Two Suspects Shot By Police In Pensacola
December 6, 2012
Two burglary suspects were shot and are hospitalized after they tried to run over Pensacola Police officers Thursday afternoon.
The incident was reported around 12:44 p.m. in the 600 block of Whitney Drive.
Pensacola Police Officers were on patrol and noticed two suspicious males at the front door of a house in the 600 block of Whitney Drive. Police Chief Chip Simmons said officers got out to investigate and told the men to stop, but the suspects ignored officers, got into a vehicle and sped toward the officers.
Officers then fired at the vehicle. The men fled the area in the vehicle, which was found abandoned a short time later at Fox Road and Woodbine Drive. Simmons said the vehicle had been reported as stolen to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspects were captured a couple blocks away with the assistance of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Both of the suspects suffered gunshot wounds and were taken to area hospitals, Simmons said.
An investigation continues into the incident. In addition, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will conduct an investigation on the officer involved shootings, which is standard
procedure. It is not known how long that will take, Simmons said.
Simmons said officers were patrolling the area Thursday afternoon in response to a rash of recent residential burglaries. Since Novemeber 27, there have been 21 reported residential burglaries within city limits, nine of which occurred within the area of Bayou Boulevard and 12th Avenue.
Pictured top and inset: Pensacola Police opened fire into the back of this vehicle after two burglary suspects tried to run over officers Thursday afternoon. Bullet holes can be seen in the body of the vehicle just above the tag. Pictured below: The incident originated here on Whitney Drive. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lawyer Says Nativity Was Illegal; Century Declares Nativity Scene Surplus
December 6, 2012
The Town of Century has declared their nativity scene as surplus property and will sell it to the highest bidder, months after an attorney for a Wisconsin group that represents agnostics and atheists sent letters to the town claiming that a nativity display on public property is illegal.
A nativity scene had been displayed in front of the Century Town Hall for several years. It was displayed for a just a few days during the 2011 Christmas season, but was removed because it was basically falling apart due to age.
In a July 17, 2012, NorthEscambia.com story about the Century Town Council’s wish to purchase new Christmas decorations, Century Town Council President Ann Brooks was quoted as saying “I believe we all want a manger scene”. Three days later, as a result of that story, Andrew Seidel, a staff attorney for the Freedom from Religion Foundation, fired off a letter and fax to Brooks objecting to a nativity scene on public property.
“We can assure you that not all Century residents want a manger scene,” Seidel wrote. “A local resident brought this news story to our attention in hopes that we would halt an imminent First Amendment violation.”
Seidel claimed that a display consisting solely of a nativity scene, “depicting the mythical birth of the Christian god [sic]“, endorses a single religion and is thus illegal according to the Supreme Court.
“There are ample private and church grounds were religious displays may be freely placed,” Seidel wrote. “Once the council enters into the religion business, conferring endorsement and preference for one religion over others, it strikes a blow at religious liberty, forcing taxpayers of all faiths and of no religion to support a particular expression of worship.”
Following their July meeting, the Century Council moved forward in purchasing wreaths to adorn utility poles along Highway 29, but a nativity scene was never purchased. The town also, for some number of months, did not respond to the Freedom from Religion Foundation’s letters and faxes.
Matt Dannheisser, the town’s attorney, advised the town that they could allow private entities to erect holiday displays the town hall in exercise of their First Amendment freedom of speech rights. Alternatively, Dannheisser said the town should include “traditional holiday symbols” such a Menorah and Christmas tree with a “secular message” such as “Peace of Earth, Goodwill Towards Men”.
A town official said selling the nativity scene as surplus property to the highest bidder really was not a response to the Freedom from Religion Foundation’s assertions, but was due solely to the aging condition of the manger scene set making it unsuitable for public display.
Pictured: Some of the Town of Century’s Christmas decorations on display at the Nadine McCaw Park on Highway 29. The aging decorations were donated by Pensacola several years ago. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt, Walnut Hill, Byrneville, Century Cheer On Their Chiefs (With Gallery)
December 6, 2012
Hundreds of students and residents cheered on the Northview Chiefs Wednesday afternoon as they departed for the Class 1A state football championship in Orlando’s Citrus Bowl Friday night.
After the Chiefs charter bus departed Northview High School, the bus — complete with a law enforcement escort — traveled passed cheering kids at Bratt Elementary, looped through Ernest Ward Middle, detoured by Byrneville Elementary and was met by dozens of people along the streets in Century — including a large groups from Century Correctional Institution and the Town of Century.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Fans cheer on the Northview Chiefs Wednesday afternoon at Byrneville Elementary (top), Ernest Ward Middle (inset), Bratt Elementary (below) and Century (bottom). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Trio Busted With Meth Lab In Jay
December 6, 2012
Three people were jailed after deputies busted a meth lab in Jay.
Keith Wayne Church, 44, Stanley Guy Prothro, 44 and 35-year old Sabrina Dawn Neufeldt were each charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of felony drug paraphernalia and possession of listed chemicals. They were booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail with bond set at $165,000 each.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit received an anonymous tip that the trio was making meth at 5131 Neal Jones Road in Jay. When deputies arrived, deputies found the trio with a meth lab and materials inside a shed behind a residence, and they also found 208 grams of meth oil.
Hundreds Cheer On The Chiefs As They Depart (With Photo Gallery)
December 6, 2012
Fans across the area turned out to support the state champion hopeful Northview Chiefs as they departed this afternoon.
Hundreds of students cheered on the Chiefs as they loaded up a charter bus at Northview, and also at Bratt Elementary, Byrneville Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle schools. Fans also lined the roadways across the area to wish the Chiefs good luck in Friday night’s Class 1A state championship game in Orlando’s Citrus Bowl. [Read more...]
Thursday morning, NorthEscambia.com will post a complete photo gallery with photos from Northview, Bratt, Byrneville, Ernest Ward and across the area as the Chiefs passed by.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Damages T Street Furniture, Antique Business
December 6, 2012
Fire heavily damaged a furniture and antiques business on T Street in Pensacola Wednesday night.
Firefighters fought the blaze, saying that furniture and items inside the building hampered their efforts. The fire apparently started in a building primarily used for storage adjacent to the main building.
The exact cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge
Inside The Trenton Tigers
December 6, 2012
The Northview Chiefs will face the Trenton High School Tigers in the Class 1A state football championship game Friday in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
Today, NorthEscambia.com is taking an in depth look inside the Trenton Tigers. Friday, we’ll do the same for the Chiefs.
TRENTON HIGH SCHOOL
Mascot: Tigers
School Colors: Black and Orange
2012 Enrollment: 304
HEAD COACH ANDREW THOMAS
Head Coach: Andrew Thomas, 35
College Alma Mater: Florida State, 2000
High School Alma Mater: Dixie County High, 1995, Cross City, FL
Varsity Record at Trenton: 21-1
Seasons at Trenton: 2
Overall Career record: 21-1 in two seasons
Year By Year Record As Varsity Head Coach:
–2011, 11-1
–2012, 11-0 (to date)
TEAM ROSTER
Trenton will dress out up to 33 players Friday night. Seven players were moved up from junior varsity to varsity for the state series — including three eighth graders and one seventh grader.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Cedric Stokes- RB/S-leading rusher, interest from small school at this time
- Stephen Smith QB – leading in total offense
- Breon Sims DT/FB – top defensive lineman
- Hunter Parrish OLB/WB – leading tackler, sacks, interest from Lagrange and other small schools
- Jonathan Smith DB – three year starter in secondary, interest from Coast Guard, Citidal
- Tyler Sauls OG/DL – top lineman
FINAL REGULAR SEASON STATS
Points Scored 487, Opponents 132
Total First Downs 142, Opponents 81
Rushing Attempts 414, Opponents 327
Net Yards Rushing 4006, Opponents 975
Net Yards Passing 721, Opponents 910
Total Offensive Yards 4724 on 484 plays, Opponents 1885 yards on 441 plays
Total Fumbles 17, Opponents 26
Punt Returns 4 for 113 yards
Kickoff Returns 19 for 373 yards
Interceptions Made 5
Fumble Returns 15
Quarterback Sacks Made 32
Quarterback Sacks Allowed 1
STARTING OFFENSE
WB 2 Hunter Parrish 6-0 175 Sr.
LT 71 Steven Bass 5-10 200 Jr.
LG 52 Clint Lee 5-10 175 Sr.
C 73 Anthony Milito 5-6 240 So.
RG 50 Tyler Sauls 6-0 205 Jr.
RT 72 Brandon Lovelace 6-2 210 So.
TE 33 Brooks Parrish 6-1 150 So.
QB 1 Stephen Smith 5-10 160 Jr.
HB 4 Cedric Stokes 5-9 175 Sr.
FB 3 Melvin Adams 5-10 185 Jr.
FL 5 Hamp Cheevers 5-10 140 So.
STARTING DEFENSE
LE 21 Kade Rogers 5-10 170 Fr. 33
LT 30 Breon Sims 5-10 250 Sr. 3
RT 50 Tyler Sauls 6-0 205 Jr. 73
RE 72 Brandon Lovelace 6-2 210 Fr. 71
LB 2 Hunter Parrish 6-0 175 Sr.
LB 10 Jacquez Powell 5-7 180 Jr. 64
LB 55 Jacob Gamble 5-11 165 So
DB 20 Torrez Brown 5-5 155 Sr. 16
DB 5 Hamp Cheevers 5-10 140 Fr. 1
DB 7 Jonathan Smith 5-11 170 Sr. 12
S 4 Cedric Stokes 5-9 175 Sr.
SPECIALISTS
Kickoffs: Breon Sims and Michael Smith
PAT Kicker: Michael Smith
Short-Distance FG Kicker: Michael Smith
Long-Distance FG Kicker:
Long Snapper: Hunter Parrish and Breon Sims
Holder: Stephen Smith
Punter: Michael Smith
Girls Weightlifting: NHS Powers Past Jay Royals
December 6, 2012
Northview outlifted Jay in a girls weightlifting meet in Jay on Tuesday. Northview placed first with 71 points while Jay was second with 17 points.
Combined individual Northview scores for bench press and clean and jerk were as follows:
101
1st –Jadlyn Agerton –Northview 140
2nd -Kasie Braun –Northview 125
110
1st-Madison Arrington –Northview 160
2nd –Mariah Albritton- Northview 160
3rd – M. Stewart –Jay 150
119
1st-Hannah Fiellin –Northview 175
2nd –Katelyn Calloway- Northview 160
3rd – B. Gilman –Jay 140
129
1st-Ashlynn Geck–Jay 180
2nd-Ashley Mooney-Northview 175
3rd-Courtney Weaver- Northview 165
139
1st- Misty Doran-Northview 220
2nd- Hannah Gibson–Northview 215
3rd- Shelby–Jay 175
154
1st- Taylor Roberson –Northview 205
2nd-Shelley Mothershed –Northview 205
3rd- Katelyn W.-Jay 195
169
1st-Liza Eddings –Jay 195
2nd-Olivia Neal – Northview 195
3rd –Samantha B. –Jay 180
183
1st- Sonya Dixon –Northview 215
2nd- Haylee Weaver –Northview 195
3rd –Sydney Lowery –Jay 185
199
1st –McKenzie Nassar-Northview 215
2nd -Iyanna Davidson –Northview 190
3rd –Sonny Gilmore –Jay 180
Unlimited
1st- Te’Andrie Knight –Northview 240
2nd- Ashlyn McCall –Northview 215
Pictured: Northview outlifted Jay in girls weightlifting meet in Jay on Tuesday. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Universities Will Freeze Tuition For More State Money
December 6, 2012
University presidents pledged Wednesday not to increase tuition next year if the Legislature agrees to plow another $118 million into the State University System’s budget.
But leaders at the University of Florida and Florida State University would not pledge to stop pushing for legislation that would allow them to increase tuition by virtually unlimited amounts.
The “Aim Higher” initiative, unveiled at a press conference in the Capitol including most of the presidents and student body leaders of the state’s 12 universities, enters into a growing debate over how to fund higher education in Florida.
According to the university system, $118 million would equate to a tuition increase of 15 percent, the maximum the schools are allowed to ask for under the state’s differential tuition law.
Several universities had used that law in recent years to offset deep state cuts in higher education funding, though the consensus over the size of those tuition increases cracked last summer under pressure from Gov. Rick Scott.
“With an investment provided for our students, we promise not to seek one penny of a tuition increase this year,” said University of West Florida President Judy Bense.
The new funding should be tied to performance measures, the university presidents said, lining up with the premium that some legislative leaders have placed on education accountability.
And Senate Appropriations Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, told reporters Wednesday that he would like to shift additional funding from health care into education areas, potentially allowing the university system to compete with top-notch public schools like the University of North Carolina, the University of Virginia, the University of Texas, the University of Michigan, and the University of California, Berkeley.
“That’s not entirely a function of money, but it is significantly a function of money,” Negron said.
Scott issued a statement praising the universities for focusing on the concept of “value” in higher education, but notably did not specifically mention the universities’ request for additional funding.
“We are pleased to share this important goal with many of Florida’s finest higher education leaders who are committed to holding the line on tuition,” Scott said. “We look forward to working closely with them as we put together a proposed budget and other policies for the upcoming legislative session.”
But the leaders of FSU and Florida dismissed questions dealing with whether they would continue to seek “preeminent university” legislation, vetoed by Scott last year, allowing schools that meet certain standards to raise tuition by virtually unlimited amounts.
“It’s a different topic,” said FSU President Eric Barron. “We need to have preeminent universities. We need to have those metrics and support that allow universities to be preeminent.”
And Bernie Machen, president at the University of Florida, stressed the standards that were part of that bill as the key benefit.
“The tuition aspect of it was simply one mechanism that could be used to receive new resources,” Machen said. “This is part of that whole plan. You’ve got to take a much longer view of where we’re going with the university system than just focusing on one year’s tuition issue.”
By The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: University of West Florida President Judy Bense at a Capitol press conference Wednesday in Tallahassee. Image courtesy The News Service of Florida for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: A Chiefs Breakfast
December 5, 2012
The Northview Chiefs enjoyed a hearty breakfast Wednesday morning as they prepare for Friday night’s state semifinal game against Liberty County.
The breakfast included cheese grits, sausage, biscuits and juice. The varsity football players and coaches, varsity cheerleaders, Tribal Beat Band, dance team, NJROTC color guard, and their sponsors and coaches were invited to the breakfast.
The breakfast was sponsored by the Beta Club, Interact Club, Rho Kappa, Town of Century, Panhandle Restaurant, Pat Forehand, Connie Chamberlin, Sandy Sansing,, Dwight and Sue Hopkins, Century Masonic Lodge, Shriners Lodge of Pensacola, Jacky Cunningham, Lunchroom Ladies, Squeegee Stitch Graphix, Kathy Byars, Vicki Godwin, Gerryuee Pippins, Gayle Weaver and the Northview Quarterback Club.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
