Bratt’s ‘Mayor Pro Tem’ Issues Homecoming Parade Permit
October 7, 2010
A “Community of Bratt Parade Permit” allowing the Northview High School DCT Class to hold a Homecoming Parade was signed Wednesday at Northview High School.
The “permit” was issued by “Defacto Mayor Protem” Marion Cooper of Cooper’s Grocery fame. The protem mayor was standing in for “Mayor” Donnie Bass who was unavailable Wednesday morning due to “important” Bratt business.
The Second Annual Northview Homecoming Parade will roll at 1:00 Friday afternoon from Bratt Elementary to Northview, where a pep rally will follow. There are currently about 40 floats, bands and other units scheduled to be in the parade.
To enter the parade for free, contact Tommy Weaver at (850) 327-6681 ext. 254.
Pictured above: Bratt’s “Defacto Mayor Protem” Marion Cooper (left) signs the Community of Bratt Parade Permit Wednesday at Northview High School as DCT Class sponsor Tommy Weaver witnesses. Pictured below: The parade permit. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Grads To Perform For Former President Bush
October 7, 2010
Four graduates of the Escambia County School District fine arts program have been selected to perform for former President George W. Bush.
The former president will appear at a leadership banquet today at the Mobile Convention Center. The University of Mobile’s woodwind quartet CrossWinds will perform for Bush.
The four members of CrossWinds are Catilin Perkins, clarinet, a member of the Tate High School class of 2010; Leslie Ann Godwin, flute, Tate High School class of 2010; Stephanie Bruce, oboe, Tate High class of 2009; and Nicole Samuels, bass clarinet, Escambia High School Class of 2010.
“What an honor for these four girls,” said Tate teacher Shirley Godwin, “to play for the former president of the United States.”
CrossWinds travels the nation performing and recruiting for the University of Mobile.
Century Voter Turnout High; 26 Percent Voted Absentee
October 6, 2010
The percentage of voter turnout in Tuesday’s Century primary election was much higher than countywide turnout for the 2010 primaries.
There were 321 votes cast in Tuesday’s primary in Century out of 1,081 registered voters — a 29.6 percent turnout. In the August primaries across Escambia County, the voter turnout was 12.6 percent.
Of the 321 ballots cast in the Century primary election, 26.8 percent (86 total) were absentee ballots. In Escambia County’s August primary, 36.8 percent of ballots were absentee.
Century Election: Hawkins, Johnston In Runoff; McMurray Jackson Elected
October 6, 2010
One Century Town Council race is headed into a runoff while another candidate defeated her opponent by a narrow margin in Tuesday’s primary election.
Sandra McMurray Jackson was elected to the Seat 5 on the council currently held by Sharon Scott, who did not see re-election. Jackson is the owner of Jackson-McMurray Funeral Services in Century. She defeated retired insurance agent Annie Carter Savage by just eight votes — 164 to 156. The narrow margin, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford, was not great enough to trigger an automatic recount.
“I’ll feel truly blessed,” Jackson said after learning she had been elected to the council. “I love Century; I love the people here in Century.”
Incumbent Henry Hawkins and political newcomer Jacke Johnston will meet in a runoff on November 9 for the council’s Seat 3. Hawkins, a Pensacola State College instructor and retired Air Force staff sergeant, received 44.55 percent of the vote — shy of the 50 percent needed for a win. Johnston, a teacher at Byrneville Elementary School, received 32.71 percent of the vote, while Robert Lasher, an Edward D. Jones financial adviser, finished third with 22.74 percent.
Hawkins was not present at the vote count Tuesday evening at Century City Hall.
“I’m really excited. I’m ready to part of a council that work together to do what is best for all of the citizens of Century,” Johnston said Tuesday night.
Gary Riley, who is retired from Gulf Power, ran unopposed and was re-elected to Seat 4.
For a photo gallery from Tuesday night’s vote count at Century Town Hall, click here.
Each Century Town Council member serves four years, with staggered elections for council members and mayor held every two years.
Pictured top: Newly elected Century Town Council member Sandra McMurray Jackson gets a congratulatory hug from Mayor Freddie McCall as she is announced as a primary election winner Tuesday night. Pictured bottom inset: Third place finisher for Seat 3, Robert Lasher (background), listens as vote totals are announced by Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford. Pictured top inset: Jacke Johnston will face Henry Hawkins for Seat 3 in the November 9 general election. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino House Fire Believed To Be Arson (With Photo Gallery)
October 6, 2010
[Updated] Fire destroyed an abandoned brick home in Molino Tuesday evening, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office believes the blaze was the work of an arsonist.
The fire was reported in the 3500 block of Molino Road just after 6 p.m., and the fire was reported to be contained about 6:45 p.m. There were no injuries reported.
According to Lt. Kevin Fiedor with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the home was in foreclosure and had no power and no gas. He said the fire appeared to have started in the rear of the home.
“We believe at this time that it was arson,” Fiedor said. He estimated damage to the home to be about $65,000. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call the State Fire Marshal’s Office at (850) 453-7803.
The Molino, Cantonment, McDavid, Century, Walnut Hill and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze.
Some of the fire units were on scene until about 11 p.m. Tuesday.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Submitted and NorthEsambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Underage Open House Party Suspect Arrested Again
October 6, 2010
A 39-year old Century woman is accused of throwing an open house party last month with about two dozen underage teens is back behind bars.
Jennifer Leigh Black, 39, was arrested Tuesday afternoon on an outstanding violation of probation warrant. She is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Parents told deputies that the teen house parties at Black’s residence included alcohol, drugs and underage sex. Some of the minors at the party were as young as 16. It was the second alleged open house party raided at the woman’s home this year.
At the time she was arrested in September on the open house party charge, Black was on probation on multiple charges, including grand theft, uttering a forged instrument, uttering a forged instrument, and forgery of a check.
For more on the circumstances surround the original open house party charge against Black, click here for a September 16 NorthEscambia.com story.
HS Volleyball: Northview Splits Varsity, JV Wins With Freeport
October 6, 2010
Northview’s varsity fell to Freeport while Northview’s junior varsity beat Freeport in Tuesday volleyball action.
Varsity
Northview lost to Freeport in five games, 17-25, 21-25, 25-15, 25-13, 7-15.
“The Varsity team struggled to find the stability we needed through the first and second game. In the third and fourth game they came out and played hard and were much more consistent. In the fifth and final game the stability they lacked in the first and second game came back and we were unable to fix it before the game was over,” said Head Coach Betty Heaton.
Shawna Montgomery lead the Chiefs with 30 kills, one dig, one block tree aces, while Sarah Killam had 16 assists and three kills. Josie Doucette, a junior, had two aces and six kills.
The varsity Chiefs are 5-13 overall, 3-2 in the district.
Junior Varsity
The Northview JV team beat Freeport in two games, 25-14, 25-15.
“The JV did a great job coming out strong and maintaining it though out the second game,” Heaton said.
Madison Arrington had one kill, two aces and three assists for the Chiefs. Danielle Steadham recorded four kills, one block, one dig and one ace; and Lana Clayton added seven kill and seven aces.
The JV Chiefs are 4-8 overall.
Ernest Ward Students Checked Out For Friday’s Homecoming Parade Will Be Excused
October 6, 2010
All students checked out from Ernest Ward Middle School for Friday afternoon’s Northview Homecoming Parade will be excused.
Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said students should be checked out after 11:30 if at all possible. They will not be required to return to school, and they will be excused, she said. Teachers should not be giving any tests or graded assignments, and, if they do, students will have the opportunity to make them up on Monday.
A photo identification is necessary to check a student out at Ernest Ward, and the parent or guardian must be listed as authorized to checkout the student with the school.
County Outlines Employment Contract For New Administrator
October 6, 2010
The Escambia County Commission is expected to approve an employment agreement Thursday for new County Administrator Charles “Randy” Oliver.
According to the contract, which was negotiated between the county attorney and Oliver:
- Employment at will by the Board of County Commissioners;
- An annual base compensation of $145,000
- The same health and insurance benefits as all county employees, which will continue six months beyond termination
- Relocation expenses to be capped at $9,900 plus mileage for one family car
- Retirement benefits (senior management class; qualified optional annuity plan, investment plan or pension plan)
- Travel and standard expenses for county related business
- Tuition, registration, books for seminars and conferences (county related)
- Dues and subscriptions (county related)
- A monthly car allowance of $500 in lieu of a county car
- Either a County-owned phone or a $100 per month phone allowance
- If terminated without cause by the Board, he shall receive 50% of his annual base pay and he will be entitled to all accumulated PTO, MOB and ELB leave
- Voluntary separation by Oliver with 90-day notice, Oliver shall be entitled to received all accumulated PTO, MOB and ELB
- Accrual of leave as other senior management employees, but commencing as an employee in their 11th year of county employment
- The term of the agreement is three years beginning November 1, 2010, with the opportunity for the BOCC by majority vote to renew for a second three-year term
- Annual reviews, to be done either informally or formally
Ernest Ward Middle Undefeated After 30-6 Win Over Blacksher (With Photo Gallery)
October 6, 2010
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles improved to 6-0 with a win over J.U. Blacksher of Uriah Tuesday night, 30-6.
The Eagles struck early, with eighth grader Cameron Newsome in for a 60 yard touchdown less than a minute into the first quarter. With Jaylen Parker in for a good two point conversion, the Eagles were up 8-0.
Ernest Ward scored again with 5:12 to go in the first quarter with a Jaran Miles touchdown. Miles was in for a successful two point conversion, expanding the Eagles’ lead to 16-0.
Ernest Ward will go for win number seven and a perfect season on October 19 when they host the Cougars of Escambia County.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
Pictured top: A host of J.U. Blacksher defenders attempt to stop Ernest Ward’s Aaron McDonald Tuesday night in Walnut Hill. Pictured inset: Jaran Miles in for an EWMS touchdown. Pictured below: The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
