Massey Named Jim Allen Teacher Of The Year
October 22, 2017
Cheryl Massey was recently named the Jim Allen Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Massey has been teaching for 12 years, and she says family is very important to her. Her husband Joe works at David Bowen Sporting Goods. Her daughters Lauren, Jessica, and Katie are all grown or in college and all work very hard. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Family Health: Diagnosis Diabetes
October 22, 2017
by Dorothy C. Lee, C.F.C.S., UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County
Some 30 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes this year. How will their lives be affected? Diabetes does mean some big changes but you may be surprised how much diet flexibility remains.
The human body is a marvelous machine, made up of many complex systems. When everything runs smoothly, we are “healthy”. Diabetes is an example of what happens when things don’t work exactly as they should. People with diabetes cannot properly use glucose, also called blood sugar, the cells energy source. Some people make no insulin, which regulates blood glucose by helping it enter the cells. Other people produce too little insulin, or have trouble using the insulin they make, or both.
The exact cause of diabetes is unknown, but if you have a family history of diabetes, you are at great risk. The ADA estimates that almost half of all people with diabetes don’t know they have the disease. Some people ignore their symptoms until they have medical complications.
Some of the warning signs of diabetes may be symptoms of excessive thirst, unusual hunger, slow healing of infections, constant urination, blurred vision, weakness and fatigue. Recurring of these symptoms may signal the need to consult your physician.
A diagnosis of diabetes doesn’t’ have to mean dietary deprivation and boredom. The key dietary words are; low-fat, high-fiber, low-sodium, well-balanced and reduced sugar.
Exercise is an important factor in diabetes management for two reason. Active people have an easier time losing weight which is important for controlling glucose levels. Exercise also promotes the cells ability to use glucose, which in turn reduces the amount of glucose in the body to more favorable levels.
Stress reduction is an important part of a wellness program. Feeling stressed out, uptight, and edgy strains the entire body. We may not have control over the sources of stress in our life; therefore, change the way you react to life’s stressors. Physical exercise is one of the best stress reducers. Don’t take on more than you can handle. Use support systems, reach out to family and friends.
Diabetes affects many people and can have very serious consequences, but the good news is that your health habits can help prevent diabetes or reduce its impact on your health. A healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risks of disease that are often a complication of diabetes.
For more information, call UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County or email dclee@ufl.edu.
Byrneville Elementary Holds Fall Festival (With Photo Gallery)
October 21, 2017
The annual Byrneville Elementary School Family Fall Festival was held Friday evening at the school. The event food, games, a silent auction, a sweet shop, a corn hole tournament, cupcake walk, lots of candy and prizes, horse drawn buggy rides, and much more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Elementary Holds Fall Carnival (With Photo Gallery)
October 21, 2017
The Molino Park PTA Fall Carnival was held Friday at the school.
The event featured a variety of carnival games, carnival food including popcorn and bake-off goodies, food vendors and a live auction.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Photos: A Beautiful Early Morning At Lake Stone
October 20, 2017
Pictured is early Thursday morning at Lake Stone on West Highway 4, just outside Century.
Lake Stone Campground is a 100-acre campground and boat ramp facility . The campground has 77 campsites for everything from big RV rigs to tents. Recently updated to accommodate the more modern and much larger RV’s, Lake Stone is the county’s only facility located on a fresh water lake.
Lake Stone facilities include a boat ramp (gasoline engines are not allowedon Lake Stone), indoor public use building, a playground, showers, restrooms, fishing pier, security lights, electrical and water hookups, a sewage dump station, picnic areas and the beautiful lake.
Photos by Ditto Gorme for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fields Of Faith: Community Worship Service Held (With Gallery)
October 19, 2017
The Northview High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) sponsored a student-led worship event “Fields of Faith” Wednesday night in the Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
The service included music, a guest speaker and prayer.
“The Lord is in full control. He can help you in any battle, in any trial, in any situation that comes your way,” said speaker Lauren McCall, coach of the Northview High School varsity cheerleaders. She encouraged those in attendance to be saved and dedicate their lives to Christ.
Over 200 faithful joined hands in prayer on the football field to end the annual service.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Corrections Recognizes GED Graduates
October 19, 2017
The Escambia County Corrections Department and Jail Division proudly recognized two Jail GED Program graduates with a ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 18 at the Escambia County Jail, celebrating their dedication to achieving educational goals. This marked the first formal graduation ceremony hosted by Escambia County to recognize individuals housed at the jail who receive their GED diplomas.
Laxavier Lowery, 18, and April Wheelus, 30, earned their GED diplomas through the program while incarcerated, and both said they plan to continue on to higher education when they are released later this year.
At the ceremony, Escambia County Corrections Director Tammy Jarvis commended the graduates for their accomplishment and encouraged them to continue to work toward their goals.
“Use this opportunity as a launching pad,” Jarvis said. “Getting your GED – I don’t know that you know how many doors this has opened for you…this has opened so many more opportunities for you than what you had before you achieved this. Just the fact that you were willing to step out tells me that you’re looking for some sort of change. You’re looking to better yourself. You know that there are other things out there.”
Other ceremony attendees included Jail Commander Selina Barnes, Jail Maj. Greg Nash, Officer in Charge of Security Lt. Jason Walker, Program Coordinators Sean Parker and Donna Wilson, Instructors Rayshell Fairley and Charles Hall, along with graduates’ family members.
The Escambia County Corrections Department has offered a GED program for many years, becoming a certified testing center through the Florida Department of Education in 2014. In the 2016-17 fiscal year, two juveniles received high school diplomas and eight adults earned GED diplomas, with 324 students enrolled in the GED program and 179 tests administered.
After receiving his diploma Wednesday, Lowery expressed his plans to go to Pensacola State College for an associate degree before moving on to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to study communications. Lowery completed the GED program for his grandma, who he said was “rejoicing” when she heard the news.
“I never want to fail, so I continue to strive to do better,” Lowery said.
Lt. Jason Walker, who supervises the jail’s programs division including the GED program, said one of the objectives of the Escambia County Corrections Jail Division is to provide programs to incarcerated individuals to teach life skills in an effort to reduce recidivism.
“We want them to succeed so that society as a whole succeeds, and then hopefully next time we see them is in a better light,” Walker said. ”It’s a wonderful thing if we can help someone reach their goals.”
Wheelus said graduating from the GED program was especially significant for her since her mother encouraged her to complete it. Wheelus’ mother passed away Saturday, but learned of her daughter’s accomplishment before she died. Wheelus said she plans to attend Pensacola State College to study business and continue to better herself for her 9-year-old and 2-year-old sons.
“It means a lot,” Wheelus said of earning her diploma. “This is the best possible thing that could happen. It means a lot for me, my children, my family.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate, Ransom Place In FFA Forestry Contest
October 19, 2017
Several local schools recently competed in the 2017 FFA Forestry Contest.
Teams competed in six areas — general knowledge; timber cruising to measure timber and determine merchantability; equipment identification to name tools and heavy equipment used in the forestry industry; tree identification naming different species of common trees in Florida; and forest disorders to identify diseases and bugs that infect trees in Florida.
High School Overall Winners:
1st – Tate High Team A
2nd – Milton High Team B
3rd – Tate High Team B
Middle School Overall Winners
1st – Poplar Springs Middle (Graceville)
2nd – Ramsom Middle
3rd – Poplar Springs Middle (Graceville)
Photos by Jared Sigler for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Boy Scouts Learn About Government With ECUA Board Member
October 18, 2017
Boy and Cub Scout Troop 430 in Molino spent Tuesday evening with ECUA District 5 board member Larry Walker at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Walker spoke about his role and about local government. Meeting and speaking to an elected official is part of Webelos advancement and the Boy Scout “Citizenship in the Community” merit badge. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Century Fire Visits Camp Fire Learning Center
October 17, 2017
For National Fire Safety Week, crew members of Engine 519 of the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue visited and shared fire safety tips with the children of the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
