Florida House Remembers Clay Ford
March 22, 2013
The Florida House paid tribute Thursday to Rep. Clay Ford, who died Monday at age 74 from cancer. Speakers remembered the local Republican with personal stories about Ford and his wife Carol.
Speaker Will Weatherford called Ford the “consummate gentleman,” and talked about Ford’s love for his wife and his concern for people who are less fortunate. He also praised Ford for his courage in his fight against cancer. The House also played a slide show of photos of Ford.
“Clay Ford’s a member of our family and we’ll always remember him,” said Weatherford.
Pictured top: Rep. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, dabs his eyes Thursday after delivering remarks about the late Rep. Clay Ford, R-Gulf Breeze, who died Monday. Pictured inset: A memorial on Ford’s desk in the House chambers. Photos by Brandon Larrabee for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Impact 100 Reaches Historic High, Will Give $836,000 To Non-Profits
March 22, 2013
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a local women’s philanthropy group, has concluded its annual membership drive with 836 members — meaning $836,000 for local non-profits. The organization will give back to the community by awarding eight grants of $104,500 each to winning non-profit agencies in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, making it once again the largest IMPACT 100 in the nation.
This will be the 10th year that IMPACT 100 will award grants to local non-profit agencies. Since the inception of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area in 2004, the organization has awarded 39 grants to 34 different non-profit agencies for a total of $4.315 million.
“We are thrilled to have such an amazing response from our community and we can’t wait to see what fantastic projects the non-profit agencies submit this year,” said Holly Jurnovoy, president of IMPACT 100. “Thanks to every one of our members, the Pensacola Bay Area shines once again as the largest IMPACT 100 organization in the country.”
One grant will be awarded in each of the following five focus areas: Arts and Culture; Education; Environment Recreation and Preservation; Family; and Health and Wellness. Three additional grants will be awarded to nonprofits in the categories with the most votes.
Non-profit organizations interested in applying for a grant are invited to attend this year’s not for profit seminar: “Give Your Grant… Impact!” The free seminar will be held April 23rd from 8 a.m. until noon at Gulf Power headquarters. All non-profit organizations in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties are invited to attend to learn about the grant process, get tips to writing a more successful grant, be inspired to dream big and create a winning project. Letters of intent to apply for a grant are due April 30th.
Who Do You Call When Your Train Overheats? Not AAA, But ECFR
March 21, 2013
AAA can’t help you when you train locomotive overheats, but you can call Escambia County Fire Rescue.
Engine 419 from the Cantonment Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to Highway 95A near Jim Allen Elementary School Thursday morning to assist CSX after a train locomotive engine overheated. There was no fire, just a need for water to cool the engine.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputy’s Condition Upgraded; Two Arrested In Shooting
March 21, 2013
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy is recovering today after was shot in the leg Wednesday night in the Scenic Hills neighborhood.
Keenan Ross Finkelstein, 23, was charged with attempted murder of a police officer in connection with the shooting of Sgt. Shedrick Johnson.
Johnson responded to a house in the 8800 block of Burning Tree Road in the Scenic Hills area off Nine Mile Road in an attempt to locate a robbery suspect, later identified as Jonathan Brett Chappell, 24.
Chappell had robbed an individual at gunpoint at the Tom Thumb on Pensacola Boulevard near W Street earlier in the evening and retreated to the Scenic Hills home where his acquaintance, Finkelstein, awaited.
According to both the victim and the suspect, the robbery occurred after the two had met to make a drug deal.
As deputies approached the house Finkelstein came out of the garage.Johnson identified himself as law enforcement and instructed him to show his hands. At that time Finkelstein raised a handgun and shots were fired. In the exchange of gunfire, Johnson was wounded in the leg and retreated across the street. He was then transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he remains.
According to hospital officials, Johnson’s condition has been upgraded to fair. Finkelstein was located a short distance away and arrested by Pensacola Police officer. Shortly afterwards, Chappell exited the garage and was arrested. He was charged with armed robbery with a firearm, grand theft of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.
Finkelstein is being held without bond, while Chappell’s bond is set at $110,000.
Wrecked Vehicle Found In Highway 97 Wooded Area
March 21, 2013
There were no known injuries in a single vehicle wreck near Walnut Hill Thursday morning.
A passerby spotted the wrecked Ford Expedition about 7:15 a.m. in a wooded area on Highway 97 just north of Tungoil Road. There was no one around the vehicle; the wreck had apparently happened sometime overnight.
The driver was apparently northbound on Highway 97 when they missed a curve and ran off the roadway. The vehicle continued at a high rate of speed about 175 feet across one driveway, airborne over a second driveway and into a wooded area. The SUV struck several trees before coming to rest in the woods.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured: There was no one around this wrecked SUV found Thursday morning on Highway 97 near Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Restaurant Owner, Escambia Sheriff’s Office Warn Of Lotto Scam
March 21, 2013
When Jimmy Carter of Jimmy’s Grill in Molino received a check for $3,875 and a letter from Waterhouse Financial Services in Toronto notifying him that he had won $125,000 — his share of a $3 million prize — he knew something just did not seem right.
“We thought it was a fraudulent or scam type thing,” he said, adding that he was initially going to throw the letter away. “On top of this check that was made out to me was the logo that was on one of my things that I bought from my food distributor. That was making me think at that time that we had something that was legitimate.”
He called the Canadian 647 area code number on the letter and was told by a man with foreign accent that he was a winner selected in the International Shoppers Lotto Powerball conducted in North America. He was to cash the check in order to pay $1,875 in taxes on his winnings.
“This person was telling me to deposit the check in my checking account then I would receive the additional money once I called them back again,” Carter said. Along with an employee, he decided it was definitely a scam.
“It was not true what they were saying, and it was a scam,” he said.
Escambia County investigator David Ingram said Carter’s report was beneficial, not only because it allowed the ECSO to forward the information to the appropriate agencies, but also because it provided an opportunity to alert the public about the scam.
“We have the original check, the original document which we can process for fingerprints, so there is some additional evidence we can forward to the appropriate agency,” Ingram said.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office offers the following tips to avoid being the victim of fraud:
○ Never pay taxes or fees before collecting winnings
○ Never send money to win money or merchandise
○ Foreign lotteries and sweepstakes are illegal in the U.S.
○ Never deposit a questionable check
○ Call your bank or local law enforcement with questions
Pictured top: Jimmy Carter hard at work at his Jimmy’s Grill in Molino. Pictured bottom inset: A scam lotto letter received by Carter. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man’s Vehicle Hit By Train
March 21, 2013
A Cantonment man escaped serious injury Wednesday afternoon when his Ford Explorer was hit by a train.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 56-year old Bruce Demars was stopped for traffic on the railroad tracks on Kingsfield Road approaching Palafox Street about 4 p.m. As railroad crossing arms came down on both sides of his 2000 Ford Explorer, Demars attempted unsuccessfully to move out of the way to avoid the train. The front of the train struck the left rear of the Ford Explorer.
Demars was transported to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries. He was cited for improper stopping on railroad tracks, according to the FHP.
Escambia Group Meets With State Leaders About Langley Bell 4-H Center Replacement
March 21, 2013
A delegation of concerned citizens from Escambia County met with several elected officials this week to discuss a replacement for the Langley Bell 4-H Center, which was sold to Navy Federal Credit Union.
“I think we made good progress toward getting what the kids deserved,” Jacob Gilmore said after meeting with Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam. Other members of the Escambia County group met with Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Clay Ingram, Senate President Don Gaetz and Rep. Doug Broxson.
Pictured: (L-R) Brett Ward, Angus Brewton, Gayle Brewton, Ag Commissioner Adam Putnam, Jacob Gilmore, George Carpenter, Martha Carpenter and Mike Godwin. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Clues After Assault Victim Dies From Injuries
March 21, 2013
An Escambia County man died this week from injuries he received in an assault a couple of weeks ago.
Early in the morning on March 1, 41-year old Donald Moore of Pensacola was vising a relative in the 1400 block of East Johnson Avenue in Ensley. As he exited his truck, he was attacked from behind and struck in the back of the head by an unknown assailant.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the incident was not reported to law enforcement until he was admitted to a local hospital for treatment late on March 3. He remained hospitalized until he died from his injuries on March 17.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
PCA Takes First, Northview Second In Track And Field Meet
March 21, 2013
Pensacola Christian Academy won both the boy’s and girl’s track an field meets held Monday at Northview High School, while Northview placed second and J.U. Blacksher finished third.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Complete results were as follows:
GIRLS
1st Pensacola Christian Academy 90 points
2nd Northview 57 points
3rd Blacksher 26 Points
4X800
1st PCA 11:31
2nd Northview 12:33
4X100
1st Northview 54.
2nd Blacksher 1:34
4X400
1st Northview 4:52
2nd PCA 4:54
100 Hurdles
1st Floyd –Northview 17.80
2nd Lapid -PCA 24.26
3rd Sistrunk –PCA 27.36
100
1st Phillips -PCA 13.24
2nd Dean –Blacksher 13.36
3rd Fiellin –Northview 13.32
4th Kane – PCA 14.00
200
1st Kane – PCA 27.69
2nd Brown –Northview 28.44
3rd Smiley – PCA 28.45
4th Dailey –Blacksher 31.89
300 Hurdles
1st Phillips– PCA 50.80
2nd Dean –Blacksher 51.75
3rd Lapid -PCA 1:00.46
4th Bobo –Northview 1:00.83
400
1st Davis– Northview 1:09.08
2nd Marona -PCA 1:09.55
3rd Simien-PCA 1:10.82
4th McGahan –Northview 1:11.40
800
1st Buschman -PCA 2:55
2nd McGahan –Northview 2:58
3rd Brock-PCA 2:59
4th Smith-PCA 3:00
1600
1st Buschman -PCA 6:14.82
2nd Henderson –PCA 6:18.49
3rd Houk-PCA 6:52.73
4th Brock-PCA 6:53.94
3200
1st Cochran -PCA 13:28.48
2nd Henderson –PCA 13:46.53
3rd Houk-PCA 14:52.96
4th Franklin-Northview 16:04.64
High Jump
1st Floyd –Northview 4’6
2nd Marona-PCA 4’6
3rd Kane-PCA 4’0
Triple Jump
1st Floyd –Northview 29’2”
2nd Simion –PCA 28’10.5”
3rd Brown –Blacksher 26’11.5”
4th Davis-Northview 26’5.5”
Long Jump
1st Dean – Blacksher 14’2”
2nd Fiellin-Northview 13’1.75”
3rd Brown – Northview 12’11.5”
4th Brown –Blacksher 12’8.5”
Discus
1st Andrews –PCA 93’5”
2nd Anderson –Blacksher 79’11”
3rd Bates– Northview 79’5.5”
4th Gibson –PCA 72’7”
Shot Put
1st Anderson –Blacksher 30’6.5”
2nd Bates– Northview 28’8.5”
3rd Syria– Northview 27’9.5”
4th Andrews –PCA 27’4”
Pole Vault
1st Andrews –PCA 10’5”
2nd Andrews –PCA 7’3”
BOYS
1st Pensacola Christian Academy 85 points
2nd Northview 61 points
3rd Blacksher 32 Points
4X800
1st PCA 9:12
2nd Northview 11:23
4X100
1st Blacksher 49.02
2nd PCA 49.30
4X400
1st Northview 3:55.04
2nd PCA 3:55.79
100 Hurdles
1st Daniel -PCA 17.62
2nd Holland -PCA 18.11
3rd White –Northview 18.20
4th Tristan –Blacksher 19.02
100
1st Robinson –Northview 10.97
2nd Trent –Blacksher 11.37
3rd Holden –Northview 11.46
4th Bruanes – PCA 12.12
200
1st Robinson –Northview 24.20
2nd Moore–Northview 24.34
3rd Bruanes– PCA 24.41
4th Fulfer –PCA 25.20
300 Hurdles
1st Daniel– PCA 45.06
2nd Kim -PCA 46.78
3rd Creamer –Northview 49.33
4th Holland–PCA 50.30
400
1st Donobyin– PCA 58.68
2nd Newsome- Northview 58.70
3rd Sherouse –Northview 59.30
4th Grissett –Northview 59.56
800
1st Crist-PCA 2:17
2nd Johnson –Blacksher 2:18
3rd Parker-PCA 2:27
4th Detterson-PCA 2:34
1600
1st Balentine -PCA 5:14.54
2nd Carlson –PCA 5:14.92
3rd Jekel-PCA 5:15.16
4th Stewart-PCA 5:15.42
3200
1st Carlson –PCA 10:51.49
2nd Balentine -PCA 11:17.77
3rd Stewart-PCA 11:46.36
4th Johnson –Blacksher 12:39.11
High Jump
1st Newsome–Northview 6’0
2nd Robbins –Blacksher 5’10
3rd McWilliams–Northview 5’10
4th Myles–Northview 5’8
Triple Jump
1st Jaron–Northview 37’10
2ndFulfer –PCA 37’5
3rd Dean –Blacksher 35’9.5
4th Lett –Blacksher 32’7.5
Long Jump
1st Robbins – Blacksher 19’6.5
2nd Fulfer-PCA 18’6.5
3rd Trevelle– Northview 17’6
4th Myles – Northview 17’2
Discus
1st Waller –Blacksher 105’
2nd Grice– Northview 103’9.5
3rd Hershburger– PCA 94’7.5
4th Nash –Northview 90’4
Shot Put
1st Nash–Northview 41’2.5
2nd Waller –Blacksher 37’3
3rd Whitehead– Northview 35’3.5
4th Shoemaker –PCA 34’10
Pole Vault
1st Collins –PCA 10’
2nd Phillips–PCA 10’
3rd Ordway –PCA 10’
4th Sherouse-Northview 9’