Century Honors Veterans
November 8, 2014
The Town of Century held a special Veterans Day observance Friday to honor their local veterans.
“Hero — we throw that term around a lot, but they really are the superheroes of this world that keep us safe and allow us to enjoy the freedoms that God intended us to have,” guest speaker Rep. Clay Ingram told the small crowd at Century’s Nadine McCaw Park.
The event included other speakers and patriotic music from Byrneville Elementary School fourth and fifth grade students.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Beats Escambia
November 8, 2014
In a battle of local powerhouses, the Tate High School Aggies beat the Escambia Gators 27-24 Friday night in Cantonment.
The Aggies took a sizable 20-0 lead, beginning with 70-yard touchdown run with 7:53 on the clock in the first quarter.
The Aggies hit the road next Friday night for the first round of the state playoffs against Lincoln High School in Tallahassee.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Keith Garrison, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Drop Non-District Game To Blountstown (With Photo Gallery)
November 8, 2014
The Northview Chiefs finished out their regular season with a non-district 28-27 loss to the Blountstown Tigers Friday night at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
The loss was, simply, due to too many mistakes, said Northview head coach Sid Wheatley
“We just had too many mistakes down the stretch. Two different times, we had a two possession lead. That’s when you’ve got to go finish things off, and we didn’t do it,” said Wheatley. “And that absolutely killed it.”
The Chiefs took an early 7-0 lead with 9:31 to go in the first quarter on an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Gavin Grant to Cameron Newsome in the end zone. Blountstown tied it up early in the second with the Chiefs making it 13-7 with 8:19 to go in the second with a 25-yard Nick Lambert touchdown.
Lambert scored again for the Chiefs with 7:57 to go in the third. And the final score of the cold night in Bratt come from Grant with a 60-yard quarterback keeper.
The Chiefs are looking to move on quickly, putting the loss behind them and looking forward to next week and round one of the 1A state playoffs.
“We’ve got to get better and our minds have to get better, because our second season begins now,” Wheatley said. “This game tonight has no bearing on what’s going to take place in the future.”
Next up in the future of the Chiefs are the Vernon Yellowjackets next Friday night on the road.
Wheatley said the team was looking toward a really good week of practice, “we are going to prepare them hard”, and we are going to on the road and get things done at Vernon.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Senior Night, band and cheerleaders photos will be published in upcoming stories.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
BBB Warns Of Asphalt Paving Scam
November 8, 2014
The Better Business Bureau serving Northwest Florida is warning local consumers to watch out for unethical asphalt paving contractors. Numerous consumers have alerted BBB of an individual soliciting paving work door-to-door, the organization said.
According to the BBB, a local couple hired the individual and paid $3,000 before any work was done. Unfortunately, the check was cashed and the worker never returned. The consumers are now working with local police to track down the individual. Watch for these common signs of an asphalt scam:
- They claim to have leftover asphalt from another job. Be aware of paving companies that approach your home, stating that they are “in the area” and have extra asphalt or concrete to repair your driveway for a minimal cost. Professional asphalt contractors know, with great accuracy, how much paving material is needed to complete a project. Rarely will they have leftover material.
- High pressure sales. Never hire someone on the spot. Trustworthy contractors provide a written estimate that will be valid for days or weeks. Ask for local references and verify that the contractor is in compliance, current and up-to-date with all local licensing, bonding and insuring requirements.
- Deals that seem too good to be true. If the quoted price seems very low, chances are the quality of work will also be quite low. Many times the company will quote a low price for their work and upon completion overcharge the customer.
- No contract is offered. Insist on a written estimate specifying in detail the work to be performed and the agreed total price, not just price per square foot. Then get at least two more quotes before hiring a contractor.
- Unmarked trucks. Often the trucks they travel in are unmarked or they have an out-of-town license plate, address and phone number. A little research will reveal that they have no permanent address and the phone number is often an answering machine or answering service.
High School Football Scoreboard
November 8, 2014
Here are scores from the final week of the regular season in Florida and the first round of the playoffs in Alabama
FLORIDA
- Blountstown
- Tate 27, Escambia 24
- West Florida 28, Washington 6
- OPEN: Pace, Milton, Pine Forest, Jay
ALABAMA – PLAYOFF GAMES
- T.R. Miller 35, Greensboro 6
- W.S. Neal 51, Northside (Tuscaloosa) 34
- Flomaton 35, Pickens County 20
- Escambia Academy 54, Glenwood 0
Ernest Ward Middle Honors Veterans (With Photo Gallery)
November 7, 2014
Ernest Ward Middle School paused to honor veterans from the across the area Thursday afternoon.
“It’s a great day to be here, in the United States of America,” guest speaker retired Navy Capt. Frank Smith told the student body and their veteran guests. “Because we truly do live in the land of the free.”
During an emotional display. the students prepared a small, white table with a place setting for one in front of an empty black chair. The ceremony represented the never-ending hope for the return of MIA soldiers. The program also included patriotic music, an armed forces salute and the presentation of colors from the Northview High School NJROTC.
The annual Veterans Day program at Ernest Ward is a longstanding community tradition, held annually for over 20 years.
Pictured top: Retired Navy Capt. Frank Smith recalls taking his Oath of Enlistment into the U.S. Navy. Pictured inset: The Ernest Ward Middle School Advanced Chorus performs. Pictured below: The “MIA Table”. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Supreme Court Ponders Life Sentences For Juveniles
November 7, 2014
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday heard arguments in a debate about sentencing for juveniles convicted of first-degree murder.
Pointing to a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, two inmates who are serving life in prison for murders they committed as juveniles are challenging their sentences.
The ruling, in a case known as Miller v. Alabama, banned mandatory life sentences for juveniles convicted of murder. Juveniles can still face life sentences in such cases, but judges must weigh criteria such as the offenders’ maturity and the nature of the crimes before imposing that sentence.
On Thursday, attorneys for Rebecca Lee Falcon and Anthony Duwayne Horsley argued that the ruling — and a new state law that carries it out — should apply retroactively to their clients, giving them the possibility of release.
The session was lively, with most of the Florida justices’ questions directed at what the Legislature intended by passing the new law. An underpinning of the Miller ruling was that juveniles are different from adults and function at different stages of brain development, so that a life sentence without the possibility of parole violates the Eighth Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
“The question becomes, ‘What should the remedy be?’” said Karen Gottlieb, Falcon’s attorney. “The ultimate issue is how this court can best vindicate Eighth Amendment rights that are required under the Miller decision while at the same time doing as little violence as possible to the legislative intent.”
Lawmakers this spring approved new juvenile sentencing guidelines that went into effect July 1 in response to Miller and to a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a case known as Graham v. Florida.
The Miller and Graham rulings have spawned legal questions in Florida courts since the Graham ruling was handed down. It took lawmakers that long to agree on the sentencing guidelines, but this year — reluctant to leave it to courts to decide on a case-by-case basis — did so unanimously.
“That’s almost unheard of,” Justice Barbara Pariente said. “It’s the entire Legislature saying, after lots of hearings, ‘We think this is both good from a policy point of view as well as faithful to Miller.’ ”
Under the new law, a juvenile convicted of a murder classified as a capital felony could be sentenced to life in prison after a hearing to determine whether such a sentence is appropriate. If a judge finds that a life sentence is not appropriate, the juvenile would be sentenced to at least 35 years. Also, juveniles convicted in such cases would be entitled to reviews after 25 years.
Falcon is serving a life sentence for a 1997 murder in Bay County, when she was 15. That murder was committed in the course of a botched robbery. Horsley, whose case was heard Thursday with Falcon’s case, was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2006 shooting death of a convenience-store owner in Brevard County. He was 17 at the time of the murder.
Horsley was initially sentenced to life in prison without parole, but he argued on appeal that the Miller ruling made that sentence unconstitutional. Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeal later changed the sentence to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. That prompted the case to go to the state Supreme Court.
On Thursday, Assistant Attorney General Kellie Nielan argued that a life sentence does not violate the Constitution if it includes the option of parole.
But Justice Ricky Polston said that would create new questions, due to Florida abolishing parole decades ago on new crimes. A commission still hears cases from before the time parole was abolished.
“If there’s no parole, are you asking this court to order the parole commission to hear these cases even though we don’t have the power of the purse?” Polston asked. “We can’t give them the money or authorization to do this. Are you asking us to — from the bench — require a branch of government to enact the parole commission that’s been abolished?”
“I’m asking this court to follow precedent,” Nielan said. “I understand that we have to fashion a remedy for this.”
But while the new law was designed to bring Florida into compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court rulings, it doesn’t mention retroactivity.
And in July, when the Florida Supreme Court asked attorneys representing juvenile offenders to weigh in on the new law, Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Chairman Rob Bradley, the Senate sponsor, said it was not intended to address retroactivity.
“We were simply looking at a statutory scheme that was clearly unconstitutional,” the Fleming Island Republican told The News Service of Florida. “We were looking at two United States Supreme Court decisions that set forth certain parameters, and we developed a sentencing framework that complied with those two decisions. As far as how that applied individually to individual defendants, we’ll leave that to the court system.”
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
Byrneville Elementary Releases First Nine Weeks Honor Roll
November 7, 2014
The following students were named to the first nine weeks honor roll at Byrneville Elementary School:
Mrs. Barberree’s Kindergarten:
All Satisfactory
Nathan Carter
Autumn Coleman
Clay Everly
Gabrielle Hawsey
Akeylah Jefferson
Caleb Levins
D’Angelo Phifer
Jase Portwood
Hunter Powell
Will Sloan
Isaiah Therrell
Zachary Weaver
Cannon Whorff
Allison Yoder
Mrs. Coleman’s Kindergarten
All Satisfactory
Keiyon Brown
Kayden Harwell
Wesley Lambeth
Aleah Therrell
Ms. Rice’s Kindergarten
(All satisfactory)
Brayden King
Layla Jordan
Mrs. Dawson’s First Grade
All A’s
London Brooks
Luke Godwin
Jaycee Harvell
All A’s and B’s
Logan Jordan
Evelyn Smith
Chassity Taylor
Christian Velazquez
Ms. Thornton’s First Grade
All A’s
Wade Bailey
Elizabeth Coleman
Mary-Clayton Dawson
Savannah Hudson
Katherine Johnson
Ryder Lee
Makenzie Levins
Andrew Plant
Bree Roberson
Charlee Weaver
All A’s and B’s
Emily Carter
Easten Odom
Brynlie Shaw
Mrs. Linton’s Second Grade
All A’s
Kelan Jurey
Riley Long
Evin Matlock
Mia Turner-White
All A’s and B’s
Ayden Atallah
Gavin Beasley
Layla Brown
Jaci Jackson
Mrs. Weaver’s Second Grade
All A’s
Madeleine Atallah
Maddie Mae Driskell
Zachary Herndon
Mia Kornegay
Madison Levins
Addisen Miller
Jayden White
Brian Yoder
All A’s and B’s
Logan Bevins
Luke Diamond
Kerissa Dortch
Braden Glick
Rhett Madden
Blake Shaw
Mrs. Dunsford’s Third Grade
All A’s
Sarah Bailey
Riley Dawson
Madalyn Grimes
Kaylee Hamilton
Meredith Johnston
Tyler Riggs
All A’s and B’s
Alexa Castro
Kaylie Glick
Takayla Lewis
Tyson McBride
Aydan Smith
Leif Waters
Mrs. Gilmore and Mrs. Marshman’s Fourth Grade
All A’s
Drake Allen Driskell
Bradley Hamilton
Emily Levins
Kaden Odom
Jolee Sloan
Blake Yoder
All A’s and B’s
Leah Anderson
Hunter Barnes
Aloysia Dortch
Briana Dunsford
Kayla Johnson
Emily Lambeth
Abby Weber
Tiana White
Mrs. Johnston’s Fifth Grade:
All A’s
Hunter Borelli
Kaitlin Gafford
Jace Gifford
Shelby Rice
Harley Walker
All A’s and B’s
Cody Adams
Tanner Boone
Dusty Carnley
Taylor Levins
Torka Mills
Ahmad Warmack-Elliott
Anthoni Weaver
State Officially Announces Grant For Century Playground
November 7, 2014
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection official announced 51 grants Thursday in 26 counties for outdoor recreational purposes.
The only grant in the Pensacola area was a $50,000 for playground equipment at Showalter Park in Century.
As NorthEscambia.com reported last month, the Town of Century has already ordered a new playground set for Showalter Park from bidder J.A. Dawson & Co., as recommended by the Century Recreation Committee.
The labor to demolish the existing playground and install the new equipment will be provided by the town, saving grant dollars and allowing for the purchase of more equipment.
The town is also applying for a Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant to install a splash pad at Showalter Park.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Conference Promotes Agritourism, Ecotourism
November 7, 2014
The three-day 2014 Gulf Coast Agritourism & Ecotourism Business Development Conference was held this week in Santa Rosa County.
The conference included informative sessions, hands-on activities and an opportunity to explore local agritourism and ecotourism businesses. The event provided information geared not only to existing companies, to also for new business startups.
Ben Parks from the Florida Agritourism Association said people need to think outside the box to share farm fun, while Dr. Taylor Stein, UF.IFAS ecotourism specialist, encouraged support for sustainable ecotourism development.
The event was sponsored by IFAS Extension in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and Naturally Escarosa.
Pictured top: The group visited Holland Farms near Jay, where they learned about peanuts from Bruce Holland. Pictured inset: Dr. Taylor Stein, UF.IFAS ecotourism specialist, encouraged support for sustainable ecotourism development during the conference. Pictured below: Extensions agents pose with one of Gene Gabbert’s old FarmAll tractors at his Jay Museum, centerpiece of the annual Jay Peanut Festival. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.