Two Shot Tuesday Evening In Escambia County
May 7, 2014
Two people were reportedly shot in Escambia County Tuesday evening.
Just after 7:00 an 18-year old was shot in the leg near the 2500 block of South Catherine Avenue and North “S” Street. The victim was a “trauma alert” as he was transported to Baptist Hospital by Escambia County EMS.
A few minutes later, a second shooting was reported a on West Yonge Street. The 20-year old male victim of that shooting was transported as a trauma alert to Sacred Heart Hospital. He was reportedly shot in the back, possibly with a shotgun.
Further details have not yet been released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office as their investigation continues.
Cantonment Church Conducting Toy Drive For Flood Victims
May 7, 2014
Pine Forest Assembly in Cantonment is conducting a toy and backpack drive for the youngest victims of the recent flooding.
Backpacks and toys small enough to fit inside of backpacks are being collected at Pine Forest Assembly of God, 3125 Pine Forest Road from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., Monday-Friday.
“As I continued to think about the families who have lost all of their belongings, God placed the children on my heart. Sometimes we forget about the little ones and the impact that these kinds of disasters have on them,” said Pine Forest Assembly Children’s Pastor Heather Murphy. “Knowing that most families do not have a home to store items, I am asking for smaller toys that can fit inside of a backpack.”
For more information, contact Heather Murphy at (850) 476-1378.
Cantonment Man Arrested For Checks Stolen From Grandma
May 7, 2014
A Cantonment man was arrested by Pensacola Police for allegedly trying to pass numerous checks stolen from his grandmother as she was near death.
Jason Roland Wells, 31, was charged with seven felony counts of counterfeiting of checks and three felony counts of fraud for uttering false checks. Pensacola Police were called after Roland tried to use a $25 check to pay for a drink and chewing gun, but the check was declined as were checks for $30 and $28 — all pre-written.
Wells admitted to police, according to an arrest report, that he knew the checks were worthless and that he knew he had been removed from his grandmother’s account.
Wells remained jailed early Wednesday morning with bond set at $75,000 on the check and counterfeiting charges. However, he was being held without bond due to an outstanding probation violation case.
Northview, West Florida Out Of Baseball Playoffs; Catholic Advances
May 7, 2014
Both Northview and West Florida were knocked out of the regional semifinals in their respective classes Tuesday, while Pensacola Catholic advanced.
The Northview Chiefs lost to Bozeman 12-2 in the Class 1A regional semifinals Tuesday at Bozeman. The Chiefs ended their winning season at 15-7.
In 4A action, Catholic beat the West Florida Jaguars 8-0. West Floirda finished their season at an even 17-17. Nick Lackey went 2-4 at bat for the Jaguars, while Kyle Harrison was 1-2.
Catholic moves on to the Region 1-4A championship game at 7 p.m. Friday against the Jacksonville Episcopal Eagles at Jacksonville Episcopal High School.
Judge Rules For State In Teacher Evaluation Case
May 7, 2014
Though raising questions about the fairness of the system, a federal judge Tuesday rejected a constitutional challenge to policies that stemmed from a 2011 state law tying teacher evaluations to student performance.
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker dismissed part of the case last month but issued a broader order Tuesday backing the state and school boards that were named as defendants in the case.
The lawsuit, filed last year and spearheaded by the Florida Education Association, raised constitutional due-process and equal-protection arguments. It took issue with part of the law that has allowed some teachers to be evaluated based on the test scores of students who were not in their classrooms.
Similarly, teachers could be evaluated on student test scores in subject areas they didn’t teach. Walker wrote that the “unfairness of the evaluation system as implemented is not lost on this court.”
But he also wrote that the case is not about the fairness of the evaluation system but whether it is constitutional.
“The legal standard for invalidating legislative acts on substantive due process and equal protection grounds looks only to whether there is a conceivable rational basis to support them,” Walker wrote. “For reasons that have been explained, the state defendants could rationally conclude that the evaluation policies further the state’s legitimate interest in increasing student learning growth. The same can be said of the district defendants.”
FEA President Andy Ford issued a statement after the ruling that expressed disappointment and said the union is “evaluating what further steps we might take in this legal process.”
The school boards named as defendants in the case were from Alachua, Hernando and Escambia counties.
by The News Service of Florida
Betty Conn Johnson
May 7, 2014
Betty Conn Johnson, 80, of Atmore, passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2014 in Atmore. She was a beautician, born in Greenville, AL, on August 14, 1933, to the late Grady and Berta Lou Henderson Lunsford.
She is preceded in death by her husbands, Harold C. Conn and Dudley V. Johnson; and son, James Johnson.
Survivors are her son, Hal Johnson of Atmore; step-son, Pat Conn of Atmore; and grandson, Nick Johnson of Canoe.
Graveside services will be Friday May 9, 2014, at 11 a.m. in Oak Hill Cemetery with Rev. Mike Grindle officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Just For Kids: Summer Flowers At The Century Library
May 7, 2014
A “Summer Flowers” program will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Century Branch Library.
Participants will enjoy a great story about summer. Cookies and treats will be served and children will also plant a summer flower in a pot to take home.
The Century Branch Library is located at 7991 North Century Boulevard, next to the Century Town Hall.
Wahoos Fall 7-3 To Lookouts
May 7, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell to the Chattanooga Lookouts, 7-3, on Tuesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The Wahoos (14-18) had their winning streak snapped at four games by the Lookouts (13-18), who won just their second game over their last seven contests.
RHP Robert Stephenson made the start for the Wahoos and gave up 3 R/0 ER in 5.0 innings pitched. Stephenson struck out nine batters, his highest strikeout total as a starter this season. RHP Drew Hayes pitched 1.0 inning in relief and struck out the side in the top of the ninth.
The Wahoos struggled to find runs in the game against Lookouts starting pitcher Tyson Brummett. Brummett retired 15 batters in a row from the end of the first inning into the sixth inning. Juan Silverio had a hit in his third straight game; he went 2-for-4 in the contest and scored a run. Catcher Ross Perez continued to swing the bat well and went 3-for-4 with three singles.
The Wahoos staged a comeback in the ninth inning off RHP Matt Shelton. Steve Selsky’s RBI groundout scored Ross Perez, and Devin Lohman’s RBI double scored recently added catcher Chris Berset. The comeback fell short in the ninth when Shelton shut the door with a strikeout and a groundout to finish the contest.
Brummett has been fantastic this season for the Lookouts and lowered his ERA to 0.49 after tonight’s start. He gave up five hits in 7.0 innings of work and surrendered just 1 R/0 ER.
The Lookouts continued to swing the bats well and had their second grand slam in as many nights. Daniel Mayora hit the grand slam in the seventh inning for the Lookouts and added a two-run double to his ledger. He finished with six RBI in the game, the second straight night a Lookouts player had a six-RBI game.
The Wahoos will send Jon Moscot (2-1, 1.93) to the bump on Wednesday night. Moscot has been fantastic over his last two starts; he’s 2-0 and has given up just five hits over 15.0 innings pitched. The Dodgers eighth best prospect, LHP Chris Reed (2-1, 2.19), will start for the Lookouts.
by Tommy Thrall
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lose to the Chattanooga Lookouts 7-3 Tuesday. Photo by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Residents Of Areas Still Under Water Seek Help
May 6, 2014
Residents of the north end of Holsberry Road are pleading for help as water still stands in their homes, almost a week after the area’s floods. Residents are blaming an overflowing holding pond at nearby McArthur Elementary School for their flooding, and they are hoping Escambia County will help.
On Monday, about a dozen residents on the northern end of Holsberry, just off East 10 Mile Road still had a few feet of murky standing water in their homes. A Mennonite Christian Disaster Team installed some piping and a pump on Monday to help alleviate the problem.
Commissioner Steven Barry, whose district includes the area, surveyed the situation on Monday. He said he learned late Monday afternoon that the county will be aided by the Florida Department of Transportation to redesign the hold pond and looking at other methods to help make sure the area does not flood in the future.
The deepest standing water in District 5 remains in the Ponderosa area north of Nine MileRoad , where water remains “at least waist high” in some homes, Barry said.
Escambia County has rented one 10,000 gallon gallon vacuum truck to supplement existing equipment to drain standing water in the area. “It’s making a difference,” according to the commissioner.
The county will look toward drainage improvements in that area.
“I don’t know what will be different, but the drainage won’t be what it was a week ago today,” Barry said. “We are going to find a way to improve it.”
Pictured: Water still stands on Holsberry Road and inside residences on the street. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Releases Name Of Flood Cleanup Worker Killed Monday
May 6, 2014
A flood cleanup worker was killed Monday afternoon when a car slammed into him and a parked car in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 51-year old William B. Akins of Milton was northbound on Tippin Avenue at an excessive rate of speed when he ran off the roadway, struck a utility pole, hit a building housing a storage facility, rear-ended a parked Toyota and struck a pedestrian.
The pedestrian, identified as 22-year old Dez Michael San Agustin of Jacksonville, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation. Troopers said charges are pending in the incident.