West Florida Winning Streak Ends With 41-20 Loss
October 29, 2011
The West Florida Jaguar’s perfect season came to an end Friday night with a 41-20 loss to Arnold High School.
West Florida jumped out to the lead late in the first quarter. With 2:43 in the first, senior Jalen Jones scored on a 3-yard run. With a good kick from Luke Jackson, the Jags were up 7-0.
After an Arnold score early in the second quarter, Kyle Faxlanger found receiver Lawrence Lee with a 56-yard touchdown pass, the Jackson nailed a 41-yard field goal for a 17-7 West Florida lead at the half.
But Arnold struck back hard in the third with four touchdowns, while West Florida added a 33-yard Jackson field goal.
Despite the loss, it’s been the best season ever for West Florida (7-1). District play is over for the Jags at 4-1. Arnold is (3-1) as is Gulf Breeze. There will be a three way tie for the district if Arnold and Gulf Breeze should both win next week, setting up a three-team tiebreaker.
Photos: Tate Senior Night
October 29, 2011
The Tate High School Aggies held Senior Night Friday to recognize the football players, band members and cheerleaders from the Class of 2012.
For game details and photos, click here.
Pictured: Tate High School’s Senior Night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
Graceville Beats Jay
October 29, 2011
The Jay High School Royals lost on the road Friday night to Graceville, 30-22.
The Royals took and early lead in the first on a 20-yard pass from Tate Upton to Allen Perry. With a good kick from Conner Weekes, Jay held a 7-0 advantage with 8:33 remaining in the first quarter.
Graceville scored twice in the second quarter — on a 20-yard pass with 4:49 on the clock and a 50-yarder after recovering an on-side kick with 4:35 to go. Then, after a seven yard drive, Rickey Cofield wsa in from 28-yard out for the Royals. A good kick from Weekes, and the they were tied 14-14 headed into halftime.
The Tigers hit again with 5:51 in the third and with about 6:00 in the fourth for their 30-22 win.
The Jay Royals (3-6, 0-2) will host Freeport in their final game of the season next Friday night at 7:00. The Royals are out of the district championship hunt.
Friday Night High School Football Roundup
October 29, 2011
Here’s a look at high school football scores from around the North Escambia area:
Florida
- Northview 47, Vernon 6 [Read more...]
- Tallahassee Godby 43, Tate 19 [Read more...]
- Arnold 41, West Florida 20 [Read more...]
- Graceville 30, Jay 22 [Read more...]
- Pine Forest 56, Escambia 7
- Pace 49, Milton 35
Alabama
- Escambia County (Atmore) 24, Baldwin County 9
- T.R. Miller 26, WS Neal 14
- Monroe Academy 28, Escambia Academy 24
- Flomaton 42, Excel 7 (Thurs pm game)
Tate Falls To Godby (With Photo Gallery)
October 29, 2011
The Tate Aggies were defeated by Tallahassee Godby in Cantonment 43-19 in a non-district game.
The Amos P. Godby High School Cougars went into Friday night’s game undefeated at 7-0, having outscored opponents by a 252-50 margin.
The Tate Aggies took the lead in the first quarter on a 8-yard touchdown pass from David Moorhead to LaVantai Samue, who had three touchdowns for the nightl. A missed kick, and Tate was up 6-0 with 6:11 to go in the first.
Tate’s other scores of the night came on a 7-yard runs from Samuel in the second and again in the third.
The Tate Aggies (0-8, 0-5) will be at Washington (1-7, 1-4) next Friday night at 7:30.
For more photos from the game, click here.
For highlights from Tate’s Senor Night, click here.
Pictured: Tate was defeated by Tallahassee Godby Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
Court Battle Begins Over Taxpayer Funds To Religious Groups
October 29, 2011
A proposed change to the state constitution making it easier for taxpayer funds to go to religious institutions does not adequately explain that fact to voters who will be asked to decide, an attorney for critics told a circuit judge.
Representing a coalition of public education and religious interests, attorney Ron Meyer told Second Circuit Judge Terry Lewis that a proposed constitutional amendment passed by lawmakers earlier this year is misleading because it disguises the true intent behind the amendment, which is scheduled for a vote in November 2012.
Thursday’s court hearing was the first in a lawsuit filed in July that is spearheaded by the Florida Education Association, other public school advocates and religious leaders throughout the state.
Opponents of the proposed amendment – called Amendment 7 – are primarily concerned that taxpayer dollars will be used to support scholarships, known as vouchers, for private school students.
The proposed amendment deletes a provision in the state constitution that says public funds cannot be used to aid religious institutions, a prohibition known as the “no-aid provision” The proposal then adds a sentence saying the state can’t deny funds to a person or entity based on religious identity or belief.
If approved, Meyer said the proposed amendment would require the state to direct public taxpayer dollars toward religious institutions, opening the door for expansions of programs such as private school vouchers and weakening the state’s historic separation of church and state.
None of this, Meyer argued, is disclosed to voters in the ballot summary.
“What they are doing is turning what has been the settled rule of religious freedom for the past 125 years on its head,” Meyer said. Later, he called it a “huge recalculation…of what the First Amendment provides.”
Florida law requires that a ballot title and summary adequately and accurately inform voters about the proposal’s real effect.
Along with an inaccurate summary, Meyer said the ballot title – “Religious Freedom” – was misleading to voters.
Attorneys for the state said the ballot summary and title are clear.
Daniel Nordby, the attorney for the Secretary of State, argued the intent of the constitutional change was “clearly and accurately explained in the ballot statement.”
Nordby said the summary discloses that the “no-aid” provision is being deleted and an “anti-discrimination” clause is being inserted. The intent of prohibiting the state from denying funds to a person or entity based on religious reasons was to remove a “constitutional cloud of uncertainty,” he said.
“It would allow religious-based institutions to participate in providing secular social services on even terms,” Nordby said.
There was also disagreement over whether the ballot summary explained that the proposal may violate the U.S. Constitution’s “free exercise” and “establishment” clauses that deal with the separation of church and state and protections of religious freedoms.
By requiring the state or other public entities to spend money on religious institutions, Meyer argued the proposal makes the state constitution inconsistent with the U.S. constitution.
But attorneys representing the state said language in the proposed amendment expressly prohibits the state from doing anything that would violate the U.S. Constitution.
The “no aid” provision in the state constitution prohibiting money from going to churches or religious groups is known as the “Blaine Amendment,” for James G. Blaine, a 19th Century congressman from Maine who lobbied unsuccessfully to get that restriction inserted into the U.S. Constitution.
After it failed, most of the states, including Florida, put similar provisions in their own state constitutions.
Thursday’s hearing also focused on a new law that allows the Attorney General to rewrite ballot summaries that are rejected by the courts for being misleading. Meyer argued that the Legislature has the responsibility of writing ballot summaries, not a member of the executive branch of government.
“It crosses the line and delegates a purely legislative function to an executive branch member and that can’t be tolerated,” Meyer said.
Scott Makar, the Florida solicitor general, said it doesn’t make sense that Meyer agrees the attorney general could write the ballot summary in the first place, and then rewrite it, but doesn’t permit the attorney general to step in after the Legislature. He called that argument “nonsensical.”
Lewis gave no indication when he would rule in the case after the hour-and-a-half hearing finished. Both sides are expected to appeal the case all the way to the Florida Supreme Court.
This is the third lawsuit the Florida Education Association has spearheaded since the legislative session ended in early May. They are also involved in a lawsuit over changes to public employee pensions and have sued over a new teacher merit pay law that ties teacher salaries to test scores.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Jefferson Davis Community College Names President
October 28, 2011
A new president has been named for Jefferson Davis Community College, which has campus locations in Atmore and Brewton.
Dr. Daniel Bain, former president of Independence Community College in Independence, Arkansas, was named to the position Thursday. Independence Community College has an average enrollment of 1,600.
Bain will be the permanent replacement for Dr. Susan McBride who retired in December 2010. JDCC’s dean of instruction, Kathleen Hall, has served has interim president.
Gulf Coast Congressmen Express Frustration Over BP Claims Process
October 28, 2011
Gulf Coast members of Congress expressed frustration Thursday at what some said were difficulties in getting rightful compensation from BP by people who were affected by last year’s Gulf oil spill.
In questioning Gulf Coast Claims Administrator Ken Feinberg, the House Natural Resources Committee urged him to be more aggressive in making sure those who lost money because of the spill last year.
“I’d have to say we’re frustrated, many of us feel frustrated in the whole process,” said Rep. Steven Palazzo, a Republican who represents the Gulf Coast area of Mississippi. “I’d also say we’re insulted.”
Members said they’re worried about the number of claims that aren’t being paid because of alleged fraud or lack of documentation.
“Is it not true that the burden you have placed on many of these individuals and businesses for additional info….that there has been a great inconsistency in the payment process,” asked Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Ala. Feinberg defended the work of the claims facility, which is paying compensation out of a $20 billion pot set aside by the British oil company.
“I point, with pride frankly, to the fact that overall there’s $6 billion that’s gone out in one year,” Feinberg said, adding that the claims facility is trying to make sure that all legitimate claims are paid.
The Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in April of last year, killing 11 and eventually spilling nearly five million barrels of oil into the Gulf. Feinberg also told the committee Thursday that he thinks the $20 billion BP has earmarked will be enough to pay all claims, but said “BP has made it clear that it it is not enough they will honor all claims.”
By The News Service of Florida
Ten Arrested In Alabama Drug Roundup, Eight More Still Wanted
October 28, 2011
Ten people were arrested during a multi-agency drug roundup in Brewton Thursday, and authorities are still searching for eight more suspects on outstanding warrants.
Over 40 law enforcement officers from two states participated in the roundup focusing on illegal drug activity. This was the second such undercover operation conducted by the Brewton Police Department in the last five months.
According to Brewton Police, the following people were arrested and charged:
- Kenneth McWilliams, 19, Titi Street Flomaton, distribution and possession of controlled substance
- Luther Kelley, 72, Karen Street Flomaton, criminal conspiracy to commit controlled substance crime
- Carol Winstead, 60, Old Castleberry Road Brewton, distribution and possession of controlled substance
- Ganie Spears, 45, Gowan Street Brewton, distribution and possession of controlled substance
- Mario Lovelace, 32, Dacus Street Brewton, distribution and possession of controlled substance, two counts each,
- Terrance Heath, 35, Conley Street Brewton, distribution and possession of controlled substance
- Robert Jones, 55, May Street Brewton, distribution and possession of controlled substance
- Emanuel Jackson, 36, East Jackson Street Brewton, distribution and possession of controlled substance
- Deparrish Campbell, 19, East Jackson Street Brewton, distribution and possession of controlled substance
- Ashante Smith, 29, Palmer Street Brewton, possession of controlled substance-cocaine
According to the Brewton Police Department, authorities are still searching for the following individuals on outstanding narcotics related warrants:
- Katherine Walker Mobley, 49
- Wendell White, 53
- Iviory Miles, 59
- Michelle Rabe, 40
- Eubie Kennedy, 27
- Sherry Flowers, 47
- Daymond Jones, 36
- Gentell Green, 24
Agencies assisting with the roundup Thursday were the Brewton Police Department, 22nd Judicial Drug Task Force, 21st Judicial Drug Task Force, Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Pardon and Parole, and a Florida Department of Corrections K-9 Team from Century Correctional Institution.
Couple Accused Of Starving, Beating Children With Electrical Cords
October 28, 2011
Information from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has led the arrest of a couple in Georgia charged with beating their five children with electrical cords while depriving them of food and water for days.
Anthony Irvin, 33, and his wife, 33-year old Tammy Irvin, are charged with 10 counts of cruelty to children, five counts of contributing to the deprivation of a minor, four counts of battery/family violence and two counts of false imprisonment. The couple was booked into the Clayton County, Georgia, Jail.
The abuse allegedly occurred at the couple’s home in Hampton, Georgia, about 20 miles south of Atlanta, according to WSB TV in Atlanta.
The abuse was reported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office while the children were visiting relatives in Escambia County. According to the WSB TV, the children told relatives in Escambia County that they were locked in garage without food and water and not allowed to go to the bathroom. Some of the children also told authorities that they were locked in a closet for days after being beaten.