Boyett Named To Dean’s List At University Of Vermont
February 19, 2012
Madison Boyett of Molino has been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Vermont for the second consecutive semester. Boyett is a 2010 graduate of Pensacola Junior College Adult High and began college in August 2010.
She is the daughter of Lynn and Debbie Boyett, and the granddaughter of Kenneth and Marie Bryan.
Submitted photo for NorthEsambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Arrested On 78 Animal Cruelty Charges: Report Offers Complete Details
February 18, 2012
Three days after the first animals of about 90 animals were seized from a Lawson Lane home, a Cantonment man is behind bars on animal cruelty charges, and an arrest warrant is providing a complete look at exactly what investigators found on his property.
Roger Legrande Kervin, 66, was charged with 13 counts of felony cruelty to animals and 65 misdemeanor counts of confinement of animals without sufficient food, water or exercise. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $97,500.
Wednesday, Kervin spoke out in his own defense, saying that he had doing nothing wrong. Kervin said he keeps the dogs in good shape for wild hog hunting, often using the wild pork to feed people at charity events.
This was not the first time Kervin has faced animal abuse charges. According to court records, he was sentenced to probation in 1992 for using animals to bait or fight other animals.
Editor’s note: The following information, from the State Attorney’s Office arrest warrant affidavit, is graphic and may be disturbing to some readers.
Escambia County Animal Control seized 20 dogs on Tuesday, February 14. According to an affidavit, several of the dogs were emaciated while some displayed open sores and infections. Some of the dogs were aggressive and had puncture wounds and scarring. One of the dogs was in a seizure and was in need of immediate medical attention. Another suffered a ruptured anus.
The pen were the dogs were kept were filled with feces and mud that was several inches deep with limited to no shelter. The dogs had no potable water and no food. Several where tethered with “large” or “heavy” chains. Ten of the 20 dogs –both hounds, bulldogs and mixed breeds — that were seized Tuesday were euthanized.
The affidavit details the condition of each euthanized dog. In addition to being emaciated, one or more of the dogs suffered from conjunctivitis in both eyes, sores, infections, infected toenails and fly sores.
“Several of the dogs had puncture wounds and scarring consistent with fighting,” the arrest warrant states.
In addition to the seized dogs, Escambia County Animal Control found two dead goats, one dead hog and nine skeletal remains. Another 23 dogs on the premises were living in feces-covered pens with non-potable water, no food and limited to no shelter. There were 16 hogs kept in a pen with escape from their slop which contained feces, urine, food and mud. The hogs also had no drinking water and no food. There was, according to the report, a dead hog in the same pen as the live hog. There were 16 goats, five of which were at large on Lawson Lane. Some were malnourished and their pen had no grazing material.
When the State Attorney’s Office, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County Animal control returned on Wednesday with a search warrant, 23 dogs, 16 goats, 16 hogs and two piglets were seized. Authorities also seized treadmills and unspecified medications. The animals were in poor living conditions, but authorities noted that conditions had improved from the previous day. Fresh sand and dirt and been placed in all of the pens and shelters to cover the feces and mud. At least one standing pen had been washed out with a hose to remove feces from the bottom.
Pictured above and below: Roger Kervin’s property on Lawson Lane. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
More Rain Possible Tonight
February 18, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Widespread thunderstorms and rain showers in the evening…then numerous rain showers and isolated thunderstorms after midnight. Some thunderstorms may be severe in the evening. Locally heavy rainfall possible in the evening. Lows in the upper 50s. East winds 10 to 15 mph becoming south after midnight. Gusts up to 35 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy in the morning becoming mostly sunny. Slight chance of rain in the morning. Highs in the mid 60s. West winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts to around 35 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- President’s Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. South wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday Night: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday: Isolated showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday Night: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Friday: Scattered showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Chance of precipitation is 50%
Barry Enters Race For District 5 Commissioner
February 18, 2012
As incumbent Kevin White dropped out of the race for Escambia County District 5 commissioner Friday, former candidate Steven Barry pre-filed for the job.
“I received a courtesy phone call from Commissioner White and seized my opportunity to potentially serve,” Barry told NorthEscambia.com.
Barry, a Republican, ran unsuccessfully for commissioner in 2004, losing to White.
“I am passionate about bettering the lives of every citizen in Escambia County and all of the residents of District 5,” the Cantonment resident said. “Our community holds such great potential and I am certain we are about to experience many new successes.”
White’s withdrawal and Barry’s filing leaves seven candidates in the race – Republicans Barry, Denanne Burkett, Sam Archer and Jim Taylor and Glenn Austin, and Packy Mitchell and Dennis Wiggins with no party affiliation.
For more on White’s withdrawal from the race, click here.
Lady Chiefs Beat Catholic: McCall Homers (With Video)
February 18, 2012
The Northview Lady Chiefs opened their regular season Friday afternoon with a 6-1 win over the Catholic Crusaders.
Senior Lauren McCall hit her first-ever home run for the Lady Chiefs (video below), while junior Misty Doran recorded 15 strikeouts for the win.
The Lady Chiefs will be action again next Tuesday as they play host to the Cougars of Escambia Academy. The junior varsity begins at 3:30, while the varsity is slated for 5:30. The Lady Chiefs will round out next week on the road Thursday against the Baker Gators.
Pictured above: Senior Lauren McCall with her first ever homer against Catholic Friday night in Bratt. Submitted by Zach Barrow for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
If you do not see the video above, it is because your home, work or school or firewall is blocking YouTube videos.
Kevin White Withdraws From Commission Race (With Letter)
February 18, 2012
The day after two-term incumbent Kevin White pulled out of the race for Escambia County District 5 Commissioner, we are learning more about his decision.
“I have given eight years to Escambia County and I believe that it is time for someone else to have the opportunity to serve. The District 5 seat doesn’t belong to me……it belongs to the people….and I am humbled and thankful for the experience,” White said in a letter released to NorthEscambia.com.
The Molino resident said he has worked to make the community better for District 5 and Escambia County as a whole.
“I am proud of the progress we’ve made as a county over the past eight years. We’ve recruited businesses and created jobs and cut the county budget by 71 million dollars,” he said. “District 5 has benefited with more paved roads, newer parks, sidewalks and bike paths, and new trees planted in many areas. I believe the quality of life is better than it has been in a generation.”
White, a Republican, was first elected to the seat in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. He pre-filed his qualification papers for the commission seat back in July.
There are six candidates remaining in the race – Republicans Denanne Burkett, Sam Archer and Jim Taylor and Glenn Austin have pre-filed for the seat. Packy Mitchell and Dennis Wiggins have also announced, running with no party affiliation.
To read White’s complete statement released to NorthEscambia.com, click here.
Fund Established To Help With Assistant Fire Chief’s Funeral Expenses
February 18, 2012
A fund has been established to help pay funeral expenses for an Escambia County Fire Rescue deputy station chief that passed away this week.
Joe Huff, 64, passed away Wednesday after a brief battle with cancer. He was a volunteer firefighter in Escambia County for 48 years and currently served as assistant chief of the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
A fund to assist with funeral expenses has been established at Harvester’s Federal Credit Union in Cantonment. Donations should be made to the “Joe Huff Fund”.
Visitation for Joe Huff will be held from 5-8 p.m. today at the Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Marcus Point Baptist Church. Graveside service to follow at Eastern Gate Cemetery on Nine Mile Road.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Tate Opens Season With Win Over West Florida
February 18, 2012
The Tate Aggies came from behind in the bottom of the seventh Friday night, scoring three runs to take down West Florida 7-6.
Hunter Black doubled home two runs for the Aggies to secure Tate’s first win of the season. Cody Palmer was 3-4 with two RBI’s. JT Granat got the win in relief.
Navy Federal To Hire 450-600 This Year
February 18, 2012
Navy Federal Credit Union announced Friday that the company will hire another 450 to 600 call center employees during 2012.
CEO Cutler Dawson said the new employees are needed due to the credit union’s growth — including 400,000 new members last year. The new jobs are in addition to 700 new hires last year that pushed total employment to 2,200. With the new hires, the company’s Beulah campus will near its 3,300 worker capacity.
Navy Federal has expressed interest in purchasing the adjacent 240-acre Langley Bell 4-H Center. So far, no agreement has been made to purchase the 4-H facility from Escambia County.
Canceled: Northview Baseball, Atmore Mardi Gras, NWE Little League Tryouts
February 18, 2012
A wet and potentially stormy forecast for Saturday is spoiling several planned weekend events:
Northview vs. PHS Baseball
Saturday’s scheduled PHS at Northview High baseball double header has been canceled. It will be rescheduled for a later date.
Atmore Mardi Gras Parade
The Ladies of Essence Mardi Gras Parade set for Saturday in Atmore has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 25 at 1 p.m.
NWE Tryouts
NWE tryouts for Saturday, February 18 have been canceled due to weather. Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park tryouts for baseball and softball for all ages will be Saturday, February 25 beginning at 10 a.m. until. Full concessions will available. Last minute registration from 9:00 – 9:45 a.m.