JV Football: West Florida Over Northview (With Gallery)
October 12, 2012
The JV West Florida Jaguars got past Northview 22-20 Thursday evening in Bratt.
The JV Chiefs will end their season next Monday evening at 6:30 against Escambia County High School of Atmore.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Commission To Review, Possibly Terminate Administrator Next Week
October 12, 2012
The Escambia County Commission could vote to terminate the contract of of County Administrator at their next meeting on October 18.
Calling it a “housekeeping” measure, District 5 Commissioner Kevin White introduced a motion during a Thursday morning meeting to reserve the right to take a termination vote October 18 after a public evaluation of Oliver’s performance. The motion passed 3-2, with commissioners Grover Robinson and Marie Young against.
Each commissioner has already submitted their own personal written evaluation of Oliver’s job performance. He was given a generally good reviews by Young and Robinson, but numerous issues and shortcomings were raised by commissioners White, Wilson Robertson and Gene Valentino.
“The policies he promotes are his, not the commissioners,” Valentino wrote in his review of Oliver. “Initiatives of commissioners were killed through his approach. He would not champion a commissioner cause unless he agreed.”
Valentino also scored Oliver poorly in his leadership abilities, community relations, administrative duties and economic development. “Feedback from the public and other county agencies found him to be arrogant and rude,” Valentino wrote. He also said Oliver had a “I know better than the commissioner” attitude.
“This is a tough job. Randy is not perfect but who can be with five bosses,” Robinson wrote in his evaluation, generally rating Oliver at or above satisfactory in all aspects.
“He does not seem to be open minded to other ideas,” White wrote, giving Oliver less than satisfactory ratings in supervision, community relations, administrative duties, economic development and intergovernmental relations.
White said that over time he has “developed less faith” in Oliver’s supervision as county administrator.
“You’ve shown great leadership and has helped the county in many ways,” Young wrote on her evaluation form. “It is my desire that your tenure will for many opportunities to help grow Escambia County and improve the quality of life for our citizens.” Young gave Oliver straight “outstanding” marks in all evaluation categories.
Robertson expressed concerns with Oliver’s performance in the areas economic development, county council relations, planning and administrative duties.
Oliver was hired as county administrator in September 2010.
Pictured top: (L-R) Pensacola Chamber President Jim Hizer, Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver, Century Mayor Freddie McCall and Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Kevin White discuss economic development during a tour of Century in 2011. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Undefeated: Ernest Ward Beats Summerdale (With Photo Gallery)
October 12, 2012
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles continued their perfect season with a 30-0 win over Summerdale (Ala.) Thursday night in Walnut Hill. The Eagles (6-0) will wrap up their season next Thursday night at 6:00 at Elberta, Ala.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles defeated Summerdale Thursday night at home. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Volleyball: Gators Defeat Chiefs (With Gallery)
October 12, 2012
Baker’s Lady Gators defeated the Northview Chiefs in varsity and junior varsity volleyball action Thursday in Bratt.
In junior varsity action, E’Layzha Bates had five aces and McKenzie Nasser had four aces and one kill for the JV Lady Chiefs as Baker downed Northview 25-11, 22-25, 15-17.
In varsity play, it was Baker over Northview in four, 8-25, 26-24, 20-25, 14-17. Lily Townson had one kill and 17 assists for the Lady Chiefs. Misty Doran had one ace, seven kills and four blocks, and Morgan Payne added 15 kills, one block an an assist for Northview.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Lady Chiefs will be at Tate next Tuesday with junior varsity playing their final game of the season at 4:30 p.m. and the varsity playing at 5:30 p.m. Northview’s varsity will wrap up the regular season on Thursday, October 18 with Senior Night beginning at 5:30 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Poll: Florida Presidential Race Close; Nelson Way Ahead
October 12, 2012
The presidential race in Florida is too close to call, but Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson holds a commanding lead in his re-election race against Republican Connie Mack, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll.
Among likely voters, President Obama leads Republican Mitt Romney by a margin of 48 to 47 percent, which is within the margin of error.
The poll was conducted Sunday to Tuesday, after a nationally televised debate that Romney is widely believed to have won. A poll released before the debate showed Obama ahead 47 percent to 46 percent.
With the November 6 election less than four weeks away, the new poll shows a more clearly-defined Senate race in Florida. Nelson leads Mack, a southwest Florida congressman, by a margin of 52 percent to 39 percent, the poll said.
By The News Service of Florida
Driver Charged With DUI After Hitting Deputy’s Patrol Car
October 11, 2012
An alleged drunk driver ran into an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy overnight.
The Florida Highway Patrol said deputy Jack Holland was in an unmarked patrol car with his emergency lights flashing as he assisted another deputy with a traffic stop on Highway 29 near Hanna Street about 2:54 a.m.
Tanya Mcateer, age 39 of Pensacola, failed to stop or move over for the deputies. Holland attempted unsuccessfully to move his patrol car out of the roadway, but Mcateer’s 2006 Infinity hit the deputy’s car, troopers said.
Mcateer was charged with DUI with property damage and careless driving.
Neither driver was injured.
Gilmores Named Escambia County Farm Family Of The Year
October 11, 2012
Jacob and Carla Gilmore of Molino, along with their twin daughters, have been named as the Escambia County Farm Family of the Year.
They are part owners of Gizmo Angus Farm, a purebred Angus cattle operation in Molino. The farms takes pride in using the latest technologies in the industry to raise the highest quality beef.
Jacob grew up in agriculture participating in 4-H and FFA while attending Tate High School. He was honored by receiving the Star Green Hand, Star Farmer, Outstanding Agriculture Technology student, Who’s Who Among American High School Students and was a state finalist in beef production entrepreneurship.
Jacob participated in the Escambia County Interstate Fair Livestock Show andSale from the age of 8 until he was 19. In two different years, he had the Grand Champion Steer. He also won awards for showmanship. Additionally he had the Grand Champion laying hens when he showed in the poultry division.
Carla married into the farming life seven years ago, and has become a strong advocate of agriculture. She supports Jacob’s work and is already planning for their daughters to be involved in the farm.
Jacob and Carla have become very active in the Young Farmers and Ranchers program, helping promote agriculture in Escambia County and across the state.
Gilmore twins Syndey and Ella and already curious about the Angus cattle, own their own cowboy boots and love joining their dad on the farm.
Pictured top: The Escambia County Farm Family of the Year: Jacob and Carla Gilmore along with twin daughters Syndey and Ella. Pictured and below: Syndey and Ella at the Gizmo Angus Farm. Photos courtesy Abbie Seales Rolph for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Single Vehicle Crash Near Bratt
October 11, 2012
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash near Bratt Wednesday night.
The 23-year old female driver of a Lincoln Navigator lost control on Breastworks Road at intersection of Pine Barren Road about 10:15 p.m. The vehicle left the roadway, ran into a brushy area and hit a tree.
The driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
Pictured: One person was injured in this single vehicle accident on Breastworks Road at Pine Barren Road Wednesday night.
Log Truck Driver Runs Off Road, Into Wooded Area
October 11, 2012
A log truck driver escaped injury when he plowed into wood area Wednesday night in McDavid.
The driver of the 18-wheeler was northbound on Highway 29 north of Main Street when he ran off the roadway, struck a guardrail and ran into wooded area, taking down several small trees. He was evaluated on scene and refused to be transported to the hospital.
The 8:47 p.m. accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
Pictured: The driver of this log truck was not injured when he ran off the road and into a wooded area Wednesday night in McDavid. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Homeless Man Charged With Stabbing 13-Year Old
October 11, 2012
A homeless man has been arrested for stabbing a 13-year old.
Wendell D. Suggs, 23, was charged with battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault with weapon and petit theft following the incident in the 200 block of Edison Drive in the Mayfair community, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The juvenile was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. After an intense search by deputies and a K-9 unit, Suggs were taken into custody in the block of Edison Drive.
He remains in the Escambia County jail without bond.