A Century That Lasts Forever — Town Slogan Winner Awarded
March 3, 2015
Century Mayor Freddie McCall presented a personal $50 check Monday night to the winner of the town’s recent slogan contest. Josie Leonard of Milton, a Northview High School graduate, submitted the winning “A Century that lasts forever” slogan. Pictured top: Century Mayor Freddie McCall, Josie Leonard and her husband Caleb Leonard. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Curious about the other slogans submitted in the contest? Click here for an earlier story.
Northview Beats Escambia County
March 3, 2015
Northview 11, Escambia County High 1
Northview 4, Escambia County 1 (JV)
The undefeated Northview Chiefs beat the Blue Devils of Escambia County High School of Atmore 11-1 Monday night in Bratt. The Chiefs took a commanding 5-1 lead in the first inning. In junior varsity action, the Chiefs also beat ECHS, 4-1. On Tuesday, the Northview Chiefs will travel to Jay for a varsity district game at 6:30, following a junior varsity game at 4:00.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge
Extension Service Offering Beekeeping In The Panhandle Short Course
March 3, 2015
The UF/IFAS Extension Panhandle Agriculture Team is offering a beekeeping short- curse in March. These classes will be offered via interactive video at extension offices across the Panhandle.
Classes will be taught by Jamie Ellis, Ph.D., and other state and nationally recognized experts from the University of Florida Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab and the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Bureau of Plant and Apiary Inspection.
Classes are Mondays from 6-8 p.m. with a Saturday morning bee yard field day 9 a.m. to noon. Each presentation will be followed by an interactive question & answer period.
- March 9: Honey Bee Biology, Anatomy, & Hive Structure
- March 16: Bee Nutrition and Bee Botany (Identification of Nectar Plants)
- March 21: Bee-Yard Field-Day – A hands on learning opportunity!
- March 23: Important Pest and Diseases – Identification and Management
Registration for all four classes is $20 per person, or $30 for a family. This fee covers course materials and refreshments. To register, call (850) 475-5230 in Escambia County, or (850) 623-3868 in Santa Rosa County.
Escambia County classes will be held at 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment, while Santa Rosa County classes will be held at 6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton.
Prison Boss: ‘Free Passage’ For Guards Who Speak To Lawmakers
March 3, 2015
Corrections officers called to testify before state lawmakers won’t face retaliation, Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones assured senators Monday. Jones told members of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee that anyone who addresses the committee “will have free passage.” Jones added that the agency has started to hold meetings at the different prisons to address safety equipment, staffing and other concerns.
Committee Chairman Greg Evers, R-Baker, said a number of corrections officers he’s talked to have said they would testify before the committee if subpoenaed. However, Evers said those people “are afraid of retaliation” if they publicly discuss concerns about issues such as staffing levels, shift hours, the lack of proper uniforms or below-grade equipment.
“They all stepped up and said, ‘Absolutely, here’s what is going on, here’s what’s happening, but this is what will happen, because then I will be looked at as if I’m snitching on somebody,’ ” Evers said.
Last month, Jones told a House panel that a staff directive barring inspectors from disclosing information about investigations was necessary to shut down gossip and protect investigators. Jones’ appearance before the House committee came after six whistleblowers sued the Department of Corrections over a “gag order.”
The agency has been getting hit from all sides. Among other things, it faces investigations into inmate deaths, allegations of cover-ups, complaints about low staffing levels and questions about health care provided to prisoners. A proposal to create new penalties for guards who abuse prisoners and establish a new commission to oversee the prison system goes before the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday. The proposal previously received support from the Criminal Justice Committee.
by The News Service of Florida
Lady Jags Beat Catholic
March 3, 2015
The West Florida Lady Jaguars beat Catholic 11-1 Monday night, coming off 2-1 loss to Walton Friday night.
For photos from both games, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Arrested For Two Counts Of Attempted Murder
March 2, 2015
A Molino man has been arrest on two counts of attempted murder for a shooting in Pensacola last December.
Johnny Walker, Jr., age 23 of Barth Road, was charged with two capital counts of attempted first degree premeditated homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, reckless or negligent discharge of a weapon, firing a weapon into a vehicle and two counts of robbery with a firearm. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $1.4 million.
On December 23, 2014, Pensacola Police officers found 22-year old Markquise Wallace and 28-year old Terry Crenshaw shot multiple times while in vehicle in a parking lot in the area of Sanchez Court. Both were reportedly robbed of about $300-$400 in cash and valuables. A third victim was later located who had been the vehicle at the time of the shooting. They were allegedly shot by two assailants. One, Kieshjuan Abrams, was arrested shortly after the shooting, while Walker was later identified as the second suspect and warrants issued for his arrest.
Wallace, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and arm, told police that he remembered Walker from a time in 2013 that both were incarcerated in the Escambia County Road Prison.
Kidnapping Charges Dropped In Century Shooting Death Case
March 2, 2015
A Century man remains jailed for January 31 shooting death in Century , but some of the charges against him have been dropped because prosecutors says part of the story told by witnesses was not true.
Jaran Britt Myles, 20, remains jailed without bond on charges of negligent manslaughter and aggravated assault for the shooting death 20-year old Jonathan Wilson. But two counts of kidnapping against Myles have been dropped.
Investigators said Myles shot Wilson in the head about 8:00 that Saturday night inside a residence in the 1000 block of Backwoods Road.
One witness told deputies that “Run Run”, later identified as Myles, pulled out a gun and asked him if he was scared of it before taking the magazine out of the weapon and pointing it him. Myles then pulled the trigger of the gun, without the magazine, but it “dry fired”, he said.
The witness said Myles then pointed the gun to Wilson’s head after loading the magazine back into the gun. Wilson then adjusted the height of the gun to his head, “correcting the placement of the gun pointed at him,” an arrest report states. The witness said when Wilson let go of the gun, Myles pulled the trigger and shot Wilson in the head.
Witness first told investigators that Myles then stuck the gun in a witness’ ribs then pointed it at a second witness, ordering the witness to drive him home. But that part of the witness’ story did not occur, Assistant State Attorney James Parker said, leading prosecutors to drop the kidnapping charges. The two witnesses did drive Myles away from the shooting scene to his nearby residence on Backwoods Road, but Myles never pointed a gun at them or forced them, Parker said.
The State Attorney’s Office reached its conclusion after further interviews with witnesses, Parker said. At this point, there are no plans to file any charges against the witnesses.
Myles has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driver Misses Curve, Hits Power Pole In Walnut Hill
March 2, 2015
There were no injuries when the driver of a vehicle missed a 90-degree curve on Kansas Road and destroyed a power pole Sunday night in Walnut Hill.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 24-year old Austin Reimer of Ringwood, OK, was northbound on Kansas Road in a 2014 Ford Expedition when he failed to negotiate the curve and struck the utility pole. The vehicle eventually came to rest in a grassy field. Reimer and his three passengers ages 18-22 and all from Ringwood, OK, were not injured.
The accident happened just north of Arthur Brown Road about 9 p.m., causing a small number of Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers in the Kansas Road area to lose power for about two hours. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ag Saves Workshop Series – Securing Your Farm’s Financial Future
March 2, 2015
Escambia County Extension and the University of Florida IFAS will host an Ag Saves Workshop Series beginning Tuesday, March 24. This four-session series of interactive workshops will focus on the basics of securing your farm’s financial future and will be offered locally at the Walnut Hill Community Center on Highway 97. In addition to learning from featured speakers, participants will receive a Farm Journal Legacy Project Workbook to help walk their family through the succession planning process.
The four workshop sessions, held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., will cover the following topics:
- Tuesday, March 24 – Preparing for retirement and other goals
- Tuesday, June 23 – Trimming the fat, how to manage and reduce your debt
- Tuesday, July 21 – Securing your family’s and your farm’s future, part 1
- Tuesday, August 18 – Securing your family’s and your farm’s future, part 2
The cost of the class is $55 per family (up to four members) and pre-registration is required by Tuesday, March 10. For more information or to register contact Libbie Johnson or Dorothy Lee at Escambia County Extension (850) 475-5230. or visit bit.ly/AgSavesSeries.
Northview Cheerleader Parent Meeting
March 2, 2015
Anyone interested in trying out for the Northview High School cheerleading team for the 2015-2016 school year should attend a parent meeting on Tuesday, March 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the Northview Media Center.