Council On Aging Caregiver Support Meeting Thursday
October 14, 2009
Council on Aging of West Florida will host a Century Caregiver Support Group Meeting at 6 p.m Thursday.
The support group is part of new Council on Aging of West Florida programs designed to reduce stress, increase coping skills, provide strategies for effective management of care giving tasks and enable caregivers to provide high quality care in the home. The programs are sponsored by Council on Aging of West Florida, the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging.
There is no cost and the public is invited. Reservations are not required. Beginning with the October meeting, the group will meet at a new location, Century Care Center 6020 Industrial Blvd. The group meets on the third Thursday of each month at the same time and location. County residency is not required to attend.
For more information, call 432-1475.
Varsity Chiefs Beat Jay; JV Royals Beat Northview
October 14, 2009
The Northview Lady Chiefs took on the Jay Royals on the volleyball court Tuesday afternoon.
The varsity Chiefs swept the Royals in three games, while the NHS JV fell to Jay in two games.
For a photo gallery from the JV game, click here.
Northview Vs Jay – Varsity
25-11, 25-14, 25-14
**Northview Winning**
Shawna Montgomery 11 M Kills-6, Aces-3, Blocks-2
Caitlin Hall 12 Setter Assists–14, Digs-1,Blocks–1,Aces-7, Kills-1
Angela Rodriguez 12 LS/Middle Kills-2, Digs -2, Aces-4, Block-1
Danielle Martin 12 LS Kills – 3, Digs-1, Blocks-1
Record – Overall –6 -15; District 3 -4
Northview Vs Jay – JV
15-25, 18-25
** Jay Winning**
Trestine Dean 11 Setter Assists – 4, Aces-2
Morgan Payne 09 Middle/Setter Aces – 3, Kills -3
Josie Doucette 10 Middle Kills – 2
Pictured above: JV volleyball action Tuesday afternoon between Northview and Jay. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
And They’re Off: Evers Leads Senate Race Dollars
October 14, 2009
With the Florida Senate District 2 election 10 months away, the campaign coffers of the three candidates continue to grow. The candidates have also begin to spend money on advertising, sponsorships and supplies. And one candidate has spent over $3,000 on food, travel and hotel rooms at places like the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota.
Two House members are hoping to move up the Senate chambers and seat being vacated by Rep. Durell Peaden. With 10 years in the Senate, Peaden is not running again due to term limits.
Republican Reps. Greg Evers and Dave Murzin are in the race, as is Walter “Mike” Hill, a Pensacola insurance agent. There could more candidates in the race by election day; qualifying does not end for several more months.
Campaign finance reports due Tuesday show that Evers is leading the fund-raising race by large margin. As of September 30, Evers reported that he had raised $162,220.63. Murzin reported $46,279.01, and Hill had raised $28,095.
By September 30, Murzin had spent the most money — $16,217.52 — in the bid for the District 2 seat that includes all of two counties and most of five others, including the northern three-quarters of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Most of Murzin’s expenditures were for advertising, sponsorships and office related expenses. His largest expense to date was $1,100 for “video production”.
Evers spent $13,977.87 by the end of September, mostly on sponsorships, advertising and supplies. His largest expenses were $2,000 to sponsor rodeos in Baker and at Tate High School. He paid $2,000 for a web site and purchased $7,500 worth of campaign cards.
Hill spent $6,917.01 during the same period. The majority of Hill’s expenses were for airfare, hotel rooms and travel. His campaign finance reports show $3,129.68 in food and travel expenses. Hill spent the money on airfare to and hotel rooms in Georgia, Sarasota, Tallahassee and Destin. While in Sarasota, Hill paid $641.93 for a room and food over a three day period at the Ritz Carlton. Other travel and food expenses included $591.25 for catering from Nancy’s Haute Affairs in Pensacola and $552.40 to Delta Airlines.
Century, NWE Youth Players, Cheerleaders Invited To Northview ‘Future Chiefs’ Night
October 14, 2009
(CORRECTION) The Northview High School Quarterback Club would like to recognize future Chiefs before this Friday night’s home football game.
The Quarterback Club is inviting all Northwest Escambia and Century youth football players and cheerleaders to attend the game. The players should wear their jerseys and cheerleaders should wear their uniforms. The players and cheerleaders are asked to arrive by 6 p.m.; they will be introduced at 6:30 p.m.
The Northview Chiefs will host the Freeport Bulldogs at 7 p.m. Friday.
For more information, contact David Bell at (850) 256-5266.
Editor’s note: This story corrects one published earlier that said players would be admitted free. We were provided erroneous information.
Police Ask For Public’s Help In Finding Double Shooting Suspect
October 14, 2009
Atmore Police are asking for the public’s help in finding a man they say shot two people — including a juvenile shot in the back.
Charles Franklin Jones, 21, of Atmore, is wanted in connection with the shootings Saturday night. At 9:09 p.m. the Atmore Police Department received calls that shots had been fired on Jones Street in Atmore.
“The responding officer was one block away when he arrived at the scene where he found four males running south on Jones Street,” said Director of Public Safety Glenn Carlee. The approaching officer discovered that two of the four males had been shot.
James Hudson Jr., 20, suffered a gunshot wound to his upper leg. He was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital and then transferred by helicopter to the USA Medical Center in Mobile. The second victim, a juvenile, was shot in the back. He was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital and transferred by helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Both victims were released the following day.
The four males were walking on Jones Street when Charles Jones approached Hudson. “Jones then allegedly shot Hudson in the upper leg, as the remaining individuals began to run, Jones then fired his weapon three more times striking the juvenile in the back,” Carlee said.
“Investigators have spoken with Charles Jones by telephone where he indicated that he would turn himself in to police, but has failed to do so,” Carlee said. An arrest warrant has been issued for Charles Jones for assault first degree.
Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Jones or that has information on the incident is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.
Pictured: Charles Franklin Jones in a September 2007 file photo. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blog: Pensacola’s Population Down; Government Spending Up $20 Million, Pensions Up $10 Million
October 14, 2009
The City of Pensacola will vote in November on establishing a new city charter that supporters believe will give residents more control over city government.
“Under the present charter, Pensacola voters have very little power. A voter can not impact the direction, programs or initiatives of Pensacola government, without the consent of the city manager and his staff,” Pensacola Independent News Publisher Rick Outzen explained on his “Rick’s Blog”. “The power is with an unelected staff.”
Under Pensacola’s proposed charter, government would be a mayor-council form of government, removing the city manager and his staff from power.
On his Rick’s Blog, Outzen has compiled some interesting statistics about Pensacola under a city manager form of government.
- Personnel costs are up $17.3 million — 37 percent — despite a reduction in staff
- Pensions costs have jumped in just seven years from $3 million to $13 million
- Population is down; Pensacola is smaller now that it was in 1960. Escambia County’s population increased 35 percent in the same time period.
Oh, and by the way, Pensacola is about to issue $45.6 million in bonds for a maritime park. If you want in on the action, you can purchase municipal bonds in $5,000 increments. Your money is guaranteed and will earn a few percentage points in interest — if the city has money to make payments in the future.Why are we reporting this on NorthEscambia.com? If the currently seated Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission drafts a plan to consolidate Pensacola, Century and Escambia County into one government, it will be presented to voters next year. If it should be approved, everyone in Escambia County, including all of us in North Escambia and Century, would suddenly live in Pensacola.
Over the coming weeks, we will work to bring you stories and insight into Pensacola government since North Escambia could soon be in Pensacola. It could be your future city of residence, so we thought you would like to know.
Your comments are welcome below.
Read more Pensacola charter coverage on Rick’s Blog.
Good Chance Of Rain Today
October 14, 2009
There’s a good chance of showers and maybe even a thunderstorm for your Wednesday, with rain chances continuing through Thursday night.
A strong cold front will clear the rain out Thursday night, and a dry north wind will usher in cooler temperatures by Friday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 81. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. West wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 71. North wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 72. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. North wind around 10 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 70.
- Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 50.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Child Found Dead In Trash; Two Other Children Hospitalized After Being Home Alone For Two Days
October 13, 2009
(Updated) An Escambia County woman is charged with leaving her three young children home alone for two days with nothing to eat except six cups of Jello. One child, an 18-month old girl, was found dead in a trashcan at the woman’s home.
Christian Rochelle Woods, 21, is jailed for manslaughter and two counts of child abuse in connection with the incident that authorities said started when she left the children alone Saturday morning as she went to work in Mobile. When she returned about 48 hours later, she fabricated a story that the children were missing.
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said Woods was in jail 12 hours before admitting that Myleahya Woods (pictured left) was dead in a trashcan at her home.
Myleahya ’s twin sister, Mykayhala (pictured right) and Jaterius Woods, 2, are recovering in an area hospital from pneumonia and malnutrition. The children showed obvious signs of abuse, according to Morgan.
According to deputies, Woods called the sheriff’s office from a Winn Dixie on Mobile Highway about 2:30 Monday afternoon to reported Mykayhala as missing. As investigators followed up on leads, they contacted one of Woods’ relatives who stated that he has just retrieved another of Woods’ childre, two-year old Jaterius. When deputies saw the little boy, they observed a bump on his head and other signs of abuse, according to arrest reports.
“The home did not have any power or running water, and there was no food in the home,” ESCO Investigator Troy Brown wrote in the arrest report. “The home was filthy and there were several roaches throughout the home. The victim’s diaper was completely full of urine and waste and the victim had a very large bruise on his forehead”
The discovery of Jaterious alone in the filthy home lead to Wood’s arrest on aggravated child abuse charges.
When Woods told deputies about the other two children being at the home twelve hours after her arrest, they immediately responded. That’s where they found Mykayhala severely malnourished.
“Mykayla was discovered under a bed in the home. Initially investigators believed this child was also deceased but investigators observed the child’s eyes flutter and immediately recovered the child,” ESCO Sgt. Ted Roy said.
According to ESCO arrest reports, Woods admitted in a sworn statement that “she did leave all three of her children in her home with no supervison for approximately three days..(and that) they were left without adequate food and basic utilities”.
“Obviously shocked” is how Morgan described his reaction to the case.
Christian Woods is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Click here to read Wood’s arrest reports (pdf).
Pictured top: Myleahya Woods (left) was found dead in trashcan Monday. Her twin sister Mykayhala is in critical condition in a Pensacola hospital after being found comatose. Pictured bottom inset: Christian Rochelle Woods is in jail charged with the crime. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Visit The Pumpkin Patch
October 13, 2009
Fall is in the air in Cantonment — the Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch is now open at the corner of Highway 29 and Neal Road. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available, with some priced as low as $1.
For more photos from the pumpkin patch, click here.
Pictured and below: The Allen Memorial Pumpkin Patch in Cantonment. Submitted photos by Deni Deron for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
JV Chiefs Fall To West Florida
October 13, 2009
The JV Northview Chiefs lost to the West Florida High Jaguars Monday night.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
The Jags were the first on the board on a rainy night in Bratt. With a 10 yard run up the middle and good two point conversion, West Florida Tech held an 8-0 lead with 1:50 to go in the first quarter.
With 6:35 to go in the second quarter, the Chiefs began a scoring drive. A two-yard run from freshman Reid Bell put the Chiefs at third and a long two. Add in a 13-yard run from Harold Harrison, and the Chiefs were first and goal from the one with 6:01 to go in the half.
Chance Jackson, a sophomore tried to head up the middle to the end zone, but fell short. A movement call against the Chiefs backed them up to the Jags’ six. Jamie Gafford sweep to the right side picked up about two for the Chiefs.
Harrison drove up the middle again, to put NHS back on the one-yard line. On third and one, sophomore Hunter Black was in for the first Chiefs’ TD of the night. On the point after attempt, Harrison was up and over a pile of Jags for two. That tied the game at 8-8 with 3:57 remaining in the half.
But with just 3.8 seconds to go in the half, West Florida Tech scored again with an 11-yard run. A missed point after, and West Florida was up 14-8 headed into halftime.
In the third quarter, Gafford picked up about 40 yards to put the Chiefs back in scoring range at first and 10 on the Jags’ 33. On the next down, Harrison picked up a Chiefs TD with an impressive 33-yard run. The Chief went for two and failed, putting the game back into a tie at 14-14 with 6:31 on the clock in the third.
The Jags struck again with 3:15 to go in the fourth with a touchdown and a successful two point conversion, giving West Florida Tech a 22-14 lead.
The Chiefs recovered a Jags fumble at the West Florida 27 with 1:39 to go in the game. On the Chiefs first down, quarterback Jacob Gibson was caught deep in the backfield. He attempted to throw the ball away, but it was intercepted by the Jags on the Chiefs 48 with 49.4 seconds in the game. The Jags ran out the clock by taking a knee, ending the game with a 22-14 West Florida JV win over Northview.
The JV Chiefs have one game remaining on their regular season schedule. They will travel to J.U. Blacksher next Monday night at 6:00.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
Pictured top: The Chiefs’ Reid Bell picks up yardage against West Florida Tech Monday night in Bratt. Pictured top inset: Harold Harrison sprintsf on a 33-yard touchdown run for the Chiefs. Pictured bottom inset: Jamie Gafford on the run for the Chiefs. Pictured bottom: Harrison dives in for a touchdown (just as a referee runs into the photo). NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
