Escambia 4-Year Old VPK Registration Begins Monday
March 1, 2013
Registration for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Program for 4-year olds begins Monday at area elementary schools, including Bratt, Molino Park and Jim Allen.
Registration will continue through March 15 selected Title I schools: Bratt, Ensley, Lincoln Park, Molino Park, Monclair, McMillan (Wies), Oakcrest, Semmes, and West Pensacola. Children who live in these Title I attendance zones will given priority for enrollment.
Registration will also take place at the Global Learning Academy, Jim Allen and Warrington; however, only children in the attendance zones of these schools may apply.
For complete information, including required documentation, click here (pdf). For more information, call (850) 595-6915, ext. 224 or 227.
Molino Man Shot After Driving Into Cantonment House Pleads No Contest
March 1, 2013
A Molino man that was shot multiple times after driving his vehicle into a house in Cantonment last summer has pleaded no contest to the charges against him.
John Alex Godwin, age 35 of Molino Road, will be sentenced in late March on charges of burglary, and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
During the predawn hours of July 13, 2012, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Godwin crashed his car into the home of 25-year old Heather McKamey of Cantonment. The car literally pushed in the front door, door frame and surrounding bricks.
Godwin was then shot by 25-year old Andrew Lundy of Cantonment. Lundy was not charged.
Godwin reportedly suffered multiple gunshot woulds and was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Warrants were prepared for his arrest pending his release from the hospital.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Godwin was McKamey’s ex-boyfriend. She has unsuccessfully tried to get a restraining order against him in Escambia County back in June after a domestic violence incident between the pair in Mississippi.
According to a Gulfport Police Department incident report, Godwin was dating McKamey when he allegedly assaulted her on I-10 in Mississippi at the 33 mile marker by grabbing her hair and throwing her to the ground. She suffered minor lacerations to her hand during the incident, according to the report.
Pictured: John Alex Godwin was shot early the morning of July 13, 2012, after driving his car into this house in the 900 block of Jacks Branch Road in Cantonment. Deputies say the incident was a domestic violence incident. File photos courtesy WEAR for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Varsity Beats Freeport; JV Falls
March 1, 2013
The Northview Chiefs hosted Freeport Thursday.
Freeport 3, Northview 1 (JV)
In junior varsity action, the Northview Chiefs fell to Freeport Thursday, 3-1. Brett Weeks pitched a complete game for NHS.The JV Chiefs will be in action Tuesday, March 5 at 4:00 at Escambia Academy in Canoe, Ala.
Northview 9, Freeport 1
The Northview Chiefs beat Freeport 9-1 in varsity action Thursday night in Bratt. Daulton Tullis pitched a complete game, giving up three hits and two walks while striking out eight Freeport batters. Winston Riley went 2 for 3 with a walk and 4 RBI’s. The Chiefs will make the short road trip to Canoe, Ala., to take on Escambia Academy next Tuesday. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
File photo, click to enlarge.
Poarch Creek Indians Donate $2 Million To Area Schools
March 1, 2013
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians donated more than $2 million to four school in Escambia County, Florida, along with schools from Escambia, Monroe and Baldwin counties in Alabama.
The donations made this afternoon are part of the tribe’s 2013 Planned Giving Campaign.
Over a quarter million dollars was donated to North Escambia schools as follows:
- Bratt Elementary School: $82,213.90
- Byrneville Elementary School: $54,64721
- Ernest Ward Middle School: $58,000
- Northview High School: $56,594.66
“We are very thankful,” Bratt Elementary School Principal Karen Hall said. “This will allow us to do a cultural heritage project with out students.” Bratt will use their grant to purchase computers and cameras, with students researching their cultural background and presenting the results during a parent’s night in May.
Byrneville Elementary school will use their grant for technology items, while Ernest Ward Middle School will purchase a copier and netbooks to be used for computer-based testing. Northview High School will purchase two digital copiers with finishers, laptops and projector mounts.
“Our Tribal members, our employees and our neighbors send their children to these schools,” said PCI Tribal Chairman Buford L. Rolin. “”I can think of no better investment in the future than to make sure budget cuts don’t limit our children’s opportunities or their dreams or in any way.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Donations were made to Alabama schools as follows:
Baldwin County
- Baldwin County High School – $66,743.68
- Bay Minette Intermediate School – $15,000
- Perdido Elementary School – $90,000
Escambia County
- A.C. Moore Elementary School – $62,550
- Atmore Christian School – $20,000
- Escambia Academy – $138,621.50
- Escambia County High School – $128,465.02
- Escambia County Middle School – $135,000
- Flomaton Elementary School – $75,063.30
- Flomaton High School – $117,396.86
- Huxford Elementary School – $250,406.20
- Jefferson Davis Community College – $500,000
- Rachel Patterson Elementary School – $117,134.75
Monroe County
- J.U. Blacksher School – $114,173
During 2011 and 2012, the tribe donated more than $3 million to Alabama schools. Tribe officials said the grants were planned well before the recent lawsuit filed by Attorney General Luther Strange’s lawsuit that seeks to shut down the Wind Creek Casino. Strange claims the machines used by the casino are illegal, but PCI says the machines are legal under federal law.
Pictured top: The Poarch Band of Creek Indians donated over a quarter million of a million dollars to North Escambia schools Thursday. Pictured are (L-R) Byrneville Elementary Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan, Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, Bratt Elementary Principal Karen Hall, Ernest Ward Middle Principal Nancy Perry and Northview High Principal Gayle Weaver. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay’s Gillman Signs Softball Scholarship With Jefferson Davis
March 1, 2013
Jay High School’s Brittany Gillman recently signed a softball scholarship with the Jefferson Davis Community College Warhawks of Brewton. She is the daughter of Bobbie Palmer and Tim Gillman, and granddaughter of Dobbie Williamson. She was joined by family members, friends and fellow Lady Royal’s softball players for the signing ceremony. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Softball: Tate Defeats Pine Forest
March 1, 2013
One night after racking up nine hits and 17 runs, the Pine Forest Lady Eagles were “run-ruled” by Tate pitcher Heather Thomason.
Thomason struck out five in a three-inning no-hitter Thursday night as the Aggies beat the Lady Eagles, 15-0, in a District 1-6A game at Tate.
Rachel Dunsford went 2-for-2 with a three-run homer in the second inning, and Jordan Barnett was2-for-2 with four RBI for Tate, which improved to 6-0 in district play. Casey McCrackin had two hits and scored three runs.
Only two Eagles reached base — both on errors. Pine Forest (4-5, 1-2) committed five errors behind Janessa Landas, who fell to 3-2 one night after the Eagles beat Catholic 17-2.
Pine Forest returns to action at 6:30 p.m. Monday when Navarre visits for a district game. Tate plays the Lady Eagles Tuesday night at Pine Forest.
Escambia High School Locked Down
February 28, 2013
Escambia High School in Pensacola was on lockdown for several hours today as deputies search for a grand theft auto suspect that ran onto the school campus.
Deputies attempted to make contact with the subject in the 6800 block of Stonehenge Circle, which is near the school, as he was standing by a vehicle that had been reported stolen earlier in the day. The suspect fled on foot and deputies gave chase. The suspect ran onto school campus and blended in with the students who were performing a fire drill exercise.
He was later found by school employees walking in a hallway of the school. The suspect was arrested and charged with disruption of a school function and resisting arrest without violence, both misdemeanors.
The name of the suspect has not been released due to his age. Felony charges may also be filed against the suspect for the stolen car as the investigation continues, deputies said.
Deputies did not believe the suspect was armed.
Man Charged With Shooting Girlfriend In Her Face
February 28, 2013
Multiple charges have been filed against a Pensacola man who shot his girlfriend in the face this morning during an argument.
Henry Blackmon, 21, of 4823 Sierra Drive, Pensacola, was charged with attempted murder, assault, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, vehicle theft, fleeing/eluding police, and driving with a suspended license.
The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. at Blount Street and Watson Drive. The 23-year-old victim was driving a vehicle when she and Blackmon got into an argument. Blackmon then shot her in the face, pushed her out of the car and fled the scene, Pensacola Police said. The victim used her cell phone to call 911.
As police were responding to the area, Officer David Rogers saw the vehicle westbound on Cervantes Street. Officers Rogers and Coy McKenna followed the vehicle with emergency lights and sirens activated to “X” and Cervantes streets where Rogers intentionally collided with the suspect’s vehicle in an effort to stop it.
No one was injured during the collision but a chain link fence was damaged during the impact.
The female victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Her name has not been released .
Local Singer Releases First Songs, Bluff Springs Music Video Premieres
February 28, 2013
Molino native and Tate High grad Dusty Sanderson’s first four songs and his first music video — filmed in Escambia County — have been released.
Sanderson, 20, signed with Lamon Records and recorded his four-song EP at Quad Studios in Nashville with Grammy nominated producer Dave Moody. His first music video for the title track “Chuggin’ Along” was shot January 24 in Bluff Springs, including a bonfire scene that featured a lot of his friends around a bonfire enjoying the song. Additional scenes were filmed earlier in the day at Chan’s on Nine Mile Road.
The first single “Chuggin’ Along” has just shipped to country radio stations across the nation. The four-song album highlights Dusty’s songwriting abilities, and in addition to the title cut, it includes “Dang Good Country Song,” “Country to the Stone,” and the ballad “This Old Guitar”.
“I’m still overwhelmed. It’s just crazy how fast a childhood dream can turn into a reality if you work hard enough for it,” Sanderson told NorthEscambia.com.
Sandrson has been playing guitar since he was 10 years old and singing since he turned 14. “It all started around a bonfire on the river,” he said, “with just me and my guitar, which eventually led to me getting my first real gig in my hometown at a little place called the Fugly Worm.”
Asked about his songwriting, Sanderson said, “I’ve been interested in writing songs all my life, but I didn’t get serious about it until I was 17. I had a girlfriend that I spent all day, every day with, so when she took a trip to LA for a week I had no clue what to do with my time, so I sat down in my room and started writing.” And he’s not stopped since.
“Chuggin’ Along” and Dusty Sanderson’s complete four song EP release are available from iTunes and Amazon.com. To watch the “World Premiere” of Sanderson’s video “Chuggin’ Along” on NorthEscambia.com, click here.
The Dusty Sanderson band will open for the Kentucky Headhunters on Saturday, March 16 at Beulahfest.
Pictured: Scenes from Dusty Sanderson’s video “Chuggin’ Along” that was filmed partially in Bluff Springs, just off Highway 29 in North Escambia. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Gets 300 Days For Duct-Taping Dog’s Injured Eye
February 28, 2013
An Escambia County woman has been convicted of animal cruelty for duct-taping her dog’s injured eye, State Attorney Bill Eddins said Wednesday.
Mechele Renea Potter, 46, was convicted Tuesday by an Escambia County jury and sentenced by Judge Thomas E. Johnson to 300 days in the Escambia County Jail along with all fines and costs.
On September 18, 2012, Potter called Escambia County Animal Control to report a stray dog in her yard with duct tape on its head, according to the State Attorney’s Office. The dog was not a stray but instead was actually owned by Potter.
Prosecutors said Potter had put the duct tape around the dog’s head and over its eye to act as an eye patch. When animal control picked up the dog, they removed the tape from the dog’s head. Animal control found the dog’s eye injury had been left untreated and found the dog’s eye was protruding from its eye socket and was also red and extremely swollen. As
a result, the dog’s eye had to be removed.
While the cause of the injury was unknown, the injury was made worse by the defendant’s failure to seek medical attention, the State Attorney’s Office said.
Potter testified that she tried everything she could before calling animal control, which consisted of using the duct tape and calling some vets. Her husband also testified, stating that he told her to lie to animal control about owning the dog, and that he helped her put the tape on the dog’s head, prosecutors said.
The dog has since been adopted by a family.