Alabama Defeats Notre Dame For Another National Championship
January 8, 2013
The Alabama Crimson Tide football team established its dominance early on the way to a dominant performance as the Tide earned the program’s 15th national championship in football with a 42-14 victory over Notre Dame in the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game on Monday night.
Playing before a Sun Life Stadium record crowd of 80,120 the Tide raced to touchdowns on their first three offensive possessions and built a lead that eventually reached 35-0 in the third quarter. The title, Alabama’s third in the past four seasons, concluded a 13-1 season for the Tide while Notre Dame fell to 12-1 with the loss. Tide quarterback AJ McCarron passed for four touchdowns and 264 yards while completing 20 of 28 attempts without throwing an interception.
Running back Eddie Lacy rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown while averaging seven yards per carry, wide receiver Amari Cooper caught six passes for 105 yards and two scores, and running back T.J. Yeldon rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown as the Tide offense flourished behind an outstanding performance by its offensive line. Alabama gained 529 total yards while exhibiting incredible balance, rushing for 265 yards and passing for 264.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our players, our coaches and our entire organization tonight,” said Alabama head coach Nick Saban. “I really feel that we played a complete game tonight. We came out and had great tempo on offense and dominated the line of scrimmage and I think that set the tone.”
With the win, Alabama’s 2012 senior class won a school record 49 games over the past four seasons while losing only five contests. The 48 wins is tied for the second most in college football history and ranks among the best four-year totals in Southeastern Conference history (Florida won 48 games from 2006-09 and Alabama won 48 from 2008-11). Nebraska holds the record for senior class wins among BCS schools, with the 1997 Cornhuskers class posting a 49-2 record and three national championships. Earlier senior classes from Oklahoma (2003), Southern California (2005 & 2006), Florida (2009) and Alabama (2011) all have accumulated 48 wins.
The Crimson Tide has 61 victories since the start of the 2008 season, the most in a five-year span in SEC history and tied with Nebraska (1993-97) for the most in major college football. By beating Auburn on Nov. 24, the Crimson Tide passed the SEC record (58) established by the Florida teams of 2005-09.
Dating back to the start of the 2008 season, Alabama has won 61 games (most in the Football Bowl Subdivision). The Crimson Tide won 12 games in 2008, followed by a perfect 14-0 record in 2009, a 10-3 mark in 2010 and a 12-1 record in 2011. Alabama went 13-1 in 2012. Alabama took the opening kickoff and showed balance on an 82-yard drive that took six plays and ended with a 20-yard touchdown run by Eddie Lacy. The drive was keyed by a 29-yard pass from McCarron to Kevin Norwood on the second play of the game, the play reaching the Alabama 48. Lacy rushed for 10 yards on the next play to the Irish 42 and a 15-yard face mask penalty against Notre Dame on the play moved the ball to the Irish 27. Notre Dame jumped offside on the next play to advance the Tide to the Irish 22 and T.J. Yeldon rushed for two yards to the 20, setting up Lacy’s touchdown run behind good blocking to give Alabama a 7-0 lead following Jeremy Shelley’s conversion kick with 12:03 left in the first quarter.
After Notre Dame punted on its first possession, Alabama took over at its 39 and marched 61 yards in 10 plays to another touchdown. Lacy rushed for three yards on first down, and then took a swing pass from McCarron for six yards to the Tide 48. On third-and-one, Lacy took a handoff off left tackle and gained eight to the Irish 44. On first down, Notre Dame safety Zeke Motta broke up a connection by McCarron to wide receiver Marvin Shinn at the Notre Dame 25. On second down, Lacy took a pitch left and gained five yards to the Irish 39. On third-and-five, McCarron hit Shinn on a quick slant for seven yards and a first down at the Irish 32. Lacy took a handoff at left guard for five yards to the Irish 27. On second down, McCarron passed to Amari Cooper on a quick curl-in for four yards to set up third-and one at the Tide 23. Then took a handoff up the middle and bulled for 20 yards behind a clearing block by Cyrus Kouandjio to the Irish three. On the next play, McCarron faked a handoff to Lacy and tossed a soft pass to tight end Michael Williams in the middle of the end zone for a touchdown. Shelley’s kick gave the Tide a 14-0 lead with 6:14 left in the first quarter.
Notre Dame took the ensuing kickoff and started at its own 19. On first down, Irish quarterback Everett Golson passed to tight Tyler Eifert for 12 yards to the Irish 31. Eifert was stripped of the ball by Tide safety Robert Lester, who recovered the fumble. But a review of the play revealed the Eifert’s knee was down before the fumble, giving Notre Dame the football after a gain of eight at the Irish 29. On second down, Irish running back Cierre Wood took a pitchout left for seven yards and a first down at the Irish 35. Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley stuffed running back Theo Riddick for now gain on first down. A second down pass was incomplete. On third-and-10 at the Irish 35, Golson rolled to his left and passed incomplete to set up a punt.
Alabama started the next drive at its own 20 and marched 80 yards in eight plays to notch its third touchdown in as many possessions. Yeldon took a handoff around left end on the first play for seven to the Tide 27. On the next play, McCarron rolled right end passed to Norwood who spun out of a tackle for a 25-yard gain to the Irish 48. McCarron then threw a six-yard curl to Cooper that the wide out turned into an 11-yard gain to the Irish 37. Yeldon was stopped for a loss of two on first down to the Irish 39. Yeldon gained six on second down up the middle to set up third-and-six at the Irish 34. McCarron then passed to Cooper on a deep post that reached the Irish six-yard line, a 28-yard gain. From there, Yeldon carried at left guard for five yards to the Irish on to set up a second-and-goal from the one as the first quarter ended.
Alabama’s first quarter dominance was impressive. The Tide outgained the Irish by a 202 to 23 margin in total offense while averaging 9.2 yards per play, rushing 13 times for 90 yards (6.9 yards per rush) and completing eight of nine pass attempts for 112 yards (14 yards per completion). Alabama controlled the ball for 12:08 of the first period (to Notre Dame’s 2:02).
Yeldon opened the second period by taking a handoff from McCarron and following center Barrett Jones into the end zone for a touchdown with 14:56 left in the second quarter. Alabama had a 21-0 lead following Shelley’s kick.
Notre Dame took over at its 25 after a touchback on the kickoff. On the first play, Golson passed complete to DaVaris Daniels for 31 yards to the Alabama 44. After an incompletion, Riddick was stopped for no gain to set up third-and-10. Golson scrambled from the pocket to rush for five yards to set up fourth-and-five at the Tide 39. Notre Dame went for the first down on a deep pass to TJ Jones that was batted away by Deion Belue to end the possession and give Alabama the ball at its 39 with 13:20 left in the half.
After an incomplete pass on first down, Lacy was stopped for a two-yard loss on a run at the left side to set up third-and-12 at the Alabama 37. An 18-yard completion to Norwood to the Irish 45 was negated by a holding penalty that moved the ball to the Alabama 27, setting up third-and-22. McCarron scrambled for nine yards on third down to set up a punt at the Tide 36.
Notre Dame started its possession at the Irish eight following muff on the punt. Riddick took a handoff and raced through a big hole in the middle for a 20-yard gain to the Irish 28. HaHa Clinton-Dix blitzed and stuff Riddick for a two-yard loss on first down before Golson passed to Jones for nine yards to the Irish 35, setting up third down and three. Golson ran for two yards on the play to set up fourth-and-one at the Irish 37. The Irish punted and Christion Jones fair caught the punt to set up Alabama at the Tide 13.
On the first play from the Tide 13, Lacy bounced outside right end and gained 17 yards to the Tide 30. Lacy then took a handoff off left tackle and gained five yards to the 35. McCarron then passed to Williams for six yards and a first down at the Tide 41. A pass to a wide-open Lacy in the flat was dropped on first down. McCarron then passed incomplete under pressure to set up third-and-10 at the Tide 41. McCarron threw deep for Cooper who was behind the Irish defense on a fly pattern, but the pass was barely beyond Cooper’s reach inside the five-yard line. Cody Mandell’s 55-yard punt was fielded by Notre Dame’s DaVaris Neal at the Irish four-yard line and Neal was immediately tackled by Landon Collins at that spot.
Golson to Eifert for 11 to the Irish 15. Riddick rushed for four yards. Golson to Daniels for 17 to the Irish 32. Golson pass incomplete. Golson passed to Eifert for seven yards to the Irish 39. On third-and-three, Golson was forced out of the pocket on a pass play and sacked by Alabama linebacker Adrian Hubbard for a loss of five, setting up an Irish punt from the Notre Dame 34.
Alabama set up at its 29 after a fair catch of the Irish punt with 3:43 left in the half. The Tide proceeded to drive 71 yards in nine plays to a touchdown. Yeldon carried for two yards at left tackle. On second-and-eight at the 31, Yeldon rushed for 10 yards to the Tide 41. A pass was incomplete on first down. On second down Yeldon took a handoff at left guard for seven yards to the Tide 48. On third-and-three, Yeldon struggled out of a tackle in the backfield and rushed off the left side for 10 yards and a first down at the Irish 42. McCarron then hit Yeldon on a screen pass that was stopped for no gain. Lacy then carried for four yards to the 38 where Alabama called timeout with 46 seconds left in the half. After the timeout, McCarron hit Christion Jones on a fade route for 27 yards to the Irish 11-yard line. On the next play, McCarron passed to Lacy on a short route in the middle of the field and Lacy did the rest, catching the ball at the Irish four-yard line and spinning off two tacklers for an 11-yard touchdown. Shelley’s kick gave Alabama a 28-0 lead with 31 seconds remaining in the half.
Lacy ended the half with 96 yards rushing while McCarron completed 12 of 18 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Alabama outgained Notre Dame in the first half by a 309 to 124 margin, including a balanced 153 rushing yards and 156 passing yards, while holding the Irish to 31 rushing yards. The Tide had a 16-5 edge in first downs while converting six of eight third downs into first downs and controlling the ball for 19:46 of the half.
Notre Dame received the second half kickoff and took possession at its own 25 following a touchback. The Irish marched to the Tide 36 before a Golson pass was intercepted by Clinton-Dix at the sidelines on the Tide 3 with 13:11 left in the third quarter. The following 97-yard drive clinched it.
Lacy opened the ensuing possession with rushes of four and 16 yards to move the Tide to the 23-yard line. McCarron then passed to Norwood in the right flat for 12 yards to the 35 before Yeldon carried for six yards to the Tide 41. McCarron hit Christion Jones on a quick slant for 13 yards to the Irish 46 and a first down. Yeldon carried off left guard for five yards before carrying for three more at left tackle to set up third-and-two at the Irish 38. Lacy then rushed for one on third-and-two to set up fourth-and-one at the Irish 37. Lacy the took a handoff at left guard for three yards and a first down at the Irish 34 from where McCarron play-faked and passed to a wide-open Cooper on a deep flag route for a touchdown and a 35-0 Alabama lead with 7:34 left in the third quarter.
The touchdown pass, the 48th of McCarron’s career, gave McCarron the Alabama record for touchdown passes in a career. For Cooper, it was his 10th touchdown catch of the season, tying Al Lary’s school record for receiving touchdowns in a season set in 1950.
Notre Dame responded with a touchdown drive on the next possession, driving 85 yards in nine plays to the score. Golson completed four of six passes for 73 yards and ended the drive with a two-yard touchdown run. Kyle Brindza’s extra-point kick narrowed the Alabama lead to 35-7 with 4:08 left in the third quarter.
Alabama extended the lead to 42-7 with an 86-yard drive in 14 plays. A 19-yard pass from McCarron to Cooper capped the drive. The drive consumed 7:41 of game time and was started by rushing plays of eight, three, 10 and six yards by Yeldon before Lacy rushed for six and four yards. McCarron and Cooper connected for 10 yards to a first down at the Irish 49 as the third quarter ended. After a Lacy rush lost three yards, McCarron passed for five yards to H back Kelly Johnson, eight yards to Michael Williams to the Irish 39, and seven yards to Shinn to the Irish 32 before Lacy rushed for 13 to the Irish 19. That set up the scoring pass to Cooper on a slant across the middle of the Irish defense with 11:27 left in the game.
Notre Dame added a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, marching 75 yards in 10 plays to score on a six-yard pass from Golson to Riddick that narrowed the Alabama lead to 42-14 with 7:51 remaining in the game.
Courtesy University of Alabama Athletics.
Pictured top: Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate their third national championship in the last four years. Photos by Kent Gidley, University of Alabama, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mentally Handicapped Escambia Woman Abused, Six Arrested
January 8, 2013
Six people were arrested in Escambia County Monday in connection with the physical abuse of a mentally ndicapped woman. Three women were arrested for the actual abuse, while three men were arrested for interfering with deputies as they tried to arrest the women.
Escambia County deputies were dispatched to a disturbance in the 5000 block of Regents Avenue where they learned a mentally handicap woman had been physically abused by household members.
Deputies said the woman was forced to run up and and down the street, while being chased by two others and a pit bull, as punishment for stealing a cell phone. Deputies said the woman had also been hit in the face by a coffee cup, beaten on the back with a belt and pushed to the ground.
The three women resisted arrest, deputies said, and three men began interfering and threatening deputies, at one point even threatening to release the pit bull. After backup arrived, deputies were able to arrest all six suspects.
The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Her condition has not been released.
Charged in connection with the incident were:
- Angela Lynn Street, 39, of Pensacola was arrested and charged with aggravated abuse elderly or disabled adult (domestic violence) two counts, aggravated battery (domestic violence), and battery (domestic violence) two counts. Street remains in the Escambia County Jail with no bond.
- Heidi Marie Klar, 28, of Pensacola was arrested and charged with aggravated abuse elderly or disabled adult with bond $5,000.00 and aggravated battery with a bond of $5,000.00.
- Angel N. Leonard, 17, of Pensacola was arrested and charged with aggravated abuse elderly or disabled adult (domestic violence) two counts, resist officer without violence, and battery (domestic violence) two counts. Leonard was taken to Department of Youth Services.
- Keenan Antwan Hall, 19, of Pensacola was arrested and charged with resist officer (obstruct without violence) with bond set at $1,000.00.
- Robert Christian Leonard, 19, of Pensacola was arrested and charged with resist officer (obstruct without violence) with bond set at $1,000.00.
- Steven Calvin Leonard, 38, of Pensacola was arrested and charged with resist officer (obstruct without violence)with bond set at $1,000.00.
Scott, Sebelius Talk Medicaid, Obamacare
January 8, 2013
After emerging from a meeting with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Gov. Rick Scott said Monday he asked for the federal government to “expedite” approval of Florida’s controversial proposals to shift most Medicaid beneficiaries into managed-care plans.
But Scott offered few details about their discussion on another major issue — how, or if, the state will carry out key parts of the federal Affordable Care Act.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Scott reiterated his oft-repeated concern about the costs of the 2010 law, commonly known as Obamacare. In the coming months, state lawmakers are expected to consider whether Florida should take part in running a health-insurance exchange and expand eligibility for Medicaid, two pieces of the law aimed at helping more people get health coverage.
“Growing government, it’s never free,” Scott said. “It always costs money.”
A Health and Human Services official, speaking on background, said Sebelius noted during the meeting that Florida has the third-highest rate of uninsured residents in the country. Sebelius encouraged Scott to work in partnership with the federal government on an insurance exchange and also said the law would lead to the federal government paying 100 percent of the costs of a Medicaid eligibility expansion during the first three years and 90 percent of the costs later.
Scott, who made his fortune as a hospital-company executive, helped hatch his political career by being a vocal opponent of President Obama’s efforts to overhaul the health-care system. Scott and other Florida Republican leaders fought the Affordable Care Act legally and politically but in recent weeks — after a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision and Obama’s re-election — have grappled with how to move forward with the law.
At the same time, Florida has been seeking federal approval of proposals that would ultimately lead to Medicaid beneficiaries statewide signing up with HMOs and other types of managed-care plans. Scott and Republican lawmakers approved the proposals in 2011 but have waited more than a year for decisions by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which is under Sebelius.
State Medicaid director Justin Senior said last month he expects a February decision about one of the proposals, which would lead to managed care for seniors who need long-term care services. It is unclear, however, when the federal government will make a decision about another proposal that would affect the broader Medicaid population.
“I’ve asked the secretary if she would expedite those and get those finished,” Scott said after the meeting with Sebelius, a former Kansas governor.
But state Rep. Mark Pafford, a West Palm Beach Democrat who is critical of shifting beneficiaries into HMOs, issued a statement Monday that warned against Scott trying to link the managed-care proposals and the Affordable Care Act in discussions with Sebelius. Pafford said he hopes Scott “isn’t demanding that expansion of the Medicaid program (under the Affordable Care Act) be contingent upon federal approval of a controversial Medicaid HMO-managed experiment.”
After more than two years of largely refusing to carry out the Affordable Care Act, the state House and Senate have formed committees that will study the law during the upcoming legislative session. While the law has various implications for the state, much of the discussion centers on a health insurance exchange and the potential expansion of Medicaid eligibility.
Under the Affordable Care Act, each state will have an online exchange aimed at helping consumers shop for insurance coverage. Depending on their income levels, many people will qualify for federal subsidies to help afford coverage. The federal government is expected in January 2014 to begin running an exchange for Florida, though the state could enter into a partnership or eventually run an exchange itself.
Florida does not have to carry out the Medicaid expansion, which would increase income thresholds and also open the program to many childless adults who currently do not qualify. Supporters, such as Pafford, say the expansion would reduce the amount of uncompensated care provided by hospitals and health professionals and would prevent thousands of deaths each year.
While the federal government says it would cover virtually all of the expansion costs in the initial years, Scott has repeatedly warned that the increased eligibility and other changes in the Affordable Care Act would lead to hefty costs for Florida’s Medicaid program.
Scott on Monday pointed to an estimate by his Agency for Health Care Administration of $26 billion over 10 years, though that is substantially higher than other estimates. The governor said he was trying to look out for Florida families.
“We want good access to health care, quality health care but (at) a price that they can afford,” Scott said.
By The News Service of Florida
Cruisers Unlimited Donates To Ronald McDonald House
January 8, 2013
The Cruisers Unlimited car and truck club of Atmore recently presented a generous donation to the Ronald McDonald House in Atmore.
Last summer, the car enthusiast group also held a small car show and grilled dinner for the Ronald McDonald House residents. The local Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home for family members of children who travel from their homes to receive medical treatment in Pensacola.
Pictured top: Todd Parker of Cruisers Unlimited presents a check to Twana Bright, event manager for the Ronald McDonald House. Pictured below: Cruisers Unlimited provided dinner and a small car show for the Ronald McDonald House last summer. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
In Depth: Clerk-Elect Pam Childers Letter To Employees
January 8, 2013
The following letter was sent from Escambia County Clerk-elect Pam Childers to employees:
January 4, 2013
Dear Fellow Employees:As your incoming Clerk of Court, I would like to take this opportunity to wish each of you a Happy New Year. I trust that you and your families enjoyed the holiday season, and I look forward to getting to know you and working with you beginning Tuesday.
I am sending you this letter so that there will be no confusion or misunderstanding about my intentions for this office going forward. My goal is not to “clean house,” nor is it to make life difficult for you. My job, as the elected Clerk of Court and Comptroller, is to serve the taxpayers in a fiscally responsible and efficient manner.
I want to inform each of you about the efforts that my transition team has made since the primary election to ensure a smooth transition for you, for the taxpayers, and for the agencies we serve. I started the transition process by requesting an internal transition team; however, I was met with a response many weeks later that I could meet the leadership team consisting of five people in early November. Since that first request on August 23, 2012, I have made repeated requests for information, names and addresses of staff to initiate correspondence, meet with each of you individually, and other basic transitional access. My attempts for information were frequently delayed or not taken with priority. Communication with the outgoing Clerk was one way; never did he reach out to have a conversation to assist with the transition or provide an environment open to interaction.
In addition to these disappointing transition steps, since my election there have been several aberrant financial decisions. In summary, over $1,000,000 of additional personnel expenditures have been expended or committed during the transition period, as well as nonmonetary actions that adversely affect the ease of transition. These include:
- September 19, 2012 – Revision of the leave buyback policy from a fiscally conservative, limited policy to an unlimited plan that cost several hundred thousand dollars.
- September 2012 – Bonuses totaling $225,913 (lump sum 3% of salary), FY2012
- October 2012 – Pay raises of 4% totaling $290,000 annually (3% for management), FY2013
- November 2012 – Buyback of leave totaling $290,230, including individual requests of over 400 hours, FY2013
- Approximately 17 new hires (both full time and student positions)
- Promotions to the highest paid positions (Administrators and Directors)
- Employees physically relocated to other parts of the building.
- Long-term front office employees moved to outlying offices or transferred to other departments.
All of these transactions occurred within three months of the August 14, 2012 election, with two of the largest financial outlays taking place within weeks of that election.
Most troubling about these expenditures is the fact that none of them appear to have been part of a clear budget process. In researching the budget submissions to both Escambia County and the Florida Clerk of Court Operations Corporation (CCOC), it appears that neither the FY2012 nor the FY2013 budgets included or projected employee bonuses or raises. Moreover, the Escambia County Commission specifically asked Constitutional Officers, who are funded by county revenues, to refrain from giving raises; likewise bonuses were never expected to occur. As a result, it appears that none of these expenditures was approved by the funding agency.
Budgets for most, if not all, Florida governmental agencies have been tight for over five years. Most government employees at the state and local levels have not had raises during this period of time. In fact, only four years ago the Clerk’s office had to layoff twenty (20) upper level and key staff employees because of a fiscal crisis, making these recent expenditures even more puzzling.
It is for these reasons – a lack of transparency and full disclosure on the part of the outgoing administration, unbudgeted financial expenditures, and questionable employee policies- that as of January 8, 2013, the pay raises for Clerk’s employees given on October 8, 2012 will be suspended pending further budget review and audit. This decision is based on an effort to protect Clerk’s employees from layoffs due to these unexpected, unexplained, and imprudent financial decisions by the outgoing administration. Without adequate information and justification from my predecessor and his administration, these unbudgeted expenditures cannot continue without potentially incurring employee layoffs.
For twenty years I have worked at the City of Pensacola finance department. I have been in your shoes, I have faced the challenges you face. I know that this decision will cause difficulties for some of you, and that many family decisions are made based on financial expectations. I firmly believe that each of you is deserving of these raises, but for the sake of all of us and out of respect for the taxpayers whom we serve, we must be wise and prudent.
Hopefully this letter has given you some perspective on my decisions and my efforts to reach out to you prior to now. I would have preferred to meet with all of you personally, but unfortunately that was not permitted by the outgoing Clerk during this transition. I look forward to talking with you at an introductory meeting I have scheduled for Friday, January 11, 2013 at 7:15am to talk about my plans for the future.
Sincerely,
Pam Childers
Clerk-Elect
Jerry Kelley
January 8, 2013
Jerry Kelley, a 67 year old resident of Jay, went to be with the Lord on January 6, 2013, after a courageous battle with ALS. He was born on January 7, 1945, to Perry Kelley and Bessie Chavis. Jerry retired from Exxon/Mobil after 32 years of service. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church. Jerry was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Myrtle Lee Diamond, Mary Bovia and Shirley Tidwell; and two brothers, Houston Kelly and Wayne Kelley.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Walterene Chancery Kelley; one daughter, Kathy Kelley Petersen; one son, Jerry Randall Kelley II; two grandsons, Michael Kelley and Dylan Kelley and one granddog, Cricket; three sisters, Paula Whitfield (Frank), Ann West (Ben), and Joan Struebing (Jeff); and three brothers, James Kelley (Jean), Buck Kelley (Glenda) and Tink Kelley (Annie Ruth).
The family will receive friends at Jay Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 9, 2013, from 6 p.m until 9 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at Cora Baptist Church on Thursday, January 10, 2013, at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Cora Baptist Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Dr. Jeff Kelley, Cliff Brown, Justin Duncan, Benjie West, Michael Morgan, Jeff Struebing, Mike Kelley, and Brenton Kelley.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
School Board Approves North Escambia School Personnel Changes
January 8, 2013
The Escambia County School Board approved several North Escambia teacher and staff transfers, resignations, and appointments during their last meeting.
The school board made the following changes among teachers and staff at schools across North Escambia:
Instructional/Professional Appointments
- Sami L. Amico, teacher, Ernest Ward Middle
Out of Field Appointments
- Leonard R. Sellers, Ernest Ward Middle
- Leslie R. Sellers, Northview High
Resignations, Retirements
- Christina M. Grey, teacher, Tate High
- Clinton Lott, assistant principal, Tate High
Leaves Of Absence
- Candice R. Blackburn, teacher, Molino Park
- Jill M. Laborde, teacher, Bratt Elementary
Education Support Appointments
- Pamela K. Averill, custodial worker I, Ransom Middle
Education Support Temporary Promotions
- Virginia J. Smith, food service assistant I to food service assistant II, Jim Allen
Education Support Resignations, Retirements
- Eunice M. Mooney, food service assistant I, Bratt Elementary
Inmate Passes Away On Alabama’s Death Row
January 7, 2013
An inmate on Alabama’ s death row has passed away of natural causes.
Alabama Department of Corrections death row inmate Clarence Leland Simmons,74, was pronounced dead at approximately 12:38 a.m., on Monday, January 7. Simmons died of multiple chronic illnesses with final cause of death pending autopsy results from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Simmons passed away in the healthcare unit at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore.
Convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death out of Jefferson County on January 9, 1998, Simmons served 16 years, 11 months, and 29 days on Alabama’s death row.
Pictured: Alabama death row inmate Clarence Leland Simmons seen in an undated photograph.
Body Found In Baldwin County Identified As Escambia Woman
January 7, 2013
Human remains found last month in Baldwin County have been identified as a Pensacola woman missing since October.
Bones found in Baldwin County on December 17 are those of 55-year old Nancy Craycraft, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Craycraft had been missing since October 19 when she was seen leaving Chan’s Nightclub on East Nine Mile Road. Her vehicle was discovered in Baldwin County on October 21.
In November, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said they had interviewed the man last seen in Craycraft’s company. He was not charged with any crime.
The remains were identified with the assistance of DNA testing by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Escambia and Baldwin County investigators are continuing to work together on the case.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
A Warming Week
January 7, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. East wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. East wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Showers likely. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 56. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 70. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 73. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.