Every Wondered Which Daylilies Will Work In Your Garden?
June 2, 2012
Have you ever wondered which daylilies to plant in your garden? “Mondays in the Gardens“ will feature “Dazzling Daylilies” on June 11 at 10 am at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center Gardens. Find out everything you need to know about collecting and growing these beautiful flowers. The program is under the direction of UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners. Tina Tuttle will deliver the presentation. It is free and open to the public.
Tina is a National Garden Club Horticulture Instructor. She serves as President for the Florida Flower Show Judges and Assistant District Director for FFGC District I. Additionally she currently serves as vice president for the Friends of the Gardens of Northwest Florida.
The UF/IFAS WREC Gardens are located on the Milton campus of Pensacola State College. Follow the signs on campus to find the gardens. The program will be in the Shade Garden.
Two Escambia Men Arrested In Armed Burglary
June 2, 2012
Two men were arrested Friday for armed burglary after they entered the apartment of two females on Michigan Avenue.
The victim told 911 dispatchers that two black males had pushed their way into her apartment and began fighting with her and her mother. The victim later told deputies during the altercation one of the suspects had pulled a handgun. The victims were able to push the suspects out of the apartment and contact law enforcement.
A description of the suspects and their vehicle was provided to dispatchers. A deputy spotted the suspected vehicle and followed it to an address in the 5200 block of Charbar Drive. The suspects ran from the vehicle into the house where deputies later took both into custody.
A search of the suspects and the area failed to yield the gun that was allegedly used in the crime.
Dealex M. Sumler, 19, was charged with armed burglary of an occupied dwelling and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Tywan C. Bedgood, 18, was charged with armed burglary of an occupied dwelling and battery.
Northview Names Honor Grads
June 2, 2012
Honors graduates for Northview High School’s Class of 2012 were recently named.
They are as follows:
Pictured top: Northview Class of 2012 Summa Cum Laude graduates (4.0 and above) are Valedictorian Elizabeth Ashley Wright, Salutatorian Holly Nicole Dickson, Joel Nathaniel Wetzel, Amber Dianrie Francis, Josie Britt Doucette, Caleb Wesley Leonard, Jamila Akilah Codrington, Lydia Ann Weaver. Not pictured: Lindsay Beth Hedgepeth.
Pictured inset: Northview Class of 2012 Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are (L-R) Brian Jeffrey Ross, HenryJoseph Baldwin, Charla Suzanne Stark and (not pictured) Taylor Leigh Ann Dukes
Pictured below: Northview Class of 2012 Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are: Arthur Jacob Baldwin, Austin Randall Albritton, Timothy Lucas White, (not pictured) Camilah Joy Goetter, Chelsea Grace Parham, Melissa Jayne Moretz, Alexander Dewayne Payne, Lauren Ashley McCall, Caroline Lindsay Prater and Savannah Dyan Singleton.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Bread Store Robbery
June 2, 2012
An Escambia County man was arrested Friday shortly after robbing a discount bread store and assaulting the elderly clerk.
About 12:30 p.m., Vincent L. Johnson, 39, entered the Dolly Madison bread store at 1815 West Fairfield Drive and got into a scuffle with the clerk, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The 71-year old clerk was knocked to the ground, and Johnson fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
A witness was able to get a vehicle description that led deputies to the 3200 block of Tarragona Street where they were able to take Johnson into custody.
Johnson was charged with battery on a person 65 year of age of older, petit theft and robbery without a firearm. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $21,000.
The clerk, whose name has not yet been released, was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Generals Sweep Doubleheader Over The Pensacola Wahoos
June 2, 2012
The Generals swept Pensacola in their double header, taking the first contest 6-1, before Jackson walked off with a 2-1 extra-inning victory over the Blue Wahoos in the second game on Friday evening at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tennessee.
Jackson took the opening game of the twinbill behind a solid seven inning complete game effort from starting pitcher Brandon Maurer. The right-hander earned his third win of the year after yielding only a lone earned run on just four hits in his strong outing. Blue Wahoos starter Daniel Corcino suffered the loss after allowing three earned runs on five hits in three frames, though relievers Chris Manno and Wilkin De La Rosa combined for three shutout frames in the defeat.
The Generals powered ahead to an early 5-0 advantage in the opening frame. C Jesus Sucre started the scoring by driving in two with a single to right, his first of four hits in the contest, before a fielding miscue allowed the next run to come across. LF Kalian Sams would then launch a solo homer to left to complete the inning’s output. A bases loaded free pass in the third extended the Jackson margin to 6-0.
The Blue Wahoos would plate their lone run in the fifth to dash the Generals’ shutout hopes. After 1B Joel Guzman reached on a lead-off walk, 3B P.J. Phillips sent in Guzman with a run-scoring double to center for Pensacola’s lone score of the contest.
It was a pitcher’s duel in game two with neither team giving way until the tenth, when the Blue Wahoos scored their only run of the contest. 3B David Vidal walked and advanced to third on 1B Stephen Hunt’s single prior to an RBI groundout from C Chris Berset, which put the Fish ahead.
The Generals however, would answer with two scores in the bottom of the frame to end the contest. Sucre singled and 1B Joseph Dunigan walked, before both moved a base on a wild pitch to set the stage for 3B Francisco Martinez. The third baseman grounded a single into right to bring home both Sucre and Dunigan to end the game and series.
Despite surrendering the run in the tenth, Jackson reliever Steven Hensley (3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) earned the win to improve to 2-2, while Blue Wahoos RHP Justin Freeman (0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB) suffered the loss after yielding the final two tallies. Pensacola starter Mark Serrano (5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 SO), in addition to Donnie Joseph (1.1 IP, 3 SO) and Curtis Partch (2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 SO), totaled nine shutout frames, while Generals starter Jandy Sena (4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 SO) teamed up with relief pitchers Bobby LaFraomboise (0.2 IP) and Carter Capps (2.0 IP, 1 BB, 4 SO) for seven scoreless innings.
The Blue Wahoos now return to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium for a five-game set with the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, beginning on Saturday night at 6:30 pm. Pensacola is scheduled to send RHP Tim Crabbe to the mound to begin the series, while the Suns are expected to start LHP Jose Alvarez.
By Andrew Green
Atmore Man Charged With Stabbing His Mother
June 1, 2012
A man that allegedly stabbed his own mother following a dispute over money is behind bars.
Dayshawn Dixon, age 27, of Atmore, was charged with domestic violence first degree and booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton following the late night incident.
About 11:34 p.m. Thursday, the Atmore Police Department responded to a stabbing call on East 4th Street. They discovered that Dayshawn Dixon had allegedly stabbed his mother, 46-year old Kimberly Dixon, in the chest.
According to witnesses, Dayshawn Dixon became upset that his mother would not give him $200 from his Social Security check, so he retrieved a kitchen knife and stabbed her.
Kimberly Dixon was transported to Atmore Community Hospital by private vehicle. She was treated and released.
Gulf Power Still Seeks Rate Increase For North Escambia Power Plant
June 1, 2012
Gulf Power Company’s future plans still point toward a North Escambia generation facility, and the utility is still seeking a rate hike to to pay the costs associated with the purchase of thousands of acres near McDavid.
Wednesday afternoon, Gulf Power announced a $58.5 million rate decrease plan was being filed with Florida Public Service Commission. But a previously filed $2 million rate increase proposal is still pending before the PSC for the North Escambia facility.
Earlier this year, the Public Service Commission did not allow Gulf Power to pass along costs related to a potential nuclear-power plant site in North Escambia because the utility has not taken an initial step — known as getting a determination of need — for such a project.
Gulf Power has asked the PSC to allow $2 million in costs associated with the North Escambia land purchases. That would equate to about 20 cents per month for the average customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month. The 20 cents would be more than offset by about a $10 per month savings from the rate decrease announced this week.
“This was the first time that the PSC has not allowed costs for land held for future use to be included in the base rate,” Sandy Sims, Gulf Power manager of public affairs, said.
The $2 million, just a fraction of the costs of the land acquisitions, would pay interest on finance agreements and fund environmental assessments on the North Escambia property.
Gulf Power has not said what type of power plant it wants to construct in North Escambia, but PSC filings indicate that it could be natural gas, coal or nuclear.
Pictured top: One of many houses that now sit abandoned near McDavid where Gulf Power has purchased thousands of acres for a possible nuclear power plant. One of many Gulf Power “Posted” signs that line the roads in the area of the potential plant. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore’s South Presley Street, Atmosphere Road To Be Resurfaced With State Grants
June 1, 2012
Two roads in Atmore and Poarch will be resurfaced under a state program announced Thursday by Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley.
In Atmore, South Presley Street will resurfaced from Highway 31 to Highway 21 (at the “Y” near the Alabama/Florida state line) at a total cost of $513,893.60 — with $411,114.88 from the state and $102,778.72 in matching local funds.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians will receive $1,514,881.20 from state and make a local match of $378,72030 for a total of $1,893,601.50 for Atmosphere Road improvements, bridge improvements and resurfacing.
The projects are two of 105 announced Thursday that will be funded through ATRIP — the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement program.
ATRIP is the largest road and bridge improvement program in Alabama’s history. The improvements are designed to enhance safety and quality of life for people in communities across the state. Further, the transportation projects will also serve as an economic development tool. Updated roads and bridges will help the state recruit additional jobs from companies that depend on a modern, solid infrastructure to transport goods.
“From large cities to rural areas, the people of this state deserve reliable, safe roads and bridges,” Governor Bentley said. “School buses should not have to be detoured around substandard bridges. Communities need help improving roads that are currently over capacity or in need of various safety improvements.”
“Also, companies depend on updated roads and bridges to help them safely conduct business and make deliveries,” Governor Bentley added. “As we improve our infrastructure, we will improve the business climate in the state and make Alabama more attractive to businesses seeking to locate here and bring additional jobs.”
Governor Bentley first unveiled the ATRIP program in February. Cities and counties across the state then submitted project proposals for the initial round of funding. ATRIP applications were analyzed by the Alabama Department of Transportation. Eligible projects were reviewed by an advisory committee, which, in conjunction with Governor Bentley, made the final project funding decisions.
Judge Strikes Down Some Florida Voter Registration Laws
June 1, 2012
A federal judge on Thursday barred enforcement of part of the state’s controversial elections law, saying the rules made it too difficult for non-governmental organizations to register voters.
Opponents of the law, approved by the Legislature last year, cheered the decision by District Court Judge Robert Hinkle to issue an injunction against some portions of the statute, most notably a provision requiring voter registration forms to be returned to elections officials within 48 hours of being filled out.
But supporters minimized the ruling and said that the core of the measure — which made sweeping changes to the law governing how Floridians vote — remained intact.
The judge also placed some restrictions on what paperwork the state could require from voter-registration groups and their volunteers; lawyers were still trying to plow through the implications of that part of the ruling.
The clearest victory for critics of the measure, though, was on the time limit for turning in voter registration forms, which had been 10 days before lawmakers shortened it to two. Hinkle agreed with voting-rights organizations like the League of Women Voters, Rock the Vote and the Florida Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, who argued that the new standards were too stringent.
“If the goal is to discourage voter-registration drives and thus also to make it harder for new voters to register, the 48-hour deadline may succeed,” Hinkle wrote. “But if the goal is to further the state’s legitimate interests without unduly burdening the rights of voters and voter registration organizations, 48 hours is a bad choice.”
Hinkle also barred the state from requiring volunteers to sign a form that misled voters about the penalties for unknowingly submitting forms with inaccurate information on them.
The groups that challenged the law, which have largely suspended their registration drives and other activities in the state, were cautiously optimistic about the outcome.
“With those two things out of the way, we intend and expect to be able to get back to work,” said Heather Smith, president of Rock the Vote.
At the same time, the organizations said they were going to be careful about putting volunteers back in the field before they finished reviewing the ruling.
“We just want to make 100 percent sure that they are not at any risk doing this very important volunteer activity,” said Deirdre Macnab, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida.
Supporters of the bill said that the voter-registration changes were not central to the bill, which also reduced the number of early-voting days; barred voters from changing their addresses as the polling place; and set new standards for citizen-initiative petitions.
“I don’t think they’re glaring issues in the overall content of a bill that size,” said Rep. Dennis Baxley, the Ocala Republican who sponsored the law during last year’s legislative session.
But Lenny Curry, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, said he was disappointed the measure was struck down.
“This would guarantee that new voters know with certainty they have joined millions of legal voters in being able to participate in our great democratic process,” Curry said.
Gov. Rick Scott’s office said he would review his options, but didn’t specifically say what steps he might take. The state has 30 days to decide whether it wants to appeal. He also noted, however, that most of the law was upheld.
The ruling was the latest in a series of legal maneuvers around which parts of the massive bill will remain in place. A state judge rebuffed a challenge from former state Sen. Nancy Argenziano to a portion of the law that would have barred the Republican-turned-Independent from running for Congress as a Democrat in 2012.
And a federal court in Washington, D.C., is considering whether to allow the most controversial portions of the law to go into effect in five counties covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. Because of a history of racial and language discrimination in those counties, any changes to elections laws must be precleared either by the court or the U.S. Department of Justice.
However, opponents contend that if parts of the law are barred in those counties, they would have to be ignored statewide.
“Frankly, I think the bulk of the voter suppression legislation approved by majority party members in the Legislature is an assault on one of our basic rights as U.S. citizens and the law should be replaced with reasonable rules regulating Florida’s elections,” said incoming House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston of Plantation.
A ruling in the preclearance case could come soon.
By Brandon Larrabee
The News Service of Florida
Northview Names Valedictorian, Salutatorian; Seniors Receive $600K
June 1, 2012
Over a half million dollars worth of scholarships were presented Thursday night to members of the Northview High School Class of 2012, and the school also named its valedictorian and salutatorian.
Elizabeth Wright was named the Northview High School Class of 2012 valedictorian, while Holly Dickson was named salutatorian.
Also during Senior Honors Night, seniors were recognized for college scholarships that they have received. The NHS Class of 2012 earned over $600,000 in scholarship money.
Editor’s note: A list of honors graduates and academic awards presented Thursday night was not immediately available.
The following students were recognized Thursday for scholarships received:
Elizabeth Wright
- FNBT -Valedictorian
- UWF Pace Honors Scholarship
- UWF Argonaut Scholarship
- EREC Herman D. Johnson Scholarship
- 2012 Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship
- Barrineau Park Historical Society
- Military Children Scholar Award
- High School Heroes Scholarship
- Pensacola Interstate Fair Scholarship
- Atmore Rotary Club Scholarship
- Academic All-Stars Award
- VWF Award
- Escarosa Next Generation Learning Community
Josie Doucette
- UWF Nautilus Scholarship
- UWF Arete’ Scholarship
- High School Heroes Award
- Academic All-Stars Award
- MIRA Book Scholarship
- Thomas E. Weaver Memorial Scholarship-DCT
Holly Dickson
- UWF Nautilus Scholarship
- UWF Arete’ Scholarship
- Barrineau Park Historical Society Scholarship
- United Bank-Salutatorian
Amber Francis
- UWF Pace Honors Scholarship
- Jim/Jumi Ross Award
- Academic All-Stars Award
Lucas White
- Faulkner State Presidential Scholarship
Zach Barrow
- Drafting and Design Technology Scholarship
- Tri-City Rotary Club Annual Scholarship
- Thomas E. Weaver Memorial Baseball Award
Jamila Codrington
- P.E.O. (Philanthropic Ed Org) Scholarship
- NNOA Scholarship
- Academic All-Stars Award
Lydia Weaver
- PSC Principals’ Award
- Academic All-Stars Award
- Tommy E Weaver Memorial-FFA
- Glynn Key Scholarship
- FFA Alumni Award
Melissa Moretz
- PSC Concert Chorale Scholarship
- PSC Jazz Choir Scholarship
- MIRA Book Scholarship
- Jim/Jumi Ross Award
Cory King
- PSC Outstanding Minority Scholarship
- MIRA Book Scholarship
Justin Purvis
- NADC Scholarship
- MIRA Book Scholarship
Lauren McCall
- Spirit of the Chiefs Scholarship
Kiani Okahashi
- LCPL Nelson Memorial Scholarship MIRA Book Scholarship
Rebecca Barnhill
- Fortis Institute MA Scholarship
Jacob Gibson
- Academic All-Stars Award
Alexandra Riggs
- Academic All-Stars Award
Brandon Chambless
- FFA Alumni Award
Jacob Baldwin
- MIRA Book Scholarship
Joseph Baldwin
- MIRA Book Scholarship
Alissa Fiellin
- MIRA Book Scholarship
Chelsea Parham
- MIRA Book Scholarship
D.J. Robinson
- MIRA Book Scholarship
Wes Chancery
- Pensacola Civitan Citizen of the Year Award
Charla Stark
- AL Dependents’ GI Scholarship
Austin Albritton
- Yellow Ribbon Scholarship
- BSU Nat’l Foundation Scholarship
Sean Knight
- Tyler Junior College-Athletic
Brian Ross
- Furman University
- Spirit of the Chiefs Scholarship
Joel Wetzel
- UWF Nautilus Scholarship
Jody Day
- MMI White Knight Scholarship
- MMI Cadetship Award
Charleigh McPherson
- Walnut Hill Ruritan Award
Bright Futures Scholarships FAS Awards
- Holly Dickson
- Amber Francis
- Brian Ross
- Joel Wetzel
Bright Futures Scholarships FMS Awards
- Taylor Byrd
- Jamila Codrington
- Josie Doucette
- Lindsay Hedgepeth
- Caleb Leonard
- Lauren McCall
- Alex Payne
- Lydia Weaver
- Elizabeth Wright
- Camillah Goetter
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.