Bratt, Walnut Hill, Byrneville, Century Cheer On Their Chiefs (With Gallery)
December 6, 2012
Hundreds of students and residents cheered on the Northview Chiefs Wednesday afternoon as they departed for the Class 1A state football championship in Orlando’s Citrus Bowl Friday night.
After the Chiefs charter bus departed Northview High School, the bus — complete with a law enforcement escort — traveled passed cheering kids at Bratt Elementary, looped through Ernest Ward Middle, detoured by Byrneville Elementary and was met by dozens of people along the streets in Century — including a large groups from Century Correctional Institution and the Town of Century.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Fans cheer on the Northview Chiefs Wednesday afternoon at Byrneville Elementary (top), Ernest Ward Middle (inset), Bratt Elementary (below) and Century (bottom). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Trio Busted With Meth Lab In Jay
December 6, 2012
Three people were jailed after deputies busted a meth lab in Jay.
Keith Wayne Church, 44, Stanley Guy Prothro, 44 and 35-year old Sabrina Dawn Neufeldt were each charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of felony drug paraphernalia and possession of listed chemicals. They were booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail with bond set at $165,000 each.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit received an anonymous tip that the trio was making meth at 5131 Neal Jones Road in Jay. When deputies arrived, deputies found the trio with a meth lab and materials inside a shed behind a residence, and they also found 208 grams of meth oil.
Hundreds Cheer On The Chiefs As They Depart (With Photo Gallery)
December 6, 2012
Fans across the area turned out to support the state champion hopeful Northview Chiefs as they departed this afternoon.
Hundreds of students cheered on the Chiefs as they loaded up a charter bus at Northview, and also at Bratt Elementary, Byrneville Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle schools. Fans also lined the roadways across the area to wish the Chiefs good luck in Friday night’s Class 1A state championship game in Orlando’s Citrus Bowl. [Read more...]
Thursday morning, NorthEscambia.com will post a complete photo gallery with photos from Northview, Bratt, Byrneville, Ernest Ward and across the area as the Chiefs passed by.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Damages T Street Furniture, Antique Business
December 6, 2012
Fire heavily damaged a furniture and antiques business on T Street in Pensacola Wednesday night.
Firefighters fought the blaze, saying that furniture and items inside the building hampered their efforts. The fire apparently started in a building primarily used for storage adjacent to the main building.
The exact cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge
Inside The Trenton Tigers
December 6, 2012
The Northview Chiefs will face the Trenton High School Tigers in the Class 1A state football championship game Friday in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
Today, NorthEscambia.com is taking an in depth look inside the Trenton Tigers. Friday, we’ll do the same for the Chiefs.
TRENTON HIGH SCHOOL
Mascot: Tigers
School Colors: Black and Orange
2012 Enrollment: 304
HEAD COACH ANDREW THOMAS
Head Coach: Andrew Thomas, 35
College Alma Mater: Florida State, 2000
High School Alma Mater: Dixie County High, 1995, Cross City, FL
Varsity Record at Trenton: 21-1
Seasons at Trenton: 2
Overall Career record: 21-1 in two seasons
Year By Year Record As Varsity Head Coach:
–2011, 11-1
–2012, 11-0 (to date)
TEAM ROSTER
Trenton will dress out up to 33 players Friday night. Seven players were moved up from junior varsity to varsity for the state series — including three eighth graders and one seventh grader.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Cedric Stokes- RB/S-leading rusher, interest from small school at this time
- Stephen Smith QB – leading in total offense
- Breon Sims DT/FB – top defensive lineman
- Hunter Parrish OLB/WB – leading tackler, sacks, interest from Lagrange and other small schools
- Jonathan Smith DB – three year starter in secondary, interest from Coast Guard, Citidal
- Tyler Sauls OG/DL – top lineman
FINAL REGULAR SEASON STATS
Points Scored 487, Opponents 132
Total First Downs 142, Opponents 81
Rushing Attempts 414, Opponents 327
Net Yards Rushing 4006, Opponents 975
Net Yards Passing 721, Opponents 910
Total Offensive Yards 4724 on 484 plays, Opponents 1885 yards on 441 plays
Total Fumbles 17, Opponents 26
Punt Returns 4 for 113 yards
Kickoff Returns 19 for 373 yards
Interceptions Made 5
Fumble Returns 15
Quarterback Sacks Made 32
Quarterback Sacks Allowed 1
STARTING OFFENSE
WB 2 Hunter Parrish 6-0 175 Sr.
LT 71 Steven Bass 5-10 200 Jr.
LG 52 Clint Lee 5-10 175 Sr.
C 73 Anthony Milito 5-6 240 So.
RG 50 Tyler Sauls 6-0 205 Jr.
RT 72 Brandon Lovelace 6-2 210 So.
TE 33 Brooks Parrish 6-1 150 So.
QB 1 Stephen Smith 5-10 160 Jr.
HB 4 Cedric Stokes 5-9 175 Sr.
FB 3 Melvin Adams 5-10 185 Jr.
FL 5 Hamp Cheevers 5-10 140 So.
STARTING DEFENSE
LE 21 Kade Rogers 5-10 170 Fr. 33
LT 30 Breon Sims 5-10 250 Sr. 3
RT 50 Tyler Sauls 6-0 205 Jr. 73
RE 72 Brandon Lovelace 6-2 210 Fr. 71
LB 2 Hunter Parrish 6-0 175 Sr.
LB 10 Jacquez Powell 5-7 180 Jr. 64
LB 55 Jacob Gamble 5-11 165 So
DB 20 Torrez Brown 5-5 155 Sr. 16
DB 5 Hamp Cheevers 5-10 140 Fr. 1
DB 7 Jonathan Smith 5-11 170 Sr. 12
S 4 Cedric Stokes 5-9 175 Sr.
SPECIALISTS
Kickoffs: Breon Sims and Michael Smith
PAT Kicker: Michael Smith
Short-Distance FG Kicker: Michael Smith
Long-Distance FG Kicker:
Long Snapper: Hunter Parrish and Breon Sims
Holder: Stephen Smith
Punter: Michael Smith
Girls Weightlifting: NHS Powers Past Jay Royals
December 6, 2012
Northview outlifted Jay in a girls weightlifting meet in Jay on Tuesday. Northview placed first with 71 points while Jay was second with 17 points.
Combined individual Northview scores for bench press and clean and jerk were as follows:
101
1st –Jadlyn Agerton –Northview 140
2nd -Kasie Braun –Northview 125
110
1st-Madison Arrington –Northview 160
2nd –Mariah Albritton- Northview 160
3rd – M. Stewart –Jay 150
119
1st-Hannah Fiellin –Northview 175
2nd –Katelyn Calloway- Northview 160
3rd – B. Gilman –Jay 140
129
1st-Ashlynn Geck–Jay 180
2nd-Ashley Mooney-Northview 175
3rd-Courtney Weaver- Northview 165
139
1st- Misty Doran-Northview 220
2nd- Hannah Gibson–Northview 215
3rd- Shelby–Jay 175
154
1st- Taylor Roberson –Northview 205
2nd-Shelley Mothershed –Northview 205
3rd- Katelyn W.-Jay 195
169
1st-Liza Eddings –Jay 195
2nd-Olivia Neal – Northview 195
3rd –Samantha B. –Jay 180
183
1st- Sonya Dixon –Northview 215
2nd- Haylee Weaver –Northview 195
3rd –Sydney Lowery –Jay 185
199
1st –McKenzie Nassar-Northview 215
2nd -Iyanna Davidson –Northview 190
3rd –Sonny Gilmore –Jay 180
Unlimited
1st- Te’Andrie Knight –Northview 240
2nd- Ashlyn McCall –Northview 215
Pictured: Northview outlifted Jay in girls weightlifting meet in Jay on Tuesday. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Universities Will Freeze Tuition For More State Money
December 6, 2012
University presidents pledged Wednesday not to increase tuition next year if the Legislature agrees to plow another $118 million into the State University System’s budget.
But leaders at the University of Florida and Florida State University would not pledge to stop pushing for legislation that would allow them to increase tuition by virtually unlimited amounts.
The “Aim Higher” initiative, unveiled at a press conference in the Capitol including most of the presidents and student body leaders of the state’s 12 universities, enters into a growing debate over how to fund higher education in Florida.
According to the university system, $118 million would equate to a tuition increase of 15 percent, the maximum the schools are allowed to ask for under the state’s differential tuition law.
Several universities had used that law in recent years to offset deep state cuts in higher education funding, though the consensus over the size of those tuition increases cracked last summer under pressure from Gov. Rick Scott.
“With an investment provided for our students, we promise not to seek one penny of a tuition increase this year,” said University of West Florida President Judy Bense.
The new funding should be tied to performance measures, the university presidents said, lining up with the premium that some legislative leaders have placed on education accountability.
And Senate Appropriations Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, told reporters Wednesday that he would like to shift additional funding from health care into education areas, potentially allowing the university system to compete with top-notch public schools like the University of North Carolina, the University of Virginia, the University of Texas, the University of Michigan, and the University of California, Berkeley.
“That’s not entirely a function of money, but it is significantly a function of money,” Negron said.
Scott issued a statement praising the universities for focusing on the concept of “value” in higher education, but notably did not specifically mention the universities’ request for additional funding.
“We are pleased to share this important goal with many of Florida’s finest higher education leaders who are committed to holding the line on tuition,” Scott said. “We look forward to working closely with them as we put together a proposed budget and other policies for the upcoming legislative session.”
But the leaders of FSU and Florida dismissed questions dealing with whether they would continue to seek “preeminent university” legislation, vetoed by Scott last year, allowing schools that meet certain standards to raise tuition by virtually unlimited amounts.
“It’s a different topic,” said FSU President Eric Barron. “We need to have preeminent universities. We need to have those metrics and support that allow universities to be preeminent.”
And Bernie Machen, president at the University of Florida, stressed the standards that were part of that bill as the key benefit.
“The tuition aspect of it was simply one mechanism that could be used to receive new resources,” Machen said. “This is part of that whole plan. You’ve got to take a much longer view of where we’re going with the university system than just focusing on one year’s tuition issue.”
By The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: University of West Florida President Judy Bense at a Capitol press conference Wednesday in Tallahassee. Image courtesy The News Service of Florida for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: A Chiefs Breakfast
December 5, 2012
The Northview Chiefs enjoyed a hearty breakfast Wednesday morning as they prepare for Friday night’s state semifinal game against Liberty County.
The breakfast included cheese grits, sausage, biscuits and juice. The varsity football players and coaches, varsity cheerleaders, Tribal Beat Band, dance team, NJROTC color guard, and their sponsors and coaches were invited to the breakfast.
The breakfast was sponsored by the Beta Club, Interact Club, Rho Kappa, Town of Century, Panhandle Restaurant, Pat Forehand, Connie Chamberlin, Sandy Sansing,, Dwight and Sue Hopkins, Century Masonic Lodge, Shriners Lodge of Pensacola, Jacky Cunningham, Lunchroom Ladies, Squeegee Stitch Graphix, Kathy Byars, Vicki Godwin, Gerryuee Pippins, Gayle Weaver and the Northview Quarterback Club.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Residents May See Water Bill Increase
December 5, 2012
Town of Century residents could soon by paying more for water service.
In a non-binding poll, council members have said they are in favor of an ordinance to raise water rates in January, the first increase since 1995.
In the past, the town has had difficulty applying for, or receiving the full amount of, federal grants for the water system because Century’s rates were markedly lower than surrounding areas.
The town will consider an overall 10 percent rate hike to be implemented with an immediate 5 percent increase and additional 5 percent increase six months later.
The rate increase won’t become official until an ordinance is adopted as early as January.
Lottery Store Murder: Suspect Shot, But ‘Saved’ By Cross; No Charges Against Female
December 5, 2012
One of the two suspects accused in the robbery and murder of a Davisville lottery store owner was shot but “saved” by a cross, and no charges have been filed against a female that was outside the store during the crime.
Malcolm McGhee Jr., 24, and Brent Lambeth, 20, are charged with first degree murder and robbery with a firearm.
Now, NorthEscambia.com has learned more about the events that unfolded inside the State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97.
When Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the lottery store on the afternoon of November 6, they found store owner Thomas Gerald Kroll had been shot and killed. Witnesses at the store told deputies that two suspects wearing ski masks had entered the store, armed with a handgun. Witnesses said they asked “Where’s the man with the money?” before firing two shots and killing Kroll.
Kroll fired at least one shot at the suspects. Authorities have not revealed if Kroll or one of the suspects fired first. One shot struck McGhee.
“He was wearing a large cross pendant around his neck,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said Tuesday. “He may have been saved because it (the bullet) struck the cross and did not injure him.” McGhee’s wound was non-penetrating.
The two suspects had fled the scene of the crime before the first law enforcement officers arrived on the scene.
According to official documents, Kristen McGhee told investigators on the day of the murder that she was with Malcolm McGhee and Lambeth when they drove to the O ‘Yes Lotto store for the purpose of purchasing Spice. Lamberth, who was driving, backed their vehicle into a parking space in front of the business. Malcolm McGhree and Lambeth got out of the vehicle, leaving the car doors open and leaving Kristen McGhee inside the vehicle.
Kristen McGhee told investigators that moments later she head four gunshots. Lambeth then ran back to the car,wearing a ski mask over his face, and told Kristen McGhee that Malcolm McGhee had been shot.
Macolm McGhee then got back in the car, official reports state, with a ski mask over his face. He was also armed with a handgun. Malcolm McGhee then “told her he had been shot and he shot the guy that runs the store”, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. Kristen McGhree told deputies that both men stated they took Spice from the store during the robbery.
As of Tuesday, McGhee had not been charged with any crime in connection with the incident, Marcille said.
According to official reports, another female, Mallory Young, told investigators that she was with Malcolm McGhee on the date of the robbery when “he asked if she could keep a secret”. He then told her that he had been shot earlier in the day, and he shot the guy that operates the lottery business.
Both men have entered not guilty pleas. Both are set for a jury trial to begin in early February. In the meantime, both will remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
