Reid Homers As Northview Beats The Baker Gators 17-0
April 14, 2010
The Northview Chiefs shut out the Baker Gators in four Tuesday, 17-0, for a big District 1-2A win. The Chiefs are now 16-6, 8-1 in the district.
The Chiefs held a 6-0 lead at the end of the first, and they were just getting warmed up. Northview dominated the second inning to widen their lead to 16-0. Northview added another in the third. The fourth inning was scoreless as the mercy rule gave Northview the win.
“We put a good emphasis on our offense and hitting the baseball; and it’s good to come out here and see us reap some rewards from what we have been concentrating on,” said Head Coach Sid Wheatley. “It was good to see these guys swing the bats, score the runs — it was just good baseball.”
Senior Austin Reid was 3-4 Tuesday night, with five runs, a double, two runs and an over-the-fence home run.
Reid picked up the win for the Chiefs on the mound, improving his record to 6-2.
Brandon Sheets went 1-3, with one RBI and one double; Brad Lowery was 1-2 with three runs; Dabney Langhorne was 2-3 with 2 RBIs, Austin Arrington was 1-1 with two runs; Austin Llowery was 1-3 with a double and a RBI; Heath Burkett was 1-1 with two runs; Hunter Black went 1-2 with 2 RBIs; and Tyler Brooks was 1-1 for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs will be on the road Thursday night against Jay, their final district game of the year.
“I know they are going to be ready for us,” Wheatley said Tuesday night. “We’ve got to come to work and continue to hit the baseball. This time of the year, especially leading up the district tournament and potential playoffs.”
Tuesday night was Senior Night for the Chiefs as they recognized senior players Austin Reid, Heath Burkett, Brad Lowery, Austin Lowery, Dakota Stuckey, Aaron Chancery and Shakel Holmes.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here. (Senior Night activities are at the end of the photo gallery.)
Pictured top: Austin Arrington swings for the Chiefs. Pictured inset: Team members congratulate Austin Reid after an over-the-fence homer Tuesday in Bratt. Pictured below: Sliding into third. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No One Claims $244,468.47
April 14, 2010
So far, the person that is nearly a quarter million dollars richer after buying lottery ticket in Walnut Hill has not stepped forward to claim their prize.
As of Tuesday afternoon, officials with the Florida Lottery said no one had claimed the $244.468.47 winning Fantasy 5 ticket that was purchased Friday at the State Line O’Yes Lotto at 11331 Highway 97. Lottery officials said the ticket was a “Quick Pick” with numbers randomly chosen by the lottery machine.
Only one ticket matched the winning numbers: 13-21-25-28-36.
There were 287 tickets with four matching numbers worth $137 each. There were 9,650 tickets matching three numbers that were worth $11 each, and 100,219 had two numbers for a free Quick Pick ticket.
NHS JV Ends Winning Season, Beating Baker 8-2
April 14, 2010
The Northview High School junior varsity team wrapped up a winning season Monday afternoon with a win over Baker.
Northview beat the Gators 8-2, giving the JV Chiefs a 10-6 record for the year.
It was the second game of the year between the Chiefs and the Gators; the Chiefs won that first contest 8-0.
Members of the JV Chiefs are: Tanner Brooks, Logan Brown, Jamie Gafford, Tyler Hester, Chance Jackson, Ty Randolph, Reid Bell, Brandon Carnley, Justin Halteman, Harold Harrison, Trey Johnson, Hunter Rigby, Brian Sanders and Kevin Vaughan.
Narnia — The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe Coming To Northview
April 14, 2010
The Northview High School Theater Department will present Narnia — The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe this Friday night.
The play will be presented Friday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Northview High School Theater. Tickets are one sale, $5 each, at the Northview front office.
YMCA To Host Healthy Kids Day
April 14, 2010
As part of a nationwide effort to encourage kids to get moving, the Atmore Area YMCA will host YMCA Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, part of the nation’s largest health day for kids and families.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day will be filled with fun, engaging and creative activities that foster healthy living, and is a part of the YMCA’s larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the public.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day at the Atmore Area YMCA will provide resources to help educate grown-ups about making healthy choices for their families every day. There will be activities including obstacle course and fitness challenge, face painting, the Mix n Mold snack bar and a whole lot more.
“Keeping kids healthy is at the core of what the Atmore Area YMCA stands for,” said Loretta Berry, child care director at the Atmore YMCA. “The word ‘exercise’ doesn’t sound very enjoyable to many people, especially kids, but getting them to move more through play that requires physical activity is the key to building healthy habits that last a lifetime. On YMCA Healthy Kids Day, both kids and grown-ups will have the opportunity to get moving, to play and to have fun.”
Experts recommend that kids engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity, including active play, each day. Studies show that kids who consistently engage in play are happier and healthier, and develop and enhance a variety of skills including motor skills, social skills, problem solving, and creativity. Kids who get 60 minutes of physical play also tend to have higher self-esteem and perform better academically.
To make more time for physical activity, the Atmore Area YMCA offers simple ways to put more play in kids’ day, and to get the family moving more, too!
- Make physical activity a regular part of family playtime – the more active kids are the more likely they are to continue being physically active later in life.
- Allow kids to have unstructured playtime. All play is not created equal – kids need different types of play, including indoor and outdoor, active and inactive.
- Reintroduce your child to the basics of active play: play hopscotch or basketball, jump rope, or enjoy games such as Duck, Duck Goose, Red Light, Green Light and Simon Says.
- Limit screen time and use of electronic media to allow more time for play.
“The goal of encouraging kids to play more is to build a lifetime of love for physical activity,” said Berry. “Play should not seem like a chore – it is an activity that is fun and brings joy, and allows a kid to just be a kid.”
More than 700,000 kids and families are expected to participate in YMCA Healthy Kids Day events at nearly 1,500 YMCAs nationwide. For more information about YMCA Healthy Kids Day, call Atmore Area YMCA at (251) 368-9622 or email ymca@frontiernet.net.
Comm. Larry White Joins Governor For County Government Proclamation
April 14, 2010
Escambia (Ala.) County Commissioner and Association of County Commission of Alabama President Larry White joined Gov. Bob Riley as he signed a proclamation recently declaring April as County Government Month in Alabama.
“It was truly an honor to be part of the proclamation signing ceremony,” White said. “To officially declare April as County Government Month in Alabama is a huge step in celebrating the programs and services local governments provide to our citizens every day. Many of our citizens may not realize everything their county commissions offer, so County Government Month and the special programs we highlight during the month, are a wonderful way to reconnect with our residents.”
Many of Alabama’s local government initiatives directly touch the lives of Alabama’s citizens on a daily basis, but many residents may not realize the impact of many of local government programs. For the month of April, county governments across the nation are banding together to change the attitudes of the people they serve and leave a positive, lasting impression instead.
Each year, local governments across the nation celebrate the programs and services they provide to their citizens, and also help raise public awareness and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of county government by focusing on the many public services the county commission provides to its constituency.
“Because most local residents only see their local government officials as the ones in charge of collecting their local taxes or lacking the revenue to fix a road, residents often miss the opportunity to see the good programs and services their officials are working to secure for them,” said ACCA Executive Director Sonny Brasfield. “By taking part in this national initiative, local county governments will be working together to introduce their residents to a side of government many residents may not know even exists. And, this year’s national theme is certainly a timely one.”
The national theme, “Healthy Counties,” has many Alabama counties planning community events in conjunction with local departments of health, emergency management and other health-related fields.
Pictured: Gov. Riley (seated), (L-R) ACCA Executive Director Sonny Brasfield, ACCA President Larry White, ACCA First Vice President Ricky Burney and ACCA Second Vice President Tim Choate. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Legislator, Cantonment Resident Passes Away
April 14, 2010
Former state Senator and Representative Thomas “Tom” Tobiassen died at his Cantonment home last week.
Tobiassen, 78, served 24 years in Tallahassee as both a Republican and Democrat. He served in the House from 1968 to 1974, the Senate from 1974 to 1982 and was reelected to the House from 1982 to 1992. He also worked for the Florida Department of Transportation.
He was a native of Omaha, Neb., and an Army veteran. He was an engineering graduate from Ohio State University.
Private funeral services for Thomas “Tom” Tobiassen were held Saturday following his passing on Thursday. He is survived by his wife Dot Tobiassen.
Pictured top: Tom Tobiassen, R-Pensacola, uses his crutch May 21, 1981, to vote for Senator Edgar Dunn, D-Ormond Beach, who was away from his desk. The vote is legal as long as the voting senator has the permission of the man he is voting for. Tobiassen was using the crutches after injuring his ankle playing softball. Photo courtesy State Library and Archives of Florida, click to enlarge.
Woman Reportedly Runs Naked Around Neighborhood
April 13, 2010
A woman reported to be running around naked near Walnut Hill Monday night was taken into custody by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office received multiple complaints that the woman was standing in or alongside Highway 164 just west of Highway 97. She was reported to be naked or partially undressed by neighbors and passing motorists.
Deputies located the woman inside her small trailer the first time they responded to the complaints. When deputies were called back to the scene about 10 p.m., the woman was taken into custody and transported to West Florida Hospital for a mental health evaluation.
The identity of the woman has not been released. Further details were not available.
Three Busted After Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit Executes Search Warrant
April 13, 2010
Three people were jailed on drug related charges after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed on a search warrant in Century.
Orlando Dantaus Dixon, 22, of Robert Road, Century; Antwon Montrex Smith, 26, of Salters Like Road, Century; and Brandon Dewayne Jackson, 24, of Teakwood Drive, Pensacola, are facing of variety of charges as a result of the search warrant. An arrest warrant has been issued for a fourth person; however, that individual remains at large.
Members of the ECSO Narotics Unit executed the search warrant at 6860 Gilford Lane in Century Friday afternoon. According to their report, they heard several individuals running toward the rear of the residence. That is where they found Jackson standing in the bathroom near the toilet. Officers located plastic baggies containing marijuana floating in the tank water.
On Smith’s person, officers located under 20 grams of marijuana and $101 in cash, and on Dixon’s person, they located over 20 grams of marijuana, packed in two separate bags, according to the report.
During the search of the residence, deputies located a marijuana and crack cocaine on an end table, two plastic bags of marijuana in drawer by stove, four plastic bags of crack cocaine in a drawer by the sink, a set of digital scales with marijuana residue on a kitchen counter, a loaded Beretta .40 caliber handgun in a drawer by the kitchen sink and “miscellaneous paperwork”.
Jackson was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and destruction of evidence. Jackson had given deputies another name, according to the Sheriff’s Office, at the time of his arrest. When a relative of that person heard that the person Jackson named had been arrested, they called the jail to alert deputies about the incorrect name. About the same time, a fingerprint record returned positively identifying Jackson. Jackson was charged with obstruction of justice and a public order crime of using a false identification. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail on $10,000 bond.
Smith was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession and was released from jail on $1,000 bond. Dixon was charged with possession of marijuana over 20 grams. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail on $5,000 bond.
Thousands Call For Governor To Veto Teacher Merit Pay Bill
April 13, 2010
More than 10,000 phone calls. More than 15,000 E-mails and letters. They mostly tell Gov. Charlie Crist the same thing – veto SB 6.
Since Republican lawmakers first proposed legislation in early March that would link teacher pay to student performance on standardized exams, teachers have gone on the offensive — writing, calling, showing up at legislative meetings, all telling lawmakers that a test can’t measure their effectiveness in the classroom.
It has generated more public reaction than any other single piece of legislation over the past few years.
“I haven’t even seen anything close to this. This is the biggest education overhaul I’ve seen in my 35 years here,” said Wayne Blanton, executive director for the Florida School Boards Association.
Gov. Charlie Crist seemed to be a proponent of the measure as recently as last Monday, sending out a press release saying he looked forward to seeing the legislation on his desk. But then a few days later as public pressure against the bill mounted, he changed his tune, telling reporters he had some concerns about the bill and that he was “listening to the people of Florida – my boss.”
Between March 1 and April 9, the governor’s office received 10,247 calls against the bill and 71 in support of it, a spokesman said Monday. He has also received 15, 454 E-mails and letters in opposition to the proposal and 66 in support. That doesn’t include 9,000 additional E-mails the staff hasn’t yet read.
Despite the outpouring of veto requests, some of Crist’s associates maintain he will sign the bill by the April 16 deadline.
Education Commissioner Eric Smith, who was appointed by Crist and whose staff helped draft the legislation, said last Friday that he expected the governor to “do the right thing” and Republican Party Chair John Thrasher, who sponsored the Senate bill, said he isn’t worried that the public outcry will influence Crist. Thrasher said Crist had previously promised to sign the bill, but he added that he has not spoken to the governor since it passed the House early Friday morning. Critics say the state’s teachers’ union is generating a false grass roots uprising.
“I’m not worried at all,” Thrasher told the News Service Monday. “I still rely on what he told me and you know any interest group in the state can generate lots of E-mails and lots of phone calls. That’s possible to do. If we start basing public policy on whoever can generate the most phone calls and who can generate the most E-mails, that’s pretty poor public policy in my opinion.”
The political implications of how it could affect Crist and his Senate campaign are also a part of the equation. If he vetoes the bill, he would alienate many Republican lawmakers who made the legislation a priority, as well as the wing of the GOP that remains closely aligned with former Gov. Jeb Bush, whose education foundation is a major backer of the measure.
But Crist has bucked the party in favor of public opinion before. He extended voting hours in the 2008 election due to massive turnout, though it did not benefit GOP presidential candidate John McCain. He has been strongly opposed to higher property insurance rates despite lawmaker pressure to let the market dictate those rates, and has been wildly pro consumer on utility issues when it didn’t always match his party’s general outlook.
Several Miami-Dade school teachers declared a “sickout” Monday in protest of the teacher merit pay bill. And at a weekend campaign stop at The Villages, Crist was approached by several people who urged him to veto the legislation, according to the St. Petersburg Times.
The legislation, SB 6, would base teacher pay raises on a performance appraisal determined by local school districts. But 50 percent of that appraisal would be based on student learning gains on standardized exams. The Department of Education, if the bill is signed, would develop metrics to measure learning gains.
Representatives of the school boards and superintendents say they’re not opposed to paying teachers based on results, and finding a way to root out inadequate educators. But portions of the bill remain problematic, and stakeholders have expressed concerns that it could create divisiveness among the teachers, administrators and school boards.
The legislation also takes 5 percent of a district’s overall funding and requires that it be used specifically for a teacher performance fund rather than other district needs, taking away local control, Blanton said
The three biggest education groups in the debate – the teachers’ union, the superintendents and the school boards – all say they have no idea which way the governor will go.
“Most of the time I have my own gut feeling,” said Bill Montford, executive director of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. “But this time I have no idea. I’m sure it’s a tough call for the governor. It’s an ever tougher call to guess what he’s going to do.”