Photos: An Old Fashioned Canoe Christmas Celebration
December 9, 2011
It was an old fashioned Christmas celebration Thursday night as friends and neighbors came together with the Canoe Civic Club. The group sang Christmas carols, ate great food and just enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors from Canoe, Bratt, Walnut Hill and surrounding areas in a celebration reminiscent of community gatherings from days gone by.
Longtime Canoe Civic Club member Caroline Conn (who is sometimes affectionately referred to as the mayor of Canoe, Alabama ) shared her thanks with club members for their friendship, support and labor of love for the club.
Mike Hanks from the First Baptist Church of Bratt led the crowd in Christmas carols as his wife Gayle Hanks played the piano, and a group from the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church treated the crowd to Christmas carols.
Have photos to share from your community event? Email them to news@northescambia.com
Pictured top: A group from the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church performs Christmas carols Thursday night at the Canoe (Ala.) Civic Club. Pictured inset: Mike Hanks from the First Baptist Church of Bratt led Christmas carols. Pictured below. Caroline Conn (far right), the “mayor of Canoe”, visits with friends and neighbors. NorthEscambia.com photos by Marcella Wilson, click to enlarge.
Century Woman Back In Jail In Grand Theft Auto, Drug Case
December 9, 2011
A Century woman serving 24 months probation after she was caught driving a stolen car with illegal drugs in her possession is back behind bars.
Iretha Mae Smith, age 58 of Ivey Street, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Thursday for violation of probation on charges of grand theft auto and felony possession of a controlled substance. She was given probation and adjudication was withheld after she pleaded no contest to the charges in May.
In early February, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy watched as a white Mazda Protege failed to stop at a stop sign located at Sellers Road and West Highway 4. He conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and found that it had previously been reported stolen and that the driver, Smith, had an outstanding grand theft auto warrant.
When the deputy asked Smith to step out of the vehicle, she reportedly got out with a white pill in her hand. The pill, according to the Sheriff’s Office, turned out to be a Lortab for which Smith did not have a prescription.
‘America’s Most Wanted’ Child Molester Gets 130 Years
December 9, 2011
A man once featured on America’s Most Wanted was sentenced to 130 years in state prison for sexually molesting a child — in addition to a life sentence handed down earlier this year for sexual battery on a child.
Joseph Christian Fontana was convicted by a Santa Rosa County jury of committing various sexual acts on the 13-year old son of a woman he met at a church in 2001.
Fontana became a father figure to the child and later began to molest the boy. The crimes occurred between 2003 and 2006 at residences in Santa Rosa County where Fontana was doing work as a handyman.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation; however, Fontana fled from the country before being arrested. He was located after being featured on the television show “America’s Most Wanted”. After receiving a tip that Fontana was in the Dominican Republic, U.S. Marshals located and arrested him there in June 2009.
Fontana was previously designated as a sexual predator after his conviction in April 2011 and had remained in jail awaiting his trial on these charges. In 1995, Fontana was convicted in Pasco County, Florida, of handling and fondling a child and of a lewd and lascivious act in the presence of a child. He was convicted in California in 1988 of three counts of committing a lewd act upon a child. Fontana had been designated a sex offender at that time.
Girl’s Weightlifting Results: Tate, Northview, Jay
December 9, 2011
Tate High School won a girl’s weightlifting meet Thursday at Northview, while Northview finished second followed by Jay High in third.
Weight category winners, including scores with combined bench press and jerk weights, were as follows:
101
- Kirstyn Johnson, Tate, 140
- Kasie Braun, Northview, 110
110
- Lauren Chavers, Tate, 135
119
- Bailey B., Tate, 195
- Jordan B, Tate, 195
- Ashley Cunningham, Northview, 155
- Shelby E. , Jay, 140
129
- Jordan McGowan, Tate, 205
- Tierra Floyd, Northview, 140
- Madlyn Coon, Northview, 140
- Kim Gunn , Jay, 130
139
- Taylor Dunlap, Tate, 220
- Misty Doran, Northview, 205
- Katie Cutting, Tate, 185
- Holley Fugatt , Jay, 160
154
- Dunsford, Tate, 220
- Wiggins, Tate, 200
- Brittany Thompson, Northview, 140
- Penny Banda, Northview, 140
169
- Jamonica Paige, Tate, 205
- Olivia Newsome, Tate, 200
- Keyth Grice, Northview, 130
183
- Barrett Barnes, Tate, 270
- Alisha Grice, Northview, 130
199
- McKenzie Nassar, Northview, 165
- Blair Kaylen , Jay, 140
Unlimited
- B. Hawthorne , Jay, 215
- TeAndria Knight, Northview, 210
- M. Lawrence, Tate, 180
- DeeDee Johnson, Northview, 165
Pictured: The Northview High School girl’s weightlifting team Thursday afternoon. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Basketball: Northview, Tate, West Florida
December 9, 2011
Here’s a look at high school basketball action from around the area Thursday:
Escambia Charter 64, Northview 60
In a close game, Escambia Charter defeated Northview Thursday night in Bratt. Zack Barrow led the Chiefs with 18, while Roderick Woods added 14. Brandon Sheets contributed 10 for Northview, as Dyshan White and Jacob Gibson scored six each. Blake McCall had four for the Chiefs.
The Northview varsity boys will next play in the Jay Christmas Tournament December 12-14.
West Florida 63, Tate 5
The West Florida Jaguars beat the Tate Aggies Thursday, 63-55 at West Florida.
GIRLS
Tate 48, West Florida 19
The Tate Lady Aggies defeated West Florida on Thursday, 48-19 in girls’ basketball action.
Driver In Serious Condition After Highway 97 Wreck
December 8, 2011
[Updated An 80-year old Century woman was serious injured in a two vehicle wreck late Thursday morning in front of the Piggly Wiggly in Davisville.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Martez Dortch was traveling south on Highway 97 when she attempted to turn her 2007 Ford Taurus into the store parking lot. She crossed into the path of a northbound 1998 Ford pickup driven by 25-year old Reuben Maxwell of Century.
Dortch was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital in serious condition. Maxwell was not injured.
Dortch was cited by the FHP for violation of right of way.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Fire Department, Atmore Ambulance and Escambia County EMS responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Police Hunt For Bank Robbery Suspect
December 8, 2011
A Thursday morning bank robbery is under investigation in Escambia County.
A man armed with a handgun demanded cash from a teller at the Suntrust Bank on North Davis Highway about 9:30 a.m. Pensacola Police Department Detective Shannan Fortenberry said the suspect entered the bank, walked up to a teller, pointed a handgun at her, and demanded cash. When the teller complied, he left the bank and ran southbound on Davis Highway.
There were five employees and three customers in the bank at the time; no one was injured.
The suspect is a white male, about 5-feet 10-inches and at least 200 pounds. He had a grayish brown mustache and was wearing a wool cap, sunglasses, khaki pants, a khaki/olive green colored jacket, and cowboy boots.
Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact Detective Shannan Fortenberry at (850) 435-1978 or the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Northview Student Passes Away From Injuries Received In Wreck
December 8, 2011
A 16-year old Northview High School student passed away mid-morning today from injuries he received when he crashed his pickup Wednesday morning in Bratt.
Kenneth Wade Jernigan of Century, a sophomore at Northview, was on his way to school at the time of the wreck. He was northbound on Pine Barren Road north of Breastworks Road at about 8:30 a.m. when he drifted off the roadway onto the shoulder as he attempted to travel around a curve. He over-corrected, lost control and struck a tree, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Firefighters worked over 20 minutes using the Jaws of Life to remove the teen from his mangled 1999 Chevrolet pickup. He was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Jernigan passed away at 9:38 Thursday morning at Sacred Heart Hospital.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Jernigan was not wearing a seat belt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Escambia County School District will have counselors available to students and staff at Northview High School on Thursday.
The Molino, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the call.
Pictured: A Northview High student passed away from injuries he received in this single vehicle crash Wednesday morning on North Pine Barren Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Proceeds With Paving Shoulders On Crabtree Church Road
December 8, 2011
Escambia County has received a state grant to design paved shoulders along Crabtree Church Road between Highway 97 and Sunshine Hill Road in Molino.
The county will enter into an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for Transportation Enhancement Program funding of up to $138,824 to design the paved shoulders.
Now, Escambia County will advertise for engineering service proposals for the design of five-foot asphalt shoulders on the 2.5 mile segment of roadway.
Pictured top: The 2010 Molino Christmas Parade travels down Crabtree Church Road. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Local Students, Schools Place In FFA Competition
December 8, 2011
Eleven middle and high school FFA chapters from Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties took part in the Sub-District I FFA Competition this week in Jay.
To take part in the Career Development Events (CDE), students spend many hours training for the competition and receive assistance from their advisor, industry partners, alumni and community stakeholders.
“The key to achievement lies in the ability to think critically, communicate clearly, and perform effectively in a competitive world. These skills are enhanced through participation in CDEs,” according to the Escambia County FFA.
Results from the competition were:
High School
Prepared Public Speaking
- Ashley Mcleod – Laurel Hill
- Austin Pfeiffer – Tate
- Courtney Solari – Northview
Extemporaneous Speaking
- Ashley Mcleod – Laurel Hill
- Justin Hall – West Florida
- Megan Gibbs – Tate
Creed Speaking
- Savannah Maddox – Tate
- Patra Miller – Ransom
- Karli Butcher – Milton
Tractor Operation and Maintenance
- Jake Scott – West Florida
- Brandon Chambless – Northview
- Forrest Gibbs – Tate
Parliamentary Procedure
- Tate
- Northview
- Milton
Middle School
Prepared Public Speaking
- Harley Tagert – Jay
- Andrew Bosinger – Beulah
Extemporaneous Speaking
- Madison Lockman – Ransom
- Emalie Sharpe – Beulah
- Hannah Garrett – Bellview
Opening and Closing Ceremony
- Beulah
- Ernest Ward
- Ransom
Parliamentary Procedure
- Ernest Ward
- Bellview