Jay Peanut Festival Set For This This Weekend
October 2, 2015
The annual Jay Peanut Festival is this weekend.
For more than 20 years, The Jay Peanut Festival at the Gabbert Farm has been a fall tradition on the Gulf Coast, showcasing the history, agriculture, food and fun of Santa Rosa County. What started as a chance for local kids and farmers to show off their best of the season has become an annual event covering 15 acres and drawing about 70,000 people to the Gabbert farm over two days.
“I describe it to people as being like an old-fashioned county fair, without the carnival rides,” said Brenda Gabbert, who has coordinated the festival with her husband, Gene, for over 25 years.
“It’s all about farming and rural life. That’s what we try to show people,” she said. “It’s good for the whole family. There is something for everybody. We really cater to the kids.”
The event includes the 1930s Farm Museum, food booths, dozens of arts and crafts vendors, pony rides, games and fun. The Jay Peanut Festival is also a chance to try all varieties of peanuts – boiled, green, fried, candied and more.
Admission is free, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Gabbert farm is located at 3604 Pine Level Road.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Man Fires At Deputies
October 2, 2015
Shots were fired at deputies in Santa Rosa county Thursday afternoon.
Deputies responded to the 5800 block of Pebble Ridge Drive after a man threatened to kill himself. When they arrived, the man opened fire with a 45 caliber handgun toward the deputies. They were able to talk him into a peaceful surrender with no injuries.
Alan Patterson, 55, was taken into custody and booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail.
David Stafford Seeks Fourth Term As Elections Boss
October 2, 2015
Incumbent David Stafford prefiled Thursday for his fourth term as Escambia County Supervisor of Elections. Stafford, a Republican, was first elected to the position in 2004 No other candidate has prefiled to date for the position. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.co, click to enlarge.
Health Start Family Fun Day Saturday In Century
October 2, 2015
The Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition and Abundant Life Day Care will hold their first annual Family Fun Day Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon.
The free event will take place from 10 a.m. until noon at the Abundant Life Assembly of God at 8040 North Century Boulevard. The even will include family fun, games, hands-on demonstrations, and educational activities. Hots dogs and snacks will be provided.
Escambia Man Gets Prison For Shooting Death Of Football Standout
October 2, 2015
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to prison for the fatal shooting of a football standout.
Xavier Tyrone Moore was sentenced by Circuit Judge Linda Nobles to 25 years in state prison as a habitual felony offender for third degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Moore was convicted on July 21, 2015 by an Escambia County jury.
The charges stemmed from the June 13, 2014, shooting death of Shaquille Purifoy. While Moore was sitting on the trunk of a car off of Country Walk Drive, he had a loaded .38 caliber Derringer pistol in his lap. When he got up from the trunk of the car, the pistol fell on the ground and discharged one time. The one shot struck Purifoy in the head, a fatal wound.
Moore’s prior record includes robbery, possession of a firearm by convicted felon, felony battery and multiple drug offenses. Based on the charges and his prior record, Moore faced up to 60 years in state prison.
Purifoy was on the basketball and football teams at Pine Forest High School and went on to play football for Grambling State University.
Escambia Man Gets Life For Shooting Jogger In The Face
October 2, 2015
Roosevelt Bonner, Jr. was sentenced Thursday by Circuit Judge Ross Goodman to life in state prison for attempted first degree premeditated murder. He was sentenced as a prison releasee reoffender and under Florida’s 10-20-Life statute. His life sentence will be served day for day without the possibility of parole.
On August 22, 2014 the victim was jogging on Avery Street when he was approached by Bonner, He asked the victim a question but the victim did not understand what Bonner was asking so he kept jogging. The victim is Vietnamese and does not speak English. A few blocks down the road, Bonner approached the victim once again, pointing a gun to his face and firing one shot in the victim’s cheek.
Bonner was located by law enforcement the next day at the Kangaroo Express on Mobile Highway. Located in the bathroom trash can was a .32 caliber handgun. DNA testing revealed Bonner’s DNA on the pistol. Ballistic testing matched that firearm to the casing recovered at the scene of the crime. Three days after the shooting, the victim identified Bonner in a photo lineup.
Ernest Ward Beats Atmore
October 2, 2015
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles defeated the Eagles of Escambia County Middle School (Atmore) Thursday, 44-20.
Ernest Ward improved to a perfect 6-0 on the year with the win.
Ernest Ward will host W.S. Neal next Thursday, October 8 at 6 p.m. in Walnut Hill.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Faces Up To Life For Kidnapping, Firearm Charges
October 2, 2015
Aki Rashaad Henderson was convicted by an Escambia county jury on September 30 of armed Burglary with a firearm, armed kidnapping with a firearm, aggravated assault with a firearm, and shooting into a building.
On November 3, 2014, the victim was sitting in his vehicle at his residence when Henderson pulled open his car door and hit him in the face with a firearm. Henderson told the victim to take him inside the house or he would “blow his brains out.” When Henderson forced the victim into his house at gunpoint, the victim slammed Henderson’s arm in the door. At that time, Henderson fired one shot toward the victim and fled the scene. The victim was later able to identify HJenderson in a photo lineup as the suspect.
Circuit Judge Michael Jones scheduled Henderson to be sentenced on October 14. Henderson is facing a minimum mandatory sentence of 23 years with the possibility of life in state prison. Henderson will be required to serve at least 23 years of his prison sentence, day for day, without the possibility of gain time or parole.
Today Is Deadline To Enter Northview Homecoming Parade
October 2, 2015
Today is the deadline to enter the annual Northview High School Homecoming Parade. The parade has been set for Friday, October 9.
The parade will line up at noon and travel from Bratt Elementary School to Northview High. Entries are being accepted now; there is no cost to enter. For a printable entry form, click here. Entries are due by October 2.
Contact Perry Byars at (850) 327-6681 ext. 248 for more information.
The Northview Chief’s homecoming game will kickoff at 7 p.m. on October 9 against Liberty County.
Pictured: A float in the 2014 Northview High Homecoming Parade in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Crews Heading For East Coast Before Hurricane
October 2, 2015
A cavalry of more than 100 crew and support staff, including 52 line personnel, from Gulf Power are departing Friday to help Dominion Virginia Power in Richmond, VA, to prepare for possible widespread outages in the area due to Hurricane Joaquin.
The crews will strike out Friday morning from various company locations including Pensacola, Crestview and Chipley.
“Our crews are very experienced at storm restoration and we are always happy to help other utilities in the face of a major storm,” said Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson. “Hopefully the storm will track in a different direction but if it does hit the East Coast, Gulf Power crews will be ready to help restore power for Dominion’s customers living in the region.”
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.