UWF Police Investigating Aggravated Assault At Campus Dorm Building
February 26, 2016
Authorities are searching for two suspects involved in an aggravated assault on the University of West Florida campus.
Witnesses told UWF Police that two black men armed with a revolver and wearing ski masks walked into Martin Hall at UWF Wednesday night. One suspect is reportedly 6′0 and the other is 5′11″. One suspect had on dark colored shorts and the other had on light colored shorts.
Anyone with information is asked to call the UWF Police Department at (850) 474-2415.
Security at the dorm was increased after the incident.
Seven Injuries In Pine Forest Road Crash
February 26, 2016
Seven people were injured, and a family pet did not survive a Thursday evening crash on Pine Forest Road north of 9 and 1/2 Mile Road.
At least one of the two injured adults were transported to an area hospital as a “trauma alert”. Five of the injured were juveniles, all in stable condition.
One family pet reportedly died in the crash, while a dog survived.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details have not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
‘Golden Cow Dung Award’ Presented To Laura Chavers
February 26, 2016
Ernest Ward Middle School teacher Laura Chavers received the seventh annual “Golden Cow Dung Award” from members of the Ernest Ward FFA. The award presented Thursday afternoon featured a large piece of cow dung, painted a golden color and mounted on a board painted in school colors.
(Cow dung, in case you did not know, is what you are probably thinking it is. It’s that natural byproduct that cows drop in the field. The award is 100 percent real dung spray painted a golden color. The golden piece presented Friday is actually the first award piece created seven years ago.)
Chavers received the award from the school’s FFA members as a “thank you” for supporting FFA. The same Golden Cow Dung Award was presented last year to staff member Barbara Ryals. Previous awards were presented to Betty Coon, history teacher Kenneth Hicks, teacher’s assistant Lindsey Kelley, Family & Consumer Science teacher Kathy Ellis and Principal Nancy Perry.
More than half a million members around the nation participated in National FFA Week activities at the local and state levels this week.
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School FFA Golden Cow Dung Award presentation to Laura Chavers Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview High Honors Faculty Members On Military Appreciation Day
February 26, 2016
Northview High School celebrated a Military Appreciation Day on Thursday, honoring faculty and staff members that have served. Pictured are: (L-R) Joseph Chastain, Navy; Sid Wheatley, Air Force; David Crumm, Navy; Captain Charlie Code, Navy; (front) James Mortez, Navy; James Riggs, Navy; Heather Crumm, Army; Gerry Pippins, National Guard; Jason Stabler, Air Force; and Ernest Slaybaugh, Navy. Not pictured are Rachel Pleasant, Navy and Chief Jeffrey Simpkins, Navy. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Firefighter’s Home Heavily Damaged By Fire
February 26, 2016
Fire heavily damaged the home of a Flomaton fireman late Thursday morning.
The mobile home fire in the 1700 block of Jordan Road just outside Flomaton possibly originated with a clothes dryer, according to Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton.
No one was home at the time of the fire, and there were no injuries.
The Flomaton, Friendship and Pineview fire departments from Alabama and the Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were all dispatched to the blaze.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Farm Auction Is Saturday
February 26, 2016
The 42st Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction will be held this Saturday, February 27 beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The auction includes not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques and more. Items can be received on Friday.
Settlement must be made the day of the sale; unknown buyers must have cash, cashier’s check, major credit card, or a letter of credit from their bank. Items must be removed within 24 hours.
Concessions will be available all day from the Ruritan Club.
The sale will be located at the Walnut Hill Community Center on Highway 97 just north of Ernest Ward Middle School.
For more information or consignments, call (850) 384-5761 or (850) 327-4292.
Pictured: Hundreds attended a previous Walnut Hill Ruritan Club farm equipment auction in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Fracking Bill Stalls In Senate Committee But Could Return
February 26, 2016
A controversial bill about the regulation of “fracking” in Florida stalled Thursday in a key Senate committee but could return next week.
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 10-9 against the measure (SB 318), filed by Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples. Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R- Fort Myers, then moved to reconsider the bill, a procedural move that kept it alive.
Committee Chairman Tom Lee, a Bandon Republican who voted for the measure, said he is inclined to put it on the agenda for a meeting Tuesday. A House version (HB 191), filed by Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, was approved in a 73-45 vote last month
“It probably would be my tendency to re-agenda the bill, unless Senator Richter does not want to do that,” Lee said after the meeting. “But we would only hear the bill if there was some kind of compromise worked out that would change the outcome.”
The bill would set up a state permitting process for fracking, a method of drilling that involves injecting water, sand and chemicals underground to create fractures in rock formations, allowing natural gas and oil to be released.
Among other things, the bill would require companies to inform the state Department of Environmental Protection of chemicals they inject into the ground, although with some restrictions. Also, the bill would set aside $1 million for a study on the impact of fracking, with a temporary moratorium until the study is completed and the Legislature can act.
“A study removes the emotion and permits science to drive the issue,” Richter said. “I want science driving the issue.”
The bill is backed by the Florida Petroleum Council, Associated Industries of Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. It is opposed by environmental groups and dozens of local governments that have approved fracking bans. Among the bill’s most-controversial provisions is that it would only allow the state to impose a ban.
“The citizens and local governments recognize … the bill’s intent is to pave the way for fracking in Florida in the future,” the group Floridians Against Fracking said in a statement after the vote.
Thursday’s discussion, which lasted more than two hours, included testimony from officials including Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jon Steverson and Deputy Secretary Paula Cobb, who oversees regulatory programs. That part of the meeting centered on whether the state already has the authority to regulate fracking without passing the bill.
For instance, Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, asked Cobb if the department had ever denied a permit to drill a well, and under what circumstances. Fracking is widespread in other parts of the country, with critics alleging that it has effects such as contaminating water.
“Now, I can’t imagine anything worse than what I’ve heard about fracking,” Montford said. “So if we can deny it for (another) reason, why can’t we deny that same permit for information and data and scientific research that’s already been done on fracking?”
Cobb said the department would have to base any denial on specific criteria in the law.
“We as an agency can’t just deny a permit because we feel like it,” she said. “We have to follow the law.” And specifically in the oil and gas statutes, she said, “There is a requirement in that law that says we have to have valid reasons, based on permitting criteria, to deny those permits. And so how I would distinguish that framework from what we have with hydraulic fracturing is I don’t have anything specific in law today which would provide me with criteria to deny a permit.”
Montford noted that other states have had difficulties with fracking. “Can’t we rely on that information, that scientific data … to make a decision in Florida that we can deny this well permit?” he asked. “You don’t have that legal authority to do that today?”
“We don’t currently have in the statute … the ability to require a separate permit for this activity,” Cobb replied.
In debate, Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, said the department was “tap-dancing” on the question.
Lee said he had similar questions but would give Richter the benefit of the doubt.
“Everybody who spoke against this bill asked for a ban,” Richter said. “A ‘no’ vote does not get you a ban.”
After the meeting, Sen. Darren Soto, an Orlando Democrat who has sought to pass a fracking ban, said opponents will try to prevent the bill from getting out of the Appropriations Committee.
“There’s a small chance this could come back, but it’s all but dead,” Sierra Club Florida lobbyist Dave Cullen said. “I don’t think the legislators have the stomach for this bill. Voters will remember fracking at the polls.”
Free Food Distribution Saturday For Pensacola Tornado Victims
February 26, 2016
Farm Share is partnering with Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Doug Broxson, Rep. Mike Hill, and Rep. Clay Ingram for a disaster relief food distribution on Saturday.
Families in need in the Pensacola area after the devastation of the tornado last week will be provided Farm Share food and supply bags free of charge. Each household will receive a variety of fresh produce, canned & dried food, water, juice, paper products, and other needed essentials. This is a first come, first served distribution.
The distribution will take place at Hillcrest Baptist Spanish Trail, 3960 Spanish Trail Rd. Pensacola on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Pictured: A Farm Share food distribution for tornado victims last Saturday in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wins For Tate, Northview
February 26, 2016
Thursday scores:
Tate 8, Crestview 0
The Tate Aggies beat Crestview Thursday night in Cantonment, 8-0. All eight of Tate’s points came in the second inning.
Jake Davis pitched five innings for Tate, allowing no runs and just three hits and striking out four.
Tate hitters were: josh Kea 1-2, 3 RBI, 2 R; Logan Blackmon 1-2, RBI, R; Hunter NeSmith 1-2, 2 RBI, R; Brandon Fryman 1-4; Mason Land 2-2, RBI, R.
The Tate Aggies will host Milton on Friday at 6 p.m.
Northview 5, Baker 3
Northview 10, Baker 3 (JV)
The Northview Chiefs took two from Baker Thursday, with the varsity winning 5-3 and the JV topping the Gators 10-3.
SOFTBALL
Northview 6, Catholic 1
The Northview Chiefs beat Catholic 6-1 Thursday night. Northview’s Tori Herrington struck out 14 Crusaders for the Northview win. Herrington pitched seven, allowing one hit, no walks and no earned runs. At bat, she was 1-4 with a triple and a run.
Daphne Young went 3-3 with a run. Aubree Love was 1-4 with 2 RBI’s. Laurie Purdy was 1-4 with an RBI. Kendall Enfinger went 1-4 and Lydia Smith was 1-3.
Northview will host Freeport Friday night with the JV playing at 4:00 and varsity at 6:00.
Pictured: Northview beats Baker Thursday night in Baker. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Free Storm Recovery Legal Assistance Today In Century
February 26, 2016
-Legal Services of North Florida will be at the Century Business Center providing free property related legal assistance today from noon – 4:00 p.m. Additional days TBD.
Not able to meet with them in person ? Call (850) 432-8222. Titles/deeds, homestead exemptions and back taxes must in be order before applying for any available damage aid.