Tate Falls To Milton, 40-28
October 6, 2012
The Milton Panthers defeated the Tate Aggies Friday night, 40-28, in a district matchup.
The Aggies (0-5, 0-3) held an early 7-0 lead with a 63-yard touchdown run from Lorenzo Long. The Aggies narrowed their deficit to 34-21 later in the game on a 70-yard drive, a majority of which was from Lorenzo Long. Long had 186 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns.
The Tate Aggies will be at home next Friday night against Pensacola High School.
Pictured: The Tate Aggies host the Milton Panthers Friday night in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Jay Peanut Festival This Weekend
October 6, 2012
The annual Jay Peanut Festival is going on this weekend.
For more than 20 years, The Jay Peanut Festival at the Gabbert Farm has been a fall tradition on the Gulf Coast, showcasing the history, agriculture, food and fun of Santa Rosa County. What started as a chance for local kids and farmers to show off their best of the season has become an annual event covering 15 acres and drawing about 70,000 people to the Gabbert farm over two days.
The event includes the 1930s Farm Museum, food booths, dozens of arts and crafts vendors, pony rides, games and fun. The Jay Peanut Festival is also a chance to try all varieties of peanuts – boiled, green, fried, candied and more.
Admission is free, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The Jay High School FFA is hosting the 4th annual Keith Rowland Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser next to the Peanut Festival Saturday and Sunday. Donations are accepted ($4 per vehicle requested) for parking that is adjacent to the festival.
The Gabbert farm is located at 3604 Pine Level Road.
Final Show: Farmer’s Opry In Chumuckla Closes
October 6, 2012
After over a decade, Saturday night the final regular show at the Farmer’s Opry in Chumuckla.
Owner Sandy Wyatt has opened the Farmer’s Opry House almost every Friday and Saturday night with good homestyle food and country entertainment for the past 11 years. But now, the Opry will open only for special events, concerts and fundraisers.
Wyatt said he and his wife need a break; they are both reaching retirement age and still work other full time jobs in addition to the Farmer’s Opry House.
Saturday night was the end of 3rd Annual Classic Country Music Festival with the Sawmill Band, Brent Harrison, Candace Welch, Melissa Welch, Chloe Channel and the Million Dollar Band. And there was also one final meal — smokehouse chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, peas and beans, fried okra, biscuits and Ooie Gooie cake.
Cancer Patient’s Birthday Wish Comes True
October 5, 2012
Halee Boyd, a Tate High School senior battling a rare form of cancer, had the 18th birthday celebration of her dreams Thursday night, meeting her favorite female county star in person.
“She’s got a little cancer, y’all, but she’s the strongest girl I’ve ever met. She’s beautiful. She came here, she’s in her hospital bed rockin’ her [behind] off…there she is,” country star Miranda Lambert said during her concert at The Wharf in Orange Beach. She then led thousands in singing to Halee.
“Happy birthday dear Halee; happy birthday to you,” Lambert, the CMA’s reigning female vocalist of the year, sang. “You’re awesome and beautiful…she’s so cool,” she said.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Halee is fighting Alevola Rhabdomyosarcoma , ARMS for short, a rare cancer of the muscles that are attached to the bones. There are only a few hundred new cases per year in the U.S. The prognosis not usually good.
“A month ago we were in my living room watching ‘How I Met Your Mother’ on Netflix and tonight we are waiting for a blood transfusion,” Halee’s mother Mardi Boyd said last May, shortly after the diagnosis. “No matter how I try, I just can’t seem to wrap my mind around that.”
In April, Halee started having severe headaches, followed by blurry and double vision. Within 10 days her right eye was swollen, and the Boyds headed to a hospital emergency room. On April 29, they learned she had a tumor.
“It is still hard to hear myself say that she has cancer, the words catch in my throat and tears well up in my eyes and my heart stops. It’s not that it’s affected my life so much; it’s that from April 29, 2012, her life changed so drastically in a hallway in an emergency department,” Mardi said.
Earlier this week, Halee’s birthday wish to see Miranda Lambert begin to fall apart. But thanks to Facebook and thanks to some amazing people that stepped up, it became night she’ll never forget.
Tickets that Halee and her mom thought they were going to have did not materialize.
“We tried to get tickets online but there are no more wheelchair tickets available through Ticketmaster. She can go down to the floor but there is no way I can afford that,” a discouraged mother said last Saturday night.
Posts began to appear on Facebook about Halee’s birthday wish to see the concert. A few posts grew into a flood on Lambert’s Facebook page and the Facebook pages of local country radio stations. Within 24 hours, she had her tickets thanks to generous people that saw the Facebook posts.
“Halee was given tickets today from some people in the community who saw the post and got involved. I doubt we will get to meet Miranda,” Mardi said Sunday.
But people in the community were not going to rest until Halee’s birthday wish came true. Hundreds of people, many who have never met Halee Boyd, continued their Facebook campaign for “Meet and Greet” backstage passes. Brent Lane and CatCountry 98.7; Marty White and WXBM; Kristi Smith, a NorthEscambia.com photographer; State Representative Clay Ingram and so many more angels made the phone calls, called in favors and would not rest until Halee’s birthday wish was set. In the end, one of Mardi’s friends in California sealed the deal with the backstage pages.
But the cancer and the chemo were going to throw a curve ball into the best laid plans of thousands. Complications landed Halee in Sacred Heart Hospital.
“We certainly have felt tested and tempted and it is so easy to give in to the pitfalls of dealing with cancer. I was reminded that Halee (and myself) should ‘just keep swimming’, keep the faith and focus on what we know, that God is in control,” Mardi posted on Facebook Thursday morning, awaiting word on if Halee would be able to attend the concert. “I am truly amazed to see Halee’s story shared over and over and people praying in faith not only for her, but for all kids everywhere with cancer. I am blessed.”
And she shared this scripture:
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” -James 1:12 NLT
One of the people that saw the numerous Facebook posts about Halee’s birthday wish was a man from Jay that stepped up and saw a way to help. Greg Odom is a flight nurse on LifeFlight. Along with Lifeguard Ambulance, Odom arranged to transport Halee to Orange Beach.
“I’m overwhelmed with emotion over this precious child. I’m thankful I was able to use my position to help her dream come true. It’s humbling,” Odom said.
By Thursday afternoon, only a fever stood between Halee and Miranda Lambert, but if the fever did not break, the doctors at Sacred Heart would not allow the trip. Hundreds, if not thousands, joined in prayer for Halee Boyd, often posting those prayers publicly on Facebook.
The fever broke just in time, and Halee loaded up in the Lifeguard Ambulance for a trip of a lifetime.
“My stomach is probably going to fall out. I’m probably going to sweat a lot; I’m going to be really, really excited,” Halee said before leaving Sacred Heart.
Once in Orange Beach, Halee had the chance to “hang out” with Miranda Lambert.
“Random strangers are giving me tickets because they just want to see a kid who is struggling happy,” Halee said. “And that makes me really happy.”
“I don’t think I have taken one picture that Miss Halee is not smiling from ear to ear,” Smith said from The Wharf.
“I’d say a dream come true tonight,” Odom said.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Halee’s 18th birthday is this Saturday, October 6. She does not currently have health insurance. Donations are being accepted for Halee through the family’s church, Heritage Baptist Church, 3065 Highway 297A, Cantonment, (850) 478-3316.
Pictured top: Cancer patient and Tate High senior Halee Boyd enjoys a concert by country star Miranda Lambert Thursday night in Orange Beach. Pictured top inset: Halee with Miranda Lambert. Pictured middle inset: Halee reacts during the show. Pictured bottom inset: Miranda Lambert, the CMA female vocalist of the year, sings Happy Birthday to Halee. Pictured below: Lifeguard Ambulance worked to transport Halee to the show. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
UWF Opens Nature Trail After Possible Human Bones Found
October 5, 2012
Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Medical Examiner investigators have left the University of West Florida main campus after completing recovery of the bones found late Thursday afternoon on the mile-long Edward Ball Nature Trail.
“University officials have reopened the trail to normal activity and would like to reassure the campus community that the area is safe. We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation,” said Jeff Martin, UWF director of operations.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Man Gets 10 Years For Abortion Clinic Arson
October 5, 2012
An Escambia County man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison Wednesday for the New Year’s Day arson of a Pensacola reproductive health clinic.
Bobby Joe Rogers, 41, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Casey M. Rogers to 120 months for starting the fire that destroyed the American Family Planning Clinic on North Ninth Avenue on January 1.
After his release from prison, Rogers was ordered to stay away from reproductive health clinics and the staff of those facilities.
“This defendant destroyed this clinic because of its lawful work in providing reproductive health services,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “Such violent extremism will not be tolerated. The Department of Justice will continue to vigorously prosecute interference with services provided by the health community.”
Rogers set the fire using a 32-ounced beer bottle filled with gasoline and a wick made from an old shirt. After tossing the device and watching it burst into flames on the back of the clinic, he went across the street to an abandoned car wash to make sure fire was going strong.
According to court records, Rogers’ criminal history included arrests in Florida, Alabama and seven other states, plus felony convictions in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee for burglary, and in Mississippi for grand larceny.
Molino Couple Charged With Animal Cruelty
October 5, 2012
A Molino couple is facing multiple animal cruelty charges for chaining their malnourished pit bulls in their own filth.
The arrests came about week after a pit bull was shot and killed after charging at a deputy, and after marijuana plants were found in the backyard of the couple’s home, according to Sheriff’s Office reports.
Amanda Leah Oswald, 34, and John Rowland Oswald, 30, were each charged with two felony counts of causing cruel death, pain and suffering to animals and two felony counts of unlawful confinement and abandonment of animals.
Escambia County deputies responded to a complaint about an aggressive put bull on September 21 at a residence in on Highway 29 near Cotton Lake Road. The dog was loose in the victim’s yard and had attacked and killed her dog. Deputies kept the pit bull contained in the yard and notified Escambia County Animal Control. But before animal control arrived, the pit bull attempted to attack two officers who then utilized a shotgun to stop the dog, according to Melissa Rawson, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
When deputies attempted to contact the owner of the dog at a nearby home on Highway 29 across from the Camp Of the Pines, deputies and animal control located two other pit bulls in the backyard of the home.
“I first observed a very skinny brown pit bill dog tied to a large chain barking at me,” one deputy wrote in his report. “I then observed a very skinny black pit bull dog lying on its side, and it appeared to be dead…I observed the black dog lift its head and look at me though due to the dog being so skinny from lack of food, the dog could not stand up.”
Both dogs were “malnourished to the point of starvation”, according to an arrest report, with access to “old nasty water” and no food. Both dogs were tied to heavy chains and were surrounded by flies.
“I then observed the black pit bull who was still lying on his side struggle and make several attempts to stand to his feet. “Once on his feet, his legs were wobbly and looked like he was going to fall over,” the deputy said.
The deputy said in his report that he first though the black dog was covered in ants crawling all over it, but it was actually a “massive amount” of fleas. The dog also reportedly had an eye infection.
The two pit bulls were seized by animal control. Amanda Oswald also voluntarily surrendered a pit bull and three Yorkie dogs from inside the residence to Escambia County Animal Control.
John Oswald was also charged with one felony count of producing marijuana. During the animal cruelty investigation, deputies reported the discovery of located four marijuana plants up to five feet tall and one plant growing in a bucket in the home’s backyard.
Oswald met with a narcotics investigator and admitted that the marijuana plants belonged to him, an arrest report states. “He admitted to having a pill problem prior to being involved in marijuana and that he had started growing marijuana for personal use,” the investigator wrote in his report.
Escambia County Code Enforcement also responded to the home and opened a separate investigation for various code violations, Rawson said.
Pictured above inset and below: Marijuana plants located in the backyard of a Molino home. Photos courtesy Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Committee To Select Architect For New Ernest Ward Middle School Today
October 5, 2012
Progress continuing toward the construction of a new state of the art, $16.5 million Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. An interview committee will meet today in Pensacola to select an architectural firm to design the 600-student facility.
Once the firm is selected, it will go to work designing the building. That process will including meeting with an advisory committee at Ernest Ward that will provide input into the design process, down to the colors of walls and floors.
After the building design is approved, the next major phase of the project will be the selection of a builder.
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said he expect the new Ernest Ward will open in August 2015.
Students will be on site during the construction of the new school. Once the new building is complete, the most of the current building will be torn down, and portables and modular buildings currently on the campus will be removed. The current administration building is slated to become a maintenance facility.
In addition to Ernest Ward, the district will rebuild A.K. Suter Elementary in Pensacola for $21.5 million. A similar interview committee met Thursday to chose an architect for the Suter project.
The final committee architect selections must be approved by the Escambia County School Board.
Pictured top: Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas and Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Perry discuss options for the new school. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Northview, Flomaton Dig Pink For Cancer Awareness
October 5, 2012
The Northview Lady Chiefs and the Flomaton Hurricanes took part in a Dig Pink volleyball match Thursday evening to raise breast cancer awareness.
For a photo gallery, click here.
In varsity action, Northview beat Flomaton 25-10, 20-25, 25-12, 25-8. For the Lady Chiefs, Misty Doran had seven aces, 10 kills, four blocks and two digs. Morgan Payne added two aces and six kills, and Lily Townson had 14 assists.
In junior varsity action, Northview defeated Flomaton 25-16, 25-17. Penny Banda had eight aces for the JV Lady Chiefs, and Hanna Ging had five aces.
The Lady Chiefs will travel to Central next Tuesday with play starting at 4:30 p.m. for the junior varsity and 5:30 p.m. for the varsity. Northview will return home next Thursday for Senior night.
Donations are still being accepted on the Northview Dig Pink website (click here.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Chief Challenge 5K Is Saturday Morning; Drivers Can Expect Delays
October 5, 2012
The Third Annual Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk is Saturday morning at Northview High School.
The event begins at 8:30 a.m. at the school campus in Bratt. “The course is not your typical 5K race. It includes a variety of terrains and challenging hills around the campus,” according to event organizers.
For a registration form and more details, click here. Registrations will be accepted at the school today and prior to start time.
Awards will be presented to the top six male and female runners in the elementary, middle and high school categories, and to the top three male and female runners in two adult categories plus master and grand master.
Saturday morning, drivers can expect delays in the area of Northview High School. Runners and walkers will be on Highway 4, Pine Barren Road and Bratt Road from about 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Drivers are asked to use extreme caution in the area.
About 120 runners and walkers took part in last year’s Chief Challenge. The Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: The 2011 Chief Challenge. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.