Beloved Northview Teacher, Coach Tommy Weaver Passes Away
March 8, 2012
The Northview Chiefs and the North Escambia community are in mourning today after the passing of beloved teacher and coach Tommy Weaver.
Weaver passed away Wednesday at a Pensacola hospital. He was 61.
He is survived by his wife, Northview Principal Gayle Weaver, son Toby and daughter Tara Smith.
Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon.
Tommy Weaver had taught for eight years. A graduate of the University of West Alabama, he was Northview’s DCT coordinator and taught horticulture. He dedicated countless hours to baseball, football, the Quarterback Club, FFA and the FFA Alumuni. He was also a Senior Class sponsor.
Weaver was the driving force in the organization of Northview’s first ever Homecoming Parade.
Wednesday night, word of his passing quickly spread on Facebook, with current and former students sharing memories of a happy man, always helpful and supportive of the Northview Chief family.
Over 350 quickly “liked” a Facebook page created in his memory (https://www.facebook.com/CoachTommyWeaver), many sharing how Weaver touched their lives.
Sonya Luker Pleads In Cancer Scam Case, Faces Up To 5 Years In Prison
March 8, 2012
Sonja Luker entered a no contest plea Wednesday to a fraud charge for faking a cancer diagnosis for financial gain.
Luker pleaded no contest to a felony fraud charge; a previous grand theft charge against her was dropped in May 2011. She faces up to five years in prison when she is sentenced on May 10, according to the State Attorney’s Office. Luker will remain free from jail on bond.
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 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 photos, click to enlarge.
Investigation Continues Into Wildfire That Closed I-10
March 8, 2012
The cause of two fires that closed the I-10 bridge over Escambia Bay remains under investigation.
Smoke from the wildfires prompted the complete closure of the bridge Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, snarling traffic across a large portion of Pensacola and even leading to backups on Quintette Road between Pace in Santa Rosa County and Molino in Escambia County.
“There were no prescribed fires or lightning strikes in the area at the time of the blaze, said Joe Zwierzchowski, spokesperson for the Florida Forest Service. “We are looking into this as a human caused fire.”
In the meantime, officials are discouraging outdoor burning.
“The Florida Forest Service is urging extreme caution in regard to outdoor burning and would ask that residents refrain from burning yard debris at this time. The fact that the area of I-10 at Avalon Blvd. received significant rain over this past weekend and three days later a wildfire erupts, shows how fire prone our ecosystem is and quickly a small fire can turn into a large fire,” Zwierzchowski added.
Computers Stolen From Byrneville Elementary
March 8, 2012
Computers valued at over $3,000 were stolen during an overnight burglary at Byrneville Elementary School.
School officials discovered Wednesday morning that three Apple MacBooks were missing from three different locations around campus. The computers were reportedly taken sometime between 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and early Wednesday.
One computer was stolen from the main building of the charter school, while two others were taken from two different portable classroom buildings on the campus. There were no signs of forced entry into any of the three buildings, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Sheriff’s investigators are working to develop potential suspects in the case.
The person or persons responsible for incident could face felony charges of burglary and grand theft.
Anyone who has information regarding the crime is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP (7867).
Pictured top: Byrneville Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Fishin’ Weather: Sunny, Warm Today; Rain Chances Increasing
March 8, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Southeast wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Thursday Night: Patchy dense fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 74. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy dense fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Calm wind becoming northeast between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind around 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 57. East wind around 10 mph.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 71. East wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Pictured: Fishermen are silhouetted against a setting sun Wednesday on Lake Stone. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Jay Nurse Named A ‘Legend’
March 8, 2012
A Jay Hospital employee has been recognized as a Baptist Health Care Legend — a team member who goes above and beyond to improve the quality of life for people in the communities served by the organization.
A nurse is a caregiver 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. Why? Someone who cares about helping others can’t just turn off feelings of compassion. Patsy Jackson is a prime example.
While on a leisurely motorcycle ride one Saturday, Patsy, an R.N. administrator at Jay Hospital, and her husband stopped to eat at a seaside restaurant. Patsy noticed a woman sitting nearby who did not look well. She kept her eye on the woman who eventually slumped over in her chair. Immediately to the rescue, Patsy ran to the table and helped lower the woman to the floor where she did compressions and the family member did mouth-to-mouth. Restaurant staff retrieved a defibrillator and Patsy hooked up the device and continued CPR until an ambulance arrived and took the woman to be treated.
On another occasion, a patient arrived by EMS to the emergency department in full code. The patient’s elderly wife was very distraught, helpless and traumatized by the situation. She was terrified of riding in a helicopter, but her husband needed to be quickly transported for care. Patsy drove the woman to the hospital, sat with her for five hours and interpreted information so that she could understand and be comforted by the care her husband was receiving.
Patsy’s presence was a blessing for two people who will never forget her expert care even off the clock.
Drivers Met With Delays On Hwy 29
March 8, 2012
Drivers on North Century Boulevard (Hwy. 29) in Century were met with delays Wednesday as crews from APAC MidSouth worked to resurface the roadway.
The work is part of a a $7.7 million project that began in September to resurface about 16 miles of Highway 29 from north of Champion Drive in McDavid to the Alabama state line in Century.
Pictured: Work on Highway 29 Wednesday afternoon in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Students Organize Procession To Honor Tommy Weaver
March 8, 2012
Northview High School students honored the late Tommy Weaver Thursday morning with a mile-long procession to the school.
Students gathered before school began at the LCpl. Travis M. Nelson Park on West Highway 4 in Bratt to share memories about the beloved coach and teacher who passed away Wednesday.
The students then formed a vehicle procession to the school parking lot in honor of Weaver. As the vehicles passed by the school, most of the students stared quietly ahead, many visibly crying.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
13-Year Old Accused Of Stabbing Her Father
March 7, 2012
A teen was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Century after allegedly stabbing her father.
The 13-year allegedly attacked her father with a pair of scissors about 4:35 p.m. at a home in the 7400 block of Field Road, just north of West Highway 4. The father reportedly suffered defensive wounds on his hands. He was transported by private vehicle to Jay Hospital with minor injuries.
The girl was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Pensacola.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the girl cut her father with a pair of scissors when he was disciplining her for stealing sodas from him.
Pictured: The 13-year old suspect accused of stabbing her father Tuesday afternoon on Fields Road is led into the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Century Precinct for questioning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Softball: Northview Chomps The Baker Gators
March 7, 2012
The varsity and junior varsity Northview Lady Chiefs picked up two big wins against the Baker Gators Tuesday in softball action in Bratt.
For a photo gallery from the JV and varsity games, click to enlarge.
The junior varsity Bakers Gators tossed in the towel and headed to the stands after just three innings against the Lady Chiefs. In three, Northview’s JV chomped Baker, 15-0.
In varsity action, the Lady Chiefs beat Baker 5-2. Lauren McCall was 2-4, while Madison Arrington was 1-3 with two RBIs. Shaquanna Jones and Misty Doran were 1-3. On the mound, Doron pitched nine strikeouts.
The varsity Lady Chiefs will travel to Bonifay Friday night at 6:00. Both the JV and varsity will be on the road at Pine Forest on Tuesday, March 13.
Pictured top: Madison Arrington had a two-run single in he fifth for Northview. Pictured inset: Misty Doran pitched the win for the Lady Chiefs Tuesday evening in Bratt. Pictured top: The JV Lady Chiefs destroyed Baker 15-0 in just two innings. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
