Motorcyclist Dead After Falling Off I-110 Bridge
March 31, 2015
A Navarre man was killed when he flipped his motorcycle off a downtown I-110 bridge near the civic center Monday evening.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 20-year old Timothy Ryan Davey was southbound on I-110 exceeding the posted speed limit. He failed to maintain control of his 2015 Suzuki GSXR as it entered a downhill curve. He struck a sound barrier wall and was ejected off the bridge while his motorcycle continue in an upright position around the curve and into a grassy median at the Gregory Street exit.
Davey was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Singleton Places At District Level In Veterans Essay Contest
March 31, 2015
Northview High School sophomore Mitchell Singleton has earned third place at the district level for his essay in the Voice of Democracy competition, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary.
Singleton won first place in the competition at Northview. Judged on originality, delivery, and content, Singleton and the other competitors wrote about “Why Veterans Are Important to Our Nation’s History and Future.” The top three winners at Northview won cash awards, with Singleton’s essay advancing to the district competition. Second place winner at Northview was Alyssa Borelli, and third place was Alyssa Bell. All three of Northview’s top winners are in Vicki Baggett’s Honors English class.
The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9 -12, who are enrolled in public, private or parochial high school or home study programs.
Northview’s Newsome Signs In Football, Track With Iowa School
March 31, 2015
Cameron Newsome is set to continue his athletic career as a dual-sport athlete at Waldorf College in Forest City, IA. Newsome, a senior at Northview High School, has signed a letter of intent play football and compete in track and field for the Warriors.
“He’s got a good future because of his athleticism and the skill set he has,” Waldorf football coach Kent Anderson said.
At Northview, Newsome was a four-year varsity letter winner in both sports.
A four-year starter on the gridiron, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound wide receiver helped the Chiefs win the 2012 Class 1A state championship. Northview won back-to-back district and regional titles in 2011 and 2012. As a senior, Newsome was selected to the Pensacola Sports Association (PSA) All-Star Game.
“He’s a talented wide receiver,” Anderson said. “He’s got nice reach, tracks the ball well and does a lot of good things naturally. We’re expecting him to compete.”
Newsome also saw time as a defensive back, kick returner and punt returner for the Chiefs, who reached the state playoffs the past four seasons.
A track and field standout, Newsome owns Northview school records in both the high jump and triple jump. He qualified for regional competition in the high jump as a junior, setting a new school mark at 6 feet, 4 inches.
Joining the Warriors, Newsome has the ability to contend with the best jumpers in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
“Cameron is a very talented athlete that is currently capable of meeting an NAIA national-qualifying mark,” Waldorf track and field coach Kendrick Clay said.
Waldorf is currently competing in its inaugural track and field season. The addition of Newsome helps elevate the program.
“As we begin our 2015-16 seasons, he will most likely be able to help Waldorf College establish a presence not just at the regional level, but potentially the national level as well,” Clay said. “We are excited to bring aboard any committed athlete that is capable of helping our program progress.”
Newsome was also active in basketball at Northview, where he was a three-year letter winner. He guided the Chiefs to the playoffs in his final two seasons and was named to the PSA All-Star Game as a senior.
The son of Vivian Morel, Newsome is still weighing his options as he decides on a college major. He’s excited to continue his education and athletic career at Waldorf.
“It is truly a blessing,” Newsome said. “It means the world to me and it is something I have worked towards since I was a kid. It is just a dream come true.”
Newsome said those who pushed and motivated him along the way have greatly influenced the success he’s enjoyed throughout his career.
“I would like to thank all of my coaches for making me into the great player I am today and my mom for staying on me day in and day out to do what I love and to pursue my dreams,” Newsome said.
Pictured top: Cameron Newsome ties his Northview school record high jump at 6 feet, 4 inches at a March 11 meet.
Spring Break: Free Blue Angel Practice Shows This Week
March 31, 2015
The Blue Angels will hold two more practices this week at the National Naval Aviation Museum. Practices are set for 10 a.m. on Wednesday and 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. The Blues will sign autographs following the Wednesday practice inside the museum. All events are free.
Pictured: The Blue Angels soar over Pensacola Beach Sunday afternoon. Photos by Diann Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
29 Arrested On Meth Warrants, 19 More Still Wanted
March 30, 2015
Monday, deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, Patrol Division, Gun Crime Task Force, and Hazmat Teams participated in an arrest warrant round-up targeting several local residents believed to be involved in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
This event was the culmination of a year-long narcotics investigation that targeted numerous individuals throughout the Brownsville, Beach Haven, and Perdido Key areas of Escambia County.
The methamphetamine manufacturing process utilized by several of these individuals is a very hazardous and dangerous technique that involves the obtaining and mixing of hazardous and flammable materials that unfortunately often results in fire and/or injury to citizens and the environment.
There have been 29 individuals arrested, with 19 other suspects still at large. Anyone having any information concerning the whereabouts of any at-large suspect is asked to notify the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
The arrested and wanted individuals and mugshots are below as provided by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
ARRESTED:
WANTED
Alabama Attempted Murder Suspect Jailed In Escambia, FL
March 30, 2015
An Alabama attempted murder suspect is now behind bars in Escambia County, FL.
Walter Lee Hodges, 43, was allegedly driving southbound on Highway 31 near Brewton, AL, on March 22 when he met a vehicle occupied by his ex-wife and her relative. He allegedly ran the vehicle off the road after giving chase, and then rammed his vehicle into the one occupied by his ex-wife multiple times. Authorities said the actions were no accident, that Hodges was acting in a purposeful manner intent on harming his ex-wife.
Hodges fled the scene, with warrants issued for his arrest for attempted murder. His ex-wife and her cousin suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Hodges is being held in the Escambia County (FL) Jail without bond as he awaits extradition back to Alabama. He is also be held on a Florida charge of failing to appear for a misdemeanor charge. Court records show he failed to appear on a 1998 charge of operating a motor vehicle with a suspending license.
What Is Your Church Doing For Easter? Share With Our Readers
March 30, 2015
What is your church doing for Easter?
NorthEscambia.com will provide free promotion for churches in North Escambia or North Santa Rosa counties in Florida, or Atmore or Flomaton in Alabama. If your church is having a special Good Friday and/or Easter service, or any other special service or event, let us know!
We will share your information with thousands of readers across the area. We will list the services on our Events page free of charge. Please try to keep your announcement for our events page to 100 words or less.
Send your announcement to news@northescambia.com or click here for our contact page. We will also be happy to publish photos after your event; email them to news@northescambia.com.
Pictured top and below: A morning “Sonrise Service” at Pensacola’s Maritime Stadium last year. Pictured inset: The sign last Easter at Poplar Dell Baptist Church sums up the Easter story in simple terms. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Education Changes Approved By House
March 30, 2015
Charter schools would get more construction funding, class-size penalties would be relaxed and school districts would be encouraged to enact dress codes under a series of education bills approved Friday by the Florida House.
Most of the school-related bills were passed in lopsided votes, though Democrats united to oppose a measure that could funnel local tax dollars to charter-school construction (HB 7037).
While the construction bill would change the standards needed to qualify for the facilities funding and make it easier for some charters to expand, the most controversial provision would allow charter schools to tap into local property taxes used to pay for capital projects at traditional public schools. If the Legislature failed to fully fund charter-school construction under a state formula, local districts would be required to use a portion of a 1.5-mill property tax to make up the difference.
That would amount to about $34 million in the budget year that begins July 1, even if lawmakers follow through on a House plan to spend $100 million on charter-school capital projects, according to one estimate.
Supporters of the change, which passed in a 75-35 vote, say charters receive less funding per pupil for construction costs than other public schools and that the new law would help ensure that their funding more closely tracks the number of students.
“That 1.5 mill puts the public charter-school student and the district school student on somewhat equal footing,” said Chris Moya, a lobbyist for Charter Schools USA, a management company.
But in a statement issued after the vote, House Minority Leader Mark Pafford blasted the change.
“The Legislature shouldn’t starve public schools while shoveling resources to special interests,” said Pafford, D-West Palm Beach.
A bill (HB 665) relaxing penalties for school districts that don’t comply with the state’s class-size limits was approved on a 107-3 vote. Voters added the class-size limit to the Florida Constitution in 2002, but some lawmakers complain that the funds could be better spent elsewhere.
The penalties are not established in the constitutional amendment, leaving lawmakers with the ability to ease them.
“What we’re trying to do now is make sure that those dollars go back into the classroom,” said Rep. Shevrin Jones, D-West Park.
But Pafford said the move was part of longstanding legislative efforts to undermine the class-size amendment.
“This is basically death by a thousand cuts in terms of class size,” he said.
The House also passed, by a 102-8 margin, a bill (HB 7043) that would make it easier for school districts to approve student dress codes and establish financial bonuses for districts that do so.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Travis Smith Named Florida Peanut Producers Young Peanut Farmer Of The Year
March 30, 2015
Travis Smith from Jay has been named the 2015 Florida Peanut Producers Young Peanut Farmer of the Year.
A fifth generation farmer, he started his farming career as a youngster when he could barely see over the steering wheel of his father’s tractor. Several years ago he was a recipient of a scholarship from the Peanut Producers Association. Today, he still assists his father while farming over 200 acres of his own and managing a small herd of cattle.
Travis is married to Brittany Smith and they have three children: Leah, Lexie, and Tate. Travis is a member of the Florida Peanut Producers Association and is active in the Young Farmers and Ranchers program. Travis and his family are members of the Century Church of Christ.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Struck, Killed By Train In Cottage Hill
March 30, 2015
A pedestrian was struck and killed by a train Sunday afternoon in the Cottage Hill community.
The victim, reportedly a male, was pronounced deceased on the scene of the crash just south of the McKenzie Road crossing at Highway 95. The victim was struck by a southbound train.
A spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the incident may have been intentional, rather than accidental. The incident remains under investigation. Further details have not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
