Watkins Graduates From Basic Combat Training
February 26, 2014
Army Pvt. David T. Watkins has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, OK.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Watkins is the son of Amber Fletcher of Cantonment and Tommy Watkins of Manor, TX.
He is a 2013 graduate of Siatech Charter HIgh School and the pre-law program at Job Corp in Gainseville.
Northview NJROTC Cadets Shine At FAMU Drill Competition
February 25, 2014
The Northview High School NJROTC excelled during a drill competition last Saturday at FAMU in Tallahassee.
Northview’s NJROTC placed sixth of 16 teams overall. They won first in Color Guard, fifth in Personnel Inspection and Armed Exhibition drill. Elijah Harbison was in the top four cadets in individual drill competition out of over 200 cadets.
Pictured top: Northview NJROTC cadets pose for a candid photo Saturday with their trophies at FAMU. Pictured inset and below: Cadets competed in the drill meeting Tallahassee on Saturday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Woman’s Border Collie Named Top Dog At National Show
February 25, 2014
Molino resident Victory Hulett was recently honored at the “Purina Pro Plan Show Dogs of the Year” awards banquet held in New York City in conjunction with the Westminster Kennel Club.
Hulett was awarded the 2013 Top Dog of the Year, an award given to honor the top obedience dog for the year 2013. She and her canine partner, OTCH Companion’s He Reigns
in Victory UDX9 OGM (called just “Reign”) earned the highest number of OTCH points during the various 2013 national obedience competitions.
Reign is owned and handled by Hulett and co-owned by Renea Windley. Reign was also the number one herding dog at the AKC 2013 National Championship and second runner-up, All Breed.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
February 24, 2014
Students of the month for January have been named for Ernest Ward Middle School. They are (left to right) Cloe Smith, sixth grade; Kaylin Glenn, seventh grade; and Tyanna Magee, eighth grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tribal Beat Band Members Receive Superior, Excellent Ratings
February 23, 2014
Several members of the Northview High School Tribal Beat Band received superior and excellent ratings at the Florida Bandmasters Association District 1 Auxiliary Solo and Ensemble MPA event Friday night at Gulf Breeze High School.
Taylor Brook and Maddi Weber received a superior for their trumpet duet, while Brook received a superior for her trumpet solo. Cory Hester received a superior for his saxophone solo. Kylie Brook, Kendrick Walker, Paula Spicer and Abbie Johnson each received an excellent rating.
Pictured: Taylor Brook and Maddi Weber (right) perform their superior-rated trumpet duet before the judges. Submitted photo for NorhtEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hospital Lands Top Spot In Chili Cook Off
February 23, 2014
An Atmore Community Hospital team won first place during a chili cook-off in Atmore’s Tom Byrne Park Saturday, while second place went to the L.A. Bikers and third place to the First United Methodist Church.
The “People’s Choice” award for the best chili went to the Greater Mt. Triumph Baptist Church.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the hospital’s efforts to purchase a new X-Ray machine.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Rotary Clubs Partner To Create 110,388 Meals For Manna
February 23, 2014
Rotary Clubs from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties came together Saturday to pack 110,388 meals at Manna Food Bank. It was part of the Rotary Against Hunger service project of the Combined Rotary of Pensacola (CROP). Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
‘Golden Cow Dung Award’ Presented To Barbara Ryals
February 22, 2014
Ernest Ward Middle School employee Barbara Ryals received the sixth annual “Golden Cow Dung Award” from members of the Ernest Ward FFA. The award presented Friday afternoon featured a large piece of cow dung, painted a golden color and mounted on a board painted in school colors.
(Cow dung, in case you did not know, is what you are probably thinking it is. It’s that natural byproduct that cows drop in the field. The award is 100 percent real dung spray painted a golden color. The golden piece presented Friday is actually the first award piece created six years ago.)
Ryals received the award from the school’s FFA members as a “thank you” for supporting FFA. The same Golden Cow Dung Award was presented last year to faculty member Betty Coon. Previous awards were presented to history teacher Kenneth Hicks, teacher’s assistant Lindsey Kelley, Family & Consumer Science teacher Kathy Ellis and Principal Nancy Perry.
More than half a million members around the nation participated in National FFA Week activities at the local and state levels this week.
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School FFA Golden Cow Dung Award presentation to Barbara Ryals Friday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Members Inducted Into National Beta Club At Northview
February 21, 2014
Almost two dozen new members were inducted into the National Beta Club Thursday afternoon at Northview High School. The new sophomore members are: (front, L-R) Niki Coleman, Brittney Ward, Madison Weber, Jadlyn Agerton, Bethany Reynolds, Savanna Roux, Lawrence Douglas, (middle) Tyler Houston, Harmoni Till, Jacob Dunsford, Jordan Taylor, Moriah McGahan, Haylee Weaver, Courtney Weekley, (back) Jason Perritt, Trevor Levins, Bradley Van Pelt, Leah Fischer, Jessica Amerson, Abbie Johnson and Jordan Helmken. Not pictured: Ben Preston and David Thorpe. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Report: Florida Agriculture Remains Strong
February 21, 2014
The United States Department of Agriculture released Thursday the preliminary results of the 2012 Census of Agriculture. The census tracks the number of farmers, farms, farmland, value of agriculture products and the demographics of the farmers themselves. The census revealed Florida agriculture remains an economic engine and job creator in Florida, with an increase in farmers, farms and farmland since the 2007 census.
“Despite expected setbacks as a result of the effects of greening on citrus and the collapse of the housing market on nurseries, the census confirms agriculture’s place as a vital and enduring part of Florida’s economy,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “The census noted the number of farms in Florida holding steady at approximately 47,000, and the average age of farmers ticking slightly upward, while growing more diverse, ethnically.”
- 9,548,342 acres of land in Florida farms, up from 9,231,570 in 2007;
- 47,740 farm operations in Florida, up from 47,463 in 2007;
- $161,368 is the average sales per farm, down from $164,027 in 2007;
- 200 acres is the average Florida farm size, up from 195 in 2007; and
- $7.70 billion in value of products sold, down from $7.78 billion in 2007.
The census provides a agricultural snapshot every five years.
Pictured top: Peanuts are harvested in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.