Panhandler Developer Guilty In Presidential Campaign Finance Case
February 13, 2013
Panhandle developer Jay Odom could face up to five years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday in a scheme to funnel campaign contributions through employees or their family members, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Odom, 56, of Destin, entered the plea to one count of causing a presidential campaign committee to make a false statement to the Federal Election Commission.
Odom, who has been a large Republican donor in the past, was accused of soliciting employees and their family members in 2007 to make maximum contributions to the campaign of a presidential candidate and then reimbursing them for the contributions.
The news release indicates the scheme involved $23,000, through it does not name the presidential candidate. Odom, who entered the plea before Senior U.S. District Judge Lacey A. Collier, is scheduled for sentencing April 23.
Odom also was a prominent player in an airplane-hanger controversy that led to the exodus of former House Speaker Ray Sansom from the Legislature in 2009.
Northview, Pine Forest Softball Games Postponed
February 13, 2013
Northview and Pine Forest high school softball games were rescheduled Tuesday due to rainy weather.
Northview
The Northview Lady Chiefs were scheduled to open their varsity season Tuesday at home against Catholic. That game has been rescheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday in Bratt.
The varsity and junior varsity Lady Chiefs will hit the road for their next three games — Friday, February 15 at Chipley; Thursday, February 21 at Baker; and Friday, February 22 at Holmes County. The next home game for the Northview Lady Chiefs will be Monday, February 25 as they host Escambia Academy in Bratt.
Pine Forest
The Pine Forest softball team’s game against Gulf Breeze, scheduled for Tuesday night at PFHS, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 20, at Pine Forest. The JV will play the Dolphins at 4:30 p.m., while the varsity is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.
The Lady Eagles’ varsity team returns to action Wednesday night (February 13) at home against Catholic. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Let The Good Times Roll: Seniors Celebrate Mardi Gras
February 13, 2013
Residents at the Century Care Center celebrated Mardi Gras Tuesday in grand style with both a parade and a party.
The parade featured lots of throws, including Mardi Gras beads and other trinkets. Residents in Mardi Gras costumes paraded and rolled through the hallways in their wheelchairs to the delight of other residents watching the parade.
Pictured: Celebrating Mardi Gras Tuesday at the Century Care Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Myrtle English
February 13, 2013
Myrtle English, age 85, of Cantonment, passed away Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Ms. English was a member of Plainview Baptist Church. She enjoyed sewing, yard work, family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, James Thomas English and her grandson, Stephen Smith, Jr.
She is survived by her daughter, Peggy Stephens and her husband, Bill Stephens; granddaughters, Candace Freeman and Tiffney Allen (Chris); grandson, Ray Dykes, II (Jennifer); great-grandchildren, Brittany Smith, Margi Dykes, Emily Freeman, Grace Nelson and Stephen Smith; step great-grandchildren, Tyler Fuqua, Keaton Fuqua, Christian Allen, Payton Fuqua; two special friends, Helen Caro and Pat Helton and all the neighbors on Countri Lane.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant Hospice.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 15, 2013, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. with funeral services at 12 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Reverend Bill Flannigan officiating.
Interment will follow at Eastern Gate Cemetery.
Maggie Francis Ashcraft
February 13, 2013
Maggie Francis Ashcraft, 80, of Walnut Hill, passed away February 11, 2013, in Port Saint Joe, FL. She was born June 30, 1932, in Escambia County (Fla) to the late Gaston Forrest and Avis Mack Bradberry. She attended Canoe Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her husband, Henry Huell Ashcraft, Jr.; son, Ronald Dale Ashcraft; brothers, Harvey (Elma Lee) Bradberry and Thomas (Myrtice) Bradberry.
She is survived by her son, Donald C. (Jeri) Ashcraft of Port Saint Joe; brother, Robert Earl (Miki) Bradberry of Hawaii; sister, Carolyn H. (Don) Mitchell of Mobile; grandchildren, Donald Benjamin (Jennifer) Ashcraft of Port Saint Joe and Mica Gaston Ashcraft of Jacksonville; great-grandchildren, Jacob Tucker, Cayson Reed and Millie Claire Ashcraft and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 15, 2013, at 11 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Stacey officiating. Burial will follow in Godwin Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Benjamin Ashcraft, Mica Ashcraft, Harvey Bradberry Jr., Don Mitchell, Bruce Holt and Terry Anderson.
Honorary pallbearers will be David Ryals and Jo Spann.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 14, 2013, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a charity of your choice.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Highway Technician Hit By Car Passes Away
February 13, 2013
A highway technician passed away Tuesday from injuries he received after being hit by a car Monday morning on Nine Mile Road.
Brian Steinbeck, an employee of HSA Consulting Group, was assisting in the placement of a traffic counter across East Nine Mile Road at Scenic Hills Drive. Brigitte Keith, age 42 of Cantonment, applied the brakes on her 1999 Honda as she approached other traffic slowed for the contractors. She lost control and rotated into the median where she struck an unoccupied GMC truck and hit Steinbeck.
Steinbeck, 25, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. He passed away from his injuries on Tuesday, according to the FHP.
Keith was not injured
Charges against Keith are pending, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Area Champ Flomaton Lady Canes Advance To Sub-Regionals
February 13, 2013
The Flomaton Lady Hurricanes have won their fourth consecutive Class 2A Area 1 Championship by beating Leroy 51-44.
Leading the Canes were Dezeray Wesley, with 15 points, 9 rebounds; Hannah Fillmore 14 points , 5 rebounds, 5 steals; Jocelyn Wiggins, 13 points, 10 rebounds; Aleiha Emmons with five points; and Mercedes Butler with 4 points and 7 rebounds.
The Flomaton Lady Hurricanes advance to the Sub-regionals at home Thursday night at 7:00 versus Zion Chapel.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Learn About Antique Roses At Upcoming Program
February 13, 2013
Master Gardeners will present an upcoming program about antique roses.
During the “Mondays in the Gardens” free gardening program offered at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center Gardens, Sally Menk will deliver a presentation, “Antique Roses – Their History and Care” in the shade garden classroom on Monday, February 18th at 10 a.m.
Menk is a Consulting Rosarian for the American Rose Society in Santa Rosa County. In addition, she has been a Santa Rosa Master Gardener for 24 years.
The UF/IFAS WFREC Gardens are located on the Pensacola State College, Milton campus. Visitors can follow the signs on campus to find the gardens.
The gardens are free and open to the public from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Both self-guided and guided tours are available. Changing seasonal gardens feature a multitude of horticultural displays including shade, formal, children’s and water gardens, bulbs, roses, shrubs, trees and perennials.
For more information please contact Mary Derrick, Residential Horticulture Extension Agent, at (850) 623-3868 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Janet Boren Bedwell
February 13, 2013
Janey Boren Bedwell, born July 8, 1958, passed away on February 12, 2013.
In celebration of Janet’s life, the family would like to invite friends and family Sunday, February 17, 2013, for a visitation from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Allen Memorial Methodist Church in Cantonment.
Flood Warning For Escambia River
February 13, 2013
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a flood warning for the Escambia River near Century until further notice.
At 11 9.m. Tuesday, the river stage was at 15.63 feet; flood stage is 17 feet. No flooding is currently occurring. However, the river is expected to rise above flood stage Wednesday and could rise to 18.67 feet by early Friday morning.
The forecast currently calls for minor flooding in low lying areas and pastures along the river. No residential or transportation infrastructure impacts are expected at this time.