Ernest Ward To Host Womanless Beauty Pageant Tonight
March 8, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School will host a womanless beauty pageant tonight at seven contestants seek the title of 2013 EWMS Womanless Beauty Queen.
The event takes place in the school gym at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for middle school students through adults and $3 for elementary students.
Contestants are: Jacob Weaver, Luke Ward, Chase Gifford, Hunter Edwards, Cameron Long, Heath Sheldt and Triston Long.
Second Arrest Made In Cantonment Murder
March 8, 2013
A second arrest has been made in connection with a deadly drug-related home invasion late last year in Cantonment.
D’Montrey Antuan James, age 24 of Cantonment, was arrested overnight and is being held without bond in the Escambia County Jail on a charge of homicide. James and 32-year old Robert Dale Purifoy of Cantonment, who was arrested earlier this week, are accused of the murder of Amber Tricona Johnson.
Johnson, 22, who was shot and killed during an exchange of gunfire during a home invasion on Stefani Circle. Johnson was found dead inside the home from an apparent gunshot wound.
An undisclosed amount of money and a “significant” quantity of marijuana was found at the scene, leading investigators to believe that robbery was a motive
Sunshine Through The Weekend
March 8, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west 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 46. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Deputies: Convicted Felons Fight Over Gun, Chickens
March 8, 2013
Two convicted felons from Century are facing charges after allegedly fighting over a gun and chickens.
Timothy Dewade Calhoun, 38, and Alexander Dumas Lett, 55, were both charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and battery following the incident.
Lett allegedly accused Calhoun’s son of stealing chickens from him.. Lett told deputies that Calhoun snatched him out of his vehicle and “stomped on him”. Lett admitted to having a .22 rifle in his vehicle, but he denied pulling it on Calhoun or his son. Lett was transported to Jay hospital for injuries to his ear and head.
The son told deputies that Lett did pull the gun and threatened to beat him and Calhoun. Calhoun said Lett accused his son of stealing chickens from him, and Lett reached for the rifle. Calhoun told deputies that a struggle followed, with Calhoun taking possession of the gun and driving to the Sheriff’s precinct in Century with the weapon.
Calhoun was released from the Escambia County Jail on $8,000 bond. Lett, booked into jail Thursday night, was being held without bond.
Northview’s Chiefs, Tate’s Carroll Honored During PSA Awards Banquet
March 8, 2013
The Northview Chiefs state championship football team and Tate High School’s Chase Carroll were among those honored Thursday night during the annual Pensacola Sports Association Awards Banquet at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front.
Taking home the top awards of the evening were Olympic Athlete of the Year Justin Gatlin, Professional Athlete of the Year Alfred Morris, and Amateur Athlete of the Year Chelsea Palmer. Additionally, Trent Richardson received a Special Recognition Award.
Being inducted into the PSA Hall of Fame are Kevin Saucier (So-Shay), Charlie Hendley, and Adrian Stills. Suacier, a graduate of Escambia High School, has spent his career playing (pitcher) and scouting talent for Major League Baseball. He also won a World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980. Hendley was the head golf pro for the Pensacola Country Club for 38 years. Stills, head golf pro at the City of Pensacola’s Osceola Golf Course, is the last black player to earn his PGA Tour Card at Tour Qualifying School and is a new member of the PGA Tour Black Hall of Fame.
The Northview Chiefs were honored as Escambia County’s only state championship football team of 2012, with the Chiefs bringing home the 2012 Florida High School Athletic Association 1A title. Tate’s Chase Carroll was recognized as the Class 2A Boys weightlifting state champion.
Zach Price, Tate graduate, was honored for being the West Point Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Guest speaker for the event was New Orleans Saints starting defensive end Cameron Jordan. The Minneapolis, MN, native played his college career at California before being selected by the Saints in the first round, 24th overall, of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Pictured: Chase Carroll with Trent Richardson. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NHS NJROTC Takes Part In Auburn Drill Meet
March 8, 2013
Northview High School’s NJROTC recently competed in a drill meet at Auburn University, finishing fourth overall against 12 schools from Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana.
The unit competed in multiple events which included a personnel inspection, academic test, basic drill and physical fitness.
“The outstanding results by the unit was the culmination of a lot of hard work over the past several weeks by each cadet that competed. The competition is always tough at these meets but the cadets were focused and determined to succeed. As always they were great representatives of Northview and the community,” said Charlie C. Code, Capt USN (ret), Northview instructor.
The unit also toured the Auburn campus and the nearby Tuskegee Airman Museum.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
WXBM Radiothon Continues Today For Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital
March 8, 2013
The WXBM 102.7 Radiothon for Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital continues today with a live broadcast through 7 p.m.
The broadcast is raising funds to provide sick and injured children in the local area with specialized equipment needed for their care.
Young patients and parents of children treated at Sacred Heart will be interviewed on the air about their experiences with the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals at the hospital.
For the past 15 years, WXBM radio personalities including Marty White, Lindsey Marie, Lynn West, and Ryan Andrew have spearheaded the fundraising effort to encourage their listeners to pledge their support and donations to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. Since the program’s inception, over $1 million has been raised by WXBM’s loyal listeners.
As of the close of the Radiothon on Thursday, $15,448.11 had been raised so far this year.
To pledge your support, call (850) 416-KIDS (5437), toll free (800) 261-KIDS or for online donations, visit WXBM.com.
Pictured top: WXBM’s Lindsey Marie and Marty White with 14-year old cancer patient Derek. Pictured inset: Addison was stillborn at Sacred Heart Children’s hospital but brought to life thanks to the technology at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Info On Credit Card Theft Suspects
March 8, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking to identify two people believed to be involved in a credit card theft.
The Sheriff’s Office said the credit card theft occurred February 15 at the Chick-fil-A on Nine Mile Road. The male and female seen in photos released Thursday are believed to have used the credit card to make purchases at Target on Nine Mile Road.
Paving Operations Planned On Hwy 89 Near Jay
March 8, 2013
Motorists traveling Highway 89 from Bragg Creek south to County Road 178 in Santa Rosa County can expect daytime lane restrictions as crews begin laying the final layer of asphalt on Saturday, March 9. Paving operations are expected to be complete within four days.
There will be no lane closures allowed from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained throughout the construction zone, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to obey the posted speed limit when traveling through the work zone, FDOT said.
Scott Focused On Teacher Raises, Mfg. Tax Cut, No Medicaid Expansion
March 8, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott may not put up much of a fight during the legislative session for the federal expansion of Medicaid that he recently announced he favors.
At least that is what he implies. The governor said Thursday his focus this session will remain his call for $2,500 pay raises for teachers and for the elimination of sales taxes on the purchase of equipment by manufacturers.
Scott returned to those two items when repeatedly asked about opposition to the Medicaid expansion from House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, and a Republican-dominated House committee that’s strongly rejecting his proposal to accept a three-year expansion of the health care program under the Affordable Care Act.
“I’m focused on the $2,500 pay raise, I’m focused on getting rid of the sales tax because I know the most important thing for our families are jobs and education,” Scott said as he was questioned on Thursday on whether he would let the legislators work on the Medicaid proposal or push hard for his stance that he stunned supporters with on Feb. 20.
“I let everybody know my position with regard to Medicaid expansion. My position I think it is the right position for Florida families,” Scott said. “Now the legislative process is just starting. Hopefully they’ll do the right thing.”
Opponent of Scott’s proposal, including Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Attorney General Pam Bondi, say that once Medicaid is expanded to include residents up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line, the state would be unable to back away from that position after three years.
Scott said he has discussed his position with members of the Senate Select Committee on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, whose support is needed to keep the proposal alive in the Legislature.
By The News Service of Florida