Habitual Traffic Offender Jailed After Hitting Deputy’s Cruiser
April 19, 2013
A convicted habitual traffic offender was jailed Thursday after hitting an Escambia County deputy’s cruiser during a traffic stop near Bratt.
The deputy stopped 31-year old William Wade Steverson of Calvin McGhee Drive in Atmore for speeding on West Highway 4 at Canoe Creek, about 2.5 miles east of Northview High School, about 8:20 a.m. Steverson stopped his Mitsubishi Galant on a moderate incline, several feet in front of the deputy, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. At some point, Steverson removed his foot from his brake, and his vehicle rolled backwards into the deputy’s cruiser.
Steverson was arrested for driving with a suspended license as a habitual traffic offender, a felony charge. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
There were no injuries in Thursday morning’s accident. Damage to the deputy’s cruiser was unnoticeable, while Steverson’s vehicle suffered very minor damage.
Pictured: A convicted habitual traffic offender was jailed Thursday after his vehicle rolled backwards into an Escambia County deputy’s cruiser on West Highway 4 at Canoe Creek. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Former Commissioner Kevin White Back In Escambia County Politics
April 19, 2013
Former Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Kevin White is back in county government.
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to appoint White to a two year at-large post of the Board of Adjustment. White received three votes from commissioners, while Angelique Sanders and Jim Taylor received on vote each.
White represented District 5 on the commission from 2004 to 2011.
The Escambia County Board of Adjustment is tasked with considering administrative appeals, conditional use permits, site plan approval extensions and variances under the Land Development Code.
Baldwin County Chase Ends With Florida Traffic Crash
April 19, 2013
A driver that fled from a traffic stop in Foley ended Thursday night in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 2001 Honda Accord driven by 44-year old Rodney Durand Reynolds of Foley was spotted by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office at 
County Road 87 and Highway 98 in Alabama. Baldwin County deputies attempted to overtake the vehicle as it continued eastbound at a high rate of speed on Highway 98 into Florida.
Reynolds turned right onto Bauer Road before turning onto Seratine Drive and crashing into a wooded area about 10:24 p.m.. He was apprehended and detained on scene by the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office.
Reynolds was placed under arrest by the FHP for DUI and driving while license suspended. He was also cited for careless driving and no proof of insurance. Additional charges are pending in Baldwin County. A passenger in his vehicle 39-year old Cynthia Foster of Gadsden, Ala., was not injured.
Northview’s Food For America Program Named Finalist For Best In Florida
April 19, 2013
Thursday, the Northview High FFA was named as one of five finalists for 2013 Fresh from Florida Advocacy Award.
Formerly known the Food for America program, this program is designed to encourage FFA members to participate in agricultural literacy and awareness projects on the local level.
The local Food for America Program, conducted by the Northview FFA in March, gave over 1,100 students a chance to learn about agriculture firsthand as they got up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more. The students even had the opportunity to make their own butter and enjoy it on crackers.
Earlier in the year, members of the Northview High School FFA officer team visited several area elementary schools to read ag-related books to students.
The Northview High School FFA Food for America program has been honored as the No. 1 program in the state multiple times.
The overall chapter winner will be awarded on stage during the 6th General Session of the 85th Florida FFA State Convention on Thursday, June 13th, 2013 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.
Alimony Overhaul Heads To Scott For Signature
April 19, 2013
With lawmakers squaring off about whether the bill was “anti-woman,” the Florida House gave final approval Thursday to a plan to overhaul the state’s alimony laws.
The bill (SB 718), which was approved by the Senate early this month and is headed to Gov. Rick Scott, would eliminate the concept of permanent alimony and also would make myriad other changes that could affect divorced couples. As an example, it would make it harder to receive alimony when marriages last 11 years or less.
Supporters said the bill would add more fairness to alimony laws and that it could help end what sponsor Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, described as “gamesmanship” in divorces.
“We’re just saying that every case shouldn’t be permanent alimony,” said Rep. Elizabeth Porter, R-Lake City. “You shouldn’t be paying a lifetime of servitude on a short-term marriage.”
But opponents said the bill will hurt women who have given up careers to stay home and raise families and then wind up getting divorced.
“We’re setting up the premise that women will no longer be treated equally in a divorce settlement,” said Rep. Barbara Watson, D-Miami Gardens.
Those arguments, however, were disputed by the bill’s supporters — women and men. Workman said changes in the bill would give families more certainty in what now can be nasty divorce disputes.
“This bill isn’t anti-woman,” Workman said. “It’s pro-family.”
House members voted 85-31 to approve the bill, which passed the Senate by a 29-11 vote. During the session, lawmakers heard horror stories from people on both sides of the issue — including people who argued they had been saddled with making hefty, unjustified alimony payments, along with people who were struggling to make ends meet after divorces.
The 34-page bill, in part, would create new legal standards based on the lengths of marriages. For example, when marriages end in 11 years or less, there would be what is known as a “rebuttable presumption” against awarding alimony. In contrast, a marriage that ends after 20 years would create a presumption that alimony would be awarded.
Also, the bill would set limits on the percentages of monthly income that could be awarded in alimony based on the lengths of marriages.
Opponents of the bill focused heavily on the potential effects on women who have been out of the workforce for long periods of time.
“I shudder to think what this bill will do,” said Rep. Lori Berman, D-Lantana.
But supporters said the bill would help treat people fairly and that women also sometimes pay alimony.
“Alimony doesn’t always mean that it’s the woman receiving the alimony,” Porter said. “It can work both ways.”
By The News Service of Florida
Lady Royals Win District Tournament
April 19, 2013
The Jay Lady Royals beat the Chipley Tigers 8-6 Thursday night to claim the Class 1A Rural District 2 Softball District championship.
The Royals were down 1-0 in the second inning when they turned things around to a 4-1 lead. The Royals’ Camille Driver scored on an error by the Lady Tigers, and a Harley Tagert Single brought Destiny Herring home. A line drive from Michaela Stewart sent Chassity McCranie across the plate. Tagert scored on a double from Ashlyn Geck to make it 4-1.
In the bottom of the third, Driver scored on a Chipley pitcher error for a 5-1 advantage. Chipley answered, evening it up at 5-5.
Olivia Wright and Stewart scored in the bottom of the fourth, and Taylor Moore added run on a line drive single from Bayleigh Upton.
The top two teams in the district head to regionals, so both Jay and Chipley advance. The Jay Lady Royals will host Central High on April 30.
Pictured: The Jay Lady Royals claimed the district championship Thursday night from Chipley. Photos by Diann Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Panthers Over Tate In 12 Inning Battle
April 19, 2013
The Tate Lady Aggies ended their season last night after battling with the Milton Panthers for 12 innings.
The Aggies were ahead 4-0 when the Panthers mounted another great come back to tie the game up and send it to extra innings. The Lady Panthers tore open the game in the 12th scoring four more runs while the Lady Aggies could not answer.
Milton will face Pace tonight for the District Championship at Milton High School.
Linemen Recognized On First-Ever National Lineman Appreciation Day
April 19, 2013
Thursday was National Lineman Appreciation Day. The day was set after the U.S. Senate approved a resolution honoring lineworkers for their efforts to keep the power flowing.
“EREC’s linemen are the cream of the crop. These men are dedicated to keeping power delivered to every home on our system around the clock, regardless of weather conditions,” said Escambia River Electric Cooperative CEO/General Manager Clay Campbell.
The bill was introduced by U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) “recognizing linemen, the profession of linemen, the contributions of these brave men and women who protect public safety”. It passed unanimously.
Pictured: Linemen work earlier this year on an electrical system upgrade in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Eighth Inning Rally Lifts Blue Wahoos Past Suns
April 19, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos broke a 2-2 tie in the last of the eighth inning with eight runs to win going away 10-2 over the Jacksonville Suns in front of 4,591 fans on Thursday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Entering the eighth tied at two, Pensacola erupted for eight runs on seven hits against Arquimedes Caminero and Scott McGough. Donald Lutz led off the inning with a triple and scored on a double by Travis Mattair to give the Wahoos a 3-2 lead. After two walks to load the bases, Steve Selsky brought home a run with a single, Tucker Barnhart drew a bases loaded walk to score another one and Devin Lohman blasted a two-run double. The next two batters were retired before Lutz batted for a second time and launched a ground rule double to make it 9-2. Mattair followed with his second hit of the inning, a single that the left fielder misplayed, allowing Lutz to score the eighth run of the inning. The final carnage was eight runs on seven hits, three walks and an error.
The eight-run frame set a new franchise record for runs scored in a half inning and the 10 overall runs tied a franchise-high set twice last season.
Prior to the eighth inning eruption it was a game marked by highlight reel defensive plays and timely hitting. Barnhart drove home Bryson Smith in the second inning on a sacrifice fly and again in the fourth inning on a single to right. Barnhart was a perfect 2-for-2 with a run scored and three RBI. Lutz and Smith contributed three hits apiece as the Wahoos tallied a season-high 13 base knocks.
Pensacola’s defense kept the Suns off the board in multiple frames as Smith made a sliding catch with a runner on third and two outs to save a run in the second. With a runner on third and one out in the fifth, Taylor Krick lifted a fly to center that Ryan LaMarre hauled in. LaMarre then uncorked a strike to home plate to Barnhart who caught the ball and survived a collision with the runner Jake Smolinski to finish off an 8-2 double play.
Despite the defensive gems, the Suns tied the game in the seventh on a two-out double from Krick that plated two with one scoring when the ball was mishandled in right field.
Chad Rogers received a no-decision despite yielding just one run on two hits over 6.2 frames. Drew Hayes (1-0) picked up the win despite giving up an unearned run in 1.1 innings.
Caminero (1-1) gave up seven runs (all earned) on four hits and three walks in just a third of an inning.
The blowout sets up an intriguing rubber game on Friday at 7:00 p.m. Ryan Dennick (1-0, 2.45) will go for the Blue Wahoos against the Suns’ Sam Dyson (0-1, 0.96).
Story by Kevin Burke
Century Receives New $5,500 Marketing Plan
April 18, 2013
Town officials in Century got their first complete look this week at five-year marketing plan that the town council voted to purchase back in November 2011.
The council voted to enter into a no-bid contract with Ideawörks of Pensacola for $11,450 for a packaged that was to include $4,200 for a “basic website design”, $1,750 for a content management system (CMS) to allow town employees to update the site, and $5,500 for a five-year comprehensive marketing strategy to include “grant identification, development, PR plan, five-year marketing plan and budget”.
The new website was unveiled in May 2012. Town council members were told during a meeting Monday night that the 41-page marketing plan was now available for their review.
The plan recognizes that rural communities like face “significant challenges” for economic development and growth. It recommends that Century’s brand be based upon identified strengths of natural beauty, history and location.
Marketing goals in the plan include the branding of Century as a competitive business locations, an available workforce and a quality of life. The plans also calls for Century to use partnership with other groups, such as the Pensacola Chamber, to expand marketing reach.
The plan suggests four target business types as growth potential for the town — agricultural, manufacturing, small businesses and “other”, including lodging.
In order to compete, the plan states Century must market sites in and around the town, maintain a website, receive positive media attention and have “residents dedicated to economic development” and c0mmunity pride.
The plan also recommends outreach to media, including business publications like Inc., Forbes, Wired, Entrepreneur and Wired, and submitting Century for various “top” lists such as “Best Place to Start a Small Business” in Inc. magazine.
Other marketing tactics including send a potted tree or plant to business prospects along with a USB drive of information and a card tied to the tree imprinted with “Grow A Business in Century”.
The plan also includes numerous pages of grant and business program information reprinted from government, educational and other websites.
In conclusion, the marketing plan states, “At the end of the day, no marketing plan or website or any kind of outreach can be successful without the backing of Century’s residents. What makes residents proud of Century?”
And concerns in the plan include, “We’ve heard that major businesses are not hiring locally, and many local residents were not shopping locally. The negative attitude of community members was also a major concern. Some have cited defeatist attitudes, apathy, lack of communication, and resistance to change as barriers to economic development efforts.”
Pictured top: The Century Chamber of Commerce building. Pictured inset: The Health and Hope Clinic in Century, which provides free healthcare for uninsured and under-served, was identified as a town strength. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.