Two Of America’s Favorite Farmer’s Markets Open Today
September 15, 2012
Two area farmer’s markets named as among America’s favorites will be open today.
The Market at Saint Monica’s on Highway 95A in Cantonment was named the number 10 small market in the country by the group American Farmland Trust. The Palafox Market, held in downtown Pensacola, was named the number 10 large market in the U.S. The Palafox market was also named the Florida’s second favorite.
The bi-monthly Market at Saint Monica’s will be held from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the church, located at 699 South Highway 95A in Cantonment. Featured items and new vendors this week include Cherry Pit Delights for aching muscles, home baked pound cakes, hand sewn pillowcases with sports and team prints, goats mile soap and many more farmer’s market favorites.
The Palafox market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Palafox Street between Garden and Wright streets in downtown Pensacola. Available items will include pepper jelly, peanut brittle, fresh and pickled okra, raw milk (for animal consumption, and much more.
Pictured top: The Palafox Market in downtown Pensacola. Pictured inset and below: Items for sale earlier this summer at the Market at Saint Monica’s in Cantonment. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Billy Ray Downey
September 15, 2012
Mr. Billy Ray Downey, 79, passed away on Thursday, September 13, 2012, in Atmore.
Mr. Downey was a native of Nokomis and a life-long resident of Atmore. Mr. Downey was a retired pipe fitter and a partner at B & J Bait Shop for years. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Downey; one son, Marty Downey; and parents Robert and Elma Downey.
Survivors include two daughters, Vickie (Terry) Day of McCullough and Debbie Still of Atmore; seven grandchildren, Amy Day, Megan Day, Justin Still, Heidi (Nathan) Dortch, Destiny Downey, Miles Downey and Trinity Downey; seven great-grandchildren, Tristen Boothe, Tanner Jackson, Tyler Jackson, Bailey Knighten, Kirsten Still, Jayden Still and Bryleigh Still.
Funeral services will be Sunday, September 16, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Don Davis officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday, September 15, 2012, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Jason Cox, Ronnie Barnhill, Ricky Nelson, Randy Baker, Johnny Hadley and James Wall.
Honorary pallbearers will be John Perkins, Don White, Bobby McCall and Freddie Godwin.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Teen Struck, Killed By Vehicle
September 14, 2012
A teen was struck and killed by a vehicle Thursday night in Ensley.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 13-year old Jonathan Wright was running across the southbound lanes of Highway 29 at Barber Street at 10:30 p.m. when he was struck by a 2006 Dodge driven by 69-year old Frankie J. Brown of Pensacola. Wright was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.
Brown and his passenger, 65-year old Shirley Brown of Pensacola, were not injured. Any charges are pending completion of a traffic homicide investigation.
Wright was a seventh grade student at Woodham Middle School.
No Tag Light Lands Two In Jail On Drug Charges
September 14, 2012
A non-working tag light landed two people in the Escambia County Jail on drug charges.
An Escambia County deputy stopped a Toyota at the intersection of Well Line Road and Coulter Road in Cantonment for the tag light. Deputies reported that the driver, 49-year old Kirby Brian Smith of Molino, had prescription medications containing oxycodone and hydrocodone in his front pants pocket.
The passenger, 31-year old Nicole Danielle Jones of Pensacola, had a pack of cigarettes containing half of an oxycodone in her possession, according to an arrest report. In her pink purse inside the vehicle, deputies reported finding marijuana and medications containing oxycodone and hydrocodone. Also in the purse, deputies said they found a black digital scale.
Jones said the half oxycodone pill belonged to her mother, and she was holding it so her mother would not over-medicate. She claimed the scales were used for her son’s boy scouts. She told deputies that none of the other pills or the marijuana belonged to her.
Smith told deputies that he had a prescription for the pills in his pocket, but he did not have the prescription with him.
Smith was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and given a warning for the defective tag light. Kirby was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $15,000 bond.
Jones was charged with marijuana possession, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.She was released from jail on a $7,000 bond.
Sunny Today, Rain By Sunday
September 14, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
- Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Stepfather Gets 15 Years For Abuse Of Disabled Daughter
September 14, 2012
An Escambia County man is headed to prison for making his mentally disabled daughter parade around a backyard with heavy chains holding a signboard that read “I am a liar and a theif” (sic) around her neck.
Rondal Floyd Hale, 60, was sentenced by Judge Michael Allen to 15 years state prison followed by 15 years probation upon his conviction of four counts of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult.
Law enforcement discovered on April 12, 2012, that the woman had been forced to wear the sign and repeatedly walk the perimeter of a backyard pool allegedly as punishment for “stealing” candy from the defendant’s collection of food he claimed was for the homeless.
The sign was made of two pieces of wet plywood, approximately 3-foot squared, being held around her neck with two heavy metal chains. Deputies asked the girl to kneel down and were able to remove the signs, which were estimated to weigh about 40 pounds. Due to the weight of the signs the chain had slightly embedded into the victim’s neck, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The woman had also suffered a lacerated scalp which had been stitched closed with a common sewing needle and thread. Further investigation into the woman’s treatment revealed that during the previous 12 months, she had been forced to stay outside 24 hours a day for days on in and deprived of adequate shelter, food and medical attention, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Co-defendant Clinton Michael Carr has pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult and battery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 5, 2012. Co-defendant Deeann Marie Hale, the victim’s adoptive mother, remains set for trial.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tonight’s Prep Football
September 14, 2012
For live football score updates from select games tonight, “Like” our NorthEscambia.com Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/NorthEscambia.com.
Here is look at high school football games across the area tonight.
FLORIDA
- Chipley at Northview, 7 p.m.
- West Florida at Tate, 7:30 p.m.
- Sneads at Jay, 7 p.m.
- Pine Forest at Niceville, 7 p.m.
- Escambia at Rutherford, 7 p.m.
- Choctaw at Washington, 7 p.m.
- Pensacola at Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
- Navarre at Pace, 7:30 p.m.
ALABAMA
- Choctaw at Flomaton
- Wilcox Central at Escambia County
- Escambia Academy at Sparta
- Excel at T.R. Miller
- W.S. Neal at Cottage Hill
DCF: Drug Testing Public Assistance Recipients Makes Sense
September 14, 2012
The head of the state welfare agency is asking a court to throw out a challenge to the state law requiring drug testing of public assistance recipients, which could allow the program to restart.
Children and Families Secretary David Wilkins has filed a motion in U.S. District Court in Orlando seeking a summary judgment in favor of the agency in a case over the legality of the drug testing program. The testing is on hold following a lower court judge’s decision last year in favor of the man challenging the law, Luis Lebron.
Lawmakers passed a measure requiring recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families pass a drug test. Wilkins argues in the motion for summary judgment that the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program isn’t aimed at simply providing cash for participants, but at helping them find a job.
The program by statute is aimed at ending “the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage,” Wilkins argues.Part of being ready for work would be being drug free, the agency argues.
“In short, TANF’s purpose is not merely to give money to those falling below a certain economic threshold—it is to ‘help move people from welfare to work,’” the motion says. “Any amount of drug use can interfere with obtaining and maintaining employment.”
By The News Service of Florida
Cross County: Jay, Northview, Ernest Ward, Central, East Hill
September 14, 2012
Jay, Central, Ernest Ward, East Hill Christian and Northview took part in a middle and high school cross country meeting Thursday afternoon at Northview.
In girls varsity, Jay took first, followed by Central and Northview. In varsity boys, Central took first followed by Northview in second. Among middle school girls, Jay took first with Ernest Ward Middle second.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Here are complete results:
Varsity Girl Teams
- 1st – Jay
- 2nd – Central
- 3rd- Northview
Top 3 Varsity Girls-
- Jessica Thornton 21:48 (Jay)
- Jorja Agrait 22:40 (Jay)
- Savannah Brown 23:06 (Jay)
Top 5 Jay Varsity Girls
- Jessica Thornton 21:48
- Jorja Agrait 22:40
- Savannah Brown 23:06
- Carsen Arrant 25:08
- Jenna Thornton 26:04
Top 5 Central Varsity Girls
- Beth Hopkins
- Beth Smith
- Erica Waters
- Brandi Bradley
- Kennedy Fuller
Top 5 Northview Varsity Girls
- Georgia Goetter 25:20
- Jazzlyn Franklin 28:18
- Zacarra Davis 28:38
- Bethany Reynolds 29:41
- Ashley Joiner 29:42
East Hill Christian Girls
- Teya Longuist 30:18
- Victoria Jones 30:24
- Olivia Jones 36:25
Middle School Girl Teams
- 1st – Jay 158 Points
- 2nd – Ernest Ward Middle School 164 Points
Top 5 Middle School Jay Girls
- Carly Sanders 30:25
- Ally Ashworth 30:47
- Brandy Jackson 32:02
- Haven Tagert 32:11
- Jennifer Lowry 32:56
Top 5 Ernest Ward Middle School Girls
- Victoria Amerson 34:00
- Lydia Smith 37:56
- Cailee Wilburn 37:57
- Lexxi Baggett 42:04
- Rebekah Amerson 44:56
Varsity Boys Teams
- 1st Central 34 Points
- 2nd Northview 71 Points
Top 3 Varsity Boys
- Micah Kemp 18:05 (Jay)
- Isaac McGahan 20:56 (Northview)
- Kyle Fuller 21:43 (Cental)
Top 5 Central Varsity Boys
- Kyle Fuller 21:43
- Keirer Boyett 23:05
- Morgan Givens 23:10
- Nick Pooley
- Lee Henning
Top 5 Northview Varsity Boys
- Isaac McGahan 20:56
- Joshua Borelli 24:50
- Jonathon Moretz 27:46
- Zachary Calloway 30:31
- Aaron Rausch 30:46
Jay Varsity Boys
- Micah Kemp 18:05
- Joey Belanger 24:21
- Mark Foley 24:26
- Austin Gonzalez 26:17
East Hill Varsity Boys
- Daniel Offord 21:48
- Devin Denney 25:59
Ernest Ward Middle School Boys
- Heath Sheldt 23:54
- Adrian King 26:02
- Logan Purvis 31:38
- Jimi Brooks 33:49
- Dawson Brown 34:57
Man Gets 30 Years For Drive-by
September 14, 2012
An Escambia County man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for a drive-by shooting earlier this year.
James Brazile, Jr. received the sentence after being convicted at trial of multiple counts of aggravated assault and discharging a firearm from a vehicle during a January 2012 drive-by.
On January 8, 2012, Brazile was in the passenger seat of a silver Pontiac Grand Prix traveling on Tomlinson Road in West Pensacola. Law enforcement had been called to the area to investigate suspicious activity associated with that vehicle. When they arrived, they located the vehicle in the distance and while approaching the vehicle, they saw the passenger’s arm extend out the window and fire multiple shots at four men standing in front of a house.
At that point, law enforcement officers initiated a pursuit with their lights and sirens activated. During the course of the chase, shots were fired from the defendant’s vehicle at the pursuing officers. Eventually the vehicle crashed and the defendant fled and was ultimately apprehended. Multiple firearms were recovered along the route where the defendant and driver fled.