Cantonment Man Charged With DUI After Interstate Crash
February 3, 2012
A Cantonment man was charged with DUI after an early Friday morning wreck on I-110 in Pensacola.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 23-year old Dustin Michael Mason was traveling north on I-110 just south of Maxwell Street when he ran his 1995 Chrevrolet S-10 pickup into the rear of a trailer on dump truck driven by 60-year odd Morgan Blackmon, Jr. of Pensacola. He also collided with a 2009 sweeper being operated by 52-year old Jeffrey Hedenberg of Pensacola. The dump truck and sweeper were operating on the west shoulder of the interstate at the time of the crash.
Mason was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries; Blackmon and Hedenberg were not injured.
According to the FHP, Mason was charged with careless driving and DUI with property damage following the 3:29 a.m. wreck.
Ernest Ward Middle School To Be Rebuilt; New $16.5 Million Facility Planned
February 3, 2012
A brand new $16.5 million facility is in the works for Ernest Ward Middle School that could open as early as 2013. The new facility will replace the entire Ernest Ward campus, with the exception of the current gymnasium and football stadium.
The Ernest Ward rebuild is part of a sales tax funding plan to be presented to the Escambia County School Board in February. The plan also includes $21.5 million to rebuild A.K. Suter Elementary School and $5 million for projects at every other school in the district. (Click here to read about the other projects.)
In 2010, the school board approved $480,000 for a new Ernest Ward cafeteria that will also be included in the new school facility.
“Suter and Ernest Ward are the oldest facilities in the county,” Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said. “With the Ernest Ward rebuild, you will have high performing schools with very adequate facilities across the north end of the county.”
The oldest buildings at Ernest Ward, including the main classroom wing, were constructed in 1945.
For a photo gallery from the current EWMS campus, click here.
“It’s about time,” Escambia County School Board District 5 member Bill Slayton said. “The superintendent and I have talked about the need since we were elected. This has been my number one priority once the funding was in place. Since we are using sales tax money, this is a case of money being raised in Escambia County and being put right back into Escambia County.”
Architectural design work on the new Ernest Ward facility will begin after the project gets a final go ahead from the school board in late February. The new school, Thomas said, will be completely state of the art, including smart boards and related electronics in each classroom.
In February 2010, the school board approved $480,000 for a new Ernest Ward cafeteria. Design on the cafeteria is currently underway in such a way that it will be part of the new school campus.
Students will be on site during the construction of the new school; it will be built either in front of or behind the current facility. Once the new building is complete, the current building will be torn down, and portables and modular buildings currently on the campus will be removed.
Most of project work in 2012 will include the design and permitting stages. Construction, Thomas said, will likely be underway by 2013. Students could be attending classes in the new building by the 2013-2014 school year in a best-case scenario, Thomas said, but that could easily be postponed to 2014-2015 by any permitting or construction delays.
“This will be a win-win for the community,” Slayton said. “This will pump millions into the economy and save jobs in Escambia County. It’s long overdue.”
For a photo gallery from the current EWMS campus, click here.
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
$48 Million In Construction Projects Planned; Improvements At Every Escambia School
February 3, 2012
Over$48 million in construction projects are planned for the Escambia County School District. Major rebuild projects are planned for Ernest Ward Middle School and A.K. Suter Elementary.
(Click here to read more about the Ernest Ward $16.5 million project.)
Another $5 million is sales tax funding is expected to be allocated for construction and improvement projects at every other school in the district.
Projects planned for North Escambia area schools include:
- Bratt Elementary will receive $75,000 for general renovations to include casework in classrooms (bookshelves and cabinets)
- Jim Allen Elementary will receive $100,000 for general renovations including the replacement of windows in the cafeteria
- Molino Park Elementary will receive $100,000 for sitework, including a 6-foot wide asphalt walking trail
- Ernest Ward Middle will be rebuilt for $16,500,000.
- Ransom Middle School will receive $90,000 for general renovations including updated video and audio for the cafeteria stage
- Northview High School will receive $100,000 for new construction to include a storage facility
- Tate High School will receive $100,000 for general renovations to include the old gym
- West Florida High School will receive $100,000 for sitework, including additional paved parking
All of the projects are subject to approval by the Escambia County School Board. That approval is expected to come in late February.
Pro Ball’s Travis Fryman: Putting Away The Childish Things
February 3, 2012
Travis Fyman appeared to be sitting on top of the world. He has just played in his first American League All-Star Game. He had just met and had his picture taken with the president of the United States. The big money was rolling in for the small town boy in the big leagues with the Detroit Tigers.
“If you met me in 1994, you’d say that this guy is living his dreams,” Fryman told a meeting of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Thursday morning before class at Northview High School. “My life and career at that point in my life were better than my dreams as a kid.”
But appearances can be deceiving and it took Fryman a little more to realize what was wrong amidst all that seemed so right.
As for the picture of him with President George H.W. Bush, that problem was pretty obvious when the glossy photo arrived in the mail. After the All-Star Game, the Secret Service had swept the locker room quickly before President Bush visited and posed for a photo with each player.
“I was in my underwear shaking hands with the president of the United States,” Fryman said, evoking a chuckle from the Northview students. “In all of the excitement, I had forgotten to get dressed.”
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Matthew 16:26
But there was something much more wrong than the President Bush photo with Fryman’s life.
“I was completely miserable and lost in my life,” he said. “I didn’t enjoy playing baseball; I was never satisfied.”
After watching his parents divorce as a teen, one of Fryman’s top goals in life was a happy marriage. That too was falling apart.
Fryman knew his wife was attending a Bible study group with other baseball wives. What he did not know right away was that she gave her life to Jesus in the parking lot of the Detroit Tigers stadium in 1994, right before major league baseball went on strike and ended the season without a World Series.
“…When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” 1 Cor 13:11
Fryman, who now lives in Molino, knew something was just not right in his life. He and wife Kathleen began going to his childhood church, Olive Baptist in Pensacola. On February 25, 1995, he knew what was missing.
“I took my wife by her hand, and we walked down to the front of the church,” he said. “Boy that was a long walk.”
When asked by the pastor why he had come forward, Fryman said, “I’m ready to put away childish things and become the man God wants me to be.”
It turned out, however, that there were still realizations to come for Fryman.
The first game of the 1995 season was against the Seattle Mariners in the King Dome. The normally strong hitter had struck out three times. He was up to bat a fourth time. “The drunks over third base were taunting me, pushing for a fourth strike out.” A bad hit and the old Travis Fryman reared its ugly head and he cursed and threw his helmet with enough force to shatter it.
Back at the hotel after perhaps his worst-ever pro game, Fryman unlocked the door with his key card and slipped inside. It was about to be that real life changing moment.
“I fell on my face, and I cried like a baby,” he said. “God, I don’t want to live my life this way.”
“Jesus requires everything from us because he gave everything,” Fryman, who is now the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Indians, told the Northview FCA members. “You can have a lot of fun in this life but you never know joy until you know God.”
Pictured: Travis Fryman addresses the Northview High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes before school began Thursday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deputy Sentenced To Jail Time
February 3, 2012
An Escambia County deputy was sentenced to jail time Thursday.
Deputy Zachary McArthur was convicted last month of misdemeanor battery after originally being charged with felony battery. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail and one year probation.
If he successfully completes his sentence, his record will be cleared. McArthur remains on unpaid leave from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office as they continue an internal investigation.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, McArthur battered Justin Johnson while he was being detained at the jail. As a result of the incident Johnson received 11 stitches for an injury to his face. The entire incident was captured on video.
Tate High Drama Dept. Presents “Smile” Saturday Night
February 3, 2012
The Tate High School Drama Department will present the musical “Smile” and Saturday evening in their cafetorium at 7:00.
Ticket prices are $10 for reserved sections and $7 for general admission. The musical, written by Marvin Hamlisch and Howard Ashman, tells of the onstage and offstage activities surrounding the California Young American Miss Pageant in 1985.
Woman Charged With Hitting Ex-boyfriend With Car
February 3, 2012
An Escambia County woman who allegedly struck her ex-boyfriend with her car in early January was arrested Thursday afternoon.
Shana Hills, 26, was taken into custody without incident at her residence by the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Hills is accused of driving onto the shoulder of the road and striking her ex-boyfriend as he was walking north on Palafox Street on January 9. The victim was thrown on top of the hood of the car Hills was driving and then fell off slamming his head onto the pavement, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The victim was taken to a local hospital in serious condition.
Investigators obtained a warrant for her arrest on January 24 and looked for her ever since on a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Hills was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Photos: Career Night
February 3, 2012
Ernest Ward Middle School held a Career Night Thursday evening to give parents, students and community members the chance to learn more about career and educational opportunities available in the area.
From attorney to EMT, from interior designer to electrical lineman, attendees were able to learn about a variety of career fields. School representatives — including Northview, Ernest Ward, Tate and George Stone, were on hand to provide more information about career academies, middle and high school academic programs and extracurricular activities.
Pictured top: Tim Hawsey from the First Baptist Church of Bratt explains “minister of music” as a career choice. Pictured inset: Chefs demonstrate cake decorating at Ernest Ward Middle School’s Career Night Thursday evening at the school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Attempts Begin, Again, To Tax Internet Sales In Florida
February 3, 2012
Bills to tax Internet companies doing business in Florida resumed their treks on Thursday as separate measures began to move in the Senate.
The Senate Finance and Tax Committee approved the introduction of a proposed committee bill, HB 7206, which would set up a mechanism to begin collecting sales tax from out-of-state, online vendors that do not currently pay state sales tax. Sales tax collections would be returned to taxpayers by way of sales tax holidays or other routes.
“I have shopping centers that are half empty,” said Sen. Gwen Margolis, D-Miami. “We’re not talking about mom and pops, we’re talking about all kinds of large box stores.”
The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee approved a similar bill, SB 1514, on a 5-1 vote later Thursday. That measure, sponsored by Sen. Nancy Detert, does not earmark tax collections, which would instead revert to the state’s general revenue fund. That provision may be too heavy a load, said Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami. who was the sole vote against adopting the bill as a committee substitute.
“The leadership in both the Senate and House has said that if this bill passes, they want to have a bill that would equal the reduced revenue, because this bill is going to increase revenue,” Flores said. “So if it’s increasing revenue, in my opinion it’s still a tax, and I just don’t think that’s the way we need to be going this year.”
States around the country are grappling with how to glean tax revenue from Internet companies, which have sought protection under the U.S. Constitution’s commerce clause. Several lawsuits are pending.
By The News Service of Florida
Bratt Elementary Releases Second Nine Weeks Honor Roll
February 2, 2012
The following students were named to the second nine weeks honor roll at Bratt Elementary School:
All A’s
Anna Adams
Lexxi Baggett
Haley Baker
John Bashore
Brody Black
Tanner Boone
Ann Margaret Boothe
Sarah Branch
Luke Bridges
Alexia Broadhead
Keaton Brown
Juliana Bryan
Conner Byrne
Emilee Cabral
Ashtyn Carnley
Noah Casson
Landon Chavers
Logan Chavers
Ashton Cloud
Karlee Criswell
Da’Mius Wesley
Cassie Davis,
Haleigh Dean
Colton Dockens
Savannah Doremus
Jackson Edwards
Jason Fayard
Amanda Franklin
Gabby Franklin
Makayla Garrett
Caitlyn Gibson
Alabama Gilley
Amber Gilman
JP Gilman
Emma Gimore
Gracie Godwin
Shelby Godwin
Zane Gurganus
Kara Hawkins
Gabriel Henderson
Sarah Margaret Hetrick
Hannah Hughes
April Johnson
Anna King
Trent Knighten
Anna Lee
Sarah Long
Braeden McGhee
Bailie Merchant
Colby Morris
Mary Paige Nassar
Abigail Nelson
Travis Nelson
Chirstopher Nordman
Jaylon North
Dallon Rackard
Kinzie Rackard
Tyler Ray
Kenna Redman
Teriana Redmond
Delaney Reynolds
Allison Rice
McKenna Simmons
Arquavian Smith
Lydia Smith
Vivyan Smith
Savannah Spence
Alyssa Stabler
Bailey Van Pelt
Summer Waters
Cailee Wilburn
Autumn Williams
Clay Wilson
Lane Wilson
Kendall Wise
All A’s and B’s
Maggie Amerson
Shelby Bartley
Leah Berry
Garret Bodiker
Emilee Bomba
Trevor Bomba
Aiden Broadhead
Meggan Brown
Anastasia Bryan
Kadence Burklund
Tereasia Burt
Anyis Cabral
Caren Cannon
Jordan Capps
Cedriana Carter
Hannah Clayberger
Jacob Conley
Chloe Criswell
Justin Cruce
Tyler Davis
Franki Daw
Sheyenne Dillon
Wyatt Dillon
Makayla Dove
Ryan Dove
Cody Edwards
Alexis Evans
Jamyla Feagin
Ar’Mya Findley
Neionni Findley
Savannah Fullerton
Paige Gibbs
Olivia Gibson
Charles David Gilley
Tony Hall
Shane Hardin
Kerry Hicks
Zachary Hilton
Martina Howard
Payton Jackson
Wyatt Jarvis
Cameron Long
Kaleigh Macks
Ansleigh Maholovich
Angel Merchant
Joshuwa Merchant
Michael Merchant
Madison Nassar
Audrey Odom
Joseph Parker
Blaize Parrish
Gabbie Peebles
Madison Peterson
Cheyenne Philyaw
Larry Philyaw
Madelyn Plant
Matthew Pruitt
Libby Pugh
Mary Grace Rice
Shelby Rice
Savannah Roley
Samantha Roux
Kaylee Sawyer
Adrianne Shanks
Madelin Sheedy
Madison Sherouse
Carter Sigafoose
David Stokes
Savannah Stokes
Melissa Sunday
Peggy Sunday
T’ahna Wesley
Aaliyah Tucker
Hunter Wainwright
Jeremy Ward
John Michael Ward
Ahmad Warmack-Elliott
Kiara Wesley
Cameron White
Cassidy White
James Windham
Ty Wise
Connor Wolfe