First Baptist Bratt Is Operation Christmas Child Central
November 11, 2012
Volunteers will be busy for the next week at the First Baptist Church of Bratt during “National Collection Week” for Operation Christmas Child. For the 18th year, the simple, gift-filled shoe boxes will bring Christmas joy and evangelistic materials to children in over 130 countries across the world.
National Collection Week for OCC is November 12-19, 2012. The First Baptist Church of Bratt will be the official OCC Relay Center for the north end of Escambia County, Florida, and Escambia County, Alabama, again this year.
“This is not about the FBC of Bratt”, says Student Pastor and Relay Center Coordinator Tim Hawsey. “Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational non-profit organization that has mission’s opportunities all over the world. This is about being a blessing and bringing God’s love and hope to children in poverty around the world that would not receive it otherwise. We have gone through the intense process of been approved as a church to be a Relay Center to collect the boxes from individuals, families, and churches of our area, document and pack them into special cartons and take them to the next level for Samaritan’s Purse, and we are blessed to do it.”
Collection hours at the First Baptist Church of Bratt will from 9 a.m. until noon each day through November 19.
Operation Christmas Child boxes should be packed in a specific manner. For more information, call Hawsey at the First Baptist Church of Bratt at (850) 327-6529, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ, or call (800) 353-5949.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Dems Move Forward
November 11, 2012
Florida Democrats hadn’t celebrated much since, well, President Obama won the state in 2008.
But that changed Tuesday. Obama carried Florida again on the way to a second term in the White House, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson easily won re-election, and Democratic candidates picked up legislative and congressional seats.
For Republicans, the response to the election results ranged from anger to disbelief. After vowing for four years to topple Obama, they watched Republican Mitt Romney’s campaign get outmaneuvered in Florida and other key states. What’s more, GOP candidates lost some high-profile legislative races — including a likely defeat by state Rep. Chris Dorworth, who was in line to become House speaker in 2014.
Here’s a bit of reality, however, before Democrats celebrate too much and Republicans get lost in despondency: The GOP still has huge majorities in the state House and Senate and controls the governor’s office and all three Cabinet seats. In other words, Republicans will continue to dominate state government, at least for another two years.
Nevertheless, Democrats had reasons — both immediate and long-term — to celebrate Tuesday. In part, the elections showed Democratic strength among Hispanic voters and along the I-4 corridor, two intertwined issues that will be critical in the coming years.
HEADING BACK TO WASHINGTON: Truth be told, Florida will go down as sort of a messy footnote in Obama’s victory Tuesday.
The president did well enough in other key states, such as Ohio, Virginia and Iowa, to lock up another term without needing Florida’s 29 electoral votes. Also, as part of Florida’s never-ending voting controversies, some Miami-Dade voters were still in line early Wednesday morning, after Obama was already assured of victory.
But bigger picture, Obama’s Florida campaign played a part in turning out voters who helped Democrats in other races. That included Hispanic voters in central Florida, where the Puerto Rican population is growing and providing a base of Democratic support.
State Democratic Chairman Rod Smith described Hispanics as an “absolute game changer” for Democrats. He said the party hired a full-time Hispanic outreach coordinator in central Florida after the 2010 elections and also said the Obama team helped increase Hispanic turnout.
“They saw very early that was going to be a critical vote in Florida,” Smith said.
An important issue is the perceived hard line that many Republicans have taken on the issue of illegal immigration. But U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., indicated after the election that the GOP needs to do a better job of connecting with Hispanic voters.
“The conservative movement should have particular appeal to people in minority and immigrant communities who are trying to make it, and Republicans need to work harder than ever to communicate our beliefs to them.,” Rubio told Roll Call.
Obama beat Romney in the most-populous counties along the I-4 corridor — Orange, Hillsborough and Pinellas — and in Osceola County, which has a large Puerto Rican population. Romney won in other areas of central Florida, including Polk, Lake, Seminole and Brevard counties. Volusia was almost a dead-heat, with Romney winning by less than 3,000 votes.
YES AND NO: Merit-retention elections for Supreme Court justices usually draw little attention. But that changed this year when some conservative groups and leaders of the state Republican Party called for defeating justices R. Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince.
But while conservatives complained that the justices were too liberal, they never really mounted a full-fledged campaign. Meanwhile, the justices and supporters in the legal industry raised millions of dollars to convince voters that Lewis, Pariente and Quince should be retained.
In the end, the races weren’t even close, with each of the justices backed by more than 67 percent of the voters.
Ballots also included a barrage of proposed constitutional amendments that lawmakers put before voters. Some dealt with hot-button issues such as the federal health overhaul, property taxes, abortion and public money going to religious groups.
But voters rejected eight of the 11 amendments, approving only three, relatively non-controversial proposals that would offer property tax breaks for military veterans, first responders and low-income seniors.
As an example of the amendments that were defeated, one would have largely prohibited state funds from being spent on abortions. That proposal, known as Amendment 6, also would have whittled away privacy protections in Florida’s constitution that have been used in the past to overturn abortion restrictions.
“We hope that Tallahassee politicians will now turn their attention to expanding health care instead of trying to take away existing health coverage that women need,” said Lillian Tamayo, campaign chairwoman for Vote No On 6.
STORY OF THE WEEK: President Obama and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson win Florida, while Democrats also make gains in the Legislature and in the state’s congressional delegation.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “So the message is: ‘If you are outside the state and you are trying to politicize our judicial branch, stay out. This is an assault on our democracy, our separation of powers, and we’re not going to tolerate attempts to implement partisan politics for special interests.’ “— Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente, after she and two other justices overcame conservative groups’ opposition to win merit-retention campaigns.
By The News Service of Florida
Molino Man Sentenced To 15 Years For Burglary, Grand Theft
November 10, 2012
A Molino man has been sentenced to 15 years in station prison as a habitual felony offender on charges including burglary and grand theft.
Troy Edward Massey, 48, of Barth Lane, was convicted by an Escambia County jury of burglary of a dwelling, grand theft, resisting an officer without violence and criminal mischief.
He was arrested in September 2011 after brief manhunt and foot chase following a burglary on Fairway Drive in Pensacola. A man and wife came home to discover Massey in their apartment, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. He fled on foot, leaving behind two suitcases that he had packed full of silver platters, silver utensils, silver drinking cups, a fur coat, currency and a gold bracelet. He had also allegedly packed another bag with a .22 caliber rifle and 13 bottles of alcohol.
At the time of his arrest for the Pensacola burglary, Massey had outstanding warrants for home invasion robbery, aggravated assault and petty theft.
On August 20, deputies responded to Bamer Holley Lane in Molino where a resident reported Massey barged into her home armed with a paring knife just after 10 p.m., yelling “You have to hide me” and “You have to save me”. The resident reported Massey looked through her cabinets and purse before fleeing on foot. A short time later on nearby Brickyard Road, another resident reported a person matching Massey’s description had attempted to enter their home while saying that he was being followed.
Earlier this year, Massey was convicted of aggravated assault in connection with the Molino incident and sentenced to 14.4 months in prison with credit for 249 days served.
Massey previously served prison time in Florida for offenses including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, child abuse, trafficking in stolen property, grand theft and providing false information to a pawnbroker, according to Department of Corrections records.
FHP To Target Tickets For Aggressive Drivers
November 10, 2012
Beginning Monday, the Florida Highway Patrol will kick off a campaign targeting aggressive cars and trucks.
The program, called TACT or Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks, is aimed at reducing commercial motor vehicle related crashes, injuries and fatalities by combining outreach and education with targeted enforcement activities to raise awareness among car and truck drivers about safe driving behaviors.
“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to reducing the number of commercial vehicle related crashes,” said Col. David Brierton, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Crash reduction can be achieved if we all share the highway with each other and avoid aggressive driving behaviors.”
Troopers will be on the lookout for violations attributed to aggressive driving such as following too closely,unsafe lane change and speeding.
“Safety on Florida‘s roadways is a cooperative effort by cars and trucks alike. As an industry, safety is at the top of our minds—it matters above all else,” said Florida Trucking Association President and CEO, Mary Lou Rajchel. “We are pleased with the opportunity to take our No Zone message about safe driving behaviors around big rigs on the road with the Florida Highway Patrol. Pairing the big trucks equal big blind spots message with the opportunity to see what our drivers see‘ through community education is a unique approach that we believe
will promote responsible driving for everyone.”
Court Upholds Convictions In Billings Murders
November 10, 2012
The First District Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction and life sentence of Donnie Ray Stallworth, Jr. for the first degree murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings in July 2009.
At the time of the murders, Stallworth was assigned to the 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Hurlburt Field. The 1999 T.R. Miller High School graduate is a Brewton native
Previously, the court affirmed the conviction and sentence imposed against Wayne Coldiron for his involvement in the Billings murders.
The Florida Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments in an appeal by Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. on December 5. He was sentenced to death as the mastermind behind the plan kill the Beulah couple at the their home.
Pictured: Donnie Ray Stallworth, Jr.
West Florida Downs Northview
November 10, 2012
Two state championship hopefuls met Friday night in Bratt, with the Northview Chiefs, ranked No. 4 in the state in 1A, more than holding their own against a much larger West Florida, ranked No. 4 in Florida in 5A. In the end, the Jaguars prevailed, 41-28.
“We had a couple of early turnovers that really hurt us,” said Northview head coach Sid Wheatley. “But basically from that point on basically every time we scored with good ball control, running the clock offense.”
“Two good football teams played tonight,” Wheatley said after the loss. “I thought out kids fought hard tonight.”
Click here for a photo gallery. (Cheerleader and dance team photos will be published Sunday, along with Northview Senior Night pictures. Band photos will be published Monday.)
The Jags took an early 7-0 lead with 9:53 to go in the first on a one-yard run from Joey Baker. Northview tied it up in with 7:41 in the second on a three yard touchdown run from La’Mikal Kyles, 7-7. Baker added another touchdown run with 5:29 in the second, and it was 14-7 at the half.
West Florida scored again with 9:31 to go in the third on a 27-yard pass from Baker to Daylan Abrams, 21-7.
But Northview wasn’t going down without a fight. Brannon Freeman scored on a 10-yard touchdown run for the Chiefs, 21-14 with 7:07 in the third. About five minutes later, a two-yard touchdown from Kyles tied it up 21-21.
West Florida pulled ahead less than a minute later with a 46-yard touchdown from Chris Mitchell on a pass from Baker, 28-21 headed into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, Kyles scored again on a two yard run with 10:08 to go, 28-28. West Florida scored again on a one-yard run from Baker and a 23-yard run by AJ McMillion for a 41-28 final.
Kyles had 161 yards and three touchdowns for the Chiefs.
Both teams head into round one of the state playoffs next week. The Northview Chiefs, District 1-1A champions, will be at home against District 2-1A runner-up Cottondale. West Florida (10-0), the District 1-5A champs, will host District 2-5A runner-up Tallahassee Godby.
“I know Cottondale has some good athletes that are going to come over here and play real hard. So we are going to go work early Monday morning and go full blast on Cottondale,” Wheatley said. “We will be fully focused on Cottondale next week.”
Click here for a photo gallery. (Band, cheerleader and dance team photos will be published Sunday, along with Northview Senior Night pictures.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Prep Football Scores
November 10, 2012
Here is a look at Friday night’s area prep football final scores.
FLORIDA
- West Florida 41, Northview 28 [Read more, photos...]
- Jay 50, Munroe 22 [Read more, photos...]
- Catholic 41, Washington 3
- Navarre 28, Gulf Breeze 14
- Wakulla 24, Escambia 8
- Open — Tate, Pace, PHS, Milton
ALABAMA PLAYOFFS
- T.R. Miller 55 Abbeville 20
- W.S. Neal 66 Slocomb 24
Jay Ends Season With 50-22 Win Over Munroe
November 10, 2012
The Jay Royals ended their season on a high note Friday night, beating the Munroe Bobcats of Quincy 50-22.
For the Royals, Brandon Cross had touchdowns of 25 and a yard, while Brandon Boutwell had couple of TD’s including a four-yarder.. Hunter Dillashaw also had a couple of touchdowns, one 50-yard kickoff return and one an 80-yard punt return. Ricky Cofield also had a Royal touchdown, a 59-yarder early in the first quarter.
The Royals ended the season at 4-6.
Photos by Michele Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Pushes Gas Tax Hike To Fund Public Transit
November 9, 2012
Escambia County residents may pay more at the pump in order to fund the ECAT bus system.
The Escambia County Commission voted 4-0, with Commissioner Kevin White absent, to schedule a public hearing next week on a 4-cent per gallon increase to the county gas tax.
The item was not on the planned agenda for the commission’s Thursday morning meeting, but it was brought forward by outgoing Commissioner Marie Young, who did not seek re-election.
Commissioners recognized that they were purposefully considering the gas tax increase just hours before two new commissioners — Steven Barry in District 5 and Lumon May in District 3 — are sworn into office on November 20. Commissioner Wilson Robertson.
If approved, the increased gas tax is expected to net the county about $4 million when it takes effect no earlier than January 2014. It currently costs the county about $3.2 million to fund the Escambia County Area Transit System, plus about $3.7 million from grants from the state and federal governments.
Escambia County currently collects 10-cents in tax per gallon — a direct 7-cent levy plus a 3-cent levy collected by the state and returned to the county.
The public hearing on the proposed gas tax increase is set for Monday, November 19 at 10:30 a.m.
Pictured: Gas prices in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Gets 20 Years For Century Shotgun Shooting
November 9, 2012
A 56-year old man will spend the next two decades behind bars for shooting another man as he ran across busy North Century Boulevard last December.
Willie James Floyd of Atmore was charged with attempted first degree murder, but last month it took a jury just over four hours to find him guilty of the lesser charge of aggravated battery using a deadly weapon. Thursday, he was sentenced to a 20 year minimum mandatory prison term by Judge Michael Allen.
Floyd shot 30-year old Deririck Medlock of Hoover, Ala., December 6, 2011, as he ran across the 8100 block of North Century Boulevard.
Medlock told deputies he was traveling north on North Century Boulevard (Hwy. 29) about 3:50 p.m. when a white four-door vehicle swerved in front of him, cutting him off. Medlock said he pulled into the Century Quick Stop at 8130 North Century Boulevard to calm down after the near-accident.
Medlock said he was outside his vehicle talking on his cellphone when Floyd then pulled into the parking lot and confronted the him, according to an arrest report. Floyd then retrieved a shotgun from his car and fired into Medlock’s car, striking it with birdshot at the roof line above the rear passenger door (pictured left).
The victim then ran across North Century Boulevard when Floyd fired again, striking the victim in the leg with birdshot. Birdshot was also lodged in his wallet in his back pants pocket. Medlock hid behind a tree across North Century Boulevard from the store, where he watched Floyd drive away. Medlock then drove to the Southern Panhandle Restaurant just north of the store and called 911. He was evaluated there by Escambia County EMS, and he refused transport to the hospital.
Other witnesses confirmed the details given by the victim, and at the shooting was captured on the store’s surveillance video.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: Deririck Medlock of Hoover, Ala., explains how an Atmore man shot him with shotgun December 6, 2011, in Century as Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Frank Way listens. Pictured inset: Damage to the victim’s car. Pictured below: The shooting incident began in this parking lot. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
