Ernest Ward Football Season Begins Next Week
August 18, 2010
Football season begins next week for the Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles — the only middle school football team in Escambia County, Fla.
The Eagles will travel for their first two games — to Excel on August 24 and Perdido on September 2. The first home game for EWMS will be September 7 against Excel
Here is the 2010 schedule for the Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles:
- August 24 – Away – Excel
- September 2 — Away — Perdido
- September 7 — Home — Excel
- September 14 — OPEN
- September 21 — Away — Uriah
- September 28 — Away — Escambia Academy
- October 5 — Home — Uriah
- October 12 — OPEN
- October 19 — Home — Escambia Academy
All games begin at 6 p.m.
Photo: Double Parked?
August 18, 2010
This cellphone photo shows a parking mishap recently at Grocery Advantage in Cantonment. There were no injuries report. Submitted photo by Brandie Ratcliff for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have an interesting news photo to share? Email your photos to news@northescambia.com
Century Fighting Alcohol At Community Center, Postpones Meeting, Buys Newspaper Ad
August 18, 2010
The Town of Century will fight alcohol at a community center, purchase a $325 newspaper ad and postpone their next regular meeting.
Alcohol At The Ag Building
Council member Sharon Scott addressed what she said was an alcohol problem at the Century Ag Building on West Highway 4 near the nursing home. There have been several complaints about loud music and alcohol at parties at the facility over recent months.
“We are going to have to be more proactive about the Ag Building with alcohol,” Scott said at Monday night’s council meeting.
“We are,” Mayor Freddie McCall responded.
Newspaper Ad
Also at Monday night’s meeting, the council voted to a purchase a $325 ad in an upcoming football section in the Tri-City Ledger.
“It’s to support our football team,” McCall said.
Postponed Meeting
The Century Town Council’s next regular meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, September 13 at 7 p.m. The meeting was rescheduled from September 6, which is the Labor Day holiday.
Escambia To Benefit From Ag In The Classroom Grant
August 18, 2010
Students in Escambia County will benefit from a recently announced Florida Agriculture in the Classroom grant.
Elementary and middle school students in Escambia County will learn about local agriculture and healthy eating choices by observing fruits, vegetables and herbs grown in raised bed gardens and participating in Florida Agriculture in the Classroom lessons. The project is one of 19 volunteer grant projects funded statewide by the Florida Agriculture in the Classroom program.
The Gainesville-based, non-profit association funded by sales of the agriculture specialty license plate known as the ‘Ag Tag’ will spend nearly $25,000 on projects carried out primarily by University of Florida IFAS extension and 4-H agents, agri-science teachers and other educators who are working to educate students about Florida agriculture. The projects will reach more than 9,000 students.
“Our volunteer grants program is just one way we fund projects carried out by our grassroots network of volunteers around the state,” said Florida Agriculture in the Classroom Chairman and Florida Beef Council representative Vina Jean Banks. “Without them, we wouldn’t reach nearly as many students as we do each year.”
Escambia County’s grant will be funded through the Escambia County Extension agency.
Rainy Pattern Continues
August 18, 2010
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:..
- Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94. West wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. West wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93.
Russell Leon “Rusty” Foster
August 17, 2010
Mr. Russell Leon “Rusty” Foster, 40, of Walnut Hill went to be with the Lord on Monday, August 16, 2010.
Rusty was born October 28, 1969, in Atmore. He graduated from Ernest Ward High School and attended George Stone Vocational School. Over the past 13 years he has traveled the country making a name for himself as a pipe fitting welder. Rusty was also known to friends as “Redneck”. He loved family and the outdoors especially being on the river. Preceded in death by his brother, Ricky Leon Foster, his grandparents, Minnie Lee and Lonnie Lee Foster, and Freda and Bill Thomley..
Survivors include; his son, Rustin Foster of Bay Minette; his parents, Billie and Roy Foster of Walnut Hill; a sister, Tracy Foster of Walnut Hill; a nephew, Lucas White of Walnut Hill; and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 19, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Joe Gipson and Bro. Ray McCullough officiating. Burial will follow at Dry Springs Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 18, 2010, between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. at the Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Glenn Sharpless, John McCullough, Timmy Thomley, Joey Thomley, Paul Ryals, and Troy Garrett.
Joseph Nathan Sigafoose
August 17, 2010
Joseph Nathan Sigafoose, 42, of Bratt, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, August 14, 2010.
Joe leaves behind his son Aaron Sigafoose, wife Heidi Sigafoose, and his loyal companions Lilley and Beatrice. He leaves behins his father and mother, Boyd and Judy Sigafoose, his brothers Boydie Sigafoose and James Sigafoose, sisters Emily Peaster, Carol Wenger, and Alana Sigafoose, brother-in-law, Dale Wenger and Cousin, Tom Sigafoose.
He also leaves behind his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tim and Kimberley Ensor and brother-in-law Colton Bergman. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. Joe was a dedicated and cherished buddy to his best friends; Lamont Godwin, Darin Peebles, Paul Lee, Alex Amerson, and Robert Agerton. Joe was a devoted and loving father who cherished his son. He was an avid fisherman, skilled hunter, and fanatical football fan. WAR EAGLE!
Memorial Services will be held Friday, August 20, 2010, at 3 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel.
Century Hires Gonzalez As New Town Clerk
August 17, 2010
Monday night, the Century Town Council voted to hire Century native Leslie Gonzalez as the new town clerk.
Gonzalez recently returned to Century from South Florida where she was employed by Equity Residential, The Cove at Boynton Beach. In the position, she leased apartments to prospects. She was previously employed as a teacher and lunchroom aid in Palm Beach County, and as a bookkeeper for a Jacksonville law firm.
Mayor Freddie McCall said Gonzalez’s starting salary will be $12.02 per hour or $25,000 per year. Over the next year and a half, she will attend programs offered by the Florida League of Cities to obtain her city clerk certification. At that point, McCall said, her salary will be raised to $14.48 per hour, or about $30,000 per year.
Tuesday will be the first day on the job for Gonzalez.
Gonzalez was one of the top four candidates when Century accepted applications for the town clerk job following the Apil retirement of Dorothy Sims, McCall said. In June, the council hired Darlene Peters of Pensacola as the town clerk.
But by August, the town learned that Peters’ husband had accepted an out of state job. On August 3, council members were told that Peters would remain on a part-time basis temporarily as she worked to complete a degree at an area college while the town works to hire another clerk. Monday night, McCall said Peters had already left the town in order to join her husband.
The town will also hire current consultant Debbie Nickles to work two days per week on a tempory contract basis at $20 per hour to work on grant applications and perform other tasks while Gonzalez is trained.
The motions to hire Gonzalez and Nickles both passed 3-1, with Henry Hawkins against and Gary Riley absent.
Pictured top: Century Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Drug Policy For Escambia Schools
August 17, 2010
A new plan to attack drugs will in place when classes begin August 23 in the Escambia County School District.
The Comprehensive Drug Awareness Plan will use cameras and other surveillance methods to target the influx of drugs into the district’s schools. The district will decide later at a later date to possibly implement random drug testing in the future.
“I’m very happy to see the district moving in this direction. I have been steadfast in my advocacy of this type of a policy in our schools for the last four years,” said Jeff Bergosh, Escambia County School Board District 1 member. “We can and should do everything we can to control the environment in and around our schools.”
Bergosh said he believes the new drug policy will have a dramatic and immediate impact in the county, and it will help thousands of children if properly implemented.
The following is an outline of the plan:
Purpose: Create drug free zones within middle and high schools. Prevent alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, prescription, tobacco and other illegal drugs from being present on Escambia school campuses.
Prevention (Curriculum & Instruction Assistant Superintendent and Level Directors)
- Marketing materials (slogan; posters)
- Drug education and awareness (assemblies, speakers, etc)
- Video messages for morning announcements
- Notice to students about potential of searches for drugs; unannounced searches of desks, lockers and other targeted areas
- Student committees on each middle and high school campus to focus on prevention
- Parent education
- Early intervention for elementary schools (Too Good For Drugs; Red Ribbon Week)
- Agency involvement to include law enforcement
Enforcement (Protection Services)
- Drug dog searches (frequent and systematic)
- School Drug watchdog reporting organizations
- Random drug testing – requires School Board approval
- Surveillance cameras installed at all middle and high schools
Consequences (Court Liaison)
- Consistent consequences for offenders
- Provide rehabilitation training / assistance as part of consequence
Support (Guidance Services and Alternative Education)
- Assistance for addicts
- Training for administrators, teachers and support staff to recognize early warning signs of drug use
- Tip Boxes for each middle and high school
- University of Florida partners with one pilot high school to complete the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) with focus on prescription drugs
Dog Chasing Cat Ends With Domestic Dispute, Woman Jailed
August 17, 2010
An incident that begin with a dog chasing a cat ended with a fight, a Molino woman under a horse, then barricaded in a house and then pepper sprayed at the jail.
Kelly Nichole Herzberg, 28, of Highway 196, was charged with felony count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor count of battery.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home in the 1100 block of Highway 196 Saturday night in reference to a disturbance. Herzberg’s mother said her daughter’s dog was off its leash, chasing the family cat. The mom looked for the cat in the barn, where she found Herzberg in a stall with a horse. The mom told the daughter to exit the horse’s stall for her safety.
At that point, according to the Sheriff’s Office report, Herzberg said “no way” and proceeded to get underneath the horse. When mom entered the horse stall, Herzberg allegedly pushed her. When the 28-year old’s father entered the barn, Herzberg began yelling that “the horses were hers and the barn also belonged to her and that everyone else was going to die tonight”, according to the arrest report.
Herzberg then, according to the report, left the barn, throwing rocks at the father. He was struck on his chest and side. Herzberg then ran into the house, locking the family outside.
The father told deputies that Herzberg stated that “she had a bullet for him”, and a 22-year old sister told deputies that Herzberg also said “I’m going to get half your will. You’re all going to die tonight”.
Herzberg refused to open the door for Deputy Jason Mann or Sgt. Jay Camac when they arrived at the scene. She told them that “the FBI had been notified of the situation and that the house belonged to her, not her father”.
As Mann and Camac waited for backup to arrive in order to make a forceable entry into the house, the younger sister made contact with Herzberg by phone. Herzberg agreed to allow the younger sister to enter the house through the garage. She threatened to kill the sister if she allowed deputies to enter the garage, the report states.
When Herzberg unlocked the garage door, she was taken into custody by deputies.
At the Escambia County Jail, Herzberg became violent toward detention deputies and was pepper-sprayed, according to the ECSO report.
Herzberg remained in county jail Monday night on $3,500 bond.