Pine Forest Softball Drops Home Opener
February 8, 2013
The Pine Forest varsity softball team couldn’t get its bats going and struggled defensively Thursday night when the Lady Eagles lost their home opener, 14-1, to Choctawhatchee in five innings.
Junior right-hander Janessa Landas struck out three and allowed only one walk, but Choctaw’s bats were hot. The Indians connected for 15 hits, including nine for extra bases, and scored in every inning but the third. Pine Forest’s defense let Landas down, committing four errors that led to six runs.
Sophomore Rebecca Rudd went 2-for-2 with a walk and a run for Pine Forest (1-1) and is hitting .600 for the season. Landas went 1-for-2 with a walk, senior Kellie Payne had a single and junior Alexis Gardner singled and drove in the Eagles’ only run.
Pine Forest is off until Tuesday, when they play host to Gulf Breeze at 6:30 p.m.
The Lady Eagles’ junior varsity improved to 2-0 as they beat Choctaw 9-1. Sophomore Brooke Lauter pitched a complete game for the victory.
Escambia Upset Pensacola May Not Turn Over Money From Gas Tax Hike
February 8, 2013
Late last year, the Escambia County Commission approved a four cent gas tax increase in 2014 to fund ECAT public transportation. The Town of Century balked, and now it appears the City of Pensacola may not play along.
The City of Pensacola has yet to agree forward the additional four cents collected within the city to the county for ECAT. Pensacola may instead use the funds as incentives for Project Stallion, an aerospace company with 500 jobs that is considering a location at the Pensacola International Airport. Pensacola is expected to collected over $700,000 annually from the gas tax.
Thursday morning, Escambia commissioners spoke out against the plan because the gas tax was intended for public transportation.
“It was well understood that the gas tax became the earmarked funding source for mass transit,” Commissioner Gene Valentino said. “This approach is not balanced or fair, and is a last minute move the (Pensacola) administrator made us aware of.”
Valentino said Pensacola needs to head “back to the drawing board” an find another way to finance their portion of a bond issue for Project Stallion. Escambia County does, Valentino added, remain 100 percent committed to the new company.
“The county was expecting the city to agree to reduce the mill rate with this gas tax pledged to mass transit. At the Committee of the Whole meeting on February 14th, the BCC will discuss and decide how we collectively will agree to fund Project Stallion, but it’s only fair that the city find a way to do what they financially committed to, without taking from the gas tax revenue dedicated completely to mass transit,” he said.
The Town of Century has also refused to agree to remit their portion of the tax to the county, claiming it would potentially force the three gas stations in Century to close as drivers cross the state line and purchase cheaper gas in Flomaton.
Century asked the Escambia County State Legislative Delegation to support a bill exempting Century from the tax, but that idea failed because Florida law won’t allow the exemption. Century is now considered a push for a constitutional amendment to nix the tax in Century.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Cheerleaders Take Second Best In The State
February 8, 2013
The Tate High School Varsity Cheerleaders took second best in the state during the recent FHSAA State Cheerleading Competition in Kissimmee.
After competing in the preliminary round against 14 teams, Tate advanced to final four before taking the title of state runner-up. This was highest finish in the five years of competing at the FHSAA state compeition. The team trained for the event since tryouts in April 2012and began working on the competition routine in September.
The Tate Varsity Cheerleaders are coached by Andrea Howey, who has been coaching the varsity program since 2009. Members of the varsity team are: Sarah Al-Qahtani, Sarah Baxter, Lauren Chavers, Kaylee Coots, Katie Cutting, Brooke Fowler, Ashley Gozalka, Corissa Hammer, DeAnna Jernigan, Kirstyn Johnson, Jordan McGowan, Lauren McKinnon, Shelby Miller, Maranda Milstead, Alie Phillips and Brooke Vincent.
Pictured: The Tate High School Varsity cheerleaders. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 50 Years For Killing His Wife
February 8, 2013
A 51-year old Escambia County man that shot and killed his wife in October 2011 has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.
James Scott Thompson was convicted of second degree murder in December, with Judge Michael Allen handing down the half century sentence Thursday. He will be required to serve at least 25 years before being eligible for release.
Thompson shot his wife, 46-year old Bobbi Thompson, in the face during a drunken rage at their home in the 4900 block of LaVentana Circle. Deputies found Thompson leaning over his wife’s body when they arrived on scene.
National Junior Honor Society At Ernest Ward Middle Inducts New Members
February 8, 2013
Just over two dozen students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society Thursday night at Ernest Ward Middle School.
The NJHS is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle school students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character.
Students must have and maintain a 3.5 GPA for honor society membership.
New National Junior Honor Society members at Ernest Ward are: Elisabeth Amerson, Anna Belle Barberree, Alayna Brown, Dawson Brown, Korbin Bryan, Savanna Calhoun, Breanna Deloach, Jason Fischer, De’Asia Fountain, Kayla Galvan, Bailee Hinote, Madalyn Lathan, Mallory Lathan, Triston Long, Ean Lundy, Robin Nahkala, Hannah Nelson, Celeste North, Sarah Perritt, Olivia Reber, Trevor Singleton, Sabra Stewart, Destiny Watson, Jacob Weaver, Jacob White, and Tara Windham.
Ernest Ward NJHS officers are: Kayleigh Linam, president; Alyssa Borelli, vice president; Hunter Cofield, secretary; Peighton Dortch, treasurer; Mitchell Singleton, reporter; Ian Schneider, parliamentarian; and Autumn Albritton, historian.
Pictured: Just over two dozen students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society Thursday night at Ernest Ward Middle School. Photos by Sara Calhoun for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Gets 11 Years For Shooting
February 8, 2013
An Escambia County man was sentenced to almost 11 years in prison Thursday for a 2010 robbery gone wrong that ended with a murder.
Jarvis Lamar Jessie, 27, was sentenced to 10.8 years in prison for the shooting death of Donald Diego Turner, who was shot outside of his home in the 1600 block of Augusta Avenue on March 21, 2010.
Jessie pleaded no contest to manslaughter. He received the reduced sentence for testifying against co-defendant Charmdar Turner. Turner, who was convicted of second degree murder, will be sentenced next month.
Motorcyclist Injured In Hwy 29 Hit And Run Crash
February 7, 2013
One person was injured in a hit and run crash Thursday afternoon involving a motorcycle.
The accident happened about 4:10 on Highway 29 southbound at Morris Avenue in Cantonment. The motorcycle driver was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Witnesses told authorities that an older model blue station wagon with wood grain panels was involved in the crash but fled the scene. The station wagon reportedly rear-ended the motorcycle, pushing it into a pickup.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured top and inset: A motorcycle driver was injured in a hit and run crash Thursday afternoon on Highway 29 at Morris Avenue in Cantonment. Pictured below: Portions of the grill from a station wagon involved in a hit and run crash Thursday afternoon in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Highway 29 Crash
February 7, 2013
One person was injured in a single vehicle accident about 8:30 Thursday morning on Highway 29 near Barrineau Park Road. The driver of an Isuzu SUV lost control and ran off the roadway into a wooded area. The adult male was transported to a Pensacola hospital with non-life threatening injuries. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Cantonment House Fire Ruled Arson
February 7, 2013
The Florida State Fire Marshal says arson was the cause of a morning fire that heavily damaged a Cantonment home during a downpour.
A passerby saw flames on the roof and called 911 to report the fire in the 900 block of Muscogee Road, just east of Nowak Road, about 9:00 Thursday morning. The wood frame home was involved in fire when the first firefighters arrived on scene shortly after the fire was reported by a passerby. The home suffered fire, smoke and water damage throughout.
The homeowner told investigators that the home was vacant, but he was letting a vagrant stay there. That vagrant allegedly left the home unlocked, and someone else apparently entered the home and intentionally started the fire. The home suffered about $35,000 worth of damage.
There were no injuries reported.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Cantonment, Molino, McDavid, Beulah and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded the blaze, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured: Fire damaged this home on Muscogee Road in Cantonment Thursday morning as seen in these photos taken before the first fire engine arrived on scene. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
From Downpours To Rainbows
February 7, 2013
Morning downpours and clouds gave way to a rainbow in Atmore Thursday morning, as seen over Lindberg Avenue and South Main Street. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.