Northview Chiefs Beat Central Christian To Improve To 4-2
March 7, 2009
Northview beat Central Christian 12-2 in five innings.
Northview scored four in the second, two in the third, two in the fourth and four in the fifth. The Chiefs held Central Christian to just one point in the first and one in the fourth Thursday night in Bratt.
The leading hitters for Northview were Austin Reid, who collected two singles and scored a run. Dakota Stuckey had two singles, scored a run, and added an RBI.
Austin Lowery was one for two at the plate with a two-run homerun. Brad Lowery collected a single, and scored a run. Brad Foster had a triple with three RBI’s. Dabney Langhorne collected a single for the chiefs.
Austin Reid picked up the win on the mound. He pitched four innings, gave up two runs, both unearned. He gave up three hits, walked four, and struck out seven. This brings his record to 2-1 on the season.
The Northview Chiefs are now 4-2 on the year.
Suspect At Large After Manhunt; He Calls Cops To Say He Is Nearby
March 7, 2009
A manhunt Friday afternoon in Byrneville ended with one person in custody and another suspect on the run.
Deputies were searching for Jedd Jackson Grimes, 24, of Brewton. He is wanted on a robbery with a weapon charge in connection with a home invasion; he also has outstanding warrants out of Alabama, according to Lt. Carl Jones of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department.
The search for Grimes was called off at 4:50 Friday afternoon after tracking dogs were unable to locate him.
At one point shortly after the search began, Jones said Grimes actually called deputies to say that he was in a wooded area not far from where he had ditched his truck.
“But he was on the run and lying to us,” Jones said.
Grimes was described as white male with light color hair that was wearing a white shirt and blue jeans.
Teka Michelle Campbell, 32, of Pensacola was taken into custody at the scene. Deputies say she was wanted on a probation violation warrant and for failure to appear. She remained in the Escambia County Jail Saturday morning without bond. Court records indicate that she violated probation on a petty theft charge from 2006.
Lt. Jones attempted to turn around and stop a small pickup truck occupied by a Grimes and Campbell near 960 Byrneville Road. That address is just south of McBride Road, about 1.5 miles south of Byrneville Elementary School.
Before Jones could make the traffic stop, Grimes fled the scene on foot into some nearby woods behind a house. He was described as wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans.
Tracking dogs from Century Correctional Institute assisted in the search. Additional tracking dogs from Santa Rosa County were called to the scene.The search was in the area bordered by Byrneville Road near McBride Road, and Crary Road.
The Escambia County (Fla.) Sherrif’s Department, the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department and the Flomaton Police Department were involved in the search for Grimes.
Byrneville Elementary School was placed in lock down, but Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan says that the school was been dismissed without incident.
The school dismissed at about the normal time Friday afternoon, but Sullivan said the dismissal was a well planned careful one. Students in the school’s portable building were walked by adults from the classrooms, one building at a time. Students were walked to their buses by teachers and staff.
Sullivan said a deputy was at the campus during the dismissal.
Students that remained after school for tutoring remained under lock down while on campus.
Pictured top and bottom: Suspect Teka Michelle Campbell is placed in a deputy’s cruiser Friday afternoon in Byrneville. Authorities searched for nearly four hours for a male suspect before ending the manhunt. The blue pickup the suspect fled from is in the background of the photo. Pictured middle: An Escambia deputy pulls onto Byrneville Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Holds First Home Track Meet In Years
March 7, 2009
Northview High School competed in their first home track meet in many years this week on their newly resurfaced track.
Many NHS track team members placed in the meeting, and the girl’s team placed first with 55 points
The results from the meet are below:
‘Undie Sunday’ At Molino Church
March 7, 2009
Tomorrow will be “Undie Sunday” at Highland Baptist Church in Molino.
The church is encouraging members and visitors to bring donations of new underwear for the Gulf Coast Kid’s House as part of a drive being conducted by the Escambia County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee.
An underwear drive also started this week during Highland’s Wednesday night Kids Klub, and at Molino Park Elementary School.
The committee is asking the North Escambia community to donate new, never worn underwear, socks and diapers. There is a need for all sizes, infant through adolescents.
The Gulf Coast Kid’s House is a center where abused and neglected children receive services from a number of agencies. While the Kid’s House is located in Pensacola and serves all of Escambia County, a fair number of the children served are from our area. Abuse is an issue found in every community, both urban and rural.
“As February is viewed as the month of love, we felt it was an appropriate time to ask our neighbors to show their love for some of our most vulnerable neighbors – the abused children,” said Rikki Vidak, Farm Bureau Women’s Committee member. “We would like to put a donation box in your church, school or business.”
There will also be a donation box at the Molino Farm Bureau office through March.
For more information, contact Rikki Vidak at 587-4246 or call the Farm Bureau office at 587-2135.
Authorities Search For Suspect That Shot And Killed One, Injured Another
March 6, 2009
The Atmore Police Department is investigating a murder that left a 19-year old woman dead and a 26-year old man with serious injuries.
Atmore Police were called to the McRae Apartments at 10:18 Thursday night.
“Upon arriving at the scene officers found two gunshot victims inside the residence,” Glenn Carlee, Atmore public safety director, said.
Carlee said officers from the Atmore Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance at the residence of Alice Evans located at 607 McRae Street, Apt. C-2. Upon arriving at the scene officers found two gunshot victims inside the residence.
Police say Marquetta A. Washington, 19, was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance personnel. Washington was the daughter of Alice Evans and living at the residence with her mother.
Family members tell NorthEscambia.com that Washington was a few months pregnant.
Tony Hudson, 26, was suffering from gunshot wounds to the chest. He was transported to Atmore Community Hospital and later transferred to University of South Alabama Medical Center in Mobile. Atmore Police say Hudson is believed to be a friend of Ms. Washington.
Carlee said Ferrell Purdue, 44, has been named as a person of interest in this case. Purdue (pictured left) may be living at the address of a relative on Lamar Circle in Bay Minette, Ala. The suspect left the scene in a gray or silver Dodge Charger. Police say Perdue also owns a red Mustang with racing stripes.
“It is believed that Ferrell Purdue has been in a relationship with Alice Evans and that Ms. Evans was attempting to end such relationship,” Carlee said. “Evidence indicates that Ferrell Purdue forced himself inside the residence by breaking a window in the front living room area of the apartment, then entered thought the broken window and shot Tony Hudson and Marquetta Washington at close range with a long barrel gun. Alice Evans was in the house at the time of the break-in but escaped unharmed through the same window Purdue had broken. Her daughter Marquetta Washington was found in her bedroom and Tony Hudson was found in the living/dinning room area. Mr. Hudson was listed in stable but critical condition at the time of transfer. The body of Marquetta Washington will be turned over to the Department of Forensic Science in Mobile for examination.”
Officers from the Atmore Police Department, Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office, and Poarch Tribal Police responded to the call. The Alabama Bureau of Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigations sent agents to assist with the crime scene. Investigators will meet with District Attorney Steve Billy Friday morning to obtain felony warrants on Ferrell Purdue. Anyone who knows the location of Ferrell Purdue should contact the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141 or your local law enforcement agency.
Pictured: Ferrell Purdue, 44, a suspect in a Thursday night Atmore murder. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
County To Pay Former Admin. Touart’s Legal Bills Over Ethics Complaint Filed By Walnut Hill Man
March 6, 2009
Escambia County will pay thousands of dollars in legal fees for former Escambia County Administrator George Touart in connection with an ethics complaint filed in part by a Walnut Hill man.
The Escambia County Commission voted 3-2 Thursday night to pay the $3,629.60 Touart spent defending himself against the ethics complain. Marie White and Kevin White voted against paying the bills, while Grover Robinson, Gene Valentino and Wilson Robinson in favor.
County Attorney Alison Rogers had recommended that the commission deny the request because it did not meet reimbursement criteria. Rogers said the complaint was related to Touart’s private business, not county business.
After Touart resigned in September 2007, an ethics complain was filed against him by Preston Solomon of Walnut Hill and Michael Coonan of Pensacola. The complaint was dismissed by the state’s ethics commission.
The ethics complained alleged that Touart was linked to company that was contracted to remove post-hurricane debris in the county. There were also allegations that Touart’s wife was improperly hired by the county.
“The defense of complaints filed by Preston Solomon and Michael Coonan with the State of Florida Commission on Ethics by former County Administrator George Touart does not meet either statutory or common law criteria for reimbursement of legal fees and costs by Mr. Touart,” Rogers said in a letter presented to commissioners.
White said he decided to vote against paying the bill, saying that he felt the county should follow the advice of its attorney.
Emotions Run High As School Board Discusses School Closure In Century
March 6, 2009
Emotions ran high Thursday night in Century as the Escambia County School Board met with Carver/Century supporters. One school supporter was even led away by a deputy when he refused to stop speaking in support of the school.
Over 100 people attended the school board forum held in the Carver/Century cafeteria to discuss the school’s closure with the board.
For a complete photo gallery from the meeting, click here.
“We are fighting for our town; we need this school to survive. We could save ourselves if we had the time,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said, asking the board to keep Carver/Century K-8 School open for at least three years. The board is scheduled to vote on closing the school March 17, sending the current students to Bratt Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle School.
“What’s the next thing we will hear? You will spend millions building a new school over there,” McCall (pictured left) said. “You used your pencil to zone them out of this school; you can use your pencil to zone them back into this town. Think about the kids when y’all make your vote.”
The Black And The White
Racial differences between schools and differences between communities was a major issued raised by many Carver/Century supporters.
“We are not culturally represented,” Jessie McCants said of the current Northview High School, a school that includes students from Century and all of north Escambia County. “When we built Northview, we lost 50 percent of our children.”
“We are you sending us to a rat trap at Ernest Ward?” was the question presented by Annie Savage of Century. She said the aging Ernest Ward has a problem with snakes in the locker room. “I’ve seen the signs at Northview. “Nig**rs go home. We don’t need you here.”
She called the school closure discrimination, vowing that “we will do something about it”.
“It’s time we invest in the children,” Betty Johnson (pictured left) said, adding that the school board has historically closed more black schools. “You’ve got enough schools in Pensacola to close and never look back at Carver/Century. We are getting along here. We are standing together.”"It seems like Century is not part of Escambia County,” Mary Grice said. “We done gave. It’s time for us to take back something.”
“There are failing schools in Pensacola,” she told the school board. “I don’t see you getting on the news talking about them.”
Grandmother Elizabeth Lowery said she would not send her grandchildren to school out of Century. “My child can get reading, writing and arithmetic at home,” she said. “How are they going to interact over there?”
Another grandmother of a Carver/Century student, Sharon Scott said the school closure was going to be a a terrible mistake for her everyone, including her grandchild.
“If y’all move her way out to Bratt,” Scott said of her grandchild,” I don’t know what will become of her. “We can’t do this Bratt thing…this Walnut Hill thing.”
The Facts And Figures
The meeting began with Superintendent Malcolm Thomas (pictured left) presenting his facts and figures as to why he recommended the closure of Carver/Century. You can read his information here in pdf format.
The superintendent’s numbers show that the school needs 300 students to be viable. As of Thursday, there were 209 in grades K-8. The numbers also show the school is losing a million dollars per year.
“Every dollar I save, saves someone’s job,” Thomas said, adding that there are some Pensacola schools that will likely close this year as well.
“I don’t think it is fair that my child’s education should be a business decision,” Heather Findley, parent of a Carver/Century kindergarten student, said. “I feel the level of education is best here.”
“Did it take y’all seven, eight, nine years to realize that something was wrong?” asked Kim Peebles, referring to a graph presented by the superintendent showing that Carver/Century had lost money for several years.
Carver/Century employee Lillian Robertson (pictured left), accompanied to the podium by sixth grade student Olivia Richmond, said that the district had set the school up for failure.”When Byrneville opened, we had white flight,” she said. “You close Carver/Century and you are going to have white flight in another direction.”
“Some us feel like you have set us up for failure, Robertson said, adding that technology and tech support had been taken away from the school.
“I am one of the tech support,” she said, “and I can’t run a computer worth diddly-squat.”
Time’s Up
Century businessman Jack Moran told the board that he is a retired fraud examiner, and he also called himself a “forensic financial analyst”.
“The numbers here don’t add up,” Moran said of the superintendent’s financial information on Carver/Century. “This is bull, absolute bull.”
When a timer indicated that Moran’s two minutes to speak were up, he said “have the sheriff’s office remove me. I will stop when I am finished.”
Deputy James Moretz, one of two sheriff’s deputies at Thursday night’s meeting, quietly escorted Moran from the microphone (pictured above).
Other Thoughts
“All I know is memories here,” Leonard White said. “I am back here in Century because this is where my heart is.”
“When our kids needed help, they sent a resource officer instead of help,” said Cynthia Scott. “When you take the brain out of the community, the community dies.”
Other school supporters spoke of their memories at the school, and some questioned what would happen to the vacated school. Others questioned why middle school students would be sent from Carver/Century Middle built in 2003 to Ernest Ward where some buildings were built as early as 1945.
“The children are the most important,” Century Councilman Gary Riley said. “We need a school.”
Emotional Exit
Elizabeth Lowery, the grandmother that said her grandchildren could learn at home, did not leave quietly. She interrupted board members as they tried to tell their side of the story.
“Why did they come all the way out here if they already had their minds made up?” she yelled from the back of the cafeteria, waving her arms about (pictured left). “They’ve just made everyone frustrated.”
Many of the 20 speakers were interrupted during their comments. The crowd applauded, yelled and chanted words of encouragement for those that spoke in favor of keeping the school open. But as board members spoke about closing the school, they booed and yelled unfavorable remarks.
School Board Reaction
“My job is to make decisions, and a lot of them are not popular,” board member Jeff Bergosh (pictured left) said. “If there is a way to save the school, I will look you in the eye and I’ll do it.”
Bergosh denied allegations that the closure is racially motivated.
“I have never discriminated against anyone in my life,” he said. “These are tough decisions, and these are tough economic times.”
District 5 board member Bill Slayton said he is not in favor of closing Carver/Century.
“There is some consideration here. It is different,” he said, “because it is a community.”
“It is hard to accept that in a group this size, not one person wants to look at the fact that this could be a positive thing,” board member Gerald Boone said. “I want somebody in Century, Fla., to think this would turn out to be a positive thing.”
Linda Moultrie, the newest member of the Escambia County School Board, said that she attended a predominately black elementary school. Then, with integration, she was bused to an all-white middle school.
“Guess what? I made it,” Moultrie said. “Children adjust.”
“I don’t believe the school should be closed because it is the only school in the area, “she said.
“We are sending them to a good school,” board member Patty Hightower said. “I believe every child at this school can learn. They will learn wherever they are.”
For a complete photo gallery from the meeting, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
School Board Meeting Leaves Carver/Century Student In Tears
March 6, 2009
Keyvinana Johnson stood at the front of the school cafeteria crying when the Escambia County School Board’s public meeting in Century ended Thursday night.
The Carver/Century seventh grader was pretty sure that the meeting she had just heard was not good news for the school she loves.
“It’s the only place I know,” she said of her beloved Carver/Century K-8 School. “I don’t know what I will do when they close it.”
The school board is scheduled to make the final vote to close the school in just 12 days.
“I love this school. I love the teachers. They help and they understand; they give you more than one chance,” Keyvinana said as she sat down with NorthEscambia.com.
The Carver/Century Blackcats are her life. From track to cheerleading, she’s been involved at Carver/Century and that’s where she hopes to be next year.
But Keyvinana is realistic.
“I think they are going to close it,” she said.
If Carver/Century K-8 School closes, her mom Freedom Thomas says that she will not send Keyvinana to Ernest Ward Middle School.
Thomas works in Milton, and she said she plans to enroll Keyvinana and her siblings, grades six and two, into the Santa Rosa County school system if Carver/Century is closed.
“I work real hard with my children, and I want them to have a good education,” Thomas said. “They have learned more than you can imagine at Carver and have felt safer than you can imagine here.”
She expects that the situation at Ernest Ward would be different for her two middle school age children.
“I think my children would be subject to being rejects at Ernest Ward,” Thomas said. “I will not send my children to that school.”
“I want to stay here,” Keyvinana said. “I love it here.”
Pictured top: Freedom Thomas tried to comfort her daughter Keyvinana Johnson as she cries after a Thursday night school board meeting at Carver/Century K-8 School. Keyvinana was upset that her school will likely close. Pictured middle: Keyvinana wipes tears from her eyes. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Forestry Conducts Controlled Burns
March 6, 2009
Many days over the past week, smoke has been evident across North Escambia from many controlled burns that have been conducted around the area.
Those prescribed or controlled burns play a major role in maintaining the health of Florida’s forests and other natural areas, as well as protecting the safety of residents and visitors, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said.
In 2008, the Florida Cabinet designated the first week in March as “Prescribed Fire Awareness Week.”
“Prescribed Fire is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk,” Bronson said. “Many of our plant and animal communities are dependent on a regular occurrence of fire for a healthy existence. Prescribed fire provides better forage for wildlife and livestock, returns nutrients to the soil, helps to control certain plant diseases, and reduces hazardous fuel buildups.”
According to state wildfire officials, Florida has been certifying prescribed burn managers since 1987, and every five years these individuals must have training and experience to remain certified. There are currently more than 1,500 certified prescribed burn managers in Florida helping to prescribe burn 2 million acres of land annually.
“Florida has one of the most extensive prescribed burning programs in the country and one of the best training programs for its certified prescribed burn managers,” Bronson said.
“Through our Division of Forestry, we promote the reduction of hazardous fuel buildups, especially in our wildland-urban interface areas,” Bronson said. “Prescribed burning helps provide protection to thousands of homeowners across Florida. A good example of this occurred in 2007 when the Bugaboo Fire north of Lake City was contained only after it went into an area that had been regularly prescribed burned.”
For more information about Florida’s Division of Forestry, including information about wildfires, visit the division’s web site at www.fl-dof.com.
Green Eggs And Ham…Bratt Celebrates Dr. Seuss Birthday
March 6, 2009
Students at Bratt Elementary School took part in the Read Across America and celebrated the 105th birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss this week.
In the first grade, students wore Cat In The Hat style hats. They also made edible hats, read stories and took part in other activities to celebrate the birthday of Theodore Geise, better known as Dr. Seuss.
On the morning announcements, first grade teacher Mrs. Trice, talked about Dr. Seuss and read passages from a variety of Dr. Seuss books. Librarian Mrs. Jeter introduced a biography about Dr. Seuss and a Cat In The Hat video that played over the school’s closed circuit television system.
Other classes wore Cat In The Hat paper hats and participated in a variety of activities to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday and promote reading.
For more photos from Mrs. Trice’s class, Mrs. Gilmore’s class and Mrs. Perritt’s class, click here.
Pictured above: Mrs. Trice’s first grade class at Bratt Elementary School celebrates Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.