Two Now Charged With Jay Burglaries

May 29, 2015

Two people have now been charged with a multiple business burglary spree in Jay.

During the overnight hours of May 20, several businesses including the Farmer’s Country Market, Exprezit and Jack’s Vapor Store were burglarized. Two individuals were observed on store surveillance breaking into the businesses and taking items.

Witnesses reported seeing merchandise from the stores in a nearby wooded area and reported it to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Joshua Ryder Gay, 18, and Jonathan Richard Hill, 25, are accused of stealing over $3,000 worth of merchandise while causing over $5,000 in property damage during the break-ins. They are both charged with burglary, larceny and criminal mischief with property damage. Their bonds were set at $81,250 each.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Tate High Names Top Graduates, Presents Senior Awards

May 29, 2015

Tate High School has named their top graduates and presented senior awards Thursday night for the Class of 2015.

Hannah Erin Philips was named valedictorian with a final GPA of 5.075. This year, she was president of the National Honor Society, the Mu Alpha Theta secretary, and the Science Honor Society treasurer. She is an active member of the Marcus Pointe Baptist youth group and has participated in several missionary trips. Hannah is a National Merit Finalist and has received a full ride scholarship to Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. She plans to major in biomedical science and will pursue a career in dentistry.

Sarah Ashley Colburn was name salutatorian with a final GPA of 4.9765. She was the Rho Kappa president, National Science Honor Society president, the National Honor Society secretary, and the Mu Alpha Theta treasurer. She is a four year varsity tennis player, and was the district runner up her junior year. She also is a four-year volunteer at Scenic Heights Elementary. She will attend the University of Florida and study chemical engineering.

Notable awards presented to the Tate High Class of 2015 Thursday night included:

Scholarships Awarded

Fortis Institute
Pensacola State College
University of West Florida
Troy University
University of Southern Mississippi
Auburn University
University of Alabama

National Merit Finalist – Hannah Philips
National Merit Commended Scholar – Paxton Metcalf

Community Scholarships

Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis, & Overholtz Champions of Justice $1000 Scholarhsip – Jenna Loomis
First United Methodist Church of Pensacola Scholarship – Chad Ratliff
Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union Scholarship – Steven Jennings
Pensacola Civitan Club Citizenship Scholarship – Arah Hans Majors & Ethan Millet
Poarch Band of Creek Indians Scholarship (Full tuition) – Sayra Mauldin
Take Stock in Children Program Scholarship – Alex Richards & Hangnga Suon
John E. Frenkel, Sr. Educational $1,000 Grant – Tristan Fromm & Carissa Carroll

Local Donors & Memorial Scholarships

GRIT $1,000 Scholarship Sponsored by Jeff & Tammy Barnhill – James Wright
The Bob Hemme Scholarship Sponsored by the PSRA – Jennifer Clyde
The Michele W. Hill Foundation Scholarship – Jacob Howard
Chris Williams $1000 History Memorial Scholarship – Emily Washler
The Dillon Roberson Aggie Hero Award $500 Sponsored by Cantonment Grocery Advantage – Carissa Carroll
The Michael D. Varner Memorial Science Scholarship $1000 – Jamie Hendren

The Top Ten Percent of the Tate High School Class of 2015 is as follows:

Hannah Erin Philips – Valedictorian
Sarah Ashley Colburn – Salutatorian
Emily Rose Washler
Chandler Weathers Cotton
Taylor Arden Ertel
Kayla Jaymes Dixon
Hannah Bethany Hargett
Brandon Lee Launstein
Jamie Leigh Hendren
Casey Ann McCrackin
Paxton Murray Metcalf
Marissa Sue Jackson
Jacob Colin Howard
Natalie Lauren Wright
Alexis Kay Dixon
Sarah Elizabeth Baxter
Elizabeth Joan Werdann
Emily Ann McAfee
Taylor McKenzie Wynn
Jonathan David Compton
James Mercado Craft
Gaylyn April Workman
Elyse Kelalani Locke
Jacob E. Richards
Myranda Sue Kervin
Justin Thomas Baker
Valerie Louise Kennedy
Steffany Louise Brown
Julie Ann Menah
Lauren Taylor Brennan
Carolyn Maria Pearce
Jenna Naveen Loomis
Shakira Luqua Phillips
Kristin Lea Wheeler
Sarah Marie Rowzee
Kathryn Lorraine Howard
Sarah Marie Howard
Marie Nicole McElveen
Asia Rae McLeod
Relashia Sharde’ Nicholson
Nicholas Andrew Krostag
Victoria Lynn VanScyoc

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Jay Doctors Cleared Four Years After Federal, State Investigation Began

May 29, 2015

Two Jay doctors say they have been cleared of any wrongdoing, four years after their medical practice became the focus of a federal and state investigation and they were forced to surrender their licenses to prescribe narcotics.

Back in July 2011, the FBI, federal Drug Enforcement Agency, the Attorney General’s Office, the Florida Department of Health and Florida Department of Law Enforcement raided the Jay Medical Clinic Thursday as Florida Highway Patrol troopers stood guard outside the complex, which is located next to Jay Hospital. Federal and state agents seized patient records from Dr. C. David Smith and his son Dr. J. S. Michael Smith.

Now, Dr. David Smith says they have been cleared by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He also said the pair will soon be able to get back their licenses to prescribe narcotics from the DEA.

Pictured top: Federal and state agents were conducting a search at the Jay Medical Center during July 2011. Pictured top inset: A Florida Department of Law Enforcement officer questions a patient outside the complex. ictured below: Florida State Trooper Todd St. Clair turns away a Jay Medical Center patient during the 2011 raid. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Escambia Schools To Live Video Stream Graduations, Beginning With Northview

May 29, 2015

The Escambia County School District will be live streaming high school graduations this year, beginning Saturday with Northview High School.

Escambia County School District will be offering a chance to view seven 2015 high school graduations via live stream on the district’s home page.

“We are excited to offer this to our students’ family members who may not be able to travel to Pensacola for these milestone events,” said Malcolm Thomas, ECSD Superintendent. “This is the first time we have tried this and we plan to start the feed for each event about 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to allow everyone time to access the feed from their computers at home, or from out of town.”

“We are especially proud to try this for military family members who are stationed overseas or forward deployed,” Thomas added.

The link to each graduation live stream can be found by clicking here. The video can be watched for free on almost any computer, smart phone, smart TV and many other devices.

Graduations with live video streams will be held as follows:

Northview High School — May 30, 2015, 4:00 p.m., Northview High Gym
Booker T. Washington High School – Jun 1, 2015, 11 a.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
Pensacola High School – June 1, 2:30 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
Escambia High School – June 1, 6 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
Pine Forest High School – June 2, 11 a.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
West Florida High School — June 2, 2:30 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center
Tate High School — June 2, 6 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center

Pictured: Northview Class of 2014 graduates at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Northview High Names 2015 Honors Graduates

May 29, 2015

Northview High School named their honors graduates during Thursday night’s 2015 Senior Awards Night.

Valedictorian of the Class of 2015 is Kyndall Lauren Hall, and salutatorian is Samantha Elizabeth Sharpless. A total of 29 students were named honors graduates with a final GPA of 3.5 or above.

The Northview High School Class of 2015 graduates at 4 p.m. Saturday in the school gym.

(Scroll down to see all honors graduate photos and names)

Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above) are:

1. Kyndall Lauren Hall -Valedictorian
2. Samantha Elizabeth Sharpless – Salutatorian
3. Matthew Ryan Chavers
4. Mallory Mason Ryan
5. Tristan Taylor Brown
6. Julie Beth Hester
7. Jessica Leigh McCullough
8. Megan Paige Bryan
9. Austin Blake Cunningham
10. Aaron Thomas McDonald
11. Tristan Hunter Portwood
12. Kendal Brooke Cobb
13. Desiree Nicole Elliard
14. Kristen Renae Byrd

Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are:

15. Kelton Joe Wooten
16. Charmayne Mishanna Fountain
17. Joshua Joseph Borelli
18. Kamryn Denise Brock
19. Hannah Elizabeth Gibson

Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are:

20. Shania Lynn Ward
21. Penny Nicole Banda
22. Adriann Dawn Lee
23. Jaylen Malik Parker
24. Morgan Maxine Ward
25. Rachel Caroline Sepulveda
26. Rickey Heath Smith
27. E’layzha Rikiah Bates
28. Madison Ma’clay McGhee
29. Holly Merlice Cofield

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Northview Chiefs Schedule Summer Baseball Camp

May 29, 2015

The Northview Chiefs have scheduled a Summer Baseball Camp .

The camp will be held June 1-4 and June 8-11 from 9 a.m. until noon. The cost is $150 for the two-week camp.

For more information and to register, click here.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports

Braves Beat The Wahoos

May 29, 2015

Mississippi Braves pitcher Tyrell Jenkins loaded the bases in the first two innings against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in Thursday’s game at Trustmark Park.

But the Atlanta Braves No. 9 prospect according to MLB.Pipeline.com got out of both jams by allowing just two runs and the Braves went on to win the game, 4-2, ending Pensacola’s two game winning streak.

Jenkins loaded the bases by walking the first three Blue Wahoos he faced. Seth Mejias-Brean singled with one out to right field to score Zach Vincej to put Pensacola ahead, 1-0.

In the second inning, he loaded them again on singles by Pensacola catcher Cam Maron and center fielder Beau Amaral and a walk.

However, Jenkins benefited from a double play on a sacrifice fly by Zach Vincej that scored Maron, putting Pensacola up, 2-0.

Mississippi scored all of four of its runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to improve Jenkins’ record to 4-2 on the year with a 3.00 ERA. The tall righty from Texas pitched five innings, allowing four hits, two runs, five walks and five strikeouts, including top Pensacola hitter Kyle Waldrop with the bases loaded in the first.

The Braves loaded the bases in the fifth and right fielder David Rohm drove in two with a one-out single to center, which tied the game 2-2. Then with two out, second baseman Corban Joseph doubled to left field to score two more and give Mississippi a 4-2 lead.

Amaral led the Blue Wahoos lineup, going 2-4 and is now 3-9 in the first two games of the five-game series with Mississippi with a run scored and his fifth stolen base of the year.

Pensacola fell to 21-26 on the year, while Mississippi improved to 25-21 in the Southern League South Division.

Ryan Wright pinch hit in the eighth inning and flied out to end his hitting streak at 10 games. Wright batted .326 (15-46) with eight RBIs and two doubles during his streak.

Mejias-Brean is hitting .361 (22-61) in the past 16 games after going 1-4, and knocking in his 20^th run of the season.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports

Cantonment Woman Seriously Injured In I-10 Crash

May 28, 2015

A Cantonment woman was seriously injured in a three vehicle crash early Thursday morning on I-10 in Escambia County.

The Florida Highway Patrol said 41-year old Samuel Matthew Mosley, Jr. was westbound on I-10 in a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe when he rear-ended a westbound 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by 25-year old Erica Sims of Cantonment. That caused Sim’s vehicle to cross the median into oncoming traffic, colliding with a 2014 Ford F250 driven by 48-year old Ronald Buford of Louisiana.

Sims was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition. Mosley received minor injuries and was taken to Baptist Hospital; Buford was transported to Sacred Heart with minor injuries.

Charges in the crash are pending the outcome of a FHP investigation.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Authorities Seize Three Starving Horses Near Century

May 28, 2015

Authorities seized three severely malnourished horses near Century Wednesday afternoon.

Escambia County Animal Control, Panhandle Equine Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized the horses from a property in the 2500 block of Highway 168, near Shaw Road.

“All of the horses were thin, two of them were emaciated. “They didn’t have anything to eat, and they were in really bad shape,” PER President Diane Lowery said. “I’m really glad we have them now, and they will be able to get the care that they need…it will be a long road for all three of them.”

The mare — now named Lisa, Grace and Hope — will be rehabilitated by PER.

Meanwhile, the law enforcement investigation into the incident, with evidence to be turned over to the State Attorney’s Office.

“People need to know that if they are not feeding and taking care of their horses they are going to have to deal with a judge,” Lowery said.

The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was founded by a small group of concerned citizens with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines. PER is authorized by the court system to investigate equine cruelty in Escambia County.

For more information on Panhandle Equine Rescue and how to donate to the organization visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org. The group is specifically seeking donation’s to help with the care of the recently seized horses in their care.

Pictured: Horses seized Wednesday from a property on Highway 168 west of Century. The horses are pictured at Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment where they are receiving care. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.