Hard Freeze Warning, Low 20’s Tonight
February 19, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 22. North wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 53. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph.
Saturday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind around 10 mph.
Sunday
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night
A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
Monday
A 40 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 54.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 53.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Cantonment Man Facing Hunting Charges In Two States, Federal Investigation
February 19, 2015
A Cantonment man is facing multiple charges in two states and is under federal investigation for hunting violations, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement.
FWC officers first made contact with 26-year old Waylon Lee Adams as he was dropping off a 10-point buck at a taxidermist in the Molino area. Adams told the officers that he shot the buck in Alabama but did not possess an Alabama or Florida hunting license. After documenting his name and related information, the FWC contacted Alabama Game and Fish.
The FWC offiders determined Adams was hunting in the Brewton area. A couple of days later, Alabama Fish and Game reportedly caught Adams trespassing on private property. He was arrested in Alabama for trespassing and drug possession, and cited for not possessing an Alabama hunting license. Adams confessed to shooting additional deer in Alabama.
The day after his Alabama arrest, FWC officers spotted Adams in Century leaving a restaurant despite having no driver’s license and being classified as a habitual traffic offender. As FWC officers were speaking to Adams, he fled on foot and was quickly picked up by a second unknown vehicle. FWC officers had Adams’ vehicle towed, and they reported finding multiple rounds of ammunition inside.
The FWC reports having obtained warrants for Adams for driving as a habitual traffic offender, resisting an officer without violence and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement is investigating Adams for a possible Lacey Act violation, according to the FWC. The Lacey Act regulates federal aspects of hunting and wildlife trace.
FWC officers also seized antlers from five deer which Adams still had at the taxidermist.
CSX: Atmore Crossing Work Should End This Week
February 19, 2015
For the past couple of weeks, driver in Atmore have experienced delays due to closed railroad crossings as CSX upgrades tracks through the city.
That work, according to CSX, is expected to soon be completed/
“CSX engineering crews are laying new rail, new rail ties, resurfacing crossings and repaving them with asphalt. CSX has worked closely with local officials to coordinate the crossing closures to minimize disruption to the community,” said Kristin Seay, spokesperson for CSX. “Several of the crossings have already been re-opened. The remainder of the work is expected to be completed by the end of this week.”
Seay said the Atmore track upgrades are part of CSX’s network-wide infrastructure maintenance program.
“Maintaining railroad infrastructure is critical to minimizing service disruptions and preventing accidents and injuries. CSX spends more than $1 billion annually on improving and maintaining track, bridges, signals and other equipment to keep freight moving safely and reliably. We appreciate the patience of community residents as we complete this work as safely and efficiently as possible,” she said.
Crossings at Industrial Drive and Main Street were the only crossings that remained closed as of late Wednesday.
Pictured top: The Industrial Drive railroad crossing in Atmore remained closed Wednesday afternoon. Picture inset and below: Traffic backed-up at the Main Street crossing last week. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Education Boss Calls For Cutting Back Tests
February 19, 2015
Education Commissioner Pam Stewart on Wednesday called for the elimination of at least one statewide test, as a key Senate education committee began hammering out legislation meant to curb the number of exams given to students in Florida’s public schools.
In a report delivered to Gov. Rick Scott, Stewart recommended that the state get rid of a language-arts test students take in 11th grade. An exam in the 10th grade is used to determine whether students have met the state’s graduation requirement in language arts, and many educators say the later test is unnecessary.
Stewart recommended that Scott issue an executive order to suspend the test in the current school year, with lawmakers later approving legislation to permanently scrap the assessment.
The report also recommended making optional a college readiness test that some students are required to take and eliminating final exams in courses that have state-mandated tests at the end of the year. Stewart also urged local school districts to do what they can to lower the amount of time students spend on tests.
“I am recommending that we eliminate as much testing as we can,” Stewart told reporters after brief remarks before the Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee.
Scott has pushed for reining in the number of tests and asked Stewart for the review.
“It’s important to measure students’ progress and achievements, but we must not lose sight of our goal to provide every student with the very best education,” Scott said in a statement accompanying the report. “As I have traveled the state, I have heard from parents and teachers that there are too many tests and I agree.”
Stewart’s report also called for local districts not to “test students for the sole purpose of evaluating teachers” — just four years after the Legislature passed a controversial law more closing tying teacher pay to student performance on standardized tests.
“Students already take tests to determine whether they know their subject matter and districts should use information from these tests to help gauge teacher performance,” the report says.
But Senate Education Pre-K-12 Chairman John Legg, R-Lutz, would not commit Wednesday to getting rid of the 11th grade test in language arts.
“It’s one of the items on the table,” Legg said. “We are reviewing that. … It’s one of those options that we are seriously looking at.”
People who addressed the committee Wednesday largely agreed with Stewart’s recommendation on the 11th grade test, even as they pressed for more steps to cut back on exams.
“But trust me, there are opportunities to look at the portfolio of assessments in the state of Florida and identify other areas and examples of duplication that has put us in this position of over-testing,” said Miami-Dade County Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.
Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, questioned why students who do well on tests in upper-level courses then have to sit for state exams that are expected to be less rigorous.
“These students who have already taken and passed Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests are bored out of their gourds when we then ask them to take another test on the same material,” said Gaetz, a former Okaloosa County schools superintendent.
Education groups largely agree that the state should hold off on assigning school grades and making decisions about whether students should be promoted from the third grade or allowed to graduate based on new tests the state is introducing this year. A similar test has caused a backlash in Utah, though Legg said he still has confidence in the exam.
Lawmakers have already ensured that schools won’t face consequences from this year’s results under the state accountability system. But supporters of pushing back some of the other ways the results are used say that’s not enough.
“The letter grades are so important in terms of perception of a school,” Sen. Bill Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat who doubles as chief executive officer of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, said after the meeting.
Much of the concern revolves around the fact that the new assessments have not been tested on Florida students. Educators say the FCAT was used for letter grades for schools only after a couple of years.
“We’re taking this exam and coming in and laying it down, saying, ‘We’re going to use it this year,’ ” Montford said.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Receive Emergency Notices From ‘Alert Escambia’ Service
February 19, 2015
The new Alert Escambia Emergency Notification System allows citizens to receive alert notifications about community emergencies in Escambia County. Participants will receive time-sensitive messages at home, work, mobile or business phones, email addresses, text messages and more.
Escambia County’s EMA has found it necessary to replace its previous mass notification system that allowed it to communicate with the public and other agencies and entities during emergencies. The Escambia County Commission approved the system subscription last year with funding from Escambia County Emergency Management, the Escambia County Health Department, ECUA, International Paper , Ascend Performance Materials and Gulf Power Company.
The agencies will share the cost of the system on a prorated basis through June 30, and then each agency will contribute an equal $11,229.16 for the July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, time period for a total yearly cost of $67,375. Escambia County will utilize federal grant funds to pay for its share of the total subscription cost.
These messages will include emergency information regarding potential protective measures required to protect local citizens during an emergency situation such as evacuation notices or shelter in place instructions.
Register Now: https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085611911#/signup
Login To An Existing Account: https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085611911#/login
Century Resident Celebrates Her 103rd Birthday
February 19, 2015
Della Godwin of Century celebrated her 103rd birthday Thursday.
Godwin was born in Jay back in 1912, one of 12 children born to her parents Annie and William Griffis. She has two younger surviving siblings - Jean Clark and Veda Welch. She raised two sons, one of which is deceased, and has four grandchildren.
She was raised in the Mount Carmel community of Santa Rosa County. In her early years, she spent most of time in the cotton fields, but she was always in church on Sundays.
Godwin attributes her long life to hard work and faith. Those who know her will say that she was always caring for and helping others. She always put family first, even if it meant she had to do without the things she needed.
Godwin is longtime resident of the Century area and is the oldest resident at the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Pictured top: Century resident Della Godwin turns 103 years old Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Updated: Wanted Man Behind Bars
February 19, 2015
UPDATE: Pete Anthony Jimenez is in custody in the Covington County Jail in Andalusia, AL.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man on outstanding warrants that has been seen in the North Escambia area.
Pete Anthony Jimenez is wanted on seven outstanding warrants in Santa Rosa County including multiple felony grand theft charges and fleeing law enforcement. According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, he has been seen in northern Santa Rosa County and in the Atmore area.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP or their local law enforcement agency.
Pensacola Beach Named One Of The Best In The USA
February 19, 2015
TripAdvisor has named Pensacola Beach as one of the top five beaches in the United States.
Travelers’ Choice award-winning beaches were determined based on the quantity and quality of traveler reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor gathered over a 12-month period.
“Travelers visiting this Emerald Coast beach will experience miles of powdery-sanded coastline and a destination ideal for relaxation. The Pensacola Beach Pier offers fishing and unparalleled views of the ocean, while nearby beachfront restaurants serve mouthwatering gulf seafood,” TripAdvisor said in their review of Pensacola Beach.
Trip Advisor’s other top five beaches in the U.S. were Siesta Beach in Siesta Key, FL, followed by St. Pete Beach in Florida, Ka’anapali Beach in Hawaii and Wai’anapanapa State Park in Hawaii.
Pictured top and inset: A sunny winter day on Pensacola Beach. Pictured below: Looking back at Pensacola Beach from the end of the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
All-Star Soccer Tonight
February 19, 2015
The 2015 Subway High School All Star Soccer games will be held tonight at Brosnaham Park. The girls game will begin at 5 p.m. followed by the boys game at 7 p.m.
Teams are made up of the best high school senior players from the West — Escambia County, and the West Santa Rosa and Okaloosa County.
Tickets for the game are available at the gate and are $8, or $6 with a student ID or canned good to donate to Manna Food Pantries.
The West Girls team will be coached by Kenny Morgan from Washington High, while the West Boys teams will be coached by Austin King from Tate High School.
WEST GIRLS
Catholic — Gretchen Cagle, Midfield/GK
Catholic — Taylor Kukes, Forward
Escambia — Alexandria Krempin-Dykes, Midfield
Escambia — Moira Leonard, Goalkeeper
Pensacola — Lauren Pederson, Defender
Pensacola — Alex Allen, Wing/Striker
Pine Forest — Anna Legassey, Forward/Midfield
Pine Forest — Mandy Jackson, Midfield
Tate — Hannah Hargett, F/M
Tate — Alexa Harmon, Defender
Tate — Jennifer Clyde, D/M
Tate — Emily McAfee, Defender
Tate — Molly Pearce, Defender
Washington — Mallory Lurate, Goalkeeper
Washington — Natalie Williams, Midfield
Washington — Madison King, Defender
Washington — Mariah Bush, Midfield
West Florida — Brianna Schubeck, Forward/Midfield
West Florida — Morgan Duckworth, Goalkeeper
West Florida — Morgan Herpel, Defender
West Florida — Jordan Sortino, Defense
West Florida — Sommer Johnson, Midfield
WEST BOYS
Catholic — Harrison Carroll, Center Half/Utility
Catholic — Chandler Dixon, Midfield
Catholic — Taylor Evans, R/L Back, R/L Mid
Escambia — Patrick Mackovic, Def. mid-central
Escambia — Zach Slavin, Outside defender
Escambia — Paul Worshop, Wing/Midfield
Pensacola — Warren Curtiss Thies, Goalkeeper
Pensacola — Abdullah Alsaqr, Forward
Pensacola — Logan Patterson, Wing/Midfield
Pine Forest — Hunter Reavis, Right Wing
Tate — Kyle Capehart, Back
Tate — Keller Blaichard, Midfield
Washington — Chris Searcy, Forward
Washington — Evan Sheltry, Mid/defender
Washington — Jake Brown, Forward
Washington — Ben Stevens, Right Back
Washington — Bennett Gaston, Midfield
Washington — Keimon Johnson, Center Back
West Florida — Austin Boswell, Center Back
West Florida — Kai Estrada, Midfield
West Florida — Daniel Bowers, Goalkeeper
West Florida — Luan Nguyen, Forward
EAST GIRLS
Choctaw — Dani Weyer, Striker/center mid
Choctaw — Sydney Oliver, Center Back
Choctaw — Kayla Douglas, Forward, Outside Mid
Choctaw — Kelsey Douglas, Outside Mid
Fort Walton — Kierstin Creese, Center Defender
Fort Walton — Torie Greene, Center Forward
Fort Walton — Shelby Campbell, Midfield
Gulf Breeze — Veronica Williamson, Outside Mid/Forward
Gulf Breeze — Jessie Droogsma, Goal Keeper
Milton — Jenna Wade, Forward/Midfielder
Milton — Skylar Elsperman, Outside Midfield
Milton — Mariah Holt, Defender
Navarre — Rylie Slaybaugh, Center Mid
Navarre — Jessica Cook, Center Back
Niceville — Cassie Willis, Defender
Niceville — Jessica Chavis, Outside Mid/Forward
Niceville — Mandi Balcuinas, Forward
Niceville — Eli Craft, Honorary Captain
Pace — Hannah Abrams, Forward
Pace — Claire Taylor, Forward/Midfielder
Pace — Serena Colvin, Wide Back/Wide Mid
Pace — Kiersten Richardson, Center Back
Rocky Bayou — Shanon Barkman, Forward
EAST BOYS
Choctaw — Sean Hoffstatter, Forward
Choctaw — Shane Nicholson, Forward
Choctaw — Kahlee Wilson, Def. Mid
Choctaw — Luke Hambleton, Center Back
Choctaw — Brandon Castelin, Center Back
Crestview — Trent Simmons, Def/Mid
Crestview — Bryce Webb, Def/Mid
Fort Walton — Santiago Alvarado, Center Mid/CFWD
Fort Walton — Juan Pablo Rodriguez, FWD/LB
Gulf Breeze — Kyle Overlade, Defender/Ctr. Mid
Gulf Breeze — Matthew Cutler, Off. Mid/ Forward
Milton — Patrick Greene, Forward
Milton — Jonathan Pool, Defender
Navarre — Mason Goodnough, Goalkeeper
Navarre — Amuia Alford, GK/Forward
Navarre — Kameron Bethell, Midfield
Navarre — Robert Madril, Midfield/Forward
Navarre — Brandon Capenia, Midfield
Navarre — Malcolm Valdes, Midfield
Niceville — Michael Nalovic, Defender
Pace — Alex Brock, CB
Rocky Bayou — Cameron Esses, Midfield/Striker
James Oliver Baker
February 19, 2015
Rev. James Oliver Baker, 87, passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2015, in Cantonment.
Rev. Baker was a native of Falco, Alabama and a resident of Cantonment, since 1949. Rev. Baker was Senior Pastor of the Living Word of Faith Church, former owner of Village Sanitation, longtime Pastor of Ebenezer Assembly of God for 37 years, avid fisherman, gardener and raised show chickens. His wife, Orene Baker; son, Doyse Baker and grandson, Ledue Baker precedes him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Violet Jewel Baker of Cantonment; one son, Clois L. (Pagan) Baker of Cantonment; one stepson, Joe Eddins, Jr. of Gatlinburg, TN; one daughter, Elizabeth Aldridge of Cantonment; one stepdaughter, Christine (Sam) White of Flomaton, AL; two sisters, Ethel Sherrer of Enterprise, AL and Othaila Blackwood of Wing, AL; three grandchildren, Janice Elisabeth (Matt) Barnett, Maggie M. (Craig) Lee and Doyce Jerry (Diana) Aldridge; five great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Saturday, February 21, 2015, at 1 p.m.. at the Harvest Christian Center in Cantonment with the Rev. E.H. Haddock officiating.
Burial will follow at the Harvest Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday, February 21, 2015, from 11 a.m. until service time at 1:00 p.m. at the Harvest Christian Center in Cantonment.
Pallbearers will be Donnie Penton, Harry Comans, Larry Comans, Tyler Docherty, Ray Lewis and Jerry Hahn.
Honorary pallbearers will Lonnie Penton and Donald Whitehead.
Special thanks to Harry Comans and Jean Comans.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Emerald Coast Hospice @ 1555 N. Palafox, Pensacola, FL 32501.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Alabama.