Photos: Northview, West Florida Cheerleaders, Mini Dance Team
November 11, 2012
For a photo gallery with the Northview and West Florida cheerleaders and Northview’s special mini Dance team, click here.
For cheerleader and mini dance team photos, click here.
(Band photos will be published Monday)
For a game summary and action photo, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
First Baptist Bratt Is Operation Christmas Child Central
November 11, 2012
Volunteers will be busy for the next week at the First Baptist Church of Bratt during “National Collection Week” for Operation Christmas Child. For the 18th year, the simple, gift-filled shoe boxes will bring Christmas joy and evangelistic materials to children in over 130 countries across the world.
National Collection Week for OCC is November 12-19, 2012. The First Baptist Church of Bratt will be the official OCC Relay Center for the north end of Escambia County, Florida, and Escambia County, Alabama, again this year.
“This is not about the FBC of Bratt”, says Student Pastor and Relay Center Coordinator Tim Hawsey. “Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational non-profit organization that has mission’s opportunities all over the world. This is about being a blessing and bringing God’s love and hope to children in poverty around the world that would not receive it otherwise. We have gone through the intense process of been approved as a church to be a Relay Center to collect the boxes from individuals, families, and churches of our area, document and pack them into special cartons and take them to the next level for Samaritan’s Purse, and we are blessed to do it.”
Collection hours at the First Baptist Church of Bratt will from 9 a.m. until noon each day through November 19.
Operation Christmas Child boxes should be packed in a specific manner. For more information, call Hawsey at the First Baptist Church of Bratt at (850) 327-6529, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ, or call (800) 353-5949.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Dems Move Forward
November 11, 2012
Florida Democrats hadn’t celebrated much since, well, President Obama won the state in 2008.
But that changed Tuesday. Obama carried Florida again on the way to a second term in the White House, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson easily won re-election, and Democratic candidates picked up legislative and congressional seats.
For Republicans, the response to the election results ranged from anger to disbelief. After vowing for four years to topple Obama, they watched Republican Mitt Romney’s campaign get outmaneuvered in Florida and other key states. What’s more, GOP candidates lost some high-profile legislative races — including a likely defeat by state Rep. Chris Dorworth, who was in line to become House speaker in 2014.
Here’s a bit of reality, however, before Democrats celebrate too much and Republicans get lost in despondency: The GOP still has huge majorities in the state House and Senate and controls the governor’s office and all three Cabinet seats. In other words, Republicans will continue to dominate state government, at least for another two years.
Nevertheless, Democrats had reasons — both immediate and long-term — to celebrate Tuesday. In part, the elections showed Democratic strength among Hispanic voters and along the I-4 corridor, two intertwined issues that will be critical in the coming years.
HEADING BACK TO WASHINGTON: Truth be told, Florida will go down as sort of a messy footnote in Obama’s victory Tuesday.
The president did well enough in other key states, such as Ohio, Virginia and Iowa, to lock up another term without needing Florida’s 29 electoral votes. Also, as part of Florida’s never-ending voting controversies, some Miami-Dade voters were still in line early Wednesday morning, after Obama was already assured of victory.
But bigger picture, Obama’s Florida campaign played a part in turning out voters who helped Democrats in other races. That included Hispanic voters in central Florida, where the Puerto Rican population is growing and providing a base of Democratic support.
State Democratic Chairman Rod Smith described Hispanics as an “absolute game changer” for Democrats. He said the party hired a full-time Hispanic outreach coordinator in central Florida after the 2010 elections and also said the Obama team helped increase Hispanic turnout.
“They saw very early that was going to be a critical vote in Florida,” Smith said.
An important issue is the perceived hard line that many Republicans have taken on the issue of illegal immigration. But U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., indicated after the election that the GOP needs to do a better job of connecting with Hispanic voters.
“The conservative movement should have particular appeal to people in minority and immigrant communities who are trying to make it, and Republicans need to work harder than ever to communicate our beliefs to them.,” Rubio told Roll Call.
Obama beat Romney in the most-populous counties along the I-4 corridor — Orange, Hillsborough and Pinellas — and in Osceola County, which has a large Puerto Rican population. Romney won in other areas of central Florida, including Polk, Lake, Seminole and Brevard counties. Volusia was almost a dead-heat, with Romney winning by less than 3,000 votes.
YES AND NO: Merit-retention elections for Supreme Court justices usually draw little attention. But that changed this year when some conservative groups and leaders of the state Republican Party called for defeating justices R. Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince.
But while conservatives complained that the justices were too liberal, they never really mounted a full-fledged campaign. Meanwhile, the justices and supporters in the legal industry raised millions of dollars to convince voters that Lewis, Pariente and Quince should be retained.
In the end, the races weren’t even close, with each of the justices backed by more than 67 percent of the voters.
Ballots also included a barrage of proposed constitutional amendments that lawmakers put before voters. Some dealt with hot-button issues such as the federal health overhaul, property taxes, abortion and public money going to religious groups.
But voters rejected eight of the 11 amendments, approving only three, relatively non-controversial proposals that would offer property tax breaks for military veterans, first responders and low-income seniors.
As an example of the amendments that were defeated, one would have largely prohibited state funds from being spent on abortions. That proposal, known as Amendment 6, also would have whittled away privacy protections in Florida’s constitution that have been used in the past to overturn abortion restrictions.
“We hope that Tallahassee politicians will now turn their attention to expanding health care instead of trying to take away existing health coverage that women need,” said Lillian Tamayo, campaign chairwoman for Vote No On 6.
STORY OF THE WEEK: President Obama and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson win Florida, while Democrats also make gains in the Legislature and in the state’s congressional delegation.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “So the message is: ‘If you are outside the state and you are trying to politicize our judicial branch, stay out. This is an assault on our democracy, our separation of powers, and we’re not going to tolerate attempts to implement partisan politics for special interests.’ “— Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente, after she and two other justices overcame conservative groups’ opposition to win merit-retention campaigns.
By The News Service of Florida
Molino Man Sentenced To 15 Years For Burglary, Grand Theft
November 10, 2012
A Molino man has been sentenced to 15 years in station prison as a habitual felony offender on charges including burglary and grand theft.
Troy Edward Massey, 48, of Barth Lane, was convicted by an Escambia County jury of burglary of a dwelling, grand theft, resisting an officer without violence and criminal mischief.
He was arrested in September 2011 after brief manhunt and foot chase following a burglary on Fairway Drive in Pensacola. A man and wife came home to discover Massey in their apartment, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. He fled on foot, leaving behind two suitcases that he had packed full of silver platters, silver utensils, silver drinking cups, a fur coat, currency and a gold bracelet. He had also allegedly packed another bag with a .22 caliber rifle and 13 bottles of alcohol.
At the time of his arrest for the Pensacola burglary, Massey had outstanding warrants for home invasion robbery, aggravated assault and petty theft.
On August 20, deputies responded to Bamer Holley Lane in Molino where a resident reported Massey barged into her home armed with a paring knife just after 10 p.m., yelling “You have to hide me” and “You have to save me”. The resident reported Massey looked through her cabinets and purse before fleeing on foot. A short time later on nearby Brickyard Road, another resident reported a person matching Massey’s description had attempted to enter their home while saying that he was being followed.
Earlier this year, Massey was convicted of aggravated assault in connection with the Molino incident and sentenced to 14.4 months in prison with credit for 249 days served.
Massey previously served prison time in Florida for offenses including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, child abuse, trafficking in stolen property, grand theft and providing false information to a pawnbroker, according to Department of Corrections records.
Sunny Saturday, Rain By Monday
November 10, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 49. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Veterans Day: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
Thomas Kroll
November 10, 2012
Tommy was a lifelong resident of Pensacola, born on July 22, 1938, to the late Doris & Robert Kroll. At the young age of 74, our beloved father, husband, brother and friend to everyone was tragically taken from us on November 6, 2012.
He leaves behind his devoted wife of 44 years, Kathy. Tommy was an adoring and protective father to his son, Jerry Kroll (Toni) and his daughter, Robyn Michelle Lockhart (Rob). He was a loving and caring grandfather to his grandson Tyler and his granddaughter Simone.
He was a strong family man and the pillar for all of us. Tommy was a hard worker from a young age. As a young boy, he maintained a paper route and worked at a grocery store while always challenging his teachers through his inquisitive nature. At 16, he became an apprentice electrician working his way up to a master electrician by his 20’s. During these years, Tommy also became an avid bowler. Through this new interest he was connected to Kathy, his wife and soulmate. Only a few years after marriage, Tommy and Kathy joined the family business, Echo Bowling Lanes. His career finally meshed with his passion for bowling. He was the first bowler in Pensacola history to carry over a 200 average. He was the first person to be inducted into the Greater Pensacola Hall of Fame for both proprietorship and bowling achievement. He proudly wore his rings for an 800+ series and a 300 game. They also owned Michelle’s Goonyland Golf. After retiring from the bowling center, they purchased Stateline O’Yes Lotto and excelled to the 8th largest lottery retailer in Florida. He not only took great pride in his businesses, but delighted in making friends with all that would pass through. Tommy was a generous, caring and fun loving spirit. He loved animals and never met one that did not adore him. He and Kathy enjoyed travel, especially on cruise ships and to Disney World. He was a highly respected member of the community. In his spare time he enjoyed working in his yard, watching western movies, and going to the casino, but mostly spending time with his family. Tommy was an amazing person and we all miss his constant smile.
In addition to his wife, two children and two grandchildren, he is survived by his mother-in-law, Tat McNeal; brother, Bobby Kroll (Virginia); sister, Glenda Sue Hodgson (Lew); brother, Gary Kroll; sister, Georgia Blain (David); brother, Buddy Kroll; sister-in-law, Elaine Price (Andy), sister-in-law, Trish Eliason (Jim); nephew, Eddie Garrison (Kati); and numerous other nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 12, 2012, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., with a celebration of life to be held at noon at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to the Humane Society of Pensacola.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
FHP To Target Tickets For Aggressive Drivers
November 10, 2012
Beginning Monday, the Florida Highway Patrol will kick off a campaign targeting aggressive cars and trucks.
The program, called TACT or Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks, is aimed at reducing commercial motor vehicle related crashes, injuries and fatalities by combining outreach and education with targeted enforcement activities to raise awareness among car and truck drivers about safe driving behaviors.
“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to reducing the number of commercial vehicle related crashes,” said Col. David Brierton, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Crash reduction can be achieved if we all share the highway with each other and avoid aggressive driving behaviors.”
Troopers will be on the lookout for violations attributed to aggressive driving such as following too closely,unsafe lane change and speeding.
“Safety on Florida‘s roadways is a cooperative effort by cars and trucks alike. As an industry, safety is at the top of our minds—it matters above all else,” said Florida Trucking Association President and CEO, Mary Lou Rajchel. “We are pleased with the opportunity to take our No Zone message about safe driving behaviors around big rigs on the road with the Florida Highway Patrol. Pairing the big trucks equal big blind spots message with the opportunity to see what our drivers see‘ through community education is a unique approach that we believe
will promote responsible driving for everyone.”
Court Upholds Convictions In Billings Murders
November 10, 2012
The First District Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction and life sentence of Donnie Ray Stallworth, Jr. for the first degree murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings in July 2009.
At the time of the murders, Stallworth was assigned to the 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Hurlburt Field. The 1999 T.R. Miller High School graduate is a Brewton native
Previously, the court affirmed the conviction and sentence imposed against Wayne Coldiron for his involvement in the Billings murders.
The Florida Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments in an appeal by Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. on December 5. He was sentenced to death as the mastermind behind the plan kill the Beulah couple at the their home.
Pictured: Donnie Ray Stallworth, Jr.
Equestrian Center: Free Dressage Horse Show, Yard Sale To Benefit PER
November 10, 2012
The Escambia County Equestrian Center will host the Blue Angel Dressage horse show Saturday and Sunday. Classes start at 8 a.m. on both days and run until 6 p.m.
Dressage — which means training — is a fascinating sport combining high levels of training and partnership between horse and rider with beautiful, dance-like movements. The Blue Angel Dressage show is coordinated by the Deep South Dressage and Combined Training Association.
The event is free to spectators. A full-service concession stand will be open during the event.
Additionally, Panhandle Equine Rescue and the Junior Humane Society will be hosting a yard sale fund raiser during the event this weekend.
Today: Fish Fry, Library Book Sale, Yard, Bake And Craft Sales
November 10, 2012
Here is a look at selected events happening today in the North Escambia area:
Walnut Hill VFD Fish Fry
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department will hold their 43rd annual catfish fry Saturday, November 10, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Fire Station. Catfish or grilled chicken plates with hushpuppies, baked beans, coleslaw, dessert and drink, $7 per plate. Door prizes.
Pine Forest Arts And Crafts Festival
Pine Forest United Methodist Church will hold their 23rd Annual Arts and Crafts Festival and Car Show on Saturday, November 10, 2012, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Live music by Nashville artist Ron Jeffers. Over 100 arts, crafts & other vendors, food, homemade baked goods, and a holiday luncheon. Free admission. 2800 Wilde Lake Boulevard, Pensacola. Proceeds used for community ministries. (850) 944-0170 or visit www.pineforestumc.org.
Friends Of The Library Book Sale
The Friends of the Library fall book sale will be held 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, November 10, and 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 11 at the Tryon Library, 1400 Langley Avenue. New books, collectibles, hundreds of used books.
Byrneville UMC Yard, Bake Sale
Byrneville United Methodist yard and bake sale at 1351 Byrneville Road in Century, Saturday, November 10, 7 a.m. until noon, indoors. Clothes, shoes, baby items, craft items and more.
Panhandle Equine, Jr. Humane Yard Sale
Panhandle Equine Rescue and Junior Humane Society yard sale Saturday, November 10 from 8 a.m. until at the Escambia County Equestrian Center, 7750 Mobile Highway. Household goods, furniture, baby items, quality clothing and horse tack. Arts can crafts vendors, face painting and more. Refreshments available.