Tate Freshmen Down Northview
April 11, 2014
The freshmen Tate Aggies defeated Northview 5-0 Thursday in Bratt.
The freshmen Aggies will travel to West Florida at 6 p.m. Friday. The JV Aggies will host West Florida at 4:30. and the varsity Jaguars will play the Aggies at 7:00.
The varsity Northview Chiefs will host Chipley in Bratt Friday at 6 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Convicted Of 2010 Murder
April 11, 2014
An Escambia County man was found guilty Thursday afternoon in the brutal rape and murder of a woman whose body was found in wooded area off Nine Mile Road.
Joshua Wayne Douglas was convicted of first degree murder in the death of 25-year old Jamie Broxson. Her body was found near a Gulf Power substation not far from Broxson’s home in November 2010.
Douglas was tied to the murder by DNA evidence. He will be sentenced next week and could face the death penalty.
House Advances “Homeowner Claims Bill Of Rights’
April 11, 2014
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater moved a step closer toward two of his session priorities on Thursday after a House committee signed off on a measure that would bar insurers from using credit history to deny claims and would also require insurers to provide a checklist of consumers’ rights regarding insurance claims.
The House Regulatory Affairs Committee backed a bill (HB 743) that would prohibit insurance companies from using credit information to deny claims or cancel policies after a claim has been filed if the policies have been in effect for at least 90 days.
The bill, now on its way to the House floor, would also require insurers to send a checklist — dubbed by Atwater as the “Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights” — to a policyholder within 14 days after a claim is filed. The checklist would include information about how long insurance companies have to respond to and settle claims. The Senate version (SB 708) has been awaiting a floor vote since March 13.
Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek, said policyholders should be advised of their rights when they first get their policy, something Atwater said he would support. But Daytona Beach Shores Republican Rep. Dave Hood, the sponsor of the House bill, said that the approach in the proposal would be more “cost effective.”
“This is an attempt to give (policyholders) the information at the time they need it, without them having to hunt through the house or whatever if there has been a flood or something else,” Hood said. Atwater requested the list, which was put together by the state’s consumer advocate Steve Burgess, in response to his office receiving about 350,000 phone calls last year from people trying to navigate their claims.
Wahoos Drop Second Straight To Stars, 6-3
April 11, 2014
The Huntsville Stars jumped out to an early lead Thursday night and never looked back as they topped the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 6-3. It’s the first time the Wahoos have dropped consecutive games during the 2014 campaign.
The Stars owned a 3-0 lead at the end of two innings, but Huntsville’s three-run fourth inning proved to be the difference. All three runs scored with two outs in the inning and after Hainley Statia stole second base on what would’ve been the final out of the inning. The throw to second beat Statia, but he slid around Rey Navarro’s tag for his first stolen base of the year. The next four batters reached, including D’Vontre Richardson with a two-run double to put the Stars in front 6-1.
Pensacola pulled within three on a solo home run from Navarro in the eighth, but that was as close as it got. Daniel Corcino (0-2) suffered his second loss of the season surrendering 6R/5ER on 5 hits with 3 walks over 4.0 innings. Drew Gagnon (1-0) earned the win after tossing 6.0 innings and allowing just 2R/ER on just 3 hits. He walked three and struck out one. Kevin Shackelford (1) shut the Wahoos down in the ninth to earn his first save.
The Blue Wahoos turn to RHP Robert Stephenson (1-0, 0.00) to right the ship against RHP Taylor Jungmann (1-0, 1.50). First pitch is slated for 6:30 from Joe Davis Stadium.
by Tommy Thrall
Escambia Votes To Hire Jack Brown As County Administrator
April 10, 2014
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday to hire Taylor County Administrator Jack Brown as the new Escambia County administrator. The county has been without an administrator for about 18 months.
On a motion by Commissioner Grover Robinson, the commission voted to hire Brown 5-0.
The commission offered Brown the job with a one year contact with three month severance clause. Negotiations with Brown will begin immediately; he still has to formally accept the job.
Commissioner Wilson Robertson made an unsuccessful motion to drop all the candidates for administrator prior to the vote to hire Brown. Robertson had continued to support the hiring of Interim Administrator Larry Newsom as the permanent administrator.
After retirement from the Army in 1996, Brown served Taylor County as the director of human resources, county coordinator and county manager. In January 2001 he was hired as the general manager of RDS Manufacturing Company, a position he held for 18 months prior to being recruited as a faculty member at Florida State University.
While at FSU, he was elected as a Taylor County County commissioner . In the summer of 2006 he announced that he would not seek a second term. In January 2007, he resigned from FSU and returned to serve Taylor County as the county administrator.
Three Charged With Multiple Counts Of Animal Cruelty
April 10, 2014
Three people have been arrested on multiple animal cruelty charges after an investigation in Cantonment.
Casey Tyler Ahl, 19, Frances Rebecca Ahl, 72, and Randolph Hewell Rigby, 43, are facing multiple counts that include causing the cruel death, pain and suffering of animals, and unlawful confinement of animals. The charges against the trio were brought directly by the State Attorney’s Office. Authorities said warrants are outstanding on two additional people in the case.
Multiple horses, donkeys and goats were seized from the 400 block of Crowndale Court, while several other animals were found dead on the property.
Escambia County Animal Control officers began their investigation last December. A 17-page document released Wednesday by the State Attorney’s office details the investigation and provides numerous graphic examples of abuse investigators said they found.
Officers reported finding one horse that was dead and apparently stuck in a fence. Several horses were so malnourished that their bones were protruding, while other had hair loss and marks consistent with a condition called rain rot fungus. Many of the animals had numerous sores and wounds, according to the report. Most were malnourished, and one horse had resorted to eating feces. There was little food available for the animals.
Animal Control also located eight poodles, a doberman and five cats on the property.
One of the malnourished horses, a black Tennessee Walker named Ebony, was taken to Panhandle Equine Rescue for rehabilitation. When officers found Ebony on the property, her bones were showing, her stomach was distended and distended, and she suffered from rain rot.
Over the next several weeks, PER and volunteers worked to save Ebony. She was the subject of several NorthEscambia.com articles as PER and volunteers kept watch over her and raised funds for a sling to help her to her feet. Now, she’s able to walk and run on her own and has gained several pounds.
Thursday morning, Casey Ahl remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $16,000. Frances Ahl was released from jail on a $16,000 bond, and Randolph Rigby was free on a $21,000 bond. They are due to make their first court appearance May 1. In the meantime, they have been ordered, if released on bond, to not possess any animals.
Pictured above: Escambia County Animal Control, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Fire Rescue’s Cantonment Station and volunteers use a makeshift sling to lift Ebony, a horse seized from Crowndale Court in Cantonment.. Pictured below: Ebony, was unable to get on her feet in her stall about a week after she was seized. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Convicted Of Indecent Exposure To Nursing Home Residents
April 10, 2014
A Century man has been convicted of exposing himself in front of nursing home residents in Century.
Daryl Lamar Brown, 46, was found guilty by an Escambia County jury of three felony counts of indecent exposure – lewd and lascivious conduct in the presence of an elderly disabled adult and one felony count indecent exposure in public.
Authorities said Brown would approach the windows at Century Care Center and expose himself to residents inside.
Brown is set for sentencing later this month before Judge Ross Goodman.
Gaetz: No Budget Talks During Holiday Break
April 10, 2014
With lawmakers expected to take next week off for the Passover and Easter holidays, budget talks between the House and Senate will begin after lawmakers come back to Tallahassee, Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said Wednesday.
“During the week off we don’t want to have conferences going on,” Gaetz said after speaking at the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s International Days event at Florida State University. “Every representative and every senator ought to have the opportunity to keep an eye on things they’re interested in. And they can’t do that back home.”
Gaetz said the conference schedule for the appropriations committees should be available by the end of next week.
The House has approved a $75.3 billion spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1. The Senate has countered with a $74.9 billion proposal. Both packages exceed the $74.2 billion budget proposed by Gov. Rick Scott.
The session ends May 2, but the budget has to be finalized by April 29 because of a required 72-hour review period.
by The News Service of Florida
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.