Ernest Ward Beats Excel 34-8 (With Photo Gallery)
September 8, 2010
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles improved to 2-0 with a big 34-8 defeat of the Excel Panthers Tuesday evening.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
Fueled by a 34-yard run by Hunter Sherouse, the Eagles were set to be the first on the scoreboard. Eighth grader Jaran Miles picked up the first touchdown for EWMS with 2:54 to go in the first quarter. Miles’ attempt at a two point conversion was stopped just inches short of the goal line by a host of Panthers’ defenders. 6-0, EWMS on top.
Less than two minutes later, with 1:04 to go in the first, Miles repeated with another touchdown, this one from about 20 yards out. A two point conversion pass was caught by Jaylen Parker to expand the Ernest Ward lead to 14-0.
Late in the second quarter, Austin Whitehead plowed up the middle from a few yards out for another Ernest Ward touchdown. Another two point pass caught by Parker, and the Eagles were up 22-0 with 3:59 to go in the first half.
In the third quarter, Miles struck again, with about a 60-yard touchdown run. A missed two-pointer, and the Eagles marched on 28-0 with 5:04 in the third quarter of play.
Excel picked up their only score of the night with a long run past midfield with 3:27 on the clock in the third. A good point after attempt, and the score was 28-8.
In the fourth quarter, the Eagles struck again, widening their lead to 34-8. The Panthers came close to one more touchdown from the one-yard line with 1.1 seconds on the clock, but the Eagles’ defense held strong for the win.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles — the only middle school team in Escambia County, Fla. — will be off next week. They will be on the road September 21 against Uriah.
Pictured top: Jaran Miles heads for an Ernest Ward touchdown Tuesday in Walnut Hill. Picture inset: An Excel Panther brought to stop by the EWMS defense. Pictured below: The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders lead the crowd. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deputies Investigate Drive-by Shooting In Nokomis
September 8, 2010
Deputies are investigating an apparent drive-by shooting in the Nokomis community in which at least a half dozen shots were fired into a vehicle belonging to a 63-year old woman.
The incident happened sometime Tuesday morning in the 6000 block of Pineville Road, about a mile south of the Alabama state line. The victim told deputies that she she heard what she thought was someone knocking at her door about 2:30 a.m., but there was no one at the door when she opened it. Just before 7 a.m., she noticed the back window was broken in 1992 Pontiac Bonneville. Upon a closer look, she discovered several bullet holes in the car.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy David Bashore located six bullet holes in the car. Two bullets, believed to be from an unknown caliber handgun, were recovered from the vehicle. One was lodged between the back window glass and roof of the vehicle and the second, which has apparently traveled through the Pontiac’s trunk, was recovered from under the driver’s side rear seat.
The victim “stated that she has had no altercations with anyone nor have any of her family members. She stated she thought this may be a case of mistaken identity,” according to Bashore’s report on the incident.
The scene was processed by an Sheriff’s Office crime scene technician. No bullet casings could be found, and no damage to the residence or other vehicles in the yard could be found.
For more photos of the vehicle and the investigation, click here.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation into the incident. Anyone with information about the shooting should contact the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene technician Shelley Dill photographs a car reportedly hit by multiple bullets during a drive-by shooting in Nokomis. Pictured inset: This photograph shows a bullet lodged between the back glass and roof of the vehicle. Pictured below: Dill photographs a bullet hole in the trunk of the Pontiac Bonneville. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NHS Varsity, JV Beat PCA In Volleyball
September 8, 2010
The Northview Lady Chiefs beat Pensacola Christian Academy on the volleyball court Tuesday evening.
At the varsity level, the Lady Chiefs (2-1, 2-0) defeated PCA in four games — 26-24, 25-19, 25-16.
“Varsity did a great job of implementing a faster offense in tonight’s game against PCA. It is something that we are continuously working on putting into our program and I felt that we are going to get establish,” said Northview Head Coach Betty Heaton.
Northview varsity stats:
Shawn Montgomery – Kills-12, Aces-2, Blocks-15, Assists-4
Raylin Spence — Aces-3, Assists-6, Blocks-4
Sarah Killam — Assists-5, Aces -1, Assists-5 Blocks-3
Katie Wieborg – Block-1, Aces-5
In JV action, the Lady Chiefs beat PCA in a two-game match — 25-18, 25-19.
“I am very proud of the JV team for the way they worked hard on every play to get three touches. Every play you could see them focusing on getting a pass, set, and hit. They did a great job working together. We still need to work on communication on the court, but I believe that will come,” Heaton said.
Northview JV stats:
Alison Bardin — Digs-2, Aces-2
Paeton Hadley – Assists-1. Aces-1, Digs-1
Madison Arrington — Assists – 4, Aces – 2
Tiffani Pritchett – Kills-1, Digs-1
Pictured: File photos of Northview vs. Jay, submitted by Brenda McCall for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
$59 Million Broadband Plans For South Alabama Counties
September 8, 2010
A federal grant will help improve high speed Internet availability in Escambia and seven other south Alabama counties.
A $59 million grant was awarded to Trillion Communications Corp. of Bessemer, Ala. on behalf of the South Century Alabama Broadband Commission. With nearly $27 million in matching contributions, Trillion will offer affordable middle-mile broadband service in Escambia, Macon, Lowndes, Dallas, Wilcox, Butler, Crenshaw and Conecuh counties.
The project plans to directly connect as many as 400 community institutions to broadband. As many as $172,800 people and 3,000 businesses stand to benefit, according to the company’s application. The company estimates the project will create more than 550 jobs.
The grant was one of five grants totaling $111 million in Alabama, part of $7 billion in federal stimulus dollars intended to bridge the technological divide in communities that are being left in the 20th century economy and support improvements in education, healthcare, and public safety.
The projects receiving funds are part of a program – administered by the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) – to expand broadband access and adoption across the country.
Several Florida broadband projects also received funding, but none were in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
Pictured: The map above shows the limited availability of broadband Internet in Escambia County, Ala. Courtesy ConnectingALABAMA for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
JV Royals Beat J.U. Blacksher; Flomaton Beats Baker (Updated With Flomaton Photos)
September 8, 2010
The Jay High School junior varsity football team defeated J.U. Blacksher 49-12 Tuesday night in Jay.
The JV Royals will make the short trip to Hurricane Field next Tuesday to take on Flomaton High School. game time will be 6 p.m.
The Flomaton junior varsity Hurricanes beat the Baker Gators 14-6.
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
For more photos, visit www.mikenewtonphoto.com.
Submitted photos Flomaton JV versus Baker by Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Better Than Forecast: Florida Budget Shortfall ‘Only’ $2.5 Billion
September 8, 2010
Florida’s looming budget shortfall has been shrunk in half by state analysts who credit federal stimulus dollars, years of spending cuts, and Indian gambling money as helping forge a brighter picture – but one that could still leave the state in a $2.5 billion hole.
A year ago, state forecasters projected a $5.5 billion gap for 2011-12, as the remnants of the recession and a stone-cold housing market looked certain to dig deeply into state tax collections. But in a revamped forecast slated to be reviewed next Tuesday by the Legislative Budget Commission, analysts now say the tide of red ink may stop at the $2.5 billion mark.
“This is what we see at this moment,” said Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, among several panels making the latest forecast. “The revenue side is slightly better. And the spending has leveled off.”
Baker conceded, however, that the revised projection does not take into account the impact of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill on state coffers. The Panhandle tourist slump which coursed through the summer – coupled with increased spending from oil clean-up efforts – is still proving too difficult to gauge, she said.
“It’s a big caveat in the forecast,” Baker said. “We’ll know more in coming months.”
While the expected budget hole has diminished, the debate over how to fill it remains largely unchanged, lawmakers from both parties agree as the fall campaigns gather strength.
The Legislature’s ruling Republicans have already set the stage for another round of belt-tightening – and could draw strength from the economists’ crediting reduced state spending as helping yield the improved forecast.
“It’s more pleasant to hear that things are getting better,” said Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Nicevillle, who chairs the Senate’s Select Committee on Florida’s Economy. “But I think you have to credit the Republican majority for cutting recurring spending so we don’t find ourselves hurtling toward the precipice.”
But Gaetz said he was wary of the suddenly improved forecast – since the state’s troubled housing market has shown only feeble signs of life and Medicaid costs are on track to top $20 billion next year, demanding an additional $1.4 billion in taxpayer dollars, according to analysts.
Gaetz said the forecast, while based on extensive data, “is a highly sophisticated Ouija board.”
Democrats, who have pushed for closing some corporate-tax exemptions and enforcement of stricter Internet sales taxes, also said the revised shortfall eases pressure – but only slightly.
“We’re not facing as big a deficit, but it’s still a big one,” said Rep. Ron Saunders of Key West, designated as the incoming House Democratic leader. “And the federal stimulus money is going away. A lot also is going to depend on who is governor.”
The state’s current $70.2 billion budget is propped up by $2.5 billion in federal stimulus dollars — the last installment of $27 billion in cash that flowed to Florida from Washington over the past three years. The latest round was enhanced by an additional $700 million in federal Medicaid money that came to Florida last month.
But most agree that Florida’s budget-balancing options have narrowed. House Republicans led by Speaker-designate Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, had once pushed for expanding offshore drilling in Florida as a potential money-maker – an idea they concede the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has taken off the table for the foreseeable future.
Similarly, GOP efforts to overhaul Medicaid also appear blunted. Medicaid programs – which now command one-quarter of the state budget and serve 2.7 million Floridians – must be maintained at current levels for the state to collect the additional money approved by Congress last month. The congressional health care overhaul backed by the Obama administration also limits state changes in coming years.
Rick Scott, the Republican nominee for governor, opposed the federal stimulus package – and also has made a key budget provision part of his campaign by calling for elimination of the state’s corporate income tax. The move, if embraced by the Legislature, would erase $1.8 billion from next year’s budget.
Scott has proposed rolling back state and local government spending levels to 2004 levels – before Florida’s housing boom spawned skyrocketing tax collections that have since evaporated. So far, though, Scott has offered few details on budget cuts.
“The debate remains the same,” said Jennifer Baker, a Scott spokeswoman. “Florida is facing huge budget deficits, record unemployment and a foreclosure crisis. Floridians have a clear choice when they choose their next governor.”
Baker said Scott’s background as a political outsider with a “proven track record of creating jobs, balancing budgets,” should sway voters.
Democrat Alex Sink has outlined a more sweeping “government reform and accountability plan” that she says can yield $700 million in first-year spending cuts. The anticipated spending, however, may prove lofty – since many of the changes she proposes are confined to such measures as reducing state office space, unneeded layers of management, and bolstering the state’s hand in contracting.
But Sink said that as the state’s chief financial officer with a background in banking, she’d bring an ability to ferret out wasteful spending while also growing the state’s economy.
“While it is important to understand the budget deficit we will face, Florida is still in an economic crisis, with too many families in our state struggling and over one million Floridians out of a job,” said Sink spokeswoman Kyra Jennings.
By John Kennedy
The News Service Florida
Super Weather
September 8, 2010
We will have an ordinary weather pattern the next several days, with warm afternoons and no mention of rain until Saturday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. East wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
- Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Escambia Grad On Sports Illustrated Cover
September 8, 2010
An Escambia County School graduate is featured on the cover this week’s Sports Illustrated — and Crimson Tide fans are not going to want to miss it.
Sophomore Alabama running back Trent Richardson appears on the cover, leaping over a defender from San Jose State during the Tide’s season-opening 48-3 win. He is a graduate of Escambia High School.
Saturday was Richardson’s first starting game, with 146 yards and two touchdowns.
The “College Football Opening Statements. Breakout Players and Programs in Week 1″ cover is the fifth cover for the Crimson Tide in a year — more than any other pro or college team. It marked the ninth SI cover since Nick Saban took over in January 2007.
Edna Earl Sims Lee
September 8, 2010
Mrs. Edna Earl Sims Lee, age 94, of Byrneville died Monday September 6, 2010, in a Pensacola hospital.
Mrs. Lee was a native Of Brooks. Ala., but had been a resident of Byrneville for the past 22 years and was a former resident of Century. She was a member of the Beulah Chapel Assembly of God Church. Mrs. Lee was preceded in death by her husband Terry Henderson Lee, a son Ceylon Lee and a daughter, Mildred Earl Lee.
Mrs. Lee is survived by five sons, Bobby Lee, of Century, Leon Lee (Carolyn) of port St. Joe, Fla., Paul Lee, of Byrneville, Thurston Lee (Kathy) of Moss Point, Miss., Lincoln Lee (Bobbie) of Moss Point; threee daughters, Ann White (John), of Century, Linda White (Andrew) of century, and Darlene Lee, of Byrneville; 16 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Wednesday September 8, 2010, at 10 a.m. at Beulah Chapel Assembly of God Church with Rev. Shelton Kindig, Rev. Ronald Broadhead, and
Rev. Joe Lee officiating. Burial will be in the Beulah Chapel Cemetery, with Petty Funeral Home directing.
Visitation was held Tuesday, September 7, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Petty Funeral Home in Atmore.
Annie Redmond
September 8, 2010
Annie Redmond, 80, of Walnut Hill, died Friday, September 3.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 11, at 1 p.m. at Gospel Temple Number Two in Atmore. Viewing will be held on Friday, September 10, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.