logan Doremus
Earth Science Honors Highest Academic Average — Alayna Brown
Earth Science Honors Exemplary Student — John Chivington
English 2 Highest Academic Average — Austin Adams
English 2 Exemplary Student — Jazmine Norman
English 2 Honors Highest Academic Average — Lexxi Baggett
English 2 Honors Exemplary Student — Hannah McGahan
English 3 Highest Academic Average — Dykota Wilson
English 3 Exemplary Student — Bria Hardy
English 3 Honors Highest Academic Average — Tara Windham
English 3 Honors Exemplary Student — Destiny Watson
English I Highest Academic Average — Lacie Carter
English I Exemplary Student — Diamond Brown
English I Honors Highest Academic Average — Ashlan Harigel
English I Honors Exemplary Student — Jace Weber
Geometry Highest Academic Average — Michico Abraham
Geometry Exemplary Student — Anna King
Girls weightlifting -10th Highest Academic Average — Lexxi Baggett
Girls weightlifting -10th Exemplary Student — Valen Shelly
Girls Weightlifting- 11th Highest Academic Average — Raeleigh Woodfin
Girls Weightlifting- 11th Exemplary Student — Myisha Syria
Girls Weightlifting -9th Highest Academic Average — Anna King
Girls Weightlifting -9th Exemplary Student — Destiny Cleckler
Honors Geometry Highest Academic Average — Ashlan Harigel
Honors Geometry Exemplary Student — Abigayil Mascaro
Intensive Language Arts Highest Academic Average — Addison Albritton
Intensive Language Arts Exemplary Student — Melissa Sunday
Intensive Language Arts (10th) Highest Academic Average — Charity “Joey” Johnson
Intensive Reading Highest Academic Average — Dellie Roberts
Intensive Reading Exemplary Student — Cody Edwards
Liberal Arts 1 Highest Academic Average — Alexandra Carter
Liberal Arts 1 Exemplary Student — Dillan Sasser
Liberal Arts 2 Highest Academic Average — Aubree Love
Liberal Arts 2 Exemplary Student — Natasha Walker
Math for College Readiness Highest Academic Average — Bailey, Joshua
Math for College Readiness Exemplary Student — Senior
Naval Science 1-4 Highest Academic Average — Cadet Keaton Brown
Naval Science 1-4 Exemplary Student — Cadet Orelbis Rodriguez
PE -10th Highest Academic Average — Dalton Hamilton
PE -10th Exemplary Student — Aaliyah Tucker
PE -11th Highest Academic Average — Catie Clayton
PE -11th Exemplary Student — Beau Bryan
PE -9th grade Highest Academic Average — Brianna White
PE -9th grade Exemplary Student — Melissa Sunday
Personal Fitness Highest Academic Average — Kinzie Rackard
Personal Fitness Exemplary Student — Keviana Brown
Physical Science Highest Academic Average — Lacie E. Carter
Physical Science Exemplary Student — Destiny Cleckler
Physical Science Honors Highest Academic Average — Kayla McKillion
Precalculus Honors Highest Academic Average — Windham, Tara
Precalculus Honors Exemplary Student — Barberee, Anna Belle
Sociology Exemplary Student — Kinzie Rackard
Spanish 1 Highest Academic Average — Jace Weber
Spanish 1 Exemplary Student — Will Beach
Spanish 2 Highest Academic Average — Rebecca Dunn
Spanish 2 Exemplary Student — Maggie Lane
Theater Exemplary Student — Evan Till (11th)
U.S. History Highest Academic Average — Jarrod Davison
U.S. History Exemplary Student — Anna Belle Barbarree
U.S. History Honors Highest Academic Average — Destiny Watson
U.S. History Honors Exemplary Student — Tara Windham
World History Highest Academic Average — Crystalyn Daly
World History Exemplary Student — Margaret Lane
World History Honors Highest Academic Average — Ashtyn Carnley
World History Honors Exemplary Student — Valen Shelly
World Music Exemplary Student — Hannah McGahan (10th)
Ascend Names Technology Center After Retired CEO
June 2, 2017
The technology building at Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment was renamed the “Frederic M. Poses Technology Center” during a ceremony Thursday in honor of Fred Poses, the company’s first CEO. The ceremony included remarks from Phil McDivitt, Ascend’s current CEO, and Escambia County Commissioner Stephen Barry.
Thursday’s events also coincided with Ascend’s eight year anniversary in Cantonment.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Showband Director Mike Philley Accepts New Job In Santa Rosa County
June 2, 2017
Tate High School Showband of the South Director Mike Philley has announced that he is stepping down from the Tate band.
Philley has accepted a position as the new band director at Avalon Middle School in Santa Rosa County, a position that he said will provide him more time with his family and to work on his Master’s degree.
“I’ve spent the past nine years in a wonderful program at Tate High School,” Philley wrote in a public social media post. “I will certainly miss the families and friends that I’ve encountered during that time. You’re a part of who I am and always will be.”
The Tate Showband earned numerous accolades under Philley’s leadership, including straight superior ratings from the Florida Bandmasters. Last December, the Showband performed in Hawaii on the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
The Tate Showband has had just four directors since 1956.
Pictured top: Students and parents react in October 2015 as Tate High School Showband of the South Director Mike Philley announced an upcoming performance in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. (Courtesy image.) Pictured below: The Tate Wind Ensemble performs during December 2014 during the Pearl Harbor ceremony aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
