Auburn QB Cam Newton Cleared By NCAA, Can Play Saturday
December 1, 2010
Auburn quarterback Cam Newton is eligible to play in the SEC title game this weekend, but the NCAA says Newton’s father did break rules when he shopped his son.
The NCAA released the following statement this afternoon:
Auburn University football student-athlete Cam Newton is immediately eligible to compete, according to a decision today by the NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff. The NCAA concluded on Monday that a violation of amateurism rules occurred, therefore Auburn University declared the student-athlete ineligible yesterday for violations of NCAA amateurism rules.
When a school discovers an NCAA rules violation has occurred, it must declare the student-athlete ineligible and may request the student-athlete’s eligibility be reinstated. Reinstatement decisions are made by the NCAA national office staff and can include conditions such as withholding from competition and repayment of extra benefits. Newton was reinstated without any conditions.
According to facts of the case agreed upon by Auburn University and the NCAA enforcement staff, the student-athlete’s father and an owner of a scouting service worked together to actively market the student-athlete as a part of a pay-for-play scenario in return for Newton’s commitment to attend college and play football. NCAA rules (Bylaw 12.3.3) do not allow individuals or entities to represent a prospective student-athlete for compensation to a school for an athletic scholarship.
In conjunction with the case, Auburn University has limited the access Newton’s father has to the athletics program and Mississippi State has disassociated the involved individual.
“The conduct of Cam Newton’s father and the involved individual is unacceptable and has no place in the SEC or in intercollegiate athletics,” said Mike Slive, Southeastern Conference Commissioner. “The actions taken by Auburn University and Mississippi State University make it clear this behavior will not be tolerated in the SEC.”
“Our members have established rules for a fair and equal recruitment of student-athletes, as well as to promote integrity in the recruiting process,” said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president for academic and membership affairs. “In determining how a violation impacts a student-athlete’s eligibility, we must consider the young person’s responsibility. Based on the information available to the reinstatement staff at this time, we do not have sufficient evidence that Cam Newton or anyone from Auburn was aware of this activity, which led to his reinstatement. From a student-athlete reinstatement perspective, Auburn University met its obligation under NCAA bylaw 14.11.1. Under this threshold, the student-athlete has not participated while ineligible.”
“We are pleased that the NCAA has agreed with our position that Cam Newton has been and continues to be eligible to play football at Auburn University,” Auburn University Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs said. “We appreciate the diligence and professionalism of the NCAA and its handling of this matter. “
During the reinstatement process, NCAA staff review each case on its own merits based on the specific facts. Staff decisions are made based on a number of factors including guidelines established by the Division I NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, as well as any mitigating factors presented by the university.
Reinstatement decisions are independent of the NCAA enforcement process and typically are made once the facts of the student-athlete’s involvement are determined. The reinstatement process is likely to conclude prior to the close of an investigation. It is NCAA policy not to comment on current, pending or potential investigations.
Names Released Of Women Found Dead In Woods
December 1, 2010
The names have been released of two women discovered murdered in a wooded area of Escambia County.
Wednesday morning investigators identified the women as Debra Ann Jones, 19, and Jamie Broxson (pictured top left), 25.
According to Escambia County Circuit Court records, Broxson was released from the Escambia County Jail last week after being sentenced to probation on possession of drug paraphernalia and trespassing charges.
Jones (pictured bottom left) was arrested November 8 for DUI property damage and driving a motorcycle without a license. She was due to appear in court November 29, but she was not present.
Both bodies were found Monday in a wooded lot near a Gulf Power substation. The Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Gulf Power security personnel around 12:22 pm, shortly after another Gulf Power employee reported finding human remains near the substation.
Sheriff’s investigators and crime scene technicians were immediately dispatched and spent several hours processing the scene for possible evidence. During this time, another body was located by investigators.
Based upon the condition of the bodies it is believed that one has been in the lot for seven to 10 days, the other 72 hours or less, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Details concerning the specific cause of death will not be released, until determined by the Medical Examiner. Investigators, however, suspect foul play.
On Tuesday morning Sheriff’s investigators and members of the Escambia Search and Rescue Team (ESAR) searched the wooded area with cadaver dogs. These specially trained dogs are trained in detecting the odor of decomposing bodies. As of Tuesday afternoon no other remains had been located.
Further details have not been released.
Pictured top left: Jamie Broxson. Pictured bottom left: Debra Ann Jones.
Lower Electric Bills For EREC, Gulf Power
December 1, 2010
A little good news for Escambia River Electric Cooperative and Gulf Power customers — electric bills are on the way down.
Over the past year, the “purchased power cost adjustment” for EREC customers has decreased $36 on an average bill of 1,000 kilowatt hours. EREC said the lower power cost adjustment is due to lower fuel costs being passed along to end users.
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When we benefit from lower energy costs, we will pass that benefit along to you as a valued member of EREC,” the company said in a news release.
Beginning January 2011, the typical Gulf Power Company residential customer will see a 2.8 percent decrease on their electricity bill as compared to January 2010, according to the company.
Gulf Power said the decrease is primarily driven by a lower cost of fuel the utility uses to produce electricity. By strategically monitoring its generation fuel mix to use the most cost-effective generation available, the company was able to lower residential electricity prices for 2011.
“The bottom line is that fuel prices have come down and we’re passing that savings along,” said Jeff Roger, spokesman for Gulf Power. “It’s a drop that will directly benefit our customers.”
Late Night Fire Destroys Cottage Hill Mobile Home (With Photo Gallery)
December 1, 2010
Several Cottage Hill community residents were left homeless by a fire that destroyed their mobile home late Tuesday night.
The blaze was reported about 11:10 p.m. at the double wide mobile home in the area of McKenzie Road and Eastman Lane. The fire was reported to be out by about midnight; the home was a total loss. All occupants of the mobile home were reported to have escaped without injury.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The Cantonment, Molino, McDavid, Ensley and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze.
For more photos from the fire, including the aftermath, click here.
Pictured: Fire destroyed this Cottage Hill mobile home late Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Some Credit, Debit Customers Double Charged At Winn Dixie
December 1, 2010
Some Winn Dixie shoppers may have been overcharged for groceries purchased last Wednesday and Thursday.
An unknown number of shoppers were charged twice for purchases made on November 24 — one of the nation’s busiest grocery shopping days — and Thanksgiving Day, according to a company spokesman. The company blames the problem on a computer communications glitch that left some stores temporarily unable to process card transactions.
The overcharges hit both credit and debit card transactions of some customers of most, if not all, of Winn Dixies 485 stores in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia.
Winn Dixie officials said the company was working to determine the cause of the problem and refund any overcharges. Customers that may have been overcharged can contact Winn Dixie at (866) 946-6349.
Winn Dixie, which is based in Jacksonville, Florida, operates several stores in the area, including Cantonment, Pensacola, and Atmore.
Northview Reschedules Events Due To Playoff Game; Will Excuse Absences
December 1, 2010
Northview High School has made several schedule changes due to this Friday night’s away playoff football game in Jacksonville, and the school has announced that Friday absences will be excused for students that attend the game.
From Northview Principal Gayle Weaver:
Northview High School has had to make adjustments to the basketball schedule to facilitate needed personnel for the football game this week. The changes are as follows:
- December 2 home games against Pensacola Christian Academy will be played on January 6, 2011 at Northview.
- December 3 home games against Baker will be played on December 9, 2010. This is the only date which Baker had open within the two schools’ schedules. This change will necessitate the rescheduling of the senior class’ anticipated Powder Puff Game. Reschedule date will be announced later.
- Also, the Northview Tribal Beat Band has had to cancel its appearance in the Poarch Band of Creek Indians’ Christmas Parade. Our apologies for this cancellation, but the band will be accompanying the team to Jacksonville.
- Although great importance is given daily to academics, to each sport, and to each extracurricular activity, the ability to play in the state football playoff series represents a monumental step for a group of young men, their coaches, and their families who have worked so long and so hard to reach this level. The Northview family is asking everyone to get behind our varsity football team and to make this wonderful, positive opportunity the focus of our Chiefs’ Spirit at the moment. Everyone, especially every Northview student, who has the ability to go to the game is encouraged to do so. All academic teachers and sponsors of other events are supporting this playoff series as our number one activity.
Thanks to everyone for their support.
Gayle Weaver
Principal
Northview High School
New 3-Year Trash Contract Begins Between Century, Allied Waste
December 1, 2010
Wednesday was the first day of a new three-year franchise agreement between the town of Century and Allied Waste, and for the average resident there will be no major change.
Century’s 700 residential customers will continue to pay $15.04 per month for trash collection. Allied will continue to pick up household waste on Wednesdays, but Allied will no longer collect yard waste and items like discarded furniture. The Town of Century will collect those items on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
The town will save $3.58 per customer per month by self-collecting yard waste, or about $30,000 per year.
Under the new three year deal Century will also receive a $400 per month — $4,800 per year — discount on dumpsters at city facilities, and trash at the town hall will be collected at no charge.
The bottom line for residential customers, according to Mayor Freddie McCall, is that service will remain the same for Century’s residential household waste customers.
In addition, most of Century’s 35 business trash customers will see a five percent decrease in their monthly bills, according to Seren Ainsworth, municipal services manager for Allied Waste.
Keep The Wreath Green Campaign Begins Today
December 1, 2010
Today, Escambia County Fire-Rescue and the City of Pensacola Fire Department begin the “Keep the Wreath Green” holiday safety program designed to promote fire safety during the month of December. With this program, officials hope to reduce the number of fires during a time of serious fire danger with simple, life saving tips.
This year, the seventh year of the campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at 30 different locations throughout the holiday season. These sites are the Old Escambia County Courthouse on Palafox Place, the Public Safety Building on W Street, the Central Office Complex on West Park Place, all 18 primary county fire stations, seven stations within the City of Pensacola, Cordova Mall and one mobile display. Every time firefighters respond to a residential fire a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations.
To help citizens stay safe and “keep the wreath green,” officials are providing a holiday safety tip for each day of the month; visit www.keepthewreathgreen.com for a complete list.
Pictured above: The wreath at the Century fire station. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Florida Escapes: Active Hurricane Season Ends
December 1, 2010
Florida property owners again dodged a bullet as the 2010 hurricane season officially ended at midnight Tuesday.
But lawmakers are already eyeing changes to reduce the state’s exposure and shore up the fund that helps pay claims in the event of a major storm, a package of which was vetoed by Gov. Charlie Crist earlier this year. It’s been five years since a hurricane made landfall in Florida, a historic hiatus that David Halstead, director of the Division of Emergency Management, said Tuesday should not lull Floridians into a sense of complacency.
The 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was actually one of the most active on record, with 19 named storms. Climatic conditions brought on by a La Nina weather pattern helped protect the United States from landfall.
But, to the chagrin of both homeowners and insurers, state officials cautioned Tuesday that there’s a downside to that – those same conditions could make already dry Florida a tinderbox over the next several months, ripe for wildfires.
In the Atlantic Basin a total of 19 named storms formed – tied with 1887 and 1995 for third highest on record. Of those, 12 became hurricanes – tied with 1969 for second highest on record. Five of those reached major hurricane status of Category 3 or higher.
These totals are within the ranges predicted in NOAA’s seasonal outlooks issued on May 27 (14-23 named storms; 8-14 hurricanes; 3-7 major hurricanes) and August 5 (14-20 named storms; 8-12 hurricanes; 4-6 major hurricanes). An average Atlantic season produces 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.
Pictured above: The storms of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season. Click to enlarge into a more detailed map.
Highway 31 Crash Injures 2
November 30, 2010
A two vehicle accident injured at least two people this afternoon on Highway 31 in Escambia County, Alabama.
A passenger car and a SUV collided about about 1 p.m. on Highway 31 just east of Old Atmore Road, about four miles outside Flomaton. One of the injured was reported to be trapped in their vehicle for a short time. Both of the injuried were transported to area hospital by ambulance. Their names and conditions were not immediately available.
The Wawbeek Volunteer Fire Department, Flomaton Fire Department and the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were among those responding to the scene.
The accident is under investigation by Alabama State Troopers.