Man, 72, Shoots Two Of Three Home Invasion Robbery Suspects
January 31, 2011
A 72-year old Escambia County man fought back and shot two of three teens in a home invasion over the weekend.
The incident happened about 8:45 Saturday night in the 3300 block of Raines Street in the Ferry Pass community. Police say three armed males wearing masks forced their way into the home of the 72-year old man and his 70-year old sister.
Once inside, the male victim was struck multiple times over the head with a baseball bat. During the altercation, the male victim fired several defensive shots from a handgun he had been holding when he answered the door, according to police.
Two of the suspects — Nathaniel Nichols, 17 and Curtis Crenshaw, 18 — suffered gunshot wounds. Crenshaw was treated and released, while Nichols remained hospitalized. A third suspect, Earl Benard, 15, was identified during the police investigation and later arrested.
All three suspects were charged with two counts of aggravated battery on a person 65 years of age or older and one count of home invasion robbery.
The 72-year old man was treated and released from a Pensacola hospital.
Editor’s note: The incident occurred on Raines Street in Ferry Pass, not to be confused with Raines Road near Century.
Pictured: Home invasion robbery suspect Curtis Crenshaw, 18.
Northview To Host Career And College Connections Night
January 31, 2011
Northview High School will host a Career and College Connections Night this week.
The event will be held Thursday from 6 until 8 p.m. in the school’s Media Center and is open to all grade levels.
Representatives from area colleges and universities, businesses, technical schools and the military will be on hand to answer questions pertaining to enrollment, financial assistance, and career opportunities.
Participants currently scheduled to take part include:
- Jefferson Davis Community College
- Pensacola State College
- University of South Alabama
- University of West Florida
- University of Florida
- Fortis Institute
- George Stone Technical Center
- Universal Technical Institute
- Century Care Center
- Creek Indian Enterprises
- Gulf Power
- Army
- Coast Guard
- Marines
- Navy
- American Legion Post 90, Atmore (special guests)
2011 Farm Day Scheduled
January 31, 2011
The 2011 Farm Day will be held Friday in Atmore, sponsored by the Escambia County (Fla.) Extension Service and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
Topics to be covered will include “Herbicide Resistance to Weeds in Crops”, “Cover Crops” and the “Economic Outlook for Row Crops” with experts from the University of Florida IFAS, Auburn University and the University of Georgia.
Registration will take place from 8 until 8:30 a.m at the Atmore YMCA at 501 South Pensacola Avenue. For more information, click here.
Escambia Students Of The Month Named
January 31, 2011
Escambia County Students of the Month for January have been named by the Escambia Association for Administrators in Education. The awards are presented monthly to two students from participating schools.
The following students were named from North Escambia area schools:
- Bratt — Reba M. Rhinehart, third grade; Summer M. Waters, second grade.
- Molino Park: Katelyn J. Wilson, third grade; Kayla M. McKillion, third grade.
- Jim Allen: Ashton N. Glover, first grade; Mackenzie R. Horak, first grade.
- Ransom — Ebony E. Davison, seventh grade; Nicholas S. Ward, eighth grade.
- Northview — Lydia A. Weaver, 11th grade; Justin L. Halteman, 10th grade.
- Tate — Brandon A. McCaffery, 11th grade; Taylor N. Lavine, 12th grade.
In addition, Ernest Ward Middle School named Jacob Weaver, Gavin Grant and Cara Thompson as Students of the Month (click for photo).
Pictured: Nothview High Students of the Month for January are Justin Halteman and Lydia Weaver. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hayley Simpson Named Miss Northview High School (With Huge Photo Gallery)
January 30, 2011
Senior Hayley Simpson was crowned Miss Northview High School for 2011 Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd. First Runner-Up was Sarah Killam, and Second Runner-Up was Caitlyn Brown, both seniors.
Other members of the Top 10 were Lauren McCall, Allie Bryan, Charleigh McPherson, Abby Odom, Lauren Cloud, Ariel Holland and Megan Ryan.
Lauren Cloud was named Miss Congeniality, and Megan Ryan was named Miss Hospitality. The Miss Physical Fitness award was presented to Lauren McCall, while Morgan Digmon was named Miss Poise and Appearance.
The pageant, which featured 25 contestants, was sponsored by teachers Anna Barry and Megan Carroll as a fund raiser for the school’s cheerleaders.
For nearly 200 NorthEscambia.com photos from the pageant, click here.
Miss Northview High School Hayley Simpson is the 18-year old daughter of Toney and Renee Simpson. She has been a majorette for the Tribal Beat marching band for four years and was selected as co-captain her junior year. This year, Hayley serves as captain. She has been a member of the weightlifting team for three years, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for four years, a member of the Beta club for two years, a member of Rho Kappa for two years, where as a junior, she served as historian, and a member of the varsity softball team for four years.
Hayley has been selected the past two years to represent her peers on the homecoming court. She was voted junior and senior class parliamentarian and is a member of First City gymnastics. Hayley is an active member of Ray’s Chapel Baptist church and participates in the youth group and choir. She has volunteered her time with Relay for Life for the past three years. Her hobbies include reading, singing, cooking, listening to music, and twirling the baton. Her future plans are to attend Auburn University. While pursuing her degree to become an anesthesiologist, she hopes to be a “Tigerette.”
First Runner-Up Sarah Killam is the 17-year old daughter of Gary and Melanie Killam. She has been a member of the junior varsity volleyball team for one year and a member of the cross country team for three years. She has also been a member of the softball team for four years, a member of the weightlifting team for four years, and a varsity cheerleader for one year. Sarah has been a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for four years and currently serves as president. She has been elected by her peers as class president all four years. She was also selected by her peers to represent them on the homecoming court, both her freshman and sophomore years, and was chosen Freshman Class Maid. This year, Sarah was again selected to represent her class on the homecoming court and was awarded second runner up to the queen. Sarah has been an Atmore Rotary Club Academic All-star for three years and has taken ballet and piano for ten years.
She has been a member of the Beta Club for two years, the Student Government Association for two years, where she has held the office of historian and secretary, and a member of Rho Kappa for two years, where she has served as secretary and treasurer. Sarah was voted into Northview’s “Hall of Fame”. She was also voted “Most Talented” by the senior class. In her community, Sarah is a member of Flomaton First Baptist Church and is active in both the youth group and the choir. She also helps teach ballet classes at Heather Leonard’s Danceworks.
Her hobbies include singing, playing the guitar and piano, leading worship on Wednesday night for her youth group, and spending time with family and friends. Her future plans are to attend college and pursue a degree in physical therapy.
Second Runner-Up Caitlyn Brown is the 18-year old daughter of Ronnie and Angela Brown. As a freshman, she was a member of Angie Shelley’s Twirl Time. She has been a majorette for the Tribal Beat marching band for four years and currently holds the title of co-captain. She has been a member of the Tribal Spirit yearbook staff for three years and currently serves as the editor. She has also been a member of the Beta club for two years, a member of the Interact club for one year, and a member of Rho Kappa for two years, where she has served as vice president both years. Caitlyn was selected as the sophomore class parliamentarian and the junior class secretary. She was voted “Best Dressed” by the senior class and was also first runner up to Miss NHS 2010. Since her freshman year, Caitlyn has been a lifeguard for the Atmore City Pool and has also taught swimming lessons. During her years with the Tribal Beat band, she has attended numerous majorette camps and competitions.
Her hobbies include twirling, reading, cooking, spending time with her family and friends, and having “girl days” with her mom. Her future plans are to attend the University of Alabama, where she hopes to obtain a degree in telecommunications and become a sportscaster. While she is in attendance there, Caitlyn plans on becoming a “Crimsonette”.
Pictured top: (front row L-R) First Runner Up Sarah Killam, Miss Northview High School Hayley Simpson, and Second Runner Up Caitlyn Brown, (middle row) Abby Odom, Allie Bryan, Charleigh McPherson, Morgan Digmon, (back r0w) Lauren McCall, Lauren Cloud, Megan Ryan, and Ariel Holland. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Search Continues For EMT Shooter
January 30, 2011
The search for the man that shot an Escambia County emergency medical technician continued Saturday.
No new information was released Saturday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The EMT, whose identity has not been released, remained in Baptist Hospital Saturday in stable condition with a gunshot wound to his shoulder.
The medic told deputies that he was retrieving an item just after 9 p.m. Friday from a bag located his ambulance on Hayes Street when someone tapped him on the back. As he turned around, he was shot.
The suspect was either a light skinned black male or a white male wearing a lime green jacket, according to the medic. The jacket may have NASCAR type patches sewn onto it.
For an earlier story on the shooting, click here.
Pictured above and below: An Escambia County EMS medic was shot Friday night at 1125 Hayes Street in Pensacola. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ask Us: What Are The New Solar Programs From Gulf Power?
January 30, 2011
Last week, the Florida Public Service Commission approved a Gulf Power Company conservation plan that is predicted to save 183 megawatts of electricity over 10 years — enough to power about 50,000 homes.
What new solar programs are to be offered by Gulf Power? That’s a question a NorthEscambia.com reader asked us recently after reading our story.
Do you have a question you would like NorthEscambia.com to answer? Email it news@northescambia.com
Jeff Rogers, media relations representative for Gulf Power, provides the answer:
Gulf Power’s new solar energy programs are designed to provide more choices for our customers. This is an exciting addition to our slate of EarthCents programs — with even more ways for our customers to save energy and money.
Solar Thermal Water Heating – This program is available to residential and small commercial customers. Gulf Power will offer a $1000 rebate for the installation of a qualifying solar thermal water heater.
Solar PV – Gulf Power’s Solar PV Program will provide the company’s residential and commercial customers an incentive to encourage the installation of a solar energy system on their home or business. Gulf Power will offer an incentive of $2 per watt up to a maximum of $10,000 per installation of a qualified photovoltaic (PV) system.
The incentives for these two programs are limited and will be made available through a reservation process.
Solar Thermal Water Heating for Low-Income – Under this program, Gulf Power will facilitate the installation of solar thermal water heating systems in select qualifying low-income housing. The utility anticipates funding up to 15 low-income residential installations per year.
Solar for Schools – Gulf Power’s Solar for Schools program will provide capital funding to supplement deployment of PV or photovoltaic systems up to 10kW in select qualifying public schools served by the utility. The program also will offer educational benefits — the data collected from the installed systems can be used in the schools’ energy curriculum.
Call us for more info; 1-877-655-4001
Jeff Rogers
Gulf Power
Do you have a question you would like NorthEscambia.com to answer? Email it news@northescambia.com
Molino Park Students Place In We Believe In Children 5K
January 30, 2011
The 23rd Annual We Believe In Children Run/Walk was held Saturday at Longleaf Elementary School in Pensacola, with many North Escambia residents taking part.
Complete race results were not available late Saturday night, but we do know three Molino Park Elementary School students placed. Ronnie Plenkers (36:53) took second in the Boys age eight and under division, Jessica Conti (36:58) took first in girls age eight and under, and Dillon Conti (26:15) finished second in the boys age 11 and under category.
Pictured inset: (L-R) Ronnie Plenkers, Dillon Conti and Jessica Conti.
Local Legislators Seek Your Input
January 30, 2011
There are three opportunities to ask questions of your state senator and representative this week.
Doug Broxson
State Representative Doug Broxson (District 1) will hold a coffee/breakfast with constituents at the Farmers Country Market and Cookin’ Shell Station on Highway 4 in Jay at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, February 2.
The following day, February 3, Broxson will hold a forum at the Pace High School cafeteria at 7:30 p.m. He will begin the forum with a brief discussion of this year’s legislative priorities, and will devote the remainder of the forum to listen to citizens. To speak at the forums, email kevin.brown@myfloridahouse.gov by Wednesday, February 2, to be placed on the agenda or call (850) 916-5436. You may also submit your comments in writing.
Northwest Florida Legislative Delegation
PBS station WSRE will air a live dialogue with the Northwest Florida Legislative Delegation, Tuesday, February 1, 7-8 p.m.
“Legislative Review: Dialogue with the Delegation” will give citizens the opportunity to ask their state legislators some tough questions on subjects ranging from the state’s efforts to improve unemployment, the state’s foreclosure problems, the impact of the national health care legislation on Florida’s budget and the economy in general or any other topic viewers have on their minds.
The legislators will address other important issues affecting Northwest Florida and the upcoming legislative session in Tallahassee. Citizens can submit their questions now by emailing them to questions@wsre.org or they can phone them in during the live program on February 1. All questions must include your name and city of residence.
Participating legislators scheduled are:
- Senator Don Gaetz Rep. – District 4
- Senator Greg Evers Rep. – District 2
- Representative Doug Broxson Rep. – District 1
- Representative Clay Ford Rep. – District 3
- Representative Clay Ingram Rep. – District 2
Featured Recipe: Antipasto Squares
January 30, 2011
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is “Antipasto Squares” — an award winning sporty snack that is cheese-packed.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
