East Beats West In All Star Game Called Early After Fight
December 17, 2011
A battle between all-stars from a three county region ended with a bit of a brawl Friday night and the last four minutes of the Subway High School All-Star Series football game canceled.
After a touchdown and extra point attempt by the East team from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, there was shoving, pushing and a few punches between the East and West teams. The incident reportedly stemmed from an end zone celebration by the East team after a touchdown — a practice that’s forbidden during the regular season but accepted and promoted by the organizers of the All-Star game.
In the end, the East beat the West 27-14. The East has won the game four of the last five years.
For the West, Northview High School quarterback hit Shaquille Purifoy of Pine Forest for a touchdown. Sheets also threw a another touchdown pass to Eddie Matthews of Catholic High.
The West All-Star Team, representing Escambia County, included several North Escambia area players: Northview’s Brandon Sheets, Montaio Mitchell, Sean Knight, Brian Ross, and Austin Albritton; Tate’s Scott Ryals, Jacob Lasky, Cameron Covington and Hagan Mancuso;West Florida’s Kyle Faxlanger, Jalen Jones, Joe Jackson, Antwon Carter, Jorgen Stolsig, Jake Morris and Coach Harry Lees; and Pensacola High’s Dak Sims who lives in McDavid.
The East All-Star Team, representing Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, included local players Sammy Jones and Haden McCaskill from Jay High.
Jobless Rate Increases Across Area
December 17, 2011
The latest job numbers released Friday showed an increasing number of people out of work in the three-county North Escambia area — while Florida’s state unemployment rate dropped to the lowest level in two and a half years.
Escambia County’s unemployment increase slightly from 9.9 percent in October to 10.2 percent in November. There were 135 jobs during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 13,962 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 11.5 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment increased a half percentage point from 8.7 percent in October to 9.2 percent in November. Santa Rosa County lost 277 jobs during the period, with a total of 6,458 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 10.2 percent.
The employment news was a bit better in Escambia County, Alabama, where unemployment dropped from 10.1 percent in October to 9.3 percent in November. That represented 34 people returning to work during the month. There were 1,350 people unemployed in the county during the month.
Florida’s jobless rate dipped in November to 10 percent – its lowest level in 30 months — as the state added 98,100 non-agricultural jobs over the year and lowered its unemployment rate by 1.9 percentage points from November 2010.
“We are continuing to move Florida in the right direction by streamlining government, eliminating burdensome regulations, identifying economic development opportunities and prioritizing education,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement. “I am hopeful that we will see Florida’s unemployment rate continue to decline as jobs grow and more Floridians find work.”
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 8.7 percent in November, was down from October’s rate of 9.3 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 9.1.percent.
GE Wind Turbine Factory Hiring For 50 Full-Time Jobs
December 17, 2011
GE Wind Energy is hiring 50 full-time employees at their Pensacola Wind Turbine and Hub Assembly plant during the first few months of 2012.
Jobs include assemblers, electrical testers and maintenance technicians.
Applications are being accepted online now at www.gewindjobs.com for the jobs, which are located at GE’s plant just off Scenic Highway north of I-10. The plant is one of the world’s largest suppliers of wind turbines.
Trent Richardson Checks Out All-Star Game, Meets Locals
December 17, 2011
Alabama Crimson Tide running back and Heisman Trophy finalist Trent Richardson attended the Subway High School All-Star Football Game at Woodham Middle School Friday night. Richardson, pictured top center, took the time to pose for photos with the Northview High School cheerleaders. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Students Receive Free Bikes, Helmets
December 17, 2011
Thirty students at Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment received new bicycles and helmets from Academy Sports and Outdoors.
Pictured: Jim Allen Elementary School third grader Riley Williamson could not wait to get home Friday afternoon to enjoy her new bicycle compliments of Academy Sports and Outdoors. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Head Coach Gibson Resigns
December 17, 2011
Escambia Academy’s Heath Gibson resigned Friday as head coach and athletic director.
Gibson had led the Cougars to a couple of Alabama Independent School Association semifinal games and was named AISA Coach of Year in 2009 after recovering from an 0-11 season the in 2008.
Gibson was head coach for the EA Cougars for nine seasons.
Manna Hat Auction Sets New Record
December 16, 2011
The sixth year of the annual Manna Hat Auction from Cat Country 98.7 set a new record Friday morning at $1,676, up from $1,250 last year.
All of the proceeds will be presented to the food bank before Christmas. That, according to the radio station, will allow Manna Food Pantries to feed 57 area residents for five days.
High bidder was Larry Clemons of Pace. He said “the fact that Manna is able to help of some folks who can’t eat” is the reason he continued to drive for the winning bid.
Country artists like CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton and his wife Miranda Lambert helped out by autographing the special hat that was sold on eBay.
ACA Artist of the Decade Toby Keith, a second time signer, said “it is awesome to be able to help.”
“This year the need is particularly great,” Brent Lane said about the need at Manna Food Pantries. “There has been an increase of 24 percent in services.”
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Convenience Store Burglary Suspect Caught In The Act
December 16, 2011
A Cantonment teen was arrested early Friday morning after deputies caught him in the act of burglarizing a Cantonment convenience store, while a second suspect managed to escape.
Jacob Michael Westbrook, 18, was charged with burglary, grand theft, possession of burglary tools, wearing a mask while committing a felony and resisting an officer without violence.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglar alarm at 2:49 a.m. at the Speed Mart at 1800 South Highway 29, near Tate School Road. When deputies arrived, they found a broken window and could see Westbrook inside the business. Westbrook fled on foot toward nearby railroad tracks where deputies found him hiding in tall grass and took him into custody a short time later.
According to an arrest report, deputies found items including cigarettes from the store on Westbrook’s person at the time of his arrest.
Westbrook was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $23,000.
Surveillance video indicated that a second person was involved in the burglary, according to an arrest report. He was described as possibly being a black male with short hair and wearing glasses. Westbrook told deputies that he knew him only as “J” and that he lived somewhere in a nearby neighborhood.
Anyone with information on the second suspect is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Smoke Forces Temporary Closure, Evacuation Of Century Whataburger
December 16, 2011
Fire departments from across the area responded to Whataburger in Century late Thursday night after employees reported that smoke was filling the building.
The first firefighters on scene reported light smoke showing about 11 p.m. Firefighters were able to narrow the source of the smoke down to a burned up motor in an appliance used to mix soft drinks. Other than the appliance motor, there was no other damage reported.
Employees and customers were evacuated from the restaurant in the 8000 block of North Century Boulevard after the fire alarm activated. The restaurant was closed into the early morning hours as maintenance personnel worked to repair the equipment.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department responded to the call.
Pictured above and below: Firefighters responded to Whataburger in Century after smoke began to fill the building late Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deputy Shooting Suspect Dies
December 16, 2011
The man accused of shooting a deputy last week in Santa Rosa County died Thursday night.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said 34-year old David Christopher Lewis (pictured) died at 8:40 p.m. Thursday as a result of injuries he received during the shooting incident.
Investigator Steve Hough of Fort Walton Beach was working as part of the US Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force serving a warrant in the 5400 block of Camille Gardens Circle near Milton when he was shot about 1:59 p.m. Friday. He was shot once in the face and twice in the leg when authorities say Lewis came out of a home shooting.
Hough remains in fair condition at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
Lewis had active warrants for failure to appear, resisting an officer without violence, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, display of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Lewis was known by officers to be violent, armed with firearm, and had made threats towards law enforcement.
The incident remains under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.