Free Clothing Available Today In Jay
September 5, 2009
The Community Clothes Closet will be open today from 9 until noon at the Jay Community Center.
Everything is free for those in need. For more information, contact Wendy at (850) 686-6124
Marty Blackmon Green
September 4, 2009
Mrs. Marty Blackmon Green, 44, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2009 in McDavid, FL.
Marty was a native of Jacksonville, FL, a former resident of Bratt, FL, and a resident of McDavid, FL for the past 10 years. Preceded in death by Joe “Pops” Roley Jr., a daughter, Tawaika Lee Bell, Mother-in-law, Louise Green and Daddy, W.D. Blackmon Jr.
Survivors include: Her husband, Greg Green of McDavid, FL; Her son, Blake Green of McDavid, FL.; Her daughter, Blaze Green of McDavid, FL.; a special daughter, Alexis Roach of McDavid, FL.; Her mother, Linda Roley of Bratt, FL.; Her dad, Jim and Donna Bass of Memphis, TN.; Her grandmother, Mildred Bass of Memphis, TN.; four Brothers, Slick Roley, Joe Roley and Gary Roley, all of Bratt, FL., James Bass of Memphis, TN.; and three Sisters, Michelle McCurdy of Bratt,FL., Michelle Yoon and Mandy Bass both of Memphis, TN.; a special sister, Val Mickel of Bratt, FL. Her lifelong best friend, Lisa Kelley of McDavid, FL., a special niece, Melissa Chavers of Walnut Hill, FL.; and a number of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 6, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Bennie Stokes officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday September 5, 2009 between 6:00 and 9:00 P.M. at the Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Kenneth Roley, John Roley, Craig Lowery, Bo McGhee, Randall Barnett, and Gary Green.
The Chief Rides Again: Mascot Returns To Northview High
September 4, 2009
The crowd roared as sophomore Raylin Spence and her horse Sammy thundered into the Northview High School football stadium Thursday night during the annual Meet the Chiefs night.
A giant Northview flag was blowing in the wind as they raced around the football field as Chiefs fans marked the return of a mascot to high school football at Northview.
“I’ve very excited,” Raylin said. “This will get some more school spirit going on at Northview for sure.”
Friday night’s Northview season opener will be the first time the NHS Chiefs have had a mascot at a football game in several years.
Pictured above: Northview’s new mascot races across the Northview football field Thursday night. Pictured below: Raylin Spence and her horse Sammy. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Funeral Services Announced For Mrs. Marty Green
September 4, 2009
Marty Green, 44, of Bratt, the cancer patient that we introduced you to about a month ago, passed away Thursday.
She is survived by husband Greg; daughter Blaze, 16; and son Blake 12. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Bennie Stokes officiating. Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery. Visitation will be held Saturday from 6 until 9 p.m. at Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
For the complete obituary, click here.
“It might be his plan to send a message to all those out there to take better care of themselves, and get their faith straight. You never know when it is your time to go,” she said in our late July interview. There was a long pause as she gathered her strength to continue. It was hard to say the next words.
“Don’t take for granted that you will see your kids grown.”
Click here to read the July 30 story — “Don’t Take For Granted That You Will See Your Kids Grown” — featuring Marty Green.
No “Kiddie Tax” County Fee For Youth Sports
September 4, 2009
The Escambia County Commission rejected a $10 per child youth sports fee, but they did vote to increase several other recreation fees at the their Thursday night meeting.
Currently, athletic associations that use county-owned parks for little league sports do not pay for the use of the parks. Instead, the athletic associations maintain and manage the parks in exchange for their use. But under a proposal considered by the Escambia County Commission Thursday night, athletic associations would have been assessed a fee of $10 per child, per sport after October 1.
With two of four county commissioners at Thursday’s meeting speaking out in opposition against the plan, it failed to get the majority vote needed to pass.
The plan would have pumped about $30,000 into the county’s general fund to help pay salaries in the parks and recreation department.
But commissioners Kevin White and Wilson Robertson voiced strong opposition to the plan that became dubbed by some as the “kiddie tax”.
“What we are trying to do is have all of our recreation fees pay for all of our recreation staff,” Keith Wilkins, deputy bureau chief Neighborhoods and Community Services, said, adding that two of four positions have already been cut from his department. He said the county’s adult sports programs do pay for themselves, but youth sports do not.
The youth leagues mow their fields and do the upkeep on their parks, except for major repairs, he said.
“So when they say ‘hey we are doing all of the work’, to them they are doing all work on a daily basis,” Wilkins said at a Thursday morning agenda review meeting. “There is a cost incurred that they don’t see.” With no funds from the youth leagues going to the county, Wilkins said the county’s costs are not covered for managing their 19 associations. He said their are other costs, including “ownership of the land…we do own the land that we lease to them at $1 a year”.
“The biggest argument I’ve gotten so far is that it is going to reduce the players because of income…that’s been a big blow,” Young said.
“I understand that there is a concern there, particularly for the less affluent neighborhoods that it would put an undue burden on them,” Wilkens said. “You’re right, it could have an effect.”
Other Recreation Fees Increase
The commission did vote to increase the rental fee for park pavilions from $25 to $30.
Commissioners also votes for fee increases for county-operated adult athletic league teams by $50. A new fee for high school soccer games at Brosnaham Park will be imposed at $50 for day games or $75 for night games. Building fees, such as using a press box or concession stand, were also increased by $10.
Photo Gallery: Hundreds Turn Out To Meet The Chiefs
September 4, 2009
Hundreds of people turned out Thursday night to Meet the Chiefs at Northview High School.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Football Preview
September 4, 2009
First-year Northview High School Head Football Coach Sid Wheatley has been looking forward to this day, and he’s confident that it will be good one.
The Chiefs open their football season tonight against Graceville, and Wheatley is ready.
“You always start the year a little nervous,” he said Thursday night. “But I feel like we have worked hard, and we are in great shape. We are ready.”
He has worked as an assistant coach at Northview for the past four years, so he knows the young men that will suit up in the garnet and gold, and they know him. It was a good, ready to work relationship when Wheatley took over as head coach just three weeks before the season’s first game.
Friday night’s final score, Wheatley said, will depend on just a few factors.
“It’s a matter of execution,” he said. “We just need to limit our mistakes, play smart and play hard.”
The Chiefs, who were 2-8 last season, will have one really big challenge tonight against Graceville, 8-3 last year. His name is Leron Hoover, a 230 pound running back that had 1,200 yards last year as Graceville advanced all the way to regionals.
Perhaps the Chief’s big strong point is 20 seniors in this year’s lineup, and Wheatley said those seniors have been instrumental in providing leadership and motivation for the entire team. Seniors to watch this season include John Sellars, Anthony Pierce, Brian Knight and Austin Cooper.
Chris Sheets is expected to be a standout this year at defensive back/wide receiver. Sheets had 36 tackles, one interception and 564 yards receiving last season. His brother Brandon Sheets, a sophomore, will be snapping the ball as quarterback for the Chiefs. Senior Brad Lowery will also have the QB job this year.
Austin Arrington, Shakel Holmes, Ka’Daris Grice and Aaron Chancery, Sameul Cooler, Tarus Thomas, and Montaio Mitchell will be other names likely to heard a lot on the stadium’s public address system.
The Chiefs are a classification lower this year, meaning more district games. Northview is now Class 2A District 1 with Jay, Baker, Vernon, Sneeds, Freeport, Holmes County, South Walton and Bozeman.
“We are excited about the new class; it will bring a lot of excitement,” Wheatley said. “It is going to be a very competitive district. We are going to work and put ourselves were we want to be.”
A big highlight of the new district will be the mid-season October 23 game at Jay. The Royals are an old rival, but the two teams have not met since 2004. Jay won that game 27-7.
Northview’s first district game is a week away on September 11 at home against South Walton.
Pictured above: The seniors for the Chiefs: (front row, L-R) Phillip Coon, Casey Hare, Steven Long, Sam Cooler, Coach Sid Wheatley, Austin Cooper, Lance Yuhasz, Shakel Holmes, Chris Sheets, Dayton Porter; (back row, L-R) James Shook, Devin Moorer, Ka’Daris Grice, Aaron Chancery, Wesley Morris, Anthony Pierce, Brian Knight, John Sellars, Seth Leonard, Jeremy Jackson, Brad Lowery. Submitted photo by Lisa Chancery for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured inset: Northview Head Coach Sid Wheatley Thursday at night at the annual Meet the Chiefs event. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Some Lake Stone Fees Increasing, But Seniors And The Disabled Get A Break
September 4, 2009
The Escambia Commission is raising some camping rates at Lake Stone, but senior citizens and the disabled from Escambia County will not pay a higher rate.
While the park current breaks even — generating enough revenue to pay for its operation — Keith Wilkins, deputy bureau chief Neighborhoods and Community Services, said the increased fees to help fund a position in the department to oversee Lake Stone and other parks.
Robertson said he was against raising the residential senior citizen and disabled rates at Lake Stone.
“That is a group that really we should not be taxing is seniors and disabled,” Robertson said. “I know that people enjoy the senior’s years going up there and enjoying Lake Stone. If it’s breaking even, I certainly feel different than if we were subsidizing.”
“I don’t see the need to raise the fee at Lake Stone again,” White said. Fees at the facility were last raised in 2007. “You are at more than what it costs to stay at Blue Angel recreation facility which has more to offer than Lake Stone does.”
With the increases passed by the Escambia County Commission Thursday night, Escambia County residents will now pay $16 per night for Lake Stone camping instead of $13, and out of county residents would see the cost jump from $15 to $18. Seniors and disabled residents will not see a fee increase.
Are You Going To A Football Game Tonight? Take Your Camera!
September 4, 2009
If you are going to a football game tonight — we want you to take your camera and send us pictures.
Whether you will be going to the Northview, Flomaton, Escambia Academy or Escambia County High School game, NorthEscambia.com wants your pictures. (Jay is off this week — but we will be looking for Royals fan photos next week.)
Email your photos to news@northescambia.com and you just might see them in a photo gallery here Saturday or Sunday morning. Game action, cheerleaders, bands, fans in the stands or just you and your friends cheering on your team…we want all kinds of photos.
And don’t forget the scores and stats — we want those too.
It’s your chance to join the NorthEscambia.com Sports Team.
(And, if you are interesting in being a real sports reporter or photographer, send us an email. We want talk to you; email us.)
Volleyball: Northview Beats Escambia County And W.S. Neal
September 4, 2009
Northview High School beat two Alabama schools on the volleyball court Thursday afternoon in Atmore.
In their first match, the Lady Chiefs beat Escambia County High School of Atmore, 25-10 25-7. In the second match, Northview beat W.S. Neal High School of Brewton, 25-19, 25-23.
Northview’s Lady Chiefs are now 2-1 overall, 0-1 in district play.
Northview over Escambia County (Atmore) 25-10, 25-7
Raylin Spence 10 Left Side Aces-2, Digs-2
Shaniqua Jones 11 Middle/Right Kills-2, Aces-1,
Caitlin Hall 12 Setter Assists-3, Kills-2, Aces-1
Angela Rodriguez 12 Left/Middle Kills-2, Aces-3
Northview over. W.S. Neal 25-19, 25-23
Shawn Montgomery 11 M Kills-7, Aces-1, Blocks-2
Shaniqua Jones 11 Middle/Right Kills-2, Assists-3
Caitlin Hall 12 Setter Assists-3, Blocks-1
Angela Rodriguez 12 Left/Middle Aces-3, Blocks-1
Northview will be at home in Bratt against Baker Tuesday afternoon for district games. The JV hits the court at 5:00, and the varsity plays at 6:00.