Latest Poll: Gov. Scott Approval Rating At Just 27 Percent
July 14, 2011
According to a survey commissioned by the conservative website Sunshine State News, Gov. Rick Scott sits with a 27 percent approval rating, with 58 percent disapproving of the job he’s doing.
The discontent with Scott appears to be fairly widespread. Scott’s approval rating among Republicans is just 48 percent, compared to 34 percent disapproval. Men, women and voters across all age groups registered majority disapproval of Scott’s job so far.
The poll was taken July 5-7, shortly after Scott announced his decision to allow the SunRail commuter line in Central Florida to go forward. The decision outraged Scott’s tea-party supporters and apparently did little to buoy the governor’s numbers in the area; Central Florida voters still give Scott a 54 percent disapproval rating and a 28 percent approval rating.
According to Sunshine State News, the automated poll by Voter Survey Service included 1,000 registered like voters who voted in the 2006 or 2008 elections. The margin of error is 3.1 percentage points.
By The News Service Florida
Robbery Outside Cordova Mall Gets Man Life In Prison
July 14, 2011
An Escambia County man was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday for robbing a man outside Cordova Mall.
Judge Nicholas Geeker sentenced Anthony Rhaney II for carjacking with a firearm, robbery with a firearm and fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer.
Rhaney was convicted for robbing a man outside of the Cordova Mall in Pensacola on September 16, 2010. Rhaney and a second suspect approached Brian Crawford as he exited the mall and was attempting to get into his vehicle, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins. The second suspect held Crawford at gunpoint while Rhaney robbed Crawford of his merchandise, watch, and cell phone. When Crawford did not have any cash to give the men, they decided to take his car.
The next day Pensacola Police Officer Bruce Harris saw the car driving south on 9th Avenue by the mall. He and another officer got behind the vehicle and attempted to pull it over. Rhaney, who was driving the stolen car, led officers on a 10 minute pursuit through Pensacola. Eventually officers were able to stop the car and take Rhaney into custody. Rhaney was then identified as one of the robbers by Crawford.
Santa Rosa Wildfire Update
July 13, 2011
A wildfire in Santa Rosa County that threatened several homes earlier today is now nearly controlled.
The 20-acre fire is in the area of Santa Monica Street, near the intersection of Avalon Boulevard and I-10.
Florida Forest Service crews are on the scene reinforcing the lines and the fire was 95 percent contained. All residents have returned home after four homes were evacuated because of smoke
Crews will continue to monitor this fire for the next several days and we urge drivers on I-10, Avalon Boulevard and surrounding roads to be cautious if they encounter smoke. Debris inside the fire lines will continue to burn for the next several days but warning signs will be posted.
McDavid Man Pleads Not Guilty To Assault, Battery, Weapons Charges
July 13, 2011
A McDavid man has pleaded not guilty to domestic violence and weapons charges stemming from a May incident.
Jason Edward Potter, 31, of Purdue Road, was charged with domestic violence aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of battery domestic violence, felony possession of weapon by a convicted felon, and criminal mischief. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond on a probation violation charge.
After an alleged dispute with his sister over $20, Potter allegedly tackled her. He also allegedly used his elbow to break the glass out of gun cabinet, taking a .22 caliber revolver, load it and threaten to kill himself and say that the police would have to kill him.
The sister, age 29, was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Two Time Super Bowl Champ Anthony Pleasant To Attend Park Dedication
July 13, 2011
Two-time Super Bowl champion Anthony Pleasant will be in Century Saturday night as the town dedicates the sports facility that bears his name.
The Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex will be dedicated at 6 p.m. The celebration will include free hot dogs and soft drinks.
The 22 -acre park was named after Century native Pleasant (pictured), a former pro football player selected in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. During his 14 year NFL career, Pleasant played for the Browns, the Baltimore Ravens, the Atlanta Falcons, the New York Jets, the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots. He played a total of 202 NFL games and racked up 58 sacks and two interceptions.
The 1986 Century High School graduate earned two Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots.
Pleasant is currently the defensive line coach for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs.
Anthony Pleasant Park is located off Highway 4 just east of North Century Boulevard; turn right after crossing the railroad tracks.
Pictured top: The Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex is to the right of the wooded area in this aerial photos. Showalter Park (with the softball/baseball fields) is to the left. Courtesy Google. Pictured inset: Anthony Pleasant, courtesy Kansas City Chiefs.
Buy A Fantasy 5 Ticket In Pensacola? You Might Have Won $100K
July 13, 2011
A Fantasy 5 ticket purchased on Nine Mile Road in Pensacola is worth over $100 thousand.
The ticket with the numbers 01-17-25-30-35 was one of two winners in Tuesday’s Fantasy 5 game. The tickets were sold in Kissimmee and the Publix at Nine Mile Road and University Parkway in Pensacola. The winning ticket purchased in Pensacola was a free ticket.
There were 233 tickets with four correct numbers worth $138.50, 7,500 tickets with three correct numbers for $12, and 79,899 tickets that won a free ticket for picking two numbers.
Molino Park Elementary Library Open Today
July 13, 2011
The Molino Park Elementary School Library will be open from 9 a.m. until noon today for students and their parents.
The library will be open from 9 a.m. until noon. There will be guest readers, along with activities related to the stories that are read. Parents and students can check out books, and students can take Accelerated Reader tests.
For more information, contact the school at (850) 587-5265.
Parents are required to stay with their children, and books that are checked out are due back August 10.
The library will also be open from 9 a.m. until noon on July 27 and August 10.
Showers, T-storms Possible Today
July 13, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 106. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 10am. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Highland VBS Takes Kids On Big Apple Adventure In Molino
July 13, 2011
Big Apple Adventure Vacation Bible School is underway this week at Highland Baptist Church on Highway 95A in Molino.
The VBS, for ages three through completion of fifth grade continues each evening from 5:30 until 8:30 through Friday. There will also be a Family Night “Pizza In The Park” Sunday at 5 p.m.
By Sunday night, either Pastor Brian Calhoun or his wife Sara will be walking around with pink or purple hair. There is a friendly little competition between the boys and girls at Highland’s VBS to make the largest offering to the Children’s Malnutrition Center of San Juan, Guatemala, via the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes. If the girls win, the pastor’s hair will be purple on Sunday; if the boys win, the pastor’s wife’s hair will be pink.
Almost 250 took part in the first night of the VBS at Highland Baptist Church.
For more photos from the Highland Baptist Church VBS, click here.
Pictured above and below: VBS at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge..
Do you have new or photos you would like to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com
Escambia Supervisor Of Elections Named President Of State Association
July 13, 2011
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford was sworn in as president of the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections for 2011-2012.
The Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections (FSASE) is organized and exists to assist its members to conduct fair, honest and accurate elections by providing continuing education and certification programs that encourage the highest level of professionalism; to assist the citizens of Florida to become better informed about voting and be prepared to participate in the democratic process; and to create a forum for the Supervisors to express their joint opinions on important election issues.
Stafford has been active in the association since his election in 2004, having served on the executive committee since 2007 and in several other capacities, most recently as chair of the legislative committee.