Rain Chances Increasing
May 27, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tuesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Wednesday Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Wednesday Night A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight
- Thursday Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday Night A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Friday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
- Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. 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 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
- Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Monday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
- Monday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Tuesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Herring Awarded Gandy Memorial Scholarship
May 27, 2014
Austin Ray Herring has been named the winner of this year’s Gandy Memorial Scholarship.
The scholarship was founded in 2008 at Poplar Dell Baptist Church by family members who wanted to honor their loved ones who had dedicated so much of their time and efforts at the church and for their community. Since that year, the committee has chosen local seniors who have been active in the church as well as their school.
Herring is an honor and dual-enrollment student at Jay High School. He is in the National Beta Club, the National Honor Society, the Spanish club and the Tri-Music Honor Society. He has been a member of the Jay High Royal Pride Band for seven years and has been awarded Best Brass two years in a row. His senior year he served as band captain. At Poplar Dell he has participated in the youth group, the puppet ministry and serves as an usher.
Herring is the son of Mitch and Tabitha Herring of Jay.
Pictured top: (L-R) Vicki Gandy Baggett, Bill Gandy, scholarship winner Austin Herring and John Gandy. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
TaxWatch Urges Scott To Veto $121 Million In ‘Turkeys’ – $3 Million For Local Projects
May 27, 2014
There are $121 million in budget projects that Florida TaxWatch says Gov. Rick Scott needs to strike with his line-item veto. In releasing its annual list of budget “turkeys”, TaxWatch officials urged Scott to veto 107 projects from a 431-page, $77.1 billion fiscal plan that lawmakers approved early this month.
In Escambia County, TaxWatch says Scott should veto $500,00 for a Smart Horizons online career education program and $2 million allocated to ARC Gateway for a job placement program.
In Santa Rosa County, TaxWatch targeted a half million dollar Andrews Institute Foundation Eagle Fund.
Scott has until June 4 to act on the budget, which will take effect with the start of the new fiscal year July 1.
“Florida TaxWatch has once again shown,” Senate President Don Gaetz said in a release, “that it is possible to be absent all year long from any engagement in the budget process, do no research into the merits of any appropriation, utter not one word of testimony on any proposal or alternative and still convince well-meaning people to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep a well-paid staff employed to absolutely no positive effect other than to get mentioned in one news cycle.”
Kurt Wenner, TaxWatch’s vice president for tax research, said the projects on the list aren’t being questioned on their merits, but rather for failing to go through the normal budget process.
“There were an awful lot of member projects in the budget this year,” Wenner said. “I think everybody knew there were going to be, there was more money. The Legislature did do a pretty good job of getting a lot of them in the budget early.”
Wenner said the budget would never get done if there wasn’t backroom dealing. But the group is opposed to new projects being introduced during those talks.
The business-backed organization uses two main criteria to select turkeys: first, whether the project was inserted into the budget during the final negotiations between the House and the Senate; and second, whether the spending was requested by a state agency.
Last year, TaxWatch recommended $106 million in cuts through 107 separate line items. Scott vetoed 71 of the items, worth $71.1 million, as part of his $368 million in cuts from the budget.
Northview’s Solari Is State Finalist For FFA Officer Award
May 27, 2014
Florida FFA has announced that one of the finalists for the 2014 Ryan Rimmer Outstanding District Officer Award is Courtney Solari of the Northview High School FFA.
This award is selected by application from the 24 district officers throughout the state and is given to the district officer who excels in their service to Florida FFA. The state winner will be announced during the 6th General Session of the 86th Florida FFA State Convention on July 3rd at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.
Pictured: Courtney Solari. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Braves’ Five Run Eighth Sinks Wahoos In Series Opener
May 27, 2014
Daniel Corcino dominated the Braves over six innings for the Wahoos on Monday night at Trustmark Park in the series opener between the Blue Wahoos and the Mississippi Braves, but a late rally against the bullpen propelled Mississippi to a 6-3 win over Pensacola. Mississippi plated five runs and sent 10 batters to the plate against three separate relievers in the eighth inning to come from behind for the win.
Corcino held the Braves at bay after allowing a run in the bottom of the first inning. He surrendered a leadoff double in the second and didn’t allow another hit until Matt Kennelly hit a one-out double in the sixth. Corcino gave up just the 1R/ER over 6.0 innings and allowed only three hits with three walks and six strikeouts.
Travis Mattair gave the Wahoos a 3-1 advantage with a two-run home run in the third inning, his fourth homer of the year. The game stayed that way until the eighth.
The inning started with a bunt single, but four hits, a hit by pitch and an error later, the Braves had scored five times against three Blue Wahoos relievers to take a comfortable 6-3 lead to the ninth inning. Fabian Williamson (L, 0-4) entered the game with one on and nobody out and he left with one out, a run in and the bases loaded. Justin Freeman tried to pitch out of the jam, but all three runners came home and one of his own before the dust settled on the frame.
Shea Simmons (S, 14) retired the Wahoos 1-2-3 in the ninth to close it out and earn the save. Williams Perez logged seven innings in the start for the Braves. He gave up 3R/ER on seven hits with no walks and seven strikeouts, matching his season high. Despite the strong outing, the Braves starter didn’t record a decision. James Hoyt (W, 2-2) earned the win with a scoreless eighth out of the bullpen.
The Blue Wahoos will look to rebound on Tuesday night against the Braves. Reds No. 1 prospect RHP Robert Stephenson (2-4, 3.48) will start against Braves RHP Ryan Weber (1-0, 3.23). First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. at Trustmark Park.
by Tommy Thrall
Franklin Delano Matta
May 27, 2014
Franklin Delano Matta, age 71, of Jenkinsburg, GA , formerly of Jay, passed away on May 23, 2014, in Griffin, GA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Sosieta Matta and Ruby Loucille Key; one sister and one daughter.
He is survived by his daughter, Mitzy P. Aden; son, Franklin Dennis Matta; brother, Dallas Matta; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other
relatives.
Graveside services were held Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at Pine Level Baptist Church cemetery with Dr. Roger Davis.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
John “JD” William Davis
May 27, 2014
My love of 20 years left this earth to chart his last journey in the seas of Heaven. His grand fight against cancer ended Thursday, May 22, 2014. Most know him as ‘JD’ and most know that his life was a myriad of cities, careers, cars and boats and most of all stories. There were so many stories and he never tired of telling them. From hiking, hunting guide, ice climber, rescue skier, pilot, crop duster, bartender, stockbroker, consultant, sailor, his golf business Hang 5, his backpack business Kletterwerks and his trucking business, Double Diamond Transport there were too many to count. But my favorite story was him telling me that his life really began when we met and in one day, November 9, 1996, he became a husband, a step-father and a grandfather in one day for the very first time and two years ago became a great-grandfather. He always said he loved us ‘hard’. He gave us everything we could ever need. I am grateful he is free of the pain cancer gave him but will miss him forever.
Johnny was born in Ware Shoals, South Carolina and spent most of his school years in Brewton. He graduated from T. R. Miller High School and attended the University of Alabama.
He is predeceased by his parents, Henry Thomas (Bill) Davis and Violet Marie Davis; brother, Timothy Davis; and step-son, Todd Rodgers.
He leaves behind his brother, Hank Davis; sisters, Pam (David) Satores and Toni (Martin) Coe; wife, Karen; step-son, Jay Myers; granddaughters, Amy Clark, Samantha Rodgers and Kelsey Rodgers; and great-granddaughter, Devyn Anne Clark.
Great appreciation to Dr Thomas Sunnenberg and the Sacred Heart Cancer Center employees who care deeply for all they serve and to all the nurses and technicians at Sacred Heart Hospital.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Sacred Heart Cancer facility for the purchase of snacks and beverages for all the chemotherapy patients they serve.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 4 p.m. at Pine Terrace Baptist Church at 6212 Pine Blossom Road in Milton with Dr. Michael Wiggins officiating.
Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until service time.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton is directing.
Knowing Johnny like I do, please dress comfortably. Sail on my Love………..
Body Of 4-Year Old That Fell From Boat Found In Bay
May 26, 2014
The body of a 4-year old that fell of a boat Saturday afternoon was discovered Monday afternoon.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Logan Fontana Maye was found by a fisherman in the waters south of the Coast Guard Station in Pensacola. His family has been notified.
According to FWC the child’s grandfather, Steve Maye, said he was idling away from the Coast Guard Station near Fort Pickens when the boy wanted assistance in getting sand out of his life jacket.
The life jacket was taken off the child, and Maye told authorities he gave it back to him and thought he put it on before he moved the boat at just 10 mph. Maye told officials that it was about one minute later that he looked back and did not see Logan, only the life jacket.
Officials confirmed Logan was not wearing a personal floatation device at the time he fell overboard.
Pictured top: The search for a 4-year old that fell of a boat Saturday. Photos courtesy WEAR for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Memorial Day Services Honors The Fallen (With Photo Gallery)
May 26, 2014
About 200 people gathered in Atmore Monday morning for a Memorial Day service to recognize those that have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice from Atmore, Walnut Hill, Bratt and surrounding areas.
Members of American Legion Post 90 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7016 took part in a solemn ceremony, reading aloud the names of each deceased service member that appear on a spire-shaped monument. A bell was tolled in honor of those that served.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Among the latest names memorialized was LCpl Travis Nelson of Bratt, who was killed in a action in August 2011 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was just two weeks after his 19th birthday and only about a month after he arrived in Afghanistan.
Pictured: A Memorial Day service Monday morning in Atmore, honoring those that served from Atmore and North Escambia. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Class Of 2014 Holds Baccalaureate Service
May 26, 2014
The Northview High School Class of 2014 held their Baccalaureate service Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
“God is God and I am not, and other people exist,” guest speaker Bro. Gene King stressed during the student-led and organized program. The program included scripture, prayer and music provided by the Northview Senior Class Ensemble and students.
“It’s not just about you. It’s about other people; it’s about God,” King told the graduating seniors about their future lives. “We are meant to live purposely to bless other people.”
Graduation for the Northview High School Class of 2014 will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 31 at the school.
Pictured: The Northview High School Class of 2014 Baccalaureate service Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
