Nokomis Accident Claims Teen’s Life
January 24, 2010
(Updated 11 a.m.) An 18-year old from Perdido was killed in a single vehicle accident in Nokomis, Ala., Saturday afternoon.
Patrick Bryan Jay, 18, was was pronounced dead after the accident just before 4 p.m. Saturday.
Jay was a passenger in a 2008 Honda Civic driven by Tiffany Brooke Parker, 16, of Bay Minette. Alabama State Troopers say Parker was westbound when she lost control, ran off the road and overturned into a tree shortly.
Parker was taken by the USA Medical Center in Mobile by LifeFlight. She was listed in serious condition Sunday evening.
Jay was not wearing seat belt, and speed was believed to have been a factor in the crash, according to troopers.
Escambia Mom Reunited With Daughter From Haiti
January 24, 2010
(Updated) An Escambia mom originally from Haiti was reunited with her 7-year old daughter late Saturday night thanks to the efforts of several people, including two state representatives.
Rachelle Boyd, 38, moved to Escambia County in June, leaving behind her daughter with family in Haiti. Rachelle’s daughter, Rose Angy Lee Kah Alessandra Hilarion, was to move to Pensacola soon, following Rachelle’s Christmas Day wedding to Lester Boyd, 58.
Their plans ended when the earthquake hit.
Hour after hour, Rachelle was on the phone trying to find out what had happened to Rose and the rest of her family back in Haiti. Three days later, she learned that Rose was fine. But not all of the news was good — 12 other family members died in the massive earthquake.
Rose wanted to get her daughter out of Haiti and to Pensacola, but her family was unable to find a way — until Saturday morning. They were presented with the opportunity to put Rose on a military plane headed to Fort Lauderdale.
But the Boyds had no transportation to Fort Lauderdale to meet their daughter as she arrived in the United States. So they decided to try a couple of politicians for help. They called Congressman Jeff Miller of Chumuckla and state Rep. Dave Murzin of Pensacola for help.
Murzin went to work. He called Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, a guardian ad litem and a personal friend in the Fort Lauderdale area. Bogdanoff volunteered to meet Rose at the airport and help get her through U.S. Customs. Problem one was solved.
Problem two was getting the Boyds to Fort Lauderdale to get their daughter. Murzin turned to Jon Johnson, who he described as “a lobbyist friend and a good Christian man with a heart of gold”. Johnson provided a private plane and pilot to get the mom to Fort Lauderdale.
Lester was unable to make the trip, but Rachelle flew out of the Pensacola airport about 8 p.m. Saturday to meet Rose in Fort Lauderdale. They were to spend the night and fly to Pensacola sometime around midday Sunday.
However, due to weather, the plane was forced to land in Tallahassee. Lester then drove to Tallahassee to pickup the reunited mom and daughter.
Pictured above: Rachelle Boyd (left) and Lester Boyd just before Rachelle boarded private plan to Fort Lauderdale to reunite with her daughter with Haiti. Submitted photo by Dave Murzin for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Seniors: Apply For EREC Scholarship
January 24, 2010
This April, EREC will award scholarships to graduating seniors in Escambia County and Santa Rosa County whose parent or guardian is a member of the cooperative. A total of two scholarships, one in each county, of $4,000 per student will be offered. The students must show proof of enrollment and maintain a GPA of 2.5 to continue to receive the funds each year.
Seniors in Escambia River Electric Coopeartive’s service area should check with their high school guidance counselors or contact Marketing and Communications at EREC for scholarship applications. Winners will be announced at EREC’s Annual Meeting on April 24.
This is EREC’s thirteenth year of offering scholarships to high school seniors. In the past, those capital credits issued by EREC that were unclaimed had to be turned over to the state. But state legislation now allows such funds to be deposited into a qualified, educational charity fund. The EREC membership voted to use these funds in the form of scholarships for graduating seniors in EREC’s service area.
For more information, contact the marketing and communications department at EREC at (850) 675-4521 or (800) 235-3848.
High School Basketball: Tate Aggies Fall to Crestview, Niceville
January 24, 2010
Crestview 59 Tate 56 (Boys)
The Tate Aggies fell to Crestview Saturday in Cantonment, 59-56. Shermonne Jones had 15 for the Aggies, and Krys Waldon had 13. Tate is now 13-7.
Tate — Shermonne Jones 15, Krys Walden 13, Tevin Brown 9, Petey Jones 7, John Barber 6, Spencer Taylor 4, Jibril Rashied 2.
Crestview 13 12 25 9-59 Tate 18 11 19 8-56
Niceville 52 Tate 51 (Girls)
Niceville edged past the Tate Aggies at the buzzer Saturday, 52-51. Courtney Brown had 21 for the Aggies, while Meghan Briske added 14. Tate’s season now stands at an even 9-9.
Tate – Courtney Brown 21, Meghan Briske 14, Chelsea Hall 12, Ashley Thompson 2, Kat Tucker 2.
Tate 11 12 9 19-51 Niceville 15 10 13 14-52
Allison Woodfin Named Junior Miss EWMS
January 23, 2010
Sixth grader Allison Woodfin, 12, was named Junior Miss EWMS tonight at Ernest Ward Middle School.
First runner up was sixth grader Kaitlyn Abbott, second runner-up was seventh grader Morgan Ward, and third runner-up was eighth grader Mariah Albritton.
Victoria Wright received the Miss Hospitality, Miss Congeniality, and the Poise and Appearance awards. Hope Coggins was presented with the Physical Fitness Award.
Pictured above(L-R) Second Runner-Up Morgan Ward, First Runner-up Kaitlyn Abbot, Junior Miss EWMS Allison Woodfin and Third Runner-up Mariah Albritton. Pictured below: Allison Woodfin (left) reacts as she is named Junior Miss EWMS. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Allison Woodfin was sponsored by Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union and Tammie’s Cuttin Loose.
Latest Data Released: Almost 24,000 Out Of Work In Area
January 23, 2010
For the first time in many months, unemployment rate in Escambia County held steady in the latest statistics released Friday.. The number of jobless was up slightly in Santa Rosa County, Escambia County, Ala., and across the two states. There were 23,970 total persons out of work in the three counties.
In Escambia County, unemployment data released Friday shows that 11.0 percent of the labor force was out of work in December. That’s 15,320 people out of work.
There were 6,891 Santa Rosa County residents out of work last month. Santa Rosa County’s unemployment rate was 10.0 percent in December, up from 10.0 percent in November.
Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment was up to 12.7 percent from 12.5 in November. That translates to 1,759 people out of a job.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December 2009 is 11.8 percent. This represents 1,087,000 jobless out of a labor force of 9,180,000. The unemployment rate is up 0.3 percentage point from the November rate of 11.5 percent, and up 4.2 percentage points from the December 2008 rate. The state’s current unemployment rate is 1.8 percentage points higher than the national unemployment rate of 10.0 percent. December’s rate is the highest since May 1975 when it was 11.9 percent.
Industries losing the most jobs in Florida were construction; trade, transportation, and utilities; and professional and business services. These three industries account for more than two-thirds of the job losses in the state. Health care has been Florida’s only growth sector for most of 2009.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 11.0 percent in December, increased from November’s rate of 10.5 percent and was still well above the year-ago rate of 6.5 percent.
High School Basketball: Northview Chiefs, Jay Royals, Flomaton ‘Canes
January 23, 2010
Here’s a look at Northview and Jay basketball action from Friday afternoon:
BOYS BASKETBALL
Northview 47 Freeport 45
The Northview Chiefs beat Freeport by a basket in Bratt Friday, 47-45. Jacob Gibson led the Chiefs with 14, while Lance Bushaw added 13 in the district win.
Northview — Lance Bushaw 13, Aaron Bellamy 3, Colton Sims 4, Austin Arrington 2, Stanley Chestnut 2, Dabney Langhorne 9, Jacob Gibson 14.
Northview 9 17 16 5-47 Freeport 16 11 5 13-45
Baker 73 Jay 59
The Jay Royals dropped District 1-2A game to the Baker Gators Friday. Luke Rowell and Hunter Boutwell had 17 each for the Royals.
Jay — Dakota Walker 8, Luke Rowell 17, Hunter Boutwell 17, Bugg Fischer 10, Steven Brabham 6, Tyler Prescott 2, Todd Laney 2.
Jay 12 10 16 21-59 Freeport 6 21 19 27-73
Flomaton 57 Excel 44
The Flomaton Hurricanes beat the Excel Panthers 57-44. Ta-Ta Ellis had a game-high 15 points, while Dalvin Craft sent 11 through the hoop in Flomaton’s district win at home. Flomaton is now 14-9, 3-2 in District 2A-1.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Freeport 48 Northview 33
The Northview Lady Chiefs lost a District 1-2A game Friday in Bratt to Freeport, 48-33. Shaniqua Jones added 18 for the Chiefs.
Northview — Sarah Killam 4, Shaniqua Jones 18, Amber McMillan 3, Angela Rodriguez 8.
Northview 5 10 6 12-33 Freeport 14 12 13 9-48
Flomaton 50 Excel 34
It was another win for the Lady Hurricanes Friday in Flomaton as they beat Excel 50-34. Paige Harwelle led the Canes with 9. Flomaton, 20-4 overall, is still undefeated in 2A Area 1. The Lady Canes will travel Highway 31 to Atmore on Monday to take on the Lady Blue Devils of Escambia County High School,
Radio, TV Stations Raise $70,000 For Haiti Relief
January 23, 2010
Two Pensacola radio stations and a television station raised about $70,000 Friday disaster relief in Haiti.
CatCountry 98.7, NewsRadio1620 and WEAR Channel 3 teamed up for the special broadcast “Gulf Coast Help for Haiti” live from Cordova Mall. All day, the stations were broadcasting live from the mall as people stopped by with their contributions to the Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund.
Latest Road Closure Update
January 22, 2010
(Updated 3:30 p.m. 1/23) Here’s the latest update from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties on roads that are closed due to flooding.
The following Escambia County roads were closed as of early Saturday afternoon:
- Cotton Lake Road – from last house on road going east to the river
- Hwy 196 (Barrineau Park Road) – from the Railroad Track to the Perdido River Bridge
The following Santa Rosa County roads were closed as of early Saturday afternoon:
- Gin Road Bridge over Thomas Creek in Chumuckla
- The bridge on Indian Ford Road over Juniper Creek in Munson
- Coldwater Bridge at Springhill Road in Springhill
- Jones Bridge on Walling Road in Walling
- Bryant Bridge Road near Harold
- Deaton Bridge Harold
- Jernigan Bridge on Gordon Land Road over Coldwater Creek at the Horse Stables in Berrydale
- All three bridges on Red Rock Road in Springhill
The following Escambia County roads have reopened:
- Pineville Road – between Highway 97-A and Ryals Lane
- Occie Phillips Road – between end of pavement off Hwy 97-A and Pineville Road
- Lambert Bridge Road – from the bridge to Velor Road
- Carnley Road – dirt portion from Fannie Road to the Alabama stateline
- Rocky Branch Road – starting ¼ mile North of Quintette Road to end
- Rigby Road – between Still Road and Highway 4
- Pin Oak Lane – Highway 29 to east end
- Wingfoot Way – between Rolling Hills Road & Diamond Dairy Road
The following Santa Rosa County roads have reopened:
- Hamilton Bridge Road at Pond Creek is open with hazards
- Wolfe Creek Bridge on Springhill Road in Springhill
- Allentown Road west of Central School is open
Bud Day Backs Evers
January 22, 2010
Veterans activist George “Bud” Day, a retired air force colonel well known for his local and national support of veterans issues, has announced his endorsement of Rep. Greg Evers’ for the state Senate seat in District 2.
“As a Representative, Greg Evers has been a champion for the families of Northwest Florida,” said Colonel Day in a press release from Evers’ campaign. “He has stood up to Big Business to protect our Second Amendment rights and he has fought to support our military bases and the families who live and work in the area. I give my endorsement of Greg with the full confidence that he will serve our district in the Florida Senate doing all he can for our community.”
“Colonel Day is a hero in every sense of the word,” Evers said in the release. “It is an honor to have the support of a man who has done so much for our great nation. And, I am committed to continuing to advocate for the unique needs of our Northwest Florida military families and to protect the military bases that are so critical to our community.”
Senate District 2, which includes Holmes and Washington and parts of Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties, is being vacated by term-limited Senator Durrell Peaden, Jr. from Crestview.
Evers’ release highlighted his sponsorship and support of “the strongest military base land use protection bill in Florida history, as well as legislation that helps military spouses more easily conduct family business when their loved ones are deployed overseas or stationed out of state”.
“As a Senator, I will continue to fight for the unique needs of military families,” said Evers. “I will also keep working to protect the longevity and key national importance of Eglin Air Force Base, NAS Pensacola, Tyndall Air Force Base, NAS Whiting Field, Hurlburt Field and Duke Field. Members of our military and their families are critically important to all of us in Northwest Florida, and I will continue to keep their needs and interests a top priority in Tallahassee.”
Day is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and command pilot who served in active service in World War II and the Vietnam War. Shot down in an air strike in North Vietnam, he was a prisoner of war for five years and seven months during which time he shared a cell with U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ). He is often cited as being the most decorated U.S. service member since General Douglas MacArthur, having received nearly 70 decorations, a majority for actions in combat.
Day is a recipient of the Medal of Honor.
Evers currently represents Florida House District 1, which includes the northern parts of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. He is a farmer and small businessman who was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2001 and was subsequently re-elected.
Pictured: State Rep. Greg Evers (left) has been endorsed by George “Bud” Day, a highly decorated retired Air Force Colonel. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.