Herring Awarded Gandy Memorial Scholarship
May 27, 2014
Austin Ray Herring has been named the winner of this year’s Gandy Memorial Scholarship.
The scholarship was founded in 2008 at Poplar Dell Baptist Church by family members who wanted to honor their loved ones who had dedicated so much of their time and efforts at the church and for their community. Since that year, the committee has chosen local seniors who have been active in the church as well as their school.
Herring is an honor and dual-enrollment student at Jay High School. He is in the National Beta Club, the National Honor Society, the Spanish club and the Tri-Music Honor Society. He has been a member of the Jay High Royal Pride Band for seven years and has been awarded Best Brass two years in a row. His senior year he served as band captain. At Poplar Dell he has participated in the youth group, the puppet ministry and serves as an usher.
Herring is the son of Mitch and Tabitha Herring of Jay.
Pictured top: (L-R) Vicki Gandy Baggett, Bill Gandy, scholarship winner Austin Herring and John Gandy. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
TaxWatch Urges Scott To Veto $121 Million In ‘Turkeys’ – $3 Million For Local Projects
May 27, 2014
There are $121 million in budget projects that Florida TaxWatch says Gov. Rick Scott needs to strike with his line-item veto. In releasing its annual list of budget “turkeys”, TaxWatch officials urged Scott to veto 107 projects from a 431-page, $77.1 billion fiscal plan that lawmakers approved early this month.
In Escambia County, TaxWatch says Scott should veto $500,00 for a Smart Horizons online career education program and $2 million allocated to ARC Gateway for a job placement program.
In Santa Rosa County, TaxWatch targeted a half million dollar Andrews Institute Foundation Eagle Fund.
Scott has until June 4 to act on the budget, which will take effect with the start of the new fiscal year July 1.
“Florida TaxWatch has once again shown,” Senate President Don Gaetz said in a release, “that it is possible to be absent all year long from any engagement in the budget process, do no research into the merits of any appropriation, utter not one word of testimony on any proposal or alternative and still convince well-meaning people to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep a well-paid staff employed to absolutely no positive effect other than to get mentioned in one news cycle.”
Kurt Wenner, TaxWatch’s vice president for tax research, said the projects on the list aren’t being questioned on their merits, but rather for failing to go through the normal budget process.
“There were an awful lot of member projects in the budget this year,” Wenner said. “I think everybody knew there were going to be, there was more money. The Legislature did do a pretty good job of getting a lot of them in the budget early.”
Wenner said the budget would never get done if there wasn’t backroom dealing. But the group is opposed to new projects being introduced during those talks.
The business-backed organization uses two main criteria to select turkeys: first, whether the project was inserted into the budget during the final negotiations between the House and the Senate; and second, whether the spending was requested by a state agency.
Last year, TaxWatch recommended $106 million in cuts through 107 separate line items. Scott vetoed 71 of the items, worth $71.1 million, as part of his $368 million in cuts from the budget.
Northview’s Solari Is State Finalist For FFA Officer Award
May 27, 2014
Florida FFA has announced that one of the finalists for the 2014 Ryan Rimmer Outstanding District Officer Award is Courtney Solari of the Northview High School FFA.
This award is selected by application from the 24 district officers throughout the state and is given to the district officer who excels in their service to Florida FFA. The state winner will be announced during the 6th General Session of the 86th Florida FFA State Convention on July 3rd at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.
Pictured: Courtney Solari. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Braves’ Five Run Eighth Sinks Wahoos In Series Opener
May 27, 2014
Daniel Corcino dominated the Braves over six innings for the Wahoos on Monday night at Trustmark Park in the series opener between the Blue Wahoos and the Mississippi Braves, but a late rally against the bullpen propelled Mississippi to a 6-3 win over Pensacola. Mississippi plated five runs and sent 10 batters to the plate against three separate relievers in the eighth inning to come from behind for the win.
Corcino held the Braves at bay after allowing a run in the bottom of the first inning. He surrendered a leadoff double in the second and didn’t allow another hit until Matt Kennelly hit a one-out double in the sixth. Corcino gave up just the 1R/ER over 6.0 innings and allowed only three hits with three walks and six strikeouts.
Travis Mattair gave the Wahoos a 3-1 advantage with a two-run home run in the third inning, his fourth homer of the year. The game stayed that way until the eighth.
The inning started with a bunt single, but four hits, a hit by pitch and an error later, the Braves had scored five times against three Blue Wahoos relievers to take a comfortable 6-3 lead to the ninth inning. Fabian Williamson (L, 0-4) entered the game with one on and nobody out and he left with one out, a run in and the bases loaded. Justin Freeman tried to pitch out of the jam, but all three runners came home and one of his own before the dust settled on the frame.
Shea Simmons (S, 14) retired the Wahoos 1-2-3 in the ninth to close it out and earn the save. Williams Perez logged seven innings in the start for the Braves. He gave up 3R/ER on seven hits with no walks and seven strikeouts, matching his season high. Despite the strong outing, the Braves starter didn’t record a decision. James Hoyt (W, 2-2) earned the win with a scoreless eighth out of the bullpen.
The Blue Wahoos will look to rebound on Tuesday night against the Braves. Reds No. 1 prospect RHP Robert Stephenson (2-4, 3.48) will start against Braves RHP Ryan Weber (1-0, 3.23). First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. at Trustmark Park.
by Tommy Thrall
Body Of 4-Year Old That Fell From Boat Found In Bay
May 26, 2014
The body of a 4-year old that fell of a boat Saturday afternoon was discovered Monday afternoon.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Logan Fontana Maye was found by a fisherman in the waters south of the Coast Guard Station in Pensacola. His family has been notified.
According to FWC the child’s grandfather, Steve Maye, said he was idling away from the Coast Guard Station near Fort Pickens when the boy wanted assistance in getting sand out of his life jacket.
The life jacket was taken off the child, and Maye told authorities he gave it back to him and thought he put it on before he moved the boat at just 10 mph. Maye told officials that it was about one minute later that he looked back and did not see Logan, only the life jacket.
Officials confirmed Logan was not wearing a personal floatation device at the time he fell overboard.
Pictured top: The search for a 4-year old that fell of a boat Saturday. Photos courtesy WEAR for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Memorial Day Services Honors The Fallen (With Photo Gallery)
May 26, 2014
About 200 people gathered in Atmore Monday morning for a Memorial Day service to recognize those that have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice from Atmore, Walnut Hill, Bratt and surrounding areas.
Members of American Legion Post 90 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7016 took part in a solemn ceremony, reading aloud the names of each deceased service member that appear on a spire-shaped monument. A bell was tolled in honor of those that served.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Among the latest names memorialized was LCpl Travis Nelson of Bratt, who was killed in a action in August 2011 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was just two weeks after his 19th birthday and only about a month after he arrived in Afghanistan.
Pictured: A Memorial Day service Monday morning in Atmore, honoring those that served from Atmore and North Escambia. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Class Of 2014 Holds Baccalaureate Service
May 26, 2014
The Northview High School Class of 2014 held their Baccalaureate service Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
“God is God and I am not, and other people exist,” guest speaker Bro. Gene King stressed during the student-led and organized program. The program included scripture, prayer and music provided by the Northview Senior Class Ensemble and students.
“It’s not just about you. It’s about other people; it’s about God,” King told the graduating seniors about their future lives. “We are meant to live purposely to bless other people.”
Graduation for the Northview High School Class of 2014 will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 31 at the school.
Pictured: The Northview High School Class of 2014 Baccalaureate service Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Man Killed In Nebraska Wreck
May 26, 2014
An Escambia County man was killed Sunday in a single vehicle accident in Nebraska.
Frank Schofield, 45, passed away while enroute to Grand Island Hospital following the rollover accident on I-80 about 20 miles west of Kearney, NE, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.
Schofield was eastbound in a 2005 Nissan pickup when the vehicle crossed the interstate median and both lanes of traffic and rolled into a ditch about 1:30 a.m. The Nebraska State Patrol said Schofield was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected when his pickup rolled over.
Schofield attended Tate High School.
North Escambia Memorials Honor Those That Served
May 26, 2014
People across North Escambia and the country will pause today to remember the brave men and women that have served our country as we celebrate Memorial Day.
In North Escambia, there are several memorials that honor those that have served in the military:
Walnut Hill Veterans Wall of Honor
The largest such memorial in the North Escambia area, the Veteran’s Honor Wall has stood in front of the Walnut Hill Community Center since its dedication in 2003. There are nearly 300 names on the wall, including names of just over a dozen soldiers killed in action. The wall honors those from the Walnut Hill area that have served in the nation’s military.
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club began planning the wall in late 2001, and they decided that it would be a community project at no cost to the veterans listed.
Billy R. Ward began to engrave the names with an antique machine the club purchased off the internet, and there were 220 names on the wall when it was dedicated in 2003. He spent a lot of time on the project, even visiting the Wall South Memorial in Pensacola to get an idea what size the letters on the plaques should be.
On the Walnut Hill Veteran’s Honor Wall, everyone is equal. It was decided that no service rank would be include on the name plaques, just the branch and years of service.
It is estimated that about one-fourth of the veterans listed on the wall are now deceased.
The Walnut Hill Veteran’s Wall is located in front of the community center at 7850 Highway 97.
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LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park
The LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park was dedicated in Bratt on November 8, 2011, in honor of the local Marine killed in action in August 2011 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was just two weeks after his 19th birthday and only about a month after he arrived in Afghanistan.
The park features a memorial in Nelson’s honor. It is located on West Highway 4, just west of Northview High School.
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Atmore Veterans Memorial
The Veterans Memorial in Atmore stands proudly on the lawn of the Atmore City Hall to pay tribute to those have served from around Atmore and North Escambia. Names of the fallen are on the spire, while commemorative bricks around the base of the spire name those that have served in the military past and present.
Those honored on the bricks date back to the Revolutionary War with a brick with the name of Benjamin Sasser, 1755-1840. His relative, Federick Sasser, 1794-1846, is also honored for his service in the War of 1812.
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Barrineau Park Wall of Honor
The Wall of Honor inside the Barrineau Park Community Center honors scores of area residents that have served in the military. The wall was a project of the Barrineau Park Historical Society. (Pictured above.)
Century Veterans Wall of Honor
About four dozen of those that served from the Century area are honored on the Century Veterans Wall of Honor at Century’s Roadside Park on Highway 29. The memorial was dedicated on July 4, 2008. (Pictured below.)
The Century Veterans Wall of Honor is located in the Nadine McCaw Park at the corner of North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) and Hecker Road.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Man Flees From Traffic Stop, Takes Hostage
May 26, 2014
An Escambia County man fled from deputies Sunday morning and a took a hostage before being taken into custody.
Johnnie Lewis Bryant, Jr., 38, was charged with armed burglary, false imprisonment, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
At about 10:00 Sunday morning deputies attempted a traffic stop on Bryant and his truck in the area of Untreiner Avenue in Ensley, but Bryant bailed and fled on foot in the area of Tortuga Drive.
He was able to elude deputies at first, but K-9 officers tracked him to a residence in the 1000 block of Tortuga Drive.
In the meantime, an off-duty Escambia Sheriff’s deputy had received a call from the resident who informed him that someone had broken into her home and was holding her hostage.
The SWAT team was activated, but before their arrival the hostage managed to escape unharmed. Deputies broke through a locked privacy fence and took the resident to safety. A short while later the suspect was arrested without incident.
Pictured: An Escambia County man fled from deputies and took a hostage on Tortuga Drive in Ensley Sunday morning. Reader submitted photos by Cor’Darius Jones for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
