Chiefs Volleyball Attends Camp
July 24, 2012
The Northview High School varsity volleyball team recently attended the University of West Florida volleyball camp. The three-day camp focused on improving technique and skills with coach Kyle Peck from Gulf State Community College.
The Northview Lady Chiefs placed third in their tournament bracket.
Flomaton Band Director Terminated For Gun On Campus
July 24, 2012
The Flomaton High School band director was terminated Monday for having a gun on the school campus last school year.
John Lambert was fired by the Escambia County (Ala.) School Board on a 5-1 vote, with board member Cindy Jackson voting against the termination recommendation by Superintendent Randall Little.
Last May, custodian Rita Folmar reported to school officials that she had found a handgun inside a closed bag in Lambert’s locked band room office. Lambert and the band were on a school sponsored trip to Atlanta at the time of the discovery.
Shortly after the gun was found, Lambert first submitted his resignation, but then rescinded it.
Lambert and Folmar were both placed on suspension with pay pending the outcome of the school district’s investigation. A hearing for Folmar was scheduled for Monday but was continued to a later date.
Past and present band members rallied behind Lambert, writing letters and organizing a Facebook movement in support of Lambert retaining his position.
Pictured: Former Flomaton High School Band Director John Lambert marches with the Hurricane Band in the 2011 Flomaton Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Mother Gets 25 Years For Fire Deaths Of Three Atmore Children
July 23, 2012
One of the twin sisters from Atmore accused of murder after their three young children died home alone in a house fire last year is headed to prison.
Akeevia Lajoseia Abner entered a plea of guilty to three counts of reckless murder and was sentenced to 25 years on each count, to be served concurrently. She had asked the court for youthful offender status in the case, but her petition was denied. As an adult, she had faced up to life in prison on each count.
Her sister, Tekeevia Lajoseialan Abner, is still facing three reckless murder charges in the case.
The sisters were charged in connection with the deaths of 3-year olds Aniyia Abner and Takia Abner, and 22-month old Michael Coleman in house fire last November on 1st Street in Atmore.
A State Fire Marshal’s investigation determined the fire was caused by an unattended stove. Authorities say the mothers had left the children home alone while they were elsewhere in the neighborhood.
“They showed an extreme indifference to these children’s lives and created a grave risk of death to the children by leaving them home alone on November 2, 2011,” the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney’s Office said in a prepared statement following the arrests.
Two of the children were found dead in a hallway while the third was found in a bedroom. And prosecutors said that a mattress was blocking the living room door.
Forensics evidence determined that three young children died from smoke inhalation, authorities said.
Pictured top: Three young children were killed in an Atmore house fire in November 2011. Pictured below: This photo shows the oven door propped open inside the kitchen of a home were three children died in a house fire. Pictured below: The scene of the fire the night of November 2, 2011. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Hot, Scattered Showers
July 23, 2012
We are looking for those afternoon type popup showers and thunderstorms across the area each day this week.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light west after midnight.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light west after midnight.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Final Candidates Set For Atmore City Elections, Longtime Mayor Out
July 23, 2012
The final field of candidates is set for Atmore’s city elections, and the candidates will explain their platforms at a political forum next week.
After a total of more than two decades in office, Mayor Howard Shell (pictured) won’t seek re-election. He was first elected to the Atmore City Council 1984 before being appointed mayor after the death of then-Mayor Patricia McKenzie. After winning the mayor’s race twice, he remained in office until being beaten in 1996 by Rodney Owens, an Atmore chiropractor. He returned to office in 2000 and is serving his third term since returning to office.
In District 4, incumbent John Garrard is not running for re-election, while in District 5, incumbent Jim Staff has tossed his name into the mayor’s race. In District 3, there are no challengers for incumbent Chris Walker.
Qualified candidates are as follows:
- Mayor — Lloyd Albritton, Bernard Bishop, Jim Staff
- District 1 – Webb Nall (incumbent), Chad Thrower
- District 2 – Cornell Torrence (incumbent), Thomas S. “Teddy” McNeal
- District 3 – Chris Walker (incumbent)
- District 4 – Larry Houck, Phil Johnson, Susan Smith
- District 5 – Gregg Akins, Michael Arnold, Sandra Gray, Chris Harrison
The Leadership Atmore Alumni Association, a non-partisan group, will hold a candidate forum on Thursday, August 2 at 5:30 p.m. at The Club, 1927 Highway 21 in Atmore.
Driver Flees After River Annex Crash
July 23, 2012
The driver of a pickup truck fled after a rollover accident Sunday evening near Cantonment.
The accident happened shortly after 6 p.m. on River Annex Road. The driver of the Ford pickup truck apparently lost control, struck several trees and overturned. The driver had fled the scene before first responders arrived on scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the crash. The Cantonment and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
Pictured: The driver of this pickup fled an accident scene Sunday afternoon on River Annex Road next Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Want To Join Cub Scouts? Free Pizza And Pool Party Tonight
July 23, 2012
Cub Scout Pack 275 will hold a free pool and pizza party this evening for boys that interested in becoming a member.
The event will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Tom Byrne Park pool in Atmore for boys in grades 1-5.
Cub Scout Park 275 serves the Atmore and north Escambia County, Fla., areas and is part of the Gulf Coast Council based in Pensacola.
For more information or to confirm attendance, contact Wade at (251) 368-3865 or Tony at (850) 327-3047. Attendees are requested to call in advance to ensure an accurate count for food.
Pensacola Shooting Under Investigation
July 23, 2012
Pensacola Police are investigating after someone opened fire at a neighborhood football game under an I-110 overpass.
Lt. Steve Ordonia said a group of males were playing football about 6 p.m. near the intersection of Hayne and Hernandez streets. A 24-year-old male, who was with the group playing football, said another group of people was nearby and began arguing when someone in that group pulled out a gun and started firing.
The 24-year-old male was struck in the hand by a stray bullet and taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Additional details have not been released. Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Accused Colorado Massacre Suspect Makes First Court Appearance
July 23, 2012
The man accused of killing 12 people and wounding 58 others in a Colorado movie theater made his first court appearance Monday, as investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
James Holmes, his hair dyed bright orange, appeared disoriented and unemotional in Monday’s appearance, staring at the floor or straight ahead as the judge told him there was probable cause to charge him with first-degree murder.
The judge then ordered that Holmes be held in detention until next Monday, when he is due back in court to be formally charged. The prosecutor’s office says it is considering pursuing the death penalty.
Holmes has been held in solitary confinement since police arrested him early Friday outside the theater in Aurora, Colorado, near Denver. Authorities say he is refusing to talk about what prompted him to open fire on a crowd watching the film The Dark Night Rises.
[VOA]
Lou Boyd
July 23, 2012
Lou Boyd, age 84 of Cantonment, passed through the gates of heaven on Wednesday, July 18, 2012. She was born in Robertsdale, AL on Dec. 10, 1927. Lou graduated from Winter Haven High School and attended Southern College in Lakeland, FL.
Lou was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church where she faithfully served the Lord and loved every minute she was there. She had many talents but her greatest gift was that of a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. “MawMaw” made all who loved her feel uniquely special.
Lou was preceded in death by her parents, W.D. and Betty Grubbs; a brother, Eugene Grubbs; and sisters, Frances Harmon and Lois Grace.
Lou is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Hubert “Gabby” Boyd; her sister, Gladys English; her children, Beth Taylor (Jimmy), Patsy Moye, Ronnie Boyd, Cindy Parker (Tim), and Randy Boyd; grandchildren, Jennifer Benz (Stephen), Jimmy Salter (Nicole), Scott Traynom, Beth Culberton White, Ashlee Weber (James), Kyle Parker, Katelyn Boyd and Karla Boyd; great grandchildren, Jackson Benz, Chase White, Brooks Salter, Molly Benz, Everett Salter, William Benz, Aiden Weber, Camryn Traynom, Melinda Lula Salter, and Mason Weber; numerous cousins,nieces and nephews.
Memorial service will be noon Tuesday, July 24, 2012, at Hillcrest Baptist Church with Rev. Jim Locke officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons and grandsons-in-law and one great grandson. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.
Inturnment will be in Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church Building for Life, 800 Nine Mile Rd, Pensacola, FL 32514.