Major New Boat Ramp Could Come To Perdido River
March 1, 2011
A new major boat ramp could be coming to the Perdido River in the Beulah area.
Thursday night, the Escambia County Commission will consider the purchase of 4.31 acres for $888,500 for the first major public boat ramp site on the Perdido River. The two lots located at 11800 and 10860 will be purchased from Gregory and Linda English, if approved.
Two appraisals were obtained on the property — one by the county, which placed a total value of $665,000 for both parcels; and one by Gregory and Linda English, which placed a total value of $1,112,000 for both parcels. The Gregorys and the county agreed to meet in the middle at the $888,500 price tag.
The purchase will be funded by Local Options Sales Tax (LOST) monies and from vessel registration fees.
Tryouts Thursday For Century Baseball, Softball
March 1, 2011
It’s time to play ball in Century.
Century Little League will hold tryouts for t-ball, major and minor league baseball and softball at Showalter Park on Thursday, March 3rd at 5 p.m. Registration may also be completed at this time.
Lady Chiefs Beat Freeport
February 26, 2011
Both the varsity and junior varsity Northview Lady Chiefs picked up a big wins on the road over Freeport Friday.
The varsity Lady Chiefs downed Freeport 10-1, while the JV Lady Chiefs beat the Bulldogs 18-3.
The JV Lady Chiefs will be in action again next Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 and the varsity Lady Chiefs at 6:00 in Pensacola against Washington High School. Their next home game won’t come until March 10 against the Baker Gators, with the JV at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00.
Escambia County High Out Of State Tourney By Two
February 26, 2011
The Escambia County High School Blue Devils’ state title dreams came to an end Friday afternoon with a loss to Andalusia.
The Andalusia Bulldogs defeated Escambia County High School of Atmore, 59-57, in the South Region semifinals at the USA Mitchell Center in Mobile.
The Bulldogs managed to stop a Blue Devil rally in the final period. The Blue Devils were down by just one — 56-55 — with 18 seconds to go in the game. But a foul sets up Andalusia to make two free throws and expand their lead to 58-55. Atmore closed the gap to 58-57 with just 2.3 seconds left on the clock. The Andy Bulldogs hit one of two from the line for the 59-57 final.
ECHS was led by Cedric Pierce with 16 points, while Dalvin Craft added 11.
The Blue Devils finished their season at 23-8.
Lady Royals Defeat Northview 7-6
February 24, 2011
The Jay Lady Royals defeated the Lady Chiefs of Northview 7-6 in Bratt.
Camille Drive went 44 with a couple of RBI, and Tessa Hendricks had a two-run double for the Royals. Winning pitcher for Jay was Sidney Lowery with seven innings on the mound.
The Lady Royals will travel to Central at 4 p.m. Thursday. The Lady Chiefs will travel to Freeport on Friday, with the JV playing at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00.
WP—Sidney Lowery, 7 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 3K
LP—Duran 3 IP, 6H, 5 R, 3ER, 3 BB, 2K.
Jay Hitters: Camille Drive 4-4, 2 RBI; Olivia Wright 3-4, 2 2B, 2R, 1RBI; Becca Calloway 2-4, 3B, RBI; Ashlyn Geck 2-3; Tessa Hendricks 1-4, 2B, 2 R, 2RBI, 2R.
Bills Aimed At Reducing High School Athlete Head Injuries
February 23, 2011
A coalition advocating for efforts to reduce brain injuries – including traumatic brain injury survivors – is backing legislation in Florida to boost education of athletes, coaches and parents about the warning signs of concussion. The bill would also require doctors to check out players with head injuries before they can go back in a game.
Bills sponsored by Sen. Anitere Flores and Rep. Ronald “Doc” Renuart would require the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt policies keeping youth athletes suspected of sustaining a concussion in a game or practice out until they get cleared by a medical professional to return to action.
Photo Gallery: Ernest Ward Middle Holds Annual Sports Banquet
February 19, 2011
The fifth annual Ernest Ward Middle School Sports Banquet was held Friday night. Students were honored for their participation in football, cheerleading, volleyball, basketball and swimming.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
The students honored included:
Football
- MVP Offense: Jaran Myles
- MVP Defense: Cameron Newsome
- Coaches Award: Aaron McDonald
- The entire team was honored for an undefeated season.
Boys Basketball:
- MVP: Cameron Newsome
Girls Basketball
- Team Members: Angel Lathan, Annie Bobo, Samantha Sharpless, Allison Woodfin, Jada Tucker, Jensyn Warner, Haley Brown, Mallory Ryan, Abbie Johnson, DeAsia Fountain, Penny Banda, Autumn Albritton, Brianna Parker and Teamber Moorer.
- MVP: Angel Lanthan
Volleyball
- Best Server: Kyndall Hall (62 points)
- Team Captain/Leadership Award: Mallory Ryan
- Best All Around: Reagan Bell
- Most Improved: Mallory Gibson
- Team Members: Mallory Ryan, Leah Fischer, Reagan Bell, Kristen Byrd, Brianna Parker, Kyndall Hall, Peighton Dortch, Kendal Cobb, Jadlyn Bodiford, Domonique Brown, Mallory Gibson, Lorri Harrell, McKenzie Nasser, Autumn Albritton, Courtney Grim, Deandre Johnson and Kaitlyn Abbott.
Cheerleading
- Most Outstanding Performer: Danielle Robinson
- Best All-Around: Hannah Gibson
- Most Improved: BrittneyWard
- Team Members: Hanna Gibson, Morgan Ward, Reagan Bell, MalloryRyan, Kendal Cobb, Kristen Byrd, Jessica McCollough, Kamryn Brock, Kaitlyn Abbott, Jadlyn Agerton, Dariane Guy, Brittney Ward, Danielle Robinson and Jamia Newton.
(Names and sports provided by the coaches.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Hurricanes Fall In Sub-Regionals By Single Point
February 19, 2011
A heartbreaking loss for the Flomaton Hurricanes Friday night — the ‘Canes lost by one to Elba in the 2011 AHSAA Class 2A boys state basketball playoff sub-regionals in Flomaton.
Elba defeated the Canes 82-81.
The area champion Flomaton Hurricanes went into Friday night’s game off a playoff 66-37 win over Mobile Christian and a 60-58 win over Cottage Hill.
Pictured: The Flomaton High School Hurricanes. Submitted photo Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lady Canes Fall In Sub-Regionals
February 18, 2011
The Flomaton Lady Hurricanes fell to Samson Thursday night in the 2011 AHSAA Class 2A girls state basketball playoff sub-regionals.
The Samson Tigers defeated the Flomaton Lady ‘Canes 71-69 in Flomaton.
Flomaton went into the game as area champs, 2-0 in tournament play coming off a 59-25 win over J.U. Blacksher and a 47-33 win over Mobile Christian.
Pictured: The Flomaton High School Lady Canes. Submitted photo Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Arrest Made: Auburn Toomer’s Corner Oaks Poisoned, Unlikely To Survive (With Radio Show Caller Audio)
February 16, 2011
Auburn University confirmed Wednesday that an herbicide commonly used to kill trees was deliberately applied in lethal amounts to the soil around the Toomer’s Corner live oaks on campus, and there is little chance to save the trees.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Department arrested Harvey Almorn Updyke Jr., 62, Thursday morning and charged him with a felony count of criminal mischief in the first degree. Updyke, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Department, is a unemployed resident of Dadeville, Ala. Updyke, who attended Milton High School, was being held on $50,000 bond.
The university learned that a caller to The Paul Finebaum Show, a nationally syndicated radio show based in Birmingham, on Jan. 27, claimed he had applied the herbicide. (Click at bottom of page to listen to audio.) As a precaution, soil samples were taken the next day and sent to the Alabama State Pesticide Residue Laboratory on campus for analysis. Due to a small fire that occurred in the Alabama lab in December, the tests were sent to the lab at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Miss., to expedite results.
The City of Auburn Police Division is investigating the situation, and the application of this herbicide, known as Spike 80DF, or tebuthiuron, is also governed by state agricultural laws and the Environmental Protection Agency. The university does not use Spike herbicide.
The lowest amount detected was 0.78 parts per million, described by horticulture experts as a “very lethal dose.” The highest amount detected was 51 parts per million, or 65 times the lowest dose. Experts believe a normal application by itself would have been enough to kill the trees, which are estimated to be more than 130 years old.
“We are assessing the extent of the damage and proceeding as if we have a chance to save the trees,” said Gary Keever, an Auburn University professor of horticulture and a member of Auburn’s Tree Preservation Committee. “We are also focused on protecting the other trees and shrubs in Samford Park. At this level the impact could be much greater than just the oaks on the corner, as Spike moves through the soil to a wide area.” Additional tests are being completed to determine the movement and extent of the area affected, Keever said.
The removal process involves digging trenches and applying activated charcoal to absorb the herbicide from the soil and block its progress. A representative from Dow Chemical, which manufactures the herbicide, is advising the university on removal procedures, and expert horticulturalists are also being consulted.
“We will take every step we can to save the Toomer’s oaks, which have been the home of countless celebrations and a symbol of the Auburn spirit for generations of Auburn students, fans, alumni and the community,” said University President Jay Gogue.
Gogue asked members of the Auburn Family to “continue to be ‘All In’ in upholding its reputation for class” and not allow anger to be expressed inappropriately or undeservedly.
“It is understandable to feel outrage in reaction to a malicious act of vandalism,” Gogue said. “However, we should live up to the example we set in becoming national champions and the beliefs expressed in our Auburn Creed. Individuals act alone, not on behalf of anyone or any place, and all universities are vulnerable to and condemn such reprehensible acts.”
Pictured top: Toomer’s oaks rolled after the BCS Championship Game. Pictured inset: The Toomer’s oaks today. Pictured bottom inset: Toomer’s corner in the 1890’s. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.