Youth Football Registrations Underway For NWE, Cantonment, Flomaton

June 13, 2014

Registration will continue today for youth football and cheerleading at Northwest Escambia, Cantonment, Century and Flomaton.

NORTHWEST ESCAMBIA FOOTBALL & CHEERLEADING

Northwest Escambia Youth Football and Cheerleading will hold registration for the 2014 season at  Travis Nelson Park in Bratt and at Don Sutton Ball Park in Molino from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the following Saturdays:  June 14, 21, 28; and July 12, 26.  The deadline to sign up for cheerleading is June 21.

Registration fee for football is $85, with NWE providing equipment and game uniforms. Registration fee for cheerleading is $200 and includes uniform, midriff, pom-poms, monogrammed bag, hair bow  and trophy. Payment plans are available for football and cheerleading.

Proof of residency or proof in enrollment in Bratt Elementary, Byrneville Elementary, Molino Park Elementary or Ernest Ward Middle School is required. A copy of the child’s birth certificate is also required.

For more information call (850) 449-3185 for football or (850) 377-3102 for cheer.

CANTONMENT COWBOYS

Registration is open for the 2014 Cantonment Cowboys football season.

Registration is available online at www.cantonmentcowboys.org/register/. Players/cheerleaders also can register starting May 31st each Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon through July 26th at the Cantonment Cowboys Football Field at 681 Well Line Road.

For more information, visit www.cantonmentcowboys.org or www.facebook.com/CantonmentCowboys

FLOMATON YOUTH FOOTBALL & CHEERLEADING

Early sign up day for Flomaton Youth Football and Cheerleading is Saturday, June 21 and Saturday, July 19 at the pavilion at Hurricane Park.  July 19 is the final day for cheerleading registration; a final football registration will be held on the first day of practice, August 1 at 5 p.m.Registration fee is $50 for both football and cheerleaders.  A copy of the child’s birth certificate, insurance card and two proofs of residency are required.

Four Run Fourth Powers Mobile Over The Pensacola Blue Wahoos

June 13, 2014

The Mobile BayBears scored four runs in the fourth inning to put the Wahoos away on their way to a 6-3 win in the second game of the five-game set between the cross-bay rivals.

Wahoos starter Jon Moscot (L, 4-5) ran into some tough luck as the BayBears took advantage of an error, an infield single, a broken bat single and even a double from the pitcher to plate four runs and overcome a 3-2 Wahoo advantage. Mobile went in front 6-3, and both teams were held scoreless the rest of the way.

Moscot made it through five innings and was charged with 6 R/4 ER with a walk and four strikeouts and ended up as the tough-luck loser for the Wahoos.

Wahoos catcher Ross Perez hand another strong outing against his former team going 1-for-3 with a run scored and throwing out two Mobile base stealers. Three Blue Wahoos relievers, James Walczak, Lee Hyde and Justin Freeman combined to work three scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Rey Navarro got the offense started with a solo home run in the first inning, his ninth of the year.

BayBears starter, Mike Lee (W, 4-3), logged 6.0 innings and allowed 3 R/1 ER with four walks and four strikeouts on his way to his fourth win of the year. Jake Barrett (S, 12) worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn his second straight save against Pensacola.

After a shakeup in the rotation, the Wahoos turn to RHP Robert Stephenson (3-5, 3.49) to get back in the win column as they play first half spoiler against Mobile. The BayBears have a three-game lead on the Southern League South Division with only three games remaining. The BayBears will start RHP Bradin Hagens (5-2, 3.25). First pitch is set for 7:05 from Hank Aaron Stadium.

The Blue Wahoos open play on the second half of the season at home against the Huntsville Stars on Thursday, June 19.

by Tommy Thrall

Helen Rankin Byrd

June 13, 2014

Mrs. Helen Rankin Byrd passed away June 12, 2014. She was a native of Texas County, Missouri, former resident of Pensacola and Walnut Hill. She was currently residing in Marianna, FL. She was a beautician in Pensacola and worked at the Old Navy Point stores. She later was employed by the Jackson County Florida School Board teaching adult arts and craft classes. She was an accomplished artist. She was a member of Woodmen of the World Lodge 65, the Art Guild of Pensacola, and the Artist Guild Of Northwest Florida. She was the oldest living member of First Baptist Church of Marianna. Helen was a member of the Faithful Workers Sunday School class and the Joy Club.

Mrs. Byrd is preceded in death by her parents, Orval and Cora Clark Rankin and her husband Wiley T. Byrd, Sr.

Mrs. Byrd is survived by two sons, Wiley T. (Buddy) Byrd II of Westville, FL and Steven L. (Sue) Byrd of Walnut Hill; three daughters, Wanetta A. (Thomas) McGinty of Walnut Hill, E. La Vonne (Danny) Swindle of Pensacola and Rhonda K. (Bud) Byrd-Lee of Westville, FL; 14 grandchildren, Leslie Garner, Lynn Yelverton, Laine Austin, Wiley T. (Johnny) Byrd III, Deana Coursey, Jennifer Carstens, Anneke Tschirhart, Tanaia Gleason, Teegan McCooey, Shannon Byrd, Shane Byrd, Zack Byrd, Bryan Lee and Barry Lee; and 26 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Monday, June 16, 2014, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Marianna with Rev. Michael Petty and Dr. Mark Long officiating.

Burial will be in Walnut Hill Cemetery at 3 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2014, with Rev. Danny Swindle officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to funeral service at First Baptist Church in Marianna.

Donations may be made to Emerald Coast Hospice or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank Dr. Joe Gay and Chipola Medical Staff and Emerald Coast Hospice for the love and care shown to their mother and grandmother.

Irene Brandt

June 13, 2014

Irene Brandt, 91, of Cantonment, went home to be with our Lord Jesus on June 5, 2014. She is now joined with her parents, Eino and Toini Anderson and her beloved husband Gustav Brandt in Heaven.

Irene was born and raised in Ewen, Michigan where she met the love of her life, Fred. After marrying they relocated to Cantonment in 1945. She was an employee of Associates Finance Company for 25 years.

Irene was an active member of the Ensley United Methodist Church where she participated in the women’s “Gleaners” Sunday School Class and Jolly Makers. She also served as an officer in the United Methodist Women’s group and was a member of the church choir where she was a very strong alto. Irene was also a member of the TOPS Chapter FL98.

She loved her family and especially treasured her grandchildren and great-grandchildren saying they kept her young. She is survived by her sister, Adeline Robl; daughters, Christine Ellis (Gary) of Houston, Texas and Karen Teets (Dale); grandchildren, Todd Parker (Robin), Jason Parker, Christine Carpenter (Charles), Michael Ellis (Heather) of Houston, Texas, April Johnson, and Kaitlin Frederickson (Anthony); and nine great-grandchildren.

Flowers are optional, but if you would like to send a donation in memorial of Irene, please donate to the Ensley United Methodist Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
where she was a strong supporter.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons and great-grandsons.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 8, at 1 p.m. with the memorial service to follow at 2 p.m. at Eastern Gate. Services will be co-officiated by Pastor Gina Bryan and Bro. Mark Dees.

Eastern Gate Funeral Home has been entrused with arrangements.

Florida Bar Fights Hike In Dues For Legal Aid For The Poor

June 13, 2014

The Florida Bar came out forcefully Thursday against a proposal to increase attorneys’ Bar dues to help pay for legal services for the poor.

As we reported last month, former state Supreme Court Justice Raoul Cantero and attorneys for the poor were leading an effort to increase Bar dues by up to $100 a year to help fund legal-aid groups. But the Bar said in a press release Thursday that its Board of Governors had voted unanimously to oppose the proposal, which is expected to be filed next week with the Supreme Court.

Bar President Eugene Pettis told the The News Service of florida last month and reiterated in the press release that funding legal-aid services will take a broader strategy than increasing attorneys’ dues.

“It is laudable to see a problem and want to help, but this is a societal issue and a much larger problem than the legal profession can solve alone,” Pettis said in the press release. “It is time we bring the community together to address this problem by employing alternate forms of access, delivery and funding.

” The Board of Governors has “conceptually” approved a $6 million bridge loan to The Florida Bar Foundation, which administers legal-aid efforts, according to the press release. The board is expected to give final approval to that loan July 25. But supporters of increasing Bar dues say the proposal would help fund legal services for low-income people who face problems such as getting health benefits or preventing home foreclosures.

“This could be a major, wonderful thing that the legal profession does for the people of Florida,” Randall Berg, executive director of the Florida Justice Institute, told the News Service last month. “We give lip services to legal services for the poor, but when we’re asked to step forward and help in any meaningful way we oppose it.”

by The News Service of Florida

Murder Victim Identified

June 12, 2014

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday morning that the victim in a homicide Tuesday night has been positively identified as 39-year old Angela M. Cook.

Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area of Hayes and “U” streets on a welfare check call. They found 32-year old Matthew N. Warren in roadway. He told deputies that there was a body inside his residence.

Officers found Cook deceased inside his residence. Warren was arrested and charged with murder in the first degree.

The cause of death and a motive have not yet been released as the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office continues their investigation.

Charges To Be Dismissed Against Man For Allegedly Attacking Troopers At Son’s Fatal Wreck

June 12, 2014


A Molino man has entered into an agreement with the state to dismiss charges after being arrested last November on felony charges for attacking first responders and troopers at the scene of a traffic accident that claimed the life of his son.

The Florida Highway Patrol said 34-year old Joiel Wilson Edmonson of Molino lost control of his pickup truck just after 11 p.m. on November 2, 2013, on Molino Road and died as the result of his injuries.

His father, John David Edmonson, Jr. arrived on the scene a short time after the accident. Florida Highway Patrol troopers alleged he refused to follow orders of firefighters to clear the scene, pushed a trooper away, and punched another trooper in the chest before he was tased.  He was arrested and charged with  battery on an officer, firefighter or EMT, felony aggravated assault on officer, firefighter or EMT, felony  resisting an officer with violence and a misdemeanor count of failure to obey police or fire department.

Edmonson entered no plea to the charges against him and accepted a deferred prosecution agreement. If he follows the agreement and is not arrested again, charges against him will be dismissed when he returns to court in 2015. He paid a $100 assessment for costs in the case.

In an unrelated incident on January 25, 2014, John Edmonson was charged with  resisting arrest without violence at a Molino bar. Adjudication was withheld in the case, and Edmonson was assessed $350 in fines and costs.

Molino Teen Serves As Florida House Messenger

June 12, 2014

A young man from Molino recently spent a week serving as a messenger  in the Florida House of Representatives. Mitchell Singleton, who just completed his freshman year at Northview High School, served as a messenger for Rep. Clay Ingram.

“Mitchell has served as a page in the House of Representatives during previous sessions and really made a name for himself as a hard worker. I couldn’t believe how many people at the Capitol remembered him when he came back this year as a messenger,”  Ingram said.

Pages and messengers are students who work one week at the Capitol during the 60-day Regular Session. Each of Florida’s 120 representatives may sponsor one page (ages 12-14) and one messenger (ages 15-18).

Being selected to serve is considered an honor and privilege. Pages and messengers assist the representatives and their staff during the Capitol’s busiest time of year while observing state government in action.

“Mitchell has a bright future ahead of him and I’m glad that he is interested in public service. I usually introduce him to people as the future President of the United States, and he doesn’t shy away from the title,” Ingram continued.

The page and messenger program is a long-standing tradition in the Florida House, with journals making mention of them as far back as 1865.  Singleton and each page and messenger will have their name appear in the official Journal of the House as an official record of their time spent serving in state government.

Pictured top. Florida House Messenger Mitchell Singleton (second from left) with other messengers and Gov. Rick Scott. Pictured inset: Singleton’s “selfie” photo with Scott. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Escambia Man Convicted Of Murder

June 12, 2014

An Escambia County man is facing up to life in prison after being convicted Wednesday of murder.

Javontai Yavin Lamario Thames, 19, was convicted of second degree felony murder by an Escambia County jury for the killing of Ledarrious Washington on July 30, 2013, at the Pines at Warrington apartment complex. Washington was shot and killed by Nkosi Chamberlain while Washington and Thames were attempting to rob him.

When he is sentenced by Judge Jan Shackleford on August 21, Thames faces a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Chamberlain is awaiting trial in July.

Northview, Tate Split Summer Baseball Games

June 12, 2014

The Northview Chiefs and Tate Aggies split summer baseball games Wednesday.

The Tate “B” team beat Northview 11-5 in the first game. In the second game, Northview defeated Tate’s “B” team 7-2.

The Tate “B” team will host Auburn (AL) High School on Monday, and the Tate “A” team will also host Auburn on Tuesday. Both games are at 4 p.m.

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