Funeral Held For Fallen Marine (With Photo Gallery)
August 27, 2011
Funeral services were held today for Lance Cpl Travis Nelson, the 19-year old Marine killed in action last week in Afghanistan.
Services were held at the Atmore First Baptist Church with Chaplain Lt. Commander Jeffrey Bornemann and the Rev. George Weaver officiating with military honors.
Nelson, a 2010 graduate of Pace High School, was the son of Scott and Beckie Nelson of Bratt. He is also survived by siblings Daniel Nelson, 28, Jenna McCall, 24, and Anna Nelson, 11. He was engaged to Madeline Cates, 21.
Click here for a photo gallery, including scenes from the funeral service, the graveside service and from downtown Atmore.
Pictured top: Funeral services were held Friday afternoon for Lance Cpl. Travis Nelson at the First Baptist Church of Atmore. Pictured inset: The flag presented to the Nelson family. Pictured below: Taps is played during the graveside service for Lance Cpl Travis Nelson. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Stop Bay Tornadoes In Preseason Game (With Photo Gallery)
August 27, 2011
The Northview Chiefs beat Panama City Bay Friday night in Bratt, 26-17, in a preseason classic.
The Chiefs were first on the board in the first quarter with a 4-yard touchdown run from Kevin Vaughan. Vaughan sealed the deal with a good point after attempt, 7-0 Chiefs.
The Tornadoes answered with about three minutes in the half to tie it up at 7-7. Northview found the end zone again with about two minutes to go with a 49-yard pass from Brandon Sheets to Austin Albritton. Vaughan’s kick was off the uprights, making it 13-7 at the half.
Northview scored again in the fourth with a 4-yard run from Sheets and a missed kick and a 20-yard pass from Sheets to Albritton and good Vaughan kick with13 seconds to go.
Sheets was 4-of-6 in the air for 112 yards; Albritton was caught three of those passes for 83 yards. Overall, the Chiefs had almost 300 yards in total offense.
The No. 1 ranked Chiefs will sit out next Friday night with an open date before traveling to Marianna on September 9.
Click here for a photo gallery, including the game, cheerleaders, band and dance team.
NorthEscambia.com photos. click to enlarge.
Tate Falls To Pensacola High (With Photo Gallery)
August 27, 2011
The Tate Aggies lost their preseason classic 35-14 to Pensacola High.
The Tigers were on top 7-0 at the end of the first quarter in the two-quarter game. The Aggies scored in the second quarter on a 5-yard pass from David Moorhead to Caleb Norris. Hagen Mancuso’s point after attempt was successful. Tate scored again in the second on a 3-yard run from Moorhead and another good point after from Mancuso.
The Tate Aggies, coming off a 3-7 season last year, and Head Coach Ed Rigby will look for redemption in the first regular season game next Friday night at 7:30. The Aggies will take on Washington at home in Pete Gindl Stadium.
For a submitted photo gallery, click here.
Pictured above and below: Action from Tate versus Pine Forest Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
Controversial ‘Church’ Backs Down On Protest At Marine’s Atmore Funeral
August 27, 2011
A controversial “church” known for protesting at military funerals backed out of a planned protest at Friday afternoon’s funeral of Lance Cpl Travis Nelson in Atmore.
“Westboro Baptist Church” made a deal with NewsRadio 1620 AM to not protest at the funeral if the radio station gave them airtime to speak about their beliefs. Branden Rathert, afternoon host on NewsRadio 1620 told NorthEscambia.com that the station allowed the group on the air Friday afternoon in exchange for them leaving Nelson’s family alone and calling off their protest in Atmore.
“I hate to do it, but I would rather give them airtime than have the Nelson’s have to endure this…. please forgive me,” Rathert said before the interview with Westboro.
NorthEscambia.com spoke to a member of Westboro by cell phone Friday morning. He provided information that indicated he had just gotten off I-65 at Highway 21 in Atmore.
“In exchange for the airtime on 1620, we are going to turn around and head back toward Montgomery,” he said.
The “church” had issued a press release concerning Friday afternoon’s funeral of Lance Cpl Travis Nelson in Atmore.
The press release from “Westboro Baptist Church” mentioned their agenda and viewpoints and stated, “This message to be preached in respectful, lawful proximity to the memorial of Lance Cpl. Travis M. Nelson” at 1:15 this afternoon at the First Baptist Church in Atmore. The Kansas “church” is considered a hate group by the civil rights group Southern Poverty Law Center.
Local law enforcement told NorthEscambia.com that they took seriously the threat of any protest that violates state or local law. In addition, hundreds of Patriot Guard riders were ready to form a “human fence” of American flags to block the view of any protestors from any family member.
Hundreds of people lined the streets of Atmore in support of LCpl Travis Nelson.
Pictured above: A Marine salutes the casket of LCpl. Travis Nelson Friday afternoon in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Hurricane Irene Sends Navy Planes To Escambia County
August 27, 2011
There was a little extra noise in the skies over Escambia County Friday as dozens of planes being evacuated from the path of Hurricane Irene flew in to Pensacola Naval Air Station.
Over 40 of the planes will remain in the base until it’s safe to return to the East Coast. Other planes, including several F-18’s stopped at Pensacola NAS for fuel before flying on elsewhere.
Pictured: F-18’s evacuated from NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, line the deck at Pensacola Naval Air Station Friday morning. Submitted photo by Michael Aaron for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Charged In Weekend Escambia County Homicide
August 26, 2011
An Escambia County man was charged Thursday night with the death of a man whose body was found Sunday in a wooded area near the Marcus Pointe Apartments in Pensacola.
Sergio Moorer, 18, was charged with an open count of murder, vehicle theft and robbery for his involvement in the death of 68-year old John Daniel Hall of Pensacola. Investigators said Hall was last seen alive Saturday afternoon.
Hall’s vehicle was located Thursday afternoon by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in the Oakstead Mobile Home Park on Massachusetts Avenue. Moorer and another black male were with the vehicle and fled on foot as deputies arrived. After a short foot chase, both suspects were taken into custody. The second person with the vehicle, who has not been identified by the Sheriff’s Office, was not immediately charged but was named a person of interest in the case.
Moorer was booked into the Escambia County Jail where he was held without bond.
Atmore Police Investigating Murder
August 26, 2011
The Atmore Police Department is investigating an early morning murder.
Atmore Police responded to 195 Maxwell Street just before 1 a.m. Thursday where they found 23-year old Christopher Payne Andrews not far from his vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene as the result of multiple gunshot wounds.
As of late Thursday afternoon, there had been no arrests reported in the case. Anyone with information about the shooting death is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.
Northview High Fans Turn Out To Meet The Chiefs
August 26, 2011
Hundreds of people turned out Thursday night to meet the Chiefs at Northview High School.
They were introduced to the JV and varsity cheerleaders, the JV and varsity football team, the coach staff and a performance by the new NHS Dance Team.
Click here for a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event.
The Northview Chiefs will host a preseason classic Friday at 7 p.m. against Panama City Bay.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hayley Dortch contributed to the gallery photos.
Century Residents Are Getting Disaster Ready
August 26, 2011
Over two dozen people took part Thursday night in the first of several training workshops in Century to become more prepared for disasters and emergencies.
BRACE — the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies — is offering the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training for free. There were 28 people, including Century’s mayor and entire town council, that took part in Thursday night’s training class.
Organizers said it is not too late for new participants. CERT training is available to Escambia County (Fla.) residents 18 or older and includes basic disaster response skills like fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.
The CERT training will be offered from 6-9 p.m. at the Century Town Hall on September 1, September 15, September 22, October 6, October 13 and October 20. The training will culminate with a disaster drill on Saturday, October 22 at 10 a.m. at the Ag Building in Century. For more information or to join, contact Denise Wiggins at (850) 256-3208.
Pictured: CERT training Thursday night in Century. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Sending Crews To Washington In Advance Of Hurricane
August 26, 2011
A Gulf Power storm restoration team of 65 employees departed this morning for Washington D.C. to help Pepco Energy Services restore power to their customers in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.
Forty-eight line personnel and 17 support staff members will support Pepco Energy Services in the Washington D.C. area, after Hurricane Irene has passed through the region. In addition, Gulf Power is sending 24 bucket trucks. These employees will help assess any damage and determine equipment needed to restore power. The crews are prepared to work for up to two weeks and will assist wherever they are needed.
Gulf Power assisted Alabama Power earlier this year after a deadly tornado tore through Tuscaloosa, Ala. and knocked out power to thousands of customers.
Pepco delivers power to nearly 1.9 million customers in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland and New Jersey, making it one of the largest electricity delivery companies in the Mid-Atlantic region.
“We’re glad to be able to help fellow utility companies when devastating storms hit,” said Jeff Rogers of Gulf Power. “Our crews are some of the most highly-trained restoration experts in the world. It’s common for utilities to help each other and we’re just glad to be part of the effort.”
Pictured above and below: Gulf Power crews prepare to depart Pensacola this morning for Washington, D.C. to assist with power restoration after Hurricane Irene makes landfall. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
