Tate String Orchestra Receives High Marks At National Orchestra Festival
April 4, 2018
The Tate High School String Orchestra recently received high marks in the annual National Orchestra Festival in Atlanta.
“This was a significant step for us and something I always wanted to do” said Catherine McConnell, the Tate High Orchestra director. “So, we were ecstatic when we found out that we qualified, and started practicing hard and raising funds right away.”
The Tate orchestra also worked with members of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, receiving professional feedback during sectional rehearsals throughout the year.
The orchestra prepared a program of seven pieces and performed for an panel of three nationally-renowned and esteemed orchestra adjudicators. The judges commented on the orchestra’s high level of preparation and energy, awarding both Excellent and Superior ratings.
While at the National Orchestra Festival, the orchestra students were able to attend a variety of professional sessions focusing on aspects of string performance and education, and also see another top orchestra perform. Following Tate’s concert performance, the orchestra was able to participate in a 45-minute clinic led by a leading orchestra professor.
“It gave me a brand new perspective of our orchestra. Before we went, I thought it would be just local orchestras from around our region,” said senior concert master Caroline Bruns. “I found out when we arrived that we would be observing an orchestra from Honolulu perform. This made me realize that we’re not just a little orchestra from Florida, but one that is good enough to perform at the same festival as those from across the country. My favorite part was seeing people from all over the United States who love orchestra as much as I do.”
“We were blessed with an amazing opportunity,” said Tate freshman Micheala Bragg. “From that opportunity grew unity and an experience unlike any other. I will cherish it always.”
The Tate orchestra will perform May 7 at 7 p.m. during the Ransom Middle and Tate String Pops concert in the auditorium at Washington High School. Admission is free.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Turned Colder Tonight, Down Near 40
April 4, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Rain possible through early afternoon. High near 67. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Lady Chiefs Remain Undefeated; Baseball: Tate Beats Crestview, Jay Over NHS
April 4, 2018
The undefeated Northview Lady Chiefs beat Catholic High School on Monday and J.U. Blacksher Tuesday night.
Northview 10, Catholic 0 (6 innings)
Tori Herrington pitched a shutout Monday evening at Northview as the Lady Chiefs beat the Catholic Crusaders 10-0 in six innings. She faced 22 batters, striking out 14. Herrington went 3-4 with 3 RBi’s at the plate. Also for Northview: Ashley Ragsdale 1-4, RBI,; Aubree Love 3-4, 2 RBI; Valen Shelley 3-4, 2 RBI.
Northview 9, J.U. Blacksher 1
The Northview Lady Chiefs beat J.U. Blacksher in Uriah, AL, Tuesday, 9-1.
Tori Herrington had nine strikeouts and was 3-5 with 2 RBI. For Northview: Ashley Ragsdale 2-3; Kendall Enfinger 2-5, RBI; Aubree Love 2-5, 2 RBI; Valen Shelley 2-4, 2 RBI; Heather Knowles 1-4, 2 RBI; Anna Sullivan 1-4; Rylee Huskey 1-4.
Up next, the Lady Chiefs will travel to Jay on Thursday.
BASEBALL
Tate 7, Crestview 0
The Tate Aggies shutout Crestview Tuesday night, 7-0
Jace Dunsford allowed two hits and zero runs over four and a third innings, striking out six.
For Tate: Ryan Greene R, RBI; Reid Halfacre 2-3, R, RBI; Trent Jeffcoat 1-4, R; Kaden King 1-2, RBI; Raymond Lafleur R; Hunter McLean R; Darrien McDowell R; Jesse Sherrill 2-4, 3B, R, 2 RBI.
Jay 4, Northview 2
The Jay Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs Tuesday night 4-2 in Jay.
For Northview: Jackson Moore 1-3; Adam Aliff 1-3, RBI; Seth Killam 2-4 2 R; Tanner Levins 1-2; John Chivington 2-4. RBI.
For Jay: Blayne Miller 2-4, RBI; Judd Smith R; Trevor Flowers 2-3, R; Dutch Burkhead 1-4, R, RBI; Nathan Archer 2-3, R, 2 RBI; Trace Seib 1-2.
Pictured: Northview defeats Catholic. NorthEcambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Hunter Safety Courses Offered In Molino, Cantonment, Jay
April 4, 2018
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety courses in Molino, Cantonment and Jay.
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The locations and times are:
Online-completion courses
Escambia County
April 18 (6 to 10 p.m. CDT) & May 5 (7 to 10 a.m. CDT)
Molino Community Center
6450 Highway 95A in Molino
Escambia County
April 24 (6 to 10 p.m. CDT) & May 5 (7 to 10 a.m. CDT)
Bell 4H Center
3618 Stefani Road in Cantonment
Santa Rosa County
April 4 (6. to 10 p.m. CDT) & April 7 (7 to 10 a.m. CDT)
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane in Jay
Traditional courses (must complete all days)
Escambia County
April 24, 25, May 1, 2 (6 to 10 p.m. CDT) & May 5 (7 to 10 a.m. CDT)
Bell 4H Center
3618 Stefani Road in Cantonment
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at 850-265-3676.
‘Donate Life’ Pelican Unveiled At Tax Collector’s Office
April 4, 2018
A Donate Life Kick-off and Pelican Unveiling event hosted by Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford was held Tuesday afternoon in downtown Pensacola.
April is National Donate Life Month, and Commissioner Doug Underhill presented a proclamation as a new “Donate Life” pelican was unveiled by several dignitaries.
To learn more about organ donation, visit www.donatelife.net.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State Fire Marshal Investigating After Fire Heavily Damages Bratt Home
April 3, 2018
The cause of a fire that heavily damaged a home in Bratt Tuesday afternoon is under investigation.
Flames were erupting several feet into the air from the attic of the concrete block home and the attic was fully involved before the first fire engine arrived on scene.
A family had reportedly moved out of the home last week and someone else was about to move into the home. The fire appeared to have started in the attic, but the exact cause is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
There were no injuries reported in the 3:05 p.m. fire.
For more photos, click here.
Video is at the bottom of the page.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Fire Department, Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the blaze.
Pictured: Flames erupt from the attic of a home in Bratt Tuesday afternoon before the arrival of the first fire engine. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Teen Injured In After-School Crash Tuesday In Bratt
April 3, 2018
A student was injured in a two vehicle crash just school was dismissed at Northview High School Tuesday afternoon in Bratt.
The accident happened about 3:35 p.m. on West Highway 4 just west of North Highway 99. A 16-year old female was transported to by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital after she apparently rear-ended a pickup truck wile both vehicles were headed east on Highway 4. The occupants of the pickup truck were not injured.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the wreck.
NorthEcambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Historic Marker To Be Dedicated In Century
April 3, 2018
For the first time in decades, a new state historic marker is set to be dedicated in North Escambia.
The marker commemorating the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company Residential Historic District will be dedicated at 2 p.m. on April 21 near the corner of Jefferson and Front streets in Century.
According to the planned text for the marker, the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company was constructed in 1901 and was one of the largest and most advanced pine sawmills east of the Mississippi. Along with the sawmill came the company mill town of Century and housing districts “for black and white families”. The housing ranged from small shotgun houses to large, two-story executive homes. Today’s current Front, Church, Fourth and Mayo streets, and Jefferson and Pinewood avenues are part of the historic district, consisting of 45 historic structures and a formal garden site. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
The dedication will be followed by a small reception at Jones Park on Fourth Street.
The full text that will appear on the historic marker is below, click to enlarge. Pictured top: Russell Brown of the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society explains the size and design of a new historic marker to be erected in Century during an August 2017 Century Town Council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Kingsfield Rollover
April 3, 2018
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover accident about 6:45 p.m. Monday at East Kingsfield Road near Tate Road. Additional details have not been released as the Florida Highway Patrol continues their investigation. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Scott Faces Deadline On Final Batch Of Bills
April 3, 2018
Gov. Rick Scott has a little more than a week to act on the remaining 19 bills from the 2018 legislative session, including a water-related measure drawing fire from environmentalists.
The proposal would allow chemically treated, recycled water to be pumped into the state’s underground aquifer, an effort supporters argue is a means to boost the state’s anount of potable water but which critics fear could contaminate Florida’s supply of drinking water
The contentious measure is part of a wide-ranging bill (HB 1149) that addresses a variety of water-related issues, including rules regarding rebuilding single-family docks and the operation of the C-51 reservoir project south of Lake Okeechobee.
The sweeping proposal also directs the state Department of Environmental Protection and regional water management districts to develop rules for reclaimed-water facility projects that require a permit.
Rep. Bobby Payne, a Palatka Republican who sponsored the measure, said any water being pumped into the aquifer must meet clean water drinking standards.
“Reclaimed water can start out as many different kinds of water,” Payne told members of the House Government Accountability Committee in February. “We often have reclaimed water that we use in irrigation. But this water will be sanitized and reused as (to) the drinking water standard.”
The reclaimed water will help combat salt water intrusion into the aquifer, Payne said.
But David Cullen, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club, said his group opposed the measure because of the potential long-term negative impact caused by the use of chemicals.
Cullen objected to “stuff we don’t know about” at wastewater treatment plants being used to treat water that would go into the aquifer.
“It’s the Pottery Barn rule,” Cullen said. “You break it, you bought it — for decades, perhaps generations.”
Rep. Wengay Newton, a Democrat from St. Petersburg who voted against the measure, also worried the proposal could impact the state’s drinking water supply.
“You have people that are at odds because of fracking, because we don’t know the issue with the chemicals that are injected into the ground in that process,” Newton said. “But we’re okay with taking wastewater, mixed in with chemicals, and then deep-well inject it back into the aquifers.”
But Payne said no environmental agency would allow untreated wastewater to be put into the aquifer.
The Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council and the National Waste & Recycling Association are among the groups backing the measure.
Meanwhile, thousands of opponents have signed onto an online petition seeking a veto from Scott, who is expected to announce a bid for the U.S. Senate next week. During appearances in Marathon and Sarasota last week, Scott sought to boost his environmental credentials by touting his administration’s efforts to protect beaches, the Florida Everglades and Lake Okeechobee.
Other legislation still awaiting action from Scott include a measure (HB 55) that would allow people buying guns to use credit cards to pay for background checks, something they now can do with a personal check, money order or cashier’s check. Another bill (HB 523) would make it a third-degree felony to trespass on airport property where properly placed signs warn people to stay off the grounds.
The governor has until April 10 to act on the last batch of the 195 bills approved during the 60-day session that ended March 11.
So far, Scott has only vetoed a single bill, a “local” bill that would have expanded the governing board of the Palm Beach County Housing Authority.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida