Poll Shows Scott Edging Crist In Tight Race
September 24, 2014
With pollsters saying Florida’s gubernatorial race is too close to call, a survey released Wednesday morning shows Republican incumbent Rick Scott with a slight lead over Democrat Charlie Crist.
The Quinnipiac University poll said 44 percent of likely voters support Scott, while 42 percent back Crist and 8 percent support Libertarian Adrian Wyllie. In a two-man contest, 46 percent of voters back Scott and 44 percent support Crist.
Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said the race could come down to independent voters and Wyllie supporters. He said Republican and Democratic voters have lined up behind their parties’ candidates. That includes Democrats supporting Crist, a former GOP governor.
“The two voter groups that will tell the tale of the election are independent voters and those who are backing Libertarian candidate Adrian Wyllie,” Brown said in comments released with the poll. “Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist are doing about the same with their respective party bases, and former Republican Crist is not having any trouble being accepted by members of his new party.”
Brown added: “Wyllie voters are the bigger unknown because there is little way of predicting if they will stay with the third-party challenger or decide to switch to Scott or Crist in order to be with a winner.”
Crist led the race in a series of earlier Quinnipiac polls, but the Connecticut-based university cautioned against comparing Wednesday’s results with the earlier surveys. That is because Wednesday’s poll was conducted of likely voters, while the earlier polls were conducted of registered voters, an important distinction.
Nevertheless, the Quinnipiac results mirror other recent polls that showed Scott closing a gap in the race or taking a narrow lead. That shift, in part, has come amid a deluge of negative television ads on both sides.
“When fewer than four in 10 voters think both the Democratic and Republican candidates for governor are honest, you know this has been one of the nastiest races in state history,” Brown said. “They have been throwing so much mud that they both are covered in it.”
Quinnipiac, which frequently conducts polls in Florida and other states, surveyed likely Florida voters from Sept. 17 to Sept. 22. The poll has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.
by The News Service of Florida
Cop Impersonator Reported In North Escambia With Fake Traffic Stop, Chase
September 24, 2014
[EXCLUSIVE FIRST ON NORTHESCAMBIA.COM] Authorities are on alert after a police impersonator reportedly attempted multiple times to stop a local man on his way to work during the early morning hours Monday.
The victim told NorthEscambia.com that he turned off Highway 97 onto Nokomis Road about 3:45 a.m. When he stopped at the stop sign at Nokomis Road and Meadows Lane, he said pickup driven by a male was stopped on Meadows Lane even though there is no stop sign from that direction. The pickup driver turned on Nokomis Road and turned around behind the victim.
He said the pickup followed him for several miles, continually flashing his headlights “on my bumper”. At about Jakes Road in Nokomis, FL, the victim said he decided to stop.
“I began to think that maybe I had a flat tire or some other problem,” the victim said Tuesday afternoon. “So I stopped. He jumped out of his truck and told me he was an undercover cop and that he was going to write me a ticket. He said his blue lights were not working, and began to dig in his wallet for his badge…I knew something was not right, and I took off.”
The victim said he turned on Jakes Road, crossed the state line into Alabama and continued to Highway 31 and called 911.
“He caught up with me on Highway 31 and tried to pass me. I would not let him, but he eventually got around me and blocked Highway 31 with his vehicle twice,” the victim said. Eventually, the police impersonator continued east on Highway 31 toward Atmore.
The victim described the suspect as a white male of average height and build with a full black or dark-colored beard. He was driving a newer model, four-door Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck that was copper in color. The vehicle had an unknown Alabama license plate.
“He acted real funny, not like he had done anything like that before,” the victim told NorthEscambia.com. “I think he was on something…high. He never showed a gun or acted like he had one, and it was like he did not know what to do next if he was going to rob me.”
NorthEscambia.com confirmed Tuesday afternoon that when the victim dialed 911, he reached a cell phone tower that delivered his call to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. The call was transferred by a Baldwin County dispatcher to the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office in Brewton because the victim was in Escambia County, AL, at that time.
Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said his dispatchers received the call from Baldwin County at about 4:00 a.m. Monday, with the victim relaying the information about the alleged fake traffic stop and Alabama chase.
“We dispatched a deputy to Nokomis, but he was unable to find anything when he arrived,” Lambert said.
As on Tuesday afternoon, the victim had not filed a formal complaint with the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office in regards to the original stop and events in Florida, according to Sena Maddison, public information officer.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or their local law enforcement agency.
Pictured top: The intersection of Nokomis Road and Jacks Road. Pictured top inset: Jack’s Road. Pictured bottom inset: Nokomis Road and Meadows Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium To Be Dedicated At Northview Oct. 2
September 24, 2014
The football stadium at Northview High School will be formally dedicated as the Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium during a special ceremony at 6 p.m. on October 2. The dedication will include the unveiling of a Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium sign and a Chief statue with plaques donated by the Northview classes of 2013 and 2014.
The Escambia County School Board voted in May to rename the stadium.
Tommy Weaver was a longtime DCT and Ag instructor and assistant coach who passed away suddenly at the age of 61 in March 2012. The Chiefs’ entire 2012 state championship football season was dedicated to Weaver.
The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade Canceled, Has Become ‘Trashy Beer Fest’
September 24, 2014
The Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade has been canceled.
For years, the parade has been sponsored by the Chumuckla Athletic Association, with proceeds from parade entry fees and t-shirt sales used to purchase the gifts for needy children in the Chumuckla community. Each child received about $100 worth of gifts.
“The parade has gone from a wholesome family event to a trashy beer fest,” the Chumuckla Athletic Association posted on their Facebook page Tuesday night. “We hate to end what started as a family event but it has gotten out of hand over the years with the drinking, the trash people leaves (sic) all down the road tearing up the fields and vandalizing and disrespecting the property of others.”
But the Chumuckla Athletic Association is not giving up on fund raising to help needy kids at Christmas. They have scheduled the “Chumuckla Redneck Run” for November 1. “The run takes you through the beautiful countryside of downtown Chumuckla, Florida where you will find obstacles of walls, mud, low crawls, tire rolls and heavy chores no city folk are used to,” according to the run’s website at redneckrun.net.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Department Of Corrections To Hold Guard And Reserve Hiring Event
September 24, 2014
The Florida Department of Corrections is partnering with the National Guard to recruit staff with the skills and experience that will help it ensure the safety of Florida families and increase its retention efforts.
The DOC will hold a Guard and Reserve hiring event on Thursday, September 25 at the Florida National Guard Armory on Grow Street in Pensacola from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Applicants will need their driver’s license, social security card, military ID, DD-214(member 4), high school diploma or GED, birth certificate or proof of citizenship, 10 years of residence history, five years of employment history (name, address, phone number and dates), and name change documentation(marriage, divorce) for the application process. Applicants will also have the opportunity to take the Criminal Justice Battery Aptitude Test (CJBAT) on site. Applicants who wish to take the CJBAT will need to bring a money order in the amount of $18 made payable to the Florida Department of Corrections.
For more information, call (904) 553-0265 or email Penelope.L.Justice.ctr@mail.mil.
Century, Jay Mayors Serve On Northwest Florida League Of Cities Board
September 24, 2014
The board of directors of the Northwest Florida League of Cities met recently in Jay. Century Mayor Freddie McCall (back row, second from left) and Jay Mayor Kervin Qualls (back row, third from left) are Board Members. The NWFLC is made up of municipalities from Escambia County to Jefferson County, just east of Tallahassee. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Firefighters Head To California Wildfires
September 24, 2014
With California facing wildfires amid a drought, Florida this week sent 40 firefighters to help with a major blaze east of Sacramento, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
.
Two crews made up of 34 Florida Forest Service firefighters deployed Tuesday to battle what is known as the King Fire. They will do such jobs as creating fire breaks around the blaze.
Also, six Forest Service workers will help in other positions related to controlling the King Fire.
“Thanks to our current low fire danger in Florida, we are able to offer our skilled firefighters to western states while continuing to provide for the safety of our citizens,” said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, whose agency includes the Forest Service.
by The News Service of Florida
Highland Baptist Donates Paper To Molino Park Elementary
September 24, 2014
Highland Baptist Church, a Molino Park Elementary School Partner in Education, delivered 17 boxes of paper to the school this week. Each year, the church collects paper and school supplies at the beginning of the year to benefit Molino Park.
“We are so thankful for their continued support,” Principal Alice Woodward said. “Thank you to everyone that took part in this awesome donation.”
Pictured: Highland Pastor Brian Calhoun and Charles Woodward deliver a paper donation to Molino Park Elementary School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
After ‘Permanent’ Repair, Highway 97 Shoulder Collapses Again Into 50-Foot Deep Gully
September 23, 2014
[Updated 2 p.m.] About two months after repairs were completed to a collapsed shoulder on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill, the heavily traveled state roadway is once again crumbling into a deep gully.
Back on May 15, the shoulder of Highway 97 about a mile south of Ernest Ward Middle School collapsed in an existing 50-foot deep gully after a drainage pipe separated and undermined the shoulder. About a month later, the situation worsened, with part of the paved shoulder falling into the hole, prompting temporary repairs by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Crews used sandbags to shore up the shoulder on temporary basis back on June 13, and what was suppose to be permanent repairs were completed by Scott Bridge, Inc. in late July for a total of $102,577. The FDOT did sign off on the repairs, and Scott Bridge was paid, according to Ian Satter, public information director for FDOT District Three.
But now the recently replaced slope into the gully has washed away, exposing the newly replace drainage pipe, and the paved shoulder of the road has once again collapsed into the deep hole.
The FDOT’s district maintenance contractor, Transfield Services, began making repairs Tuesday afternoon.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Yearbook Receives Top Columbia Scholastic Press Association Award
September 23, 2014
The Northview High School Tribal Spirit yearbook staff has been honored with a Gold Medal from the nationally recognized Columbia Scholastic Press Association, affiliated with Columbia University in New York City and the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.
The book received 910 points out of a maximum 1000 points to place it well within the Gold category (800-1000 points.) Yearbooks are judged in three areas – reference, verbal, and
visual. In the visual category, Northview received 388 points out of a possible 400, earning them All-Columbian Honors for Visual.
This was the first year that they entered their yearbook for critique. The purpose of the critiques and medal awards is to direct students and advisers toward a better publication through growing in knowledge of correct journalism standards.
“It was a pleasure to read and critique the 2014 Tribal Spirit Yearbook. It was quite evident that you and your fine staff contributed countless hours to produce this commendable publication. You especially excelled in achieving a strong grasp of journalism standards, writing skills, and photography techniques,” the judges commented.
The Tribal Spirit yearbook staff and their adviser, Alison Robinson, attended the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Convention in New York City in 2011 and 2013.
“Being on yearbook staff teaches life skills and technical skills that are unsurpassed in any other course. The students on this staff learn manual photography, how to make sales, write copy and captions, create and properly use graphic design, but mostly how to take constructive criticism and use it to improve themselves,” Robinson, a 20-year veteran staff adviser, said. “They have seen the results of constantly designing pages and taking pictures over and over until they get those technical aspects right. This is an ongoing learning process. The staffers work together on every part of the book and learn to use each individual’s strengths to fortify the team. It is because of their grit and determination that they have reached the Gold Medal level.”
Tamara Green, a 2014 senior editor said, “Receiving this award means so much to me because I know that we all worked so hard throughout the school year. Not every day was easy, but with much hard work and determination, we created a yearbook that was definitely one to remember.”
Another senior editor for the 2014 book, Dalton Daniel, said “I know we all put forth 110% to our work, and that’s what got us this medal.”
Yearbook Staff members for the Columbia Scholastic Press Association award-winning 2014 edition were – editors Justin King, Anna Fischer, Dalton Daniel, and Tamara Green; and Kamryn Brock, Jessica McCullough, Haylee Weaver, Bethany Reynolds, David Thorpe, Jessica Amerson, Mitchell Singleton, and David Weber.
To order this school year’s Northview High School Tribal Spirit yearbook, click here.
Pictured: Current Northview Tribal Spirit Yearbook staff members David Weber (standing background), Bradley Van Pelt (white shirt)), Jordan Taylor (standing), Bethany Reynolds (standing, foreground), Kamryn Brock (seated at computer) and Jessica McCullough (with camera). Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.