Century Celebrates Veterans (With Photo Gallery)

November 11, 2016

Those who have served where honored Thursday morning during a special “Century Celebrates Veterans” program.

The event included patriotic music, prayer, information on the history of veterans day and guest speaker Chief Jeffrey Simpkins who teaches in the Northview High School NJROTC program.

Simpkins (pictured left) said that he sees promise and hope from today’s young people that are in programs like Northview’s NJROTC.

“The future of our military is bright,” he said.

“The dedication is growing in our young sons and daughters,” Simpkins said. “They know what it takes; when called upon, they will be read.

For more photos, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.


40’s Again Tonight

November 11, 2016

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. North wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Calm wind.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 74.

Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 49.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 73.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 74.

Camp Fire Students Learn About Veterans, Offer Thanks

November 11, 2016

This week, the children at Camp Fire Century learned about what a veteran is and why they are celebrated on Veterans Day every November 11.

Local veterans visited with the Camp Fire children and spoke about what it means to be a veteran. The children said the Pledge of Allegiance, and sang “God Bless America” and “You’re a Grand Ole Flag”. They listened and thanked each veteran for their service.

Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Blue Angels Homecoming Show

November 11, 2016

The Blue Angels will close their 2016 season at their annual Homecoming Air Show aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola Saturday.
The world-famous Blue Angels F/A 18 Hornets will perform their amazing aerobatics, thrilling the local crowd in this their final air show of the year and the team’s 70th anniversary.
Tentatively scheduled will be aerobatics by performers such as an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon demonstration and Heritage Flight with a P-51 Mustang; Rob Holland Ultimate Airshows’ MXS-RH; Bill Stein Airshows’ Edge 540; Firewalkers Pyro Team; Bill Leff’s T-6 Texan; Chris Darnell Shockwave Jet Truck; Vertigo Air Shows/Bob Carlton jet glider; AeroShell Aerobatic Team’s four SNJs; Randy Ball’s MiG-17; Paul Wood’s A-6 Warbird; Precision Exotics Ferrari/Lamborghini race, plus many more acts.

Along with incredible flying demonstrations, dozens of military and civilian aircraft will be on display.  These static displays will include a variety of aircraft ranging from the present-day, state-of-the-art fighters to aircraft from the 1930s.

Gates openat 8 a.m. and admission and parking for all shows are free.  Areas will be reserved for the physically challenged.  Food and memorabilia will be available at numerous concession stands. Pets and coolers are not permitted.
Security personnel and signs will direct spectators to parking areas near the show site.

Born On Veterans Day: Airman Lambert Graduates From Military Basic Training

November 11, 2016

U. S. Air Force Airman David A. Lambert, Jr. (A.J.) graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, TX.  Lambert was born on Veterans Day, November 11, 1992.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Lambert earned distinction as an honor graduate. To receive this honor an airman must achieve at least a 90% on his/her physical fitness level during the final AFBMT physical fitness test. The AFBMT physical  ftness test has four parts:  1.5-mile run time (60%), number of sit ups in a minute (10%), number of push ups in a minute (10%), and waist measurement (20%). If the trainee fails to reach a score of at least 90%, the airman is ineligible no matter how well he or she performed in other areas of basic training.

Additionally, the airman must average over 90 percent on all the written examinations, and never fail a graded inspection (graded inspections are conducted randomly after week three). In addition, the airman must never receive a negative mark in a written evaluation. Current regulations limit the number of selectees to no more than ten percent of the graduating squadron.

Lambert is the son of Aaron and Kim Lambert of Molino and the grandson of Ervin and Carolyn Thortis of McDavid.  He graduated from Northview High School with honors in 2011.

Commission Honors Retiring Tax Collector Janet Holley

November 11, 2016

The Escambia County Commission presented a proclamation Thursday to Tax Collector Janet Holley congratulating her on her retirement after 44 years of public service. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Taking A Bite Out Of Hunger: Peanut Butter Drive Continues

November 11, 2016

In an effort to boost the supply of the most requested food pantry item, peanut butter, UF IFAS Escambia County Extension is teaming up again with the Florida Peanut Producers Association to help “Take a Bite out of Hunger” by participating in a local peanut butter drive.

Residents are asked to help meet the challenge of collecting 1,000 pounds of the versatile food by donating unopened jars of peanut butter at one of five locations now through Wednesday, November 23.  All peanut butter collected will be donated to local food pantries in December.

Drop-off locations:

  • Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
  • Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road
  • Escambia County Farm Bureau,153 Highway 97, Molino
  • Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
  • Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive

Many families in our community experience food insecurities. They rely upon food pantries to supplement their family’s meals and reduce worries about running out of food. To help meet the need of providing healthy options for our residents in need, this is the fourth year UF IFAS Escambia County Extension has participated in the peanut butter drive.

Last year, more than 2,800 jars of peanut butter were donated to local food pantries.

NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Driver Uninjured In Crash With Church Sign

November 11, 2016

A driver refused medical treatment after plowing into a church sign Thursday afternoon at Nine Mile and Rebel roads. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

ECSO: School Bus Driver Attacks Student With Hammer

November 10, 2016

Two people have been arrested after a student reported being hit with a hammer by his school bus driver.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office reports obtaining video of school bus driver Jimmy Edwards, 55, striking the child with a hammer, then kicking the student off the bus on Highway 98 at Fairfield Drive. Edwards was charged with aggravated child abuse and child neglect.

School bus monitor Pamela Bethea, 54, was charged with failure to report child abuse after she allegedly remained in her seat during the incident and said nothing.

Edward allegedly armed himself with the hammer and said he would show the boy “he was not playing” after the victim called him an “old man”.

Video shows Edwards walked to the back of the school bus and hit the victim twice in the head with his hand. He then swung the hammer at the victim two times while the boy was still sitting down.

The victim got up and walked to the front exit of the school bus. Edwards then swung the hammer twice, nearly missing the victim’s head, while the boy was walking away.

Edwards then hit the boy’s arm with the tool before kicking him off the bus. The boy, a student at Camelot Academy, was forced to walk home without any supervision.

Edwards and Bethea have been suspended by the Escambia County School District as the investigation continues.

Two People, Including Deputy, Injured In Beulah Crash

November 10, 2016

Two people, including an Escambia County deputy, received minor injuries in a two vehicle crash early Thursday morning in Beulah.

The accident happened about 12:08 a.m. at Beulah Road and Mobile Highway. According to the Florida Highway Patrol,  30-year old Daniel James Garner was southbound on Beulah Road when he failed to stop. His Honda Civic collided with an eastbound Chevrolet Tahoe, which was an unmarked Escambia County Sheriff’s Office vehicle driven by Jimmie Tatum of Pensacola.

Both were transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital by ambulance with minor injuries.

Garner was cited by the FHP for violation of a traffic control device.

The Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.

Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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