Bratt Elementary Releases Third Nine Weeks Honor Roll
April 10, 2014
The following students were named to the third nine weeks honor roll at Bratt Elementary School:
All A’s
- Rabekah Abbot
- Raegan Abbott
- Anna Adams
- Erich Amerson
- Sarah Bailey
- Haydn Baker
- John Bashore
- Olivia Boatwright
- Luke Bridges
- Emilee Cabral
- Kadence Calvert
- Jakyra Carter
- Abby Coker
- Shelby Cotita
- Sophie Cotita
- Colton Criswell
- Callie Davis
- Ariana Dionne
- Savannah Doremus
- Carsyn Dortch
- Jacee Dortch
- Tyteanna Dubose
- Scotty Elliot
- Aaliyah Fountain
- Amber Gilman
- Jamison Gilman
- Emma Gilmore
- Maggie Godwin
- Shelby Godwin
- Ava Gurganus
- Zane Gurganus
- Tucker Hall
- Leah Hetrick
- Sarah Hetrick
- Mary Catherine Hughes
- Hanna Hughes
- April Johnson
- Hunter Johnson
- Allyson Jones
- Derek Kinley
- Laura Laborde
- Aden Lashley
- Kaitlin Lloyd
- Kennedy Long
- Kayla McCall
- Adannaya Mondaca
- Alyssa Moya
- Mary Paige Nassar
- Taviana Parker
- Bentley Van Pelt
- Madison Peterson
- Colby Pugh
- Ally Richardson
- Bryan Romeros
- Kaylee Sawyer
- Maggie Scott
- McKenna Simmons
- Jacob Spence
- Mia Starns
- Aubrey Stuckey
- Shelby Ward
- Raycer Watson
- Autumn Williams
- Clay Wilson
All A’s and B’s
- Drew Albrittton
- Luke Amerson
- Maggie Amerson
- Sara Amerson
- Ethan Bingham
- Riley Blackwell
- Lakyn Bodiford
- Tanner Boone
- L.J. Bradley
- Allie Brantley
- Abbie Buford
- Macie Buford
- Conner Byrne
- Anyis Cabral
- Ashlynn Cabral
- Kayla Campbell
- Tyler Cloud
- Noah Condrey
- Andrianna Cooper
- Cassie Davis
- Kylie Davis
- Franki Daw
- Payton Daw
- Ryan Dove
- Mayson Edwards
- Gage Eicher
- Lexi Evans
- Noah Faulkner
- Jamyla Feagin
- Jacob Findley
- Daelyn Fine
- Zykuria Fountain
- Gabby Franklin
- Johnathan Garrett
- Makayla Garrett
- Jonathan Gibbs
- Caitlyn Gibson
- David Gilley
- JP Gilman
- Gracie Godwin
- Berklee Hall
- Bryce Hall
- Abbie Hardy
- Kohle Harigel
- Nicholas Hatfield
- Kara Hawkins
- Joshlynn Helton
- Martina Howard
- Jikeir Hudson
- Cole Hughes
- Gracie James
- Markavia Johnson
- Crista Kinley
- Justin Kinley
- Trent Knighten
- Anna Lee
- James Loftis
- Jessica Loftis
- Houston Lowry
- Kaleigh Macks
- Kaya Mason
- Braeden McGhee
- Angel Merchant
- Bailie Merchant
- Michael Merchant
- Elianna morales
- Kai Morton
- Alexis Moya
- Abigail Nelson
- Travis Nelson
- Jaylon North
- Blaize Parrish
- Libby Pugh
- Dallon Rackard
- Kenna Redmond
- Shelby Rice
- Paige Ross
- Angel Schoonover
- Adrianne Shanks
- Madelin Sheedy
- Carter Sigafoose
- Arquavian Smith
- Vivyan Smith
- Zakyla Smith
- Anna Spence
- Devon Spencer
- Alyssa Stabler
- Emily Stilwell
- Jonathon Stilwell
- Cody Thomas
- Ja’Mya Thomas
- Corbin Turberville
- Leila Turberville
- Brayden Victor
- Halona Walker
- John Ward
- Summer Waters
- Chris Weber
- Addie White
- Jordan Wilson
- Lane Wilson
- Raylee Wooten
- Leonte Wright
West Florida Takes Boys And Girls 2A-1 Track Championship; Northview Places
April 10, 2014
The West Florida High School boys and girls track teams are now six-time defending 2A-1 champions after wins Wednesday in Santa Rosa Beach. The Northview girls team finished at number seven in the district, while the Northview boys finished at sixth place.
BOYS
Northview’s Cameron Newsome was number two in the district in the boys varsity high jump at 6-feet, 4-inches, a couple of inches shy of first place. Northview’s Martavious Odom placed eighth in the event at 5-feet, 6-inches.
Newsome also placed fifth in the boys varsity triple jump at 39-feet, 2.25 inches. The Chiefs’ TyDre Brandley was eighth overall in the triple jump at 38-feet, 1.75 inches.
Newsome, Everette Garvey, Dezmine Moorer and Holden Moore finished second in the boys 4×100 meter relay with a time of 45.78 seconds, just off first place at 45.67 seconds from Walton High School.
Moorer was second overall, back 0.04 seconds in the boys 100 meter dash with a time of 11.25 seconds and fourth in the boys 200 meter with a time of 24.23. Moore took third in the 100 meter with a time of 11.47.
Tristen Creamer was fifth in the boys 300 meter hurdles with a time of 47.58.
GIRLS
Northview’s Elayzha Bates took first in the varsity girls discus throw with a final of 84-feet, 5-inches. Bates also took fourth in the girls shot put at 30-feet even.
The Chiefs’ Zacarra Davis placed sixth in the girls triple jump varsity at 31-feet, 1.25 inches.
Northview’s girls 4×100 relay team — Autumn Albritton, Angelique, Johna Carter and Davis took seventh overall with a time of 57.56.
The Chiefs’ girls 4×400 meter varsity relay team — Hannah Gibson, Bethany Reynolds, Morgan Ward and Bates — took sixth place overall with a time of 5:24.40. Also for Northview, Ward, Morgan Myrick, Reynolds and Tamara Green were eight in the girls 4×800 replay.
Pictured top: Northview’s Cameron Newsome. Pictured inset: Northview’s Elayzha Bates in the discus throw. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Charged With Stabbing
April 10, 2014
An Escambia County man was been arrested in connection with a Tuesday night stabbing.
Jason Ray Poggensee, stabbed the victim multiple times in the area of North T and Gonzales streets. Witnesses told Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies that Poggensee stabbed the victim during an altercation about 10:30 p.m.
The victim, whose name has not been released, was transported to an area hospital with wounds that did not appear to be life threatening.
Poggensee was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and having a weapon while engaged in a criminal offense. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $20,000.
Chiefs Dominate Crusaders
April 10, 2014
The Northview Lady Chiefs dominated Catholic Thursday in Pensacola, with the Chiefs beating the Crusaders 13-0.
The Lady Chiefs are scheduled to end their regular season Friday as they host Escambia Academy, with the JV playing at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Florida House Speaker: ‘Lights Are Out’ On Gambling
April 10, 2014
House Speaker Will Weatherford put a lid on any gambling legislation this session, including a proposal backed by the Senate’s first family that would require tracks to report greyhound injuries and deaths.
“I would say at this point the lights are out,” Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, told The News Service of Florida on Wednesday afternoon.
Weatherford’s comments came a day after a Senate committee set in motion a measure that would add Florida to all other states but Alabama that require greyhound tracks to report dog injury and deaths. The proposal has the blessing of Senate President Don Gaetz, his wife Vicky and son, Rep. Matt Gaetz. The Senate “first family” was present for most of the Senate Gaming Committee’s debate Tuesday, which also included a proposal that would allow greyhound tracks to do away with dog racing altogether.
But even the injury reporting appears to be a non-starter this late in the session, Weatherford said.
“I know that bill’s been filed in the House. I don’t think that bill’s been heard in its first committee. So usually when you get into week six, week seven in session, if the bill hasn’t been heard in committee it’s unlikely … I would just say overall that gaming reform, gaming expansion, I think the lights have gone out on that issue at this point,” Weatherford said.
Through a spokeswoman, the Senate president said he had no comment Wednesday afternoon.
Last week, Senate Gaming Committee Chairman Garrett Richter announced on the Senate floor that he was giving up on a sweeping gambling overhaul that would have authorized two Las Vegas-style casinos in South Florida, one each in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Instead, Richter, R-Naples, allowed his committee to take up the greyhound measure (SB 742).
Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, withdrew amendments that would have allowed the tracks to stop racing greyhounds, after it became clear she lacked the votes for approval. The amendments included a variety of other components that critics said would have expanded gambling. Sachs said later Tuesday she still plans to modify the bill to allow the tracks to do away with dog racing altogether.
Weatherford said several weeks ago that “lights are dimming” on a gambling package, even after the Legislature paid $400,000 for a study on the issue and after the Senate held a series of workshops around the state to take public input.
A variety of groups — including out-of-state gambling operators and the Florida Panthers hockey organization — have intensified their demands for Florida to approve Las Vegas-style casinos this session after lawmakers rejected the idea two years ago. At the same time, the state’s pari-mutuels, Disney World and its affiliates and the Seminole Tribe have balked at the proposal. Gambling-related groups on both sides of the issue have contributed over $4.6 million to lawmakers, candidates and political parties since the 2012 elections. Disney and its associated enterprises have contributed more than $2.2 million during the same time period.
Many of the casino-seeking groups had viewed this legislative session as their best shot for passage of any measure opening the door to “destination resorts,” with promises of jobs and revenue for the state. After this November’s elections, Sen. Andy Gardiner, an Orlando Republican and outspoken gambling opponent who even objects to the state Lottery, is slated to take over as Senate president.
But early in March, Weatherford drew an almost insurmountable line in the sand regarding gambling. The speaker linked any gambling measure with a constitutional amendment he wanted the Legislature to place on the November ballot that would give voters a say in any future gambling expansion.
And, even more problematic, Weatherford insisted that Gov. Rick Scott wrap up negotiations with the Seminoles regarding a portion of a gambling deal with the tribe set to expire in mid-2015. While Scott is in talks with the Seminoles, the governor has not given Weatherford or other legislative leaders a timeline for when the deal, which also requires federal approval, would be sealed.
Weatherford said he had not spoken directly to Scott about the compact.
“We understand he’s worked very hard to try to come to an agreement with the tribe. But he may want and need more time to negotiate,” he said.
Whatever agreement Scott and the Seminoles reach requires the Legislature’s approval. Barring an unlikely special session on the issue, the so-called gambling compact will likely not be authorized until lawmakers meet again next spring — after the November election in which Scott is trying to retain his seat and Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist, who as GOP governor signed the 2010 deal with the tribe, is angling to return to the governor’s mansion.
Scott is negotiating the portion of the compact that gives the Seminoles the “exclusive” rights to banked card games, including blackjack, at five of its seven facilities in exchange for $1 billion over five years.
While the death of the overall gambling issue may provide lawmakers — and especially Scott — a breath of relief this year, the Legislature will almost certainly be enmeshed in the thorny issue again next session.
“By the nature of the expiration of the existing compact, with the portion of the banked card games, I definitely think it sets up an environment where gaming will be debated quite heavily,” Weatherford said.
by Dara Kim, The News Service of Florida
Meth Arrest At Escambia Motel
April 10, 2014
One person was arrested after a methamphetamine operation was uncovered Wednesday at an Escambia County motel.
About 10:30 a.m., Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the American Best Motel at 7200 Plantation Road in response to an anonymous tip about possible narcotics activities.
Once inside the motel room deputies noticed material that is used in the manufacture of methamphetamines and called for the ECSO Narcotics Unit to take over the investigation.
Brett Randall Wilt, 38, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a listed chemical and production of methamphetamine. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $46,000.
Stars Take Series Opener From Wahoos 5-4
April 10, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos jumped out to an early 3-0 lead Wednesday night in Huntsville, but it wasn’t enough as the Stars rallied to take the series opener 5-4 at Joe Davis Stadium. Wahoos pitching added to their league-leading strikeout totals with 11 K’s between four pitchers.
The Stars broke a 4-4 tie with a solo home run by Nick Ramirez (1) in the seventh inning. Huntsville plated its other four runs on a pair of two-out hits. The first from starting pitcher Brooks Hall in the second inning, a shallow pop up that dropped in short left field. Brewers No. 3 prospect Mitch Haniger provided the second with a two-run double in the fifth.
Donald Lutz led the way offensively for the Wahoos with a 3-for-5 game including an RBI and a run scored. Bryan Anderson chipped in with his first home run of the season, a solo shot leading off the second inning.
Blue Wahoos starter Carlos Contreras was charged with 2R/ER over 4.0 innings despite allowing just two hits with six strikeouts. Fabian Williamson (0-1) suffered the loss after giving up the go-ahead home run in the seventh. Kevin Shackelford (1-0) earned the win for Huntsville after working 1.0 scoreless inning out of the bullpen. David Goforth picked up his third save of the season with 2.0 shut-out innings to close it out. The Blue Wahoos had the tying and go-ahead runs on in the ninth but couldn’t score.
The series continues on Thursday when the Blue Wahoos send RHP Daniel Corcino (0-1, 1.50) to the mound against RHP Drew Gagnon (0-0, 3.60). First pitch is slated for 6:30 from Joe Davis Stadium.
by Tommy Thrall
Plan Would Move West Florida High, Rezone Ransom, Build Three New Schools
April 9, 2014
The Escambia County School District has an ambitious $80 million plan in the works that would move West Florida High School, build a new middle school and construct two elementary schools — all in the next three years.
The plan is contingent upon voters reaffirming the half-cent sales tax.
Under the plan, students from Woodham Middle School would be moved to a newly constructed campus somewhere on the northwest side of Pensacola. With zoning changes,the new school would also be used to relieve overcrowding at Ransom Middle School. The current Woodham Middle facility would be renovated and house West Florida High School, providing the school with improved athletic facilities including a stadium and field house. Brown Barge Middle School students would be relocated to the current West Florida High campus.
Overcrowding at Helen Caro and Blue Angels elementary schools would be alleviated by constructing a new elementary school in southwestern Escambia County, and new elementary school would be constructed to eliminate overcrowding at Pine Meadow and Beulah elementary schools.
The proposals are still in the planning stages and must receive final approval from the Escambia County School Board.
Pictured: A slide from a school district PowerPoint presentation, click to enlarge.
Stolen Town Of Century Truck Recovered In Key West
April 9, 2014
A pickup truck belonging to the Town of Century that was stolen a couple of weeks ago has been located — over 800 miles away in Key West.
The 2008 Ford F150 extended cab pickup was discovered stolen from the Century town shop on Alger Road on March 23. Authorities said the truck was undamaged. There’s no word yet on how the town will get the truck back to Century or how much the transport will cost.
A chainsaw, pressure washer, blowers and other items were also stolen during the burglary.
Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call Crimestoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Chiefs Celebrate Senior Night Win Over Baker; Moore Hits Grand Slam
April 9, 2014
The Northview Chiefs celebrated Senior Night Tuesday with an 8-5 win over the Baker Gators. The Chiefs were led by Thomas Moore with grand slam.
Seniors honored were: Jody Bonner, Kevin Barrow, Brannon Freeman, RJ Pritchett and Daulton Tullis.
The junior varsity Chiefs also beat Baker, 8-3.
Pictured top and inset: The Northview Chiefs celebrate a Thomas Moore grand slam Tuesday night. Pictured below: Northview Chief seniors. Photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Above: Senior Jody Bonner.
Above: Senior Kevin Barrow.
Above: Senior Brannon Freeman.
Above: Senior RJ Pritchett.
Above: Senior Daulton Tullis.