Obama Asks For Four More Years Of Change
September 7, 2012
CHARLOTTE, NC — Trying to rekindle his connection with the American people after four years of recession and a slow recovery, President Barack Obama promised a better future if voters reaffirmed their commitment to an agenda he said still offered hope and change.
In a speech to a crowded hall on the final night of the Democratic National Convention, Obama conceded that his administration wasn’t offering a quick fix to problems “that have built up over decades” and would require years to correct.
“But know this, America: Our problems can be solved,” Obama said. “Our challenges can be met. The path we offer may be harder, but it leads to a better place.”
The speech marked a stark contrast from the situation Obama found himself in four years ago.
Then, he was a change agent running from the party out of power, the first major-party black presidential nominee, who drew such large crowds that he decided to hold his acceptance speech in a football stadium.
On Thursday, he spoke for about 40 minutes to a packed Time Warner Cable Arena, the night’s festivities having been moved from nearby Bank of America Stadium because officials said the weather forecast was too unpredictable. And Obama was in some ways arguing that a steady course would produce its own kind of change, or at least preserve the change that his administration had made over the past four years.
Obama himself acknowledged the shift in his position during the address, noting that the presidency had in some ways changed him from the young state senator who set the convention on fire in 2004 as the keynote speaker and the presidential candidate promising a fresh start in 2008.
“But as I stand here tonight, I have never been more hopeful about America,” he told cheering delegates. “Not because I think I have all the answers. Not because I’m naïve about the magnitude of our challenges. I’m hopeful because of you.”
The president also delivered a set of promises he said could be delivered if voters would give him a second turn. Obama pledged to create a million manufacturing jobs, boost exports, begin weaning America off foreign oil, rein in college costs and make deep reductions in the federal deficit.
But, much like GOP nominee Mitt Romney’s promise at the Republican National Convention to create 12 million new jobs, Obama offered few details on how he would reach those objectives.
“He offered more promises, but he hasn’t kept the promises he made four years ago,” Romney campaign manager Matt Rhoades said in a statement issued before the speech had ended. “Americans will hold President Obama accountable for his record — they know they’re not better off and that it’s time to change direction.”
Obama also used the speech to needle Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, over their differences on the issues. In a segment that seemed pointed at the senior citizens who could play a major role in deciding which candidate gets Florida’s 29 electoral votes, Obama took aim at the GOP’s plans for Medicare.
“And I will never turn Medicare into a voucher,” he said. “No American should ever have to spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies. They should retire with the care and dignity that they have earned.”
Obama’s speech capped off a night that featured a brief speech by former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, a Republican-turned-independent, and appearances from Hollywood stars like Eva Longoria and Scarlett Johansson. Democrats highlighted Obama’s achievements — including authorizing a bailout they say saved the American automobile industry and ordering the operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden.
The message implicit in many of the night’s speeches: Obama has earned one more chance.
“We’re on a mission to move this nation forward — from doubt and downturn, to promise and prosperity,” said Vice President Joe Biden. “A mission I guarantee you we will complete.”
By Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Mother Arrested For Making Her Son Panhandle
September 7, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman Thursday for allegedly forcing her underage son to panhandle for her at a busy intersection.
Jaime Anne Spicer, age 34 of Pace, was charged with child abuse and booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Deputies responded to the area of Davis Highway and Olive Road Thursday morning after receiving several reports of a child holding a sign that read, “Homeless, need help, God Bless.”
Spicer was sitting on a nearby bench while her son stood on the side of the road with his sign. When deputies arrived, Spicer snatched the sign away from her son in an attempt to conceal it.
When deputies questioned Spicer about what she was doing, she told deputies that they were panhandling because she needed money to pay for her motel room. When asked why she attempted to conceal her son’s sign, Spicer told deputies that she was a substitute teacher and did not want to get into any trouble.
The child was turned over to his father, and the Department of Children and Families was notified.
Prison Inmate Indicted For Murdering Cellmate
September 7, 2012
A Santa Rosa County Grand Jury has returned a two-count indictment against a Santa Rosa Correctional Institution inmate for the murder of cellmate earlier this year.
Shawn Rogers was charged with first degree premeditated murder with a weapon and armed kidnapping with weapon. The charges stem from Rogers’ attack on inmate Ricky D. Martin, 24, on March 30, 2012. Martin died from blunt force trauma to his brain on April 8, 2012.
Martin, who was from Collier County, was serving time for 2007 conviction on charges of grand theft, armed burglary, trafficking in stolen property and four counts of grand theft of a firearm.
Rogers is serving a life sentence for robbery with a deadly weapon and a 15-year sentence for aggravated battery with deadly weapon.
The state intends to seek the death penalty for the murder, according to prosecutors.
JV: Catholic Defeats Northview (With Photo Gallery)
September 7, 2012
The junior varsity Catholic Crusaders defeated the junior varsity Northview Chiefs Thursday night in Bratt, 12-0.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Northview hosted Catholic in JV football action Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Escambia Farmer’s Markets Named Among America’s Favorites
September 7, 2012
Two of the top 10 farmer’s markets in the country are located in Escambia County.
The Market at Saint Monica’s in Cantonment was named the number 10 small market in the country by the group American Farmland Trust. The Palafox Market, held in downtown Pensacola, was named the number 10 large market in the U.S. The Palafox market was also named the Florida’s second favorite.
The goal of American Farmland Trust’s fourth annual America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest was to highlight the role that farmers markets play in keeping family farmers on the land. The summer long contest was a nationwide challenge to see which markets can rally the most votes from their customers.
The bi-monthly Market at Saint Monica’s will be open again on September 15.
The Palafox market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Palafox Street between Garden and Wright streets in downtown Pensacola.
Pictured top: The Palafox Market in downtown Pensacola. Pictured inset and below: Items for sale earlier this summer at the Market at Saint Monica’s in Cantonment. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Beats Perdido (With Photo Gallery)
September 7, 2012
The Ernest Ward Eagles opened their middle school football season with a 44-6 win over Perdido Thursday night.
The Eagles took an early lead on a toss from Desmone Knight to Joshua English for a touchdown with 6:41 to go in the first. With a good two point conversion from Knight, EWMS was up 8-0.
Ernest Ward scored exactly five minutes later on a 15-yard touchdown run from Contraris Mitchell and a good two pointer from Knight, 16-0 with 1:41 in the first.
For a photo gallery, click here.
EWMS added another touchdown, this time a two yard quarterback keeper from Luke Ward, with 27.1 seconds to go in the first. After a flawless two point conversion from Dustin Bethea, Ernest Ward held a commanding 24-0 lead over Perdido headed into the second quarter.
With 6:01 on the clock in the second, Knight added another touchdown for the Eagles to make it 32-0. Then with 3:52 to go in the half, Mitchell was into the end zone for the Eagles. A missed two pointer, and it was 38-0.
Perdido added one touchdown from Dusty Baggett and missed the two point conversion, 38-6. Ernest Ward sealed the win with an English touchdown late in the game, 44-6.
Ernest Ward will host Elberta next Thursday night at 6:00 in Walnut Hill.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Desmone Knight picks up yardage for Ernest Ward Thursday evening against Perdido in Walnut Hill. Pictured top inset: Quarterback Luke Ward completes a pass. Pictured bottom inset: Dustin Beathea on the run for the Eagles. Pictured below: The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders. Pictured bottom: Kylie Brook on the piccolo in the Ernest Ward band. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Volleyball: Central Downs Northview (With Photo Gallery)
September 7, 2012
The Northview Chiefs split varsity and junior varsity games with Central High School Thursday on the volleyball court in Bratt.
In varsity action, Northview fell to Central in five, 24-26, 25-8, 25-17, 22-25, 13-15.
Shelley Mothershed had three aces, two kills and six assists for the Lady Chiefs, while Misty Doran had two aces, eight kills, four block and two digs.
In junior varsity action, the NHS Lady Chiefs defeated the Central Lady Jags 23-25, 25-7, 15-11. Hope Coggins recorded four aces, one kill and one dig for Northview, and Kyndall Hall added five aces and five kills for the Lady Chiefs.
The NHS junior varsity will host a tourney Saturday at Northview. The varsity and junior varsity will travel to Pensacola High School on Monday at 4:30/5:30.
The Lady Jags will host Pace beginning at 4:30 on Friday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Varsity action from Thursday night as Northview hosted Central in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tuesday Night Murder Suspect Arrested
September 7, 2012
A suspect has been arrested in the shooting death of a woman Tuesday night in Escambia County.
Fred William Walker, Jr. was arrested in Baldwin County for the murder of 47-year old Sandra K. Walker,
The shooting happened about 7:25 p.m. Tuesday in the 5900 block of Wales Avenue, off Mobile Highway. Deputies found Walker deceased at the scene. The shooting was believed to be domestic violence related.
Fred Walker is the son of Sandra Walker’s boyfriend. Sandra Walker was involve in a relationship with Fred Walker’s father for several years, but they were not married.
Suspect Shot By Escambia Deputy Indentified
September 6, 2012
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office shot a felony suspect Wednesday night on Olive Road.
Escambia County Deputy Daniel Moore was attempting to serve felony warrants on 27-year old Justin Coon of Pensacola at the Hidden Village Town Homes in the 3600 block of East Olive Road, near 9th Avenue.
“While attempting to apprehend the suspect the deputy was forced to fire his weapon,” said Deputy Matt Baxter, spokesman for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office has not detailed the exact circumstances that led to the shooting.
Coon was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and then transferred to the hospital unit at the Escambia County Jail.
The deputy was not injured.
Coon is being held without bond on outstanding warrants that include battery, interference with custody and probation violations. He is expected to face more charges in connection with Wednesday night’s incident.
Moore has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure in an officer involved shooting. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will be in the lead agency in the shooting investigation.
Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office vehicles line Olive Road tonight near 9th Avenue following an office involved shooting. Reader submitted photo by Rachael Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four Injured In Highway 29 Wreck After Driver Runs Red Light
September 6, 2012
Four people were injured in a two vehicle crash Thursday morning on Highway 29 at 9½ Mile Road after a driver ran a red light.
Melissa Benavides, age 33 of Pensacola, was cited for failing to obey a traffic signal, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, after the 7:55 a.m. crash.. She received minor injuries in the crash. A passenger in her vehicle, 11-year old Kyler Beech of Pensacola, was listed in serious serious condition.
Her 2012 Toyota Highlander struck a 2008 Pontiac G6 driven by 20-year old Jessica Douglas of Cantonment. Douglas received minor injuries. Her passenger, 20-year old Brandi Hutto of Cantonment, was seriously injured.
All four victims were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by ambulance. The accident shut down a portion of Highway 29 for about an hour.
Pictured: Four people were injured in this crash Thursday morning at Highway 29 and 9½ Mile Road. Reader submitted photos by Lisa Weaver for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
