NHS Holds Senior Honors Night
May 29, 2009
The Northview Class of 2009 held Senior Honors Night at the school Thursday night.
For a complete photo gallery from the event, click here.
The following awards, honors and scholarships were presented:
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 or higher GPA): Luke Fletcher Killam, valedictorian; Lanie Jeannine Eubanks, salutatorian; Olivia Kaylen Bryan; Briana Renea Halteman; Amanda-Ann Morgan Sellars; Ashley Arlene Snow and Brittney Dawn Brown.
Magna Cum Laude (3.85 or higher GPA): Gabrielle Renae Hicks, Brett Andrew Hanks, Chelsea Ellen Sims, Gretchen Danea Boughner, Stormy Brooke Hayes and Danielle Althea Brown.
Cum Laude (3.5 or higher GPA): Alexander Martin Abbott, Melissa Nicole Garrett, Jody Wade Levins, Jessica Maria Mothershed, Richard Kyle Braun, Jamison Blayne Garrett, Amy Nicole Conner and Samantha Ann Macks.
Atmore Chamber Ambassador: Patrick McPherson
Atmore Rotary Club Academic All Stars: $400 recipients: Gretchen Boughner, Lanie Eubanks,Briana Halteman, Luke Killam; $300 recipients: Kayla Brewer, Amy Conner, Stormy Hayes, Melissa Garrett, Jessica Mothershed, Chelsea Sims and Ashley Snow.
Charles and Mayson Scholarship: Luke Killam
Escambia River Electric Cooperative: Olivia Bryan
First National Bank of Atmore Award: Luke Killam
McDonald Award: Shaquania Lewis
Pensacola Civitan Club: Amanda Sellars
Pensacola Junior College: Chelsea Sims and Garbell Wesley
Principal’s Leadership Award: Luke Killam
Spirit of the Chief Award: Luke Killam
Qunit and Rishy Studer Group Scholarship: Briana Halteman
Tri-City Rotary Club: Luke Killam
United Bank of Atmore Award: Lanie Eubanks
University of West Florida: Luke Killam, Olivia Bryan, Lanie Eubanks, Briana Halteman and Gabrielle Hicks
US Army Scholar Athlete: Luke Killam and Briana Halteman
USNA/NROTC: Amanda Sellars and Shaquaina Lewis
Jim/Jumi Ross Memorial Scholarship: Kayla Brewer and Amanda Sellars
Walnut Hill Ruritan: Patrick McPherson
Beta Club Stoles: Brittney Brown, Samantha Macks, Olivia Bryan, Jessica Mothershed, Lanie Eubanks, Amanda Sellars,Briana Halteman, Chelsea Sims, Luke Killam and Ashley Snow.
Beta Club Medals: Jessica Mothershed, president; Lanie Eubanks, vice president; Olivia Bryan, secretary; Luke Killam, treasurer
Rho Kappa: Ashley Snow, Lanie Eubanks, Luke Killam, Amanda Sellars, Briana Halteman, Olivia Bryan and Brett Hanks.
Delata Kappa Gamma-Eta Chapter: Chelsea Sims
Dr. Alec Kessler Memorial Student-Athlete Scholarship: Luke Killam
EHS Class of ’62 Scholarship: Gretchen Boughner — $1000
Faulkner State College: Jamison Garrett
Huntingdon College: Patrick McPherson
Florida Bright Futures Recognition
Florida Medallion Scholars — 4 years: Alexander Abbott, Stormy Hayes, Gretchen Boughner, Gabrielle Hicks, Richard Braun, Luke Killam, Kayla Brewer, Samantha Macks, Brittney Brown, Samantha Merritt, Danielle Brown, Kristina Nellums, Amy Conner, Amanda Sellars, Lanie Eubanks, Chelsea Sims, Jamison Garrett and Ashley Snow.
Florida Academic Scholars — 4 years: Olivia Bryan, Briana Halteman and Brett Hanks.
Gold Seal Vocational — 2 years: Jody Levins and Patrick McPherson
John E. Frenkel, Sr. Educational Grants: Samantha Merritt
Pensacola Civitan Club Scholarship: Luke Killam — $1000
The King’s College: Olivia Bryan – $ 48,000 (4 years)
Subject Area Awards
Agribusiness:
Jody Levins
Art
Jessica Taylor, Visual Arts HAA
Jacqueline Loewen, Visual Arts Exemplary
Band
Briana Halteman – Drum Major & John Philip Sousa
Jake Carlson – Outstanding Marching Award
Lanie Eubanks – Outstanding Marching Award
Business Technology
Web Design 1 – HAA
Samantha Merritt
Web Design 2 – HAA
Garbell Wesley
Web Design 3 HAA
Brandon Coburn
Diversified Education
Jessica Mothershed — HAA
Ashley Snow –Exemplary
Amie Sutton — Exemplary
Family & Consumer Science:
Chelsea Sims
NTV Television Production:
Olivia Bryan and Brandon Coburn
Language Arts
Hon Eng Lanie Eubanks – HAA
Hon Eng Luke Killam — Exemplary
Reg. Eng Ashley Snow — HAA
Reg. Eng Chelsea Sims — Exemplary
Mathematics:
Lanie Eubanks – HAA
Science
Briana Halteman – HAA Chem Honors
Lanie Eubanks – Exemplary Chem Honors
Luke Killam – Exemplary Chem Honors
Spanish:
Shakeria White
Social Studies
Chelsea Sims — HAA Eco. H
Jody Levins — HAA Eco.
Gretchen Boughner — Exemplary
Technology Education
Kenneth Jackson – HAA–Construction Tech
Cordell Paige- Exemplary – Construction Tec
Brandon Coburn – HAA — Drafting
Luke Killam – Exemplary — Drafting
Ashley McGhee – HAA — CCC
Pictured above (L-R): Luke Killam, Lanie Eubanks, Olivia Bryan, Briana Halteman, Amanda Sellars, Ashley Snow and Brittney Brown were among the award winners at Northview High School’s Senior Honors Night.
Tax Collector Gone, Courts To Stay In Century
May 29, 2009
Thursday was the last day of business at the Escambia County Tax Collector’s office in Century, but the Clerk of the Courts says his office will remain open.
Earlier this month, both county officials said they were closing their offices in the Billy G. Ward Courthouse. After a public outcry and an Escambia County Commission resolution against the closings, Clerk of the Courts Ernie Lee Magaha announced that his office would remain open. But Tax Collector Jane Holley said that her office was still closing.
“It was a very difficult decision, and I mean that in a very heartfelt way,” Holley said, adding that Friday would be the first day in 32 years that there had not been a tax collector’s office in Century. “It is a decision I did not take very lightly, but it is something I had to do.”
Holley said her final decision to close her Century office was based upon needed budget cutbacks and low utilization, especially over the last three years.
The next nearest Escambia County Tax Collector office is in Cantonment, and Holley said she would monitor the traffic at that office to determine how many customers were coming from Century, Walnut Hill, McDavid and surrounding areas. She said she would not rule out reopening the Century office in the future.
“But for now, we feel that we can still take care of the citizens in the Century area,” she said.
Most tax collector business can be conducted by mail, on the phone or online, Holley said. Hunting and fishing licenses, vehicle tags and titles can even be purchased by Escambia County residents at the Santa Rosa County Tax Collector’s office in Jay.
Tax Collector Services
- Services as the Century branch of the Escambia County Tax Collector’s office have been redirected to the Cantonment branch, 470 South Highway 29. The Cantonment office offers all tax collector services including driver’s licenses by appointment.
- Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. Call 438-6500 ext. 252 for information and to schedule an appointment for a driver’s license.
- For more information including how to make payments online, visit the Tax Collector’s website, www.escambiataxcollector.com.
Confirmed Rabid Raccoon Found In North Escambia
May 29, 2009
A rabid raccoon has been found in North Escambia, prompting the Escambia County Health Department to urge caution among area residents.
The raccoon was shot and killed by a resident on Crabtree Church Road in Molino after it attacked his dog. That raccoon has been confirmed to have rabies, according to Ed Parent with the Escambia County Health Department. He did not know where on the 5-mile long Crabtree Church Road the incident occurred.
He said it is not believed that the raccoon had contact with any people other than the resident that shot it. The resident used gloves to handle the raccoon after it was dead, Parent said, and the raccoon did not infect the man. Additionally, Parent said there have been no reports of any animal bites in Escambia County at area hospitals during the past several weeks.
The dog bitten by the raccoon has been quarantined in a kennel and is being observed for any signs of the illness, but, so far, the health department said the dog appears to be fine.
“It is important that people stay away from raccoons,” Parent said. “They may or may not appear aggressive. You can’t just look at a raccoon and tell if it might be rabid by the way it acts.”
Anyone concerned about a raccoon on their property can call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission at (850) 265-3676. In the event of an emergency only, call (850) 245-7710. Anyone that finds a dead raccoon on their property should not touch the animal and should call one of the numbers immediately.
Tri-City Ledger, Atmore Advance Receive State Awards
May 29, 2009
Two area newspapers picked up multiple awards in the 2009 Alabama Press Association Better Newspaper Contest.
The Tri-City Ledger in Flomaton received five awards in their circulation size division, and The Atmore Advance received 10 in their category. There were 2,917 entries from 76 newspapers in the contest.
The Tri-City Ledger was honored five times:
- Best Sports Page, third place
- Best Local News Coverage, second place
- Best Spot News Coverage, first place for “’We have to go now!’” by Joe Thomas & Janet Cooper (2/21/08)
- Best Editorial, second place for “Unacceptable” by Joe Thomas (8/7/08)
- Best Feature Photo, second place for “Picking out produce” by Janet Little Cooper (6/12/08)
The Atmore Advance was honored 10 times:
- Best Presswork, third place
- Best Lifestyle/Family Pages, third place
- Best Local Economic Coverage, third place
- Best Local Education Coverage, second place
- Best Business Story or Column, second place for “Reaching New Heights” by Adam Prestridge (10/8/08)
- Best Editorial, third place for “Hines, BOE operate in secret” by Adam Prestridge (4/2/08)
- Best Local Sports Column, first place for “A big Little League memory” by Adam Prestridge (4/13/08)
- Best News Photo, first place for “Marty’s takes a hit” by Adam Prestridge (4/20/08)
- Best News Photo, second place for “Pritchett to fill seat” by Adam Prestridge (1/20/08)
- Best Special Section, for “Horizons 2008” by staff (2/27/08)
The awards will be presented July 18 at APA’s 138th summer convention at Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach.
FDLE Returns To Walnut Hill In Police Shooting Investigation
May 29, 2009
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement returned Thursday afternoon to the scene of a weekend shooting by the Atmore Police Department.
Danny Ray Williams, 33, died Monday from wounds he received when he was shot by Atmore Police early Sunday morning in Walnut Hill. Atmore Police say Williams was seen leaving the scene of a shots fired call in Atmore when they gave chase. That chase came to an end on Highway 97 just south of Kansas Road when officers fired on Williams’ car after they say he attempted to run over them.
Thursday afternoon, investigators from the FDLE were back at the scene. One investigator used a metal detector to search the area where Atmore Police said they fired the shots that led to Williams’ death, while another searched the grassy ditch and a portion of a wheat field. The location is just south of the spot where Williams’ car came to a stop in a muddy field.
Mike Morrison, spokesperson for FDLE, said that an investigation such as the one into Williams’ shooting can often take 45 to 60 days to complete. He said it was not unusual for investigators to return to a scene as they did Thursday afternoon in Walnut Hill. Once the FDLE investigation is complete, their findings will be turned over to the State Attorney’s Office for review.
To read an Atmore Police Department press release describing their version of the incident, click here.
To read the original NorthEscambia.com story about the incident from Sunday morning, click here.
To read about Williams’ court record and outstanding warrant, click here.
For an exclusive NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured above: Thursday afternoon, FDLE investigators were back at the scene of an Atmore Police shooting along Highway 97. Behind the investigators, the spot where Danny Day Williams reportedly backed into the wheat field. Pictured below: Car tracks in the area where Atmore Police say Williams turned around and tried to run over two officers. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blog: A ‘Perfect’ 5, An Open Letter To Molino Park’s FCAT Best
May 29, 2009
It seems that a 5 is not always a 5.
Late last week, we ran a story entitled “Molino Park Student One Of Four In Escambia With Perfect FCAT Scores”. In that story we named Molino Park student Sarah Perritt as one of four students in all of Escambia County to score a “perfect 5″ on the reading and math third grade FCAT.
That story has created quite the uproar. Everyone in the Molino Park family is, as we are, very proud of Sarah. But it created a lot of confusion when letters went home to parents notifying them that their child too had score a 5 on both the reading and math FCAT.
That lead many a proud mom, dad and grandparents to contact us wondering why we did not name their child in the story.
The Escambia School District highlighted the fact that the four students had scored perfect on both the reading and math FCAT in a press release sent to the media. In most people’s minds, admittedly in our mind at first, that meant the students scored a 5 on both the reading and math FCATs. There is information available to us, to anyone, that will show you how many children scored a 5 on the reading and how many scored a 5 on the math. But nothing in the numbers made publicly available indicate how many of those scored the 5 on both. As it turns out, there are quite a few at Molino Park.
But a “perfect” score on the FCAT indicates that Sarah and the three other students in the county got each and every question correct in both subject areas. It is possible to miss some number of questions and not obtain a “perfect” score, but still receive a 5.
We would happily run the names of the students that scored a 5 at Molino Park and all the other schools that we cover, but schools are not allowed to release student FCAT scores.
We did want to clarify the story from last week and explain how the story came to be. We also want to offer our congratulations to the students that scored a 5 on the FCAT from any school, and offer our congratulations to each and every student that did their best on the FCAT, regardless of their score.
Elementary School FCAT Scores Released
May 28, 2009
Fourth and fifth grade FCAT score were released Thursday by the Florida Department of Education. The following details how each North Escambia school performed.
Numeric scores are based upon the percentage of students to score at grade level or above.
At Bratt Elementary School, fourth grade scores fell slightly from 84 to 83 percent in fourth grade reading, fell in fourth grade math from 93 to 84 and rose slightly in fourth grade writing from 85 to 87. Fifth grade reading improved slightly from 78 to 79, math improved from 73 to 77 and science scores improved from 60 to 63 percent.
At Byrneville Elementary, fourth grade scores in reading fell from 86 to 71 percent, fell in math from 75 to 74 and held steady in writing at 71 percent. Fifth grade reading improved from 73 to 76, fifth grade made improved from 60 to 83, and fifth grade science delined from 53 to 52 percent.
At Carver/Century, fourth grade reading scores fell from 35 to 24 percent, math increased from 17 to 38 and writing scores skyrocketed from 20 to 65. Fifth grade reading fell from 41 to 38, math fell from 19 to 12 percent, and science fell from 22 to just 6 percent at grade level.
At Molino Park, fourth grade reading scores fell from 79 to 75 percent, math improved from 73 to 75 and writing jumped from 75 to 86 percent. Fifth grade reading jumped from 64 to 70 percent, math went from 51 to 81, and science increased from 35 to 56 percent.
Escambia Deputies Conduct Drug Raids Across Century; 19 Are Arrested (Updated With Mug Shot Link)
May 28, 2009
(Updated 11:45 a.m.) The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department simultaneously executed 10 search warrants and made 19 felony drug arrests in Century Wednesday night and early Thursday morning using SWAT teams from across Northwest Florida.
For mug shots of each suspect and a list of their charges, click here.
The department’s narcotics unit, SWAT teams from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office, Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department and Crestview Police Department executed the 10 search warrants at addresses across Century. The roundup was the result of an ongoing undercover operation in Century, according to Lt. Eddie Barnard from the ECSO Narcotics Unit.
While executing the search warrants, officers recovered cash drugs paraphernalia, and drugs including marijuana and crack cocaine. Several vehicles were also seized.
Ted Roy, spokesperson for the Escambia Sheriff’s Office, said the investigations are ongoing and investigators were still on scene mid-morning Thursday. The arrests were the result of a several month long narcotics investigation, Roy said.
One of those arrested was Sonya Alexis Carter, 25, a corrections officer at Century Correctional Institution, Barnard said. She was arrested at a mobile home on Salters Lake Road.
For mug shots of each suspect and a list of their charges, click here.
Listed below are the locations where search warrants were executed and the names of those arrested at each location:
21 Ramar Street
- George Dubose, 39, black male
- Bobbie J. Elliott, 56, white female
- Mark Elliot, 33, black male (arrested in Flomaton)
- Willie M. Elliot, 61, black male
6760 Jefferson Avenue
- Eric Maurice Davidson, 34, black male
- Katherine C. Hawsey, 23, white female
- Kevin Deray Johnson, 27, black male
- Kevin Montfort, 27, white male
- Ashley Nicole Scott, 25, black female
- Randall Scott Thames, 57, white male
7551 Sellers Road
- Terrance Terrell Grice, 24, black male
280 Hilltop Road
- Lekicia Ann Manuel, 22, black female
- Nekinely Sonita Manuel, 20, black female
807 Salters Lake Road
- Johnnie Lee Carter, 27, black male
- Sonya Alexis Carter, 25, black female
Additional arrests were made at:
110 Ramar Street
- Christine Chnix Mixon, 32, black female
- David Lynell Williams, 25, black male
116 Ramar Street
- Bridget Dennise Brown, 24, black female
- Brenda Mixon, 49, black female
Additional search warrants were executed at:
50 West Pond Street
61 Green Street
9451 Old Flomaton Road #3
9441 Old Flomaton Road
280 Hill Top Road
7011 Hadley Street
More information on charges and mug shots will be posted later today.
Pictured above and inset: Officers arrested a Century Correctional Institution corrections officer at this home at 807 Salters Lake Road during a drug raid late Wednesday night: Pictured below: Some of the marijuana found Wednesday night as deputies executed search warrants across Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Drug Arrest Mug Shots, Charges Released
May 28, 2009
The following persons were arrested Wednesday night and Thursday morning in a drug operation in Century. Click to enlarge.
For the a complete story about the arrests, click here.
Middle, High School FCAT Scores Released
May 28, 2009
Middle and high school FCAT scores were released today by the Florida Department of Education. The following details how each North Escambia school performed.
Numeric scores are based upon the percentage of students to score at grade level or above.
At Ernest Ward Middle School, sixth grade students improved from 68 to 77 percent in reading and improved from 56 to 68 percent in math. Seventh grade students improved from 66 to 80 percent at reading grade level and improved from 73 to 75 in math. Eighth grade students improved from 51 to 61 in reading, fell slightly from 76 to 75 in math, held steady at 91 in writing and fell in science from 49 to 44 percent.
At Northview High School, ninth grade fell from 52 to 44 percent in reading and 70 to 66 percent in math. Tenth grade students held steady at 35 percent in reading, improved from 72 to 74 percent in math and decreased in writing from 86 to 83 percent. Eleventh grade science scores decreased from 40 to 37 percent.