State Delays Chocolate Milk Ban At Public Schools
December 16, 2010
The State Board of Education has decided to delay any decision on whether to ban chocolate milk and other sugary drinks from Florida public schools after it received a letter from Agriculture Commissioner-elect Adam Putnam requesting the delay.
“They’re not going to take it up because they thought it was a reasonable request,” said state Department of Education spokeswoman Cheryl Etters. Putnam, in his letter to the board, wrote that part of his campaign platform was to move school food programs into the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, “with a goal of improved nutrition and the development of better lifelong eating habits.”
Putnam said he would like to take a comprehensive look at food service offerings, rather than just focusing on drinks.
Baseball, Softball Clinics This Weekend
December 16, 2010
A 2010 Winter Baseball Clinic will be held Tuesday and a 2010 Winter Softball Clinic will be held Wednesday at the Poarch (Ala.) Sports Complex.
The baseball clinic, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, will include instructors Steve Peterson- Middle Tennessee State University Head Coach; Ricky Patterson- Former Minor League Manager; Larry Thomas- Former MLB Player; Lance Johnson- Former MLB Player; Kyle Davis- Former College Player; Nate Espy- Washington High School Head Coach; Barry Dean- Executive Director of Alabama Baseball Association; and Ron Litier- Former USA Player and Coach.
The softball clinic, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, will include the staff from the University of South Alabama and former Troy University player Cassie Lassiter.
Registration fee is $25 for either clinic with lunch provided. Both clinics are for students ages 8 to 18.
For baseball registration information, click here.
For softball registration information, click here.
Firefighters Battle 100 Acre Grass Fire
December 15, 2010
Firefighters from several departments battled a 100 acre grass fire north of Flomaton Wednesday night.
The fire was reported just after 5 p.m. off Wolf Log Road. Reports indicated that a controlled burn got out of hand.
There were no reports of any structures being threatened by the fire.
Firefighters from several Alabama departments, including Flomaton, Friendship, Lambeth, Pineview and Barnett Crossroads responded to the blaze, along with the Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Alabama Division of Forestry.
Firefighters Battle Large Brush Fire Near Century
December 15, 2010
At least seven fire departments from across the battled a large brush fire near Century Wednesday afternoon.
The fire at Highway 4A and Backwoods Road was reported to be about 25 acres in size and was burning a combination of grass, brush and wooded area, according to Escambia Fire Rescue. Flames were reported to be up to 50 feet in the air in a wooded area as firefighters arrived on scene shortly after noon. The fire was reported to be out at 2:30 p.m.
The fire was contained to a mostly wooded area. Firefighters worked to keep the fire away from several structures, including houses on Chavers Lane. There is no word on what caused the blaze.
Fire units from Century, Flomaton, McDavid, Atmore, Walnut Hill, Molino and Friendship worked to contain the fire. The Florida Division of Forestry used two bulldozers to plow a containment line around the fire.
Picture above and inset: Firefighters work to put out a hot spot in a brush fire on Backwoods Road Wednesday afternoon. Pictures below: Firefighters work to refill the water supply on two brush trucks before returning to the wooded area to fight the blaze. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Woman Busted By U.S. Marshals On Charges From Nebraska
December 15, 2010
A Century woman was arrested by U.S. Marshals Tuesday on outstanding warrants from Nebraska.
The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force in Pensacola and Escambia Warrant Squad Investigators arrested Rena Marie Camerlinck, 40, of 3200 Highway 4A without incident at her place of employment, the Motel 6 on Pensacola Boulevard. Earlier Tuesday morning, U.S. Marshals and deputies attempted unsuccessfully to locate her at her residence on Highway 4A.
Camerlinck was wanted on outstanding forgery warrants from Cass County, just outside Omaha, Nebraska. According to investigators with the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, Camerlinck is facing multiple charges of second degree forgery from 2004. She was named one of the most wanted fugitives from Cass County.
Details about what led to the charges were not immediately available Tuesday afternoon.
Camerlinck is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond pending extradition to Nebraska.
Suspect Named In Escambia’s Latest Murder
December 15, 2010
A suspect has been named in Escambia County’s most recent homicide.
An arrest warrant for Cameron Tyler Cherry (pictured), 18, of Pensacola, has been issued in connection with the death of Robert Witherspoon, 24, of Pensacola.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a shots fired call at the intersection of Mary Lane and Paula Avenue around 4:42 pm Wednesday, after area residents called 911 and reported hearing gunfire. When deputies arrived they found Witherspoon, who had suffered a gunshot wound, sitting in a 2005 Chevrolet Aveo. Medics pronounced the man dead at the scene.
“Investigators were able name Cherry a suspect after speaking with very cooperative witnesses. In past cases it has been difficult to obtain such cooperation. This is what it’s going to take, the community and the Sheriff’s Office working together, to rid our streets of this unnecessary violence,” said Deputy Chris Welborn, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office.
Although investigators have a warrant for Cherry, the investigation into Witherspoon’s death is ongoing, Welborn said. The Sheriff’s Office is not releasing any other information concerning the case.
Football All Star Game To Feature Area Seniors
December 15, 2010
The Pensacola Sports Association has announced the rosters for the 2010 Subway High School All-Star Football Game Presented by the Andrews Institute. The 7th Annual All-star Game is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. at the Woodham Middle School Stadium.
This year’s game features some of the best seniors from Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties (East) playing against the seniors from Escambia County (West). Choctaw Head Coach Greg Thomas is the head coach of the East team while Greg Seibert from Catholic will lead the West team.
Several North Escambia area players will be taking part. Participating on the West All-Star Team from Northview will be: Austin Arrington, SS; Taylor Martin, LB; Lonnie Gardner, DT. Team members from Tate will be DJ Johnson, DB; Bruce Hemphill, LB/SS; and Tyler Tymbes, OL.
On the East All-Star Team, Trent Sweeney of Jay (WB) will take part.
Tickets for the game will be $7, or $6 with a canned good to support Manna Food Bank.
Deputies Warn Checks Are Being Stolen From Mailboxes
December 15, 2010
Several Escambia County businesses have had checks stolen from mailboxes and counterfeited, and deputies are warning residents and businesses alike to be careful.
Names have been changed on the stolen checks in an attempt to cash them at area banks, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Both businesses and individual citizens should take care to ensure that checks are not stolen by hand delivering them to the post office or giving them directly to a postal worker, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information on the stolen check fraud cases should call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Photos: Ernest Ward Holds Womanless Beauty Pageant
December 15, 2010
Aaron “Amanda” McDonald was named Junior Mr. Miss Ernest Ward Middle School in a womanless beauty pageant Tuesday night. First runner up was Austin “Autina” Cunningham; second runner-up was Tristan “Trista” Portwood; and third runner-up was Jacob “Joselyn” Weaver. Tristan “Trista” Portwood was named Miss Congeniality, while Austin “Autina” Cunningham received the Physical Fitness Award. The Poise and Appearance Award was presented to Aaron “Amanda” McDonald, and the People’s Choice Award went to Tristan “Trista” Portwood. The womanless pageant was the school’s first ever, with proceeds benefiting the school’s cheerleaders. For a photo gallery with all of the contestants, click here. Pictured top: Contestants in a womanless beauty pageant Tuesday night at Ernest Ward Middle School. Picture inset: Junior Mr. Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Aaron “Amanda” McDonald. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Deputy Gets 30 Years For Child Sex Abuse
December 15, 2010
A former Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputy was sentenced to 30 years in prison on child sex abuse charges.
John Mitchell Tomlinson, 46, was sentenced to 30 years state prison on each of three counts of sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority. All three sentences were to run concurrent. He also was designated a sexual predator for life.
Charges stem from allegations of abuse from his adopted daughter who lived with the defendant for several years, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
Tomlinson was a 23-year veteran with the Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office; he was assigned to the Santa Rosa County Courthouse at the time of his arrest. The defendant still faces additional charges of capital sexual battery in another case stemming from allegations made by a child who was a neighbor to the defendant in the late 1990’s.