Century’s 108th Birthday Bash Today
April 18, 2009
There will be a really big “Birthday Bash” to celebrate the 108th birthday of Century, and you are invited to attend the day-long free festivities today.
The Alger-Sullivan Historical Society will present Century’s 108th Birthday Bash beginning at 8:30 Saturday morning at the Historical Park in Century’s Historical District on Jefferson Avenue.
The event will feature several musical and entertainment groups including Sons of the Pines, Atmore’s Southern Pride Dancers, Rolling Tide’s Old-Timey Music, the Pilgrim Lodge Youth Choir and more.
There will also be civil war re-enactors, displays from the Flomaton Area Railroad Museum, Indian artifacts on display, crafts, yard sale items and more.
A complete selection of food will be available for purchase, including barbecue sandwiches, hot dogs, homemade fudge, cold soft drinks and more.
For more information, call (251) 765-2629.
Former Florida House Speaker Heads To Jail
April 18, 2009
The former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives was booked into the Leon County Jail Friday afternoon after being indicted by a grand jury on a third-degree felony charge of official misconduct.
The Leon County grand jury found that Ray Sampson allowed $6 million in funding go to Northwest State College for what was supposed to be an educational building but turned out to be an airport hanger. The college’s president, Bob Richburg, was also indicted Friday.
Samson ended up wit ha $110,000 a year job at the college, a job that the grand jury discovered was never advertised and was just part-time.
The college was originally scheduled to get just$1 million in state funds, but it was eventually awarded over $25 million on Sampson’s request, the grand jury found.
Samson was released from the Leon County Jail on his own recognizance Friday afternoon shortly after being booked.
“Because I am innocent of these charges, I will be vindicated at trial,” a statement issued by Samspon said. “As a legislator, I have always worked hard for my constituents and my district to bring needed projects and funding to the Panhandle.”
Pictured: The Leon County Jail mug shot of former Florida House Speaker Ray Sampson taken when he was booked into that facility Friday afternoon.
Deputies Searching For Missing Man
April 18, 2009
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department is asking for your help in locating a missing Pensacola man.
Glen Wayne Albert, 56, was last seen March 21 in the 2600 block of Michigan Avenue in Pensacola.
He was last seen wearing a white tank top, black jeans, black zip-up sweatshirt and white tennis shoes. Mr. Albert may be carrying a firearm. His whereabouts are unknown at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Escambia Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Murder In Byrneville? Find Out Tonight
April 17, 2009
Eccentric Millionaire, Albert Doornale has invited all of his close friends to his estate; including his ex-wife Abigail, his current fiancee Candace Bombay, and his childhood friend, Salvatore Carbone.
Everyone arrives at the estate greeted by the grumpy butler, Mortimer, and cutlery carrying cook, Ms. Morganford. The only problem is Albert is not there, no one has seen him… not his nerdy niece, Edwina, or his socially spoiled daughter, Pricilla.
None of the guests have any idea why they are there or what happened to their host. That is until blood is found in the upstairs bathroom. Was Albert killed and carried away? In the nick of time, Inspector Bukowski arrives on the scene. A murder investigation will begin, as soon as a body is found. It may be a long wait.
The Byrneville Elementary and Byrneville Friends Relay for Life teams will present “Death of Doornail” dinner theater tonight at 7:00. Tickets are $10.00 in advance and $12.00 at the door. Spaghetti dinner included. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Advance tickets are available at Byrneville Elementary.
Pictured front: (L-R) Bernice played by Lisa Anderson, Stanley played by Joy Walker. Sitting: (L-R) Albert Doornale played by Liz Delcambre, Abigail Doornale played by Dee Wolfe-Sullivan. Standing: (L-R) Inspector Bukowski played by Susan Diamond, Edwina played by Alisa Wood, Mortimer played by Tame Dunsford, Ms. Morganford played by Deana Weaver, Narrator played by Stephanie Gilmore, Candace Bambay played by Krystal McDaniel, Pricilla Doornale played by Jacke Johnston and Salvator Carbone played by Candi Thornton. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Accused Child Sex Offender Enters Not Guilty Plea; Case Set For Trial
April 17, 2009
A Bratt man arrested for allegedly abusing two girls — one just five years old — entered a plea of not guilty via his attorney Thursday in Escambia County Circuit Court.
Jody Posey, 71, of 7100 North Pine Road, was arrested in early March by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and charged with three felony child sexual abuse charges.
Posey was not present in court Thursday as his attorney entered the not guilty plea on Posey’s behalf on all charges. The case was set for a July 27 trial.
He was originally held without bond, but Circuit Judge Michael Allen approved a bond reduction request in the case. Posey remains free on $200,000 bond.
A five-year old girl told investigators that Posey had been “massaging her privates”. The molestation allegedly occurred on multiple occasions over some period of time, according to authorities. The most recent molestation reported by the five-year old was January 9. The girl told officials that Posey told her she would go to jail if she told anyone about the incidents.
Posey was also charged for inappropriately touching a now 16-year girl several times over the last few years. Court records show that the ongoing abuse of the now 16-year old occurred from 2002 to 2006 — when the girl was as young as nine years old.
If convicted, Posey faces up to life in prison.
Ernest Ward Names 2009-2010 Cheerleaders
April 17, 2009
The National Champion Ernest Ward Middle School Cheerleaders have named their 2009-2010 squad.
This year’s squad includes 24 girls. Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said that 20 girls are allowed on a competition squad. With 24 members, the school have alternates in case of injury.
In addition, she said such a large squad will allow the cheerleaders to be split into smaller groups to cheer at events like basketball games, meaning that the girls will miss less homework time because of cheering.
The members of the 2009-2010 Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders are:
- Jadlyn Agerton
- Mariah Albritton
- Madison Arrington
- Sanala Banks
- Reagan Bell
- Kristen Byrd
- Katelynne Calloway
- Lana Clayton
- Kendall Cobb
- Anna Fischer
- Saige Garrett
- Hannah Gibson
- Tamara Green
- Dariane Guy
- Paeton Hadley
- Ali Martin
- Danielle Robinson
- Mallory Ryan
- Lily Townson
- Chelsea Ward
- Morgan Ward
- Courtney Weaver
- Raven Weaver
- Mallory Wiggins
Winning Lottery Ticket Sold In Century
April 17, 2009
Somebody that purchased a “Fantasy 5″ lottery ticket at the Century Kwik Stop in Century is $10,889.32 richer after Wednesday’s drawing.
The winning numbers in Wednesday night’s Florida Lottery “Fantasy Five” drawing were 01 – 07 – 14 – 21 – 28. There were 22 players that matched all five winning numbers, and they will share the $239,565.04 top prize.
The Century winner hand selected their numbers; the winning ticket was not a “quick pick”.
The Century Kwik Stop will receive a $500 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
Four correct numbers were worth $45; three numbers were worth $8.50 and two numbers were worth a free ticket.
Commission Denys Funding For Sheriff’s Mental Health Court Idea
April 17, 2009
The Escambia County Commission affirmed a council’s decision to not give Sheriff David Morgan the $834,000 he wanted to create a mental health court.
Escambia’s sheriff wanted $834,000 from a federal grant to create the mental health court, but over half the money was given to other agencies by a council appointed by the commission.
“Number one, it’s the humane thing to do,” Morgan told the commission Thursday night. “And number two, it will alleviate my overcrowding.” And, Morgan said, having a mental health court in the county could potentially save $1 million per year.
He said the mentally ill in his jail are not just his problem, but “it’s an Escambia County problem”.
Department of Justice block grants have been given to the county’s sheriff and court administrator for the past 12 years. But the Escambia Commission brought back the Public Safety Coordinating Council, a group that had not met since mid-2006.
The council gave Morgan only $387,169 of the grant so he can fund a couple of case workers for four years.
Commission Chairwoman Marie Young, who is a member of the Public Safety Coordinating Council, told Morgan at Thursday night’s commission meeting that they did not disagree that the mental health court was a good idea. “But the funding they have would be a great start,” she said.
The county commission approved the PSCC’s grant awards, giving Morgan just $387,169.
The Pensacola Junior College Police Department, which is a state agency, was awarded $135,039 for a voice system to alert the campus about events like tornadoes and for video surveillance cameras.
The county’s Drug Court received $154,000 to fund 44 treatment slots at Lakeview Center at $3,500 each; and the remaining $157,792 was awarded to the State Attorney to fund an assistant state attorney to focus on gangs and gun violence.
Escambia Sheriff David Morgan wanted the mental health court to deal specifically with offenders that are mentally ill. He planned for the court to speed mentally ill inmates through the judicial system while remaining sensitive to their unique needs. It would have also provided for emergency psychiatric care for an inmate in need rather than keeping them in jail.
The Escambia County Commission, on a recommendation of County Administrator Bob McLaughlin, directed the Public Safety Coordinating Council to disperse the funds. The group’s members are County Commission Chairwoman Marie Young; Chief Judge Kim Skievaski; Deborah Brown from the Department of Corrections; Gordon Pike, Escambia County Community Corrections Chief; and Paul Rollings, from Department of Children and Family Services.The PSCC last met in July 2006.
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program exists to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system—with emphasis on violent crime and serious offenders—and enforce state and local laws.
Catholic Shuts Out Northview
April 17, 2009
The Catholic High School Crusaders shut out Northview Thursday night in Pensacola.
Catholic defeated Northview 8-0 in seven innings.
Scooter Hamilton, Austin Lowery and Brad Foster had hits for the Chiefs.
Catholic jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. The Crusaders add one point per inning in the second, third and fourth. The Chiefs held them scoreless in the fifth, but the Crusaders answered with two in the sixth.
Friday night, the Chiefs will host Walton at 6:00 in a varsity game. Saturday, the varsity Chiefs will travel to Washington for a 3:00 game.
Molino Resident Now Member Of Angus Association
April 17, 2009
Alison Lazear of Molino is a new member of the American Angus Association.
The American Angus Association, with nearly 33,000 active adult and junior members, is the largest beef cattle registry association in the world. Its computerized records include detailed information on nearly 16 million registered Angus cattle.
The association records ancestral information and keeps production records on individual animals for its members. Most of these registered Angus cattle are used by the U.S. farmers and ranchers who raise high quality beef for U.S. consumption.