Good Day! It’s National FFA Week
February 21, 2017
It’s National FFA Week in the Escambia County School District, according to a proclamation issued by the Escambia County School Board.
“Escambia County FFA and the agriscience programs in the Escambia County School District are tremendously successful and extremely valuable in improving the quality of life for Escambia citizens,” the proclamation stated.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Change To Minor Party Voter Registrations
February 21, 2017
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office recently received notice the registration status of the Independent Party of Florida (INT) has been canceled.
As a result, local elections officials were required to change the party affiliation of any voter registered in the Independent Party of Florida (INT) to No Party Affiliation (NPA). New voter information cards reflecting the change are being mailed to all impacted voters.
Voters can choose to remain registered as No Party Affiliation, or may choose to register with one of the ten political parties currently active and recognized by the Division of Elections, a list of which can be accessed at http://dos.myflorida.com/elections/candidates-committees/political-parties/ or at EscambiaVotes.com. A party change can be made using a Florida Voter Registration Application or by submitting a signed, written notice to a voter registration official.
Tate Wrestling Team Places Third At Districts, Heads To Regionals
February 21, 2017
The Tate High School wrestling team placed third in the 2A District 1 competition held in Milton. Eight Aggie wrestlers placed and will advance to the regional competition in Tallahassee February 24-25.
Jacob Cochran — 106 pounds, 1st place
Noah Kryfka — 113 pounds, 4th place
Alex Porter — 120 pounds, 1st place
Matthew Blalock — 126 pounds, 2nd place
Kendall Townley — 138 pounds, 1st place
Juan Alvarez — 152 pounds, 2nd place
Jacob Neales — 195 pounds, 4th place
Jacob Nowling — 220 pounds, 3rd place
Pictured: (front L-R) Coach Reggie Allen, Kendall Townley, Jacob Cochran, Alex Porter, Asst. Coach Gavin McAnally, (back, L-R) Jacob Neales, Jacob Nowling, Noah Kryfka, Matthew Blalock and Juan Alvarez. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State Attorney To Seek First Degree Murder Indictment Against Rice
February 21, 2017
State Attorney Bill Eddings said Monday that he intends to move forward on the prosecution of Mary Rice for her part in the shooting death of Kayla Crocker during a robbery home invasion February 6 in Beulah.
The case is expected to go before a grand jury within the next 30 days with the state intends to seek an indictment against Rice for first degree murder.
She also faces two counts of accessory after the fact in the double homicide at a Milton hotel. Alicia Ann Greer and Jacqueline Jeanette Moore were found shot to death in the Emerald Sands Inn.
Rice also faces a capital murder charge from Baldwin County for the murder of Peggy Broz.
“Additional investigation has indicated that there is sufficient evidence to move forward on the Escambia County prosecution at this time. This decision was made after discussing this matter with Robert Wilters, District Attorney for Baldwin County Alabama. Any decision regarding charges that Rice may face in Alabama will be made by that office,” Eddins said.
Rice was arrested after surrendering peacefully at Georgia hotel. She was an accused accomplice of quadruple murder suspect William “Billy” Boyette, who took his own life in Georgia rather than surrendering to authorities.
JV Aggies Top Pace; Monroe Academy Spoils Northview Opener
February 21, 2017
Tate 4 Pace 2 (JV)
The JV Tate Aggies topped Pace 4-2 in their season opener Monday. The JV Aggies will host Milton at 7:30 Tuesday night.
Monroe Academy 11 Northview 0
The Northview Chiefs lost 11-0 on the road at Monroe Academy in Monroeville, AL, Monday.
Monroe Academy took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. After scoring two runs in the the second, Monroe Academy added five runs in the third inning and three more in fourth.
John Chivington, Chandler Lowery and Bailey Wilson each one hit for the Northview Chiefs during their season opener. The Chiefs will host Central Tuesday afternoon – JV at 4:00 followed by varsity at 6:30.
NASA Scientist Confirms Fireball, Boom Was Likely Meteorite
February 20, 2017
A NASA scientist has confirmed the source of a bright light and booms across the North Escambia area about 9:15 Saturday night was likely a meteorite dropper at least the size of a basketball.
“Took a look at the eyewitness reports – there is a lot of scatter, but I was able to use a software tool developed by a colleague to derive a ground track. The fireball first appeared to the NE of Mobile and moved westerly at about 56,000 miles per hour. The best reports indicate that it broke apart above U.S. 43 north of Mobile, and the reports of sound indicate it probably penetrated fairly low into the atmosphere before fragmenting, perhaps as low as 14 miles altitude,” Bill Cooke, lead of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office located in Huntsville, AL, wrote in a Facebook post.
The object’s average brightness was about that of the full moon, with reports of it being seen as far away as extreme North Alabama and Arkansas.
“A search of the Doppler weather radar in the area may be helpful in determining if there were meteoritic particles falling to the ground,” he said.
NorthEscambia.com received reports of distant “shooting start” sightings from Saturday night Panama City to Pensacola, and more fireball-like descriptions from readers either side of a line from Bay Minette to Atmore to Bratt to Flomaton to Brewton. Many of those residents also reported a boom or explosion that rattle windows and shook their homes.
Pictured: A green glow that was reported along with the meteorite Saturday night as seen from Godwin Lane in Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kelly Senft, click to enlarge.
Florida House Seeks Online Registry For Animal Abusers
February 20, 2017
Names and mug shots of individuals convicted of animal abuse would have their names published online by the state, under a proposal filed Friday in the Florida House.
The measure, sponsored by Spring Hill Republican Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, would require the Department of Law Enforcement to post in an online registry information about people convicted of felony animal cruelty, animal fighting or sexual activities involving animals.
Each individual’s information would remain on the site for two years, unless they are convicted of another instance of animal abuse. The names would be kept on the site for five years for any secondary conviction of animal abuse.
The proposal would also require the Florida Department of State to send letters to breeders’ associations urging members not to provide animals to people on the list. The measure also includes sanctions for pet dealers that sell to individuals on the registry. Pet dealers would face a second-degree misdemeanor for selling to an individual on the list. The charge would be increased to a first-degree misdemeanor on the second sale, and a third conviction would net the pet dealer three days in jail along with a $2,500 fine.
by The News Service of Florida
No Injuries In Classic Car Crash
February 20, 2017
The driver of a classic escaped serious injury in a single vehicle rollover accident Sunday night in Cantonment.
The accident happened about 10:30 p.m. on County Road 87 near Sherrilane Drive. The driver refused medical transport to the hospital.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Gun Season Is Over, But There’s Week Left To Deer Hunt
February 20, 2017
by Tony Young, FWC
General gun season is now over, but the local Zone D’s muzzleloader season extends deer hunting opportunity.
“What I love most about using a muzzleloader is the extra challenge it provides – you only get one shot and you better make it count,” said Howard Tiller, retired high school teacher and Chipley, Florida, native. “The late muzzleloading season gives us Zone D hunters more opportunities to hunt deer while the rut is still going on after general gun season ends. Plus, there are fewer hunters in the woods during that time, which means less pressure.”
Tiller, who was introduced to hunting by his father at a young age, said he never misses hunting Zone D’s late muzzleloading gun season. The season, which only occurs in Zone D, extends deer hunting by a week after general gun ends and runs Feb. 20-26 on private lands. It was established to give hunters the chance to hunt the rut, which runs from mid-January through February in northwest Florida.
A $5 muzzleloading gun permit is required to hunt during this season. On private land, hunters have the choice of using a muzzleloader, bow or crossbow. Of course, they’ll also need a hunting license, which costs residents $17 for an annual one – or folks might opt to purchase the five-year license for only $79.
In Zone D wildlife management areas, this post-season is referred to as the archery/muzzleloading gun season. Specific dates vary by WMA, so consult each area’s brochure. Hunters can use bows or muzzleloaders, but no crossbows – unless they possess a disabled crossbow permit. Hunters who choose to hunt with a bow must have the $5 archery permit, and those using a muzzleloader need the $5 muzzleloading gun permit.
Legal to take; bag limits
Deer and wild hogs are most commonly hunted during this season. Only legal bucks may be taken (even if you use a bow), and south of Interstate 10 in Deer Management Unit D1, one antler must have at least two points. North of I-10 in DMU D2, all bucks must have at least three points on a side or have a main beam of at least 10 inches long to be legal to take.
If you’re hunting deer, make sure you have the $5 deer permit. On private land, the daily bag limit is two. Season dates, bag limits and antler regulations for deer on WMAs can differ, so consult the area brochure before you hunt.
On private lands, wild hogs can be taken year-round with no bag or size limits. On most WMAs, there’s also no bag or size limit, and hogs are legal to take during most hunting seasons except spring turkey. On selected WMAs, specific bag and size limits do apply, so again, check the area’s brochure to make sure.
Hunting regulations
During the late muzzleloader season on private lands and archery/muzzleloading gun season on WMAs, dogs may not be used to hunt deer. However, you may use a leashed one to track a wounded deer if necessary. And it’s important to note that no turkeys may be taken during this season.
Bows and crossbows must have minimum draw weights of 35 pounds. Hand-held releases on bows are permitted. Broadheads used in taking deer must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum width of 7/8 inch.
During this late season, the only muzzleloaders allowed are those fired by wheel lock, flintlock, percussion cap or centerfire primer (including 209 primers) that cannot be loaded from the breech. For hunting deer, muzzleloading rifles must be at least .40-caliber, and muzzleloading shotguns must be 20-gauge or larger.
Legal shooting hours are between a half-hour before sunrise and a half-hour after sunset. You’re allowed to take deer and hogs over feeding stations on private land, but it is illegal to use such feed on WMAs.
Public hunting opportunity
Twelve of the WMAs in Zone D have a February archery/muzzleloading gun season, and if you plan to hunt any of them, you must have the $26 management area permit. Those areas are Apalachicola, Apalachicola River, Beaverdam Creek, Blackwater, Chipola River, Choctawhatchee River, Econfina Creek, Escambia River, Perdido River, Point Washington, Tate’s Hell and Yellow River.
You can get all of the licenses and permits you’ll need at any retail outlet that sells hunting and fishing supplies, by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA or by going online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Two Killed In I-65 Crash
February 20, 2017
Two South Alabama residents were killed in a single vehicle rollover crash Sunday afternoon on I-65 about eight miles north of Atmore.
Samuel Louis Brown, 34, and Eugene Sanders Jr., 53, were both pronounced deceased at the scene of teh crash at 62 mile marker. Brown and Sanders were passengers in a 2003 Mitsubishi SUV that overturned several times after leaving the roadway.
The driver of the Mitsubishi was transported to an area hospital.
Further details have not been released as Alabama troopers continue their investigation.