Photos: Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church ‘Eggstravaganza’
March 31, 2013
Dozens of area children took part in the annual “Eggstravaganza” Saturday at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia.
The children played Easter egg bingo, jumped in a bounce house, dined on cupcakes and hunted hundreds of eggs. Two lucky children found prize eggs that won them a new bicycle.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Do you have photos of an event at your church? Email them news@northescambia.com
Submitted photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Scott Campaign Gets To Work
March 31, 2013
Former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist has received plenty of attention as he ponders another run for governor as a newly minted Democrat.
But the current occupant of the governor’s mansion, Republican Rick Scott, is leaving little question that Crist should be ready for a tough campaign. Scott this week signaled that a major line of attack would juxtapose his economic leadership to Crist’s tenure, when the nation tumbled into a recession that caused widespread job losses.
“We’re going to show that there’s a stunning contrast (between) the economy I inherited and the economy today,” Scott said Tuesday.
He also added: “In the four years before I became governor, the state had lost 832,000 jobs, unemployment tripled from 3.5 to 11.1 percent, state debt had increased by over $5 billion, and, you know the housing market collapsed.”
Is it fair to pin all of that on Crist? Nah, probably not.
But here’s one translation: Scott will not be Jim Davis, the Democrat who Crist steamrolled during the 2006 gubernatorial race.
Need more evidence? Scott this week jumped on Crist after the release of an inspector general’s report about Digital Domain Media Group, a company that received $20 million from Florida in 2009 but later failed. Scott tried to tie Crist to the deal.
“This Inspector General report shows two things – first, our current economic project vetting process is in place for a reason, and second, that process was clearly circumvented by the previous administration for the Digital Domain deal,” Scott said in a release.
Despite all the media attention and a stream of pre-emptive Republican Party attacks, Crist has not formally announced he will run next year. And even if he does, 2010 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Alex Sink has indicated she is thinking about entering the race, and former Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich has been trying to build support for months.
Rumors also surfaced that Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson might take on Scott. But Nelson, who was in Tallahassee on Wednesday, said he doesn’t have plans to run for governor.
At this stage, Crist appears far more popular than Scott. A Quinnipiac University poll this month gave Crist an edge of 50 percent to 34 percent in a head-to-head matchup.
A group that is a fund-raising arm for Scott began running the campaign’s first ad this week on the Internet. Scott also has taken steps to try to shore up his popularity, such as calling for $2,500 raises for teachers and objecting to college tuition increases.
But Democrats appear ready to portray Scott as a Johnny-come-lately to such issues. The Florida Democratic Party website touts Scott’s “state of denial” and says he is “running away from everything he campaigned on to get reelected.”
THE PARTY’S OVER
Crist might be persona non grata with many Republican leaders. But for months, they probably shared a hope that former party Chairman Jim Greer would head off quietly into Florida political history.
It remains to be seen whether Greer will stay quiet. But a judge this week sentenced Greer to 18 months in prison after he pleaded guilty in a scheme that involved creating a fund-raising company and steering party business to it.
Crist installed Greer as GOP chairman, but a trial threatened to expose a pile of dirty laundry about the party. Greer argued before pleading guilty that he was being punished for his support of Crist, who split from the party to run in 2010 as an independent for U.S. Senate.
Greer’s attorney, Damon Chase, contended that the former chairman should get a short sentence and that he was being punished because of who he was and the high-profile nature of the case.
“If this weren’t Jim Greer, this would be probation,” Chase told Circuit Judge Marc Lubet before the sentencing. “Mr. Greer wants to move on, he wants to make amends, he is contrite for everything that occurred.”
Prosecutors sought a longer term for Greer, but Lubet handed down the 18-month sentence because he noted that Greer had paid $65,000 in restitution and because his former partner in the fund-raising company wasn’t prosecuted. The former partner, Delmar Johnson, served as executive director the party and later wore a wire to help prosecutors make the case against Greer.
“A court has responsibility to see that there’s justice whenever it sentences, tempered with some sort of mercy if that mercy is deserved,” Lubet told Greer at the sentencing in Orlando. He added that Greer, who had no prior criminal history, had “egregiously violated a position of trust for your employers.”
MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE TALL BUILDING ON THE HILL …
Lawmakers had a short week, breaking for Passover on Monday and Tuesday and Good Friday on, well, a beautiful Friday.
But back in the warrens of offices, House and Senate appropriations staffers finished drawing up budget proposals that reflected the brighter economy. As examples, lawmakers could tell folks at home about plans to pump an additional $1 billion or more into schools and give raises to teachers.
Lawmakers also crammed in committee meetings Wednesday and Thursday, as bills spun through on issues such as revamping the state retirement system and allowing designated employees to carry guns at school.
Maybe the most-popular move this week, however, was a final vote on repealing a 2012 law that caused confusion among international visitors to the state — especially the Canadian snowbirds who load up their cars and head south during the winter.
The 2012 law called for foreign visitors to get what are known as international diving permits before leaving their home countries. Those permits would be in addition to regular driver’s licenses, with the requirement designed to help Florida law-enforcement officers sort out traffic incidents.
But the Senate, following an earlier move by the House, voted unanimously this week to repeal the law because of the consternation it caused. Gov. Rick Scott is expected to quickly sign the repeal, which Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said is designed to make sure foreign visitors know the “welcome mat” is out.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Former Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer was sentenced to 18 months in prison after he pleaded guilty in a scheme that involved creating a company and steering party business to it.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “As we all come back from Passover and Easter, that’s when – as President Lee said – the smell of death will be in the air, because bills will begin to die that haven’t been heard.”— Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, referring to former President Tom Lee and the hopes of numerous lobbyists and interest groups watching their bills wither.
By The News Service of Florida
Camp Fire Century Accepting Pre-K Registrations Now
March 31, 2013
The Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center is now enrolling children for the 2013-14 school year Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program.
To be registered for the VPK program, a child must be 4-year old before September 1, 2013. The program is free for children with parents that are Florida residents. Children of Alabama residents are accepted, but the program is not free to Alabama families.
For more information, contact Pamila Townson, director of the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center, at (850) 256-0953.
Birth: Ayden James Chancery
March 31, 2013
Baby Ayden James Chancery was born Friday, March 22, 2013 at 1:10 p.m., just two day’s before his father’s 21st birthday. The son of Aaron and Britany Chancery, Ayden was 7-pounds, 15.5-ounces and 20 inches long,
He is the brother of Riley Chancery and the grandson of Richard and Lisa Chancery and Loretta Floyd.
22nd Annual Century Sawmill Pageant Winners
March 31, 2013
The 22nd Annual Century Sawmill Pageant was held recently in Century.
The event included pageants for numerous age groups for beauty, casual wear, and most photogenic. Over 70 girls participated in the Century Lions Club fund raiser. All proceeds benefit needy children in the Tri-County area.
Winners for each age category are detailed under each photograph below:
Tiny Baby Miss Winners (L-R) Miss Photogenic – Adahline Grayce Burks; 2nd – Katelyn Mathis; Queen – Alydia Renea Sutton; 1st-Aniyah Michelle Campbell; 3rd — Aubrey La-shae Barnhill. Not shown: Casual Queen Winner – Kaitlyn Kelly.
Toddler Miss Winners: (L-R) 1st – Addyson Alizabeth Wilson; Queen-Carly Pritchett; 3rd – Sarah Alexis Blackbuen; 2nd and Miss Photogenic – Jadyn Alyssa Gresham. Not shown: Casual Queen Winner – Peyton Shailee Lee.
Little Miss Winners: (L-R) 3rd – Shylah Leigh Campbell; 2nd – Baleigh Lincoln; Queen & Most Tickets Sold – Emilee Grace Braswell; 1st & Casual Queen – Lanie Kate Stephens; Most Photogenic – Sophia Adkins.
Young Miss Winners: (L-R) 3rd – Juliana Brooke Gresham; 2nd – Kelsi Wright; Queen & Casual Queen – Andrea Grace LaSala; 1st & Most Photogenic – Aliyah Lynn Neal.
Junior Miss Winners: (L-R) 2nd – Emma Breanna Barrow; Queen and Most Photogenic – Anna Marie Reaves; 1st – Nala Hunter; 3rd and Casual Queen – Renee Flower.
Pre-Teen Miss: (L-R) 3rd and Miss Photogenic – Carly Leanne Sanders; Queen and Casual Queen – Ansley Brooke LaSala; 2nd – Gabrielle Lynn Patterson; 1st – Skylar Crawford.
Miss Winners: (L-R) 1st – Kassidy Lynne Adams; Queen, Casual Queen and Most Photogenic – Alayna Nicole Gordon; 2nd – Brittanie Grace Johnson; 3rd – Heather Alyssa Hilton.
Submitted photos by “Photos By Fisher” for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Injured In Early Morning Wreck Near Century
March 30, 2013
One person was injured in a single motorcycle accident early Saturday morning near Century.
The accident was reported about 12:50 a.m. on Elsie Davis Road near Tedder Road.
Shawn Barrow, 34, was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola following the crash. Barrow was listed in stable condition. Further details have not been released; the accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County EMS also responded to the accident.
Farm Services Agency Wants Move To Central Location In Jay
March 30, 2013
Back in November, the USDA Farm Service Agency in Molino was closed, meaning a 50 to 55 mile trip for some Escambia County producers to the next nearest FSA office in Milton.
Now, the FSA wants to move the Milton FSA office to Jay to better serve agricultural producers in both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
“With the majority of the farming in both Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties located in the northern portion of the counties, moving the FSA Office to Jay will reduce the travel time for the producers in both counties by approximately 25 miles as Jay is centrally located between the Escambia and the Santa Rosa farming community,” Florida FSA State Executive Director Tim Manning said.
Friday, Manning and a group of producers from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties met with Congressman Jeff Miller to express their desire to move the FSA office to Jay.
Manning said the search is already on for space to renovate or a place to build new space for an FSA office in Jay. Anyone interested in bidding on the space should contact Travis Kelley, Santa Rosa County executive director at (850) 623-5441 or (800) 243-9912 and choose option 5.
Pictured top: Congressman Jeff Miller (right) listens to concerned agricultural producers Friday. Pictured below: A group of producers met to discuss moving the Santa Rosa FSA Office, which also serves Escambia County, to Jay. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Stabbed In Century; Search Underway For Suspect
March 30, 2013
A man in was stabbed Friday afternoon in Century.
EMS responded to a stabbing victim at a trailer park in the 9500 block of Ivey Street about 1:30 p.m. Bystanders said the victim was stabbed elsewhere and taken to that location. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 40-year old Alfreco Lett was stabbed in the shoulder near Salter’s Lake Road and Bonwell Street. Lett, investigators said, was able to summon help from acquaintances who then drove him to a family member’s home on Ivey Street.
The man was transported by ambulance as a “trauma alert” from the scene to the Century EMS post and then by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The Sheriff’s Office said his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.
Investigators have developed a suspect in the case, the Sheriff’s Office said, but no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information on the stabbing is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured top: The victim was airlifted from the Escambia County EMS Post on Industrial Boulevard in Century. Pictured below: EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the stabbing call at this trailer park on Ivey Street. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Critical Need For Blood Donations
March 30, 2013
There is an urgent need for O-negative blood donations, according to Northwest Florida Blood Services, due to an increase in the blood transfusions in area hospitals.
O-negative blood donors can answer the call for help as universal donors, meaning any patient can receive it regardless of the recipient’s blood type. Trauma patients, premature babies and those undergoing emergency surgery rely on O-negative type blood which currently at a critical level entering this holiday weekend.
The blood center is appealing for donors of any blood type to give the give of life now. For donor center and Bloodmobile locations, click here.
Search Continues For Missing, Endangered Man
March 30, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is once again appealing to the public for help in finding a man considered missing and endangered.
Ellis Robinson, 22, was last seen March 22 in the 100 block of South 2nd Street and has been without needed medication since this time. He was last seen wearing a blue and white striped shirt, blue jeans and black and white striped shoes. He has brown eyes, is about 5-feet, 8-inches tall, and weighs about 220 pounds.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or (850) 436-9199.