Local Residents Guests Of Kansas City Coach As Denver Beats The Chiefs
November 26, 2012
When the Denver Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday in Kansas City, several North Escambia area residents were on hand to cheer on the Chiefs. And they were cheering for defensive line coach Anthony Pleasant, a Century native.
Mikey Burkett, Kenny Fehl, Anthony Pleasant, Jonathan Bondurant, Steve Stanton and Eddie Hammond started with a pheasant hunting trip in Kansas on Saturday. On Sunday morning, they were guests at Pleasant’s home before heading to Arrow Head Stadium in Kansas City for the game.
After an early lead a strong defense, the KC Chiefs were unable to outlast the AFC-West leading Denver Brocos, who defeated the Chiefs 17-9.
Kansas City, now 1-10, will play for that elusive home win next week against the Carolina Panthers, who are in Philadelphia on Monday night to face off against the Eagles.
Pleasant, a 1986 graduate of Century High School, earned two Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots.
Pleasant was selected in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. During his 14 year NFL career, Pleasant played for the Browns, the Baltimore Ravens, the Atlanta Falcons, the New York Jets, the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots. He played a total of 202 NFL games and racked up 58 sacks.
The 22-acre Anthony Pleasant Park on East Highway 4 in Century is named after the two-time Super Bowl champ and includes a full-size football field with bleachers, press box and a playground.
Pictured top: A group of North Escambia area residents were the guests of Kansas City Chiefs defensive coach Anthony Pleasant Sunday in Kansas City as the Chiefs lost to the Broncos. Pictured below: Pleasant speaks in July 2011 at the dedication of the park named in his honor in Century. Submitted and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Retired Florida Fire Truck To Benefit Small Alabama VFD
November 26, 2012
An Alabama volunteer fire department’s need for a tanker truck has been met by an Escambia County, Fla., department in a deal sealed with a handshake.
The McCall Volunteer Fire Department in Escambia County, Ala., needed more water available to fight fires; the largest tank they had could only hold 750 gallons. The department had been saving up for 12 years looking to buy a new-to-them truck.
The Bellview Volunteer Fire Department in Florida was retiring a 1,500 gallon tanker purchased by then Chief Al Davie 27 years ago. Davie was on hand as current Bellview VFD members gave McCall VFD members a quick run through of the tanker and any needed special instructions.
With a handshake between Bellview Chief Troy Johnson and McCall Chief Charles Jackson, the old tanker was on its way to its new home in Alabama.
Pictured: An retiring tanker truck was transferred from the Bellview Volunteer Fire Department in Florida to the McCall VFD in Alabama recently. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Bright Future: New Power Substation Signals Growth In Walnut Hill
November 25, 2012
Growth — including the construction of a new industrial facility — is leading to an increase in the electrical capacity and service to the entire Walnut Hill area.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative and it power supplier, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, are currently constructing a new Oak Grove Graham electric substation on Highway 99A near North Highway 99. The new facility will have a total power capacity of 20 MVA (megavolt ampere), over twice the capacity of the aging Oak Grove Substation with a total capacity of 9.375 MVA.
“The new substation has been in the works for a while; however, we have moved that plan to the forefront in order to meet the needs of the Genesis Rail Services Walnut Hill Station,” said Clay Campbell, EREC general manager.
The new Genesis transfer station that fronts Corley Road near Arthur Brown Road in Walnut Hill is the largest such facility in the United States. Crude oil is transferred from the oil fields of North Dakota to Walnut Hill by train and offloaded.
A crude oil pipeline from Jay rises to the surface at the facility. The flow from oilfields in the Jay area is cut, and the crude from the Walnut Hill train is injected into the pipeline. Up to 118 tanker cars per day can be transferred directly into an existing crude oil pipeline, flowing primarily to a Shell facility near Saraland, Ala., and potentially to other refineries along the Gulf Coast.
The first train, with 104 tanker cars filled with 69,000 barrels of oil worth $6.5 million, rolled into the Walnut Hill facility back in mid-August. Presently, the facility can inject 2,500 barrels per hour into the pipeline. That capacity will increase to about 5,000 barrels — almost a half million dollars worth — of crude oil per hour by January 2013 once a 100,000 barrel storage tank is completed.
As construction of the new EREC electric substation continues, contract crews also also building out a new electrical distribution system from the power substation to the oil transfer facility. The end result, according to EREC, will be more electrical capacity and an increased quality of service for the entire Walnut Hill area.
“The entire community will benefit from this power upgrade,” Campbell said.
For an earlier story about the first train rolling into the oil transfer station, click here.
Pictured top: Construction is underway on a new power substation in Walnut Hill. Pictured inset and below: The new Genesis Rail Services Walnut Hill Station on its first day of operation back in August. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Injured When Truck Slams Into Concrete Pole
November 25, 2012
Two people were injured in a single vehicle accident late Saturday night in Beulah.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 33-year old David Jordan was northbound on Mobile Highway near Nine Mile Road when he failed to properly negotiate a curve and struck a concrete utility pole with his 1995 Dodge pickup about 11:50 Saturday night.
Jordan and his passenger, 27-year old James R. Nunnelley were both transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.
The crash sent the utility pole and power lines to the ground, temporarily blocking a portion of the roadway.
Charges against Jordan are pending further investigation, according to the FHP. The Beulah and Bellview stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured top: Two people were injured when the driver of a Dodge pickup hit a concrete utility pole late Saturday night in Beulah. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Amy Waters Signs With UAB Softball
November 25, 2012
Amy Waters, a senior at Tate High School, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball for the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Waters started on the varsity softball team at Tate in grades 9-11. She has a .443 batting average during her junior season, along with 19 RBI’s, 18 doubles and three home runs.
She has played with the Mobile Thrillers and High Intensity travel ball teams for the past several years. During the last two years, she helped the Thrillers qualify for the ASA-A national tournament. In 2012, they finished first in the Alabama 18U ASA-A state tournament and fifth in the ASA-A national tournament.
Waters also played on the golf team at Tate her sophomore and junior years. She is also a member of Interact and FCA.
Pictured: Tate senior Amy Waters signs a letter of intent with the University of Alabama at Birmingham as her parents, Kirk and Cindy Waters, and her brother, Jace Waters, look on. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Shopping, Silent Auction Next Saturday To Benefit Halee Boyd
November 25, 2012
A day of early Christmas shopping and a silent auction will be held next Saturday, December 1 to benefit Halee Boyd, a Tate High School student that is battling cancer.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Heritage Baptist Church, 3065 Highway 297A in Cantonment. Vendors will be on hand with Christmas bargains and a silent auction will offer numerous gift ideas. Door prizes will be given away each hour.
A hot dog chip and drink meal will also be available for $5.
Donations for Halee Boyd are also accepted at Doral Bank, 4920 Bayou Boulevard in Pensacola.
For more information about Halee, click here for a NorthEscambia.com story from earlier this year.
Pictured: Halee Boyd (right) had the opportunity to meet country star Miranda Lambert at a concert in October in Orange Beach. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Barry Makes District 5 Committee Appointments
November 25, 2012
When new commissioners took office last week, they nominated individuals to fill seats on various committees.
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry made the following recommendations which were approved by the entire commission:
- Animal Services Advisory Committee — Cara T. Overhalser
- Board of Adjustment — Jennifer J. Rigby
- Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee — Jeffery S. Overhalser, Earl L. Jones, Sr.
- Escambia Marine Advisory Committee — M. Gabe Jackson, III, Hudson W. Woodfin, Jr.
- Planning Board — Wayne Briske
- Santa Rosa Island Authority — Janice Gilley
The terms of each individual run concurrent with Barry’s term of office ending in 2016 or at his discretion.
Escambia County Students Of The Month Named
November 25, 2012
Students of the month for October have been named in Escambia County. The awards are presented monthly to two or three students from participating schools.
The following students were named from participating North Escambia area schools:
- Bratt Elementary — Hunter James Johnson, first; Summer Marie Waters, fourth
- Jim Allen Elementary — Iyauna Mone Caldwell, fourth; Kiauna Amari Watson, fourth
- Molino Park Elementary — Joe Henry Franklin, fourth; Leia Madison Grantham, fourth
- Ernest Ward Middle — Laurel Aurora McCann, sixth; Celeste Brianna North, seventh; Matthew Thomas Smith, eighth
- Ransom Middle — Madison Paige Philley, eighth; Hayden Michael Aiken, eighth
- Northview High — Zachary Sean Johnson, 12th; Julia Renee Thorpe, 12th
- Tate High — Dylan D. Barfield, 12th; Madeline Grace Chambers, 11th
Here is the complete list from across Escambia County from participating schools:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
- Bellview Elementary — Robert Daniel Faires, first; Dakota Scott Weaver, fourth
- Beulah Elementary — Ayiana Sierra Spellman, fourth; Brandon Michael Anderson, fifth
- Blue Angels Elementary — Khuyen Thi Tran, fourth; Nathaniel James Grissom, fourth
- Bratt Elementary — Hunter James Johnson, first; Summer Marie Waters, fourth
- Brentwood Elementary — Dakota Destiny Barrientos, KG; Mercy‐Grace Hannah Lewis, KG
- Cook Elementary — Mark John Maddox, fifth; MacKenzie Noel Kent, fifth
- Ferry Pass Elementary — Azaria Takiah Allen, fourth; Mauricio Jose Manosca, fourth
- Hellen Caro Elementary — Katelynn Mackenzie Knight, fourth; Kiara Andrea Castleberry, fifth
- Holm Elementary — John Thomas Marlowe, fifth; William Allen Calhoun, fifth
- Jim Allen Elementary — Iyauna Mone Caldwell, fourth; Kiauna Amari Watson, fourth
- Lincoln Park Elementary — Brayden James Phillipp, pre-K; Darreyana M Lee, pre-K
- Lipscomb Elementary — Alyssa Kay Pearson, second; Jordan Eric Hayes, third
- Longleaf Elementary — Kylie Ann Flynn, first; Ariana Lyn Flores, first
- McArthur Elementary — Brandon Miguel Knieja, fourth; Kody Lambert Nutt, fourth
- Molino Park Elementary — Joe Henry Franklin, fourth; Leia Madison Grantham, fourth
- MyrtleGrove Elementary — Au’laysia Janiece Cartledge, third; Shelon Devon Hutchinson, third
- Navy Point Elementary — Jasmine Alexis Sanderson, third; Zoe Ava Strickland, second
- Oakcrest Elementary — Abby Breanne Hyde, third; Jahazara Nicole Anderson, third
- Pleasant Grove Elementary — Tyler James Ostrander, first; Knighten Makenna Richter, first
- Scenic Heights Elementary — Finlee M. Jenkins, first; Tristan T. Martinez, first
- Sherwood Elementary — Catie Ann Harris, fifth; Hao Nguyen Le, fifth
- Suter Elementary — Ameenah Yaasameen Clark, fourth; Christian Elizjah Dunn, fourth
- West Pensacola Elementary — William La’Michael Gholston, first; Jordan La’Nay Latham, first
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Bailey Middle — Jordan Deaunte’ Jackson, sixth; Lacey Kieu‐trinh Do, seventh; Nikolaus Barrett Ludwig, eighth; Tashawn Tyriale Molette, eighth
- Bellview Middle — Tre’shaun Marquise Lewis, eighth
- Brown Barge Middle — Bre’aja My’kell Baldwin, seventh; Niko Adrian Demarco, seventh
- Ernest Ward Middle — Laurel Aurora Mccann, sixth; Celeste Brianna North, seventh; Matthew Thomas Smith, eighth
- Ransom Middle — Madison Paige Philley, eighth; Hayden Michael Aiken, eighth
- Warrington Middle — Jihad Romander Singleton; Warrington Middle — Mikyla Francene Richardson‐Wiggin, eighth
- Woodham Middle — Antonio Demetrice Brown, seventh; Alyson Michelle Shiver, seventh
- Workman Middle — Hallie Frances Stephenson, seventh; Logan Nicholas Schall, seventh
HIGH SCHOOLS
- Northview High — Zachary Sean Johnson, 12th; Julia Renee Thorpe, 12th
- Pine Forest High — Spencer Michael Simpson, 12th; Arden Marie Legassey, 11th
- Tate High — Dylan D. Barfield, 12th; Madeline Grace Chambers, 11th
- Washington High — Rachel Anne Moore, 12th
- West FL High — Madison Marie Lopez, 11th; Rafael Shaquile Ortiz, 10th
SPECIAL CENTERS
- Beulah Academy — Michael Alexander Moore, eighth; Kaleb Marcell Waldrop, eighth
- PATS Center — Ahsley Wu, fourth; Thinh Phan, fifth; Jordan Weddington, eighth; Ian Abercrombie, eighth
- George Stone — Francesca Pamela Curtis, third
Birth: Elliott Joan Brown
November 25, 2012
Jacob and Lindsey Brown, of Corpus Christi, TX, announce the birth of their daughter, Elliott Joan Brown. She was born November 8, 2012, at Christus Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi. She weighed seven pounds four ounces, and was 19 ½ inches long. The grandparents are Doug and the late Joan Campbell of Denver, CO, and David and Teresa Brown of Davisville. The great-grandparents are James and Tiny Bolton of Davisville and Elizabeth Brown of Atmore.
Northview Beats Freeport For Regional Championship (With Photo Gallery)
November 24, 2012
The Northview’s road to Orlando continued Friday night with a 34-28 overtime win against the Freeport Bulldogs for the Chief’s third consecutive Region 1-1A championship.
The second meeting of the season between the teams was a whole new ballgame the second time around for the Chiefs. Earlier in the season, Northview crushed the Bulldogs 42-0 in Freeport. All week, Northview Coach Sid Wheatley preached that his players should just totally forget about that big win because Freeport was headed to Bratt for vengeance.
“We talked about it all week…that you could throw the 42-0 out the window because it was not going to have any bearing on this game tonight,” Wheatley said. “That (42-0) was not indicative of how Freeport normally plays us. I think they kind really carried a chip in on their shoulders.”
For a game action photo gallery, click here. (Band, dance team, cheerleader and additional photos will be published Monday.)
Freeport was first on the scoreboard after Northview fumbled the ball away at the 11-yard line. And Freeport scored again on a Northview fumble; this time at the one-yard line, 14-0.
A La’Mikal Kyles touchdown narrowed the gap to 14-7, Freeport’s favor. Then Neino Robinson scored on a 40 yard punt return to tie it up 14-14 headed into the half.
Kyles scored again in the third on a 10-yard pass from QB Kevin Vaughan, 21-14 Northview. Freeport then tied it up 21-21 with a 42-yard touchdown. The Bulldogs went again 28-21 with about six minutes to go in the game.
The Chiefs tied it up at 28-28 with a four-yard Vaughan to Cameron Newsome touchdown pass.
In overtime, Freeport scored on their first place, but it was called back for holding the backfield. The Bulldogs were unable to convert their remaining three downs to the scoreboard. A Kyles touchdown kicked off the fireworks and sealed the 34-28 Northview win.
“We pulled it off in overtime. It was a lot of character, a lot of resolve by out kids,” Wheatley said.
Kyles finished the night with three touchdowns, and 121 yards. Quarterback Vaughan completed 17 of 27 with 136 yards and a couple of touchdowns.
“I thought Kevin Vaughan ran the football well for us; he had a couple of big runs,” he said. “I thought the kid showed a lot of character, coming back when he could have gone into a shell.”
Next Friday, the Chiefs will be one the road in the state semifinals against Liberty County in Bristol. The winner advanced to the state championship game the following week in Orlando.
“It only gets tougher. There’s no doubt,” Wheatley said. “We are going to have to step it up next week.
For a game action photo gallery, click here. (Band, dance team, cheerleader and additional photos will be published Monday.)
Pictured top: Northview quarterback Kevin Vaughan gains yardage for the Chiefs Friday night in Bratt. Picture top inset: Neino Robinson reaches for a pass. Pictured bottom inset: La’Mikal Kyles catches a pass. Pictured below: The Chiefs celebrate a regional championship. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
