Cantonment Rotary Foundation Ted Ciano Memorial Golf Tournament Planned
May 8, 2012
The Cantonment Rotary Club will host the second annual Cantonment Rotary Foundation Ted Ciano Memorial Golf Tournament on Friday, May 11 at the Scenic Hills Country Club in Pensacola.
“Mr C,” as he was affectionately known throughout Florida’s Panhandle, was a longtime member and past president of the Cantonment Rotary Club and was the driving force behind the establishment of the Cantonment Rotary Foundation. The Foundation presents at least eight scholarships per year as part of an endowed scholarship program, provides funding for the Miracle League, Council on Aging, Honor Flights, Loaves & Fishes, and numerous other local charities, as well as international projects through Rotary International Matching Grants.
The golf tournament is the primary funding source for the Cantonment Foundation and requires not only the dedicated efforts of club members, but also the support of the community. Tee sign sponsors, door prizes, and sponsored teams are the essential elements of any golf tournament.
The format is a four person scramble with the usual prizes for “closest to the pin”, “longest drive”, etc. In addition, every player receives a nice door prize. Last year’s door prizes ranged from $25 gift certificates, to an exquisite diamond ring from Jeweler’s Trade Shop. No one left empty handed and some were fortunate enough to get more than one door prize.
In addition to the first place prize, the winning team will have their names placed on the Ted Ciano Trophy which is permanently housed at Scenic Hills Country Cluband will also receive a fee paid invitation to defend their title in the 2013 tournament. The field will be limited to 32 four-person teams. To participate, contact Paul Fredrick at (850) 384-9745 or email ears_1@cox.net.
The Cantonment Rotary Foundation Ted Ciano Memorial Golf Tournament is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Wahoos Fall 3-2 In 12
May 8, 2012
The Blue Wahoos led most of the way, but needed a ninth inning run to force extra innings before Keenan Wiley scored from third on a wild pitch with two outs in the 12th inning giving the Mississippi Braves the 3-2 win over Pensacola.
The Wahoos went up 1-0 when Joel Guzman unloaded for his fourth home run of the season in the top of the second. Mark Serrano kept it that way by working five shutout innings in his first start of the season. Mississippi tied the game in the seventh on an RBI single by Ian Gac which drove home Matt Kennelly from second. The hit was off Drew Hayes, though Clayton Tanner got charged with the run.
Mississippi took the lead with a solo home run by Evan Gattis to make it 2-1. Pensacola capitalized on a leadoff walk by Didi Gregorius in the ninth to tie the game and send it into extra innings. Josh Ewing drew a pinch hit walk to load the bases before Koyie Hill worked a walk from Ryan Butcher to force home Gregorius and tie the game.
It stayed tied until the 12th. After a double steal put runners at second and third, Chris Manno (0-1) threw a wild pitch which scored Wiley from third. Hill’s throw to Manno covering home looked to be ahead of the runner, but the ball got away allowing Wiley to get in safely for the winning run.
Henry Rodriguez waited until the top of the 12th to collect his first hit of the game, a double to right field, and extend his hit streak to a league-leading 15 games. Brodie Greene led the way for the Wahoos offensively with a four-hit game.
Manno was charged with the loss after allowing the winning run to score in the 12th after recording two outs. Chris Masters (1-1) earned the win for the Braves. He allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless 12th inning.
The series continues on Tuesday night with the first pitch set for 7:00 p.m. from Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss. Right-hander Kyle Lotzkar will make his Double-A debut for the Blue Wahoos after earning a promotion at the end of the Blue Wahoos homestand. He will be opposed by Mississippi left-hander Sean Gilmartin (0-4, 3.55).
By Tommy Thrall
Busted In Bed: US Marshals Nab Escambia Fugitive In Milton
May 8, 2012
The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force caught up with a wanted Pensacola man Monday while he was sleeping in a hotel room one county away from where he was being sought.
Escambia County fugitive Dexter Antonio Locke awoke to Task Force officers standing over him Monday at the Red Roof Inn located at Avalon Boulevard and I-10 in Santa Rosa County.
After he was placed under arrest by the Task Force, a powdery substance what is believed to be almost quarter pound of cocaine, several thousand dollars in cash and some marijuana were found in the room, according to U.S. Marshals.
An unidentified 18-year old female was also present in the room but was not charged.
Locke iwas wanted in Escambia County on a warrant from September of 2011 revoking his bond on an arrest in which he was charged with trafficking heroin and cocaine.
Task Force Officers from FDLE, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties as well as Defuniak Police Department arrested Locke without incident around 12:30. It is unknown at this time what additional charges Locke will face. The apparent drugs and cash were turned over to Santa Rosa Narcotics Unit, which also assisted in the arrest.
The Marshals received this case about a month ago and have been following leads between the two counties. At times, the Task Force would conduct surveillance at this hotel and Monday they caught their break, according to a news released.
Once they confirmed it was Locke in themotel room, they immediately moved in. No resistance was met at the door as they were let in by the female. Locke was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Escambia Honors Shining Stars
May 8, 2012
The Greater Escambia Community Foundation and WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, presented the Shining Star Award to 39 Escambia County elementary students in a ceremony Sunday afternoon at WSRE’s Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio on the main campus of Pensacola State College.
Area principals and teachers selected the winners based on good citizenship, community service and adherence to the core values of the Escambia County School District: equality, responsibility, integrity, respect, honesty and patriotism. Each winner was awarded a certificate of achievement and a new bicycle and helmet.
From the North Escambia area, recipients (pictured at bottom of page) were:
- Lydia Smith, Bratt Elementary
- McKayla McConathy, Byrneville Elementary
- Logan Nelson, Jim Allen Elementary
- Dalton Brown, Molino Park Elementary
For a photo gallery, click here.
The complete list of 2012 Community Foundation of Northwest Florida and WSRE Shining Star recipients is as follows:
- Connor Queen, A.K. Suter Elementary
- Katelynn Barber, Bellview Elementary
- Bethany Faucett, Beulah Elementary
- Kristian “Nealy” Ard, Blue Angels Elementary
- Lydia Smith, Bratt Elementary
- Kiara Betts, Brentwood Elementary
- McKayla McConathy, Byrneville Elementary
- Gregory Posey, C. A. Weis Elementary
- Lillian Wiggins, Cordova Park Elementary
- Kyla Homewood, Creative Learning Academy
- Abdul Alsubaie, Ensley Elementary
- Allee McDonald, Episcopal Day
- De’Aveon Fisher-Primm, Escambia Christian
- Sara Siler, Ferry Pass Elementary
- Scarlett Nguyen, Global Learning Academy
- Mallory Mott, Hellen Caro Elementary
- Michelle Luther, Holm Elementary
- Logan Nelson, Jim Allen Elementary
- Aronje Palmer, Lincoln Park Elementary
- Alisha L’Orange, Little Flower Catholic
- Avery Resmondo, Longleaf Elementary
- Cason Forst, McArthur Elementary
- Dalton Brown, Molino Park Elementary
- Kayla Therrien, Myrtle Grove Elementary
- Trinity Holmes, N. B. Cook Elementary
- Michael Young, Navy Point Elementary
- Tejaun Browne, O. J. Semmes Elementary
- Kimberly Anguilu, Oakcrest Elementary
- Carlee Amberson, Pensacola Beach Elementary
- Madeline Markham, Pensacola Christian
- Natalie Gandy, Pine Meadow Elementary
- Rhapeepan Antrim, Pleasant Grove Elementary
- Griffin Pearce, R. C. Lipscomb Elementary
- Erin Meszaros, Redeemer Lutheran
- Dalton Wulzer, Scenic Heights Elementary
- Morgan Jacobs, Sherwood Elementary
- Helen Driscoll, St. Paul Catholic
- Ritchie Knutie, Warrington Elementary
- Exiquio Enriquez, West Pensacola Elementary
Above: Lydia Smith, Bratt Elementary.
Above: McKayla McConathy, Byrneville Elementary.
Above: Logan Nelson, Jim Allen Elementary.
Above: Dalton Brown, Molino Park Elementary.
Photos courtesy WSRE for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Retired Walnut Hill VFD Chief Robert Stewart Passes Away
May 7, 2012
Retired Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department Chief Robert Stewart passed away Sunday surrounded by loved ones at his home in Bratt after a battle with cancer. He was 62.
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.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 8 from 6-9 p.m. at at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 9 at 10 a.m. at at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at Godwin Cemetery in Bratt.
Reprinted below are portions of an earlier story and interview with Robert Stewart after his retirement.
“1501 enroute”
March 9, 2001, was the beginning of what Stewart said was the most memorable call of his career.
The call was not far from Stewart’s house. It was a single vehicle accident, car versus a tree, on Highway 99 near Oakshade Road. When Stewart arrived, he and the other members of the WHVFD found a small sports car, literally cut in half, two pieces of car on the side of the highway. Inside, the passenger was not seriously injured.
But the driver, a 16-year old local girl, was gravely injured. Her leg was partial severed, a major artery cut. Her situation was worse than serious. In fact, she coded at least twice before arriving at the hospital. “Coded”, as in “code blue”, as in cardiac arrest. But Stewart and the rest of the emergency workers that day worked hard to get this young lady on LifeFlight.
In the end, she lost her leg, but she survived. Today, she’s a healthy, happily married 27-year old mother.
“I’ve been to a lot of bad wrecks,” Stewart said. “Sometime, people die. It’s always a good call when you can help someone that doesn’t die.”
But two words made this wreck different than many for the chief.
“Thank you.”
From death’s door, the young girl was able to return to tell Stewart and the rest of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department “thank you”.
“Sometimes they come back to tell you ‘thank you’,” he said. “It makes you feel good, and you know your department has accomplished something, when they came back to thank you.”
There have been others to return to thank the department over the years. But Valerie Baker’s accident just sticks out in Stewart’s memory.
“The ‘thank you’ means a lot, especially when they came to the department and thank everyone,” he said. “It just means a lot.”
“Not a Hero”
Stewart said he doesn’t consider himself a hero. The Walnut Hill volunteers are team, he said, with everyone working together to help the community.
He was labeled a hero at least once. It was another wreck, this one on State Line Road. A car was upside down in a water-filled ditch with three children inside. Stewart was the first on the scene, responding from his nearby home.
“I managed to get the door open and got the three children out of the ditch,” he said. “Their mom called me a hero. I was just doing my job.”
Cat In Tree? Been there, done that. Twice.
It’s a scene that’s usually in a children’s program…the fireman rescues the cute little kitty cat from a tree. But in real life, it’s not exactly so pretty.
One cat-in-a-tree call was on Highway 97 several years ago. 1501 and his wife, Diann Stewart (a.k.a. 1503) responded to the call.
“She ran the ladder up the tree,” he said. “I knew what I was in for. I put on a bunker coat, and gloves before going up to the cat.”
“The ole cat just froze on the tree,” Stewart said with a chuckle. “I needed both hands to peel it off the tree. It stuck like Velcro on that tree. I had to keep peeling that ole cat off the tree.”
The second time Stewart responded to a cat-in-a-tree call, he was perhaps a bit smarter. He sent his son Sam Stewart, also a volunteer fireman, up the tree. This call was at the home of a local pastor. The pastor told them to drop the cat, and drop it Sam did. The can landed on a lower limb of the tree, uninjured.
Scary Stuff
“When my youngins were in school, I did not like it when you’d get a call in the direction they were suppose to be coming from,” he said. “You were always it afraid it was going to be one of yours.”
“When you live up here, you are kin to somebody,” he said. “You always care about who it is.”
A Time To Work, A Time To Play
Stewart was quick to thank all of those that have volunteered with the Walnut Hill VFD over the years. And he expressed his thanks to the other volunteer fire departments in the area the assisted Walnut Hill, as well the county deputies, state troopers and others he worked with for years.
The biggest thanks went to those Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department members, a group he said he always enjoyed being around.
“I had the best bunch of firemen in the county he said, “and when they were done working and got ready to play, I had the biggest bunch of youngins in the county.”
“1501 Completed Assignment”
“It’s hard not to answer a call,” he said. The fire department pager still goes off in the Stewart home, alerting them of emergency calls. Diann remains with the Walnut Hill VFD as an EMT. “After 20 years, it’s hard not to go help someone.”
“I just always tried to help.”
Funeral arrangements for Robert Stewart are incomplete at this time.
Pictured top: Retired Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department Chief Robert Stewart and his grandson Drew (”Little Man”) Kennedy watch from the sidelines at an accident on Pine Barren Road. Pictured top inset: Stewart receives a large plaque with his helmet during a retirement reception. Pictured bottom inset, Stewart is honored by the Walnut Hill VFD. Pictured below: Robert Stewart teaches fire safety to students at Bratt Elementary School in October 2011. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Weekend In Photos
May 7, 2012
If you missed NorthEscambia.com over the weekend, you missed over 425 photos from several community and news events. Click an item below to view the corresponding story and/or photo gallery.
Elections Office: Make Your Mailbox Your Ballot Box
May 7, 2012
With a little more than 100 days to go before the August primary election, now is the time for voters to prepare, according to Escambia Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
Stafford said one way to get ready is to request a mail ballot, which allows voters to avoid the lines on Election Day and vote from the convenience of their home.
Escambia County voters will be receiving a post card from Stafford with instructions on how to request to vote by mail for the August primary and November general elections.
Voters have several ways to make their request:
1. Visit EscambiaVotes.com and click Absentee Voting in the upper right hand corner. Follow the instructions for completing the online request form.
2. Send an email to absentee@escambiavotes.com. Voters must include their address and date of birth with their e-mail request.
3. Contact the Supervisor of Elections office by phone (850-595-3900), or in person.
4. Send a request through the mail or via fax to (850) 595-3914. Written requests must include the voter’s address, date of birth, and signature.
Absentee voters may track the status of their ballot by clicking Track My Ballot at EscambiaVotes.com. And by clicking Am I Registered? on the home page, a voter can verify their registration status, check their precinct number and location, party affiliation, and important future election information.
Absentee ballots can be requested for up to two election cycles. As Florida does not allow for a permanent absentee voter designation, voters must periodically renew their absentee request so be sure to verify your absentee ballot status. For further information on absentee ballots, early voting, or precincts and polling locations, call (850) 595-3900, email soe@escambiavotes.com or visit EscambiaVotes.com.
Final Results: GCA & NRA Livestock Show (With Gallery)
May 7, 2012
The 19th annual Gulf Coast Agriculture and Natural Resources Association annual Spring Livestock Show was held recently at the Langley Bell 4-H Center on 9 Mile Road in Beulah.
The show provides an opportunity for local 4-H and FFA members to show their steers, swine, goats, lambs, heifers, rabbits and poultry. In addition, many of the steers and swine in the program were auctioned off.
For a photo gallery from the steer and swine shows, click here.
For information about grand champions and auction prices, click here for an earlier story.
Complete results were as follows:
YOUTH SWINE SHOW
Grand Champion Swine
- Matthew Smith
Reserve Grand Champion Swine
- Dylan Livingston
Lightweight Swine
- Samantha Cote
- J. Wesley Hardin
- Rachael Coswell
Middleweight Swine
- James Reeves
- Jared Boswell
- Allie Warren
Light Heavyweight Swine
- Petra Miller
- Jake Scott
- Jessica Baldwin
Heavyweight Swine
- Matthew Smith
- Dylan Livingston
- Eva Miller
Junior Showmanship
- Eva Miller
- Davis Warren
- Jayme Smith
Intermediate Showmanship
- Petra Miller
- Matthew Smith
- J. Wesley Hardin
Senior Showmanship
- Mallory Smith
- Austin Pfeiffer
- Thomas Aliff
RABBIT SHOW
Grand Champion Rabbit
- Kerrigan Scott
Reserve Grand Champion Rabbit
- Virginia Montgomery
Clover Bud Rabbit
- Elizabeth Tourney
Junior Rabbit
- Ami Rodgers
- James Gruenwald
- Ami Rodgers
Intermediate Rabbit
- Kerrigan Scott
- Jonathon Rodgers
- Donnie Dixon
Senior Rabbit
- Virginia Montgomery
- Elli Ellard
POULTRY SHOW
Grand Champion Poultry
- Joshua McLamb
Reserve Champion Poultry
- Klaire Ann Ellard
Junior Poultry
- Klaire Ann Ellard
- Klaire Ann Ellard
- Klaire Ann Ellard
Intermediate Poultry
- Andrew Fendley
- Jonathan Rodgers
- Wyatt Oliver
Senior Poultry
- Joshua McLamb
- Jereme Johnson
BEEF BREEDING
Registered Angus Class I
- Ashley Cunningham
Registered Angus Class II
- Austin Cunningham
- Willow Foxworth
- Donald Cunningham
Registered Angus Class III
- Tyler Simmons
Grand Champion Registered
- Ashley Cunningham
Reserve Champion Registered
- Austin Cunningham
Commercial Heifer
- Ashley Cunningham
Supreme Champion Beef Breeding
- Ashley Cunningham
Reserve Champion Beef Breeding
- Austin Cunningham
Junior Showmanship
- Tyler Simmons
Intermediate Showmanship
- Willow Foxworth
Senior Showmanship
- Donald Cunningham
- Ashley Cunningham
- Austin Cunningham
MARKET STEERS
Lightweight Steers
- Ethan Cunningham
- Kyle Livingston
- Brant Worley
Middleweight Steers
- Donald Cunningham
- Parker Cunningham
- Austin Cunningham
Heavyweight Steers
- Ashley Cunningham
- Tyler Vines
- Luke Nunley
Grand Champion Steer
- Donald Cunningham
Reserve Grand Champion Steer
- Ashley Cunningham
.
Junior Showmanship
- Brant Worley
- Ethan Cunningham
Intermediate Showmanship
- Blake Worley
Senior Showmanship
- Donald Cunningham
- Tyler Vines
- Luke Nunley
Prospect Steer
- Donnie Dixon
GOAT AND LAMB
Prospect Market Goat
- Donnie Dixon
- Donnie Dixon
- Ethan Thorne
Meet Breeding (3-5 months)
- Izzy Kent
- Madison Fendley
- Hanna Thorne
Meet Breeding (6-8 months)
- Carly High
- Donnie Dixon
Meet Breeding (9-12 months)
- Jereme Johnson
- Ebony Morgan
- Maronica Grier
Meet Breeding (12-14 months)
- Donnie Dixon
Grand Champion Meet Breeding
- Izzy Kent
Reserve Grand Champion Meeting Breeding
- Jereme Johnson
Breeding Lamb
- Jessica Baldwin
Junior Goat and Lamb Showmanship
- Izzy Kent
- Madison Fendley
- Jamie Gruenwald, Hanna Thorne, Ethan Thorne
Intermediate Goat and Lamb Showmanship
- Donnie Dixon
Senior Goat and Lamb Showmanship
- Jessica Baldwin
- Jereme Johnson
- Amber Reeves
Update: Driver Charged After Hitting Her Mobile Home
May 7, 2012
A Cantonment woman has been charged with careless driving for hitting her own mobile home.
On April 30 at about 6:07 p.m., Jennifer Nicole Walker pulled into her residence on Madrid Road. About 40 feet from the roadway, the front of her 2003 Chevrolet Blazer collided with the mobile home, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
There were no injuries.
Editor’s note: This is an update to a May 1 NorthEscambia.com story. The driver’s name and charges were released Sunday night, May 6 by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured: A Chevrolet Blazer struck a mobile home on Madrid Road on April 30. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Century’s Brooks On Escambia Mass Transit Committee
May 7, 2012
Century Town Council President Ann Brooks will be reappointed to the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee.
She is expected to be approved Thursday by the Escambia County Commission as Century Mayor Freddie McCall’s representative on MTAC, one of 13 members of the committee. Her term expires at the end of McCall’s term as mayor — January 2016.
Brooks in a certified public accountant and has served on the Century Town Council since 2008.