Holmes County Ends Northview’s Playoff Run
May 11, 2013
Holmes County won the Regional 1A title Friday night in Bonifay, defeating the Northview Chiefs 3-0.
Holmes County took a 2-0 lead after the first inning, expanding their lead to 3-0 with single from Corey Wilson in the second inning. The Blue Devils advance to the state semifinals next week in Fort Myers.
Kevin Vaughn pitched three for the Chiefs, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 0 K.
Chason Freeman was 1-3 for Northview, while Chad Smith was 0-1.
The Blue Devils were the district champs, having beat Northview on April 25. During the regular season, it was an even split. The Chiefs end their first season under first-year head coach Marty Lister at 10-9. Northview has never made the baseball final four in school history.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs take on Holmes County Friday in Bonifay for the Regional 1A title. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Shots Fired Near Repo Man
May 11, 2013
Shots were fired near an area repossession and recovery company’s driver Friday night, but both parties agreed Saturday it might have been a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
US Towing and Recovery of Jay was working to repossess a vehicle on Still Farm Road, just off Jack Springs Road north of Poarch, Ala. As the repossession was underway, the repossession man said a female fired a shot from a nearby home.
The resident said she was on edge after someone had “beat at” her door on Wednesday night. On Friday night, she said she was feeding her chickens when someone was walking down a tree line on her property. She sent her dog after the possible prowler while she ran inside her home and called the police before firing her pistol in the air.
She said she did not fire at the repo man, but rather at an unknown prowler.
“We’ve had a lot problems with things being stolen and stuff on our road since Spring Break,” the woman said Saturday morning. She said the person she saw was wearing a white or light colored shirt, while the repossession company said their employees were all wearing dark clothing. “It might not have been them I saw,” she said. “But there was a man on my property.”
There were no injuries and nothing hit by the gunfire. The Poarch Creek Police Department and the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident. No charges were filed.
The US Towing and Recovery driver was able to successfully complete the repossession.
Pictured: Shots were fired Friday night the driver of this repo truck on Still Farm Road north of Poarch, Ala. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Slight Rain Chance Tonight, Clearing Sunday
May 11, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
- Sunday: Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 79. North wind around 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86.
Local Author To Hold Book Signing Today At Molino Library
May 11, 2013
The Molino Branch Library will host a book signing with local author Lloyd Albritton today from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. He will be signing copies of his new book “Baby Blue”, which will be on sale for $20.
Albritton grew up in Nokomis, Fla., and currently lives in Atmore. Both locations are the setting for Albritton’s first novel.
Baby Blue Description
When two young boys stumble upon the gruesome, headless corpse of a young white man in the woods of Nokomis, local Deputy Sheriff J. B. Coon, a farmer and part-time deputy, is summoned to investigate. Deputy Coon quickly targets a suspect in Manse Mobley, a mysterious old Negro moonshiner who rides a magnificent stallion and carries a shotgun.
The bigger question, however, is why! Even as his boss pushes him to close the case unsolved as just another shootout between two unimportant country hooligans fighting over a bottle of whiskey, J. B. suspects more. His curiosity and subsequent investigation leads him to one of the wealthiest and most prominent families in the State of Alabama, Dr. John Blue and his wife, Marie. The Blues have secrets. Deep, dark secrets!
As the Blues’ secrets unfold, Deputy Coon begins to wish he had listened to his boss and left that door closed, but once he has crossed the threshold of truth, there is no turning back. Other lives must now be destroyed. And J. B. Coon may be one of them.
Anthony “Tony” Wayne Respress
May 11, 2013
Anthony “Tony” Wayne Respress, 52, a lifetime resident of Atmore, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2013, in Pensacola, Fl. He was a truck driver, born on February 15, 1961 in Atmore to the late Amon and Evon Dannelley Respress. He was of the Baptist faith. He is preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Amon Respress.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia Rutherford Respress; two sons, Kristopher Bradley Respress and Colton Wayne Respress all of Atmore; two brothers, Donald A. Respress and John Michael (Joyce) Respress of Atmore; three sisters, Jean (Jerry) Mason of Atmore, Janice (Larry) Kyser of Pensacola and Susan (Charles) Maquire of Atmore; and a host of family and friends.
Services will be were held Friday, May 10, 2013, at the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. J.T. Guyton officiating. Interment was in McCullough Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were, John Michael Respress, Donald Alvin Respress, Adam Respress, David Respress, Sean Respress, and Clinton Kyser.
Honorary pallbearers were Terry Mason, Tim Mason, Dale Rutherford, Autry Ziglar, James Dannelly, Larry Kyser, Charles Maquire, and Jerry Mason.
Traffic: Construction Begins On Pensacola Beach Roadway, Toll Booth Improvements
May 11, 2013
Escambia County’s Public Works Department has started construction on more than $430,000 in roadway improvements designed to enhance traffic flow and address safety concerns for pedestrians headed to Pensacola Beach:
The improvements include:
- Extending the fourth lane approaching the toll plaza so vehicles can access that lane at the foot of bridge instead of a few yards away.
- Extending the fourth lane exiting the toll plaza to give vehicles more time to merge with traffic on Pensacola Beach Boulevard.
- Lengthening the eastern transponder beach pass lane from the foot of the bridge.
- Extending the turning lane into The Grand Marlin restaurant and bridge fishing pier on the south side of the toll plaza to provide more room for vehicles to stack up.
- Enlarging the right turn lane on the northbound side of Pensacola Beach Boulevard to improve access to the bridge fishing pier and The Grand Marlin.
- Installing a pedestrian crosswalk with pavement embedded flashing lights on Pensacola Beach Boulevard at the Quietwater Beach pavilion area to the east and Pensacola Beach Marina and the Elk’s Lodge on the west side of the street.
- Upgrading the toll plaza’s transponder readers and hardware to make them operate more efficiently.
This fall, toll plaza software and hardware improvements will eliminate toll gate arms, which slow traffic. Upgrades will include the installation of the state’s prepaid toll program, SunPass, or a similar system. This will significantly improve traffic flow through the toll booth, more than doubling the number of cars able to pass through the plaza during peak times to 2,350 cars per hour.
A photo enforcement system will be installed at the three manned booths where toll takers will continue to take cash. This will allow the lane arms to be removed, and violators who pass through the toll plaza without paying will receive a bill for the $1 toll, plus additional surcharges. Nonpayment of the toll and surcharges could result in a $100 fine plus additional surcharges per a state law governing toll plazas.
Work is currently underway and the major portion of the roadwork is expected within the next few weeks. Other work such as relocating utilities will continue for a few months.
In order to minimize disruptions to beach traffic, Escambia County has instructed its contractor – Panhandle Paving and Grading – to limit work hours from work a 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays only. Additionally, there may be instances when lanes will be shut down during evening hours to complete necessary work.
Jax Beats Pcola 1-0
May 11, 2013
Audy Ciriaco delivered the game-winning single on a looping line drive over second baseman Brodie Greene in the bottom of the ninth to score Ryan Fisher from third to give Jacksonville a 1-0 win on Friday night at Bragan Field in Jacksonville. The loss is the third straight for Pensacola.
Blue Wahoos starter Josh Smith pitched brilliantly over six shutout innings. He surrendered just three hits while fanning a season-high nine batters, including a span of six consecutive batters from the second inning to the fourth. Loek Van Mil pitched well out of the bullpen for the Blue Wahoos with two scoreless innings. Josh Ravin had two strikes on Ciriaco before he delivered the game winning hit with two outs in the ninth. Ravin (L, 0-2) was handed his second loss of the season. Collin Carill (W, 1-1) earned the win for Jacksonville after pitching the final two innings for the Suns.
Offensively the Wahoos had only three hits. Third baseman David Vidal had two of them as part of a 2-for-4 game to extend his hit-streak to four games. The Blue Wahoos only threat came in the top of the ninth when they had runners at second and third with two outs. It was the only time the Blue Wahoos had a runner at third base in the game.
Pensacola will try to salvage the final game of the five-game series on Saturday night. RHP Tim Crabbe (2-1, 2.60) will start for the Blue Wahoos against Suns LHP Adam Conley (1-1, 5.88). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. CT from Bragan Field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
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Luverne Ward
May 11, 2013
Mrs. Luverne Ward, 75, passed away on Thursday, May 9, 2013, in Poarch.
Mrs. Ward was a native of Atmore and resident of Poarch for most of her life. Mrs. Ward was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and child of God. She attended the Friendly Holiness Church. Her husband, Rev. Fred C. Ward; two brothers, D.C. and Obie Daughtry; two sisters,Vernell Aplin and Charlotte Reed; and parents, Savannah and Ella Daughtry precede her in death.
She is survived by her four sons, Rev. Ray (Christine) Ward of Poarch, Randall (Janet) Ward of Poarch, Carlton (Melissa) Ward of Atmore, and Fred C. Ward, Jr. of Atmore; three daughters, Tena (David) Bryars of Bay Minette, Juanita Fears of Bratt, and Phyllis Ward of Poarch; two sisters, Bernice Qualls of Poarch, and Savanna Daughtry of Poarch; sister-in-law, Earnestine Daughtry; 18 Grandchildren; 14 Great Grandchildren and special friend, James T. Fears.
Funeral services will be Monday, May 13, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the Friendly Holiness Church with Rev. Ray Ward, Rev. David Bryars and Rev. Dale Alpin officiating.
Burial will follow at the New Home Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, May 12, 2013, from 5:30 p.m. until funeral time at 1o a.m. at the Friendly Holiness Church.
Pallbearers will be Heath Bryars, Trenton Daughtry, Trevor Daughtry, Kendall Reed, Brian Richard, Douglas Daughtry, Willis McGhee and Steven Aplin.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Edward Eugene Rolin
May 11, 2013
Edward Eugene Rolin, 64, of Poarch, was called home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 9, 2013. He was a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and a Vietnam Veteran. He regularly attended Atmore Apostolic Church where he came to know the Lord as his personal savior in the year of 2012. He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Eugene Rolin; mother, Pearlie Gertrude Rolin; two sisters, Daisy Bell Rolin & Letha McGhee; and one brother, Fred Thomas McGhee.
He is survived by his wife, Sue Cooper; five children, Wendy (Jason) Davis of Poarch, Krystal (Henry) Langford of Cantonment, David (Tanya) Rolin of Uriah, Shelly (Richie) Rolin of Pensacola, and Joey (Nikki) Rolin of Poarch; one brother, Chester Fields McGhee; two step-children, Allen (Tiffany) Hall of Bay Minette and Tony (Chrissy) Cooper of Loxley; 15 grandchildren; one great-grandson, Eli River; five step-grandchildren; be helped raise and nurture 7 nieces and nephews that he loved as his own, Charles Gregson, Eddie Wayne Gregson (deceased), Sherry Gregson, Robin Gregson, Donna Nobels, Tim Gregson and Melanie Gregson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ed enjoyed being outdoors fishing with his best friend, Joe O’Barr (Chubby), hunting, swimming with his children and grandchildren and loved to watch Alabama Football and Nascar Racing.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the Friendly Holiness Church in Atmore with Rev. Steve Ward officiating. Burial will be at the New Home Cemetery in Atmore.
Visitation will be held Monday, May 13, 2013, from 6 p.m. until funeral time at 10:00 a.m. at the Friendly Holiness Church.
Pallbearers will be Garvis Sells, Eddie Jackson, David Morris, Eric Rolin, Terry McGhee, Kendall Reed, Pee-Wee and Odell McGhee.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of arrangements.
Judge: T-Ball Coach Poses Danger, Must Stay In Jail On Weapons Charges
May 10, 2013
A Century man arrested on federal weapons charges while coaching t-ball will be held without bond until his trial.
In her decision this week, U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Timothy ordered Joshua Duane Griffis, age 26 of North Century Boulevard, held held because “no release condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of any other person and the community”. Griffis is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and disposing of a firearm knowing that it was stolen.
Griffis was taken into custody without incident at a t-ball game in Century, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
ATF Special Agent George Bruno testified a detention hearing this week that in September 2012 Griffis went to the home of a person known to him on Green Village Road near Walnut Hill and advised the resident that he needed to retrieve a cell phone charger from a bedroom. The resident complied.
Later that evening, the resident discovered his .22 caliber revolver was missing. The victim’s wife confronted Griffis. According to an arrest report, and he said that he had let a friend working offshore borrow the gun but it would be returned soon.
Agent Bruno testified that Griffis pawned the firearm at State Line Pawn in Atmore on September 27, 2012.
Court documents show Griffis has prior adult felony convictions for grand theft, fraudulent use of credit cards, two counts of burglary of a dwelling, two counts of concealing information to obtain a prescription and receiving stolen property. His record also includes 13 misdemeanor convictions for worthless checks, two counts of petit theft, two counts of driving while license suspended and domestic violence third degree assault.
Just eight days before the firearm was pawned, Griffis was sentenced to two years probation and a suspended year in jail for receiving stolen property and domestic violence offenses. Court documents also reflect that Griffis has substance abuse issues.
The court found Griffis should remain in jail for numerous reasons, including “the nature and seriousness of the danger posed by Defendant’s release, which is obvious in this case in light of Defendant’s drug addiction, prior record, and (based on the evidence presented) apparent stealing, possessing, and pawning a firearm”.
Griffis has been set for trial at the Federal Courthouse in Pensacola in July.