Playoff Time: Northview, West Florida, Flomaton At Home Tonight
November 18, 2011
Are you ready for some football? It will be a big night on both side of the state line tonight with playoff action across the area.
Wewahitchka at Northview (1-A)
It’s the second straight postseason appearance for the Northview Chiefs, but there are two major differences this year. The odometer was rolling fast and furious for the Chiefs last year with playoff games on the road; this year Northview is home for the regional finals tonight and, with a win, will be home again. The only road trip would be to Orlando for the state championship game. It’s also the first year of the new rural division, eliminating the chance of playing against big city private schools.
Tonight, the District 1-1A champ Chiefs will host District 2-1A runnerup Wewahitckha in the seventh-ever playoff appearance for Northview. Game time is 7:30 tonight; admission is $8 with no passes.
Northview got the Chief spirit going Thursday night with a huge pep rally, bonfire and tree-rolling. For a photo gallery, click here.
Tallahassee Godby at West Florida (1-5A)
It’s been dream season for the West Florida Jaguars. At 9-1, it was by far the best-ever season in the school’s history Tonight, Tallahasse Godby comes to town as the Jags look to keep the dream alive in the first round of the playoffs — the second-ever playoff appearance for West Florida. The game kicks off at 7:30 at Woodham Middle School.
Elba at Flomaton (Ala. 2A)
There’s a big storm brewing just north of the state line tonight as the 11-1 Flomaton Hurricanes host Elba in round three of the playoffs — the first quarterfinal game very played in Flomaton. Both teams are coming off big wins last week — Flomaton 51-7 over Goshen and Elba 59-20 over Vincent. The word on the street is this will be the biggest night in Flomaton’s history as practically the entire town will drown the stadium in a sea of green and white.
Elba’s ranked No. 1 in the state; Flomaton sits at No. 6. The ‘Canes only loss was 14-13 to defending state champs Leroy.
Other area playoff games:
- Choctawhatchee at Pensacola High, 7:30 p.m.
- Gulf Breeze at Wakulla, 7:30 p.m.
- Pace at Niceville, 7:30 p.m.
Pictured top: Chief fans roll trees at Northview High School Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Members Appointed To Escambia Extension Council
November 18, 2011
New members have been appointed to the Escambia County Extension Council.
Appointed for a two year term were:
Marck Casson of McDavid, small farm producer
Vernon Hiebert of Walnut Hill, catfish farm owner
Charles Woodward of Molino, retired from USDA Farm Service Agency
Carol Tanksley, associate professor UWF
Reappointed for two year terms were:
Debbie Looney of Pensacola, scientist Northwest Fla. Water Management District
Julie Sackman of Pensacola, self employed writer, 4-H volunteer
Northview, Ernest Ward Cross Country Teams Honored (With Gallery)
November 18, 2011
Northview High School held their annual cross country banquet Thursday night, along with the first-ever cross country team from Ernest Ward Middle School.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The following awards were presented:
Northview High School
- Most Valuable Runner (MVR) Female: Georgia Goetter
- Most Valuable Runner (MVR) Male: Isaac McGahan
- Most Improved Female: Ashley Joiner
- Most Improved Male: Joshua Borelli
- Jim Ross Memorial Award: Aaron Raush
- Junmi Ross Award: Alanna Johnson
- Coaches’ Award: Zacarra Davis
Ernest Ward Middle School
- Most Valuable Runner (MVR) Female: Bethany Reynolds
- Most Valuable Runner (MVR) Male: Zachary Calloway
Most Improved Female: Jessica Barrows - Most Improved Male: Logan Calloway
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: The Northview High School Cross Country team. Pictured below: The first-ever Ernest Ward Middle School Cross Country team. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Groups File Suit Against DOC Over Censorship Of Prison Mail
November 18, 2011
The ACLU of Florida and the Florida Justice Institution filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging what the organizations say is “censorship” by the Department of Corrections.
The suit challenges the agency’s decision to block delivery of Prison Legal News, a publication covering legal issues in regards to prisons, because of advertisements for things like pen-pal services. The lawsuit on behalf of the publication was filed in a federal court in Miami.
“Government can’t censor material just because it doesn’t like what’s being published in the material — in this case, advertisements for pen-pal services,” said ACLU of Florida executive director Howard Simon. “Just because our client provides legal information for people who are incarcerated doesn’t mean they forfeit their constitutional rights.”
By The News Service of Florida
Photo Gallery: Chief Fans Hold Pep Rally
November 18, 2011
The Northview Chiefs held a pep rally Thursday night on the school campus, complete with a bonfire and rolling trees Toomer’s Corner style with toilet paper.
The pep rally is in advance of the Chiefs’ playoff game at 7:30 tonight in Bratt against Wewahitckha.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs hold a pep rally Thursday night at the school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Presents ‘On The Radio’, Collects 2,900 Food Items For The Needy (With Gallery)
November 18, 2011
Students at Molino Park Elementary School collected over 2,900 food items during a drive to held the needy in the Molino area at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The school partnered with Aldersgate United Methodist Church for a “Help our Neighbor’ food drive. The items collected by Molino Park will distributed in the community along with turkeys and hams from Aldersgate.
Venetia Fountain’s class was first place in the food drive, donating over 800 items.
The students wrapped up the food drive with a fourth grade performance of “On the Radio” Thursday, under the direction of music teacher Twinette McDonald.
For a photo gallery from “On The Radio”, click here.
Pictured top: “On the Radio” Thursday night at Molino Park Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photo by Sara Calhoun. Pictured below: Over 2,900 food items donated by MPES students and staff, submitted photo by Sandra Greenwell.
In Hot Pursuit 5K Raises Cash For Youth Ranches
November 18, 2011
The recent Escambia County Sheriff’s Office “In Hot Pursuit 5K” raised $8,882.43 for the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches. Over 230 runners and walkers took part in the annual 5K on Pensacola Beach. Pictured: Sheriff David Morgan presents the 5K proceeds to John Szaroleta of Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Charges To Be Filed In Equestrian Center Hiring
November 17, 2011
The State Attorney’s Office announced this afternoon that no criminal charges will be filed against Escambia County Commissioner Wilson Robertson or any other person as a result of a the hiring process at the Escambia County Equestrian Center.
Robertson was accused of becoming overly involved in the hiring of Forest Gibbs as an Equestrian Center manager, possibly influencing the process. There were also allegations made that Robertson was involved in getting Gibbs a salary that was higher than advertised $44,000.
Robertson, Gibbs and about eight other witnesses were interviewed as part of the investigation, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Robertson said eight of about 60 applicants for the job were selected an interviewed by the selection committee. After the committee selected Gibbs, Robertson said he contacted Assistant County Administrator Larry Newsome and the county attorney “to remind them of the budget the county had created and approved, including the starting salary of $60,000.00 plus benefits per year.”
There was no attempt to to influence the candidate chosen for the position, Robertson said.
Gibbs was removed from his position at the Equestrian Center so that the position could be re-advertised under the watchful eye of County Administrator Randy Oliver.
The commission also approved policies that will prevent any commissioner from being as a job reference for a county job, and prevent commissioner from speaking to the human resource department or selection committee about an applicant until an offer is accepted.
Gulf Coast Soldier Killed in Afghanistan
November 17, 2011
Another Gulf Coast soldier has been killed in Afghanistan. Pfc. Matthew C. Colin of Navarre was serving in the U.S. Army as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Details surrounding his death have not yet been released. His remains arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware Thursday afternoon.
Car Found In Ravine Long After Apparent Traffic Crash
November 17, 2011
A car was discovered in a deep ravine Thursday morning, apparently weeks or even months after a traffic crash.
The car was spotted by a passerby in a ravine parallel to railroad tracks on South Highway 99 at Highway 97A in Bay Springs. Area fire departments and an ambulance were dispatched because the caller was unable to advise anything other than that the airbags had deployed on the vehicle.
Firefighters discovered that the 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo had been in the ravine perhaps for a long period of time; brush and small trees had grown around the vehicle. A search did not find any human remains in or near the vehicle.
It appeared that the driver of the vehicle was headed south on South Highway 99 and failed to negotiate a 90-degree turn.
The incident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured: This Chevrolet Monte Carlo was discovered deep in a ravine Thursday morning, apparently a long time after a traffic crash. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
