UWF Will Play Football In 2016
September 5, 2013
The University of West Florida will field a football team in the fall of 2016, college President Judy Bense announced Wednesday.
The Argos will be in the Gulf South Conference, home of seven Division II national champs over the last two decades. UWF won’t have a football stadium in place by their first 2016 kickoff, instead they will be looking for another Pensacola-area facility to call home field. A practice field at UWF, other facilities, equipment and salaries for coaches will come from outside sources including a Football Founders Club.
UWF will not raise student fees or tuition to fund the football program.
The Argos will use a private search firm to start looking for a coach at the end of this season.
Gabrielle Down To A Depression
September 5, 2013
Gabrielle has degenerated to a tropical depression.
Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed Wednesday night in the eastern Caribbean, southeast of Puerto Rico. The storm will move near western Puerto Rico and the eastern Dominican Republic before moving back out to sea. Gabrielle will not have an impact on the North Escambia area’s weather.
The latest position and information on Gabrielle can be found in the graphic above.
Deputies Seek Man In Motel Beating (With Video)
September 4, 2013
Escambia County deputies are looking for a person of interest in an aggravated battery at a local motel.
Deputies discovered the victim, 48-year old Curtis Odom on the sidewalk in front of the Western Inn on Mobile Highway Wednesday morning. He had suffered severe head and facial injuries and was unresponsive. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment; an update on his condition was not available.
Investigators determined the incident most likely took place in a bloody room at the hotel, and they are looking for a person seen on surveillance video.
Anyone with information on the identity of the person pictured is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9630.
If you do not see the video at the top of this page, it is because your work, home or school firewall is blocking external videos.
Fire Destroys Cantonment Mobile Home
September 4, 2013
An early morning fire destroyed a mobile home in Cantonment.
The fire was reported about 4:40 a.m. at 711 Taylor Street, one block north of Muscogee Road. The double-wide mobile was fully involved in fire when the first firefighters arrived on scene. The home was a complete loss.
There were no other structures threatened by the blaze.
There were no immediate reports of any injuries; first reports indicate the mobile home was not occupied at the time of the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Cantonment, Molino, Ensley and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the fire.
Pictured top: Fire destroyed this Taylor Street mobile home in Cantonment about 4:40 a.m. Wednesday. Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Additional Defendant Sentenced On Federal Meth Related Charges
September 4, 2013
Another defendant arrested back in April on methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine related conspiracy charges has been sentenced in federal court, while four additional defendants have had their sentencings delayed until November. All either previously pleaded guilty or were convicted.
A federal judge convicted 29-year old Jared L. Hester on charges involving a conspiracy to possess and distribute pseudoephedrine, knowing it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Prosecutors said Hester was involved in the conspiracy to possess and distribute large amounts of pseudoephedrine in order to manufacture methamphetamine from January 1, 2011, until his arrest in April 2013.
The jury heard from other members of the conspiracy and was shown pharmacy records displaying dozens of pseudoephedrine purchases by Hester during the conspiracy. Many of these purchases overlapped with his co-defendants’ purchases. In all, the conspirators purchased between 350 and 400 boxes of pseudoephedrine, so that it could be manufactured into methamphetamine. All of Hester’s seven co-defendants pled guilty to the charges.
Hester was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release. He has already appealed his sentence.
Four more defendants are now scheduled to be sentenced in November: Gregory A. Militello, Kirby Brian Smith, Joshua Paul Militello and Nicole Danielle Jones.
Seven defendants were sentenced earlier this summer:
- Stephanie Ann Gunderson, 26, Cantonment — Four months in federal prison, home detention for 24 months, supervised release for three years. She will be allowed to remain free until she surrenders on or before August 12.
- Shawn Michael King, 34, Cantonment – Federal prison for 51 months, three years supervised released.
- Joseph David Peterson, 33, Cantonment – Federal prison for 168 months, three years supervised released.
- Hunter Grant Myrick, 23, Cantonment – Federal prison for 20 months, three years supervised released.
- James E. Atiabi, 35, Pensacola, — Federal prison for 162 months, three years supervised released.
- John Wyatt Casey, 33, Pensacola — Federal prison for 115 months, three years supervised released.
- Shannon Lee Hurd, 29, Pensacola – Federal prison for 70 months, three years supervised released
Federal prosecutors say suspects were all were involved in a conspiracy to possess and distribute large amounts of pseudoephedrine in order to manufacture methamphetamine from January 1, 2011, until their arrests.
The indictments resulted from an investigation by agents of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Attorney’s Office.
Each defendant faces or faced up to 20 years imprisonment and fines up to $250,000.
Local Governments Win Battle: Judge Nixes Conecuh Woods Landfill
September 4, 2013
An Alabama judge has ruled that approval for the proposed Conecuh Woods Landfill in Repton, AL, is null and void — preventing the construction of a regional landfill in Conecuh County, AL.
The landfill would have accepted solid waste from over 20 states. Many local governments joined in the lawsuit because the proposed 5,100 landfill would have included a 1,600 acres “disposal cell” to be located near the Big Escambia Creek which flows southward through Flomaton, into North Escambia swamps, then the Escambia River and eventually into Pensacola Bay.
The Conecuh County Commission approved the application of Conecuh Woods, LLC for the landfill in March 2011. Upon the approval of the application, the Town of Repton and its mayor, Terri Carter, filed suit against the Conecuh County Commission and Conecuh Woods, LLC seeking a declaratory judgment that the approval of the application was arbitrary and in violation of applicable state law.
Repton also alleged the Conecuh commission faiiled to ensure adequate public opportunity to comment on the proposed landfill and sought an injunction blocking the construction of the proposed landfill.
In June 2011, Escambia County (FL) joined the litigation. Atmore, Brewton, Flomaton, Orange Beach and Escambia County in Alabama joined the suit, as did Century and the Escambia County Soil and Water Conservation District.
The Escambia County Commission voted to authorize the county attorney’s office to represent Century and the ECSWD at no cost to either entity.
Conecuh Woods still has time to file an appeal.
Pictured top: Repton, Alabama, Mayor Terri Carter addressed the Century Town Council in opposition to a proposed 5,100 acre landfill in Conecuh County, AL. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
During Fugitive Search, US Marshals Find Drugs, $14K In Cash
September 4, 2013
While searching for a fugitive, the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force uncovered drugs and over $14,000 in cash.
The Marshals arrested two Escambia County men, one a fugitive wanted in two states and another that appears to have been working in the local drug trade.
Kendrell Nashawn Rivers was wanted for probation violation warrants in Escambia County and in Lafayette, Louisiana. Authorities in Lafayette have been searching for Rivers since 2010 and the Marshals there adopted the case in 2012. The Marshals Task Force in Pensacola was asked to help earlier this summer but the 33 year-old had remained elusive until Tuesday.
The other man, Darius Arnell Brown was arrested at his home on the 5700 Block of Keystone Road Tuesday. The Task Force was there searching for Rivers who is Brown’s half-brother. The Task Force repeatedly knocked on the door and Brown would not come to the door. Eventually Marshals and Task Force members from Escambia County were allowed inside but did not find Rivers.
During their search they came across 2.3 pounds of marijuana, 2.4 grams of cocaine and over $14,000 in cash. Brown, 32, was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana over 20 grams. Both the drugs and cash were seized by the Sheriff’s Office. Brown was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
After arresting Brown, the Task Force continued their search for Rivers. Rivers eventually surrendered to Task Force Officers at the Sheriff’s Office. Rivers also had three outstanding warrants for not paying child support in Escambia County. Both men were booked into the Escambia County Jail where Rivers was being held without bond and Brown was released on a $5,000 bond.
High School Football Standings, Upcoming Schedule
September 4, 2013
Here is a district by district look at last Friday night’s high school football scores and this week’s schedule. District play has not yet started, so there are no district rankings.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Bridge Repairs, Delays To Begin Today On Arthur Brown Road
September 4, 2013
There will be delays at an Arthur Brown Road bridge for the next few days in Walnut Hill.
The bridge over Boggy Creek on Arthur Brown Road between Jack Gibson Lane and Kansas Road will experience intermittent lane closures due to repairs daily from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. through Friday.
The substructure of the bridge and guardrail system will undergo work, and traffic will be directed by crewmembers.
The bridge is located just west of the Walnut Hill Baptist Church.
Pictured: The Boggy Creek Bridge on Arthur Brown Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Fun, Healthy Lunchbox Ideas
September 4, 2013
The daily routine of packing foods for lunchtime may seem boring, but the food inside those lunchboxes doesn’t have to be. Consider your students’ personality when planning school lunches.
Whether the cafeteria-bound container features Hello Kitty or Justin Bieber, the foods inside should be customized to fit age, activity level and personal style. So how do you get beyond the usual carrots and celery sticks? Noted nutrition expert, award winning food journalist and television personality, Carolyn O’Neil, MS RD LD, advises parents to think about the personality of each child when assembling lunch.
Fix finger foods for young eaters
Overwhelmed little students may do best with tiny bites of finger foods. So, if you have a shy first grader, send them with string cheese sticks, whole grain crackers, baby carrots and cut-up fruit.
Cucumber wheels, red or orange bell pepper strips, and sugar snap peas are also colorful and nutritious finger foods. Add low-fat ranch dressing or individual packs of fiber- and protein-rich hummus for dipping. The oil in these dips actually helps kids absorb more of the veggie’s fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A.
Up the nutrition for those not focused on lunch
What about the teens and tweens focused on anything but the lunch at lunchtime? Older kids focused on friends might prefer a sandwich and a bunch of grapes.
“That table of girls checking out the new guy don’t want to be seen wolfing down large portions,” O’Neil said. “A dainty sandwich cut into quarters or half of a whole-wheat pita sandwich might be a better fit. Choose lean proteins such as sliced turkey, roast beef or deli ham to maximize nutrition and minimize calories. For something sweet, they may prefer to dip grapes, strawberries or pineapple chunks in protein-packed Greek yogurt.”
Pack plenty of food for hungry athletes
Hungry athletes need larger servings of healthy foods for lunch, such as an extra slice of turkey on a sandwich and whole grain tortilla chips with an individual pack of salsa. These energy-burning kids may also need two cartons of cold milk for hydration and nutrition.
For after school, pack a snack to keep your sports star energized. They can refuel before sports practice with fresh fruit or the extra protein in a granola bar with peanuts or other nuts.
No matter what’s on the menu for your students, follow the USDA MyPlate nutrition icon. This visual for good nutrition indicates half of a healthy plate be filled with fruit and vegetables, with the two other quarters occupied by a lean protein and a whole grain starch. To complete the meal, add a cup of fat free or low fat milk.
Photo courtesy Getty Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.