Niceville Upends Tate In Spring Football Jamboree
May 31, 2014
The Niceville Eagles got past the Tate Aggies 21-13 in a two-quarter spring football jamboree Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium in Cantonment.
Quarterback Sawyer Smith capped an 80-yard trip down the field with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Reginald Payne to open the scoring for the Aggies. Tate scored again on a seven-yard run from Alondo Thompkins.
In the first two quarters of the jamboree, the Niceville junior varsity defeated the Tate JV 16-0.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
‘Genius Map Drawer” Denies Sharing With GOP Officials
May 31, 2014
A state Republican staffer, tagged as a “genius map drawer,” denied discussing or sharing proposed new district lines in 2011 with national GOP officials, as the second week of a trial over the state’s redrawn congressional maps concluded Friday.
GOP staffer Frank Terraferma was called back to provide additional testimony after his name was revealed to have been included in an emailed invitation to a June 15, 2011, meeting at Republican National Committee headquarters.
Terraferma’s brief appearance Friday via telephone highlighted testimony as the state began its defense against allegations from voting-rights groups, including the League of Women Voters of Florida, and seven voters that are challenging the constitutionality of the congressional map.
The plaintiffs had been seeking for six months the full email announcing the 2011 meeting sent by RNC staffer Jessica Furst Johnson.
The names of those invited to the meeting — Terraferma, current House Speaker Will Weatherford, current Senate President Don Gaetz, Weatherford’s chief of staff Kris Money, and Gaetz’s chief of staff Chris Clark — had been redacted on a prior version of the document.
Terraferma, whose name was accompanied on the email by the sobriquet “genius map drawer,” said he was unaware of the meeting, which would have been held prior to the Legislature redistricting effort, or even the full email that was ordered released by a Washington D.C. court on Thursday.
Terraferma recalled little about the national party staffers also listed on the email, saying he may have spoken to Johnson after redistricting was completed, and added there was never talk of submitting maps under third-party names.
Districts identical to those drawn by Terraferma wound up submitted to the Legislature under the names of other individuals, including Alex Posada, a former Florida State University student.
Posada said under oath in a deposition given Thursday morning that he did not draw the congressional map, did not submit it to the Legislature and did not authorize anyone else to do so on his behalf, a lawyer for the voting rights groups told The News Service of Florida.
Terraferma may be called back for additional questioning, as John Devaney, a plaintiff’s attorney, said work is continuing with the D.C. court to get additional documents released from the Republican National Committee.
George Meros, an attorney for the Legislature, said the defense should be completed by Tuesday.
Closing statements could take the trial to Wednesday.
By Jim Turner
Bad Check Racketeering Gets Man 15 Years In Prison
May 31, 2014
Irving Brown was sentenced Friday by Circuit Judge Linda Nobles to 15 years state prison for conspiring to conduct or participate in an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity and grand Theft. Brown was convicted by an Escambia County jury on May 8.
In 2012, an investigation began after an individual was arrested for failing to pay for a taxi cab fare. It was later determined she had been in Marion, Broward, Orange, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia counties involved in a ring of individuals who had burglarized vehicles, stolen people’s identities and checks, and writeenfraudulent checks within Escambia and other counties.
The investigation implicated Brown as the person who broke into the vehicles and provided identifications and stolen checks for other conspirators to cash.
Additionally, the investigation revealed the group traveled on multiple occasions from Fort Lauderdale to Escambia County for the purposes of passing stolen checks that Brown and his co-conspirators provided.
Brown would then get the females in their group to utter forged checks at various banking institutions throughout Florida and several other states. The checks that were issued were written for various amounts and the cash was then turned over to Brown and his associates.
Bittersweet Goodbye: Molino Park 5th Graders Take Final Walk
May 31, 2014
It was a bittersweet time at Molino Park Elemenatry School Friday as fifth graders took their final walk to the buses on the last day of school. Many shed tears, while others celebrated as the students were cheered on. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Both Games Of Mississippi Doubleheader
May 31, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (22-33) dropped both games of the doubleheader against the Mississippi Braves (32-22). The Wahoos were held scoreless in both contests and managed just nine hits combined. With the two victories, the Braves swept the five-game series over the Wahoos.
Mississippi took game one of the series 7-0. RHP Jason Hursh pitched a complete-game shutout for the Braves. Hursh gave up just four hits in the game. Wahoos’ RHP Michael Lorenzen was tagged for 7 R/6ER over just 2.1 innings of work. Lorenzen fell for the fourth time this season and will end May with an 0-3 record, but a 3.62 ERA.
Catcher Braeden Schlehuber led the Braves offensively; he hit a three-run home run and ended the day with four RBI. Cedric Hunter continued his hot series with a 2-for-3 game and an RBI. The Wahoos only extra-base hit on the day came from Lorenzen, a double to right field in the third inning.
The Wahoos again fell 7-0 in game two. Braves starter Aaron Northcraft pitched 5.0 innings and struck out eight Wahoo batters. The right-hander won his sixth game of the season. RHP Mikey O’Brien took the loss for the Wahoos. It was the first loss for O’Brien as a starter and the first time the Wahoos lost in one of his starts this season.
Hunter played well again for the Braves in game two. The left-fielder went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Right-fielder David Rohm finished the second game 2-for-3 with two RBI. Rey Navarro had the only multi-hit game on the day for the Wahoos; he finished the game 2-for-3.
The Wahoos return to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Saturday to take on the Jacksonville Suns. RHP Daniel Corcino (4-4, 3.66) will start the first game for the Wahoos in the five-game set with the Suns. Jacksonville will send RHP Jose Urena (5-2, 4.17) to the bump.
by Joey Truncale
Fifth Suspect Arrested In Cantonment Animal Cruelty Case
May 30, 2014
A fifth and final suspect has been arrested in connection with a Cantonment animal cruelty case.
George Washington Ahl, 76, was charged with three counts of causing the cruel death, pain and suffering of animals, and four counts of unlawful confinement of animals. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on his own recognizance.
Last month, George Edward Kenneth Ahl, 23, Casey Tyler Ahl, 19, Frances Rebecca Ahl, 72, and Randolph Hewell Rigby, 43, were arrested on similar charges. The charges against the five defendents were brought directly by the State Attorney’s Office.
According to case documents, 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 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.
As of Friday morning, George Edward Kenneth Ahl, remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $55,000. Casey Ahl and Frances Ahl were released from jail on a $16,000 bond, and Randolph Rigby was free on a $21,000 bond. Each has pleaded not guilty the charges against them.
Editor’s note: George Washington Ahl’s mugshot was unavailable from the Escambia County Jail Thursday night.
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.
Northview Seeks Players For Summer Softball
May 30, 2014
Young women that are interested in playing summer ball or softball at Northview High School should meet at the Northview softball field Monday morning at 8:00 for tryouts.
Northview High Names 2014 Honors Graduates, Two Valedictorians
May 30, 2014
Northview High School named their honors graduates during Thursday night’s 2014 Senior Awards Night.
The school announced Friday that the Class of 2014 will have two valedictorians for the Class of 2014 — Kasie Lee Braun and Victoria Anne Wright. A total of 34 students were named honors graduates with a final GPA of 3.5 or above.
Northview Class of 2014 Summa Cum Laude graduates (4.0 GPA and above) are:
1. Kasie Lee Braun, Victoria Anne Wright (Valedictorians)
3. Courtney Yvonne Solari
4. Anna Elizabeth Donald
5. Jessica Nicole Lowery
6. Courtney Alexandra Weaver
7. Dale Wayne Brown
8. Talana Michelle Heathcock
9. Tamara Maria Green
10. Karissa Lea Strickland
11. Marina Nikol Gray
12. Danielle Nichole Steadham
13. Rachel Ann Presley
14. Audrey Leigh Byrd
15. Anna Elizabeth Fischer
16. Lana Leigh Clayton
17. Zacarra Kelline Davis
Northview Class of 2014 Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are:
18. Jeremy Logan Stacey
19. Samantha Suzanne Barrow
20. Hilery Danielle Scott
21. Madison Brooke Arrington
22. Morgan Nicole Digmon
23. Katelynne Nicole Calloway
24. Mashama Ashaki-Kai Codrington
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Northview Class of 2014 Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are:
25. Justin Elliot King
26. Chelsea Brooke Ward
27. Chloe Vanessa Leonard
28. Mariah Laine Albritton
29. Tony Anthony McAroy, Jr.
30. Tiffani Nichole Pritchett
31. Lily Ann Townson
32. Alexandria Nicole Martin
33. Lauryn Elizabeth Walker
34. Kira Nerys Cartwright
The Northview High School Class of 2014 will graduate at 4 p.m. Saturday in the school gymnasium.
Pictured top: Northview Class of 2014 Summa Cum Laude graduates. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate High Names The Top Of The Class Of 2014
May 30, 2014
Tate High School named their honors graduates during Thursday night’s 2014 Senior Awards Night.
Noah James Heintz was named the Class of 2014 valedictorian, while Eion Michael Blanchard is salutatorian. There were 41 students (listed below) named to the Top Ten Percent of the class.
Heintz is graduating with a 5.15 GPA. He is National Honor Society president, an AP Scholar with Distinction, Mu Alpha Theta vice president, Tri-M vice president, and a member of the Academic team. Heintz the recipient of the Presidential Scholarship valued over $20,000 to the University of Florida and will major in nuclear engineering.
Blanchard is graduating with a 5.125 GPA. He is a National Merit Finalist, National AP Scholar,Mu Alpha Theta president, National Honor Society vice president, and a member of the Academic Team. Blanchard will attend the University of Florida to major in mathematics.
Both Heintz and Blanchard will be in Chicago this weekend for a national Academic Team competition.
Olive Baptist Church will host Tate’s Baccalaureate Service at 3:30pm on Sunday. Tate High School’s Class of 2014 will graduate on Monday at 11 a.m. at the Pensacola Bay Center. Graduates must arrive by 10:30.
Members of the Tate High School Top Ten Percent are:
- Noah James Heintz
- Eion Michael Blanchard
- Britton Shayne Dunn
- Timothy Blake Edgar
- Paul Alan Shelton
- David Graham Gardner
- Ryan Lambert Colburn
- Alyshia Daeshaun Hull
- Elizabeth Mara Blalock
- Brooke Elizabeth Schang
- Justin David Ritchie
- Sarah Ann Birdsong
- Sheilamae Nebria Jensen
- Anna Maria Del Gallo
- Paige McKenzie Ammons
- Jordan James Prince
- Shelby Paige Williams
- Alexa Taryn Atchley
- Sarah Elisabeth Lee
- Kayla Marie Smith
- Emily Meghan Robinson
- Jesse Marion Steele
- Niccole Leanne Auld
- Jon William Walker II
- Gordon Kelliher Pierce
- Matthew Steven Esser
- Kevin Charles Olshaw
- Kelsey Alyse Carter
- Walker James Wilkins
- Will A. Reeves
- Jennifer Haley Krostag
- Sarah Yasir Al-Qahtani
- Charles Taylor Brown
- Katelynn Grace Stillwell
- Bridget Rene’ Dall
- Trinity Ceanora Johnson
- Jack Randal Gonzalez
- Bethaney Rayalan Hall
- Sabrina Leigh Culbertson
- Stephen Owen Pederson
- Haley Faye Malone
Escambia Farm Bureau Reps Meet With Congressman On Legislative Priorities
May 30, 2014
Members of the Florida Farm Bureau, including two representatives of the Escambia County Farm Bureau, met with Congressman Jeff Miller in his Washington office last week. The group was there to discuss the legislative priorities of the Florida Farm Bureau.
Among the group were Jacob and Carla Gilmore from the Escambia County Farm Bureau.
“Among the most pressing issues facing our nation’s farmers and agricultural sector are the constant attempts by EPA and other federal regulators to expand their regulatory regime under the Clean Water Act,” Miller said. “I am staunchly opposed to this government overreach, and I recently joined more than 200 of my colleagues in sending a letter to EPA calling on them to withdraw their most recent proposed rule on this issue.”
Pictured top: Congressman Jeff Miller (center) with Florida Farm Bureau members including Carla Gilmore (far left) and Jacob Gilmore (right) from the Escambia County Farm Bureau. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.