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.
Ready To Ride: Panhandle Equine Rescue Receives ASPCA Grant
September 14, 2012
Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment has received a $1,500 grant from ASPCA to assist their efforts in preparing rescued horses to be ridden by their new owners.
“With the current economic downturn, more horses are in need of rescue than ever before,” said Diane Lowery, president and co-founder of Panhandle Equine Rescue. “Horseback riders are looking for a good, sound, riding horse for a reasonable price. Many people don’t realize that you can find that perfect horse by adopting one. With this grant money, we hope to help potential horse owners realize that these animals are ready to ride, and waiting for their forever home.”
The grant will allow three rescued horses with riding potential to start working with a natural horsemanship trainer, which will help them be safe for humans to handle and ride. Once training is complete, the rescue horse becomes more adoptable to those looking for a ‘ready to ride’ horse. Te grant will encourage riders to adopt rescue horses and allow PER to find permanent, loving homes for more rescue horses, according to the group.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was founded by a small group of concerned citizens and became incorporated on February 1, 2005 as a non-profit organization. Shortly thereafter, PER became authorized by the county court system to investigate reports of equines in trouble. PER’s mission is to “rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines”.
PER currently has two investigators to take reports about violations of state laws for the purpose of protecting animals or preventing any act of cruelty to animals. PER then investigates the reports and to verify if there is a problem or violation.
Once the investigator confirms a violation, PER works to educate owners to enable them to resolve the problem so they can take full responsibility for their horses. Many owners
voluntarily surrender their horses, some horses are seized by Panhandle Equine Rescue or PER is awarded custody in a civil case.
Panhandle Equine Rescue is run entirely by volunteers with no paid staff or board members. For more information, visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org.
West Florida Downs Tate In Freshman, JV Football
September 14, 2012
The West Florida Jaguars defeated the Tate Aggies Thursday night in both junior varsity and freshman football action.
The WFHS freshmen downed Tate 33-26, and the West Florida junior varsity defeated Tate 20-14.
Next Thursday night, the JV and freshmen Aggies will take the Gators at Escambia High School. JV will take the field at 5:00, and the freshmen will play at 6:30 p.m.
Boil Water Notice Continues For Cottage Hill Water Works
September 14, 2012
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for a portion of the Cottage Hill Water Works System, including:
- McKenize Rd
- Parker Rd
- Chavers Rd
- Smyers Rd
- Elna Rd Williams Ditch Road 1501-1744
- Hwy 95A North from1756-1999
- Cottage Park Rd.
- Grenelefe Dr. Handy Rd
- Eastman Ln
- Buckhead Trace
- Heathrow Dr
- Hollow Point
- Nosler Ct
- Ballistic Tip
- Soft Point Dr
This notice is being issued following a water main break. Residents are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use six drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes.
Bacteriological sampling is underway and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible.
A crew has repaired the main and is flushing out the lines. Residents are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the break and flushing, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If you have questions, contact the Cottage Hill Water Works office at (850) 968-5485.
Ernest Ward Middle Eagles Defeat Elberta, 44-16
September 14, 2012
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles beat the Raiders from Elberta, Ala., Thursday night, 44-16.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Eagles held an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter when Dustin Beathea was in for a 22-yard touchdown from a Luke Ward pass. A good two-pointer and it was 22-0.
On the first play of the second quarter, Contraris Mitchell scored on a 70 yard kickoff return, and Luke Ward was in for a good two point conversion, 28-0.
Ward added another touchdown on a 65-yard run, and the Raiders scored with 2:56 in the half, 36-8.
Desmone Knight returned a kickoff for the Eagles, 44-8 with 2:49 before halftime.
The Ernest Ward Eagles (2-0) will travel to Summerdale, Ala., next Thursday night.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.