Beulah Boy Appears On Outdoor Channel’s ‘Buckmasters’
July 3, 2011
Taking a child on a first deer hunt is a tradition that Lee Robinson gets to share every year. It was even more special with a child like Dawson Guy. The seven-year old Escambia County boy was born without fully developed arms and only one fully developed leg. He was able to experience the lifelong thrill of a hunt earlier this year.
From his wheelchair, he claimed his first buck.
Dawson’s hunt was part of the Buckmasters national television series Saturday morning on the Outdoor Channel.
Robinson, an Industrial Market Segment specialist at Gulf Power, spends much of his work day touting electric vehicles and large-scale technology advances for industrial customers. As a lifelong hunter, Robinson takes vacation time each year to serve as one of the volunteer guides for the Buckmasters Classic in Alabama. The Buckmasters American Deer Foundation program takes 11 disabled or critically ill children and youth on a guided deer hunt at Jimmy Hinton’s Sedgefield Plantation. Robinson has been doing this for 15 years, guiding some 40 young hunters on the all expenses paid three-day adventure of a lifetime.
“There’s been a lot of special moments over the years and this year with Dawson was one of them,” Robinson said. “Dawson will not let his disadvantage hold him back. He is truly remarkable. Deer hunting was top on his list of things he wanted to do. The thing I remember most about Dawson was his terrific smile, and he smiled and laughed a lot. We had a blast in the deer blinds cutting up and telling stories.”
On a frigid January morning this year, Robinson led Dawson, who lives in Beulah, and his father, Rueben, on the three-day hunt, using a specially prepared deer blind. The rifle was mounted to Dawson’s wheelchair. Through a special tube, Dawson’s mouth activated the specially designed trigger system.
Every year Robinson and other guide volunteers help prepare the hunters for the Classic, learning their abilities, limitations, and helping them harvest their trophy. This year, every one of them claimed a deer.
“Miracles and magic moments happen every year at this event. I am thankful I have the chance to assist them in a small way with a sport that I often find myself taking for granted,” Robinson said. “It renews my spirit and makes me thankful I helped give a little joy to them on their special hunt. It’s truly an honor and a privilege to help make their hunting dream come true, while I help make wonderful memories that will last my lifetime.”
Pictured top: Lee Robinson (far right) of Gulf Power helped Dawson Guy take his first buck earlier this year. Guy was featured on the Outdoor Channel’s Buckmasters program. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pearson, Petty To Wed
July 3, 2011
Nychole Lynn Pearson and William Oliver Petty will be united in marriage at 6 p.m. July 9, 2011, at First Baptist Church in Atmore.
Nychole is the daughter of Wayne Pearson of Birmingham and Dianna L. Wiggins of Atmore. Grandparents are Mrs. Lynn M. Hanks and the late Mr. Homer L. Hanks.
Oliver is the son of Joe Petty of Atmore and Joyce Petty of Atmore. Grandparents are Mary and Jerry Buck of Atmore.
Matron of honor will be Charlotte McGhee, sister of the bride and maid of honor will be Iva Wiggins, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids will be Stacie Rolin, Crystal Hadley, Amanda Mooney, Wendy Lassiter, April Karvelas and Blaze Green. Junior Bridesmaid will be Gabby McGhee. Flower girl will be Bailey Pearson, sister of the bride.
Best man will be Clay Hadley. Groomsmen will be Joey Barber, Josh Montel, Kevin White, Timothy Lassiter, Nick Karvelas, Justin Emmons and John O’Barr. Ring bearers will be Kannon Karvelas and Kaden Lassiter, nephews of the groom.
All friends and family are invited to attend.
Lightning Sparks Large Brush Fire (With Photo Gallery)
July 2, 2011
Firefighters battled a large brush off Highway 97A near Walnut Hill for hours Saturday afternoon.
The fire consumed at least 40 acres in an area off Lamb Road, near Occie Phillips Road. The fire was believed to have been started by a lightning strike sometime about 3 p.m.
The Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze. Two bulldozers from the Florida Division of Forestry worked for nearly two hours to cut a line around the fire before declaring it contained just after 5 p.m.
There were no structures threatened by the fire and no injuries reported.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured above: Fire rages quickly through brush in an area off Highway 97A near Walnut Hill Saturday afternoon. Pictured inset: Smoke from the fire could be seen for miles. Pictured below: A Division of Forestry bulldozer works to cut a line around the fire. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Afternoon Storms Down Trees, Power Lines, Damage Building
July 2, 2011
Afternoon storms damaged at least one building and downed numerous trees and power lines in Nokomis Saturday afternoon.
In Nokomis, Alabama, a portion of the roof was ripped off a fireworks business at the corner of Pineville Road and Highway 31 by the storms, which also left behind a lot of hail on the ground. Trees and power lines were also downed in the area, shutting down Highway 31 for a period of time.
Just across the state line in Nokomis, Florida, trees and power lines were downed on Jakes and Albritton roads.
There were no injuries reported.
The Nokomis and Walnut Hill fire departments and the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department responded to the area.
Pictured top: The roof was ripped from this fireworks business in Nokomis, Alabama, during a Saturday afternoon storm. Pictured below: One of several trees downed in the area. This tree is at a house on Highway 31, not far from the fireworks stand. Photos by Anita Byrd Daniel for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sanity Evaluation Ordered For Molino Pharmacy Robbery Suspect
July 2, 2011
A judge has ordered a psychiatric evaluation for a Molino man accused of robbing a local pharmacy last year while wearing underwear on his head as his attorney seeks an insanity defense.
Friday, Judge Ronald Swanson ordered the sanity evaluation for Joseph Daniel Flowers, now 57. The evaluation is due by August 10.
Flowers is facing multiple charges for the September 20, 2010, robbery of Scott’s Pharmacy, including robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm in a pharmacy, aggravated battery and wearing a mask while committing a felony. Multiple drug possession charges were later filed against Flowers in connection with the case.
Flowers allegedly robbed the pharmacy while wearing a bathrobe, slippers, yellow kitchen gloves and underwear on his head. He has remained in the Escambia County Jail after a November 2010 arrest for failure to appear.
For a photo gallery from the robbery scene and Flower’s home, click here.
The getaway car driver in the robbery, 24-year old Krystal Lynn Collins, was found guilty last month of armed robbery with a firearm and a half dozen felony drug charges. She will be sentenced July 26.
Pictured top: Joseph Daniel Flowers is detained by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy last year. Pictured inset: Deputies investigate the September 20, 2010, robbery of Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge
Settlement Negotiated To End School Religion Dispute
July 2, 2011
A settlement has been reached in an ongoing lawsuit over a consent decree agreement that barred religious activities and teacher-led prayer in Santa Rosa County.
The agreement will end three years of legal fighting between the American Civil Liberties Union, the Santa Rosa County School District and Liberty Counsel, a conservative Christian legal group.
Liberty Counsel will receive $265,000 in legal fees. The group says the deal won’t cost taxpayers with the fees coming from the school district’s insurance company, but the ACLU says taxpayers will foot the bill. The ACLU has agreed to waive their $150,000 legal bill to the school district.
“It’s an unseemly payoff,” said Benjamin James Stevenson, attorney in the ACLU of Florida’s Northwest Regional Office in Pensacola. “They came in after the fact, stirred up some controversy, raised some money on this invented issue, and will leave town likely with $265,000 in taxpayer money that would be better spent on the students in our community.”
“This is a huge step in the right direction and a victory for the citizens in Santa Rosa County,” the Liberty Counsel said.
The battle between the groups started after U.S. District Judge Casey Rodgers signed a consent decree between the ACLU and the school district that required school employees to stop promoting their personal religious beliefs in public schools.
“Our original agreement with the school district was clear and consistent with religious liberty provisions of the Constitution,” said the ACLU’s Stevenson on Friday. “To the extent there was any confusion – real or mostly invented – about what the Constitution requires, we want to be clear and have been even more clear now.”
In September, 2009, the Liberty Counsel rejected an offer by the ACLU and the School District to avoid exposing taxpayers to expensive litigation by making clarifications to the original agreement.
Most of the clarifications to the original agreement were minor, according to the ACLU. Two highlights include new language that makes it clear that although district employees may not lead prayer or religious activities, or allow or direct others to do so, they may remain still and clasp their hands as a show of respect while students pray. And new language gives express permission for employees to say things such as, “God bless” or “Good heavens” to express surprise.
“Despite contrived examples of threats to religious freedom and concocted claims confusion, the original agreement and court order never blocked or interfered with personal religious expression,” Stevenson said. “It was never unclear but now it’s double-clear, you can say “God bless you” when someone sneezes.”
The rules apply only to district employees while they are on the job. The latest agreement states: “As the Court has previously made clear, ‘the plain language of the consent decree simply does not address the conduct of school employees in any context other than in their official capacity.’”
“As a result of this settlement, Liberty Counsel’s clients who are teachers will now be able to pray at school during their break times, pray during school events in a nonofficial capacity, attend and fully participate in baccalaureate services, have a Bible on their desk, wear religious jewelry, and assign readings from the Bible to students when relevant to nonreligious academic assignments. Students will be allowed to voluntarily pray, submit religious answers in homework, and freely participate in private, after-school religious programs,” the Liberty Counsel said in a prepared statement.
Before becoming final, the settlement must be approved by the Santa Rosa School District, which meets on Tuesday, and then be approved the courts.
Pictured: A prayer rally was held in March 2009 at Jay High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Taylor Prefiles For District 5 Escambia Commission Seat
July 2, 2011
A third candidate has prefiled for the Escambia County Commission District 5 seat currently held by Kevin White of Molino.
Jim Andrew Taylor of Carmody Hill Road, Cantonment, announced Friday for the job. He will run as a Republican.
Dennis Wiggins of Killam Road, Century, prefiled June 28 for the job. He will run on the 2012 ballot as an independent with no party affiliation. Republican Sam Archer of Cantonment was the first candidate to announce for the seat back on June 15.
The election is in 2012.
John Powell Joins Sheriff’s Race
July 2, 2011
Friday, John Powell became the third candidate to announce his intentions to seek the position of Escambia County Sheriff. He is running as a Republican.
Powell conducted an unsuccessful run as a Democrat against Ron McNesby in 2004. He served as the police chief in Dothan, Alabama, until being appointed Director of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco in August 2009 by Gov. Charlie Crist.
Incumbent Sheriff David Morgan filed his paperwork in May announcing that he will run again as a Republican.
Bill Chavers, who was originally Morgan’s chief deputy before being demoted about year later, prefiled as an independent candidate back in February, 2010.
315 Losing Their Jobs
July 2, 2011
Over 300 employees of a Santa Rosa County call center will be out of work by the end of October.
The employees of TeleTech were notified Friday that they were losing their jobs. The employees were all transitioned from Clearwire to Teletech in early June.
About 120 Clearwire employees were transferred to Teletech and will remain with Clearwire, a wireless Internet service provider. Those employees remaining with Clearwire are responsible for a variety of back office activities, including operations, workforce management, process management and vendor management.
Fireworks Begin Tonight With Century/Flomaton Show
July 2, 2011
A weekend full of fireworks shows and other events for the Fourth of July begins tonight with the first organized show in years in the Century and Flomaton area.
Here’s a look at the weekend’s events:
Saturday, July 2
Flomaton/Century
The towns of Flomaton and Century, along with their chambers of commerce in each town, will present a fireworks shop Saturday night at dark. The show will be at Hurricane Park on Highway 31 in Flomaton — directly across from Flomaton High School. Bring a blanket or chair. There will be no entertainment prior to the event.
Pensacola Beach
The Santa Rosa Island Authority will host fireworks from the Gulf Pier beginning at 10:30 p.m.
Monday, July 4
Jay
Independence Run at 8 a.m. Monday at Bray-Hendricks City Park. 5K entry fee is $20; 1 mile fun run is $10. All entrants get a t-shirt, awards to be presented. Live entertainment begins at 5 p.m. Fireworks show at dark.
East Brewton
Horseshoe tournament, waterslides for the kids begin at 4:00 Monday, and there’s a duck race at 6 p.m. Entertainment begins at 5 p.m. Food and drinks available all day. Fireworks at 9:30. All events at Fort Crawford Park.
Poarch
The Poarch Creek Indians will host a fireworks show Monday night at on the reservation. Entertainment will begin on stage at Arrow Head Park at 7:30 followed by the fireworks show at 9:00.
Sertoma, Downtown Pensacola
For the 22nd year, area Sertoma organizations are once again coordinating and hosting the largest Fireworks display on the Gulf Coast over Pensacola Bay on Monday, July 4th, 2011, at 9:00 pm. There will be activities throughout the day, from 11:00 am until 6:30 pm, in Olde Seville Square to include a FREE Children’s Area with inflatables and pony rides, Arts and Crafts vendors, Food vendors, and live entertainment on the gazebo stage beginning at 11:00 am, with a Hot Dog Eating Contest at noon! Starting at 4:00 pm, there will be live music on the Bayfront Stage, featuring Mass Kunfuzion, followed by August Body at 6:30. The festivities will culminate with the fireworks show over Pensacola Bay, synchronized with music broadcast on Cat Country FM 98.7. For a schedule of events, go to www.pensacolasertomajuly4th.org
Pensacola Beach
4th of July begins with The Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Rosa Island Authority sponsoring a Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza in the skies above Santa Rosa Sound. The show, begins at 9 p.m. and will feature 472 explosive shells! WXBM Your Country 102.7/Soft Rock94.1, will be broadcasting live from Portofino Boardwalk and simulcasting patriotic music. For more information, go to www.visitpensacolabeach.com.
Milton
Riverfest 2011 “A Celebration of Freedom”, 4th of July 4 celebration kicks-off at 9 a.m. Enjoy a day of family fun events! The 10th annual Firecracker Bike Show, the Freedom Car Show, a children’s activity area, The Great MillTown Duck Race, LIVE entertainment and Fireworks starting a dark. Historic Downtown Milton – North and South Willing Street & Riverwalk Area. For a schedule of events, go to www.srcchamber.com.
Bay Minette
Fireworks begin just after dark behind Bay Minette Intermediate School.