Crimson Tide Wins 14th National Championship, 21-0, Over LSU
January 10, 2012
A staunch defensive effort, combined with a record-setting night from kicker Jeremy Shelley, propelled the University of Alabama football team to its 14th national championship with a 21-0 victory over LSU Monday night in the BCS National Championship Game.
The Crimson Tide’s defense held LSU to just 92 total yards and five first downs as Defensive Player of the Game Courtney Upshaw and Jerrell Harris each had seven tackles. As a unit, the defense had 11 tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception.
“I think it’s a great team win,” UA head coach Nick Saban said. “Our offense controlled the tempo of this game. We did a great job on special teams. It was just a great team win for every guy here, every fan that we have, every supporter of this program. This is great for Alabama.”
Fifteen of UA’s 21 points came from the leg of kicker Jeremy Shelley, who converted on a bowl-record five field goals from 23, 34, 41, 35 and a career-long 44 yards. The defense provided the offense with excellent field position all evening and quarterback AJ McCarron did a masterful job under center completing 23-of-34 passes for 234 yards to earn Offensive Player of the Game honors.
“We knew that he [McCarron] was going to have to play well because we knew that we were going to throw the ball,” Saban said of his quarterback. “He showed great leadership and poise in making good decisions.”
Thanks to Shelley, the Tide carried a 15-0 lead into the final quarter when LSU mounted its first legitimate charge after being held to just 55 yards in the previous three quarters. Upon crossing midfield for the first time all game, the drive stalled and left the Tigers facing 4th and 18 to gain on the UA 40. The Tide defense came through again as Dont’a Hightower sacked LSU’s Jordan Jefferson and knocked the ball loose at the 50-yard line. Nick Gentry fell on the fumble to end the drive and set the UA offense up at midfield with 6:15 left in the contest.
Four plays later, Pensacola’s Trent Richardson (pictured left) raced 34 yards for the first touchdown of the game and the Heisman Trophy semifinalist finished with 96 yards on 20 carries and 107 all-purpose yards.
Alabama put up the first points of the game when Shelley capped off a five-play, 20-yard drive with a 23-yard field goal with five minutes left in the first quarter. Shelley would come up big for the Tide on two more occasions in the first half, connecting from 34 and 41 yards to give Alabama a 9-0 lead at the break.
Alabama held LSU to one first down throughout the first half, while collecting 13 of its own. The Tide also collected 156 total yards compared to the Tigers’ 26 total yards in the first 30 minutes.
The title is the Tide’s 14th in program history adding to the national championships won in 1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1941, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992, 2009 and 2011. The Crimson Tide finished the 2011 season with a 12-1 record. The combined record of UA’s 14 national championship teams stands at 157-7-2.
Pictured top: Alabama Coach Nick Saban celebrates the BCS National Championship Monday night in New Orleans. Pictured top inset: AJ McCarron was named the BCS National Championship Game Offensive Player of the Game. Pictured bottom inset: Escambia High School graduate Trent Richardson scored the only touchdown in the game for the Tide. Photos by Kent Gidley, University of Alabama, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Article courtesy the University of Alabama.
Tell On Teens Who Get Tickets, But Don’t Tell The Boss
January 10, 2012
Lawmakers want state officials to be able to send you a note to let you know if your kids get a speeding ticket. But if you get a caught going too fast, they don’t really want the state telling your boss.
Of course you – and your boss – can find out anytime you want if someone’s had a ticket: driving records are public under state law. Just go to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and give them your kid’s name – or an employee’s name – and pay the fee, and you can find out whether they have a lead foot or drive while drunk.
Almost any company that has employees who drive for work, from school bus drivers to package deliverers, checks on driver records.
But at issue on Monday was a bill that would turn the process around in some cases, letting parents sign up to be notified electronically anytime their child violates a traffic law. The parent wouldn’t have to periodically check their child’s record, the DHSMV would simply let them know any time their kids have seen blue lights in the rearview.
The bill (SB 854) enjoyed full support of the Senate Transportation Committee on Monday, sending the measure to the Budget Committee.
But not before the Transportation Committee firmly rejected a proposed amendment that would have also allowed employers to sign up with DHSMV to get notices when their workers – whether they drive for their job or not – get some sort of traffic ticket.
That would mean, for example, that instead of a school board simply checking up on bus drivers from time to time, it would now be automatically notified if a teacher had gotten a ticket, or a janitor, for example. Theoretically, the Senate president could also sign up to be notified if senators get pulled over and ticketed, noted Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Wellington.
To have employers routinely notified of workers’ driving slip-ups, “for me, that goes a little bit too far,” Benacquisto said.
An official with the highway safety agency, which actually recommended the change, reminded legislators that employers can check up on their employees now. “It’s public record, they can do that today,” noted Steven Fielder, the agency’s legislative affairs director.
But having the agency proactively rat out employees to their bosses is different than having the agency go through the effort to find out, said several members of the committee.
“That’s a horse of a different color,” said Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa. “There’s something that’s just not right about it,” added Sen. Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami.
No vote was even needed on the amendment.
“Is there anybody here besides (amendment and bill sponsor Sen. Greg) Evers who supports this?” asked the committee’s chairman, Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, who had earlier called the provision a “Big Brother amendment.”
No one spoke up and Evers, R-Baker, withdrew the amendment before the panel approved the original bill.
By The News Service of Florida
Jim Allen To Present “What’s On The Menu” For Families
January 10, 2012
Parents and students at Jim Allen Elementary School will gather for an engaging and educational program called “What’s on the Menu.” This program is aimed at helping promote financial education among the students’ families. The program will be held Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria.
For additional information, please contact Rachel Watts, Principal of Jim Allen Elementary School, 937-2260.
Pedestrian Killed Friday Night Identified
January 9, 2012
The name of a pedestrian who died from injuries he received Friday night after being struck by a vehicle in Escambia County has been released.
The man was identified through fingerprints as 38-year old Justin Langham of Pensacola, according to Pensacola Police.
Police said 90-year old Clyde Eddins was southbound on Ninth Avenue near Creighton Road in a 2011 Jeep Cherokee when Langham stepped into his path. Langham was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital were he passed away late Saturday morning.
No charges will be filed, according to police.
Drive By Shooting Suspect Shoots At Deputies
January 9, 2012
An Escambia County man is behind bars, accused of shooting and a house and sheriff’s deputies.
Willie James Brazile, 21, was arrested Sunday night after deputies responded to a prowler call in the 5400 block of Tomlinson Road. While in the area, Deputy Daniel Dreadin observed someone in a silver car fire several shots towards a house. Dreadin gave pursuit, and deputies said someone in the vehicle fired shots at them.
After the vehicle came to a stop, two people fled on foot. A short time later, Brazile was taken into custody and a firearm recovered. Deputies later discovered that the vehicle was stolen.
Brazile, who deputies believed to be the passenger, was charged with four counts of aggravated assault , two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement officer, use of firearm while committing a felony, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, firing deadly missiles into a dwelling, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and resisting an officer without violence. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $101,000.
The other suspect remained at large Monday morning.
Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Tate Grad Develops Product That Could Improve AIDS Treatment Worldwide
January 9, 2012
A Tate High School graduate has developed a product that could help make AIDS treatment faster, more effective and cheaper whether it is used in a local doctor’s office or a remote area of Africa. His research and innovation was recognized with the Baxter Young Investigator Award.
The annual Baxter awards are intended to stimulate and reward research applicable to the development of critical care therapies and medical products that save and sustain patients’ lives.
As a Ph.D. candidate at University of Illinois, Nicholas Watkins developed a CD4 counter, which counts a specific type of blood cell, called the Helper T cell. The cell normally fights off disease, but HIV attacks the T cells and uses them to create more viruses. An HIV positive patient will develop AIDS if the T cell count falls too low.
The final prototype of Watkins’s device will be hand held, requiring only one drop of blood from an AIDS patient. The device then counts the number of Helper T cells in the blood, providing a snapshot of the HIV patient’s immune system and determining which type of drugs the patients should receive.
Watkins’ current prototype can provide T cell counts in about 15 minutes or less — allowing a doctor to obtain a count and adjust a drug therapy in a single appointment.
Machines called flow cytometers exist and complete the same task, but these devices are large and expensive. Watkins said these machines are “very efficient,” but, they can cost over $100,000 and require highly skilled technicians to operate them.
When Watkins thought of making his CD4 counter at the University of Illinois, he had sub-Saharan Africa in mind — a long way from his former Cantonment residence.
“We’re trying to make a handheld, portable CD4 counter that can be deployed to regions that don’t have the money we have,” Watkins said. “We’re thinking of areas like sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV/AIDS is prevalent.”
But his device will not benefit solely one region in the world. Watkins said this type of machine would be necessary in any underdeveloped country that has a large portion of its population battling AIDS. He said millions of dollars are sent to these countries to help support the dispersal of medication, but the different medications are only effective when the correct one is given based on an individual’s Helper T cell count.
“Each person’s immune system responds differently,” Watkins said. “You need a highly quantitative test like a CD4 counter to determine which drugs work better. These drugs do work, but the problem is that we’re having trouble figuring out which drugs work for each person.”
Watkins added that his portable CD4 counter can help improve the quality of life for people who do not live in bigger cities, where flow cytometers might be available.
The device is Watkins’s PhD project under the direction of his adviser, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Rashid Bashir, director of the Micro and Nanotechnology Lab. He has been working on the project since 2009.
“It was very challenging but very rewarding knowing this is a very practical application and could be used in the next few years,” Watkins said. “It’s fulfilling to know that this research won’t just be published but will actually be used to help people.”
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain, Thunderstorms Becoming Likely
January 9, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Patchy fog before 9am. High near 71. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
- Tuesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 50. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. West wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 24.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 57.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 61.
- Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 36.
- M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 56.
New Raceway Convenience Store Under Construction In Cantonment
January 9, 2012
A new RaceWay convenience store is under construction at the intersection of Highway 29 and Muscogee Road in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Shirley Bibb Whittaker
January 9, 2012
Shirley Bibb Whittaker, age 65 of Cantonment, passed away January 7, 2012.
Services will be Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at Plainview Baptist Church. Visitation shall begin at 11 a.m. followed by a memorial service at noon, with the Reverend Bill Flannigan officiating. Mrs. Whittaker will be buried at Good Hope Cemetery in Cullman, AL, at 11 am on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, with a graveside service, also officiated by Reverend Flannigan.
Mrs. Whittaker passed away at her home on Saturday, January 7, 2012, of natural causes.
She is survived by her husband, Lonnie Hurdis Whittaker; one son, Glen Aderhold; three grandchildren, Loryn Amanda Jensen, Dixon Alexander Aderhold, and Steven Garrett Aderhold; three stepsons, Phillip (Melissa) Blondia, Eric Pilto, and Bruce Blondia, and several step-grandchildren. Mrs. Whittaker is also survived by three brothers, Glenn (Carolyn) Bibb, Wayne (Betty) Bibb, Wiley (Donna) Bibb, and by three sisters, Doris (Gene) Arnold, Sue (Burt) Rodgers, and Jo Walton. She was preceded in death by her parents, Tracy and Clezzell Bibb.
Shirley Whittaker worked for the State of Florida, Vocational Rehabilitation Division for 35 years. She was very active in the Plainview Baptist Church Children’s Ministries, AWANA, and various other ministries in her beloved church.
The family requests that contributions to Plainview Baptist Church Children’s Church and AWANA would be made in lieu of flowers.
Locals Run Disney Marathon; Jay’s Dobson Finishes 29th
January 9, 2012
Several North Escambia area residents took part in the annual Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon, including past winner Matt Dobson of Jay.
Dobson, who won the 2004 marathon, finished in 29th place in the 2012 event with a time of 2:49:50. The 42-year old was fourth overall in his division. The top finisher in the race was Costa Fredison of Brazil with a time of 2:19:02.
In the half marathon, Wayne Peacock of Cantonment finished 85th in his division with a time of 2:53:04.
Other North Escambia area runner results were:
Walt Disney World Marathon
13478 Finishers
Matthew Dobson, Jay, 2:49:50 (29th overall, 4 in division)
Dana Stumfall, Cantonment, 5:41:33
Darlene Dickey, Molino, 5:52:21
Wayne Peacock, Cantonment, 6:01:08
Amy Bodie, Cantonment, 6:06:55
Pam Stafford, Cantonment, 6:06:55
Vicki Sue Merry, Cantonment, 6:26:25
Walt Disney World Half Marathon
22421 finishers
D. Garrett Smith, Cantonment, 2:14:48
Pam Stafford, Cantonment, 2:35:41
Mike Bodie, Cantonment, 2:42:09
Sharon Peacock, Cantonment, 2:53:04
Wayne Peacock, Cantonment, 2:53:04 (85th men 65-69)
Vicki Sue Merry, Cantonment, 3:05:33
Wayne Boulanger, Cantonment, 3:20:36
Kathy Boulanger, Cantonment, 3:20:36