Hundreds Of Students Gather To Pray At The Pole (With Photo Gallery)
September 24, 2015
Hundreds of students gathered to pray at their schools in across the area Wednesday morning during the annual See You at the Pole event.
Students gathered as school began to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. Students prayed for their school, friends, teachers, government and the nation.
Pictured top See You at the Pole Wednesday morning at Nothview High School. Pictured below: Two photos from Ernest Ward Middle, followed by photos from Molino Park Elementary, West Florida High and Ransom Middle schools. NorthEscambia.com and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
New Street ‘Rockhill Drive’ Planned For Molino
September 24, 2015
The Escambia County Commission is expected to give approval to a new street name in Molino.
The board is set to approve the street name of “Rockhill Drive” for a paved private driveway north off Crabtree Church Road, west of the Don Sutton Ballpark and Highway 97.
The property and private driveway owners, Mr. and Mrs. James Rockhill, requested the name and will pay the cost of the street sign.
One Killed In Atmore Wreck
September 24, 2015
One person was killed in a predawn accident just east of Atmore Wednesday.
According to Alabama State Troopers, 45-year old Randell Luther Brooks of Loxley was pronounced deceased on the scene of the 5:44 a.m. crash on Highway 31 near Unity Baptist Church. Troopers said the 2002 Ford Escape driven by Brooks collided with a 1995 GMC Sierra driven by 35-year old Wesley Garland Erickson of Atmore.
Brooks was not wearing a seat belt, according to troopers. Erickson was transported to Atmore Community Hospital. His condition was not available.
The accident remains under investigation by Alabama State Troopers. Further details have not been released.
Pictured: The driver of this Ford Escape, 45-year old Randell Luther Brooks of Loxley, was pronounced deceased on the scene of this crash near Atmore Wednesday morning. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Entries Being Accepted For Northview Homecoming Parade
September 24, 2015
The annual Northview High School Homecoming Parade has been set for Friday, October 9.
The parade will line up at noon and travel from Bratt Elementary School to Northview High. Entries are being accepted now; there is no cost to enter. For a printable entry form, click here. Entries are due by October 2.
Contact Perry Byars at (850) 327-6681 ext. 248 for more information.
The Northview Chief’s homecoming game will kickoff at 7 p.m. on October 9 against Liberty County.
Pictured: A float in the 2014 Northview High Homecoming Parade in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century Seeks Funds For Water System Improvements
September 23, 2015
The Town of Century is looking for $700,000 in state or federal funds for water system improvements.
The town has lobbied the local legislative delegation — Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Clay Ingram and Rep. Mike Hill – for $198,000 in state funding during the next legislative session.
The town is also set to apply for $700,000 in RESTORE funding. RESTORE projects will be funded with civil penalties from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Once the RESTORE application period closes at the end of the month, , project proposals will be evaluated by the technical review team consisting of subject matter experts, the RESTORE Act Advisory Committee and the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners. The ranked proposals will be presented for public comment. The Board of County Commissioners has the final authority for approval of the project list before it is submitted to the U.S. Department of Treasury for federal level review.
Escambia Man Indicted For First Degree Murder
September 23, 2015
An Escambia County man was indicted Tuesday on murder charges.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said an Escambia County grand jury indicted Charles Demetris Boutwell for first degree premeditated murder in the death of Dewayne Silas.
Silas was found shot to death behind the Oakstead Mobile Home Park on August 11, 2015. Crime scene evidence revealed that Silas was shot by two different firearms and from two different directions. Earlier this month, co-defendant Gerial Deloach was also indicted for first degree premeditated murder for his involvement in this crime.
Bill Seeks Unanimous Juries In Death Cases As Supreme Court To Hear Nine Mile Popeye’s Case
September 23, 2015
Juries would have to be unanimous before recommending the death penalty for defendants in murder cases, under a bill filed Tuesday in the Florida Senate, just weeks before the U.S. Supreme Court is to hear an Escambia County death penalty case that was unanimous.
Under current law, a majority of a jury can recommend that a defendant receive the death penalty, with a judge ultimately deciding whether to impose the sentence. The bill (SB 330), by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Rockledge, for the 2016 legislative session, would establish the higher standard for death sentences. The bill also would give direction to judges on some jury instructions in death-penalty cases. Those instructions deal with what are known as “aggravating circumstances,” which are factors used to support death-penalty recommendations.
The bill, in part, would require aggravating circumstances to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt and be subject to a unanimous vote. The bill — an identical measure (HB 157) has already been filed in the House — would only apply to sentencing proceedings that begin after July 1, 2016. Similar efforts have failed in prior legislative sessions.
However, this year’s proposal comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Oct. 13 in a case that challenges the way Florida sentences people to death. The case stems from the 1998 murder of an Escambia County fast-food worker, and attorneys representing Death Row inmate Timothy Lee Hurst contend that Florida’s unique sentencing system is unconstitutional. The attorneys argue, in part, that a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling requires that determination of aggravating circumstances be “entrusted” to juries, not to judges. Also, they take issue with Florida not requiring unanimous jury recommendations in death-penalty cases. A judge sentenced Hurst to death after receiving a 7-5 jury recommendation.
Hurst, now 36, was convicted in the 1998 murder of Cynthia Lee Harrison, who was an assistant manager at a Popeye’s Fried Chicken restaurant where Hurst worked. Harrison’s body was discovered bound in a freezer, and money was missing from a safe, according to a brief in the case.
by The News Service of Florida and NorthEscambia.com
Escambia Business Tax Renewals Due By The End Of The Month
September 23, 2015
Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley is reminding all business owners and practicing professionals that September 30 is the final day for business tax receipt renewals. After that date, penalties will be added.
Online renewal is encouraged, but renewals can be made by mail, phone (with a convenience fee) and in person at any of three tax collector locations:
- Downtown – 213 Palafox Place
- Marcus Pointe – 6451 North W Street
- Molino – 6440 Highway 95-A North, Suite A
Applications and information for business tax receipts are available at www.EscambiaTaxCollector.com. For more information or to make an appointment, visit the tax collector’s website or call (850) 438-6500, ext. 3252.
Volleyball: Jay Defeats NHS
September 23, 2015
The Jay Lady Royals defeated Northview 3-0 in three sets Tuesday night in Jay, 25-14, 25-14, 25-17.
Jay will host Laurel Hill on Thursday, while Northview will host Pensacola Christian at 4:30 (JV) and 5:30 (varsity).
In junior varsity action, Jay won on two sets, 25-19, 25-21.
NothEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
Tate Girls Cross Country Delivers Strong Finishes At Jay Invitational
September 23, 2015
The Tate High girls cross country team continued their successful cross country season with a second place finish out of 14 teams in the JD Mac Invitational at Jay.
The were led by Carley Pope with a sixth place finish with a time of 21:00.
The other scoring members of Tate’s team were
7. Hannah Wellenkamp 21:00 1
2. Avery Royer 21:21
13. McKenna Royer
15. Emma Shows 21:57
23. Riley Orr 22:49