JV: Catholic Defeats Northview (With Photo Gallery)
September 7, 2012
The junior varsity Catholic Crusaders defeated the junior varsity Northview Chiefs Thursday night in Bratt, 12-0.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Northview hosted Catholic in JV football action Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Escambia Farmer’s Markets Named Among America’s Favorites
September 7, 2012
Two of the top 10 farmer’s markets in the country are located in Escambia County.
The Market at Saint Monica’s 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 goal of American Farmland Trust’s fourth annual America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest was to highlight the role that farmers markets play in keeping family farmers on the land. The summer long contest was a nationwide challenge to see which markets can rally the most votes from their customers.
The bi-monthly Market at Saint Monica’s will be open again on September 15.
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.
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.
Ernest Ward Beats Perdido (With Photo Gallery)
September 7, 2012
The Ernest Ward Eagles opened their middle school football season with a 44-6 win over Perdido Thursday night.
The Eagles took an early lead on a toss from Desmone Knight to Joshua English for a touchdown with 6:41 to go in the first. With a good two point conversion from Knight, EWMS was up 8-0.
Ernest Ward scored exactly five minutes later on a 15-yard touchdown run from Contraris Mitchell and a good two pointer from Knight, 16-0 with 1:41 in the first.
For a photo gallery, click here.
EWMS added another touchdown, this time a two yard quarterback keeper from Luke Ward, with 27.1 seconds to go in the first. After a flawless two point conversion from Dustin Bethea, Ernest Ward held a commanding 24-0 lead over Perdido headed into the second quarter.
With 6:01 on the clock in the second, Knight added another touchdown for the Eagles to make it 32-0. Then with 3:52 to go in the half, Mitchell was into the end zone for the Eagles. A missed two pointer, and it was 38-0.
Perdido added one touchdown from Dusty Baggett and missed the two point conversion, 38-6. Ernest Ward sealed the win with an English touchdown late in the game, 44-6.
Ernest Ward will host Elberta next Thursday night at 6:00 in Walnut Hill.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Desmone Knight picks up yardage for Ernest Ward Thursday evening against Perdido in Walnut Hill. Pictured top inset: Quarterback Luke Ward completes a pass. Pictured bottom inset: Dustin Beathea on the run for the Eagles. Pictured below: The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders. Pictured bottom: Kylie Brook on the piccolo in the Ernest Ward band. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Volleyball: Central Downs Northview (With Photo Gallery)
September 7, 2012
The Northview Chiefs split varsity and junior varsity games with Central High School Thursday on the volleyball court in Bratt.
In varsity action, Northview fell to Central in five, 24-26, 25-8, 25-17, 22-25, 13-15.
Shelley Mothershed had three aces, two kills and six assists for the Lady Chiefs, while Misty Doran had two aces, eight kills, four block and two digs.
In junior varsity action, the NHS Lady Chiefs defeated the Central Lady Jags 23-25, 25-7, 15-11. Hope Coggins recorded four aces, one kill and one dig for Northview, and Kyndall Hall added five aces and five kills for the Lady Chiefs.
The NHS junior varsity will host a tourney Saturday at Northview. The varsity and junior varsity will travel to Pensacola High School on Monday at 4:30/5:30.
The Lady Jags will host Pace beginning at 4:30 on Friday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Varsity action from Thursday night as Northview hosted Central in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tuesday Night Murder Suspect Arrested
September 7, 2012
A suspect has been arrested in the shooting death of a woman Tuesday night in Escambia County.
Fred William Walker, Jr. was arrested in Baldwin County for the murder of 47-year old Sandra K. Walker,
The shooting happened about 7:25 p.m. Tuesday in the 5900 block of Wales Avenue, off Mobile Highway. Deputies found Walker deceased at the scene. The shooting was believed to be domestic violence related.
Fred Walker is the son of Sandra Walker’s boyfriend. Sandra Walker was involve in a relationship with Fred Walker’s father for several years, but they were not married.
Suspect Shot By Escambia Deputy Indentified
September 6, 2012
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office shot a felony suspect Wednesday night on Olive Road.
Escambia County Deputy Daniel Moore was attempting to serve felony warrants on 27-year old Justin Coon of Pensacola at the Hidden Village Town Homes in the 3600 block of East Olive Road, near 9th Avenue.
“While attempting to apprehend the suspect the deputy was forced to fire his weapon,” said Deputy Matt Baxter, spokesman for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office has not detailed the exact circumstances that led to the shooting.
Coon was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and then transferred to the hospital unit at the Escambia County Jail.
The deputy was not injured.
Coon is being held without bond on outstanding warrants that include battery, interference with custody and probation violations. He is expected to face more charges in connection with Wednesday night’s incident.
Moore has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure in an officer involved shooting. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will be in the lead agency in the shooting investigation.
Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office vehicles line Olive Road tonight near 9th Avenue following an office involved shooting. Reader submitted photo by Rachael Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four Injured In Highway 29 Wreck After Driver Runs Red Light
September 6, 2012
Four people were injured in a two vehicle crash Thursday morning on Highway 29 at 9½ Mile Road after a driver ran a red light.
Melissa Benavides, age 33 of Pensacola, was cited for failing to obey a traffic signal, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, after the 7:55 a.m. crash.. She received minor injuries in the crash. A passenger in her vehicle, 11-year old Kyler Beech of Pensacola, was listed in serious serious condition.
Her 2012 Toyota Highlander struck a 2008 Pontiac G6 driven by 20-year old Jessica Douglas of Cantonment. Douglas received minor injuries. Her passenger, 20-year old Brandi Hutto of Cantonment, was seriously injured.
All four victims were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by ambulance. The accident shut down a portion of Highway 29 for about an hour.
Pictured: Four people were injured in this crash Thursday morning at Highway 29 and 9½ Mile Road. Reader submitted photos by Lisa Weaver for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bond Increased For Molino Shooting Suspect
September 6, 2012
A man accused of shooting at an occupied mobile home in Molino last month remains behind bars, and he says he’s not guilty.
Sharrieff Amin Shabazz, age 19 of Molino, was charged with three counts of aggravated assault, discharging a firearm in public, possession of cocaine, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. He remains in the Escambia County Jail.
His bond was set at $41,000 when he was booked into jail, but Judge Joyce Williams has ordered his bond increased to $71,000. Shabazz, who has entered a not guilty plea, is scheduled to appear in court next week.
The victim, 21-year old Kristi Gulsby, told deputies she was arguing with Shabazz over $6 he had loaned her about three months ago for cigarettes. Gulsby said she had paid him back twice.
Gulsby told deputies that Shabazz began cussing her out and screaming that he wanted his money. She said he then reached into his pants pocket and pulled a gun. As he began walking toward the road, Shabazz opened fire on the mobile home with Gulsby and her two juvenile children, one and four years old, nearby, an arrest report states.
No one was struck by the gunfire.
Shabazz was taken into custody a few hours after the shooting during a traffic stop at the intersection of Fairground Road and Jahaza Street in Molino. As the vehicle pulled over for Escambia County deputies, an ATF special agent working the case witnessed a silver handgun and two pill bottles being thrown out of the backseat, which was occupied by Shabazz. Deputies recovered a .380 caliber handgun outside the vehicle along with pill bottles containing 18 Lortab and cocaine. Inside the vehicle’s trunk, authorities reported finding marijuana in a Mason jar and plastic bags.
Century Could Replace Mobile Homes With $650,000 Grant
September 6, 2012
The Town of Century has voted to allow the replacement of mobile homes under a $650,000 grant, if it is awarded to the town.
Century started the application process for $650,000 in housing improvement grants.
If awarded, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) will be used to rehabilitate or replace homes that are currently occupied by persons of low or moderate income. Century has now modified guidelines to allow mobile homes to be included in the program. If a mobile home is accepted for funding, it will be replaced with a conventional site-built home.
The town has also instituted an applicant guideline that states that a home must have been owned by the applicant for at least three years.
The town hopes to learn if their grant application is approved by the end of the year. Applications for assistance will not be accepted until grant approval.
Work is currently wrapping up in the Century on a $650,000 CDBG grant and a $100,000 hurricane retrofit grant that was awarded last year. About a dozen private homes were rehabilitated under the program. [Read more...]
The town has already been awarded $155,000 in grant money to harden homes against hurricanes. The Florida Division of Emergency Management awarded Century $105,000 in Residential Construction Mitigation Program Funds. The Community Action Program Committee will provide an addition $50,000 in grant money, bringing the total dollars for hurricane retrofits to $155,000.
Pictured: One of about a dozen homes rehabilitated in Century last year using grant funds. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Community Center To Host Music Night, Swing Dance
September 6, 2012
The Barrineau Park Community Center will play host to two big events Friday and Saturday nights — a bluegrass music night and swing dancing.
Friday — Barrineau Park Music Night
The monthly Barrineau Park Music Night will be held Friday night at the Barrineau Park Community Center. The featured local groups are Southern Sounds and bluegrass group Trugrass.
The singing starts at 6:30 p.m. Food and refreshments will be available beginning at 6 p.m. The event is a family-friendly — no alcohol is permitted on the property, and no smoking is allowed in or near the building.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted for musicians’ expenses.
For more information, call (850) 572-4433. The Barrineau Park Community Center is located on Barrineau Park School road, about three miles west of Molino.
Saturday — Swing Dancing
“Swing Molino Swing”, a family oriented event, will be held at the Barrineau Park Community Center Saturday night.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with lessons. There will be a $5 charge to cover costs, and there will be a $5 meal available with a hot dog, chips, dessert and drink. Spike heels are not allowed, and females that plan to wear a dress and practice the dip moves will need a pair of shorts underneath.