Walnut Hill Fire Honors Firemen, Community Members During Fish Fry
November 8, 2009
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department honored members of the community and the department during their annual fish fry Saturday.
Royce Ward was recognized for his part in forming the fire department in 1965. The fire department was organized by the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club, under the leadership of Ward who served as the group’s president.
The WHVFD presented their Community Service Award to Escambia Grain Manager Ed Nowlin for his long-time service to the Walnut Hill community.
The Officer of the Year Award was presented to Deputy Chief Kevin Mininger. Mininger joined the department in 1987, advancing to deputy chief by 2008.
Jonathan Koehn was named Firefighter of the Year. Koehn joined the fire department in early 2008 and completed his state Firefighter I certification by the end of the year.
Saturday’s fish fry marked the 40th annual event for the department, with over 550 fish and chicken plates sold.
“I would like to thank the department for all they do,” Escambia County Fire Chief Frank Edwards said. “We could not do what we do without the volunteer departments, especially up here.”
For more photos from the 40th annual Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department fish fry, click here.
Pictured top: Andrew Peters (left) takes fish out of a fryer with the help of Chad Rigby Saturday at the annual Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department fish fry. Pictured inset: Community Service Ward winner Ed Nowlin. Pictured below: The department sold over 550 plates of chicken or fish. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Otta’ The Woods: Hunting Season And Rule Info You Need To Know
November 8, 2009
The archery hunting season is in full swing in Northwest Florida, and now is the time to prepare for the other upcoming seasons, including the anxiously awaited Thanksgiving weekend deer season.
The first thing you need to do is pick up a $17 Florida resident hunting license. Nonresidents pay $46.50 for a 10-day license or $151.50 for 12 months.
If you plan to hunt one of Florida’s many wildlife management areas (WMAs), you’ll also need a $26.50 management area permit, but don’t forget to study the brochure for the specific area you plan to hunt, because dates, bag limits and rules differ greatly from area to area.
You can buy your license and permits over the telephone by calling toll-free 888-HUNT-FLORIDA or online at www.wildlifelicense.com/fl. Just have your credit card ready. You also can purchase them from tax collectors’ offices and most retail outlets that sell hunting and fishing supplies.
The general gun season comes in Thanksgiving Day and lasts four days through November 29. Two weeks later, the season reopens December 12 and runs through February 17.
Hunters can take bucks having at least one antler 5 inches or longer. On private lands, the daily bag limit for deer is two.
On private lands, hunters can take wild hogs year-round with no bag or size limits. On most – but not all – WMAs, there’s also no bag or size limit on wild hogs, and hunters can take them during any hunting season except spring turkey. Check the WMA brochure to be certain.
The highly anticipated antlerless deer season, often called “doe week,” is December 19-25.
During doe week, the daily bag limit’s one buck and one doe, or two bucks. You may not take two does in one day like you may during archery season, and spotted fawns are never legal game. And by the way, WMAs do not have an antlerless deer season.
If you hunt with deer dogs anywhere in Florida, special rules and registration requirements may apply, so call the FWC for details.
Fall turkey season in the Northwest Hunting Zone is November 26-29 and December 12 – January 17. Only bearded turkeys and gobblers are legal game, and you must have a $5 turkey permit to hunt them. The bag limit’s one bird per day, and a total of two during the archery, crossbow, muzzleloading gun and fall turkey seasons combined.
Quail and gray squirrel season runs statewide November 14 – March 7. There’s a daily bag limit of 12 for each, but shooting fox squirrels is against the law.
Shooting hours for deer, turkeys, quail and gray squirrels is a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. All legal firearms, muzzleloaders, bows, crossbows and handguns are legal for taking these resident game animals during the general gun, antlerless deer, fall turkey, and quail and gray squirrel seasons.
Snipe hunting in Florida ranks second in the nation in number of birds harvested each year, and the season runs November 1 – February 15 statewide. The second phase of the mourning and white-winged dove season also comes in this month and runs November 14-29. Shooting hours for migratory game birds are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. The bag limit for snipe is eight; and for doves, the bag limit is 15.
You must get a no-cost migratory bird permit if you plan to hunt snipe, doves or any other migratory game birds.
The FWC even provides an online “Dove Hunters’ Hotline,” which gives up-to-date information on Florida’s public dove fields. The address is MyFWC.com/Dove, and it’s updated every Thursday throughout the dove season. Information includes dove densities, previous weeks’ harvests and field conditions.
Whether small-game hunting with friends and family or hunting solo, going after that monster buck, boar hog or big tom, November brings loads of great hunting opportunities.
Here’s wishing you a happy Thanksgiving and a successful hunting season.
Northwest Florida Hunting Season Dates
(not applicable on wildlife management areas)
Archery Oct. 17 – Nov. 15
Deer-dog training Oct. 31 – Nov. 19
Crossbow Nov. 30 – Dec. 6
Muzzleloading gun Nov. 20-22 & Feb. 18-28
General gun Nov. 26-29 & Dec. 12 – Feb. 17
Antlerless deer Dec. 19-25
Fall turkey Nov. 26-29 & Dec. 12 – Jan. 17
Quail and gray squirrel Nov. 14 – March 7
Bobcat and otter Dec. 1 – March 1
Spring turkey March 20 – April 25
Wild hogs, rabbits, raccoons, opossums, skunks, nutrias, beavers and coyotes may be taken year-round.
Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, except during spring turkey season when shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until sunset on private lands.
For hunting regulations and dates on wildlife management areas, click the following links:
For other wildlife management area regulations, click here.
For complete Florida hunting information, click here.
Schools Plan Veterans Day Programs
November 8, 2009
Veterans were scheduled to honored at schools across North Escambia this week.
However, Escambia County Schools are closed Monday and Tuesday due to Hurricane Ida.
The following information from a previous story includes events that were planned, that will obviously no longer take place as planned
Veterans Day programs and events will be held as follows:
Ernest Ward Middle School
The annual Veterans Day program will be held at 9:30 Monday morning at Ernest Ward Middle School. All veterans, parents and community members are invited to attend a special assembly in honor of Veterans Day in school’s gym.
Molino Park Elementary
Molino Park Elementary students will honor military veterans on Monday afternoon at 1:00with a patriotic program and donation drive for April Emerald Coast Honor Flight. Each grade level will sing two songs. Special guests will be the Northview High School NJROTC Color Guard, guest speaker Mr. Gary Cooper, and Mrs. Sheila Allen and Mrs. Ginny Cruz, singer/songwriters, singing “Stand Up America”. For further information please contact Alice Woodward, principal, at (850) 587-5265.
Northview High
Northview High School will hold it’s Veterans Day program at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10 in the school theater.
Bratt Elementary
Bratt Elementary will be hosting an “honor walk” Monday morning for the Emerald Coast Honor Flight. An area in the front of the school will be dedicated to honor service men and women. Flags will be sold for a minimum donation of $1 in honor of or in memory of the men and women who have served or are serving our country. The flags will be tagged with the name of the service person, the branch of service, and the student’s name. The flags will be displayed November 9th – November 20th in front of the school. All donations will be given to the Emerald Coast Honor Flight to send WWII veterans to Washington DC. Each student who brings in a donation will place a flag or flags on the Honor Walk. Students will take the flags home on November 23rd. For further information, please contact Tammy Calloway, intervention specialist, 327-6137, ext. 264.
Jim Allen Elementary
Jim Allen Elementary School will host a fund raiser kick off, “Honor a Vet with Flight” for the Emerald Coast Honor Flight. During this week students, faculty, and staff will be raising money to send a veteran to Washington D.C. The hallways of the school will be decorated using patriotic themes. The event will culminate with a school-wide assembly at the flagpole on Friday, November 13 at 7:45 a.m. Students, faculty and staff will wear red, white and blue and veterans from the community have been invited. For more information, please contact Rachel Watts, principal, 937-2260.
NWE Midgets Win Playoff Game In Last 3.3 Seconds
November 8, 2009
The Northwest Escambia Midgets beat defending Gulf Coast Youth Football Alliance champions Ensley Gold 6-0 in Saturday playoff action.
NWE pulled off the 6-0 win with a touchdown in the last 3.3 seconds of the game in round two of the GCYFA playoffs in Milton. With the win, the Northwest Escambia Eagles will advance to the semifinals next Saturday against either A&G or Milton Gold.
Daulton Tullis recovered the kickoff, and NWE started play at first and 10 at about the 41 yard line. Quarterback Tullis handed off to Taylor Reyes, and Reyes gained four yards on the first down of the ballgame. From second and six, the Eagles Tullis handed off to Reyes again, and he was met at line of scrimmage for no gain. At third down and six, Reyes lost a couple of yards. With fourth and seven, Brannon Freeman was in to punt. Ensley blocked the punt and took over first and 10 at the NWE 36. Ensley was pushed back to the 46 yard line, making it first and a long 20 to go.
Ensley Gold then fumbled the ball away to the Eagles at their own 44 yard line. Tullis handed off to Ryder Gifford for three to the 43. On second down, Reyes was up the middle to just shy of the midfield mark with about four minutes to go in the first quarter. On third and five, Gifford crossed into Ensley territory to the 49. Faced with fourth and three, Ensley jumped offside, putting NWE at first and 10 from the 44.
Freeman gained three on the first down to the 41, and on second down, it was Freeman again with five to the Ensley 36. Reyes took the next hand off, but was just shy of the first down. On fourth down down, Freeman gained a NWE first down at the Ensley 33.
With 47 seconds to go in the first, Freeman lost a yard. On second down, Tullis pitched to Freeman to end the first quarter in Milton.
Tied scoreless headed into the second quarter, Freeman gained good ground to the 31 yard line. NWE went for it on fourth on nine, with a incomplete pass from Tullis. Ensley took over at their own 31. Ensley drove as close their own 17, and then lost ground on a penalty.
Northwest Escambia took over at their own 21 with about four minutes to go in the first half. A Tullis to Reyes hand off gained nothing for NWE. Freeman then drove out to the 30 yard line to make it third and inches with 3:14 in the half. On a QB keeper, Tullis then picked up the first down with a gain of four on the play. The next downs, NWE was unable to gain any territory.
Ensley Gold took over inside the NWE 30 with 54 seconds in the second. A Sherouse tackle stopped Ensley with just over one on the first down. Ensley’s drive was ended by a fumble recovered by NWE inside the Ensley Gold 20 with 20 seconds to go in the half.
Headed into the half, the score was still tied 0-0 in round two of the Gulf Coast Youth Football Alliance playoffs in Milton.
In the third, Ensley drove to the 41 before falling short of a first down. On two downs, Freeman picked up a NWE first down at the Ensley 48. On a quarterback keeper, Tullis picked up about three. Freeman lost about three, then Reyes picked up about six on a carry. Freemen then went up the middle and fell short of the first down with 3:16 to go in the third quarter.
From the 37, Freeman and Gifford brought the Ensley QB to the ground for a loss in the backfield. On third and 15 with a minute in the third, Ensley’s QB went down on a hard sack by the Eagle’s Deonte Mitchell.
The third quarter ended with the score still tied with no score.
Brannon Freeman started the fourth with a 2-yard run, and it was downhill from there. NWE was forced to punt, and Ensley returned to the NWE 40 with under seven minutes in a scoreless game.
On Ensley’s first down, they fumbled the ball away to the NWE Midgets at the 41 with 6:13 to go in the game. Tullis then drove to the 39 for eight and two on the play. Reyes broke to the outside for a NWE first down at the Ensley 28. on first down, Reyes gained another NWE first down to the 18.
After a short loss, the Eagles where third and 11 with 3:15 on the clock. A Tullis to Brannon Freeman pass was incomplete for fourth and 12. The Eagles went for it, a Tullis pass into the end zone was incomplete.
Ensley then took over at their on 19 with 3:05 to go in the playoff game. They managed to drive to their own 40 with a minute on the clock. With 30 seconds on the clock, Ensley picked up a first down at their own 41. With 17 seconds on the clock, Tullis blocked an Ensley pass, knocking it to the ground.
Second and 10 on their own 41, an Ensley pass was picked off by Brannon Freeman who returned it to the NWE 29.
With just 3.3 seconds to go in the scoreless game, the Northwest Escambia Midget Eagles had time for just one play. Tullis attempted a perfect pass deep into the end zone to Brannon Freeman. Freeman jumped and caught the pigskin for a NWE win, 6-0, over Ensley Gold.
Northwest Escambia entered the tournament as the number 12 seed. They started their league championship bid last week by beating undefeated powerhouse Myrtle Grove 12-6.
Members of the Northwest Escambia Midgets are: Brannon Freeman, Daulton Tullis, Thomas Rolin, Olan Barlow, Deonte Mitchell, John Rhodes, Ryder Gifford, Dylan Berry, Chason Freeman, Logan Sherouse, Zachary Holland, Taylor Reyes, Gavin Grant, Brodie Amos, David Edwards, Dalton Daniel, Elijah Harbison and Matthew Lee.
Next week, the NWE Eagles will continue their Midget championship playoff bid against the Albritton & Grant Rattlers. The Rattlers are coming off a 7-6 upset of the Milton Panthers Saturday afternoon.
Pictured above: The Northwest Escambia Midgets celebrate after a 6-0 win in the last 3.3 seconds of their league playoff game against Ensley Gold Saturday. Submitted photo by Wayne Holland for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Church Holds Byrneville Carnival; Century Care Residents Visit
November 8, 2009
The Mt. Zion Chapel held a fall carnival Saturday, and some of the residents from Century Care Center were their special guests.
The carnival, at the Byrneville Community Center, featured a variety of fun games and food.
Pictured above and below: Residents from Century Care Center enjoyed a fall carnival sponsored by Mt. Zion Chapel Saturday at the Byrneville Community Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area Students Selected For All-State Band
November 8, 2009
Several North Escambia area students were among 462 selected for one of six 2010 All-State bands by the Florida Bandmasters Association.
In order to audition for the All-State bands, students were required to sight read two pieces of music and perform two prepared exercises.
Area students selected were: Tate High, trumpet; Jakob Wisdom, Tate High, trumpet; Kayla Smith, Ransom Middle, flute; Noah Heintz, Ransom Middle, trombone; Jacob Charles, Ransom Middle, tuba; Bree Mendoza, Jay High, flute; Austin Herring, Jay High, trombone; and Nick McMellon, Jay High, trombone.
The Florida All-State bands will perform in Tampa January 7-10.
Northview Chiefs Sting The Yellow Jackets 20-14
November 7, 2009
The Northview Chiefs came from behind beat the Vernon Yellow Jackets 20-14 Friday night. The Chief’s, who were 2-8 last year, are now 7-2.
The Yellow Jackets (4-5, 3-5) led the ballgame 7-0 at the end of the first quarter. They stung again in the second quarter after a long drive after a Northview fumble to increase their lead to 14-0.
“You were down 14-0 and ran off 20 straight points,” first-year Northview Head Coach Sid Wheatley told his jubilant Chiefs. “That is a great, great win.”
On the last play of the half, a 61-yard pass from Brandon Sheets to La’Mikal Kyles gave Northview a touchdown. With a good kick through the uprights for Brandon Lowery, and Chiefs had closed Vernon’s lead to 14-7 headed to the lockers on a cool night in Vernon.
Northview intercepted a Vernon pass on their opening drive of the third. The Chiefs, led by Roderick Woods and Jeremy Jackson, marched the ball down to about the Yellow Jacket four. Freshman Roderick Woods took the ball on a 21-yard touchdown run. After a good kick from Lowery, the game was tied 14-14 with 5:25 to go in the third quarter.
The Chiefs’ Levi Gideons recovered a Vernon fumble early in the fourth to take possession on Yellow Jacket’s 30.
Woods picked up a 5-yard touchdown drive with 6:52 to go in the game. A missed kick, and the Chiefs were on top 20-14.
Vernon’s next drive came to an end when Northview recovered a Yellow Jacket fumble at the Chiefs’ 39.
The Yellow Jacket’s final attempt at the end zone came to an end with 37 seconds on the clock with two incompletions.
The remainder of the fourth was scoreless, giving the Chiefs a District 1-1A win over Vernon, 20-14.
The Chiefs will play their final game of the season Friday night in Pensacola against West Florida Tech.
Despite their winning season, the Chiefs (7-2, 6-2) will not make the District 1-1A playoffs. The Freeport Bulldogs are tops in the district with a perfect 8-0 district record, and South Walton has just one district loss. Freeport and South Walton were the only losses of the season for Northview.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Battle Of Highway 4: Jay Beats Rival Baker 21-7
November 7, 2009
The Jay Royals won the Battle of Highway 4 Friday night, beating the Baker Gators 21-7.
The Jay Royals were the first to score Friday night at Baker. With 8:34 to go in the second quarter, Steven Brabham was in from three yards out. The point after kick from Todd Laney made it 7-0 Jay.
A one yard touchdown run and a good kick from the Gators tied the ballgame at 7-7 headed into halftime.
A one yard run from Rush Hendricks put the Royals back on top in the third quarter 14-7. In the fourth quarter, the Royals struck again, with a one yard touchdown from Dakota Boughton. A good kick, and the Royals won 21-7 over the Baker Gators.
Offensively, Jay had just over 250 yards Friday night in Baker. Rush Hendricks led the Royals, rushing for 136 yards on 28 carries. Chris Carrigan had 92 yards rushing on 22 carries. Brabham was three of seven passing for 36 yards.
The Gators were held to just 122 total offensive yards by the Royals.
The Royals will host Wewahitchka for the final game of the season next Friday night.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Molino Park Elementary School Fall Carnival
November 7, 2009
Hundreds of people attended the annual Molino Park Elementary School Fall Carnival Friday evening. Carnival games, food, vendors, a basket auction, horse rides and pies in the face were all part of the fun.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Pie in the face. Pictured below: Face painting Friday night at the annual Molino Park Elementary Schol Fall Carnival. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Gets Solid 31-14 Win On The Road Against Navarre
November 7, 2009
The Raiders took an early 8-0 lead over the Aggies with 5:55 to go in the first quarter. Edwin Richburg put the Aggies on the board with 3:29 remaining in the first quarter with a 9-yard run. Richburg was in on a two point conversion to put Tate up 8-7.
In the second quarter, the Raiders scored on a 17-yard pass to hold a 14-8 lead at the half.
The third quarter belonged to the Aggies, with senior Petey Jones scoring 2-yard touchdown with 7:52 on the clock. Blake Cicheskie’s point after kick was good, putting the Aggies back on top 15-14. The Aggies struck again with 3:38 in the third with a 33-yard pass from Richburg to senior Teven Padgett. Tate missed a two point attempt, and the Aggies held a 21-14 lead headed into the fourth quarter of play in Navarre.
With 8:16 to go in the ballgame, the Aggies were in again on a 10-yard pass from Richburg to Padgett. Cicheskie’s kick was good, and the Aggies expanded their lead to 28-14.
The Aggies solidified a 31-14 win with a 44-yard field goal from Cicheskie with 1:31 remaining in the game.
The Tate Aggies will be on the road next Friday night against Crestview for their final game of the season.