Billings Murders: Pamela Long Gets 28 Years In Prison
September 3, 2011
Pamela Long was sentenced Friday morning to 28 years in prison for her role in the robbery and murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings in July 2009.
It took an Escambia County Jury about eight hours over two days last month to find Long-Wiggins guilty of accessory to murder after the fact and home invasion after the fact. She faced up to 45 years in prison.
Long was accused of helping to hide a safe that was taken from the Billings home in her backyard and taking guns to Mississippi that were used in the murders.
“I feel a sense of relief knowing that those involved in all aspects of the murder of my parents are now being held responsible,” Ashley Markham, the Billings’ daughter, said in a statement released following the verdict.
Prep Football Roundup
September 3, 2011
Here is a look at prep football action from around the North Escambia area Friday night:
Florida
- LaPlace (LA) St. Charles Catholic 42, Tate 0 [Read more...]
- Jay 48, Rocky Bayou 0 [Read more...]
- West Florida High 30, Escambia 21
- Tallahassee Lincoln 20, Pensacola High 7
- Navarre 28, Washington 7
- Choctawhatchee 28, Catholic 24
- Milton 20, Crestview 14 (2-OT)
- Saturday — Pine Forest vs. Columbia (GA) in Jonesboro, GA
- OFF — Northview
Alabama
- Flomaton 35, Southern Choctaw 7 [Read more...]
- Bayside 28, T.R. Miller 27
- UMS Wright 37, W.S. Neal 6
- Saturday — Escambia County (Atmore) at B.C. Rain, 7 p.m. Ladd-Peebles Stadium
Thursday Scores
- Pace 54, Panama City Arnold 28
- Jackson 23, Escambia Academy 13 (Read more…)
Photo Gallery: Tate Falls To St. Charles Catholic
September 3, 2011
The Tate High School Aggies fell to St. Charles Catholic of LaPlace, LA, Friday, 42–0
For a submitted photo gallery from the game, click here.
Submitted photos by Gary Carnley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Suspension Cut For Jay QB
September 3, 2011
The six game suspension handed down earlier this week to Jay High quarterback Conner Weekes has been reduced.
Jay High appealed, and the Florida High School Athletic Association cut the suspension to just one game — last night’s game with Rocky Bayou.
The suspension was the result of an altercation during a preseason game August 26 between Jay and Baker. Weekes and Baker defender Billy Cotton were accused of throwing punches, but video reviewed during the appeals process revealed that Weekes never threw a punch during the altercation.
Jay lost that preseason game to Baker, 27-13.
Pictured above: WEAR 3’s camera caught the very end of an August 26 altercation during a preseason game between Baker and Jay. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Beats Rocky Bayou 48-0
September 3, 2011
The Jay Royals kicked off their first season under new Head Coach Ken Smith with a big win Friday night, pounding Rocky Bayou Christian School 48-0. It was the first regular season win for the Royals since 2009.
It was a big night in Jay for running back Ricky Cofield, with five touchdown runs totaling about 200 yards, including a 90-yarder late in the first half. Overall, Cofield hit almost 300 yards on the night.
Cofield’s first TD came with 4:25 in the first on a one-yard dash for the end zone. The kicked failed, putting Jay up 6-0.
In the second quarter, Cofield scored on runs on 44, 90 and 41 yards. Dalton Edwards was 2 of 3 on point after kicks, giving Jay a 26-0 lead heading into the lockers at the half.
In the third Cofield was in again on a 25 yard run, with a good kick from Edwards; and Dakota Smith scored for the Royals on a 2 yard run followed by another Edwards kick.
Headed into the fourth with a 40-0 lead, the Royals were not done, finishing up Rocky Bayou 48-0 after a 41 yard run from Tate Upton and a 2 point conversion on a Sammy Jones pass from Dalton Edwards.
Next Friday night, the Jay Royals (1-0) will host Bonifay.
Flomaton Hurricanes Beat Southern Choctaw 35-7
September 3, 2011
It was big win at home Friday night for the Flomaton Hurricanes as they downed Southern Choctaw 35-7.
UPDATE: One Southern Choctaw player was killed and about 30 others injured in a bus accident following the game. Click here for details.
After a scoreless first quarter, Flomaton hit the end zone on the second play of the second quarter with a 30 yard run by Ryheem Dixon and a good kick from Corey Busbee, 7-0. The Canes capped a 60-yard drive with a 15 yard pass from Dixon to Jacob Newton with 1:36 in the half. Busbee, 5 for 5 through the uprights under the Friday night lights, added the point after, and the Canes were up 14-0 at the half.
Flomaton scored again in the third with a 3 yard run by Nieko Robinson and a good kick, 21-0. The Southern Choctaw Indians answered the score less than a minute later, 21-7.
In the fourth, the Canes struck again with a 13 yard touchdown pass from Dixon to Austin Patterson and a good kick, 28-7. After Patterson intercepted, Flomaton scored again on a 4 yard run by Ladarius Thomas, 35-7.
Following the game, a 16-year old Southern Choctaw player was airlifted by LifeFlight to a Pensacola hospital after suffering an apparent head or neck injury during the game. His condition was not available late Friday night.
The Flomaton Hurricanes will travel to Monroe County next Friday night take on J.U. Blacksher.
Submitted photos by Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Charged After Walnut Hill School Bus Wreck
September 2, 2011
An Atmore man is facing traffic charges after a Friday afternoon school bus wreck near Walnut Hill.
Authorities said 22-year old Jack Cunningham of Atmore was traveling South Highway 99 near Leandras Lane when he ran off the road, over-corrected and collided with Escambia County School bus 29-06 driven by 41-year old Tonia Allen of Molino.
Cunningham received minor injuries and refused transport to the hospital. Allen and the seven Ernest Ward Middle and Northview High school students on the bus were not injured. Damage to the bus was minor.
Cunningham was charged with failure to maintain a single lane and no proof of insurance, according to the FHP.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: The driver of a car was injured Friday afternoon after colliding with a school bus near Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Falls On The Road To Jackson
September 2, 2011
The Escambia Academy Cougars where handed their second loss of the season Thursday night on the road, falling to Jackson 23-13.
The Cougars (1-2) were coming off a 24-20 loss to Clarke Prep a week ago. Escambia Academy, under Head Coach Heath Gibson, will be on the road again next week, playing Marengo Academy on September 9.
Family Plans Scholarship, Memorial To Honor Fallen Marine
September 2, 2011
The family of Lance Cpl. Travis Nelson will honor the legacy of the young Marine with an annual college scholarship and a monument in a local park in his honor.
LCpl. Nelson, who grew up in Bratt, was killed in action August 19 in Afghanistan, five weeks after being deployed as an infantry rifleman. His parents, Beckie and Scott Nelson of Bratt, buried their 19-year old son last Friday in Atmore.
“The support of the community has been remarkable to say the least,” Scott Nelson said following his son’s funeral Aug. 26. “Words really cannot express how we felt from the response to Travis’ death and funeral.”
Nelson said the community support has shown that Americans still have a heart and patriotism for the country and her people.
“Travis would have been proud to know he gave his life and the people came together as they did to show their respect,” Nelson said. “It’s nice to know that we haven’t given up on what our country was founded on – God, love, patriotism, honor, respect and the old-fashioned neighbor.”
From the gates of the Naval Air Station in Pensacola last Wednesday when LCpl. Nelson’s body arrived, to the streets of Atmore following his funeral last Friday, thousands upon thousands of people, from all ages and walks of life, lined the streets to honor the fallen marine.
As a tribute to their son and the sacrifices he made to serve his country, the Nelsons are creating a college scholarship fund to be awarded to one or two outstanding seniors involved in either the Northview or Pace High School ROTC program or in the Young Marines of Pensacola.
“Both of these organizations were such a big part of Travis’ life and were the beginning of his commitment to serve his country,” Beckie Nelson said. “We are proud of Travis and know that he would want to share in the excitement of other young men and women as they prepare for a career in military service.”
For the first year, the Nelsons plan to award a $500 scholarship to a senior ROTC member from NHS or PHS or Young Marine with the highest GPA (grade point average), who exemplifies community involvement and service and commitment to their country through military service.
“We think this is the best way to honor Travis and his life,” Mrs. Nelson said. “He loved his country and we know he died doing what he loved.”
Mrs. Nelson said she hopes the scholarship fund will eventually be able to offer at least two scholarships a year for up to a $1,000 to a senior ROTC member from both NHS and PHS.
In addition to the scholarship fund, the Nelson’s are seeking approval from Escambia County to place a monument in honor of their son at the county-funded and maintained Bratt Community Park located on Highway 4 in Bratt, just two doors down from Nelson’s childhood home.
“We just thought it would be fitting to have something there to remember him by,” Mrs. Nelson said. “This is where he grew up and he spent many hours and days out here playing before the park was built. This community (Bratt) was such a big part of his life and played a part in the man he became.”
The Nelsons have set up an account at Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union to accept donations for the college scholarships and monument in the park.
“I will learn from my son and this community and strive to be a better American and neighbor,” Scott Nelson said in a letter of thanks published on NorthEscambia.com. “Travis, you will always be your beautiful mom’s and my hero. We will miss you to the point we cannot describe but will join you, pawpaw, papa and the other heroes in heaven. My prayers go out to the rest of the troops, its time we bring these men and women home. God Bless America.”
Contributions can be made at any Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union branch in LCpl. Travis Nelson’s name.
To donated by mail, make checks payable to: LCpl. Travis Nelson Memorial/Scholarship Fund and mail to:
Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union
220 E. Nine Mile Road
Pensacola, FL 32534
If needed: GWFCU Routing Number 263281679
– OR –
Nelson Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 601
Century, Florida 32535
Pictured top: The August 26 funeral of LCpl Travis Nelson, who died August 18 in Afghanistan. Pictured middle inset: The remains of LCpl Travis Nelson pass Ernest Ward Middle School August 24. Picture bottom inset: The flag presented to the Nelson family at the August 26 graveside service for LCpl. Travis Nelson. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Falls To Perdido (With Photo Gallery)
September 2, 2011
The Ernest Ward Middle School Golden Eagles opened their 2011 season Thursday night with a loss to the Perdido Middle School Raiders in Walnut Hill.
EWMS jumped out to an 8-0 lead with 4:04 to go in the first quarter, but the Raiders answered with a 6o-plus yard TD run less than a minute later. Perdido missed the point after, cutting Ernest Ward’s lead to 8-6.
With about two minutes on the clock in the half, EWMS drove to fourth and goal but tossed an interception to the Raiders at the four yard line. Heading into the half, Ernest Ward held onto their 8-6 lead.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Perdido Raiders drove to fourth and inches, running it in on the next down for a touchdown. Once again missing the point after, Perdido had a 12-8 advantage with 2:27 on the clock.
Ernest Ward ended the game with no time on the clock and a missed pass into the endzone.
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
Next week, the EWMS Eagles will be on the road at Excel on September 6. Their next home game in Walnut Hill will be September 20.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward’s Warren Suggs avoids Perdido defenders Thursday night in Walnut Hill. Pictured inset: Seventh grader Desmone Knight picks up yardage for EWMS. Pictured below: Hadley Woodfin cheers for the Eagles. NortheEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
