Sheriff’s Office, Other Groups Sweep Milestone Area
April 18, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held a Clean Sweep operation Thursday morning in the Milestone area.
The focus of “Operation Clean Sweep” was to work with the 9 1/2 Mile Road Neighborhood Watch group, residents, churches and business owners to control and prevent the damaging effects of criminal activity, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Volunteers from the U.S. Navy also worked throughout the day to clean trash and debris from alongside neighborhoods streets.
During the sweep, there were two arrests, 33 traffic citations issued, 15 code violations, seven sex crime address verifications, one car seized and three tons of trash and debris removed.
Pictured above and below: Officials and volunteers ready for a Clean Sweep operation in the Milestone area Thursday morning. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Library Program Features Stories, Crafts And The Easter Bunny
April 18, 2014
A special Easter program was held Thursday afternoon at the Century Branch of the West Florida Library. Children had a chance to listen to a fun story, eat treats, make a craft and meet the Easter Bunny. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
West Florida Lady Jags Win District 1-4A Championship
April 18, 2014
The West Florida Lady Jaguars won the District 1-4A championship Thursday night with a 10-0 blowout of the Marianna Bulldogs. The Lady Jags will host Godby on Wednesday at 7p.m. in the Region 1-4A finals. Pictured: (bottom, L-R) Jibrasha Moore, Danyelle Black, Ealon Pyle, Korina Rosario, Jordaine Watkins, Nachelle Watson, Kristin Gunter, Kayla Miller, (back row, L-R))Maegan Freeman, Farrah Nicholas, Lauren Carnley, Breana Rogers, Emily Loring, Ali Cutaio, Coach Angie Johnson, Jasmyn Nguyen, Kathleen Smiley, Head Coach Jessica Smith, Coach Gary Jackson. Photos by NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Egg Hunting At Molino Park Elementary
April 18, 2014
Kindergarten students at Molino Park Elementary school wrapped up their school week Thursday afternoon with an Easter egg hunt. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Jay Lady Royals Claim District 3-1A Championship
April 18, 2014
The Jay Lady Royals won the District 3-1A championship Thursday night with a 5-2 win over Chipley. It was the third consecutive district championship for Jay.
Chassity McCraney pitched the win in seven for the Lady Royals, allowing five hits, striking out seven.
Jay hitters were Destiny Herring 2-4, R, RBI; Sydney Lowery 3-4, 2RBI; Samantha Steadham 1-3, R, 2B; Michaela Stewart 1-4, R, 2B; Harley Taggert 1-3, 2R.
Photos by Diann Penton Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Supreme Court: Pregnancy Discrimination Barred Under State Law
April 18, 2014
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a state law barring discrimination based on gender also applies to pregnant women, resolving divisions in lower courts and addressing a question confronting lawmakers this session.
The 1992 Florida Civil Rights Act, which bars employers from discriminating based on “race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status,” includes pregnant women although the condition is not specifically identified in the law, the Supreme Court ruled in a 6-1 opinion.
“Indeed, the capacity to become pregnant is one of the most significant and obvious distinctions between the female and male sexes. For this reason, discrimination based on pregnancy is in fact discrimination based on sex because it is discrimination as to a natural condition unique to only one sex and that arises ‘because of [an] individual’s . . . sex,’ ” Justice Barbara Pariente wrote for the majority.
The case was filed by Peguy Delva against The Continental Group, which is a property-management firm. Delva contended, in part, that the firm would not allow her to cover other workers’ shifts to earn extra money and that she was not scheduled for work after returning from maternity leave, according to court documents. A Miami-Dade County circuit court and the 3rd District Court of Appeal sided with the company. The appeals court said there was “no doubt” the Delva, a front desk manager, had a sufficient claim of discrimination but that the law did not cover pregnancy. Delva no longer works for the company.
In a dissent, Chief Justice Ricky Polston agreed with lower courts that found the “plain meaning” of the law does not address pregnancy discrimination.
“On its face, the term ’sex’ does not refer to whether one is pregnant or not pregnant even though that status is biologically confined to one gender,” Polston wrote.
Federal law contains an explicit ban on discrimination “on the basis of pregnancy,” contained in the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act. But, unlike state law in discrimination cases, the federal law includes caps on some legal damages that depend on the size of the businesses. State law also gives plaintiffs more time to file lawsuits.
The Florida Senate unanimously approved a bill (SB 220) that would add pregnancy to the Florida Civil Rights Act, and a House companion (HB 105) is ready for a floor vote.
Despite Thursday’s ruling, Rep. Lori Berman, a Lantana Democrat and sponsor of the House measure, said the Legislature still needs to act.
“I think it’s great,” Berman, a lawyer, said of the court’s decision. “I think my bill is a codification and I think that it’s just as important as ever for the Legislature to pass it and for the governor to enact it as law.”
by Dara Kim, The News Service of Florida
Chiefs Split Games With Washington
April 18, 2014
The Northview Chiefs wrapped up their regular season Thursday as they hosted the Washington Wildcats.
The junior varsity Chiefs defeated Washington 4-3, while the NHS varsity lost to WHS 5-0.
The varsity Chiefs finished the season at 15-5, 7-3 in the district. The district championship games being Monday in Chipley. Northview will play on Tuesday in Chipley against the Monday winner between Freeport and Holmes County.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Marie Lister Steele
April 18, 2014
Mrs. Marie Lister Steele, age 82, of Flomaton passed away on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at Century Care Center.
Mrs. Steele was a native of Flomaton and a resident of the community for 40 years coming from Brewton. She was of the Holiness faith and worked as a weaver for Sheltex. She is preceded in death by her husband, Edward Lee Steele; son, Douglas Wayne Steele; sister, Lula Courtney; two grandsons and one granddaughter.
She is survived by her sons, Randy (Judy) Steele, Wendell Steele and Harvey Steele, all of Flomaton; daughters, Margaret (Jerry) Morris of Brewton and Debbie (Rodney) Worrell of Evergreen; brother, Joe (Linda) Lister of Flomaton; sisters, Noralee (Charles) Lambeth and Thelma Arrant, both of Flomaton; eight grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2014, at the Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m.
Interment will follow at Pleasant Home Cemetery in Flomaton.
Flomaton Funeral Home Directing.
Wahoos Lose Second Straight To Biscuits
April 18, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (7-7) lost the game and the series to the Montgomery Biscuits (8-6) on a rainy night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The Biscuits defeated the Wahoos 3-2 in a rain-shortened contest and have won three out of the first four games in the series. Due to the thunderstorm, the game was cut-short after eight innings.
RHP Jon Moscot (0-1) had his longest outing of the season going 6.1 innings while allowing 3 R/ER. Moscot had a season-high six strikeouts and walked just three Biscuit batters.
Steve Selsky led the charge again for the Wahoos going 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and two RBI. Right fielder Bryson Smith had his third multi-hit game of the season going 2-for-4 with two doubles.
RHP Michael Colla made his third start of the season and it was an impressive one. Colla pitched 7.0 innings and had a season-best eight strikeouts. Colla did give up seven hits but only walked one batter in earning the win.
The Biscuits third baseman, Richie Shaffer, scored the first run of the game on a solo home run in the 2nd inning. Shaffer went 1-for-4 on the evening with an RBI. Catcher Luke Maile went 1-for-2 with a two-RBI single in the fourth inning to give the Biscuits a 3-0 lead.
Friday is the final game of the series between the Biscuits and Wahoos. Before the game, join Marcus Pointe Baptist Church and the Blue Wahoos for Egga-Wahooza on the Community Maritime Park lawn. The free Easter Egg hunt will include 30,000 eggs and a select few will be autographed by the Blue Wahoos. Registration begins at 4 p.m. with the Egg Hunt to follow at 5 p.m. No game ticket is required. The first 2,000 fans through the gates for the game will receive a Blue Wahoos wooden egg courtesy of Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance.
RHP Michael Lorenzen (1-0, 1.32) will make his third start of the season for the Wahoos. For the Biscuits, it will be the left-hander Grayson Garvin (0-1, 1.50)
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos take on the Montgomery Biscuits at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Thursday night. Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wanda Jeanette Wright
April 18, 2014
Wanda Jeanette Wright, 74, passed away on April 16, 2014. She was born in Crestview on September 16, 1939, to Cortez and Lillie Mae Richardson. She had resided in Molino since 1965. She was a faithful member of the Church of Christ at Cantonment. She enjoyed League Bowling at Deluna Lanes, camping, fishing, shopping and spending time with her family and friends.
Wanda was preceded in death by her mother, Lillie Mae Richardson.
Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Raymond Wright; children, Larry (Della) Wright, Sherry Mueller, Cathy (Thomas W.) Richardson and Daniel Wright; father, Cortez (Robbie) Richardson; three siblings, Thomas L. (Mildred) Richardson, Gene (Jenny) Richardson, Mary Ann (Everette) Brown; 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; special friends, Gwen Cook and Rita Danielson and three special pets, Sport, Daisy and Cricket.
Our thanks and appreciation for their concern and kindness during this difficult time to Sacred Heart Hospital, St. Catharine’s 2nd floor Nurses, Dr. Helmei, Dr. Pyle and to the Covenant Hospice staff at West Florida Hospital.
Visitation will take place at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on Monday, April 21, 2014, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North at 2 p.m. with Jimmy Blackmon and Jeffery Orr, ministers of the Church of Christ, officiating and Toby White, minister assisting.
Interment to follow at Morgan Cemetery in Molino.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.