Bratt Park Renamed For Fallen Marine LCpl Travis M. Nelson
September 16, 2011
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night rename the Bratt Community Park in honor of LCpl. Travis M. Nelson, the local Marine killed in action last month in Afghanistan.
An official dedication for the “LCpl Travis M. Nelson Memorial Park” will be scheduled for a later date, according to District 5 Commissioner Kevin White.
The Nelson family has also requested the county’s permission to place a monument at the park on Highway 4 near Northview High School, just two doors down from where Travis Nelson grew up. Nelson was the first soldier killed in action from the Walnut Hill or Bratt area since 1969.
Pictured top: The Bratt Community Park was renamed the LCpl Travis M. Nelson Memorial Park by the Escambia County Commission. Pictured inset: Parents Scott and Beckie Nelson of Bratt remember their son, Marine LCpl. Travis Nelson, shortly after learning that he had been killed in action in Afghanistan. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Couple In Court In Alleged Cancer Scam Case
September 16, 2011
The Molino couple accused of faking her cancer diagnosis to scam people out of thousands of dollars were back in court this week.
Both Chris and Sonja Luker appeared before Judge Joel Boles for a docket hearing before their scheduled trial date of September 29th. Boles granted a postponement request by the defense. Both Lukers will be back in court for a docket hearing on January 11 ,2012, and their trial is now set for jury selection to begin January 23, 2012.
Felony grand theft charges were dropped against the couple back in May, but they both still face felony fraud charges in the alleged scheme.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, numerous fundraisers were held between May 2004 and October 2010 that raised over $19,000. Evidence shows that about $14,000 was used in 2009 to avoid foreclosure on their home in the 4700 block of Pine Circle Drive and about $4,000 in cash was used by Chris Luker to purchase a 1997 Harley motorcycle.
The Sheriff’s Office investigation found that Chris and Sonja Luker personally received money from friends, family, church members and co-workers under a “scheme” that Sonja Luker was being treated for cancer. Investigators believe both Chris and Sonja Luker are guilty of fraud in the scheme; witnesses said the couple was observed together at fundraisers talking about her cancer treatments.
They have each pleaded not guilty to the charge against them.
Pictured above: Sonja and Chris Luker (in black shirts) are seen in a 2009 NorthEscambia.com photo from a motorcycle ride fundraiser that benefited her alleged fight against cancer. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Near Perfect Weekend Weather
September 16, 2011
A weak cold front has brought cooler temperatures and lower humidity to the area — near perfect almost-fall weather.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Northview Takes Cross Country Meet; Ernest Ward Fields First-Ever Team
September 16, 2011
The Northview Chiefs took a cross country meet with Baker Thursday afternoon — the first meet for the Ernest Ward Middle School Cross Country Team in school history.
At the high school level, the Northview girls won with 22 points to Baker’s 44, and the Northview boys won with 22 points to the Baker Gators’ 33.
For a photo gallery from the meet, click here.
OVERALL RESULTS
- Fastest high school girl -Georgia Goetter 24:31 Northview
- Fastest high school Boy- Dylan Scott 18:29 Baker
- Fastest middle school Girl -Sierra Brannon 28:21 Baker
- Fastest middle school Boy -Michael Copeland 26:51 Baker
HIGH SCHOOL
- Top 5 Northview girls: Georgia Goetter, Lakelynn Parker, zacarra Davis, Jazzlyn Franklin, Ashley Joiner
- Top 5 Baker girls: Katelyn Prahl, Sierra Brannon, Anna Scott, Isabella Chunn, Katie Smith
- Top 5 Northview boys: Isaac McGahan, Dakota Craft, Joseph Baldwin, Jonathan Moretz, Joshua Borelli
- Top 5 Baker boys: Dylan Scott, Sage Smith, Arec Thompson, Johnathon Ramos, Michael Copeland
MIDDLE SCHOOL
- Top 2 Ernest Ward girls: Bethany Reynolds 28:55, Natalie Goetter 30:04
- Top 2 Ernest Ward boys: Zachary Calloway 31:17, Gavin Coon 31:23
- Top 2 Baker girls: Sierra Brannon 28:21, Anna Scott 30:31
- Top 2 Baker boys: Michael Copeland 26:51, Austin Mayo 28:43
Pictured top: Top Northview High School male and female runners Isaac McGahan and Georgia Goetter during a cross country meet Thursday afternoon at Northview. Pictured below: Top Ernest Ward Middle male and female runners Bethany Reynolds and Zachary Calloway. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tonight’s Football Schedule
September 16, 2011
Here’s a look at tonight’s North Escambia area prep football schedule:
Florida
- Northview at Chipley, 7 p.m.
- Tate at West Florida, 7 p.m.
- Jay at Sneads, 7 p.m.
- Niceville at Pine Forest, 7:30 p.m.
- Washington at Choctawhatchee, 7 p.m.
- Rutherford at Escambia, 7:30 p.m.
- Catholic at Pensacola High, 7:30 p.m.
- Pace at Navarre, 7:30 p.m.
- Fort Walton Beach at Milton, 7:30 p.m.
Alabama
- Mobile Christian at Flomaton, 7 p.m.
- T.R. Miller at Montgomery Academy, 7 p.m.
- Escambia County High (Atmore) at W.S. Neal, 7 p.m.
- Prattville Christian at Escambia Academy, 7 p.m.
Man Charged With Exposing Himself To Children Headed To School Bus Stop
September 16, 2011
A Santa Rosa County man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly exposing himself to five children as they walked to a school bus stop.
Brian Lee Brown, 38, was allegedly standing naked in the doorway of the shed where he lives, touching himself, as the first children walked past to their bus stop on Auburn Road in Pace. Brown told deputies that when he woke up he opened the door of the shed where he lives to get dressed.
“Brown stated that he didn’t expect children to be walking past his shed towards the bus stop. Brown stated that he didn’t mean to expose himself to the children, and stated that he ‘is not a pervert’,” according to a press release from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Brown is facing five counts of lewd or lascivious behavior and was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
PSC Holds Meeting On Gulf Power Rate Increase
September 16, 2011
The Florida Public Service Commission held a public hearing in Pensacola Thursday before considering another rate hike for Gulf Power.
Gulf Power was granted a four percent interim rate increase that begins appearing on customer’’s electric bills this month. Under the interim increase, Gulf Power residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours a month will see their bills go from $122.67 to $127.16. Utilities commonly use 1,000 kilowatt hours as a measuring stick, but many homes use more electricity than that each month.
If the permanent rate hike is approved, those same residential customers would see their monthly bills increase to $134.82, according to Gulf Power. The total increase would amount to about $146 per year for the 1,000 kilowatt hour per month customer.
Gulf Power, which serves 431,000 customers in eight counties, has not received a base-rate increase in nearly a decade. Base rates pay for many day-to-day operations of utilities, but customers also face other charges for expenses such as power-plant fuel.
The company contends that it needs to increase base rates, at least in part, because of the costs of adding power lines and other types of infrastructure.
Escambia, Alabama School Superintendent Stepping Down
September 16, 2011
Escambia County (Ala.) School Superintendent William N. Hines announced Thursday that he’s stepping down.
Hines told the Escambia County (Ala.) School Board that he will retire by December 1 for financial reasons. He will retire with 34 years in the Escambia school system, six of those years as superintendent.
The school board can appoint an interim superintendent for up to 180 days as they begin the search for a replacement.
Free Computer Classes: Learn Resumé Creation, Email And Craigslist
September 16, 2011
Free computer classes will be offered on Saturdays at the Century Branch Library.
Classes include:
- September 17 – Creating a Resumé
- September 24 – Email II
- October 1 – Job Searching Craigslist.
All classes will be held from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Space is limited. For more information, call the Century Branch Library at (850) 256-6217.
Man Sentenced For 2010 Murder
September 16, 2011
An Escambia County man was sentenced Thursday to state prison for a June 2010 murder.
Alberto Christopher Leslie received a 30 year sentence for manslaughter with a firearm and a consecutive 10 year sentence for possession of firearm by a convicted felon, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins. Leslie had been convicted by an Escambia County Jury on August 12, 2011.
The sentence stemmed from the shooting of Brandon Stovall in the Twin Oaks Apartment Complex on June 21, 2010. As Stovall was leaving the apartment complex, he and Leslie got into an argument. During the course of the argument Leslie pulled out a .32 caliber firearm and shot Stovall four times in the head. Stovall was pronounced dead at the scene.
Leslie admitted to the killing, but argued that it was committed in self-defense. He had originally been charged with second degree murder, but was convicted of the lesser offense of manslaughter.