Deputies Seek Home Invasion Suspects
October 5, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for two suspects in a Friday morning home invasion in Oakwood Terrace at 700 Truman Avenue.
Just before 6 a.m., the victim was approached by two black males while standing outside his door. One male hit him in the head with a handgun. The victim was then dragged into an apartment where he was robbed of undisclosed belongings. The suspects fled in an unknown direction.
Investigators are currently looking for 20-year old Dave Walker and 24-year old Keith Rogers for questioning in this incident. If you have any information as to their whereabouts, contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Defending 1A Champ Chiefs Shut Out The Jay Royals
October 5, 2013
The Northview Chiefs rolled into their first district game of the season at Merle North Stadium in Jay Friday night with a 1-3 record, but they rolled out with a shutout victory that left little doubt the reigning 1A station champions are looking for another trip to Orlando.
With the 26-0 win over the Jay Royals, the Chiefs are Baker are both 1-0 in District 1-1A with a score that will be settled November 1 in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band and cheerleaders photos to be published Sunday and Monday.)
The 1-3 season start was not a place returning Chiefs team member really wanted to be, but it was a building experience of sorts, according to Coach Sid Wheatly, with the losses coming against much larger classification teams all the way up to 6A.
“We had some strong games really early on; we’ve been playing some really good competition,” Wheatley said. “And it has helped us get ready for play in our own district. You can see it with the effort and enthusiasm they played with tonight.”
Back down in 1A Friday night, the Chiefs had no real problem holding a strong Jay team scoreless.
“Our defense earned the shutout. I tell you, our defense had a great week of practice. Coach Derek Marshman does a great job with them,” Wheatley said. “Our offense was able to move the ball and get some quick scores. I felt like maybe we life a few points out on the field, but all in all in was a solid, solid win for us tonight.’
The Chiefs never allowed the Royals closer than the 17-yard line during the entire game.
“We just need to continue to work and take a lot of pride in that defense and see if we can’t get some more shutouts and build on that.”
The Chiefs lit up the scoreboard with 4:55 to go in the fourth quarter on a 17-yard run from Ladarious Thomas. With a good kick from Nathan Shipps, Northview was up 7-0.
In the second quarter, the Chiefs scored on a 46-yard pass from Daulton Tullis to Keondrae Lett and a 27-yard pass from Tullis to Neino Robinson. At the half, the Chiefs held a 20-0 advantage over the Royals.
The Chiefs would score once more on the night with a 50-yard quarterback keeper from Tullis with 6:04 to go in the third.
The yellow flags were flying Friday night in Jay, with eight penalties against the Chiefs and half a dozen against Jay. And that was just the first half. Fumbles were a problem for both teams. The Royals fumbled away two and recovered another; the Chiefs fumbled five times but recovered four.
“It was good to come out and get into district play and get a shutout,” Wheatley said.
The Chiefs (2-3, 1-0) have their second open week of the season next Friday night. Meanwhile, the Jay Royals (3-2, 0-1) will travel to Graceville to face a team under the leadership of former Northview Coach Ty Wise.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band and cheerleaders photos to be published Sunday and Monday.)
Pictured; The Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Finals
October 5, 2013
Here are football final scores from around the are tonight:
- Northview 26, Jay 0 [Read more...]
- Niceville 28, Tate 6 [Read more...]
- West Florida 47, Panama City Bay 6
- Pace 23, Pine Forest 20 OT
- Washington 14, Milton 6
- Catholic 45, Mosley 28
- Escambia 35, PHS 14
- Navarre 34, Fort Walton Beach 7
- Baker 56, Freeport 14
- Navarre 34, FWB 7
- South Walton 45, Chipley 38
- Sweet Water 55, Flomaton 13
- Thomasville 50, Escambia County 8
- WS Neal 46, Excel 8
- TR Miller 47, Cottage Hill 0
- Escambia Academy 50, Pike Liberal 8
Leaders, Students Celebrate National Manufacturing Day
October 5, 2013
In honor of National Manufacturing Day, the Greater Pensacola Chamber hosted a breakfast at the General Electric (GE) renewable energy wind manufacturing plant to recognize the manufacturing industry within our local economy.
The recently formed Northwest Florida Manufacturers Council also coordinated an opportunity for local students, including a group from Northview High School, to visit a variety of manufacturing plants in Northwest Florida to introduce to them the wide range of manufacturers in our area, as well as the types of careers and opportunities that are available.
The students visited Ascend Performance Materials, Gulf Power Company’s Plant Crist, General Electric, Marianna Airmotive, and International Paper in Escambia County and Santa Rosa County’s Taminco.
“Greater Pensacola provides an outstanding physical infrastructure to support advanced manufacturers,” said Gary Huston, chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “With more than 850 traditional and advanced technology manufacturing companies and more than 14,000 employees who currently work in the industry, Northwest Florida has the transportation infrastructure, educational institutions and skilled workforce needed to support diverse manufacturing projects.”
National Manufacturing Day addresses common misconceptions by giving those in the industry an opportunity to open their doors and show what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t. The manufacturing industry in Northwest Florida Economy generates $985 million annually in total earnings and indirectly adds an additional 17,000+ jobs to the local economy. It also has a higher economic impact per job generated than any other industry supercluster in our region.
“Northwest Florida offers a manufacturing job for every education level, from high-school graduates to those with industry-related certifications,” said Scott Luth, the chamber’s Senior Vice President for Economic Development. “Our high schools have developed career academies that are designed to teach students the critical skills they need in order to enter the manufacturing field and, together with our educational institutions, will help jobseekers earn industry certifications that make them immediately employable.”
Niceville Gets Past Tate
October 5, 2013
It was senior night and Tate was looking to upset favored Niceville in their first game of district play Friday night, but Niceville had other plans. And in the end, the Eagles flew awa with a 28-6 win.
Tate was the first to get the ball, but Niceville intercepted Tate’s pass on the Aggies’ 38-yard line. Niceville later score a touchdown on a 9-yard run. Tate had opportunities to score in the first half, once with the ball on Niceville’s 1-yard line, but only was able to get a 23-yard field goal from Dylan Mancuso. The score at the half was Tate 3, Niceville 7. So far this season, the Eagles had earned at least a 28 point advantage by the half.
Niceville received the ball to begin the second half. They didn’t take long before they scored again. They scored on a 9-yard quarterback keeper with 9:46 left in the third to make the score Tate 3, Niceville 21. Tate had another opportunity in third quarter, deep in Niceville’s territory but only were able to get three points on a Mancuso 27-yard field goal. Niceville scored again in the fourth quarter on a 75-yard pass play to make the score Tate 6. Niceville 28.
After the game, Tate Coach Ronnie Douglas said “We had 3 opportunities to score but we didn’t take advantage of that. He said he was “pleased with the way the defense held them (Niceville). We have to put this game behind us and get ready for next week’s game against Washington”.
“We had 3 opportunities to score but we didn’t take advantage of that,” Tate Coach Ronnie Douglas said, adding that he was “pleased with the way the defense held them. We have to put this game behind us and get ready for next week’s game against Washington”.
Tate is now 4-2 for the year and 0-1 in district play. Tate will play Washington next week at Washington High School at 7:30 p.m.
For more action photos and select Senior Night photos, click here.
Pictured top: Coach Ronnie Douglas leads his Tate Aggies onto the field Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium. Pictured: Tate takes on the Eagles of Niceville. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kaileigh Blackmon, click to enlarge.
Karen Postpones, Cancels Events; Others Wait And See
October 5, 2013
Tropical Storm Karen has canceled or postponed several events across the area, while others are taking a wait and see approach.
If you have something to add to our list, email news@northescambia.com. You must include a name and phone number for verification purposes.
Canceled or Postponed:
- Palafox Market – canceled this weekend, will return October 12.
- Barktoberfest — canceled this weekend, rescheduled for October 26 in Seville Square
- Santa Rosa Island Triathlon – canceled.
- Gonzalez Fall Festival — postponed. Festival moved to Saturday, October 19 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
- Destin Seafood Festival – canceled.
- Healthy Start Baby Shower — postponed until October 26.
- Ascend Performance Materials (formerly Solutia/Monsanto/Chemstrand) has cancelled the 60th anniversary celebration that was planned for Saturday in Saturday.
- Pensacola State College HS Baseball Tourney -canceled. Tate, Catholic, Mosley, Escambia, Gulf Breeze, Washington and Pine Forest and Escambia high schools were participating.
Still Planned:
- Barrineau Park Music Night — Still planned for Friday, doors open at 5 p.m. for food; music begins at 6:30 inside the Barrineau Park Community Center.
- Jay Peanut Festival – still planned for Saturday and Sunday.
- Market at Saint Monica’s — If Karen looks like more of a rain event, the Market at Saint Monica’s will be open indoors Saturday, but it will be canceled for a more severe threat.
- Northwest Escambia at Excel -AND- Baker vs. Flomaton — still planned, with football games beginning earlier. Freshmen 9:00; Sophomores 10:30; Juniors 12:00; Seniors 2:00. All players must arrive one hour before game time.
- Bayfest in Mobile — still planned.
Deputies Look For Man In Two Bar Shooting Incidents
October 4, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a person of interest in a shooting last week at Ray’s Soul City on East Baars Street.
Investigators are currently looking for 24-year old Cordaryl Misean Lovely. He is wanted at this time as a suspect in connection with an August 31 shooting incident, also at Ray’s Soul City. In that incident, Lovely fired shots inside the establishment before the gun was taken from him and he was injured.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Cordaryl Lovely, should contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Tropical Storm Karen: Latest Escambia County Specific Information
October 4, 2013
[Updated 10 am] Under the latest advisory, Escambia County remains under a Hurricane Watch. Expected impact from the storm has been downgraded from moderate to minor since the last advisory. However, the track of this storm still seems to be directed at Escambia County. Residents are advised to exercise caution and use their best judgment in preparing for the impacts of this storm.
No evacuations or emergency orders are in effect at this time. All Escambia County government offices are open today as scheduled. There are no shelters open at this time.
Current Forecast*: Southeasterly gale force winds should start affecting our area on Sunday, October 6 at 5 a.m. with storm force winds arriving at approximately11 a.m. when the highest expected wind speeds from Tropical Storm Karen should occur, with top sustained winds from the Southeast potentially reaching 58 mph and gusts near 70 mph. Sustained winds will fall below gale force around 2 pm and will generally be from the north at that time. However, gale force gusts could continue for several hours. Rainfall is expected to be approximately 4.8 inches over the next three days, but could vary significantly depending on speed and direction of the storm.
Some minor residential wind damage may occur from Tropical Storm Karen throughout Escambia County.
Escambia County residents can refer to BeReadyEscambia.com for a complete online disaster guide pertaining to various emergency situations and find information such as:
- Important telephone numbers
- Shelter information and locations
- Disaster preparation shopping lists
- Animal preparedness for pets, livestock and equine
Editor’s note: The “Current Forecast” above is a general forecast for the entirety of Escambia County, including the beaches. Impacts from the storm will likely be less in North Escambia.
800 Acres Off Jacks Branch Road Rezoned For Commercial, Other Development
October 4, 2013
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to rezone just over 800 acres off Jacks Branch Road from residential to a variety of zoning districts including residential and retail commercial.
“This is part of the Sector Plan and what we’ve generally thought would be the right direction to be put thing things forward in the future for our community,” said Commissioner Grover Robinson after making a motion to approve the rezoning. “I am excited to see something move forward from this.”
Robinson’s motion passed unanimously.
The property is located at 900 Jacks Branch Road and lies east of Jacks Branch and north of Well Line Road, all to the west of Highway 29. The rezoning was proposed by the DDJ Land Company, LLC, managed by Jerry and Donald Long of Pensacola.
An area of 444 acres, 275 of which are not wetlands, will be rezoned to C-1 (commercial). The area will serve the surrounding area with larger and small scale retail, office and residential use. The center will be designed around pedestrian and utilized plazas and other public space “to create an attractive environment”, according to the application.
A 74 acre area, 60 acres of which are not wetlands, will be rezoned R-4 to allow for neighborhoods comprised primarily of attached single and multifamily residential dwellings. The roads will be designed in a gridded system, with public spaces for civic, community and recreational areas.
A 156 acre area, 65 acres not wetlands, will be zoned V-5. The area would be located in the “rural” area of the development with subdivision that would be clustered single family homes focusing on efficient use of land and infrastructure, conventional large lot development and accessible open space.
A 107 acre parcel, 85 which are not wetlands, will be zoned R-3 with a range of housing types on a gridded block road system.
An R-4 zoned area of 25 acres will provide a housing area of a variety of attached and detached residential homes. Parks, conservation and public spaces are to focal point for the neighborhoods, once developed.
Pictured top: A location map for about 800 acres that was rezoned by a vote of the Escambia County Commission Thursday night. Pictured east: Looking north into the parcel from Well Line Road. Pictured below: Looking east into the parcel from Jacks Branch Road. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Elementary Students Learn Fire Safety (With Photo Gallery)
October 4, 2013
Molino Park Elementary School students learned about fire safety Thursday from members of the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue. The students learned how to get out of their home in the event of a fire and also learned about some of the tools used by firefighters.
Pictured: Molino Park Elementary students learn all about fire safety Thursday morning. Pictured top and inset: The firemen’s helmets were a student favorite. Pictured below: Students use a camera to look for hot spots. Pictured bottom: Students had an opportunity to ask questions. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
