Lady Astros End Successful Season
October 28, 2009
The Lady Astros 16U fast pitch softball team from Molino ended their season recently with a number one ranking in the state.
The Lady Astros were ranked number one in the state in fastpitch softball with the highest number of points with a 15-6 record in their four best tournaments.
The traveling team is comprised of girls from Northview, Tate, Pace, Jay and Washington High Schools. The Astros finished 4-1 in the USFA Gulf South Fall State Tournament in Daphne, losing 5-4 in the semifinals against Alabama Threat.
Pictured above: The Lady Astros 16U fast pitch softball team. (Front, L-R) Maggie Swinford, Washington High; Kathern Tucker, Tate High; Marina Harris, Tate High; Jamie Ujvari, Pace High; Crysta Paulson, Tate High; (second row) Coach Robby Schaff; Avery Cobb, Tate High; Coach Rusty Odea; Amber Steadham, Jay High; Ronni Renfrow, Tate High; Rachuel Zampino, Tate High; Marina Cobbs, Tate High; Heather Schaff, Tate High; Jessi Ujvari, Pace High; and Coach Donnie Nicholson. Not pictured: Candice Greenwell, Northview High. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Business Owner Shot During Attempted Robbery In Atmore
October 27, 2009
The Atmore Police Department is investigating the attempted robbery and shooting of a business owner that occurred Monday night.
Atmore Police responded to a call of shots being fired about 8:45 p.m. in the area of Martin Luther King Avenue and Park Drive. Responding officers were just a few blocks away and unable to find any suspicious activity, according to Glenn Carlee, director of public safety.
“Upon further patrol of the area a motorist made contact with officers stating that he had been shot during an attempted robbery and was enroute to the hospital for treatment,” he said. The victim told Police that while he was closing his business the Game Room, which is located at Park Drive and Martin Luther King Avenue, several black males approached him and attempted to rob him.
“The victim indicated to one of the suspects that he knew him and at that point the gunman fired two rounds from his weapon striking the victim in the chest and arm,” Carlee said. The victim was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where he was kept overnight for observation.
Tracking dogs from Fountain Prison were called to assist in the search for the suspects.
Atmore Police said they have persons of interest in the case, but they continue to ask anyone with any information about this crime to call the department at (251) 368-9141.
Escambia Deputies Investigating String Of Armed Robberies
October 27, 2009
Escambia County deputies are searching for two black males in connection with a string of robberies in Pensacola this morning.
At about 4:40 a.m., two unidentified black males entered the Waffle House located in the 6900 block of Highway 29. The suspects, whose identity was concealed by hunting or camouflage masks, were armed with handguns and ordered the employees to the floor. The suspects ordered one of the employees to open the cash register and then removed the drawer and fled the store and were last seen running behind the Howard Johnson Motel.
At approximately the same time as the Waffle House robbery another report came in from a truck driver who was parked in the Howard Johnson parking lot stating he had been robbed at gunpoint. Contact was made with truck driver for Hungry Howie Distribution. The driver stated he was inspecting his truck before going on his route when he was approached by two black males.
According to the truck driver, both suspects brandished semi automatic handguns and demanded his money. The suspects had their identities concealed with what was described as bandanas and sunglasses. The clothing description of jeans with one suspect wearing a windbreaker type jacket along with the physical description, matched the suspects from the Waffle House robbery.
While patrol and K-9 units worked the scene at the first two robberies, a holdup alarm was received from the Tom Thumb convenience store in the 6900 block of Pine Forest Road. Escambia Deputies responded to the alarm and discovered that the business had just been robbed along with customers that were inside the store.
The suspects’ descriptions given matched that of the same suspects from the two previous robberies. The suspects entered the Tom Thumb at approximately 5 a.m. and demanded money from the cash register. The suspects also demanded money from the customers inside the business and one customer that was standing outside the business. The suspects were last seen running down Longleaf Drive where it is believed they entered an unknown vehicle.
No one was injured in the robberies. The suspects are facing multiple charges to include Armed Robbery/with a firearm, Aggravated Assault with intent to commit a felony, public order crimes (wearing a mask/hood during the commission of a felony) and displaying a firearm during a felony, according to Sgt. Ted Roy, public information officer for the ECSO. “Once caught, the suspects will be facing many years behind bars on the multiple felony counts.”
Anyone with any information in this string of robberies is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at 436-STOP.
Man Wanted On Outstanding Narcotics Related Warrant Leads Deputies On Chase
October 27, 2009
A Century man was arrested late Monday afternoon after leading deputies on a brief foot chase.
Kevin Lamar Brown, 29, of Old Flomaton Road, Century, was wanted on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on multiple narcotics charges.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that Brown was in the 700 block of West Highway 4 at 4:52 Monday afternoon. When deputies arrived in the area and spotted Brown, he ran. Deputies gave chase on foot, briefly losing sight of him on Hadley Lane.
Additional deputies and tracking dogs from the Century Correction Institution were called to assist in the search, but the first deputies on the scene located Brown in a wooded area off Hadley Lane. He was taken into custody and booked into the Escambia County Jail on the failure to appear warrant.
According to Escambia County Circuit Court records, Brown did not appear in court of charges of possession of a controlled substance, marijuana possession with intent to sell, and possession of narcotic equipment charge stemming from his August 25, 2008, arrest. The failure to appear warrant for his arrest was issued July 9 of this year.
Brown remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning without bond.
Northview Lady Chiefs Advance To District Championship Game With Win Over Freeport (Photo Gallery)
October 27, 2009
The Northview Chiefs advanced to the final round of the District 1-1A volleyball tournament Monday night in Bratt with a win over the Freeport Bulldogs.
Northview beat Freeport 25-10, 13-25, 18-25, 25-22, 15-9. Thursday night at 6:30, the Chiefs will play for the district championship against the winner of a Tuesday night game between Pensacola Christian and Baker.
“I am very proud of the team tonight,” an almost speechless Northview Head Coach Betty Heaton said of the Chiefs’ win. “They did a great job. They were a tough team, but the our girls worked hard for the win.”
Sophomore Shawna Montgomery led the Chiefs with eight kills, six digs, nine aces, two blocks and one assist Monday night. Caitlin Hall, a senior, had 20 assists, two digs, four aces, two kills and a couple of blocks.
Senior Angela Rodriguez had three kills, two digs and one ace. Shaniqua Jones added seven kills, one block and a single ace for Northview.
The Chiefs are now 9-17 overall, 5-4 in the district.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
Pictured above and below: Volleyball action as Northview beat Freeport in the District 1-1A tournament Monday night at Northview. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Students Of The Month Named At North Escambia Schools
October 27, 2009
Escambia County Students of the Month have been named by the Escambia Association for Administrators in Education. The awards are presented monthly to two students from participating schools.
- Bratt Elementary — Tereasia S. Burt, kindergarten; Noah J. Moore, third grade
- Molino Park Elementary — Devin A. Abrams, fourth grade; Madelyn A. Lathan, fourth grade
- Jim Allen Elementary — Keith A. Isaacs, fourth grade; Christopher M. Jones, fourth grade
- Ernest Ward Middle — Justin D. Kite, seventh grade; Madalyn Y. Coon, eighth grade
- Ransom Middle — Amber P. Nguyen, seventh grade; Hannah K. Smith, sixth grade
- Northview High — Angel M. Mitchell, ninth grade; Da’michael A. Fountain, ninth grade
- Tate High — Courtney M. Bonucchi, 12th grade; Kevin M. Sapp, 11th grade.
Pictured top: Angel Mitchell and Da’michael A. Fountain, Northview High School’s Students of the Month for October. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
PCA Knocks Jay Out Of District Tournament (With Photo Gallery)
October 27, 2009
The Jay Royals are out of the District 1-1A volleyball tournament after a loss Monday night to Pensacola Christian Academy.
PCA beat Jay 24-26, 25-19, 20-25, 25-17, 15-13.
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
Pictured: Action from PCA versus Jay Monday night in Bratt in the Disrict 1-1A tournament. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Aerospace Alliance Announced, Will Work To Bring Jobs To Region
October 27, 2009
The Aerospace Alliance announced Monday afternoon could help Northwest Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana create new jobs in aerospace and related manufacturing industries.
Leaders from the four states will using the non-profit marketing alliance to market the Gulf Coast to aerospace developers, including a push to bring the KC-45 tanker construction project to Mobile. If Northrop Grumman and EADS land the KC-45 tanker deal for Mobile, it could create 48,000 direct and indirect jobs in the four state region, according to Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, and it would create the fourth largest aerospace corridor in the world.
While the KC-45 is the first priority for The Aerospace Alliance, it is not the only one. Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida are currently home to manufacturers of helicopters, missile defense systems, composite aircraft structures, engine components and many R &D firms. The Aerospace Alliance will collaborate to working towards growing these aerospace, aviation, space and defense industries in the region.
“We will work together to promote our region’s many assets. We will work together to advocate for policies, programs and specific aerospace projects on the local, state and national level. The programs we attract will in turn attract suppliers, bringing even more jobs and development,” Alabama Gov. Bob Riley said Monday in Bay Minette. “Our first initiative is to win the KC-45 tanker, our first lesson is Geography — Mobile, Alabama and the Gulf Coast States are part of the U.S. and our jobs are American.”
“This alliance will go far in promoting our region for what it is – one of the largest aerospace corridors in the world and a great place for companies in this sector to do business,” said Governor Barbour, who addressed the event via video uplink. “The Gulf Coast states share geographic proximity, a long tradition of aerospace and aviation activities and a skilled and experienced workforce, and by joining together, we will be well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities to grow this sector in our region.”
Mitch Waldman, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Vice President applauded their efforts, saying, “We already know that the Gulf Coast is a center of excellence in defense, aviation and aerospace. We look forward to working with Governors and leaders of Aerospace Alliance states, and the many members and supporters of The Alliance, to spread the word to the rest of the world.”
Participants emphasized the need for jobs in the region’s economy, badly damaged by both Hurricane Katrina and the recession. Unemployment rates are high throughout the entire Southeast, and both Alabama and Florida have unemployment over 10 percent.
“Coupled with the recent announcement by Southwest Airlines of service to the new international airport in Northwest Florida, the formation of this alliance demonstrates a growing momentum that places the region and its assets center stage,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida. “When the rest of the world has the opportunity to hear about our tradition of excellence in aerospace and aviation, we’ll attract even more quality jobs and opportunities.”
Northwest Florida is already home to a strong aviation, aerospace, defense and national security region, Nelson. Between Tallahassee and Pensacola there already are seven military installations, 400 aerospace and defense companies, 1,900 vendors, contractors and businesses providing essential support and a 70,000-person-strong aerospace and defense workforce, he said.
The members of The Aerospace Alliance include business leaders, economic development professionals and government officials from the Gulf Coast and surrounding region. The establishment of the four-state aerospace corridor was first conceived at the 2009 Paris Air Show, a gathering of the world’s aerospace industry.
Pictured: Alabama Gov. Bob Riley announced The Aerospace Alliance Monday afternoon in Bay Minette.
Pay Business Tax Receipts By Saturday
October 27, 2009
Business owners and practicing professionals should pay their business tax receipts for 2009-2010 by Saturday in order to avoid a 15 percent penalty, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley.
Business owners are encouraged to renew their business tax receipt online. Other options are available, such as payment by mail, by phone (convenience fee may apply), and in person at any of the four convenient tax collector offices. Business tax receipts can be renewed at any tax collector office: Downtown, Marcus Pointe, Warrington, and Cantonment. After hours drop boxes and drive thru service are available at all locations.
For more information, call (850) 438-6500.
Budget Woes: Hours To Be Cut At Santa Rosa Libraries
October 27, 2009
Libraries in Santa Rosa County, including the one in Jay, will be cutting back hours in November because of the economic downturn.
Due to declining county revenues and a reduction of 59 percent in the state’s aid to Santa Rosa County libraries, county commissioners approved the county administrator’s recommendation to reduce library hours by five hours per week. The reduced hours begin November 9.
The reduced hours will eliminate two fulltime jobs and nine student positions.
Libraries in Jay, Milton, Pace and Gulf Breeze will see a reduction of five hours per week. The new hours will be:
- Monday, 9 am – 5 pm
- Tuesday 11 am – 7 pm
- Wednesday 11 am – 7 pm
- Thursday 9 am – 1 pm
- Friday 9 am – 5 pm
- Saturday 9 am – 1 pm
The new library hours were based upon user surveys that indicated patterns of library usage by students that use the library for homework that generally depend on working parents to take them to the library after work, typically come between 5 and 7 p.m. from early to mid-week, working adults that typically use the library after 5:30 p.m. and high early morning library usage.
“Many factors must be considered in making changes to library hours. Our foremost library service goal is to provide the highest possible level of library service to the greatest number of our citizens, while also considering the welfare and safety of library employees, schedules for youth programs and community groups who use library space for their meetings,” Linda Hendrix, Santa Rosa county library director, said.
Library usage in Santa Rosa County is actually on the increase, with a 27 percent increase in checkouts during the last year.