Northview Chiefs Top The Jay Royals In Spring Preview
May 24, 2014
The Northview Chiefs outscored the Jay Royals a total of 50-21 during a Spring Jamboree Friday night at Merle North Stadium in Jay.
In the first quarter of play between the junior varsity and reserve teams, the Chiefs beat the Royals 22-0. And in the final three quarters with varsity on varsity, Northview downed Jay 28-21.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Northview Head Coach Sid Wheatley said he was pleased with good blocking from his offensive linemen Friday night.
I thought we were able to control the ball well on offense; our backs had a good night,” he said. “Defensively we were a little bit undisciplined in the way were keying what they were doing in the backfield. But those are little things we can fix.
Wheatley said the team will head into tough, focused four-day a week summer workouts with a focus on strength, conditioning and speed. “We are really going to try to grow together as a football team,” with eyes on another trip to state in Orlando.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Selected As One Of Florida’s Finest Chapters
May 24, 2014
The Northview High School FFA has been selected by the state organization as one of Florida’s Finest FFA Chapters.
The selection of these chapters is based upon the completion of the National Chapter Award program application. These chapters have excelled in the areas of student, chapter and community development and have worked hard to fulfill the mission of the FFA.
One member and one advisor from each of these chapters will be recognized on the main stage during the 2nd General Session of the 86th Florida FFA Convention on Wednesday, July 2nd. In addition, each of these chapters will represent Florida at the national level in the National Chapter Award Program.
Pictured top: The 2013-2014 Northview High School FFA officer team (front, L-R) President – Courtney Solari, Vice President – Courtney Weekley, 2nd Vice President – Haylee Weaver, Secretary – Bethany Reynolds, Chaplain – Tamara Barrows, (back row) Reporter – Kaitlyn Kleinatland, Public Relations – Tiffani Cruce, Sentinel – Tabitha Chavers, Historian – Hunter Kite, Parlimentarian – Mitchell Singleton and Treasurer – Moriah McGahan. Not pictured: Photographer – Jessica Stacey. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Blood Center Needs Memorial Day Weekend Donations
May 24, 2014
It may be Memorial Day weekend, but the need for blood donations never stops.
lood transfusions are crucial to the health and well-being of our community. That’s why OneBlood is inviting any eligible blood donor to give during a special Memorial Day blood drive at donor center locations only. Blood donors who donate through Monday at a OneBlood Donor Center location only will receive a limited edition summer t-shirt and their choice of a $10 eGift card from the OneBlood donor rewards store.
Donations can be made at the Nine Mile Donor Center at 1999 East Nine Mile Road (just east of Target) 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Monday.
There are eight different blood types and each one holds a unique power to save lives. The OneBlood Target Your Type program gives donors the ability to learn the power of their blood type and how to donate the specific components of their blood that are most needed by area hospitals.
Generally healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood.
I-65 Northbound Partially Open After Deadly Crash
May 24, 2014
Northbound I-65 is now partially open following a fiery crash between two semis that claimed one life Thursday. ALDOT says one restricted width northbound lane was opened Saturday morning.
A 2007 Freightliner was stopped for another traffic crash on the W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge (commonly called the “Dolly Parton Bridge”) when it was rear-ended by an second truck. The driver of the second truck was killed in the crash, while the first driver escaped without injury. No identity has been released on the deceased.
Heavy traffic delays are expected due to holiday weekend traffic.
Pictured: A fiery crash on I-65 Thursday. Photo courtesy Barry Gallant for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Arrested For DUI, Animal Cruelty After Police Chase With His Dog
May 23, 2014
A Century man was arrested in Santa Rosa County after leading deputies on a 12-mile alleged drunken chase while holding another man against his will…all with his dog chained in the back of his pickup.
Callers reported William Edward Macks, age 55 of Tedder Road, driving erratically eastbound on Highway 90 in Santa Rosa County where he almost hit a bridge and backed up into traffic at Woodbine Road. Deputies caught up with Macks and his Ford Ranger near Oops Alley, where he reportedly ran a vehicle into the median and continued eastbound, running red lights, running vehicles off the road and ignoring the deputy’s lights and siren.
At Highway 90 and Watkins Road, deputies said they could see a pit bull in the bed of the truck, chained to the truck’s trailer hitch, and they reported a passenger tried unsuccessfully to exit the vehicle. Macks then continued to lead deputies in the pursuit, reaching speeds of 40-50 mph. Macks eventually turned on Canal Drive and made his way to the dead-end on Scenic Shores Road, at which time the pursuit ended.
“Macks took a wrong turn into a dead end road putting an end to this potentially deadly incident,” said Deputy Rich Aloy, public information officer for the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office in a news release. “Thankfully, no one was hurt.”
According to an arrest report, Macks refused to get on the ground and was tased by a deputy. He was tased again after refusing to comply with orders to place his hands behind his back.
The passenger, who was not identified by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, said Macks picked him up at Walmart on Highway 29 in Ensley. The passenger told deputies he tried to get out several times after the pursuit began, but Macks threatened him. When a deputy asked the passenger if he was being held against his will, he stated, “hell yeah he was”, the report states.
Deputies reported finding a half empty bottle of Wild Irish Rose Wine next to the driver’s seat in the pickup. Santa Rosa County Animal Control took custody of the chained dog, which was reportedly standing in broken glass in the pickup bed.
At the Santa Rosa County Jail, Macks refused a breath alcohol test and began to ramble that he was 600 years old in dog years and that he had ticks and fleas, according to the arrest report, before starting to cry and talk about his past.
Macks was charged with fleeing and eluding, DUI, animal cruelty, false imprisonment and resisting an officer without violence. He also received several traffic citations for running red lights and other offenses. He was being held in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
Ernest Ward Construction Site Vandalism Investigated; Reward Offered
May 23, 2014
A construction zone vandalism at Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Schools officials say someone trespassed onto fenced-in school property and then crossed a second fence to enter the construction zone where a new multi-million dollar replacement school is under construction.
The suspects then reportedly spray painted obscene graffiti on walls and damaged foam forms used in the construction of concrete walls.
Anyone with information on the trespassing and vandalism may be eligible for a reward by calling Crime Stoppers at (850) 436-STOP. An additional award for an arrest and conviction is being offered by the Escambia County School District.
Pictured: The new Ernest Ward Middle School construction site on the campus of the current school on Highway 97 as seen Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Sentenced To Prison For Hot Grease Attack
May 23, 2014
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 20 years in state prison for attacking his roommate with hot grease.
David Lee Nickelson received the sentence from Circuit Judge Ross Goodman after being convicted by an Escambia County jury on charges of arson and aggravated battery with great bodily harm.
In September 2013, Nickelson became involved in an altercation with his roommate, Glenn Farmer. Farmer retreated to a bedroom. Nickelson then lit his door on fire in attempt to get him out of the room. When that attempt failed, Nickelson kicked in the door and threw hot cooking grease on Farmer.
Farmer escaped out the bedroom window and was transported to West Florida Hospital with severe grease burns on his face, head, chest, back and arm.
Northview Womanless Pageant Raises $3,000 For Lung Transplant Patient (Photo Gallery)
May 23, 2014
A benefit Womanless Beauty Pageant Thursday night at Northview High School raised over $3,000 for Cheryl Stacey.
Stacey is critically ill in a Birmingham hospital awaiting a double lung transplant. She is the mother of two current Northview students and a Northview graduate. She was extremely active in the band and football programs at Northview for several years.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Lane “Amanda Works” Carnley was named “Miss” NHS 2014. First Runner-up was Kendrick “Hot Coco” Walker, and Trey “Tavannha Barron” Boutwell was second runner-up. Other awards were presented to Miss Legs Willie “Carlotta Booty” Owens; Miss Congeniality Donald “Dame Elegante” Baity; Miss Fitness Lane “Amanda Works” Carnley; Miss Vanity Kent “La Faunda Fierce” Smith; and Voters’ Choice Trey “Tavannha Barron” Boutwell.
T-shirts from the event are still available for $15, and donations are still being accepted. Checks should be made out directly to Allen Stacey or to the NHS Band Boosters.
Pictured top: First Runner-up Kendrick “Hot Coco” Walker, “Miss” NHS 2014 Lane “Amanda Works” Carnley and Second Runner-up Trey “Tavannha Barron” Boutwell. Pictured inset: Carnley’s introduction. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hurricane Season Prep: Alabama Practices For Florida Evacuees
May 23, 2014
If the Florida Panhandle evacuates for a hurricane this year, travel through Alabama should be easier due something called “contraflow”.
On Thursday, Alabama officials practiced their contraflow procedures. The term “contraflow” describes the condition when an interstate highway’s lanes carry traffic in the opposite direction for an evacuation (for instance, when I-65’s southbound lanes carry northbound traffic).
During Thursday’s practice, around 200 Alabama Department of Transportation workers and a contingency of state troopers were positioned along I-65 between Baldwin County and Montgomery to simulate the activity associated with reversing I-65 traffic.
The plan for reversing I-65 traffic consists of 110 steps and requires 200 Department of Transportation employees, about 100 state troopers, and additional personnel from state and local emergency management and local law enforcement agencies.
The rehearsal simulated the lane reversal activities that may occur during a real hurricane. It provided an opportunity for Alabama officials to practice the dozens of steps required, and to fine tune the process. Personnel involved in the rehearsal pre-positioned themselves and their equipment, just as they would during their response to a real hurricane. There are 29 assigned checkpoints and 22 interchanges along I-65 that are involved in the lane reversal plan.
The event was only a practice; traffic was not really reverse or detoured.
Pictured above: Alabama Department of Transportation personnel and Alabama State Troopers positioned at I-65 and Jack Springs Road north of Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
NOAA Predicts Slower Atlantic Hurricane Season
May 23, 2014
In its 2014 Atlantic hurricane season outlook issued today, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a near-normal or below-normal season.
The main driver of this year’s outlook is the anticipated development of El Niño this summer. El Niño causes stronger wind shear, which reduces the number and intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes. El Niño can also strengthen the trade winds and increase the atmospheric stability across the tropical Atlantic, making it more difficult for cloud systems coming off of Africa to intensify into tropical storms.
The outlook calls for a 50 percent chance of a below-normal season, a 40 percent chance of a near-normal season, and only a 10 percent chance of an above-normal season. For the six-month hurricane season, which begins June 1, NOAA predicts a 70 percent likelihood of 8 to 13 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 3 to 6 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 1 to 2 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher).
These numbers are near or below the seasonal averages of 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes, based on the average from 1981 to 2010. The Atlantic hurricane region includes the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
“It only takes one hurricane or tropical storm making landfall to have disastrous impacts on our communities,” said Joe Nimmich, FEMA associate administrator for Response and Recovery. “Just last month, Pensacola, Florida, saw five inches of rain in 45 minutes – without a tropical storm or hurricane. We need you to be ready. Know your risk for hurricanes and severe weather, take action now to be prepared and be an example for others in your office, school or community. Learn more about how to prepare for hurricanes at www.ready.gov/hurricanes.”