Little League Ball Registration Continues
January 29, 2011
Registration is continuing for Century Little League, Molino Recreation Association at Don Sutton Park and Northwest Escambia Little League at Walnut Hill’s Bradberry Park. Details for all three parks are below.
Century Little League
Century Little League Registration will be Saturday, February 5 and February 12 from 9-11 a.m. at Showalter Park.
Molino Recreation Association will hold registration each Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. through February 19 at Don Sutton Park. The annual draft will be February 19 at 3 p.m.
Registration fees are $50 for the first child, $45 for the second, $40 for the third and free for additional players from the same family. A birth certificate copy is required to be on file for each child.
Registration fees are $50 for the first child, $45 for the second, $40 for the third and free for additional players from the same family. A birth certificate copy is required to be on file for each child.
Click here for complete Molino Ballpark registration information in printable form.
Northwest Escambia Little League registration has been extended. Registration will be held Saturday, February 5 from 9 a.m. until noon and Saturday, February 12 from 9-10 a.m. at Bradberry Park for ages 3-18. Tryouts will be Saturday, February 12 at 10 a.m. Junior and Senior leagues can register until March 19.
A copy of the child’s birth certificate is required for registration.
Registration fees are $40 for the first child, $30 for the second child and free for additional children. The child will be measured for their uniform, and there will be a $20 deposit toward each child’s uniform fee.
For more information on NWE, call (850) 327-4579 or 327-6843 after 5 p.m.
Florida Weekly Government Roundup
January 29, 2011
As the swordfish in the governor’s kitchen broiled this week, the press corps stewed, and then was left out and got cold.
Tallahassee insiders this week were a twitter about the increasingly icy relationship between the governor’s office and the traditional media – a sideshow that distracted a bit from meatier issues that were being discussed in Florida government this week, from immigration to the role of the courts versus the Legislature, to redistricting, property insurance and a deepening hole in the state budget.
Several of the state’s largest business groups that normally support Republican initiatives asked lawmakers to turn the temperature down a bit on the immigration debate because the state’s economy and culture are indelibly linked to foreign labor, and to the state’s positive image around the world.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Florida – two of the largest business lobbies in the state – told a Senate panel that foreign-born workers, both legal and illegal, bring more to the table economically than they take away in state expenses for education, criminal justice, health and social service programs.
They also were not ready to bless the federal E-Verify system, an Internet-based program to track immigrant status at the job site. It is flawed and not ready to be relied upon by businesses to accurately determine who to hire, they said, giving lawmakers something to chew on.
Over in the House, the lower chamber’s point man on immigration was trying to take the issue off the high heat as well. Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart, who has been fine-tuning an immigration proposal he made several months ago, said this week that he would be willing to look at changes to make the plan less like the Arizona law that has been criticized as unnecessary in a non-border state like Florida.
The House Judiciary Committee talked for two-hours about the subject in its first meeting since new lawmakers were sworn into office in November. Lawmakers remain far from voting on any final product, though.
Also simmering this week was an economic situation in the state no one would want to have a celebratory dinner about. The Senate’s budget chief said that deeper budget cuts may be needed to keep the state’s bond rating pristine, because the recipe for firm financial footing with Wall Street may involve higher reserves.
Senate Ways and Means chair J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, said legislators should consider setting aside $2.5 billion in reserves – roughly 10 percent of state tax collections – to avoid the risk of financial analysts downgrading the state’s bond rating.
State government debt climbed to $28.2 billion last year – up almost $2 billion from a year earlier, according to the state’s Division of Bond Finance. That meant while lawmakers were trying to trim close to $3.6 billion from the state budget, the tide of red ink last year forced $2.1 billion to be taken from Florida’s $70 billion spending plan just to cover debt service.
That’s pretty serious stuff, but still, many in the Capitol this week were distracted by talk of a dinner at the Governor’s Mansion. Gov. Rick Scott dined with Reps. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, Chris Dorworth, R-Heathrow, two future speakers of the House, as well as Carlos Lopez Cantera, R-Miami. However, he didn’t let the press in, leaving several reporters outside. A columnist from one organization, Sunshine State News, did get an invite and attended, but it didn’t do much to improve relations with a press corps used to more access.
REDRAWING THE DISTRICTING DEBATE
Gov. Scott may not have had the press over for dinner this week, but he did move to slow down the process for getting federal approval for congressional districts in Florida, a move opponents said was designed to put new constitutional redistricting standards in jeopardy.
It became apparent this week that earlier this month, Scott sent a letter to DOJ withdrawing the request for preclearance of the Florida plan. And the Florida House joined a lawsuit filed against the plan by African-American Congresswoman Corrine Brown, a Democrat, and Hispanic Rep., Mario Diaz-Balart, a Republican.
Neither development made supporters of the amendments – mainly outmanned Democrats – happy.
“The governor needs to remember that only 48 percent of Floridians voted for his candidacy,” Democrat Senate Leader Nan Rich, D-Weston, said. “The Fair Districts Amendments 5 and 6 passed with 63 percent of the votes cast.”
A spokesman for Scott, however, denied that there was any intent to try to stall the new standards from being used, and noted that there’s plenty of time.
“Consistent with Gov. Scott’s effort to assess the rules, regulations and contracts of the previous administration, he has withdrawn the letter requesting a DOJ review of Amendments 5 and 6,” Scott spokesman Brian Hughes said Tuesday. “Census data has not been transmitted to the state yet and the Legislature will not undertake redistricting for months, so this withdrawal in no way impedes the process of redrawing Florida’s legislative and congressional districts.”
The House made no bones about its intentions, however.
“The U.S. Constitution delegates authority to the state legislatures to draw congressional districts,” House spokeswoman Katie Betta said. “The House believes its constitutional authority has been impeded by Amendment 6.”
SALT THAT DREAM AWAY
Attorney General Pam Bondi said this week that she had a nightmare that a previously-legal substance had killed someone and she had not done anything to stop it.
So pretty much as soon as she woke up she did something to stop it.
Bondi moved to outlaw Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) after Panhandle sheriffs warned it was being used as a drug. The substance is commonly sold as bath salts. But Bondi said its effects are very uncommon.
“One of the side effects of this drug is it makes you think you see monsters,” Bondi told reporters. “It makes you think you can fly.”
And because “there are a lot of balconies out there,” Bondi said she had to act fast, establishing a 90-day emergency ban to protect spring breakers.
SENATE BFFS
Elsewhere this week, U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio went on a date – to the State of the Union. Florida’s split Senate ticket joined several other bipartisan pairings of lawmakers who decided to forgo tradition for the annual presidential address and sit with someone of the other party. No word on if they dined together – there wasn’t any press coverage, if they did, anyway.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Senate Ways and Means chair J.D. Alexander said Florida should set aside $2.5 billion in reserves to keep a strong debt rating – which would put budget writers in the position of needing to find more than $6 billion to make it balance. Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Scott’s rift with the capitol press corps escalated into a bit of a food fight.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Where else in the US does the press corps insist on man-to-man coverage at the Governor’s dinner table?” a tweet from Scott Communications Director Brian Burgess.
By Keith Laing
The News Service Florida
Escambia County Names Teacher Of The Year Finalists, Santa Rosa County Names Winner
January 28, 2011
Finalists for Escambia County Teacher of the Year were named Friday afternoon.
The finalists are:
- Theresa Anderson – Oakcrest Elementary School
- Emily King – Woodham Middle School
- Maribeth Majewski – Brentwood Elementary School
- Emily McMillan – Ferry Pass Elementary School
- Dynita Padgett – Warrington Elementary School
The Teacher of the Year for the School District of Escambia County will be announced at the Golden Apple Awards Dinner, sponsored by the Escambia County Schools Foundation, on Thursday, February 24 at the Naval Aviation Museum.
Also Friday, Santa Rosa County named Annette Smith of S.S. Dixon Intermediate as Teacher of the Year. Other nominees were Kenda Parker of Santa Rosa High and Tammie White of Holley-Navarre Intermediate.
Suspect Charged In Ax-Wielding Home Invasion Of Elderly Woman
January 28, 2011
Multiple charges have been filed against a man in connection with the ax-wielding home invasion of an 85-year old woman Thursday afternoon.
Fred Clay Reed, 42, of Bessemer, Ala., was charged with first degree burglary, first degree robbery and second degree theft of property, according to Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff Grover Smith.
The incident began about 1:30 p.m. on Godwin Road just west of Flomaton. Authorities said Reed broke into the woman’s isolated home and threatened her with the ax while demanding money. After a brief struggle, the elderly woman was able to break free. Reed fled the scene into a nearby wooded area.
The woman was not seriously injured.
K-9 units from the Century Correctional Institution and the Alabama Department of Corrections joined officers from several law enforcement agencies in searching for the suspect. About 3 p.m., a man matching the suspect’s description attempted to force a log truck to stop on Highway 31. When he was unable to get into the log truck, he reportedly ran south from Highway 31. The log truck driver and passing motorist alerted deputies, who quickly apprehended Reed on Old Atmore Road.
Smith said K-9 officers were able to recover the woman’s purse which contained an undisclosed amount of money.
The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriffs’ Office, Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Police Department, Poarch Creek Police Department, Atmore Police Department and District Attorney’s Office Investigators all took part in the manhunt.
“The Escambia County SO would like to thank the public for their assistance and quick response in the apprehension of this convicted felon,” Sheriff Smith said. “The suspect was a convicted felon, with an extensive past criminal history and had recently been released from prison in 2008.”
Godwin Road is a narrow dirt road about three miles west of Flomaton, not far from the intersection of Old Atmore Road and Highway 31 and just north of Alabama/Florida line.
Pictured top: Officers Fred Clay Reed Thursday afternoon in an Alabama home invasion. Pictured inset: Authorities investigate a Thursday home invasion. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Damages Laundry Room
January 28, 2011
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a laundry room fire this morning.
The fire, which was reported about 9:45 a.m. in the 1300 block of South Pine Barren Road, was out by the time first firefighters arrived on scene. There was no major damage and no injuries reported.
The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.
Northview NJROTC Attends Annual Field Meet
January 28, 2011
The Northview High School NJROTC completed in the annual FAMU Field Meet in Tallahassee Friday.
At the regional event with units from across Florida, Northview competed in several events, including armed basic drill team, unarmed basic drill team, armed exhibition drill team, unarmed exhibition drill team, color guard team, academic team and a individual fitness challenges.
The Northview NJROTC unit is under the leadership of Captain Charlie Code, senior military science instructor; Chief Petty Officer Jeffery Simpkins, military science instructor; Cadet Commander Tyler Garrett, Cadet Command Master and Chief Petty Officer Kiani Okahashi.
Members of the Northview NJROTC team are: Kasie Braun, Michelle Carnley, Dylan Cartwright, Jody Day, Christina Donald, Amber Francis, James Garrett, Casey Godwin, Alanna Johnson, Lantz Jones, Kelby Killam, Seth Long, Jessica Mahon, Kayla Miles, Johnathan Moretz, Kiani Okahashi, Willie Owens, Timothy Rackard, Aaron Rausch, Jordayn Rice, Johnny Robbins, Kent Smith, Austin Strehl, George Tangeman, James Tangeman, Thomas Walston, Nathan Waters and Victoria Wright.
Pictured top: Members of the Northview High School NJROTC prepare to leave for the annual FAMU Field Meet in Tallahassee early Friday morning. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Found Not Guilty Of Throwing Teen Open House Party
January 28, 2011
A Century woman has been found not guilty on a charge that she threw an open house party with alcohol for minors last year.
Escambia County Judge Thomas Dannheisser found Jennifer Leigh Black, 40, not guilty this week. Black was arrested after the parents of several teens told deputies that she threw the open house parties with alcohol. According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, some of the minors at one party were as young as 16.
Four deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office raided a house at 4330 North Century Boulevard in September, 2010, after receiving complaints about a house party. When they arrived, several underage juveniles were stopped as they attempted to run out the backdoor while others were seen inside the house running from room to room trying to hide, the Sheriff’s Office report states.
Other juveniles were observed by deputies that appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Open alcoholic beverage containers were noted to be across the living room by deputies.
Deputies also raided a party at the Black’s residence back in February, 2010. At that party deputies found a “large number” of teenagers drinking and gathered around a bonfire in the backyard and inside a detached garage. Jennifer Black was not charged in connection with that incident, but her daughter, Alexis Black, now 19, was cited for a misdemeanor open house party offense for allowing minors alcohol. She was found guilty in March, 2010, and given a 30 day suspended jail term along with fines and costs of $473.
Five Injured In Highway 29 Five Vehicle Crash
January 28, 2011
Five people were sent to the hospital and traffic was snarled for hours following a five-vehicle crash on Highway 29 Thursday night just south of Ten Mile Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Kallen Phillips, 32, of Cantonment was northbound in a 2003 Ford F150 just after 5 p.m. when he changed lanes and rear-ended a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta driven by Michael Horton, 47, of Birmingham. Horton and his passenger, Eddie Cassell, 41, of Homewood, Ala., were both transported in serious condition to Sacred Heart Hospital by LifeFlight. Phillips was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
The force of the initial impact pushed the vehicles forward, involving three other vehicles.
Driver Kimberly McGhee, 35, of Atmore, and a passenger in her 2005 Dodge Magnum, Madison McGhee, 13, were transported by private vehicle to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injures. Two other passengers in the vehicle — Bryan McGhee, 37, and Braeden McGhee, 5 — were not injured.
Russell King, 61, of Pensacola was not injured when his 1995 Chevrolet Silverado was hit from behind.
Driver Nicole Boyd, 35, of Pensacola and her passengers Jalen Boyd, 10, and Amiya Boyd, 6, were not injured in the fifth vehicle in the crash.
Phillips, the driver of the vehicle that started the chain-reaction crash, was charged with careless driving, according to the FHP.
Pictured: A five-vehicle accident Thursday night on Highway 29 just south of Ten Mile Road. Photos by WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mayor: Still Hope For New Lumber Industry
January 28, 2011
Things have been pretty quiet around the old Alger Sullivan Lumber Company property in Century since a ribbon cutting back in October for a group of new businesses including Century Lumber and Land. According to the town’s mayor, financing delays have stalled a real opening date.
But there’s still hope that Century Lumber and Land will bring new jobs to the Century area, according to Mayor Freddie McCall. He said that, as of early this week, the company is about 97-percent complete with their financing arrangements.
Century Lumber and Land unofficially announced a venture with several other companies at a September 2 meeting of the Century Chamber of Commerce. Century Lumber and Land Manager Jim Craft said at that meeting that the operations would eventually employee 300 to 500 people within a 36 to 42 month period.
Pictured top: A group hoping to apply for a job gathered during the ribbon cutting for Century Lumber and Land last October. Pictured below: The old Alger Sullivan Lumber Company, and the planned future home of Century Lumber and Land, sits idle this week. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Deputies Honored For Valor
January 28, 2011
Several deputies and employees at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are being honored for putting their lives on the line for others and for doing a top notch job.
Three deputies — Jason Ates, Jenna Lovely and Joshua Hendershott — will be awarded the ESCO Medal of Valor.
A Purple Heart will be awarded to Deputy Ates after being shot in the leg on September 29 of least year when he and Deputy Lovely responded to the Motel 6 on Highway 29 in Pensacola to check on a missing person. Both deputies returned fire, killing the suspect.
Deputy Hendershott will be honored for pulling wounded Deputy Jeremy Cassady to safety October 29 after Cassady was shot three times during a hostage situation off Scenic Highway.
The complete list of Escambia County Sheriff’s Office honorees is as follows:
- Commendation Medals – Wendy Martin, Detention Assistant Ronnie Whiddon
- Life Saving Medals – Deputy Jason Comans, Deputy Ryan Robinson, FHP Trooper Josh Tucker, FHP Corporal Michael Tucker, Deputy Courtney Clanton,
- Civilian Service Medal – Robert Burns, Regiland Rees
- Unit Citations – Dispatchers: Julie Weaver, Wendy Martin, Amanda Joye, Lisa Scholmann, Debi Teets, Belinda Greathouse, Carl Miller, Rose Majors, Jeff Archer, Jason Coleman, Lori Rani, Matt Pike, , Carla Kunert, Kimberly Lawson, Valerie Slevin; Tactical Unit: Sgt. Hoyland, Curtis Cephas, Eric Peck, Phillip Folmar, Heather Williams, Jeff Gillespie
- Medal of Courage – Deputy 1st Class Jeremy Jarman, Deputy Justin Moore
- Medal of Valor – Deputy Jason Ates, Deputy Jenna Lovley, Deputy Joshua Hendershott
- Purple Heart – Deputy Jason Ates
- LEO of the Quarter - Deputy 1st Class Jeremy Jarman
- Detention Deputy of Quarter – Detention Deputy Gray Frazier
- Employee of the Quarter- Kelley Brown, Kim Harris
- Detention Deputy of the Year – Sgt. Jan Rich
- Employee of the Year – Kelley Brown
- LEO of the Year – Sr. Deputy Brian Munhollon
Pictured above: The scene after Deputy Jason Ates was shot and a suspect was shot and killed September 29, 2010 at the Motel 6 on Pensacola Boulevard. Photo by Liz Nagy WEAR TV for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.