Seventh Candidate Enters District 5 Escambia Commission Race
April 18, 2008
A seventh candidate has tossed his name into the race for the Escambia County Commission District 5 seat.
Jim Barnett, a resident of Camde Lane in Molino, filed Thursday to run as a Democrat in the race.
Barnett ran unsuccessfully for Congress back in 1994 and followed that with an unsuccessful bid for the District 1 seat on the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority.
Other Democrats in the race are John Hartman of Gonzalez and Georgette Harris of Cantonment.
Republicans in the race are incumbent Kevin White of Molino, Randall McCrackin of Cantonment, Packy Mitchell of Cantonment, and Chris Washler of Cantonment.
The seven will appear on the August 26 primary election. The general election is November 4.
Former Poarch Creek Indian Chief Appears At Century Library
April 18, 2008
Billy Smith, the former chief of the Poarch Creek Indians, delighted children and adults alike Thursday afternoon at the Century Branch Library.
Appearing in traditional dress, Smith (pictured above) spoke to the children about safety with strangers while explaining traditional Indian customs.
“They are young, and we want to set the right example for them,” Smith said of the children.
Along with Douglas Daughtry (pictured left), Smith led the children in a “friendship dance” around the library by playing his traditional antelope skin drum. Smith was in a traditional Western Plains dance costume that he handmade. While his dance at the library lasted just a few moments, he said that competition dances at pow wows can last up to ten minutes.
Smith presented the children with copies of a photograph of him on a horse named Buckshot. He said he has distributed about 800,000 of the postcard photos to children around the country during the last several years.
Smith is the general manager of the Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve, a business enterprise of the Poarch Band Creek Indians. He served 18 years on the Tribal Council and serves on the PCI Gaming Board that is responsible for the new Windcreek Casino development north of Atmore.
“Windcreek” was Smith’s idea for the casino complex name, he said. It is derived from “wind” in the Wind Clan in Atmore and “creek” in Poarch Creek Indians. He was also responsible for the very first Poarch Creek Indian Pow Wow, an event that started on July 4 but was later moved to Thanksgiving weekend.
Pictured below: Children at the library are reflected in a mirror on Daughtry’s traditional Indian dress.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gas, Diesel Hit New Record Prices
April 18, 2008
We probably don’t need to tell you this, but gas is up…again. And diesel is now over $4.00 a gallon. It is becoming a weekly story here on NorthEscambia.com.
The price for a gallon of regular unleaded hit a high of $3.55 a gallon in Century on Thursday. In Molino, that same gallon of gas was selling for $3.49. In Davisville, it was at $3.52.
The highest diesel price NorthEscambia.com found in the area during our informal price survey Thursday afternoon was $4.16 per gallon at a Century station.
Pictured above: This station in Century was selling a gallon of regular unleaded gas for $3.55 a gallon Thursday afternoon and diesel for $4.16 per gallon. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Steeple Back On Church Two Months After Tornado
April 18, 2008
Exactly two months to the day after a tornado ripped the steeple from Highland Baptist Church in Molino, church members gathered Thursday to watch a new steeple once again top the church.
About three dozen Highland members, both adults and children, gathered in the church parking lot to witness a steeple on the church once again reaching toward the heavens.
“It’s just like what Jesus said,” said Highland Pastor Brian Calhoun, “that when the Son of Man is lifted up, I’ll draw all men to You.”
“The empty cross at the top of the new steeple tells us that there is hope in the cross of Christ,” Calhoun said.
Back on February 17, as the tornado destroyed homes in the Crest Lane area and then ripped he steeple off the church, slamming it into cars in the parking lot as 125 worshipers inside Highland took cover in the church fellowship hall.
The new steeple is exactly the same size as the old steeple, and it weighs in at 1,240 pounds.
“I think it’s great that it is back,” Calhoun said.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Drug Raids Lead To Eight Arrests, Seizure Of 50 Dogs
April 17, 2008
Early morning drug raids in several locations in the north half of Escambia County led to eight arrests and the seizure of 50 dogs.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department Narcotic Unit served warrants in the 1000 block of Barth Road north of Molino, the 800 block of Highway 29, the 500 block of Cedar Tree Lane in the Cottage Hill community, the 1700 block of Cedar Point Road also in the Cottage Hill Community, and the 600 block of Booker Street in Cantonment.
The arrests included Jabari D. Smith, 21; Tiakanimi R. Padgett, 25; Joshua Middleton, 19;Reginald D. Tucker, 32; Marvin D. Cooks, 34; Kuan White, 29; Fredrick T. Lee, 27; and Lamario Carter, 23.
All 50 dogs were taken to the Escambia County Animal Shelter. The dogs — 47 pit bull mixes, two Chihuahua mixes and one Husky mix — were not believed to have been involved in any sort of dog fighting, according to authorities. The dogs were seized at the Barth Lane, Cedar Tree Lane and Cedar Pint Road addresses.
A total of 306 grams of marijuana, 47 grams of crack cocaine and 19 grams of powder cocaine were seized.
Smith was charged with two counts of a narcotics violation. His total bond was set at $75,000.
Padgett was charged with multiple drug counts, including possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of cocaine with an intent to sell. His total bond was set at $320,000.
Middleton was charge with two counts of a narcotics violation. His total bond was set at $26,000.
Tucker was charged with four counts of a narcotics violation and possession of drug paraphernalia. His total bond was set at $120,000.
Cooks was charged with three counts of a narcotics violation. His total bond was set at $125,000.
White was charged with one count of a narcotics violation. His bond was set at $10,000.
Lee was charged with two counts of a narcotics violation and one count of trafficking. His total bond was set at $100,000.
Carter was charged with three counts of a narcotics violation, one count of providing false identification to law enforcement and violation of probation. His total bond was set at $56,000.
Deputies also took custody of three chickens.
Ms. Century Care Center Competes In Regional Senior’s Pageant
April 17, 2008
Mrs. Century Care Center, Jimmie (Mozelle) Roberts recently competed in the 8th Annual Ms. Northwest Florida Senior Pageant.
Mrs. Roberts was born in Wedowee, Alabama, on October 28, 1917, to W.L. Smith, a farmer, and Maude Wilson, a homemaker.
The family moved to Florida when Mrs. Roberts was only about six years old. She married Ortho Roberts one day before her seventeenth birthday. He later became a Santa Rosa County Deputy Sheriff, an electrician and a farmer. They were married 52 years before he passed away.
Mrs. Roberts was a Merle Norman representative for 16 years, until her husband became ill.
She has six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Roberts did not win the pageant, “but she put a scare into the competition,” Century Care Center Activities Director Mae Hildreth said.
The pageant was sponsored by the Florida Health Care Association.
Ernest Ward Competes In Track Meet
April 17, 2008
The Ernest Ward Middle School track team recently competed in their first track meet of the season at Woodham High School.
These photos were submitted by Christal Bell. Scroll down to see all photos.
If you have photos from any newsworthy event or sporting event in the North Escambia area, email them to news@northescambia.com
Heather Barrows, Hanna Fiellen, Angel Mitchell and Melissa Moretz
Sam Spence in the long jump.
Heather Barrows in the long jump.
Trey Johnson running the mile.
Angel Mitchell in the mile relay.
Austin Abbriton in the long jump.
Alexis Amerson running the mile.
Angel Mitchell (middle gold shorts) running the 200 meter.
Shane Bushaw in the mile.
Hanna Fiellen long jump.
Northview High Girls Fall To Catholic In District 1-3A Tournament, 5-3
April 16, 2008
The Northview Girls softball team came up short Tuesday night at Catholic, falling 5-3 in the District 1-3A Tournament.
The Chiefs went into the game ranked number two in the district.
In other area games, Tate downed Escambia 8-4 at Escambia in the District 1-5A Tournament at Escambia.
In the 1-2A Tournament at Baker, Vernon beat the Jay Royals 7-3.
Incumbent White Leads Fund Raising For District 5 Escambia Commission Seat
April 16, 2008
Incumbent District 5 Commissioner Kevin White has outpaced his opponents in fund raising so far, raising almost twice the money of the four other candidates combined.
Since his campaign began, White has received $36,715 in cash and in-kind contributions. He had spent $5,200.63 as of March 31.
Republican White reported $2,560 in contributions from January 1 until March 31. He reported $4,768.93 in expenditures during the same period, with most of that money ($4,696.65) going for campaign signs. Other funds were spent by the Republican candidate on bank charges and campaign literature.
Republican candidate Chris Washler had received $5,442.72 in cash and in-kind contributions by the end of March. He had spent most of his funds, $4,330.73. His spending on campaign marketing was a bit more diverse than the other candidates in the race. He bought signs ($1,203.75) like most candidates. But he also spent $797.88 for a website to be designed and hosted, $1,000 for a campaign consultant and $882.75 for literature design and printing.
Democratic challenger John Hartman had a total of $11,097 in cash and in-kind contributions by March 31. He had spend about half that money, $5,290.37, during that same period.
During the most recent reporting period of January 1 to March 31, Hartman raised the bulk of his funds, $9,917.94. During that time, he spent $5,046.73. A majority of that, $3,847.16, was spent on signs and related materials.
Republican Packy Mitchell reported $4020.00 in cash and in-kind contributions and $209.63 in expenditures. The $209.63 was spent on magnetic signs.
Democrat Georgette Harris listed a single contribution to her campaign from herself in the amount of $200. She spent $42.64 on bank checks and petition copies.
Republican Randall McCrackin reported that he had no income and no expenditures during the first quarter of this year. That brings his total contributions and total expenditures during his campaign to exactly zero.
Click here for Kevin White’s first quarter financial report.
Click here for Chris Washler’s first quarter financial report.
Click here for John Hartman’s first quarter financial report.
Click here for Packy Michell’s first quarter financial report.
vClick here for Georgette Harris’ first quarter financial report.
Click here for Randall McCrackin’s first quarter financial report.
Coming later this week on NorthEscambia.com: We will take a look at the finance reports for the other District 5 races.
More NWE Opening Day Photos
April 16, 2008
More Northwest Escambia Opening Day photos have been posted in our photo gallery. The photos were sumitted by Ramona Preston.
The Grizzlies (pictured above) beat the Hammer Heads 8-1 this past on Opening Day this past Saturday.
For more NWE Opening Day photos submitted by Ramona Preston, click here.
If you take photos of games or practices at Walnut Hill, Molino or Century, we’d love to have them. Email them to news@northescambia.com