All Star Basketball: Escambia County’s West Beats East
March 9, 2013
It was a battle of the All-Stars as the best of the best from Escambia County on the West team battled an East Team from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties in both boys and girls basketball.
In girls action, Escambia’s best on the West team defeated the East 71-64 at Pensacola State College.
In boys action, the West, with players from Escambia County, beat the East 89-76.
Players for the West teams, with North Escambia area schools in bold, were:
West Team Boys: David Weathers, Deron Moreno, Auston Powell, and Roderick Carmichael from Pensacola High, Joe Wachob from East Hill, Grover Brown Jr., Kevontarious Williams, and Javon Williams from Washington, Maquis Cathings from Escambia, Devin Miller from West Florida, Trent Hershberges from Pensacola Christian, Shamar Johnson, Charlie Wilson, Damarcus Glover, Damarion Boggan, and Zanavion Williams from Pine Forest, Dyshun White, and Laderious Franklin from Northview, and Travis Walton from Tate .
West Team Girls: Jereaka Ephfrom, and Kierra Williams from West Florida, Jayla King, Tia Sanders, Jasmine McCants, and Latonya Miller from Pine Forest, Ali O’Brien, Alex Loomis, and Jardae Ward from Tate, Chelsey Gibson, and D’Arcy Draper from Pensacola High, Tijuana Weatherspoon, and Kim Bethea from Escambia, Shaquanna Jones, and Morgan Payne from Northview, and Phaedra Harris from Catholic.
Pine Forest’s Brown Sets School, Regional Pole Vault Record
March 9, 2013
A Pine Forest High School senior set a new school and regional pole vault record Friday. Kelly Brown set the record of 14.8 feet during a track and field meet in Pace as he aims for the number one spot in the state. Submitted images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Ernest Ward Holds Womanless Beauty Pageant
March 9, 2013
Hunter Edwards was named Junior Mr. Miss Ernest Ward Middle School in a womanless beauty pageant Friday night. First runner-up was Jacob Weaver, and second runner-up was Luke Ward. Edwards also received the audience vote People’s Choice Award.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Proceeds from the even will benefit the school’s cheerleaders.
Pictured top: Luke Ward and and Hunter Edwards (right) compete in a womanless beauty pageant Friday night at Ernest Ward Middle School. Pictured left inset: Hunter Edwards was crowned Junior Mr. Miss Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Second Arrest Made In Cantonment Murder
March 8, 2013
A second arrest has been made in connection with a deadly drug-related home invasion late last year in Cantonment.
D’Montrey Antuan James, age 24 of Cantonment, was arrested overnight and is being held without bond in the Escambia County Jail on a charge of homicide. James and 32-year old Robert Dale Purifoy of Cantonment, who was arrested earlier this week, are accused of the murder of Amber Tricona Johnson.
Johnson, 22, who was shot and killed during an exchange of gunfire during a home invasion on Stefani Circle. Johnson was found dead inside the home from an apparent gunshot wound.
An undisclosed amount of money and a “significant” quantity of marijuana was found at the scene, leading investigators to believe that robbery was a motive
Deputies: Convicted Felons Fight Over Gun, Chickens
March 8, 2013
Two convicted felons from Century are facing charges after allegedly fighting over a gun and chickens.
Timothy Dewade Calhoun, 38, and Alexander Dumas Lett, 55, were both charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and battery following the incident.
Lett allegedly accused Calhoun’s son of stealing chickens from him.. Lett told deputies that Calhoun snatched him out of his vehicle and “stomped on him”. Lett admitted to having a .22 rifle in his vehicle, but he denied pulling it on Calhoun or his son. Lett was transported to Jay hospital for injuries to his ear and head.
The son told deputies that Lett did pull the gun and threatened to beat him and Calhoun. Calhoun said Lett accused his son of stealing chickens from him, and Lett reached for the rifle. Calhoun told deputies that a struggle followed, with Calhoun taking possession of the gun and driving to the Sheriff’s precinct in Century with the weapon.
Calhoun was released from the Escambia County Jail on $8,000 bond. Lett, booked into jail Thursday night, was being held without bond.
Northview’s Chiefs, Tate’s Carroll Honored During PSA Awards Banquet
March 8, 2013
The Northview Chiefs state championship football team and Tate High School’s Chase Carroll were among those honored Thursday night during the annual Pensacola Sports Association Awards Banquet at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front.
Taking home the top awards of the evening were Olympic Athlete of the Year Justin Gatlin, Professional Athlete of the Year Alfred Morris, and Amateur Athlete of the Year Chelsea Palmer. Additionally, Trent Richardson received a Special Recognition Award.
Being inducted into the PSA Hall of Fame are Kevin Saucier (So-Shay), Charlie Hendley, and Adrian Stills. Suacier, a graduate of Escambia High School, has spent his career playing (pitcher) and scouting talent for Major League Baseball. He also won a World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980. Hendley was the head golf pro for the Pensacola Country Club for 38 years. Stills, head golf pro at the City of Pensacola’s Osceola Golf Course, is the last black player to earn his PGA Tour Card at Tour Qualifying School and is a new member of the PGA Tour Black Hall of Fame.
The Northview Chiefs were honored as Escambia County’s only state championship football team of 2012, with the Chiefs bringing home the 2012 Florida High School Athletic Association 1A title. Tate’s Chase Carroll was recognized as the Class 2A Boys weightlifting state champion.
Zach Price, Tate graduate, was honored for being the West Point Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Guest speaker for the event was New Orleans Saints starting defensive end Cameron Jordan. The Minneapolis, MN, native played his college career at California before being selected by the Saints in the first round, 24th overall, of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Pictured: Chase Carroll with Trent Richardson. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NHS NJROTC Takes Part In Auburn Drill Meet
March 8, 2013
Northview High School’s NJROTC recently competed in a drill meet at Auburn University, finishing fourth overall against 12 schools from Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana.
The unit competed in multiple events which included a personnel inspection, academic test, basic drill and physical fitness.
“The outstanding results by the unit was the culmination of a lot of hard work over the past several weeks by each cadet that competed. The competition is always tough at these meets but the cadets were focused and determined to succeed. As always they were great representatives of Northview and the community,” said Charlie C. Code, Capt USN (ret), Northview instructor.
The unit also toured the Auburn campus and the nearby Tuskegee Airman Museum.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Info On Credit Card Theft Suspects
March 8, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking to identify two people believed to be involved in a credit card theft.
The Sheriff’s Office said the credit card theft occurred February 15 at the Chick-fil-A on Nine Mile Road. The male and female seen in photos released Thursday are believed to have used the credit card to make purchases at Target on Nine Mile Road.
Scott Focused On Teacher Raises, Mfg. Tax Cut, No Medicaid Expansion
March 8, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott may not put up much of a fight during the legislative session for the federal expansion of Medicaid that he recently announced he favors.
At least that is what he implies. The governor said Thursday his focus this session will remain his call for $2,500 pay raises for teachers and for the elimination of sales taxes on the purchase of equipment by manufacturers.
Scott returned to those two items when repeatedly asked about opposition to the Medicaid expansion from House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, and a Republican-dominated House committee that’s strongly rejecting his proposal to accept a three-year expansion of the health care program under the Affordable Care Act.
“I’m focused on the $2,500 pay raise, I’m focused on getting rid of the sales tax because I know the most important thing for our families are jobs and education,” Scott said as he was questioned on Thursday on whether he would let the legislators work on the Medicaid proposal or push hard for his stance that he stunned supporters with on Feb. 20.
“I let everybody know my position with regard to Medicaid expansion. My position I think it is the right position for Florida families,” Scott said. “Now the legislative process is just starting. Hopefully they’ll do the right thing.”
Opponent of Scott’s proposal, including Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Attorney General Pam Bondi, say that once Medicaid is expanded to include residents up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line, the state would be unable to back away from that position after three years.
Scott said he has discussed his position with members of the Senate Select Committee on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, whose support is needed to keep the proposal alive in the Legislature.
By The News Service of Florida
Narrow Road: Minor School Bus Accident Near Barrineau Park
March 7, 2013
There were no injuries in a minor accident involving a school bus and a truck this morning on Barrineau Park Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the mirrors on a Chevrolet truck and a 2011 school bus collided. The FHP said the truck, driven by 50-year old James Anderson of Molino, and the school bus, driven by 50-year old Brenda Masaitis of McDavid, were both wider than the travel lanes. Neither driver was cited for the crash.
There were students on board the bus at the time, but there were no injures. Each vehicle sustained about $100 in damage.