Ernest Ward Gets Another Win, Outscoring Opponents 154-12 In Four Games
October 5, 2018
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles have outscored opponents 154-12 just four games into this season.
Only Saraland has scored against Ernest Ward, the only middle school football team in Escambia County, FL.
Thursday night, EWMS celebrated a homecoming win over the Eagles of W.S. Neal, 40-0.
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
Earlier this season, Ernest Ward defeated W.S. Neal 28-0, Summerdale 44-0, and Saraland 42-12.
Next Thursday, Ernest Ward will host Escambia County Middle School of Atmore, and they will wrap up their season October 18 on the road at Summerdale. Both games are at 6 p.m.
For a pep rally photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fundraising Lunch Today For Century Correctional Officer
October 5, 2018
A fundraising lunch will be held today for a Century Correctional Institution correctional officer that is battling pancreatic cancer. The meal will include a leg quarter, baked beans an coleslaw. Lunches will be available at the Century Fire Station on Tedder Road.
Sunny And Warm, Only A Slight Chance Of Weekend Rain
October 5, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Calm wind.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind around 5 mph.
Columbus Day: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Pictured: The sun sets Thursday evening behind an Escambia County EMS unit on a football game standby at Northview High School. Photo by Kayla Bedell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview JV Battles Back Hard In Game Against Catholic
October 5, 2018
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs may be few in number, but they held their own against Pensacola Catholic’s JV Thursday night in Bratt.
Catholic held a 20-0 lead in the fourth quarter, but the JV Chiefs came alive with two touchdowns in the final two minutes of the game for a final score of 20-16. The JV Chiefs only have 13 players.
Northview’s JV will travel to Atmore Monday to face the JV Blue Devils of Escambia County High School at 6 p.m.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Master Gardeners Winter Plant Sale Saturday In Cantonment
October 5, 2018
The Escambia County Master Gardeners will hold a Winter Vegetable Plant Sale Saturday from 8:30 until 10:30 at their demonstration garden at the Escambia County Extension Service, 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment. Available selections will grow very well in containers. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Investigates Sexual Abuse By Priests
October 5, 2018
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has launched a statewide probe into sexual abuse by Catholic priests, following a Pennsylvania grand jury report this summer that found more than 1,000 children were molested over decades by hundreds of priests whose wrongdoing was covered up by church leaders.
Bondi, whose office is investigating all seven Catholic dioceses in Florida, said Thursday she launched a tip site “to allow victims and anyone with information about priest abuse to report what they know.”
“Any priest that would exploit a position of power and trust to abuse a child is a disgrace to the church and a threat to society,” she said during a Tampa press conference.
Victims or people with information about past abuse can contact Bondi’s office through a special hotline or submit information on the internet.
“If you call in, please know, we want to help you. We want to counsel you, and we want to get to the bottom of anything that could have happened in our state,” said Bondi, who has made combating human trafficking and protecting victims among her top priorities during eight years in office. “Please share your story with us. Even if you’ve previously reported it to the church, to anyone, report it to us now.”
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is assisting Statewide Prosecutor Nick Cox with the probe, Bondi told reporters.
Bondi said she ordered the Florida statewide inquiry after the August release of the Pennsylvania grand jury’s chilling report of decades of child sexual abuse by priests whose crimes were protected by church leaders.
“When the case about Pennsylvania aired, I couldn’t sleep that night. The next morning I talked to my statewide prosecutor and said, ‘We have to look into this,’ and he wholeheartedly agreed,” said Bondi, adding that she has five lawyers working on the investigation.
The grand jury report revealed that 300 Catholic priests abused more than 1,000 identified child victims, but thousands more may have been affected. Senior church officials, bishops and monsignors “helped cover up priest abuse,” Bondi said.
“The citizens of Pennsylvania played a major role in reporting this by providing investigators vital stories about past abuse and potential coverups. We have reason to believe there are similar stories in Florida. I know it’s painful for you as a survivor to discuss past abuses. But your story will help bring justice to prevent future abuse,” she said.
Bondi, who is leaving office in January due to term limits, said it is too early to know how many Floridians, former residents or visitors may have been molested.
“As far as how widespread this is, frankly we have no idea right now,” she said. “We love the Catholic religion, the Catholic church. We love youth organizations and we love schools. But abuse is abuse.”
The seven Catholic dioceses in Florida “have been in dialogue with the statewide prosecutor and are cooperating with the investigation,” Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops spokeswoman Michele Taylor said in an email.
Several bishops issued statements expressing support for Bondi’s inquiry.
“This has been a very painful period for all Catholics. I hope the outcome of this investigation and other acts of transparency by the dioceses in Florida will bring about greater trust in the Church. Our goals are similar — to ensure the safety of all children and vulnerable adults and to prevent perpetrators of abuse from serving in active ministry,” Bishop Felipe Estévez, who heads the Diocese of St. Augustine, said.
Bishop Gregory Parkes of St. Petersburg said he welcomes the investigation “and want to assure the public that the Diocese of St. Petersburg has been and continues to be proactive in its efforts to keep children safe, which should be a priority for everyone.”
“We denounce all forms of sexual abuse by any person or any institution as a reprehensible crime and believe that perpetrators should be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” Parkes said in a statement.
Bondi said her office is issuing subpoenas and conducting interviews.
“We’re moving very fast, because, again, if this is going on in our state, we want to know and we want to know now,” Bondi said, while assuring victims that information will be kept confidential. “Getting the word out there is what it’s going to take.”
Bondi’s office said tips about past abuse can be reported at MyFloridaLegal.com/StopAbuse.
by Dara Kam The News Service of Florida
Florence Janette Martin Beck
October 5, 2018
Florence Janette Martin Beck, 77, of Atmore, AL, passed away on Sunday, September 30, 2018, in Pensacola, Florida.
Mrs. Beck was born on December 13, 1940, in Poarch, AL and had resided in McCullough, AL for most of her life. She was a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and attended the Poarch Community Church.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Elsie Martin Holland; father, Willis McGhee; son, Randall Martin; grandson, Wayne Murphy Jr.; sisters, Velma Amos and Helen Price; and brothers, Otha Martin and Levan Martin.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Kenneth Beck of McCullough, AL; son, Keith (Rochel) Martin of McCullough, AL; daughter, Anita Martin (Wayne) Murphy of Pensacola, FL; three sisters, Jean Ardis of Lottie, AL, Mary Jane (Eddie) Tullis of Poarch, AL and Nancy (Eddie) Lowrey of Atmore, AL; six brothers, Douglas Martin of Atmore, AL, JT Holland of Poarch, AL, Kent (Tracey) McGhee of Poarch, AL, Terry (Yvonne) McGhee of Poarch, AL, George (Sharon) McGhee of Atmore, AL and Danny McGhee of Poarch, AL; eight grandchildren, Melinda Martin, Marcus Murphy, Joseph Murphy, Samantha (Jonathan) Rolin, Jessica (Cody) Black, Rachel Martin, Scarlet Martin and Dawsen Martin; 13 great grandchildren, Justin Martin, Alexis Monroe, Ella Murphy, Mackenzie Murphy, Colton Murphy, Hadlea Murphy, Jacob Murphy, Jackson Rolin, Lily Rolin, Jacen Rolin, Amelia Kate Black, Manning Black and Brantley Sharpless; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held Thursday, October 4, 2018, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Chris Pruitt and Bro. Joe White officiating.
Burial was at the Judson Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Cody Black, Jonathan Rolin, Marcus Murphy, Joseph Murphy, Justin Martin and Dawsen Martin.
Honorary pallbearers were Gravis Sells, Tony Sells, Kent McGhee, Terry McGhee, Eddie Tullis and Lamar Martin.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Mary Frances Qualls Alverson
October 5, 2018
Mary Frances Qualls Alverson left this world Thursday, October 4, 2018, at 8:25 p.m. She was born July 14, 1933. She was 85. She began her married life as a military wife, being transferred to various bases; Mr. Alverson was shipped out to Korea, Mrs. Alverson and child returned to Uriah. She then began her career with Vanity Fair. She is preceded in death by her husband, William G. Alverson; parents, A.E. (Jack Qualls) and Stella (Greer) Qualls; and a brother, Juby Qualls.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Joyce (Billy) Lambert of Atmore, AL and Charles (Lenny) Alverson of Atmore, AL; grandchildren, Dennis (Janet) Jarrell of Atmore, AL, David Jarrell of Atlanta, GA, Sherry (Terry) White of Atmore, AL, Michael Alverson of Uriah, AL, Jamie Alverson of Uriah, AL and Ashley (Bryan) House of Excel, AL; 16 great-grandchildren; special nieces and nephews, Cindy (John) Brown of Monroeville, AL, Melissa Ezella of Daphne, AL and Joey Qualls of Mobile, AL; and numerous, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Memorial services will be at a later date.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Viola Elizabeth Lambert Conn
October 5, 2018
Viola Elizabeth Lambert Conn, 74 of Atmore, AL, passed away Monday, October 1, 2018, in Mobile, AL. She was a manager for Diamond Oil.
She was born on October 9, 1943, to the late Angus and Emma Presley Lambert.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Jeff Whisenant; brother, Douglas Lambert; and sisters, Gaynell Vaughn and Helen Burkett.
She is survived by two sons, Brandon Conn of Atmore, AL and Jerame (Lydia) Conn of Poarch, AL; two daughters, Tammy Dotson of Atmore, AL, and Lisa (Carlos) Hernandez of Houston, TX; three brothers, Donald (Judy) Lambert of Flomaton, AL, John Earl Reed and James Reed, both of Texas; two sisters, Lagatha Lilly and Wanda (Carey) Vowels both of Texas and many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services were held Thursday, October 4, 2018, from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Min. Matt Salter officiating.
Interment was in Serenity Gardens.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Former Inmate Charged With Stalking Century Prison Employee
October 4, 2018
A former Century Correctional Institution inmate is accused of stalking and damaging an employee’s vehicle in the prison’s staff housing area.
Ronald Wayne Boone, Jr. 41, was charged with stalking and felony criminal mischief with property damage.
Boone is accused of breaking the back glass out of the victim’s vehicle while it was parked in the staff housing area. He then allegedly returned about an hour later, yelling from his vehicle that has soon as the window was fixed, he would break it again.
Boone was previously an inmate at Century CI, but the victim said they had no issues during the incarceration. The victim said he believed the problems were because after he broke up with his girlfriend in March, and she married Boone in April, according to an arrest report.
Boone was released from prison, according to Florida Department of Corrections records, in December 2017 after serving five years on Escambia County charges of escape, grand theft and depositing a check with intent to defraud.