Local Students Recognized As Rotary Four-Way Test Essay Winners
November 30, 2011
Four Escambia County students — including one each from Northview and West Florida high schools — were recognized as winners in the 19th annual Rotary Four-Way Test Essay Contest by the Suburban West Rotary Club.
Winners included Justin Halteman (pictured) from Northview High School, Rachel George from West Florida High School and Jennifer Lewis from Escambia High School. Grand prize winner was Destiny Williams from Booker T. Washington High School.
The Four-Way Test Essay Contest is open to all Escambia County sophomores and juniors, with each participant writing a short essay on the topic “Why is the Rotary Four-Way Test relevant today?”. The Four-Way Test is used by Rotarians to encourage value-driven, ethical behavior at work, at home and in the community.
During a recent luncheon, the winners read their essays to the club and were presented with certificates of achievement and cash prizes. The contest finalist from each participating high school received a $100 award, and the grand prize winner received a $500 award.
Pictured: Justin Halteman of Northview High School reads his award winning essay to the Suburban West Rotary Club. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview, Jay Basketball Games Canceled
November 29, 2011
Tuesday’s scheduled basketball games between the Northview Chiefs and the Jay Royals were canceled — including both boys and girls varsity and junior varsity games — as the Chiefs prepare for football playoff action Friday night.
The games are expected to be rescheduled.
Morning Wreck Claims One Life
November 29, 2011
A Pensacola woman was killed in a single vehicle wreck early Tuesday morning in Escambia County.
Jacquline Sussanne Parizo, 28, lost control of her 1991 Jeep Cherokee for an unknown reason while traveling south of Bauer Road near Sorrento Road about 3:45 a.m. She struck several trees before the vehicle overturned and large tree hit her windshield, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Parizo, who was alone in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Four Busted After Convenience Store Burglary, Manhunt
November 29, 2011
Four people from Flomaton and McDavid were busted following an early morning convenience store burglary and subsequent manhunt in Alabama.
About 3 a.m. Saturday, the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office received a burglary in progress call from Anthony’s Country Store southeast of Brewton on Travis Road. A witness called 911 and told deputies that they heard someone breaking into the store before giving chase.
A K-9 tracking team from Fountain Prison in Atmore located all four suspects nearby.
Courtney Wiggins, age 19 of McDavid; and 20-year old Devenick Thomas, 25-year old Alphonso Wesley, and 20-year old Daniel Woods, all from Flomaton, were each charged with burglary third degree, criminal mischief second degree, theft of property third degree, and third degree trespassing. The four suspects were booked into the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center in Brewton.
Deputies said entry was made into the store and undisclosed items were taken. The case remains under investigation.
In addition to the Fountain Prison K-9 team, the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Brewton and East Brewton police departments.
Name The Northview Mascot; Order T-shirts; Pep Rally For Thursday
November 29, 2011
The Northview Chiefs will hold a community pep rally Thursday night, and the Chiefs are also looking for an official name for the school’s mascot.
Ashton Gibbs has served as the school’s mascot this year; however, the mascot character has never been given an official name. Name suggestions should be sent to TJohnson5@escambia.k12.fl.us. The name will be announced as early as Thursday or Friday.
Northview High School is selling t-shirts in advance of the pep rally. The shirts will feature a team photo of the Northview Chiefs. Shirts can be pre-ordered by Wednesday for $10.70 by calling Teresa Johnson at (850) 327-6681 ext. 225.
The pep rally will take place from 6-6:30 p.m. Thursday in the school gym featuring the cheerleaders, dance team, mascot, band, color guard, majorettes and the 2011 Northview varsity Chiefs. Prior to the pep rally, varsity players will sign 2011 Northview Chiefs t-shirts. Those that purchased a t-shirt on may pick up the shirt and have it signed between 5-5:30 p.m. in the gym.
Noise makers are encouraged at both the pep rally and Friday night’s semifinal game against Chipley. Air horns and glass containers are not permitted.
Pre-sale tickets will be available Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the school. All tickets are $9 as set by the FHSAA.
Pictured: Ashton Gibbs as Northview’s yet to be named mascot at last Friday night’s game against Freeport. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Funeral Held For Gulf Coast Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
November 29, 2011
Funeral services were held Tuesday for a Gulf Coast soldier killed in Afghanistan on November 16.
The funeral for Army Pfc. Matthew Colin, 22, of Navarre was held at the Naval Aviation Memorial Chapel at Pensacola Naval Air Station. Burial followed at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Florida Governor Rick Scott ordered flags in Santa Rosa County and at the state capitol to be flown at half-staff Tuesday in honor of Colin.
Colin was killed on patrol by a roadside bomb near Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was a 2007 graduate of Navarre High School.
Numerous Shots Fired Near Pensacola State College
November 29, 2011
[Updated] Numerous shots were fired in what was believed to be a drug related incident Monday night near Pensacola State College.
Numerous bullet holes were found inside and outside apartments at the Arbor Club Apartments at 700 College Boulevard after the 6:30 shooting.
Pensacola Police Department investigators said they recovered a handgun and rifle, live rounds, spent shell casings, cocaine and marijuana during the investigation.
The investigation has revealed at least one person is believed to have started the incident and another eventually returned fire, said Detective Jon Thacker.
Numerous people have been interviewed and arrests are pending. One person – Jimmy Gilliams, 22, of 1260 Cheyenne Circle, Pensacola – was arrested after officers learned he had outstanding warrants with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
No injuries were reported, and Pensacola Police are continuing their investigation into the incident.
Wednesday Last Chance For Property Tax Discount
November 29, 2011
Wednesday is the last day to receive a four percent discount on real estate and tangible personal property taxes, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley.
Payments will receive the 4% discount if:
- mailed with a postmark of November 30;
- left in a 24-hour drop box available at any tax collector office by midnight November 30;
- made on www.escambiataxcollector.com by midnight November 30; or
- made by phone with credit card on a after-hours automated service at (800) 601‑1055 by midnight November 30 (convenience fee applies).
Drive thru service and 24-hour drop boxes are available at all locations.
To check the status of your taxes and pay online, visit www.escambiataxcollector.com. For more information, call the tax collector’s office at (850) 438-6500, ext. 252.
Bratt Student’s Art Tops Among 1,020 Contest Entries
November 29, 2011
A Bratt Elementary School fifth grader Ashtyn Carnley’s artwork was chosen as one of the best over over 1,000 entries in a recent “Express Yourself” art contest held in conjunction with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra.
Bratt’s fifth grade students recently went on a field trip to hear the orchestra perform. During an art class prior to the field trip, the students listened to music while creating art work inspired by the piece titled “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
About 1,020 students in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties created music-inspired artwork for the competition. Three top winners were chosen from each county.
Second place was awarded to Carnley of Bratt Elementary for her artwork titled “Battle of the Atlantic”. She will be receiving a $250 savings bond from Regions Bank.
Pictured top: Ashtyn Carnley with her award-winning artwork “Battle of the Atlantic”. Pictured below: Bratt Elementary art teacher Meredith Roberts, Ashtyn Carnley and Bratt music teacher Emily Pollard. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Multiple Gas Stations Burglarized Via Holes Knocked In Walls
November 28, 2011
Multiple gas stations along the Gulf Coast have been burglarized through holes knocked in their exterior walls over the past week — including Raceway locations in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Escambia County
One of the latest burglaries occurred in Escambia County.
During the early morning hours on Sunday, someone knocked a hole through a wall of the Raceway gas station at 7910 Pine Forest Road. Once inside, the suspect or suspects cut open a safe and took an undisclosed amount of cash.
Anyone with information on that burglary is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Santa Rosa County
A similar burglary occurred late Saturday night or early Sunday morning at the Raceway convenience store at 2783 Avalon Boulevard. A large hole was knocked in the exterior wall of the building, and the thieves cut their way into a safe.
Anyone with information is asked to call Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
Mobile and Mossy Head
Similar through-the-wall burglaries have occurred at a Raceway in Mossy Head on November 22, and at three separate stores in Mobile within the past week.