No Honor: Thieves Caught On Camera Stealing From Local Farmer
October 9, 2015
Two thieves apparently had no honor when it came to stealing deer corn being sold on the honor system by a Walnut Hill farmer.
About 6:30 Tuesday morning, the two men stopped at the farmer’s roadside bin on South Highway 99. They can be seen on surveillance video checking an honor box for cash and then loading up two bags of deer corn without making payment.
Both suspects are described as white males. One walked with a slight limp and appeared to be wearing some type of identification around his neck, similar to an employee badge. They were in an extended cab pickup with a camper shell. Both the camper shell and truck appeared to be red or maroon in color. The passenger rear-view mirror on the truck showed obvious damage.
Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
The complete surveillance video is at the bottom of this page.
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Panel Backs Removing Confederate Flag From Senate Seal
October 9, 2015
Lawmakers took a step toward removing the Confederate battle flag from the Senate’s official seal Thursday, as a committee unanimously voted to establish a new seal without the Civil War banner.
The Senate Rules Committee’s recommendation, which follows a request by Senate President Andy Gardiner and Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner to re-examine the flag’s place on the seal, is another sign of a backlash against the symbols of the South’s rebellion in the 1860s. The backlash has come after a white supremacist massacred nine black churchgoers in South Carolina this summer.
The new seal is likely to go to the full Senate in January, in the opening days of the annual legislative session. It would take effect if approved by a two-thirds vote of senators.
Under the proposal approved by the committee, the Senate’s official insignia would still include other non-American flags that flew over Florida, including the 1513 Spanish flag, the 1564 French flag and the 1763 flag of Great Britain. The United States flag and the Florida state flag would also appear on the marker.
During a presentation to members of the panel, Rules Chairman David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, highlighted post-Civil War rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court that held the decision by 11 Southern states to secede from nation was illegal.
Simmons said the Senate’s seal should include the flags of “those sovereignties that were legitimate sovereignties of this state.”
But it was impossible to escape the shadow that the Confederate flag has long cast over the politics of Florida and other Southern states. For many white Southerners, the battle flag is a commemoration of the military service and sacrifice of ancestors who fought against the Union.
For African-Americans, though, the banner is often a painful reminder of the brutal, slave-driven economy that was a central issue in the 1860 to 1865 war. Increasingly, white politicians have also joined in asking for the flag to be taken down in public spaces and otherwise set aside as a symbol of regional pride.
Joyner, a black Democrat from Tampa, said after the meeting that the effort to remove the flag from the seal is not an effort to wipe out the memory of what happened during the Civil War.
“I can remember it without seeing it on my lapel every day,” she told reporters after the meeting. “I mean, it’s reminiscent of a painful period. It’s time for healing, and I felt it was necessary to remove it.”
Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, had an even blunter way of putting it.
“Well, it is part of history, but the Nazi flag is part of history and shouldn’t be forgotten, but it also shouldn’t be lifted up,” he said.
Sen. Darren Soto, R-Orlando, pointed out several steps the Legislature has taken in recent years to promote racial reconciliation and bridge other gaps.
“It’s time for us to have the seal be consistent with our values,” Soto said. “We can’t revise history and choose which moments in our history to forget. But we can choose what we highlight in our seal that’s just and right.”
But the action is unlikely to halt all discussion of how the state memorializes the Civil War. Joyner voiced hope that lawmakers would also consider legislation (SB 154 and HB 243) seeking to ban government buildings or properties from displaying any flag used by the Confederacy.
The House and Senate could also consider legislation to replace a statue of Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, whose likeness is one of two sculptures that represent the state in the National Statuary Hall Collection at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Blackburn Running For Sheriff
October 9, 2015
Thursday, Rex Blackburn of Cantonment became the fifth candidate to prefile for Escambia County Sheriff in the 2016 general election.
Blackburn is running with no party affiliation. Incumbent David Morgan, Doug Baldwin, John Johnson and Ron McNesby have prefiled as Republicans.
Blackburn ran unsuccessfully for Escambia County School Board District 5 in 2000. He also prefiled for the Sheriff’s race in 2012, withdrawing his name during qualification week.
Northview Homecoming Today: What You Need To Know
October 9, 2015
Today is homecoming at Northview High School with a parade, the naming of class maids and homecoming queen, and football against Liberty County. And a road closure.
The parade will line up on the campus of Bratt Elementary School beginning at noon Friday. The parade will begin at Bratt Elementary at 12:45 p.m. and end with a pep rally in the Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium at Northview High. (The general public should not enter the Bratt Elementary campus.)
North Highway 99 from Bratt Elementary to Highway 4, and Highway 4 from North Highway 99 to Pine Barren Road, will be closed during the parade.
A homecoming meal will available Friday from 10 a.m. until from the football concession stand to support the Tommy Weaver Scholarship Fund. The $7 meal will include a BBQ pulled pork sandwich, chips, cookies and drink. To reserve lunch, call (850) 327-6681 ext. 248 or tickets are available in the Northview front office. Checks should be made payable to the NHS FFA Alumni.
Friday night homecoming festivities will begin at 6:00 Friday with presentation of the class maids and queen, with game kickoff set for 7 p.m. The class floats will be presented at halftime, and homecoming week winners will be announced.
Pictured: The 2015 Northview High School Homecoming Court seniors Amber Freeman, Savannah Roux, Jadlyn Agerton and Danielle Robinson. Not pictured: Jessica Amerson. One of these ladies will be crowned homecoming queen Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Rolls To 42-22 Win Over W.S. Neal
October 9, 2015
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles defeated W.S. Neal Middle Thursday night 42-22. With win, Ernest Ward improves to a perfect 7-0 on the season.
EWMS will look to make it a perfect season next Thursday at 6 p.m. as they take on Escambia County Middle School of Atmore at the Escambia County High School stadium.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Charged With Bank Robbery
October 9, 2015
An Escambia County man has been arrested for a Pensacola bank robbery.
Mario Antwan Likely, 39, turned himself in to the police after surveillance photos of him were released to local media. He has been charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
The incident occurred just after 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Wells Fargo on Bayou Boulevard after the suspect handed a teller a note demanding cash. She complied and he left the area on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police said the money has not been recovered.
Friday Night Football Schedule
October 9, 2015
Here is a look at tonight’s high school football games across the North Escambia area.
For live scoring from select games beginning at 7 p.m., click here to like our Facebook page, or click here to follow @northescambia on Twitter.
FLORIDA
Liberty County at Northview, 7 p.m.
Cottondale at Jay, 7 p.m.
Tate at Pace, 7:30 p.m.
Escambia at Navarre, 7:30 p.m
Gulf Breeze at Walton, 7 p.m.
Crestview at Milton. 7:30 p.m.
Catholic at West Florida, 7 :30 p.m.
OFF: Washington, Pine Forest. PHS
ALABAMA
Geneva at T.R. Miller
W.S. Neal at Thomasville
Mobile Christian at Flomaton
Williamson at Escambia County (Atmore)
Morgan Academy at Escambia Academy
Estelle Reynolds
October 9, 2015
Estelle Reynolds was born in Alma, GA and died in Sanford, KY on October 5, 2015. She was a resident of Byrneville for 65 years. She had been in Kentucky for four years to be near her daughter, Patricia who is an RN.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Reynolds; two sons “Cowboy” Bronzie Reynolds and “Tony” Antony Reynolds; grandson, Dwayne White; great-granddaughter, Callista White.
She is survived by daughters, Adelia (Leroy) White of Byrneville, Patricia Reynolds of Stanford, KY. and Jean Daniels (Charles) Steadham; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; Brother and sister-in-law Alford and Teresa Allen; sister-in-law, Jan Allen; sister and brother-in-law Shirley and Wade Robbin; and sisters, Sue Brock and Ruth Aspenwall.
A family graveside service was held October 9, 2015 at Byrneville United Methodist Church.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kenneth Jay Daniels
October 9, 2015
Kenneth Jay Daniels, age 53, of Cantonment, passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2015. He was employed at ASCEND for 25 years and was a United States Air Force veteran. He was a previous president of Cypress Lakes Golf Course, and previous vice-president and coach at Molino Recreation Association.
He is preceded in death by his father, Richard Lee Daniels.
He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Wilkes Daniels; son, Carson Daniels (14); mother, Akiko “Suzie” Daniels of Pace; sister, Kim (Rick) Richert of Dunedin, FL; niece, Brenda (Jayson) Piatak of Pace; nephews, Tristan and Linkin Piatak; six uncles; three aunts; and 25 cousins in Okinawa.
Pallbearers will be Jayson Piatak, Rick Richert, Arty Kleinatland, John Williams, Keith Gilley and Stephen Hughes.
Honorary pallbearers will be Russell Sheldt, Tracy Collier, Terry St. Cyr, Jerry Venable and Jayson Ging.
Funeral services were held Saturday, October 3, 2015 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Reverend Brian Calhoun officiating.
Interment followed at Eastern Gate Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken’s memory can be made to Carson’s College Fund. Checks may be payable to: Carson Daniels, P.O. Box 533, Molino, FL 32577.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Jason Bradley Tolbert, Jr.
October 9, 2015
Mr. Jason Bradley Tolbert, Jr. (Man), age 19, of Atmore, passed away Monday, October 5, 2015, in a vehicle accident. Jason was a 2015 graduate of Escambia County High School. He was employed at G.A. West in Mobile, where he starting working right out of high school. He was also in welding classes at Jefferson Davis Community College. Jason loved big, loud, fast trucks, mud riding, loud music, helping people, and spending time with friends.
Jason was preceded in death by two grandfathers, Harry Thomas Tolbert, and Larry Walker Paul, Sr.; and Godfather, Buddy Peavy.
Mr. Jason was survived by his father and mother, Brad and Michelle Tolbert of Atmore; one brother, Jordan Tolbert of Atmore; and one sister, Jaclyn Tolbert of Atmore; two grandmothers, Patricia Tolbert of Little River, AL and Lorraine Paul of Perdido; one uncle and aunt, Larry Paul and Stephanie Kendrick of Atmore; two cousins, Deidra Paul and Austin Kendrick of Atmore; his Godmother, Wanda Peavy of Little River; his girlfriend, Dallas Lindsey of Lottie; and many, many other uncles, aunts, and cousins as well as many friends.
Funeral services will be Saturday, October 10, 2015, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. D.L. Harville, Bro Ray Harville and Sis. Helen Stewart officiating.
Burial will follow at the Stockton Memorial Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jordan Tolbert, Buzzy Jordan, Jacob Bailey, Blake Young, Jacob Gibbs, Kyle Hinson, Aaron Lambeth, Canyon Moye, Clay Walker and Bill Hastings.
Honorary pallbearers will be a host of friends.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.