Tate’s Turnaround: Back To Back Wins
September 14, 2013
Coming off a historic first time in 20 years win last week over Pensacola, the Tate Aggies were achieved their goal back to back wins Friday night 35-21 over Panama City Bay.
Just two wins in a season has been a big challenge for the Aggies; they last won two games in 2010 with a 3-7 season record. Panama City Bay came in with a 2-0 record and was looking forward to going home with another win.
The Aggies’ first score cam on a 2-yard run from Lavontia Samuel, followed by a 17-yard touchdown pass from Sawyer Smith to Deontia Nicholson. Tate held the lead 12-7 at the half.
Tate open the second half with a 68-yard quarterback keeper TD run from Sawyer Smith on the first play from scrimmage. Smith scored again later in the quarter on a 19-yard run play. Tate allowed a interception for a touchdown and two blocked punts letting Bay stay in the game. Tate still held the lead at the end of the third, 28-21.
The only score in the fourth belonged to Tate on another run from 2-yards out by QB Smith. Tate was able to control the ball for much of the fourth quarter running out the clock for their 35-21 win.
Tate faces West Gadsden next Friday night for homecoming at Pete Gindl Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
Pictured above: Tate beat Panama City Bay Friday night in Cantonment. Pictured below: Coach Ronnie Douglas huddles with the team between plays. Photos by Kaleigh Blackmon and Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Shot Late Friday Night In Escambia County
September 14, 2013
One person was transported to a local hospital after a report of multiple shots fire late Friday night at the Sunrise Apartments on Fairfield Drive.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the apartment complex just after 10:30 p.m. They found 23-year old Mario Brewer had been shot twice — once in the shoulder and once where the bullet just grazed his head. His injuries were considered non-life threatening.
Brewer only told deputies that the person that shot him was a black mail in his 20’s known to him only as “MONDO”.
A 24-year old male was shot at the apartment complex early last Tuesday morning. He did not have life threatening injuries and chose not provide any suspect information to the Sheriff’s Office.
If anyone has any information either shooting, they are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or theEscambia County Sheriff Investigations Unit at (850) 436-9630.
Chipley Downs The Chiefs
September 14, 2013
The defending 1A state champion Northview Chiefs have next week off, and they’ll need it to recover, rethink and regroup after a Friday night’s 47-18 loss to the Chipley Tigers.
“We were up 18-13 in the second quarter and they just took away our momentum,” Northview head coach Sid Wheatley said. Chipley outscored the Chiefs by 14-0 in the third quarter and another 12-0 in the second quarter.
The Chiefs were plagued by mistakes, including an unusual number of bad snaps from the line of scrimmage, throughout Friday night’s road game in Chipley.
“We blew a lot of snaps…I think it was 12 times we just about threw the ball over the quarterback’s head,” Wheatley said. “We probably lost 150 yards just from bad snaps.”
Friday night just wasn’t the expected performance from what was this season’s No. 1 ranked 1A team.
“We have just got to stress the fundamentals of football, and take this loss to develop some mental aggression in the minds of the offensive line. They’ve got to understand how they should feel with they self-inflict a loss like tonight and make sure it never happens again.”
The Chipley Tigers were first on the scoreboard Friday night with a touchdown at the 8:15 mark in the first quarter. By the end of the first, the Tigers sat at first and goal on the four-yard line, going in for a touchdown and 13-0 lead early in the second. The Chiefs answered with a touchdown and a missed extra point attempt, 13-6 Chipley.
With about five minutes in the half, the Chiefs scored on a 40-yard TD pass to Brannon Freeman, cutting their deficit to 13-12. With 3:18 to go before the half, Neino Robinson scored on a 25-yard touchdown run, putting Northview up 18-13. And that was to be the final score of the night for Northview.
Chipley returned the kickoff for a touchdown to take a 21-18 lead at the half.
Freeman and Ladarius Thomas had about 75 yards each Friday night for the Chiefs. In addition to throwing for two touchdowns, quarterback Dalton Tullis had about 237 yards in the air for Northview. Robison had 77 yard on six catches along with his touchdown.
After an open week, the Northview Chiefs will host Choctawhatchee on September 27 before beginning district play in Jay on October 4.
Photos by Amy Holland and Bethany Reynolds for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Homecoming Win Pushes Jay Royals To 3-0
September 14, 2013
The Jay Royals celebrated a happy Homecoming Friday night as they beat Vernon 13-0. They Royals are riding an early season winnings streak at 3-0.
After a scoreless first quarter, Tate Upton was in from one yard out for the Royals with 6:06 in the half. With a good kick from Dakota Smith, the Royals held a 7-0 advantage. The Royals scored again early in the third with an 85-yard kickoff return by Victor Mishoe.
The Royals have an open date next week before traveling to Flomaton on Friday, September 27.
Photos by Michele Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Finals
September 14, 2013
Friday night football final scores from around the area:
Florida
- Chipley 47, Northview 18 [Read more...]
- Tate 35, Bay 21 [Read more...]
- Jay 13 Vernon 0 [Read more...]
- Fort Walton Beach 15, Milton 14
- Niceville 37, Pine Forest 6
- Baker 55, Holmes County 6
- Navarre 28, Pace 18
- Choctaw 31, Gulf Breeze 14
- Catholic 14, PHS 0
- Washington 37, Lake Area 12
- Walton 49, South Walton 0
Alabama
- Flomaton 23, Choctaw 20
- Wilcox 14, Escambia County (Atmore) 0
- T.R. Miller 54 Excel 14
- W.S. Neal 48, Cottage Hill 2
- Monroe Academy 50, Escambia Academy 14
Man That Promised 500 Century Jobs Sentenced To Prison For Fraud
September 13, 2013
The man behind a promise of up to 500 jobs announced in 2010 that never materialized in Century — will spend the next few years in prison on fraud charges brought against him by Alabama authorities.
James Leonard Craft, age 72 of Century, pleaded guilty in Cullman County, Ala., to engaging in a scheme or artifice to defraud in connection with the sale of securities. He was sentenced to a 10-year sentence, split to serve three years, the first 90 days in jail, to be released with the opportunity to pay $185,000 in restitution to his victims. If Craft fails to pay the restitution as ordered, he will serve the remainder of his sentence in the custody of the Alabama Department of Corrections.
An investigation by the Alabama Securities Commission found that Craft solicited funds from investors to purportedly purchase wood products from South America, which were to be resold to U.S. distributors for the making of railroad cross ties and other products at a plant to be located in the former Alger Sullivan Lumber Company building in Century.
Craft was the manager of Century Lumber and Land, a company that held a ribbon cutting back in October 2010 for a group of new businesses that planned to locate in Century’s vacant Alger Sullivan Lumber Company property and bring up to 500 jobs to the struggling town. According to Workforce Escarosa, over 3,000 people applied for those jobs.
Craft stood holding the arm of Century Mayor Freddie McCall in October 2010 as the mayor cut a symbolic ribbon for Century Lumber and Land. Community members, Century town council members, county commissioners, and other county government representatives and business officials stood behind a Century Area Chamber of Commerce sign as the yellow ribbon fell.
But there was a tidbit very few of them knew — Craft nor the company never had any legal claim the to property where he was holding the ribbon cutting.
“It was never sold; it never even had a binder,” EXIT Realty NFI-Commerical agent Gary Watson said after the ribbon cutting on behalf of the property owners.
In 2010, the Alabama Securities Commission issued a cease and desist order on Craft and his Century Lumber and Land after an attempt was made to solicit money from Alabama investors in at least three Alabama counties. The ASC said neither Craft nor his business was registered to sell securities in Alabama as required by law.
In testimony in Cullman County (Ala.) Circuit Court, Craft readily admitted to Judge Gregory Nicholas that he intended on using the money for personal reasons while simultaneously making a fraudulent pitch that the investors’ funds were to be used to purchase wood products.
In September 2011, Craft was arrested by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and extradited to Etowah County, Ala., to face charges. Craft’s arrest stemmed from a Etowah County Grand jury indictment for alleged illegal securities activities associated with his company. Indictments against Craft were also returned in Cullman and Shelby counties. All of the charges were later combined and tried in Cullman County Circuit Court.
“Our mission at the Alabama Securities Commission is to protect Alabama citizens from the deceitful and devious activities of people like Mr. Craft who seem to have an unlimited ability to conjure up ways to steal money from vulnerable and trusting people. The felony conviction and the court’s strong response should send a loud and clear message to financia predators to stay out of the State of Alabama.” ASC Director Joseph Borg said.
Pictured top: Convicted felon James Leonard Craft (light blue shirt, front left) holds the arm of Century Mayor Freddie McCall as he cuts the ribbon for Century Lumber and Land in October 2010. Pictured below: A group hoping to apply for a job gathered during the ribbon cutting. Pictured inset: The former Alger Sullivan Lumber Company building in Century was the planned home for Craft’s company. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Man Convicted Of Abusing Young Teen
September 13, 2013
A Santa Rosa County man has been convicted of abusing a young teen.
Russell Lee Maloney, 34, was convicted of sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority. He was arrested on April 30, 2012 after the 14-year old victim disclosed to her youth pastor that Maloney had engaged in sexual intercourse with her at his home. During a videotaped interview, Maloney admitted to Detective Scott Jones that he had sex with the child.
Circuit Judge John Simon scheduled sentencing for October 22, 2013, and ordered Maloney to remain in the Santa Rosa County Jail until that time. Maloney faces a maximum of 30 years in state prison.
Equine Group Rescues Two Malnourished Horses
September 13, 2013
Two malnourished horses were recently rescued by the Cantonment based Panhandle Equine Rescue.
PER received a report that a very thin horse was down in a yard on Bowman Avenue, just off Nine Mile Road. PER and Escambia County Animal Control responded and found two Tennessee Walking Horses in poor condition. One was unable to get up on her own.
“But with the help of a veterinarian, my family, volunteers and several county employees from animal control and environmental, we were able to get her up. She went down again, but they all quickly got her right back on her feet,” PER President Diane Lowery said. “Everyone came together to help this special little horse.”
The owner voluntarily signed ownership of the horses over to PER. The horses, mares named Capona and Sweet Mary, are mother and daughter, according to PER President Diane Lowery. PER reported Thursday that Capona remains in poor shape, still unable to stand without assistance.
“I am requesting prayers from everyone and donations. We still have a long road ahead and they are not out of the woods yet. This will be a costly endeavor, well worth it, but will put a huge dent in our funds.”
For additional photos of Capona, click here. (Warning: Some readers may find the photographs to be disturbing.)
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was founded by a small group of concerned citizens with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines. PER is authorized by the court system to investigate equine cruelty in Escambia County.
Lowery said PER may pursue the filing of criminal charges in the case.
For more information on Panhandle Equine Rescue and how to donate to the organization visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Budget Surplus Projected, But Senate Budget Chair Cautious
September 13, 2013
A key legislative committee approved a report projecting an $845.7 million surplus in the budget year that begins July 1, but only after the Senate budget chief warned that new spending or tax cuts will still likely have to be offset somewhere else.
Continuing a policy from last year, Senate Budget Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said the continuing recovery of the state’s budget from the wake of the Great Recession is no reason to go on a spending binge.
“In order to fund new priorities, initiatives, things that our constituents feel are important in 2013 and 2014, we’re going continue to have to have the discipline to review previous expenditures that were important to legislators who were duly elected in the 1990s and in 2000 and 2010,” Negron said.
His comments came as Gov. Rick Scott travels around the state to pitch a $500 million tax cut and ask Floridians which taxes and fees it should be used to cut. Negron has his own idea, filing a bill Thursday that would roll back vehicle-registration fees that were approved to close a budget shortfall in 2009. The new proposal (SB 156) updates a similar measure last year that died in part because of resistance to getting rid of a tax break benefiting insurance companies; the new proposal would jettison that, at least for now.
“But I still want to explore during session tax incentive programs that may have been great in 1983, 1986 or 2000 but have outlived their usefulness and maybe they’ve accomplished their objectives,” Negron said.
Despite Negron’s warnings about offsetting any budget changes, Scott is ultimately expected to get his tax cut through a GOP-dominated Legislature in an election year. House Majority Leader Steve Crisafulli, a Merritt Island Republican slated to take over as speaker after the 2014 elections, issued a statement Thursday suggesting as much.
“Though we will continue to follow our fiscally conservative principles as we develop our budget proposal in the upcoming session, I am hopeful that these improved conditions will allow us the opportunity to provide a significant tax break for Florida families and businesses,” Crisafulli said.
A spokesman for the Florida Democratic Party quickly flagged Negron’s comments in an email to reporters, arguing they could foreshadow budget cuts and were “further confirmation that Rick Scott’s tax plan will wind up being harmful to Florida’s families.”
The outlook approved Thursday by the Legislative Budget Commission was part of the state’s annual budget cycle. It attempts to account for expected spending in high priority areas and likely decisions by the Legislature, such as setting aside at least $1 billion to make sure the state can cover unforeseen expenses. But it doesn’t try to figure out what new programs or dramatic increases to existing programs lawmakers might approve.
The commission also approved a handful of amendments to the current spending plan, including changes to help close a $35.5 million deficit at the Department of Juvenile Justice created by a recent court ruling requiring the state to pay a larger share of the cost of locking up juvenile offenders.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Seasons Of Hope Banquet To Benefit Terminally Ill, Injured Warriors
September 13, 2013
Seasons of Hope will hold their Second Annual Benefit Bandquet fundraiser later in just over a week.
Seasons of Hope provides positive outdoor hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor activities for the terminally ill, the physically challenged and members of the Armed Forces injured in the line of duty. The excursions are provided at little or no cost.
The benefit banquet will be held Saturday, September 21 at 5 p.m. at SS Dixon Intermediate School at 5540 Education Drive in Pace. In addition to the meal, there will be a silent auction. Guest speaker will be Brad Clay of Final Descent Outdoors. Tickets are $10 each.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.seasonsofhopeinc.org or call Bryen Ballard at (850) 232-0592.