Splash Party Benefits Molino Park Elementary Technology Replacement
September 8, 2013
A “Back To School Splash Party” was held Saturday at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino to benefit students at Molino Park Elementary School.
There were water slides, water balloon games, fun on a new playground and a cookout. The event was free, but attendees were invited to make a monetary donation for technology replacement at Molino Park Elementary School.
After reading an earlier NorthEscambia.com story about the event, Todd of Jumpers Unlimited donated the use of water slides, moonwalk and a cotton candy machine for Saturday’s event.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Falls To 4A Marianna
September 7, 2013
The 4A Marianna Bulldogs defeated the Northview Chiefs 28-6 Friday night in Marianna.
The defending 1A state champion Chiefs were looking for revenge against the Marianna Bulldogs, but fell short of that goal. Last year in Bratt, Northview was up 42-26 in the fourth quarter before the Bulldogs rallied for a tie in regulation and pulled out a 48-42 win over the Chiefs in OT.
Friday night’s 28-6 loss was just as disappointing, if not worse in a game that a started about 15 minutes late after the Chiefs’ charter bus broke down just shy of the Marianna exit.
“It was a tough loss,” Northview head coach Sid Wheatley said. “Marianna’s got a fine football team. They are very skilled. If their running backs are able to break that first line, they make it tough. Our tackles have got to continue to get better. We’ve got to break down, be in control and get more bodies to the ball.”
Also defensively he pointed to several problems the Chiefs had lining up correctly for the play.
Offensively, Wheatley said the Chiefs lacked consistency against the Bulldogs. “It would look like we had a little drive going, and we’d turn it over,” he said.
Overall, the Chiefs racked up just shy of 200 yards Friday night, 127 in the air and 70 on the ground. Running back Ladarius Thomas contributed 50 of those yards. The Chiefs’ only touchdown of the night was a 27-yard pass from quarterback Daulton Tullis to Cameron Newsome. Hunter Sherouse had nine tackles for Northview, while Emanuel Etheridge and Jeffery Taylor both had seven tackles.
The Northview Chiefs will be on the road again next week to take on the Chipley Tigers in another non-district game. The Chiefs rolled over Chipley 50-29 last year, but historically are 2-5 against the Tigers. In 2011, Northview lost a regular season game against Chipley only to face them again and lose to the Tigers in the state semifinal game.
The Chiefs won’t play a district game until they face Jay on October 4.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs at Marianna Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Start Of Jacks Branch Road Project Delayed
September 7, 2013
Road work that was set begin Monday on Jack’s Branch Road has been postponed.
The work includes widening the travel lanes to 11 feet and added four-foot paved shoulders, along with some minor draining improvements. Escambia County will fund and perform milling and crack relief concurrently with the planned construction.
The project will begin at Muscogee Road to the south and end at Barrineau Park Road to the north. The project is slated for completion by Fall 2014.
The Florida Department of Transportation is funding the design and construction of the safety enhancements as a “Local Agency Program” project.
For more information on this project contact the Jacks Branch Road Information Hotline: Toll Free (866) 696-0938 or sign up for e-newsletters by sending your contact information to: JacksBranchRoad@gmail.com.
There’s no word yet on exactly when the project will begin.
Escambia Man Arrested On Child Porn Charges
September 7, 2013
An Escambia County man has been arrested on child pornography charges after investigators determined he downloaded sexually explicit pictures and movies of children from the internet.
Walter Leandru Burket, 68, was charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of possession with intent to promote child pornography. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $22,000.
Agents with the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force initiated a search warrant at Burket’s residence on September 5 after he was identified via the internet as downloading child pornography.
Additional charges are pending, and the investigation is continuing to determine if he transmitted files or downloaded additional child pornography.
Members of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, and Escambia and Walton counties sheriff’s offices assisted the Pensacola Police Department with the investigation.
They Did It For 32: Tate Beats PHS In Historic Game
September 7, 2013
Before Friday night, it had been about 20 years since the Tate Aggies beat the Pensacola High School Tigers. But it was one for the history books on a hot September night as Tate held on for a historic 14-12 victory.
Motivation for the Tate Aggies this week was to get a win for injured teammate Jesse Samuel — who wears jersey No. 32.
Jesse’s brother, Lavontia Samuel, wore that 32 jersey in honor of his brother Friday night against PHS.. Lavontia scored in the first quarter on a four-yard run and again in the 2nd quarter when he out sprinted the PHS defenders for a 75-yard scoring run. That would be all the scoring the Aggies would do for the night.
PHS would score in the third quarter on a 53-yard run, but the extra point was blocked by Tate’s Trace Penton. The blocked extra point proved to be a huge play because when the Tigers scored in the fourth quarter on a pass play, they were forced to go for two points. Tate’s defense was up to the task and stopped the Tigers’ quarterback short of the goal line to make it 14-12 with Tate in a lead they would hold all the way to sweet victory as the clock rolled down.
The defense and special teams deserved a lot of the credit for Tate’s win, Coach Ronnie Douglas said, adding that “Lavontia Samuel put the team on his back and carried them to a win”. Douglas said he has been pleased with all the hard worth the team did over the summer, and he’s happy it is beginning to pay off.
“”We are going to get used to this winning thing, and once we do it becomes a whole lot easier,” Douglas said.
Tate faces Panama City Bay next week at 7:30 at the home of the Aggies, Pete Gindl Stadium in Cantonment.
Story and photos by Darryl Singleton
Pictured top: Lavontia Samuel, wearing his brother’s No. 32 jersey, celebrates a 75-yard touchdown run as his injured brother, Jesse Samuel, looks on. Pictured below: The Tate student section “blacked out”. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Slams Rocky Bayou 51-30 (With Photo Gallery)
September 7, 2013
If the public address announcer said it once, he said it a half dozen times Friday night in Jay — “Touchdown Royals”. The Royals defeated Rocky Bayou Christian 51-30.
Four of those touchdowns came from running back Braden Cross with 34 carries, 164 yards and four touchdowns. Victor Mischoe had couple of touchdowns, along with 85 yards on three carries, for the Royals.
Over all, the Jay Royals racked up just over 500 years on the night.
Jay (2-0) will celebrate homecoming next Friday night as they host the Yellow Jackets of Vernon.
Pictured top: The Jay Royals bear Rocky Bayou 51-30 Friday night in Jay. Photos by Michelle Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Charged With Manslaughter For Her Mother’s Death
September 7, 2013
An Escambia County woman has been arrested because investigators said she is responsible for the death of the elderly mother.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies said 95-year old Florence Rucker was found unconscious and severely neglected at a home on Amber Street back in May.
Florence’s daughter, 60-year old Kathy Rucker, was arrested for aggravated manslaughter after an investigation. Deputies say Florence Rucker had several large, open sores on her body when she was found.
Investigators say Kathy Rucker lived with her mother and was her primary caregiver. She told deputies she called 911 because her mother had been unresponsive and unable to drink any fluids. When paramedics arrived they say Florence Rucker was lying on the floor of the living room, which was in complete disarray and strewn with garbage.
Florence Rucker was taken to the hospital as a trauma alert. She died a few days later. Kathy Rucker says her mother had fallen down in the living room about two weeks before she called EMS, and that she had been unable to get her up off the floor. She told deputies her mother had been talking to her during that time so she didn’t feel the need to call for help.
Kathy Rucker remains in the Escambia County County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
FWC Shuts Down Importation Of Deer Into Florida
September 7, 2013
In an effort to keep a potentially fatal disease from decimating the state’s deer population, Florida is immediately closing its borders to the importation of out-of-state deer.
The ban comes as a number of deer farmers have reportedly ramped up importation to increase their stocks because of the expected prohibition.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Friday unanimously agreed to prohibit the importation of deer and other cervids in an attempt to keep Chronic Wasting Disease from reaching the state’s deer population.
“I think the economy impacts are important, but the economy impacts would be far greater and outweighed if CWD (the disease) gets transmitted into our state,” Commissioner Ron Bergeron said during a meeting in Pensacola.
In addition to an executive order to immediately close the borders, the commission directed staff to develop additional rules intended to reduce the risk of spreading the disease, increase inspections and educate hunters about transporting carcasses.
Commissioner Adrien Bo Rivard said it’s better now to “err on the side of protecting the long-term well being of fish and wildlife,” though he’s philosophically opposed to the addition of new regulations. He said the ban could be lifted if improved preventive measures are found.
The vote comes with backing from several state lawmakers, including Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, who was among a group of legislators who initially opposed the ban but changed their tune in July, saying the scientific case for closing the border was stronger.
The disease has spread since being first detected in free-ranging populations in the mid-1980s around northeastern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming. The disease has been described as similar to Mad Cow disease, with animals becoming emaciated and often being found isolated and trembling.
Chronic Wasting Disease is not known to affect people.
Critics of the ban, including the Southeast Trophy Deer Association, contend that closing the border will actually increase the chance for the disease to turn up in Florida. They envision an increase in smuggling, increasing the risk that deer from impacted areas will be brought into Florida to make up for a drop in the amount of deer available for hunts.
Steve Munz, a deer farmer from Sumter County, argued that the state and proponents of the ban were using misleading information and proposed the commission instead increase permitting costs as a means to improve enforcement to check for the disease.
“I’m not for taxes and more money, I’m for what makes sense in life,” Munz said.
Several opponents of the ban recommended the state consider changing a requirement that imported deer come from herds that have been certified disease-free for at least five years. They suggested doubling the standard to 10 years.
Shawn Schafer, executive director of the North American Deer Farmers Association, said the state should consider an increase in monitoring of herds rather than prohibit the cross-border movement of deer.
“For Florida to say (the disease) is not here, you’re not testing enough,” Schafer said. “If you test enough animals you’re probably going to find it.”
But powerful backers of the ban said the rule is critical to preserving the future of hunting in Florida and for those who enjoy the outdoors.
Marion Hammer, representing the National Rifle Association and the Florida Veterinary Medical Association, contended that a few deer farmers and preserve operators were putting their self-interests above the long-term outlook for hunting in Florida.
“Leaving the border open even a crack exposes us to damage that is not reversible,” Hammer said during the meeting, which was broadcast across the state by The Florida Channel. “If CWD gets into Florida we will never be the same, it can never be reversed. It will affect our wildlife, our soil, and potentially our citizens.”
Other groups and organizations in support of the ban include the United Sportsmen of Florida, the Quality Deer Management Association, the Florida Bowhunters Council, the Florida Chapters of the Safari Club International and the Humane Society of the U.S.
Philip Bryan, vice president of the Florida Deer Association, said protecting native deer species is “the most important thing.”
“Since we didn’t close it in June, in the month of August more deer has come in in one month than in any other time,” Bryan said.
The commission in June delayed a vote so more information could be gathered on the potential impacts of a ban, both economically and in the effectiveness of keeping out the disease.
Commission staff noted Friday that since the start of the year 800 cervids — 600 just in August — have been permitted to be imported by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The number is up from 295 permitted in all of 2012.
The state has about 300 deer and game farms and 100 hunting preserves.
Clifford Shipley, a Chronic Wasting Disease expert from the University of Illinois’ College of Veterinary Medicine, said the actual source of the disease remains unknown and there is no known cure.
“It is a death sentence to a deer farm,” Shipley said.
If an animal is found with the disease, the entire population in the area, free-ranging or farmed, would need to be eradicated in order to prevent further spreading.
Currently, to reduce the chances of the disease entering Florida, the state also prohibits most deer from being imported from states and Canadian provinces where infected populations have been found.
The disease has been found in 22 states, with eight added to the list since 2010. None of the states where the disease has been detected are in the Southeast.
Florida now joins 18 other states that have banned the importation of deer, including all of Florida’s neighbors.
The new rule does exempt zoos, which would be allowed to bring in most cervids — except for white-tailed deer — from out-of-state facilities that have been cleared of the disease.
by The News Service of Florida
Friday Night Football Finals
September 7, 2013
Here is a look at football action around the North Escambia area Friday night:
FLORIDA
- Marianna 28, Northview 6 [Read more...]
- Tate 14, PHS 12 [Read more...]
- Jay 51, Rocky Bayou Christian 30 [Read more...]
- West Florida 44, Milton 0
- Catholic 33 Pine Forest 3
- Washington 28, Pass Christian 10
- Niceville 42, Pace 0
- FWB 21 Gulf Breeze 7
- Escambia 49 Mosley 39
- Walton 54 Freeport 6
- Choctaw 14, Crestview 13
- Baker 35, Sneads 21
ALABAMA
- Washington Co 40, Flomaton 13
- Clarke Co 40, Escambia County (Atmore) 18
- Escambia Academy 48, Hooper Academy 7
- TR Miller 22, Opp 7
- Straughn 21, WS Neal 8
Escambia County Middle Defeats Ernest Ward (With Photo Gallery)
September 6, 2013
The Esambia County Middle School Eagles of Atmore defeated the Eagles of Ernest Ward Middle School 44-20 Thursday evening in Walnut Hill.
The Eagles of Escambia County Middle School in Atmore jumped out to a 24-0 lead by about halfway through the second quarter.
Ernest Ward’s only touchdown of the first half came on a pass to eighth grader Jacob McCullough, followed by a good two point conversion. That made it Atmore 24, Ernest Ward 8 with 5:20 to go in the half.
By halftime, the Atmore Eagles had expanded their lead to 38-8, but Ernest Ward fought back in the second half, still coming up short, 44-20.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Ernest Ward will be on the road for their two games — September 12 at T.R. Miller and September 17 at Escambia County Middle in Atmore. The Eagles will return home on September 26 to host the Panthers of Excel, Ala.
Pictured top: An Ernest Ward defender attempts to bring down at Escambia County Middle School Eagle. Pictured inset: Ernest Ward’s Jacob McCullough catches a pass for a touchdown run. Pictured below: Ernest Ward’s Keaton Solmonson attempts to stop an Atmore player from gaining yardage. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
