Tate Class Of 2013 Holds Baccalaureate Service

June 3, 2013

The Tate High School Class of 2013 held their Baccalaureate Service Sunday afternoon at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola. Graduation for the class will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Pensacola Bay Center.

Pictured top: The Tate High Class of 2013 Baccalaureate Service at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola on Sunday. Pictured inset: Longtime Tate government teacher Dale Gilmore addresses the crowd at Olive Baptist. Pictured below. Tate Principal Rick Shackle, Vice Principal Terry Colburn and Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas listen to the service. Photos by Mona Baker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Cantonment Man Shot By Mother Of His Child

June 3, 2013

An Escambia County man was jailed after being shot in Cantonment last week by the mother of his child.

A female told deputies the father of her child, 25-year old Casey Lee Leopard of Cantonment, came to her residence on Benjulyn Road holding their 2-year old child. She said he forced his way inside when she opened the door. He searched for and found the woman’s phone in an attempt to determine where she had been the previous night, according to an arrest report.

The woman retrieved a firearm, located ammunition for it and attempted to leave the residence. Leopard then allegedly thew her to the floor and choked her. She escaped his hold and loaded the gun. As Leopard approached her again in her hallway, she shot him in the knee, the report states, because he was coming toward her and she feared being attacked again.

Leopard fled the residence and was later located at Victory Assembly of God Church on Highway 29, the report states. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital for his injuries. After his release, Leopard was arrested and charged with domestic battery by strangulation and depriving the use of 911. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

Summer Reading Fun Begins

June 3, 2013

Kids of all ages can keep their reading skills sharp this summer as they “Dig Into Reading” with summer reading programs underway at area libraries.

WEST FLORIDA LIBRARY

The West Florida Public Library will hold a “Dig Into Reading” summer reading club for all children ages preschool and up. The event will include stories, weird noises, shadow puppets, magic, reptiles and more.

The 2013 Summer Reading Club will be held June 3-August 10. Children can register at any West Florida Public Library.

Century Branch Library
Summer Reading Program – Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m.

Molino Branch Library
Preschool story time — Mondays, 2:45 p.m.
Summer Reading Program -  Mondays, 4:00 p.m.

Tryon Branch
Preschool story time — Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
Summer Reading Program -  Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m.

Main Library
Preschool story time — Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.
Summer Reading Program -  Mondays, noon.

Southwest Branch
Summer Reading Program – Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.

Westside Branch
Preschool story time — Saturdays, 2:30 p.m.
Summer Reading Program – Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m.

Highway 164 Now Open

June 3, 2013

After a three month closure, Highway 164 from Velor Road to Pine Barren Road has re-opened. The route was closed to traffic on March 1 after an inspection revealed structural deficiencies with a 55-year old bridge between Walnut Hill and McDavid. Repairs to the bridge took about a month longer than originally anticipated. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Remaining Graduation Dates

June 3, 2013

Here are the remaining graduation dates and times for schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties:

Tuesday – Escambia
at Pensacola Bay Center

  • Pine Forest High, 11 a.m.
  • West Florida High, 2:30 p.m.
  • Tate High, 6 p.m.

Tuesday – Santa Rosa

  • Central School, 6 p.m., CHS gym

Johnson Avenue To Close Tuesday

June 3, 2013

Johnson Avenue between Chisholm Road and Stockdale Avenue will close Tuesday, June 4, for approximately two weeks to through traffic.

The closing is in conjunction with an existing Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) project and drivers are urged to follow detour routes. For more information, contact Ron King at (850) 932-5342.

Ernest Ward Names May Students Of The Month

June 3, 2013

Ernest  Ward Middle School has named Students of the Month for May. They are (L-R) Lari McCann, seventh grade; Austin Smith, sixth grade; and Kayleigh Linam, eighth grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Seed To Plate: Learn More About Your Home Garden

June 3, 2013

The Escambia County Extension Service will host “Seed to Plate – Healthy and Productive Home Gardents” on Thursday, June 6.

The program is for those that have a home garden but want to learn how to get more out of it. Participants will learn the basics of safe garden production and tips for home food preservation. Appropriate shoes for a garden tour should be worn.

The program will take place at the Escambia County Extension office on Stephani Road at 6 p.m. Cost is $5. Register by calling Fran Lainhart at (850) 475-5230 or emailing lainhaf@ufl.edu.

Gaetz: Nobody Knows Who Tally Politicians Are

June 3, 2013

Planning to continue touring Florida with the House speaker, Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said that most Florida residents have a disconnect with state government.

“The first thing that Tallahassee politicians probably need to reflect upon is that nobody knows who they are, nobody knows why they think they are so important,” Gaetz (pictured) said during an interview on The Florida Channel’s “Florida Face to Face” show.

“Only in Tallahassee, inside the echo chamber here where people talk to each other and think they’re hearing the voice of God, are politicians that important. When you’re in a classroom, when you’re in a children’s advocacy center, when you’re in a National Guard armory, then you find out who’s really important.”

Gaetz and Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, spent two days last week making appearances in Brooksville, Tampa, Orlando, Lakeland and Lake Wales to discuss the recent legislative session. Gaetz said he and Weatherford plan to go to every region of the state during the summer.

“It’s just two guys who get along with each other pretty well, spending time trying to find out how people are reacting to what the Legislature has done and where we need to do better,” Gaetz said.

by The News Service of Florida

Despite $3,000 Reward, No Arrests In 2011 Cow Strangulation Case

June 3, 2013

Just over two years later, there have been no arrests in what was called a surprising case of animal cruelty — the dragging and strangulation death of a pregnant cow in Enon on Memorial Day 2011 — despite reward money totaling $3,000.

The owner of the pet Jersey cow found the animal dead in a pasture just behind his house on Highway 97A  as he checked on his animals. Thin twine — often called grass string –  had been tied several times around the cow’s neck and had apparently strangled the animal as it was dragged through the pasture. The cow was found on its side, with its head upside down and its horns pushed several inches into the dirt.

Authorities suspect the death could have resulted from a prank gone wrong since school was about to end and the cow’s owner was a school bus driver.

“Viciously killing a pregnant cow for an apparent prank is an inexcusably cruel crime and anyone who would do that can be capable of hurting people, too,” said Jennifer Hobgood, Florida state director for The Humane Society of the United States.  “We hope our reward helps bring justice in this horrible case.”

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­the cow’s death. The Junior Humane Society is now offering an additional $500 reward.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.

Pictured: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene investigator photographs a pregnant cow that was apparently strangled to death in Enon on Memorial Day 2011. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.

« Previous PageNext Page »