College Library Flasher Headed To Jail
February 8, 2014
An Escambia County man that exposed himself on the campus of Pensacola State College is headed to jail.
Alexander Tillman admitted before Judge Joyce Williams that he committed four counts of indecent exposure. He was sentenced to one year in jail followed by two years probation. During his probation, he is required to complete the sexual offender program, pay court fines and costs, and to stay away from any campus of PSC.
The charges stemmed from allegations made in October 2013 by several female PSC students that Tillman was repeatedly exposing himself to them when they would be in secluded areas of the library.
Barrel Racing At Poarch Creek Facility Loses Another Round
February 8, 2014
The 1st District Court of Appeal on Friday said the state improperly granted a controversial permit that allowed a Poarch Creek Indian operated pari-mutuel facility to offer rodeo-style barrel racing.
In a brief opinion, a three-judge panel upheld a decision last year by Administrative Law Judge John Van Laningham that said the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation effectively created a new rule by allowing barrel racing at the Gretna facility. Van Laningham said the department did not go through the necessary rule-making process.
The issue has been controversial, at least in part, because the facility did not run more-typical quarter-horse races. Also, offering races allows facilities, such as Gretna, to operate lucrative card rooms.
“The issue in this case is not whether barrel match racing can be or should be considered ‘horseracing’ for purposes of the state’s pari-mutuel wagering laws,” said Friday’s opinion by judges Nikki Ann Clark, T. Kent Wetherell and Stephanie Ray. “Instead, the narrow issue in this case is whether the division’s policy of treating barrel match racing as an authorized form of quarter horse racing is an unadopted rule.”
by The News Service of Florida
One More Peformance Of ‘Good News’ Tonight At Tate High
February 8, 2014
The Tate High School Drama Department will present the popular 1920’s musical “Good News” on the school cafetorium stage at 7:00 tonight. Tickets are $10 for reserved section and $7 for general admission.
“Good News” takes place on the campus of Tait College. This musical tells the story of a star football player who will not be allowed to play in the big game due to failing an exam, and it is up to the new teacher to decide if he will be given a second chance to pass. Popular songs include “You’re the Cream in my Coffee”, “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries” and the popular dance number “Varsity Drag”.
Ball Registrations Continue For Century, Jay
February 8, 2014
Century Little League registration will be Saturday, February 15 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.; Thursday, February 20, 5-7 p.m.; and Saturday, February 22 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Showalter Park in Century. Teams for ages 3 and up; birth certificate required. Registration fee is $50 for the first child, $45 for each additional sibling. For more info, call Jamie at (850) 393-9624, Brandy at (850) 607-0743, Charity at (850) 501-9663 or Ashley at (850) 261-1701.
Jay Recreation Registration will continue Saturday, February 15 and Saturday, February 22 from 9 a.m. until noon in the new gym lobby. $50 for the first child, $40 second child, $30 third child. Bring a copy of each child’s birth certificate. Tryouts are Saturday, March 1.
Chiefs Advance To District Championship Against Chipley
February 8, 2014
The Northview Chiefs will face the Chipley Tigers Saturday night for the District 3-1A basketball title.
The Chiefs defeated Baker Friday night 65-55, while the Tigers defeated Jay 61-41.
Scoring for Northview against Chipley were Tony Mcaroy 19, Neino Robinson 16, Cameron Newsome 13, Eric Williams 9, Nick Lambert 4, and Tydre Bradley 3.
Northview will travel to Chipley for the championship game at 7:30 p.m. Fans can send off the Chiefs, or follow them to Chipley, by being at NHS at 3:45 p.m.
Northview Lady Chiefs Open Season With Wins Over Freeport
February 8, 2014
The varsity Northview Lady Chiefs beat Freeport 16-2 Friday night in their season opener, while the JV Chiefs beat Freeport 4-3.
The Chiefs will travel to Chipley on Feburary 13. Their first home games of the season will be on February 17 against Pace with the JV playing at 4:00 and the varsity at 5:00.
Pictured: The Northview Lady Chiefs in Freeport Friday night. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com , click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names Valentine’s Court (With Photo Gallery)
February 8, 2014
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Valentine’s Dance Friday night, naming a queen and her court based upon student votes. Pictured (L-R) are seventh grade knight and maiden Alex McMinn and Nikoal Creamer; eighth grade queen and king, Celeste North and Levi Wagner; and sixth grade maiden and knight McKinzi Kent and Keaton Brown.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Doris Arnell Long Tullis
February 8, 2014
Mrs. Doris Arnell (Long) Tullis, 86, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2014, in Century.
Mrs. Tullis was born in Wallace, AL, on March 5, 1927, and resided in Flomaton most all of her life.
Mrs. Tullis was a retired banker serving 38 years with the Escambia County Bank in Flomaton. At the time of her retirement in March of 1992, Mrs. Tullis held the position of vice president and head cashier and served on the board of directors. She enjoyed her work, enjoyed meeting the public, and always was willing and able to assist her customers.
She was also a long time member of the First Baptist Church in Flomaton.
Mrs. Tullis was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse L. Tullis; her parents, Mack B. Long and Minne L. (Barnett) Long; three brothers, John William “Johnny” Long, Samuel Harvey “Bo” Long and Billy Ray “Piggy” Long; and one sister, Willodean (Long) Johnson.
Mrs. Tullis is survived by two sons, Joffrey N. (Karen) Tullis and Ronald R. (Donna) Tullis, both of Flomaton; one stepson, Dent L. (Margie) Tullis of Panama City; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Sunday, February 9, 2014, from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held Monday, February 10, 2014, at 11 a.m. from the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Dr. Jerry Keese and Rev. Dustin Stockstill officiating.
Interment will follow at the Flomaton Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be her nephews, Daniel Moore, Darrell Moore, Donnie Moore, James E. Parker, Stephen Long and John David Long.
Honorary pallbearer will be her nephew, Gary Dwayne Long.
Alternate pallbearers will be Roger Adkinson and Larry White.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Bess Inabell Brock
February 8, 2014
Bess Inabell Brock, 92 of Atmore, passed away Thursday, February 6, 2014, at her residence. She was a waitress, born in Muscogee, OK, on October 20, 1921, to the late Charles Henry and Adelle Watson Cobb.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lee Brock; three brothers; and three sisters.
Survivors include her two sons, Robert (Rita) Brock of Saucier, MS, and Roy (Linda) Brock of Mobile; two daughters, Sheilah Smith of Mobile and Marsha (Curtis) Welch of Atmore; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Services will be Monday, February 10, 2014, at 11 a.m.from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Theron Collingsworth officiating.
Interment will follow in Pine Crest Cemetery in Mobile at 2 p.m.
Her grandsons will be pallbearers.
Family will receive friends Monday, February 10, 2014, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Letter To The Editor: Grover Robinson On 4-H Property Issue
February 8, 2014
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
I was at a funeral earlier this week and the speaker made a comment about this area that is so true. He said, “in Northwest Florida we would rather fight over pennies than work together for dollars.”
This is a very true statement and it explains much of the controversy that the Escambia Board of County Commissioners (BCC) heard at its February 6, 2014, Public Forum related to the Extension Service and its relationship with 4-H.
Since the sale of the Matt Langley Bell 4-H property, an internal struggle within the Extension Service (IFAS) has occurred. The question is whether to build a building at the current Stefani Road property or invest that money in land and buildings further to the north of our county closer to its agricultural roots.
Both sides have come to the BCC claiming that they represent the children and that the other side is wrong and ultimately the BCC is wrong unless it does what they want. Having listened to both sides the challenge is they both have validity, standing and a future in the success of Escambia County. However, they seem incapable or perhaps unwilling to work together for a mutual solution.
The Extension Service, a joint participation by Escambia County and the University of Florida under IFAS, provides significant services to the community, both the traditional ag as well as other environmental services for the greater community. The challenges are, while our traditional agriculture based in the northern two-thirds of this county, the other services provided create benefits to the 80 percent of the population that lives below Nine Mile Road.
One side represents more traditional agrarian services such as 4-H in growing livestock for show and agricultural needs. The other side of this argument is the group that provides environmental and horticultural services to the urban core of our community otherwise known as Master Gardeners. Both groups serve a vital position within the Extension Services and within Escambia County.
Unfortunately, both want to control the future of IFAS and the proceeds that came from the sale of the Matt Langley Bell Center. Unfortunately, in doing so they have turned on each other and they both seek a political resolution created by the BCC. Let me be clear not only are both groups necessary to Escambia County, both groups are represented by honorable people who I greatly enjoyed getting to know through this process that I wish I could bring together for a solution.
On one side you have people like Jacob Gilmore who absolutely in his heart simply wants to make our community a leader in those areas which are critical to him including raising livestock. On the other side you have individuals like Justice Ken Bell and his brother who are part of the same character as their grandfather who originally endowed our Extension Service with the assets it enjoys now.
It has been my hope for some time that both sides would work together and see there is a need for a facility such as that identified at Stefani Road for providing environmental and horticultural services to the more populated southern end of our county. At the same time it is vitally important to have livestock programs centered on a piece of land in the northern portion of our county that focuses on traditional ag programs.
Commissioner Barry plans to bring a proposal to the next Committee of the Whole. Unfortunately, a series of emails and letters have created hard feelings on both sides before we have the opportunity to really evaluate a solution.
I hope and pray over the next week that we, in Escambia County, see that if we work together we can create more than if we simply line up to fight each other. The future of Escambia County and the future of our success is based on that collaboration of being the best of what we have both our traditional agriculture in our north end and our more urbanized southern end.
If we can ever find the opportunity to work together this community has great potential. I hope the future of Extension will be that catalyst for us to realize the dollars we can create together is much more than the pennies we have fought over in the past.
Sincerely,
Grover C. Robinson, IV
Escambia County Commissioner
District 4