Chiefs Honor Volleyball Players During Annual Banquet
November 22, 2013
The Northview High School volleyball teams honored their best Thursday night during their annual banquet.
They also celebrated the success of the varsity team, which set a school record at 13-10 for the season and second place place in the district. The varsity team is graduating seven seniors.
“Our varsity team was not filled with returning players,” coach Barbara Luker said. “The varsity team was a team that was willing to fight and work together to achieve the win.”
Awards presented Thursday night included:
Junior Varsity Best Offensive Award
Leah Fischer – JV, 11 Aces, 13 Kills
Laurie Purdy – JV, 14 Aces, 3 Kills and 10 Assists
Kyndall Hall – Varsity, 41 Aces, 40 Kills, and 98 Assists
Danielle Steadham – Varsity, 19 Aces, 111 Kills, and 3 Assists
Junior Varsity Best Defensive Award
Dimonique Brown – JV, 2 Blocks and 19 Digs
Danielle Steadham – Varsity, 56 Blocks and 118 Digs
Lily Townson – Varsity, 230 assists and 108 digs
Most Improved
Mallory Merchant – JV
Hanna Ging – Varsity
Coaches Award
Lily Townson
Best Attitude Award
Cheyenne Redditt – JV
Penny Bandit – Varsity
Effort Award
Maddi Weber – JV
E’Layzha Bates – Varsity
Rebecca Grim – Varsity
Pictured: The varsity Northview High School volleyball team was recognized during their annual banquet Friday night. Pictured below: Most Improved Award winners senior Hanna Ging (left) and junior varsity Mallory Merchant (middle) and Coach’s Award Winner Lily Townson. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
United Way Seeks Income Tax Prep Volunteers
November 22, 2013
United Way of Escambia County is seeking volunteers for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).
VITA volunteers provide free tax preparation help for those with low-to-moderate income. In 2013, 52 volunteers helped return over $900,000 in earned income tax credit and a total of over $2.8 million in refunds to 2,055 families in our community. The overall financial impact of this initiative was $3.3 million
VITA volunteers will:
- Volunteer in the role of either as a Tax Preparer or Greeter.
- Be able to commit to one to four hours per week from January 14th
- Receive IRS training and certification.
- Expand your knowledge of federal tax return procedures.
- Add a new skill to your resume.
- Receive CRA credit (for depository institutions only).
- Serve local citizens and help stimulate the local economy.
VITA site locations will include Pensacola State College (multiple campuses), Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Central Credit Union (Spring Street branch) and St. Sylvester Catholic Church in Navarre. Sites will open January 14, 2014.
Training starts for volunteers in December for sites in Pensacola, Milton and Navarre. United Way will train tax preparers and greeters. The online portion of the training can be completed at the volunteer’s pace.
To become a VITA volunteer, call (850) 444-7128 or email name and contact information to lyndi@unitedwayescambia.org.
Cantonment Teen Killed In Well Line Road Crash
November 21, 2013
A Thursday afternoon single vehicle crash claimed the life of a Cantonment teen.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 18-year old Thomas Lavaughn Hennessey of Cantonment was eastbound on Well Line Road near the Cantonment Ballpark about 3:20 p.m. when he traveled off the pavement and over-corrected, causing him to lose control of his 2002 Ford Ranger. The pickup overturned, partially ejecting Hennessey, who was not wearing a seat belt, according to the FHP. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured: A Cantonment teeen was killed in a single vehicle crash Thursday afternoon on Well Line Road near the Cantonment Ballpark. NorthEcambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
McGhee Guilty, Gets Life In Lottery Store Murder
November 21, 2013
An Escambia County jury found 25-year old Malcolm Troy McGhee guilty of first degree murder for the shooting death of 74-year old Thomas “Tommy” Kroll during a robbery on November 6, 2012, at the State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97.
Immediately after the unanimous jury verdict late Wednesday, Judge Linda Nobles sentenced McGhee to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“Justice was done today,” Kroll’s wife of 44-years, Kathy Kroll, told NorthEscambia.com Wednesday night. “The jury did their job, and we are pleased with the verdict and thank everyone for their prayers and support at this time.”
“Tommy we love and miss you, and justice was done for you,” she said.
According to testimony, McGhee, Brent Lambeth and Micheal Orso planned a robbery at the State Line O’Yes Lotto to take cash, scratch-off lottery tickets and a synthetic substance commonly known as Spice.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, the “Spice” being sold by Kroll as incense was 100 percent legal under Florida law at the time of the murder. Laws banning the substance went into effect at a later date.
McGhee and Lambeth were wearing ski masks when they entered the store, armed with a handgun. Gunfire was exchanged with Kroll, with multiple witnesses testifying that McGhee was the shooter. McGhee was struck once when a bullet ricocheted off a large cross pendant he was wearing around his neck. Kroll was struck three times, including once in the head, and was pronounced deceased at the scene. McGhee and Lambeth fled the scene before the first law enforcement arrived.
The defense argued that McGhee fired his weapon in self defense, and that the trio may have discussed the robbery but they were high on Spice and never intended to follow through on the plan.
Lambeth, 21, previously pleaded no contest to second degree murder. Under his plea deal, he will receive no more than 30 years in prison in exchange for his testimony against McGhee and Orso.
Orso, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder for allegedly assisting in planning the robbery and providing the the gun used in Kroll’s murder. Arrested just last week, he is scheduled to make his first court appearance on December 6.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ACLU, Dept. Of Corrections Settle Public Records Lawsuit
November 21, 2013
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and the state Department of Corrections have settled a legal dispute about records dealing with inmate housing at Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in the Panhandle.
The ACLU filed a lawsuit in August against the department, claiming the agency had rejected public-records requests that involved computerized information about housing assignments and cell or bunk assignments.
But in a settlement dated Monday, the department agreed to provide in an electronic format any number of “bed run” reports requested by the ACLU. Also, the state agreed to pay $4,000 in legal fees and costs.
In a prepared statement Wednesday, ACLU attorney Benjamin Stevenson said the settlement “signals a policy change. The department should no longer refuse the ACLU or any other Floridian’s request to extract public information from its databases.”
Florida, Local Housing Market Continue Positive Growth
November 21, 2013
Florida’s housing market continued its upswing in October 2013, as did local Escambia and Santa Rosa county single home sales, according to Florida Realtors.
Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 18,728 in October, up 6.5 percent compared to the year-ago figure. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.
In Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, sales of single family homes were up 6.2% over last year with 477 sold at an average price of $152,000. Overall, single family home sales are up 8.6% locally over last year. Sales of condos and townhouses are down overall by 25% this year compared to last.
Image courtesy Florida Realtors for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Approves Draft Plan With New Deer Hunting Regulations For Northwest Florida
November 21, 2013
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a draft proposal Wednesday that would divide the state’s Hunting Zone D (from Pensacola to Tallahassee) into two deer management units (DMUs), each with its own unique set of deer antler-point regulations and antlerless deer harvest days.
These proposals for Zone D, which if passed at the April 2014 Commission meeting, would take effect during the 2014-15 hunting season and are part of a larger, statewide project aimed at managing deer on a more local level and providing stakeholders with a greater say in deer management. The Commission also directed staff to provide an update on this issue at the February Commission meeting.
The FWC conducted a public outreach and input process in northwest Florida during the first three months of 2013. During that period, the Commission received input and comments from hunters, farmers and the general public regarding how they would like to see deer managed in the newly proposed DMUs.
As a result of this outreach process, the FWC is considering rule proposals for both public and private lands in both of the DMUs in Zone D, specifically north and south of Interstate 10. Currently statewide on private lands and most wildlife management areas, bucks that are legal to take must have at least one antler that is at least 5 inches long.
The proposals would require that bucks harvested north of I-10 in Hunting Zone D have antlers with at least three points (each point having to be at least 1 inch long) on one side. South of I-10 in Zone D, the minimum antler requirement would be two points on one side.
The proposal includes an exception to the antler requirements in both DMUs whereby youth 15 years old and younger may continue to harvest bucks with at least one antler that is 5 inches or more in length.
Also, the FWC is proposing a change to the antlerless deer season (“doe days”) on private lands within Zone D. Currently in that zone, the season to take deer of either sex (except spotted fawns) runs for seven consecutive days: Dec. 26 – Jan. 1. In the proposed rules, those dates north of I-10 would change to eight days distributed across four weekends (Saturday-Sunday after Thanksgiving, first weekend of muzzleloading gun season, third weekend of general gun season and the weekend after Christmas).
South of I-10, in Zone D, the proposal would change the antlerless season to four days consisting of two popular holiday weekends (the weekends after Thanksgiving and Christmas).
The purpose of modifying the antlerless deer season, the FWC said, is to spread out the hunting opportunity, so that more hunters may be able to participate without substantially reducing deer populations. These changes would be monitored to measure the impact on the deer harvest and hunter satisfaction within each DMU.
Century Signs Off On $742 Million Bond Issue; Town Could Earn $260K
November 21, 2013
The town of Century has approved 14 separate financing proposals totaling nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars, potentially earning about $260,000 for the town as a member of a partnership with Gulf Breeze.
The approval was granted by Century and Gulf Breeze as members of the Capital Trust Agency, an independent public body for the purpose of financing or otherwise accomplishing development programs. Century entered into the Capital Trust Agency with Gulf Breeze in 1999 with Century essentially serving as the “second signature” for CTA.
To date — before any fees are received from the latest round of bonds — Century has earned $605,223.47 since the inception of CTA.
Within the 14 financing approvals granted this week, there are 26 separate housing projects across the state in cities that include St. Augustine, Ft. Lauderdale, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach and Jacksonsville. The projects include a total of 2,668 housing units for which $742,500,000 worth of bonds were authorized. If all of the bonds were to to be issued, the fees for the Town of Century would be $259,925.
But Matt Dannheisser, attorney for CTA, Century and Gulf Breeze, said it is unlikely that all of the bonds would be issued.
“It is too early in the process to have a good idea of the exact financial needs for each project. Remember, that all but one are contingent upon receiving private activity bond allocations,” Dannheisser said.
Dannheisser said that the CTA is structured in such a way to indemnify Century from any financial risk, whether it be from a company that defaults on repayment or any other legal liabilities. None of the bond funds actually originate from the coffers of Century or Gulf Breeze.
For serving as the second signature for CTA, Century is paid $350 per $1 million financed with a$2,500 minimum fee.
Scott Honors Two Escambia Teachers With ‘Shine’ Awards
November 21, 2013
During Tuesday’s meeting of the Florida Cabinet, Gov. Rick Scott recognized five educators who formerly served in various branches of the military with the Governor’s Shine Award for their service to our country and their contributions to Florida’s students.
“It is an honor to thank these teachers who went from serving their country to serving Florida students in the classroom. A great education system is key to creating a highly-skilled workforce and driving our economy forward. These teachers have gone above and beyond the call of duty by preparing our students today for the jobs of tomorrow, and I thank them for their continued service to Florida families,” Scott said.
The Shine Award is presented to Floridians who have positively impacted children through education.
Two Escambia County teachers received the Shine award Tuesday from the governor:
Glenn Meyer, U.S. Air Force, Navy Point Elementary – Meyer served in the United States Air Force for 21 years before retiring at NAS Pensacola in November 2009. His last 11 years of service were in education and training commitments. Meyer began his teaching career in 2009 and has since taught 5th and 2nd grades at Pleasant Grove Elementary School. He now teaches 5th grade at Navy Point Elementary School in Pensacola.
Katherine Stefansson, U.S. Navy, Bellview Middle School – Stefansson retired from the United States Navy as a Public Affairs Officer and went on to receive her Master’s degree in Education. She taught in three different elementary schools before moving to Bellview Middle School in Pensacola where she now teaches 8th grade American History. Her favorite part of teaching is helping students learn how to make connections between what they learn in class and how it can affect their daily lives.
Crime In Florida, Escambia County Down For First Half Of 2013
November 21, 2013
Crime was generally down during the first half of 2013 in Florida and Escambia County when compared to the first half of 2012, according to the 2013 Semi-Annual Uniform Crime Report released Wednesday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
During the report period, murders were up by one in Escambia County from 10 in 2012 to nine in 2013. Nine of those 10 murders were in the jurisdiction of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; one was in the Pensacola Police Department jurisdiction.
Most other major crimes were down in Escambia County during the first half of this year as compared to the first half of 2012:
- Forcible Rape decreased 33% from 126 to 84
- Robberies were almost unchanged with 242 in 2012 and 243 in 2013
- Aggravated Assaults were down 8.5% from 894 to 818
- Burglaries were down 11% from 1,798 to 1,599
- Larceny was down 9% from 5,222 to 4,752
- Vehicle thefts were up 12% from 357 to 400
The overall crime index decreased by 8.7% when comparing the first half of 2012 to the first half of 2013.
Editor’s note: The Escambia County crime stats include crimes reported in the jurisdictions of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department, University of West Florida Police Department and Pensacola State College Police Department.