FWC Officers Seize Deer Meat, Firearms, Charges Could Be Filed

November 18, 2011

Charges are expected to be filed against at least two people after officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission seized illegally taken deer meat and firearms from a home in Bratt.

FWC officers received information Wednesday that a firearm was used to the kill the deer, according to Stan Kirkland, FWC spokesperson. It is currently archery season (and crossbow on private property), and firearm use is not permitted for deer until November 23.

Witnesses told officers that two adult brothers had gone hunting and several shots were heard. When questioned, the two brothers admitted to shooting three deer — a doe and two yearlings — with a firearm, Kirkland said. Officers located the remains of the deer behind a residence on York Road, off North Pine Barren Road just east of Northview High School.

FWC officers also seized a 12-gauge shotgun and a .30-06 rifle from the home.

According to Kirkland, warrants are expected to be issued against the two brothers for a variety of charges, including using a firearm during archery season, taking over the bag limit, and taking by illegal methods.

A juvenile at the home also admitted to shooting and wounding a deer that was killed the following day, Kirkland said. A rifle and deer meat related to that incident were also seized.

Pictured: FWC Officers watch a home on York Road in Bratt before seizing deer meat and firearms. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Escambia Passes Panhandling Ordinance

November 18, 2011

The Escambia County Commission Thursday night passed a new ordinance that prohibits panhandling or other activities in medians.

The “Roadway Safety Ordinance” forbids stopping or standing  in a paved or unpaved median unless lawfully crossing the road. That makes panhandling, hawking newspapers, fundraising for non-profits and other means of conducting or soliciting illegal from a median.

The ordinance passed the commission on a 3-2 vote, with Kevin White, Wilson Robertson and Gene Valentino voting in favor, and Grover Robinson and Marie Young opposed. The ordinance will take effect in about 10 days.

Violators can face a fine of up to $500 or up to 60 days in the county jail.

Playoff Time: Northview, West Florida, Flomaton At Home Tonight

November 18, 2011

Are you ready for some football? It will be a big night on both side of the state line tonight with playoff action across the area.

Wewahitchka at Northview (1-A)

It’s the second straight postseason appearance for the Northview Chiefs, but there are two major differences this year. The odometer was rolling fast and furious for the Chiefs last year with playoff games on the road; this year Northview is home for the regional finals tonight and, with a win, will be home again. The only road trip would be to Orlando for the state championship game. It’s also the first year of the new rural division, eliminating the chance of playing against big city private schools.

Tonight, the District 1-1A champ Chiefs will host District 2-1A runnerup Wewahitckha in the seventh-ever playoff appearance for Northview. Game time is 7:30 tonight; admission is $8 with no passes.

Northview got the Chief spirit going Thursday night with a huge pep rally, bonfire and tree-rolling. For a photo gallery, click here.

Tallahassee Godby at West Florida (1-5A)

It’s been dream season for the West Florida Jaguars. At 9-1, it was by far the best-ever season in the school’s history Tonight, Tallahasse Godby comes to town as the Jags look to keep the dream alive in the first round of the playoffs — the second-ever playoff appearance for West Florida. The game kicks off at 7:30 at Woodham Middle School.

Elba at Flomaton (Ala. 2A)

There’s a big storm brewing just north of the state line tonight as the 11-1  Flomaton Hurricanes host Elba in round three of the playoffs — the first quarterfinal game very played in Flomaton. Both teams are coming off big wins last week — Flomaton 51-7 over Goshen and Elba 59-20 over Vincent. The word on the street is this will be the biggest night in Flomaton’s history as practically the entire town will drown the stadium in a sea of green and white.

Elba’s ranked No. 1 in the state; Flomaton sits at No. 6. The ‘Canes only loss was 14-13 to defending state champs Leroy.

Other area playoff games:

  • Choctawhatchee at Pensacola High, 7:30 p.m.
  • Gulf Breeze at Wakulla, 7:30 p.m.
  • Pace at Niceville, 7:30 p.m.

Pictured top: Chief fans roll trees at Northview High School Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

New Members Appointed To Escambia Extension Council

November 18, 2011

New members have been appointed to the Escambia County Extension Council.

Appointed for a two year term were:

Marck Casson of McDavid, small farm producer
Vernon Hiebert of Walnut Hill, catfish farm owner
Charles Woodward of Molino, retired from USDA Farm Service Agency
Carol Tanksley, associate professor UWF

Reappointed for two year terms were:

Debbie Looney of Pensacola, scientist Northwest Fla. Water Management District
Julie Sackman of Pensacola, self employed writer, 4-H volunteer

Northview, Ernest Ward Cross Country Teams Honored (With Gallery)

November 18, 2011

Northview High School held their annual cross country banquet Thursday night, along with the first-ever cross country team from Ernest Ward Middle School.

For a photo gallery, click here.

The following awards were presented:

Northview High School

  • Most Valuable Runner (MVR) Female: Georgia Goetter
  • Most Valuable Runner (MVR) Male: Isaac McGahan
  • Most Improved Female: Ashley Joiner
  • Most Improved Male: Joshua Borelli
  • Jim Ross Memorial Award: Aaron Raush
  • Junmi Ross Award: Alanna Johnson
  • Coaches’ Award: Zacarra Davis

Ernest Ward Middle School

  • Most Valuable Runner (MVR) Female: Bethany Reynolds
  • Most Valuable Runner (MVR) Male: Zachary Calloway
    Most Improved Female: Jessica Barrows
  • Most Improved Male: Logan Calloway

For a photo gallery, click here.

Pictured top: The Northview High School Cross Country team. Pictured below: The first-ever Ernest Ward Middle School Cross Country team. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Groups File Suit Against DOC Over Censorship Of Prison Mail

November 18, 2011

The ACLU of Florida and the Florida Justice Institution filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging what the organizations say is “censorship” by the Department of Corrections.

The suit challenges the agency’s decision to block delivery of Prison Legal News, a publication covering legal issues in regards to prisons, because of advertisements for things like pen-pal services. The lawsuit on behalf of the publication was filed in a federal court in Miami.

“Government can’t censor material just because it doesn’t like what’s being published in the material — in this case, advertisements for pen-pal services,” said ACLU of Florida executive director Howard Simon. “Just because our client provides legal information for people who are incarcerated doesn’t mean they forfeit their constitutional rights.”

By The News Service of Florida

Photo Gallery: Chief Fans Hold Pep Rally

November 18, 2011

The Northview Chiefs held a pep rally Thursday night on the school campus, complete with a bonfire and rolling trees Toomer’s Corner style with toilet paper.

The pep rally is in advance of the Chiefs’ playoff game at 7:30 tonight in Bratt against Wewahitckha.

For a photo gallery, click here.

Pictured: The Northview Chiefs hold a pep rally Thursday night at the school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

C. Wilson Johnson

November 18, 2011

C. Wilson Johnson, age 80, passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2011, in Atmore. He was a native of Neshoba County, MS, and a resident of Atmore for most of his life. Wilson was owner of Johnson Timber Company and best remembered as an outdoorsman and cane-maker/log-puller at Williams Station Days. He loved horses, dogs, people, and “the woods”.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ethel and Carlene Johnson, and two sisters, Ethelyn Stribling and Frances Hewitt.

Wilson is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carole Johnson; two sisters, Corrine Brister and Ellen Kahl; one brother, Rodney Johnson; a son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Julie Johnson; and two grandsons and a grand daughter-in-law, Matt and Anne Johnson and Drew Johnson.

A graveside service was held on Friday, November 18, 2011 at from Oak Hill Cemetery.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Molino Park Presents ‘On The Radio’, Collects 2,900 Food Items For The Needy (With Gallery)

November 18, 2011

Students at Molino Park Elementary School collected over 2,900 food items during a drive to held the needy in the Molino area at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The school partnered with Aldersgate United Methodist Church for a “Help our Neighbor’ food drive. The items collected by Molino Park will distributed in the community along with turkeys and hams from Aldersgate.

Venetia Fountain’s class was first place in the food drive, donating over 800 items.

The students wrapped up the food drive with a fourth grade performance of “On the Radio” Thursday, under the direction of music teacher Twinette McDonald.

For a photo gallery from “On The Radio”, click here.

Pictured top: “On the Radio” Thursday night at Molino Park Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photo by Sara Calhoun. Pictured below: Over 2,900 food items donated by MPES students and staff, submitted photo by Sandra Greenwell.

In Hot Pursuit 5K Raises Cash For Youth Ranches

November 18, 2011

The recent Escambia County Sheriff’s Office “In Hot Pursuit 5K” raised $8,882.43 for the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches. Over 230 runners and walkers took part in the annual 5K on Pensacola Beach. Pictured: Sheriff David Morgan presents the 5K proceeds to John Szaroleta of Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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