Ernest Ward To Offer Summer Enrichment Program
May 11, 2012
An invitation to attend the Ernest Ward Middle School Enrichment Program was recently mailed to parents of all fifth grade students at Bratt, Byrneville, and Molino Park elementary school.
The program’s objective is to teach and reinforce academic skills that are needed to be successful in middle school. The curriculum will consist of reading, writing and math concepts as well as study skills that are appropriate for the sixth grade.
The dates for this summer school program are June 11-14, June 18-21, and June 25-28 from 8 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. Bus transportation will be provided, and free lunch will be served.
Parents should complete the bottom portion of the invitation and return it in the inclosed self-addressed, stamped envelope by May 16, 2012. For more information, call Mrs. Murphy at (850) 327-4283.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Charged With 100 MPH Chase, Ramming Vehicle
May 11, 2012
A Walnut Hill man is jailed without bond after allegedly chasing, ramming and attempting to run his former girlfriend off the road at speeds over 100 mph.
Jerry Jason Barlow, 37, was arrested Wednesday for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon for the March 23 incident.
Barlow allegedly chased his former girlfriend, who is the mother of his two young children, for miles. She told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies the chase reached 100 mph or more along Highway 4 from North Highway 99 to Highway 97 to Greenland Road and along “several back roads”.
When the victim lost sight of Barlow, she told deputies that she returned to her home in the 4000 block of Highway 4 and awaited their arrival. As deputies spoke with the victim, they observed Barlow return to his home about 500 feet away.
Barlow locked the front door of his residence and refused to open it, according to an arrest report. Deputies then discovered that Barlow had fled through a rear window. A K-9 unit was not available to track him.
Barlow was also charged with violation of probation in an unrelated drug case.
Dozens Of Rotary Academic All-Stars Named From Four Area Schools
May 11, 2012
The Atmore Rotary Club recognized an outstanding group of area high school students as Academic All-Stars Thursday night, including about 45 Northview High School students.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year, with at least one A for each grading period.
Those who have maintained this status from the 9th through the 12th grades, were honored as Four-Year Academic All-Stars: Amber Francis from Northview High; Branden Goddard from Escambia Academy; and Jazmine Nicole Adams, Quinston Ephraim, Jr., Taylor Rain January and Mary LaRose Powell from Escambia County High. (Photos above and below.)
The following students were recognized Thursday night as Atmore Rotary Academic All-Stars:
Northview High School
9th Grade
Annie Lorene Bobo, Joshua Joseph Borelli, Megan Paige Bryan, Kendal Brooke Cobb, Aaliyah Delois Creamer, Austin Blake Cunningham, Kyndall Lauren Hall, Julie Beth Hester, Jessica Leigh McCullough, Aaron Thomas McDonald, Tristan Hunter Portwood, Mallory Mason Ryan, Samantha Elizabeth Sharpless and Kelton Joe Wooten.
10th Grade
Madison Brooke Arrington, Kasie Lee Braun, Dale Wayne Brown, Audrey Leigh Byrd, Lana Leigh Clayton, Morgan Nicole Digmon, Anna Elizabeth Donald, Chloe Vanessa Leonard, Jessica Nicole Lowery, Rachel Ann Presley, Hilery Danielle Scott, Courtney Yvonne Solari, Jeremy Logan Stacey, Danielle Nichole Steadham, Lily Ann Townson, Courtney Alexandra Weaver and Victoria Anne Wright.
11th Grade
Jazzlyn Shanece Franklin, Ashton Brooke Gibbs, Justin Lance Halteman, Zachary Sean Johnson, Ashley Nicole Mooney and Julia Renee Thorpe.
12th Grade
Jamila Akilah Codrington, Josie Britt Doucette, Amber Dianne Francis, Jacob Nathaniel Gibson, Alexandra Nicole Riggs, Lydia Ann Weaver and Elizabeth Ashley Wright.
Escambia Academy
9th Grade
Scott Brantley, Claire Dawe, Bailey Godwin, Garrett Kirk, Cecily McCullough, Erin Rider, Anna Catherine Sasser and Nate Smith.
10th Grade
Abby Akins, Elaine Davidson, Megan Duncan, Grayson Emmons and Sarah Weatherford.
11th Grade
Caitlyn Bruley, Blake Clark and Page Lancaster.
12th Grade
Branden Goddard
Atmore Christian School
9th Grade
Caleb Hochstetler, Wesley Hostetler, Darren Landis, Anna Presley and Taylor West.
10th Grade
Charity Hall, Durrell Martin and Travis Smith.
11th Grade
Aimee Jurjevich, Jacinda Stahly, Narisa Wiggins and Hannah Ziglar.
12th Grade
Logan Boatwright, Casey Freeman, Frisco Gehman and Josh McDonald.
Escambia County High School
9th Grade
Rodrick Felder, Robert Henderson, Ben Hubert, Lyricia Johnson, Cheyenne McGee, Allanis Rolin, Ashleigh Simpkins and Jerome Webster.
10th Grade
Tristen Boothe, Yamilex Gutierrez, Annah Nichols, Ashley Prime, Matthew Quimby, Davontae Walker and Iva Wiggins.
11th Grade
Mariah Hinton, Charmia Hollinger, Scarlet Martin, Jazmine McGinnis, Violet Miller, Heather Taylor and Bria Willis.
12th Grade
Jazmine Adams, Lovincy Brown, Daejon Burrous, Quinston Ephraim, Jr., Amber Hubert, Keierikai James, Taylor January, Ta’Kia Johnson, Kiona Lambert, D’Asia Lockett, Ashley McKenzie, Aaron Miller, Jamieka North, LaRose Powell, Taniecha Richardson, Stacie Young and Diamond Williams.
Blue Wahoos Beats Braves 4-3 In 10
May 11, 2012
Pensacola third baseman Cody Puckett drew a bases-loaded walk in the tenth inning as the Blue Wahoos held off the Mississippi Braves for a 4-3 extra-inning victory on Thursday night at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Mississippi.
Despite the defeat, the Braves won the series 3-2 thanks to their win on Wednesday afternoon. The win improves the Blue Wahoos’ record to 16-19, while Mississippi dropped to 14-21 with the loss.
SS Didi Gregorius got the extra frame started with a single, got to second on 2B Brodie Greene’s free pass and took third on a sacrifice bunt before 1B Joel Guzman was intentionally walked to load the bases. Puckett then came to the plate and drew a five-pitch walk to bring home Gregorius as the eventual game-winning run.
The Blue Wahoos wasted little time scoring with their two tallies in the first. CF Ryan LaMarre singled, moved to second on RF Josh Fellhauer’s base knock and came across on a Braves error, before Fellhauer was plated by Puckett’s run-scoring single to make it 2-0. LaMarre would later lead off the fifth with a single prior to Gregorius’ RBI double to right, which increased the margin to three.
Mississippi however would draw the game even at 3-3 in the sixth, with RF Keenan Wiley and SS Andrelton Simmons beginning the rally with back-to-back lead-off walks. Wiley would be sent in on a run-scoring base knock from C Evan Gattis, while Gattis subsequently scored on an RBI single from CF Todd Cunningham. After a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, 2B Barrett Kleinknecht was plunked to force in the tying run.
Blue Wahoos closer Donnie Joseph (2.0 IP, 2 SO) earned the win after retiring each of the six batters he faced in the final two innings, while Braves RHP Billy Bullock (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO) suffered the loss after tossing the final frame. Neither Pensacola starter Tim Crabbe (5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO), nor Mississippi RHP Gary Moran (5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO) factored in the decision after each allowed just a lone earned run in five innings.
LaMarre (2-4, 2 R, 1 BB), Gregorius (2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI) and Puckett (2-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB) each collected two hits in the contest for the Blue Wahoos, while Cunningham (2-4, 1 RBI)was the only Braves batter to accumulate multiple base knocks. LaMarre’s single in the first extended his hit streak to nine contests, during which he has hit .375 (12-32).
Pensacola now heads back home for a five-game series with the Birmingham Barons, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, beginning Friday night at 7:05 pm. RHP J.C. Sulbaran is slated to get the nod for the Blue Wahoos, while the Barons are scheduled to send LHP Matt Wickswat to the hill.
The Blue Wahoos will be hosting 2012 Masters champion and Milton High School graduate Bubba Watson during Friday evening’s contest, with Watson scheduled to throw out a first pitch pre-game. Fans attending Friday’s game are encouraged to wear green in honor of Watson winning golf’s famed ‘Green Jacket’ as part of a green out. In addtition, the first 1,000 fans to enter the gates will receive a Blue Wahoos beach towel, compliments of Florida Blue as part of Fan Appreciation Friday.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Closer Donnie Joseph earned his fourth win of the year in the Wahoos’ 4-3 win. File photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Braun Wins 1st Place At State FBLA Event
May 11, 2012
The Florida Future Business Leaders of America recently held their 62nd annual State Leadership Conference in Orlando Kasie Braun, a sophomore at Northview High School, won first place at the state competition in “Introduction to Business Communication”.
- Steven Shelby, third place Cyber Security, West Florida High
- Bellview MS Chapter, first place Local Chapter Activities Report
- Josh Britt, fifth place Network Design, Milton HS
Pictured: Northview’s Kasie Braun with her first place state FBLA trophy and her mother, Gine Braun. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sonja Luker Receives Jail Time In Molino Cancer Scam Case
May 10, 2012
A Molino woman has been sentenced to almost a year in jail for making up a cancer diagnosis for financial gain.
Sonja Luker was sentenced by Judge Joel Boles Thursday morning to 364 days in jail to be followed by 18 months probation and 200 hours of community service. She will not be allowed to perform her community service in a hospital or raising funds for any medical issue.
She was taken into custody immediately after the sentence was handed down.
Back in March, Luker pleaded no contest to a felony fraud charge; a previous grand theft charge against her was dropped in May 2011.
Charges were dropped against her husband, Gerald “Chris” Luker after he made restitution to each identifiable victim and made a donation to the American Cancer Society.
“The evidence indicated that he believed that his wife had cancer,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said last month, “and that he was not criminally involved.”
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, numerous fundraisers were held between May 2004 and October 2010 that raised over $19,000. Sheriff’s investigators found that about $14,000 was used in 2009 to avoid foreclosure on their home in the 4700 block of Pine Circle Drive and about $4,000 in cash was used by Chris Luker to purchase a 1997 Harley motorcycle, according to an arrest report.
Chris Luker provided the funds to make restitution to those that donated to the “Sonja Luker Kickin Cancer Fund” and checks were mailed to victims in February. Victims that made donations by check received the full amount of the original donation.
By tracing bank deposits, prosecutors found $8,506.81 in donations that were made in cash by unknown donors to Sonja Luker. Chris Luker agreed to make an equal donation of $8,506.81 to the American Cancer Society “with the intent of the original donors to support the cure for cancer,” according to a letter that known victims received from the State Attorney’s Office.
Under the plea agreement, Chris Luker will be unable to claim a tax deduction for his donation to the American Cancer Society.
Pictured inset: Sonja Luker’s mugshot after she was booked into the Escambia County Jail Thursday. Pictured top: Sonja and Chris Luker (in black shirts) are seen in a 2009 NorthEscambia.com photo from a motorcycle ride fundraiser that benefited her alleged fight against cancer. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
A Hero’s Farewell: Last Call Sounds For Veteran Fire Chief Robert Stewart
May 10, 2012
Funeral services were held Wednesday for Robert Stewart, the former chief of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department. He was 62.
Stewart answered his first fire call in Escambia County 35 years ago, serving in the Bratt then the Walnut Hill department.
For a photo gallery, click here.
He received a full fireman’s funeral. Stewart’s flag draped coffin was carried open-air on the back of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s Engine 1511 from his funeral service at Petty-Eastside Chapel in Atmore, through downtown Atmore and to Godwin Cemetery in Bratt. The procession included fire trucks and law enforcement from across the area.
The truck carrying Stewart’s remains was driven by his son, Sam, who was joined by his grandson, Drew, as Engine 1511 entered the cemetery under a giant American flag flown by ladder trucks from Century and Pace. A John Deere tractor stood as the procession entered the cemetery – Stewart enjoyed playing and watching at tractors with his young grandson.
A fireman’s bell tolled in his honor, and an Escambia County Fire dispatcher conducted a “last call” over the county’s fire radio system to his former radio number “1501″.
“Escambia to 1501″, the dispatcher called twice with no response.
“Escambia to Chief Robert Stewart,” the dispatcher said, her voice resounding across the handheld radios at the service.
The radio silence was broken again, this time by tones used to alert firefighters to important information, followed by:
“There is no response from Chief Robert Stewart. Chief Robert Stewart has answered his last call. The members of the Walnut Hill Fire Department wish to thank Chief Robert Stewart for his years of service to the citizens of Escambia County. Although you are gone, you will never be forgotten. Escambia clear.”
Following the last call, a LifeFlight helicopter approached the funeral service from the eastern horizon. The front of the helicopter “dipped” and bowed in respect before flying away.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Years of Service
Robert Stewart retired as the department’s chief in 2008 after 30 years of service as a volunteer fireman in Bratt and Walnut Hill, the last 15 of those years as chief of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department. He retired to spend more time with his grandson “Little Man” and to fight cancer. He later became active again in the department as his health permitted.
Stewart answered his first fire call in 1967 after the formation of the Bratt Volunteer Fire Department. The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club founded the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department in 1964 and donated a truck to form the Bratt department three years later.
For 10 years, he served the Bratt community as a volunteer fireman until Bratt VFD’s truck finally “wore out”. Walnut Hill and the Atmore Fire Department began answering calls in the Bratt community in 1977.
He was out of a volunteer fire department for about 10 years, until he joined the Walnut Hill VFD in 1987. For 21 straight years, he served the Walnut Hill department — the last 15 of those years as chief.
Stewart is survived by his wife of 43½ years, Diann Stewart, daughter Kelly Kennedy of California, son Sam Stewart of Bratt and host of other relatives.
Pictured: Funeral services were held Wednesday for former Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department Chief Robert Stewart. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Special thanks to Ramona Preston, Kristi Smith and Dale Johnson for contributing to the photo gallery.
NorthEscambia.com Publisher Named One Of Pensacola Area’s Most Influential People
May 10, 2012
The Pensacola Independent News has released their 2012 IN Power List — their list of the most influential leaders in the greater Pensacola area.
Only one person that works primarily in the North Escambia area was named to the list — NorthEscambia.com publisher William Reynolds.
“Influence has become more than wealth or position. In this transformative era, influence is tied to leadership and a willingness to take risks and to push for the greater good of the entire community,” wrote Rick Outzen, Independent News publisher.
Topping the annual list this year was Dr. Judy Bense, president of the University of West Florida.
For the Independent News story about the IN Power List, click here. For the complete 2012 Power List, click here.
Obama, Romney Essentially Tied In Florida
May 10, 2012
President Barack Obama and his presumptive GOP opponent, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, are in a statistical dead heat in the nation’s largest swing state about six months before voters Florida head to the polls, according to a new poll from Suffolk University and WSVN-Miami.
The survey shows Obama holding 46 percent of the vote to Romney’s 45 percent, with 7 percent undecided. But Romney’s selection of a running mate could swing the results — with 47 percent of voters backing a ticket with Romney and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, compared to 44 percent for Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
A ticket with Romney and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush would lead Obama-Biden by a 47-45 margin.
In January, the Suffolk/WSVN poll showed Romney with a 47 percent to 42 percent lead over Obama as the Republican primary was getting underway.
“Despite locking up the Republican nomination and a strong showing in the Florida Republican primary in January, Romney still has a lot of work to do to win over Florida voters,” said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center in Boston, in a news release. “He would need to repair the fallout of negativity from the Republican primaries by being more likable and offering general-election voters a positive alternative to President Obama.”
The poll, which has a margin of error of 4 percent, included telephone interviews of 600 registered voters from May 6-8.
By The News Service of Florida
Man Walks Up To Deputy With Cocaine In His Pocket
May 10, 2012
A Cantonment man was charged with three felonies after walking up to an Escambia County deputy with cocaine in his pants pocket.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, 37-year old Lorenzo McNeal drove up and parked his vehicle on 57th Avenue near Lillian Highway where the deputy was speaking with an acquaintance Of McNeal.
The deputy asked McNeal for identification, at which time McNeal admitted he did not have a valid driver’s license. He was arrested as a habitual offender for driving without a license. Once at the jail, McNeal was discovered to have a small baggie of cocaine in his hip pocket, according to an arrest report. That resulted in charges of possession of cocaine and introduction of narcotics into a detention facility.