Fire Damages Home
November 18, 2012
Fire damaged a home just north of Old Chemstrand Road Saturday evening. The fire was reported about 5:30 p.m. in the 200 block of Lindsay Lane. Smoke was showing from the single story home when the firefighters arrived on scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no injuries reported.
The Cantonment, Molino, Bellview , Ensley and Ferry Pass stations of Escambia Fire rescue responded to the fire, along with Escambia County EMS.
Pictured: Fire damaged this home on Lindsay Lane Saturday evening. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gov. Scott Appoints Molino’s Giraud As Santa Rosa Judge
November 17, 2012
Friday, Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointment of Jose “Tony” A. Giraud, of Molino, to the Santa Rosa County Court.
Giraud, 46, has served as an Assistant State Attorney in Pensacola since 1998. Previously, he served in the U.S. Army from 1986 – 1990. He received bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and a law degree from Florida State University College of Law.
“Tony’s years of service with the Office of the State Attorney in Pensacola demonstrates that he is dedicated to helping Florida families,” Scott said. “I am confident that Tony will make a great addition to the bench and will serve Santa Rosa County with the fairness and integrity that he has displayed his entire career.”
Giraud will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Ross L. Bilbrey to the First Judicial Circuit.
Northview Chiefs Destroy Cottondale To Advance To Region Final
November 17, 2012
The Northview Chiefs destroyed the Cottondale Hornets Friday night to cruise into the Region 1-1A final game next week.
“It’s a great win; it’s a great way to start the playoffs,” Northview head coach Sid Wheatley said. “We were able to get some big plays when we needed it.”
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band and cheerleader photos will be published Sunday.)
The Chiefs opened the scoring just 21 seconds into Friday night’s game with a 46-yard run from La’Mikal Kyles. A good kick, and at 7-0 Northview was just warming up the scoreboard on a cold night in Bratt.
Cottondale’s Sheldon Vann scored on a one-yard run. The Hornets failed a on a two-point attempt, 7-6 with 5:49 in the first. “We got off to a little bit of a slow start,” Wheatley said. But with a few adjustments, the Chiefs defense shut down Cottondale.
In the second quarter, sophomore LaDarius Thomas was in for a TD with a four-yard run, 17-6 with 3:51 in the half. The Chiefs followed up with a 21-yard run from Kevin Vaughan, 22-6. And with less than five seconds to go in the half, the Chiefs scored again with a 92-yard interception return by Neiko Robinson, 36-6.
With 8:00 in the third, Northview scored again with a 14-yard Vaughn dash, 43-6. That kicked in the mercy rule and a started a running clock to make an inevitable loss a little easier on the Hornets.
With just under three minutes in the third, Neino Robinson returned a Cottondale punt 48-yards for a touchdown, 50-6. And the Chiefs scored again when Cameron Newsome recovered a fumble in the end zone after a 75-yard by sophomore Jaron Myles, 57-6.
Despite totally dominating every 1A opponent this session by average of just over five touchdowns, Wheatley said the Chiefs won’t be resting on that confidence headed into the Region 1-1A final game next Friday night at home against Freeport. During regular season, Northview beat Freeport 42-0.
“We’ve still got to go to work , and we’ve got to get a little better next week. It only gets tougher as each week rolls by,” Wheatley said. “Freeport is always tough. They are well coached. They are going to get after you; you have to be very disciplined.”
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band and cheerleader photos will be published Sunday.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Playoff Football Finals
November 17, 2012
Here are final football scores from around the North Escambia area Friday night:
FLORIDA
- Northview 57, Cottondale 6 [Read more, photos...]
- Freeport 26 Graceville 21
- Tallahassee Godby 28, West Florida 10
- Catholic 22, Jacksonville Trinity Christian 21
- Crawfordville Wakulla 42, Gulf Breeze 19
- Navarre 30, Pace 10
- Milton 38, Niceville 31 OT
ALABAMA
- Midfield 22, TR Miller 20
- Fayette 34, WS NEal 6
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison As Habitual Offender
November 17, 2012
An Escambia County man was sentenced to life in prison as a habitual felony offender.
James Allen Black III, 30, was sentenced by Judge Gary Bergosh for robbery with a weapon. He has an extensive criminal history, including convictions for battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of a controlled substance and escape.
Prosecutors said on May 5, 2012, the victim was walking down Cervantes Street in front of the Travel Inn when Black approached him for a cigarette light. When the victim pulled out his lighter, the defendant put a gun to his temple and demanded his money.
Once the victim gave the defendant his money, the victim ran to a nearby convenience store where he saw a Pensacola Police officer. The victim was able to give the officer a detailed description of the defendant and the jacket that the he was wearing. Officers located Black outside the Travel Inn. When the officers approached Black, they saw a jacket that matched the description from the victim.
Black admitted that the jacket was his and when officers arrested him, they found a gun on his person.
Latest Jobs Numbers Show Fewer Unemployed Locally
November 17, 2012
The latest job numbers released Friday showed the unemployment rate dropping in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, and edging up in Escambia County, Alabama.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate dropped from 8.6 percent in September to 8.1 percent in October. There were 758 fewer people reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 11,363 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 9.8 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment dropped from 7.6 percent in September to 7.0 percent in October. Santa Rosa County had a total of 5,043 persons reported to be still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 8.6 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment was up slightly from 9.5 percent in September to 9.6 in October. That represented 1,435 people unemployed in the county during the month. The year-ago rate was 9.7 percent.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Florida’s jobless rate fell in October to 8.5 percent, its lowest level since December 2008. Florida still lags behind the nation but closed the gap a bit. The national rate stood last month at 7.9 percent. If discouraged workers and part time employees seeking full-time jobs are added, Florida’s unemployment rate for October was 16.4 percent down from 18.2 percent a year ago.
“We are creating an environment that fosters job creation, economic development and provides a skilled workforce,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement. “My number one goal is to create jobs for Florida families and get this state back to work. There is still more work that needs to be done, but I’m confident we’re on the right path.”
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 8.1 percent in October, was down from September’s rate of 8.2 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 8.5 percent.
Nationally, the unemployment rate fell more, dropping 0.3 points in September to 7.8 percent. That’s 1.2 percentage points lower than September 2011.
Two Dead In Gulf Oil Rig Explosion
November 17, 2012
Coast Guard crews are searching for two missing crew members following a platform explosion about 20 miles southeast of Grand Isle, Louisiana, Friday morning.
Eleven crew members were airlifted from the Black Elk Energy-owned platform to various local hospitals. Nine more crew members were safely evacuated off the platform. The fire has been extinguished, and a sheen has been spotted in the area.
The Coast Guard is currently searching with response boats from Coast Guard Stations Grand Isle and Venice, the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutters Pelican and Razorbill, an HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircraft crew and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Aviation Training Center in Mobile, and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station New Orleans.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
The explosion came a day after BP reached agreement with U.S. prosecutors to plead guilty to criminal charges and pay a record $4.5 billion in penalties for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon accident.
Pictured top: An oil platform burns in the Gulf of Mexico Friday. Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Appeal Dropped In Prison Health Privatization
November 17, 2012
A contractor has dropped an appeal against the Florida Department of Corrections in a bidding-related dispute that stemmed from the state’s plans to privatize prison health services.
Wexford Health Sources last week agreed to dismiss the case in the 1st District Court of Appeal and is negotiating a contract to provide health services at prisons in the southern part of the state. Another firm, Corizon Inc., was awarded a contract to provide the services in central and north Florida. Wexford had also sought the contract in those areas.
The prison health privatization issue has been highly controversial, with representatives of state workers leading a long-running legal fight against the idea. A Leon County circuit judge is expected Monday to hear arguments in a case spearheaded by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Florida Nurses Association.
By The News Service of Florida
Seniors Win: Northview Holds Manna Food Drive
November 17, 2012
Northview High School recently participated in the Escambia County School District’s Manna Food Drive.
A competition was held between the grade levels during the week leading up to the Chiefs versus West Florida High School Jaguars football game. Each grade level showed their support for Manna and the Chiefs football team by “Canning the Jags”.
The senior class won the competition by collecting the most cans and non-perishable food item for the drive.
Pictured above: The senior class at Northview High School collected the most items for a Manna Food Drive during a week-long competition. Pictured below: Some of the food collected for Manna. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Saturday: Art On The Farm, Gift And Craft Fairs
November 16, 2012
Three Saturday events will offer local residents a chance to get an early jump on Christmas shopping with unique items.
Art at the Farm
The annual Art at the Farm will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 8600 Rease Seales Road in Walnut Hill. Ceramics, pottery, water colors, acrylics, wood cuts, jewelry, glass blower, pony rides, live music and more. Kid friendly event. For more info or directions, visit www.artatthefarm.blogspot.com
Holiday Craft Fair
Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church will host an indoor Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon with local farmers and crafters offering unique and original gift ideas at 699 South Highway 95A in Cantonment. Available items will include goat milk bath and body products, olive wood prayer crosses from Bethlehem, homemade jams and jellies, sun catchers, pop-top bracelets, handmade hair bows, fresh baked goods and much more. A second Holiday Craft Fair will be held on Saturday, December 1.
Holiday Gift and Craft Show
The 3rd Annual Holiday Gift and Craft Show at Plainview Baptist Church, 1101 West Nile Mile Road, will held Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Items include jewelry, candy apples, home decor, scarves, purses, homemade jelly, cosmetics, chocolates, soap, lamps, paintings, candles and much more.