Political Watch: Blackburn Running For Sheriff; Taylor Collects Petitions For Commission
November 8, 2011
Monday, Rex Blackburn of Cantonment became the fourth candidate to prefile for Escambia County Sheriff in the 2012 general election.
Blackburn, who ran unsuccessful for Escambia County School Board District 5 in 2000, is running with no party affiliation, as is Bill Chavers. Incumbent David Morgan and John Powell are both running as Republicans.
Also Monday, Jim Taylor announced that he became the first candidate to meeting the petition requirement to qualify for August 14, 2012, Republican primary for the District 5 seat on the Escambia County Commission.
Fire Destroys Cotton Picker (With Photo Gallery)
November 7, 2011
Fire destroyed a cotton picker Monday afternoon in Bratt.
The fire was reported in a field south of Hanks Road west of Pine Barren Road just before 3 p.m.; it was declared under control about 3:50 p.m. The John Deere 9970 cotton picker was a total loss.
There were no injuries reported. The exact cause of the fire was not immediately known.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded the blaze.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: A cotton picker burns in a field in Bratt Monday afternoon. Pictured below: Firefighters begin their attack on the blaze. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
18 Hour SWAT Standoff Ends With Arrest
November 7, 2011
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Richard Howard Jr., 21, of Pensacola, about 7:00 Monday morning following an 18 hour standoff. Howard was taken into custody without incident by members of the Pensacola Police Department SWAT team.
Around 1:00 Sunday afternoon, deputies responded to reports of Howard standing on his roof in his underwear yelling at neighbors and threatening suicide. When deputies arrived, Howard jumped from the roof and barricaded himself inside his residence. The Escambia County SWAT team was then activated to establish a perimeter and negotiations were conducted with Howard.
During the course of the stand-off, SWAT team members entered the residence to find that Howard was in the attic of his home. When Howard saw the deputies, he fired rounds at the deputies, but no one was injured. SWAT team members utilized gas agents as a means to get Howard out of the house, but the gas had no effect on Howard. Due to the extended period of time, Escambia County SWAT team members were relieved by the Pensacola Police SWAT team.
After 18 hours, SWAT team members from the Pensacola Police Department entered the attic of the residence and took Howard into custody without incident. Howard was taken to a local hospital for evaluation prior to being booked into the Escambia County Jail on an aggravated assault charge.
Pictured. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Bratt Park To Be Renamed Tuesday For Fallen Marine Lcpl. Travis Nelson
November 7, 2011
The Bratt Community Park will be renamed Tuesday in honor of LCpl. Travis M. Nelson, the local Marine killed in action in Afghanistan on August 18.
An official dedication for the “LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park” and a monument in his honor will be held on Tuesday, November 8 at 2 p.m. at the park on West Highway 4, just west of Northview High School.
The Nelson family requested the county’s permission to place a monument at the park on Highway 4 near Northview High School, just two doors down from where Travis Nelson grew up. The Escambia County Commission later voted to rename the park in the Marine’s honor.
Nelson was the first soldier killed in action from the Walnut Hill or Bratt area since 1969.
Pictured top: Work continues on a memorial in honor of LCpl Travis M. Nelson at the Bratt Community Park, which will be renamed Tuesday in Nelson’s honor. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Driver Hits Concrete Ditch, Airlifted To Hospital
November 7, 2011
A driver was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital after apparently suffering from a medical condition and running into a concrete ditch Sunday afternoon in Cantonment.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 77-year old Rudolph M. Smith of Pensacola was southbound on Highway 29 near Cedar Tree Lane when drifted the roadway and struck a street sign before his 2002 pickup came to rest in a concrete ditch.
Smith was transported by LifeFlight to West Florida Hospital suffering from an unknown medical problem, according to the FHP.
There were no other injuries in the crash.
Molino Man Gets Probation On Drug Charges
November 7, 2011
A Molino man has been sentenced to probation on drug charges.
Adjudication was withheld by Judge Michael Allen as he sentenced 26-year old Thomas Sheffield to 24 months probation on a felony count of marijuana possession with intent to sell and felony possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations/Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant in July 2011 at Sheffield’s residence in the 9000 block of Gibson Road.
Sheffield told deputies that all of his drugs were on the back porch, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. That’s were deputies found over 20 grams of marijuana and a 9mm Glock handgun, according to the arrest report. Inside the house, deputies reported finding more marijuana, questionable prescription medication, a .22 caliber handgun, a SKS rifle and $1,725 in cash located on the top of the fireplace.
District Attorney Looking For Answers In Fire That Claimed 3 Children
November 7, 2011
The Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office and a local district attorney are continuing their investigation into a Wednesday night house fire that claimed the lives of three children in Atmore.
Family members identified the children as3-year old Aniyia Abner, 3-year old Takia Abner and 22-month old Michael Coleman.
Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney Steve Billy says his office is awaiting the outcome of an ongoing investigation by the the Alabama State Marshal. Pending the outcome of the investigation, the children’s mothers, 18-year old twins Akeivia Abner and Jekeevia Abner, could face criminal charges.
“We’ve still got to gather the hospital records. Of course, the children were sent to Mobile for an autopsy, so we’re waiting on the preliminary findings from the pathologist. Of course, we’re still trying to determine the cause of the fire and interviewing witnesses. So there’s a lot of unknowns out there that are still under investigation,” Billy told FOX 10 TV.
Initial reports said that an oven door was open inside the home at the time of the fire, perhaps indicating that it was being used as a heat source. Photographs taken Thursday morning (see top of page) clearly show the oven door inside the kitchen of the home propped partially open. But it was not immediately known if that was the cause of the fire.
Reports indicated that the two young mothers were at another location several blocks from the home at the time of the fire.
For an earlier stories about the fire, including photos from the aftermath of the fire Wednesday night, click here and click here.
Pictured top: This photo shows the oven door propped open inside the kitchen of a home were three children died in a house fire Wednesday night. Pictured bottom inset: A makeshift memorial outside the home. Pictured below: The remains of a 1st Street home in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Football Standings: Champions And 3-Way Ties
November 7, 2011
It’s the final week of the regular season in high school football, with district kings already named in two local districts, while one is in a three-way shootout Monday night.
The Northview Chiefs easily chomped the Baker Gators last Friday night to take the District 1-1A championship and claim home field advantage for the playoffs.
The District 1-5A title will come down to a three-way shootout Monday night between West Florida, Gulf Breeze and Arnold. The top two teams are playoff bound, while number three heads to the lockers for the last time. (For an update to this story, click here.)
The shootout will take place at 7 p.m. at West Florida’s home field at Woodham Middle School.
Pensacola High is on top of District 1-6A, while the Pace Patriots are in second. For the Tate Aggies, an 0-10 season ended Friday night.
Pictured top: Action as Northview beat Baker Friday night to claim in the District 1-1A championship. Pictured inset. Tate takes on Washington last Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Students Place With Fair Art Exhibits
November 7, 2011
Middle and high school students from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were recognized for their entries in the school art exhibit at the Pensacola Interstate Fair.
The winners were as follows:
Middle Schools
Best in show: Celeste Bishop, Woodham Middle School; Winston Foster, educator.
Drawing: Leslee Scruggs, Ransom, first place; Audrey Mahon, PATS, second; Ashley Ament, Ransom, third; and honorable mentions for Amanda Tobler and Aidan Garcia, Bailey; Joey Jordan, PATS; Taylor Rouchon, Kailee Nolan and Brennan Rohde, Ransom; Brandias Larock, Woodham; and Cameron Rettig, Workman.
Mixed media: Teah Wiley, Workman, first; Brianna Leatherwood, PATS, second; Jackie Gibson, Woodham, third; Maddie Conley, Ransom, honorable mention.
Painting: Callastasia Williams, Woodham, first; Kenard Cook, Woodham, second; Lizzie Partington, PATS, third; Morgan Litton, Workman, honorable mention.
Printmaking: Sakura Kawasaki, Woodham, first; Ebony Coger, Woodham, second; Madelyn Mahon, PATS, third; Addie McKeon, Workman, honorable mention.
Sculpture: Jacob Reosti, PATS, first.
High Schools
Art Program Award of Excellence: Escambia High School; Kymberly Rejda, Marie Henderson and Ruth Fidler, educators.
Best in Show: Savannah Cain, Pace; Kathleen Tracey, educator.
John Frenkel Sr. Award: Jasmin Rhea, Milton; Kenya Longmire, educator.
Beginning art: Cameron Jones, Tate, first; Jacob Brown, Tate, second; Jiwon Kim, Pensacola, third; and honorable mentions for Austin Duffy and Brent Bowman, Central; Cody Overton and Parker Hitt, Escambia; Shonteila West, Glendine Jones and Era Cooper, Tate; Ayannia Cole, Washington; and Lauren Cleary, West Florida.
Ceramics: Frankie Derise, Tate, first; Kimberly Wakefield, Pensacola, second; Austin McElwrath, Pine Forest, third; and honorable mentions for Bridget Stephens, Pace; Sara Omler, Pensacola; and Tyler Maynard and Kimberlee Richards, Tate.
Digital arts: Adrian Brown, Chris Netherton and Kimberlee Richards, Tate, first; Shane King, Washington, second; Jamie Lewis, Tate, third; and Trey Godfrey and Jared Felling, Tate, honorable mention.
Drawing: McKenna Jobe, Escambia, first; Sara Omler, Pensacola, second; Danielle Wheeler, Tate, third; and honorable mentions for Taylor Walden, Escambia; Maranda Wise, Jay; Michael Melendez, Milton; Keondre Hull, Tate; Meredith Gretzinger, Washington; and Kelli Brock, West Florida.
Jewelry/textiles: Dakota Major, Pace, first.
Mixed Media: Katie Ledbetter, West Florida, first; Sara Pertgren, Escambia, second; Matt Lowe, Jay, third; and honorable mentions for Alana Lami and Alyssa Elliott, Escambia; Paul Sebough, Jay; Kyndall Hall, Northview; Stephanie Gunton, Pace; and Luna Zepp, Washington.
Painting: Dylan Nadsady, Jay, first; Sierra Keltz, Escambia, second; Hannah Fernandes-Martin, Pensacola, third; and honorable mentions for Stephanie Gunton, Pace; Kimberly Wakefield, Pensacola; Avery Gaal, Tate; and Kerrie Anderson, West Florida.
Photography: Vivianna Sanich, Pensacola, first; Kelly McDaniel, Washington, second; Carlene Langlois, Escambia, third; and honorable mentions for Alana Lami and Maria Brown-Doig, Escambia; Megan Evans and Sara Thomas, Pine Forest.
Printmaking: Elizabeth Anderson, Pensacola, first; Taylor Young, Pine Forest, second; Tiffany Chiang, Pensacola, third; and honorable mentions for Travis Prescott, Jay; Alicia Echagnggura, Pensacola; and Jessica Broussard, Washington.
Sculpture: Randy Allen, Escambia, first; Brittany Gibson, Pace, second; Emily Downs, Escambia, third; and honorable mentions for Emily Downs, Escambia; Michael Melendez, Milton; Casey Touchstone and Katherine Smyth, Pace; Dusty Wiggins, Alex Jackson and Tristan Nichols, Washington; and Jovianna Mallow, West Florida.
Northview, West Fla. Compete In District Cross Country Meet
November 7, 2011
The District 1-2A cross county meet was held Saturday at Sims Middle School in Pace.
The Northview Chiefs finished in seventh place for both boys and girls — missing a trip to regionals. Northview’s Isaac McGahan (pictured) placed 10th overall with a time of 18:03, earning him an individual trip to the regional meet.
Results were as follows:
Top 5 Boys Teams
- Catholic 47
- West Florida 55
- Arnold 85
- Rutherford 92
- South Walton 97
Top Individual Boys
- Kerrigan, Don (Catholic) — 16:35.00
- Sortino, Mark (West Florida) — 16:36.00
- Clark, Alec (West Florida) — 16:54.00
- Leuze, Jacob (South Walton) — 17:04.00
- Wyllie, Andrew (Rutherford) — 17:10.00
- Engel, Daniel (Catholic) — 17:13.11
- LaNasa, Trey (South Walton) — 17:13.86
- Hyman, Alexander (Arnold) — 17:36.00
- Chope, John (Catholic) — 17:49.00
- McGahan, Isaac (Northview) — 18:03.00
- Remich, Michael (Catholic) — 18:07.00
- Qualls, Darrin (West Florida) — 18:14.00
- Armstrong, Derrick (Arnold) — 18:22.00
- Rowe, Griffin (Arnold) — 18:26.00
- Gutierrez, Carlos (Rutherford) — 18:30.00
- Modin, Seth (West Florida) — 18:35.00
- Patel, Saajan (Rutherford) — 18:37.00
- Lance, Jordan (Arnold) — 18:50.00
- Farner, Spencer (Bay) — 18:51.00
- Bromen, Jeffrey (Catholic) — 18:58.00
Top 5 Girls Teams
- Catholic 39
- West Florida 49
- South Walton 96
- Arnold 107
- Rutherford 134
Top Individual Girls
- Roberts, Kaysi (West Florida) — 19:26.00
- Hodges, Mikayla (Arnold) — 19:34.00
- Gaillard, Christina (Arnold) — 20:36.00
- Farr, Rebecca (Catholic) — 20:37.00
- Endacott, Gabrielle (Catholic) — 21:03.00
- Campion, Natalie (Catholic) — 21:14.00
- Sortino, Jordan (West Florida) — 21:40.00
- Nesbitt, Raleigh (West Florida) – 21:43.00
- Bump, Allysa (South Walton) — 21:46.00
- Weiner, A. (South Walton)– 22:02.00
- Gibson, Dale (Catholic) — 22:04.00
- Garred, Melissa (Rutherford) — 22:12.00
- Lockridge, Kaitlin (Catholic) — 22:44.00
- Busch, Taylor (Catholic) — 22:47.00
- Phillips, Jodi (Rutherford) — 22:50.00
- Wiley, Miranda (West Florida) — 22:54.00
- Moore, Hanna (West Florida) — 23:04.00
- Rivera-Santiago, A. (West Florida) — 23:11.00
- Turner, Danielle (West Florida) — 23:12.00
- Ehlers, Elizabeth (Catholic) — 23:26.00