Jim Allen Elementary School Presents Fifth Grade Awards
May 29, 2014
Jim Allen Elementary School recently presented the following awards at their Fifth Grade Banquet:
Award of Excellence: Jessica Conti (pictured)
Shining Star: Christian Jacobs
Cox Inspirational Award: Molly McArthur
WSRE Student of the Year: Devine Sutton
President’s Award:
- Kaelin Brinker
- Dawson Butalla
- Sage Bullock
- Jessica Conti
- Joshua Coonrod
- Haleigh Dove
- Deeanna Foster
- Brentley Garrett
- Zaria Griffin
- Hannah Halfacre
- Devon Henton
- Alexis Hurd
- Christian Jacobs
- Jonas Johnson
- Bristol Kelley
- Walter Kelly
- Tre Likely
- Kasen Millwood
- Harlie Odom
- Hailey Riggan
- Andrew Robinson
- Kiera Stern
- Maci Street
- Logan Vessey
- Kiauna Watson
- Charlie Wine
- Elise Winters
Pictured top: Jim Allen Elementary Fifth Grade Award of Excellence winner Jessica Conti. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Storm Debris Drop Off Site Closing After Friday
May 29, 2014
Escambia County’s free storm debris drop off site at John R. Jones Athletic Park located at 555 E. Nine Mile Road, will close permanently at 5 p.m. Friday.
This storm debris drop off site first opened on May 10, giving citizens a place to dispose of their debris. This site will be open from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday for residential use only. Commercial haulers, contractors or commercial companies are prohibited.
Anyone with concerns, questions or issues with the storm debris collection effort following the closure of this free drop off site is encouraged to contact the Escambia County Solid Waste Management division at (850) 937-2160.
Chiefs Honor Top Baseball Players
May 29, 2014
Several awards and a scholarship were presented at the annual Northview High School baseball team banquet:
- Sportsmanship Award — Trevor Levins and Doug Sherrill
- Diamond Thief Award (most stolen bases) — Jody Bonner
- Offensive Player Award — Thomas Moore
- Defensive Player Award — Jody Bonner
- Pitching Award — Daulton Tullis
- Academic Award — Doug Sherrill
- MVP Award — Thomas Moore
- Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship — Brannon Freeman
Pictured top: (L-R) Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship winner Brannon Freeman, Northview Principal Gayle Weaver, Most Valuable Player Award winner Thomas Moore and Coach Marty Lister. Pictured below: The annual Northview High School baseball team banquet. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Scott Wants State To Sue For Access To VA Hospitals
May 29, 2014
Gov. Rick Scott, who has increased efforts to appeal to military voters as he seeks re-election, wants to sue the federal government for blocking state inspectors from Veterans Administration hospitals.
The state Agency for Health Care Administration, at Scott’s urging, said Wednesday it will file a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeking to allow state inspectors access to Florida-based VA hospitals so they can determine if the health care needs of veterans are being met.
While no legal action has been taken, AHCA spokeswoman Shelisha Coleman said in an email that “the agency will take the necessary actions to hold the VA accountable.”
Mary Kay Hollingsworth, a spokeswoman for the federal agency, said it would be “inappropriate for us to speculate” on the specifics of Florida’s litigation until it is filed.
State inspectors have been trying for more than a month to gain access to the federal facilities to conduct a review of allegations of inappropriate scheduling and treatment that have been reported at VA facilities nationwide.
The governor’s request follows his call May 21 for Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to resign as investigations are ongoing into the treatment of veterans, and the potential cover-up of delayed care, at 26 health clinics nationwide, including the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville.
“To date, Secretary Shinseki has refused to step down, our inspectors continue to be turned away, and none of the information we’ve asked for has been provided,” Scott said in a prepared statement Wednesday. “Transparency and accountability are critical to supporting our veterans, and this suit will fight the federal VA’s continued practice of stonewalling our inspectors.”
Calls for Shinseki to resign were heightened Wednesday after the federal agency’s Office of Inspector General released a preliminary report indicating that delayed medical care, along with efforts to hide records, was “systemic” throughout the veterans’ health system.
According to AHCA, state staff members were denied access to Malcom Randall on May 19. Also, between April 3 and April 14 they were blocked from access to medical clinics in Gainesville, Lake City, Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg and West Palm Beach.
A spokesman for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist said Scott has failed to help an estimated 41,000 veterans in Florida by declining to expand access to health care through the federal Affordable Care Act.
“It’s unfortunate that Rick Scott may be attempting to inject politics (through calling for a lawsuit against the VA) into a tragic situation,” Crist spokesman Kevin Cate said Wednesday.
Crist accused Scott of using the VA issue as a “political tool” last week.
The Republican Party of Florida has responded that Crist is the one “exploiting” the issue, noting that the former governor included a link to his political campaign and a fundraising page when tweeting his own message that Shinseki should resign.
The state currently is home to 1.5 million veterans, with nearly a third from the Vietnam era and 231,000 having served in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, according to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Scott, who served in the Navy, turned his attention to the veterans’ hospital issue on April 1, a day after signing the “Florida GI Bill,” a wide-ranging measure modeled after the federal World War II-era program.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Drop Second Straight In Extras To Braves
May 29, 2014
For the second straight night, the Mississippi Braves came from behind late in a game against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and won in walk-off fashion in extra innings. Blue Wahoos second baseman, Brodie Greene, committed a costly throwing error on an attempted double play which allowed former Wahoo Matt Kennelly to score with two outs handing the Braves the 5-4 win 13 innings.
Pensacola moved in front, 3-2, with a three-run sixth inning, but the Braves quickly responded with a run in the bottom of the inning to even the score. Pensacola reclaimed the lead in the seventh on a sacrifice fly to center field. It wasn’t until the ninth, that the Braves tied the game with an RBI double from, Tuesday night’s hero, Mycal Jones. It stayed that way until Mississippi took advantage of the Blue Wahoos miscues in the 13th inning for the 5-4 win.
The Blue Wahoos bullpen was tremendous allowing just 2R/1ER between three relievers over 7.2 innings. Drew Hayes, Justin Freeman and Tim Adleman combined to strike out seven Braves hitters and allowed just four hits. Adleman retired the first nine hitters he faced before allowing a leadoff single to Kennelly to begin the 13th. He suffered the loss despite allowing just the one hit in 3.2 innings.
Jon Moscot went 5.0 innings in the start for the Wahoos. He allowed 3R/ER on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts in the no-decision. Braves starter J.R. Graham was tough to solve for Pensacola. He went 5.1 innings and allowed just 2R/ER on only two hits with six strikeouts. He also took a no-decision. Ryne Harper earned the win with a scoreless inning out of the Braves bullpen. It was the second straight night he had pitched for Mississippi.
Offensively, Greene led the way. He finished 3-for-4 with double and two runs scored. He had Pensacola’s only multi-hit game.
Pensacola will look to rebound on Thursday night. RHP Mikey O’Brien (2-2, 4.58) will get the nod for the Blue Wahoos against Braves RHP Jason Hursh (3-4, 4.18). First pitch is set for 7 p.m. from Trustmark Park.
by Tommy Thrall
Comer E. Wilson
May 29, 2014
Mr. Comer E. Wilson, was born December 13, 1937, and passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, in Pensacola.
Mr. Wilson was a native of Castleberry and a resident of Century for over 39 years. He was an employee with the Town of Century. His parents, Alton and Levonia Hammond Wilson; brothers, Alton Wilson, Jr. and Nollon Wilson; and sisters, Juanita Driskell and Nadine McCaw, precede him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Emmie Belle Wilson of Century; daughter, Glenda Bagwell of Century; grandson, Bryan Griffis; granddaughter, Jessica Griffis; and three great-grandchildren all of Brewton; two brothers, Charles Wilson of Century and Willie Wilson of Century; six sisters, Sylvia Godwin of Century, Shirley White of Century, Faye McGill of Pensacola, Willene Bryan of Byrneville, Lois Aboud of Plano, TX and JoAnn Driskell of San Antonio, TX.
Funeral services will be Saturday, May 31, 2014, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Barrow officiating.
Burial will follow at the Cooper Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, May 30, 2014, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Alton White, Rodney White, Scott Godwin, Will Wilson, Jeremiah Wilson, Kevin Bryan, Carl Godwin, Jr. and Randy Coker.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Teen Hit By Van On North Century Boulevard
May 28, 2014
A teenager was seriously injured when he was struck by a vehicle on North Century Boulevard in Century Tuesday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 16-year old Eric Carthon of Century was walking in the paved middle lane of North Century Boulevard about 9 p.m. when he was struck by a Ford Windstar van. The driver of the van, 19-year old Ciara Sparta of Flomaton, told authorities she was moving into the center lane to make a left turn on Highway 4A and did not see the teen.
Carthon was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The Florida Highway Patrol said charges are pending in the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flash Flood Watch In Effect
May 28, 2014
There is a flash flood watch in effect.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a high near 85. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday Night A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Sunday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
- Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Monday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
- Monday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Ernest Ward Names May Students Of The Month
May 28, 2014
Ernest Ward Middle School has named students of the month for May. They (L-R) Susannah Amerson, seventh grade; Tara Windham, eighth grade; and Karlee Criswell, sixth grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets Life For Burlgary, Battery, Child Abuse
May 28, 2014
An Escambia County man was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday.
Jesse Akeem Johnson was convicted of burglary of a dwelling with battery, child abuse, battery and petit theft by an Escambia County jury.
On November 19, 2012, the Johnson broke into the victim’s home by shattering the front window. Johnson immediately began punching and kicking the victim. The victim broke loose at one point and ran into the bedroom where her five children had been watching a movie at the time the defendant shattered the window. The victim attempted to barricade herself and her children inside that room but the defendant forced his way through the door and continued to beat the victim in front of her children. When the oldest child attempted to pull the him off of the victim, Johnson grabbed the child by the hair and shoved the child into a wall.
At that time, the victim helped her younger child out of the window in order to run next door to seek help. Johnson spotted the child outside and followed the child to the neighbors. Once at the neighbor’s residence, Johnson punched the neighbor several times until he fell to the ground, and then fled the scene.