TORNADO WARNING
May 12, 2012
Tornado Warning for Escambia [FL] till 8:30 PM CDT …AT 812 PM CDT…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION AND LIKELY PRODUCING A TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MYRTLE GROVE…OR 9 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CANTONMENT…MOVING NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH.
Leroy Takes Playoff Series From Flomaton, 2 Games To 1
May 12, 2012
The Flomaton Hurricanes and the Leroy Bears split a doubleheader Friday in Flomaton, setting up a winner takes all third game Saturday morning a in the Class 2A baseball playoffs. Leroy took the series with a Saturday win, 16-6 over the Hurricanes.
Flomaton 2 — Leroy 1 (Game 1)
In game one, Zack Watson pitched his 10th complete game of the season, striking out seven, to lead the Flomaton Hurricanes to a 2-1 win over the Leroy Bears.
Watson allowed just four hits in the game at Flomaton’s Hurricane Park.
A single from Nick Sutton drove in Jacob Newton and Cody Nolan in the second for Flomaton (30-5). Leroy managed to score one in the fourth.
Leroy 2 — Flomaton 1 (Game 2)
In game two, Leroy turned the tables on Flomaton with a 2-1 Bears victory.
Leroy scored two times in the fourth inning with back too back singles, while the Hurricanes scored once in the inning.
Leroy 16 – Flomaton 6 (Game 3)
Leroy took Saturday’s deciding game 16-6 over Flomaton. Game details will be published Sunday morning.
Pictured: Flomaton takes on Leroy Friday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Alisa Hart, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Highway 29 Crash Near Molino
May 12, 2012
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash Saturday morning on Highway 29 near Barth Road north of Molino.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 20-year old Connor McDonald of Pensacola was northbound in a 1996 Honda when he crossed the median and struck a Ford F350 pulling a cattle trailer, causing the truck and trailer to jackknife.
McDonald was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition. Charges against McDonald are pending, according to FHP.
The driver of the pickup, 66-year old Denis Snodgrass, and passenger, 66-year old Jo Ann Snodgrass, both of Clopton, Ala., received only minor injuries.
Escambia County EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Schools Forced To Purchase New Football Helmets
May 12, 2012
The Escambia County School District is expected next week to approve the purchase of 451 high school football helmets for $60,885.
The purchase is necessary, according to the district, because a new national policy adopted by the Florida High School Athletic Association does not allow any helmet over 10 years old to be reconditioned. All helmets in the county are currently reconditioned and recertified each year for player safety. The rule was enacted over concerns about concussions and lasting injuries.
High school football programs typically pay for their own new helmets in Escambia County. But due to the high per school cost, the district will purchase the Riddell brand helmets and allow schools to repay the money in equal payments over three years.
At Northview High School, 28 of 64 total helmets will be replaced for a cost of $3,780. For the Tate Aggies, 55 of 464 helmets will be replaced for $7,425. At West Florida High School, the total cost will be $11,205 for the replacement of 83 of 129 football helmets.
Across the district, 46 percent of helmets are over 10 years old and will be replaced. The Escambia School District will piggyback on an Orange County Public Schools contract, saving an estimated $40,590 over the non-bid replacement cost.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century Correctional Recognizes Officers, Employees
May 12, 2012
This was National Correctional Officers and Employees Week, and Century Correctional Institution celebrated with numerous events at the main prison and satellite facilities.
Employees received tokens of appreciation that included a water bottle holder, ID holder, badge clip and ink pen. There was a pizza day with slices for everyone, and there was a Mayfield ice cream day. On Thursday, employees were recognized for their years of service at a hamburger and hot dog luncheon.
Pictured: Century Correctional Institution celebrated National Correctional Officers and Employees Week with numerous events. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Rainy Forecast
May 12, 2012
The entire area should see about two inches of rain this weekend, according to the National Weather Service, while some areas could see as much as five inches.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 65. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. West wind around 5 mph becoming north.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 90.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
- Saturday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 88.
Escambia Man Arrested On Federal Health Care Fraud Charges
May 12, 2012
An Escambia County man was one of two people arrested Friday on federal indictments charging them with health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
Lamar Sintel Pringle, 32, and Raymond Alexander, age 31 of Lake Butler, were both charged in connection with the submission of false claims under the Federal Employees Compensation Act.
The first two counts of the indictment allege that between June 2008 and June 2009, the defendants submitted false claims for medical treatments, services, and other items, to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. According to the indictment, the defendants submitted the claims in the names of fictitious health care and medical service providers.
The third count of the indictment alleges that, between December 2010 and June 2011, Pringle submitted false claims for reimbursement to the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs using the identification of a medical provider in Mount Vernon, Illinois.
Pringle was arraigned today in United States District Court in Pensacola. Alexander was arraigned in federal court in Gainesville. Trial is scheduled for July 9, 2012, in Gainesville.
If convicted, defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on each count of the indictment.
Northview, EWMS Hold FFA Banquet, Remember Late Tommy Weaver
May 12, 2012
It was an emotional night Friday at the 17th Annual Northview High School FFA Banquet as attendees stopped to honor and remember beloved FFA co-advisor Tommy Weaver who passed away March 7.
Senior Lydia Weaver was named the first Tommy Weaver Scholarship recipient.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
The annual banquet includes a somber ceremony for graduating seniors…they slowly remove their signature blue FFA jackets and hang them up for the last time on a coat rack.
One at a time, the two graduating FFA senior officers participated in the ceremony. Lydia Weaver, Brandon Chambliss and Brittany Thompson removed jackets one by one, placing them on the coat rack.
The night also included many awards for Northview and Ernest Ward Middle school FFA members and supporters.
Among those honored for their support of the FFA program were Doug and Vickie Godwin, Kerry Hardin, Anna Bell, Alan and Michelle Purvis and Brett Ward; they were named honorary members of the Northview FFA.
The new NHS FFA officers named for the 2012-2013 school year were: Jessica Baldwin, president; Courtney Solari, 1st vice president; Karissa Strickland, 2nd vice president; Logan Wainwright, secretary; Jeremy Stacey, treasurer; Haylee Weaver, reporter; Tiffani Cruce, Dillon Crutchfield, sentential; parliamentarian; Courtney Weekley, historian; Bethany Reynolds, chaplain; and Kaitlyn Kleinatland, photographer.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Northview senior Lydia Weaver receives the first Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship Friday night from his son, Toby Weaver. Pictured inset: Senior Brandon Chambliss reacts after hanging up his FFA jacket. Pictured below: Logan Wainwright (left) presents gifts to senior Brittany Thompson (center) and Lydia Weaver. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Dance Team Honored
May 12, 2012
Members of the Northview High School Dance Team were honored Friday afternoon at the school for their hard work and participation during the school year. The group performs at Northview football games and other school events under the direction of Heather Leonard.
Pictured above: (L-R, front) Courtney Lambert, Chloe Leonard, Ashley Cunningham, Danielle Scott, Morgan Digmon, (L-R, back) Anna Fischer, Shelby Nielsen, Lily Townson, Jessica Lowery, Rachel Presley and Samantha Barrow. Not pictured: Kinani Okahashi. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Grad King Graduates From Basic Combat Training
May 12, 2012
Army Pvt. Brittany A. King has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
King is the daughter of Annette King of Ronda Street, Pensacola, and Glenn King of North Chipper Road, Molino.
She is a 2009 graduate of J.M. Tate Senior High School, Cantonment.