Century Honors Robert Tims For 33 Years Of Dedicated Service
October 19, 2021
The Town of Century honored longtime employee Robert Tims Monday night with a service award.
Tims was honored “for 33 years of dedicated service”. He first went to work for Century in August 1988.
Pictured: Century Mayor Ben Boutwell (right) presents a service award to Robert Tims honoring him for 33 years of employment with the town. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Native Serves As Member Of U.S. Navy’s ‘Silent Service’
October 18, 2021
A Molino native is stationed at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, homeport to all East Coast ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines.
Seaman Jackob Braun, a 2020 Northview High School graduate, joined the Navy this year.
“I did the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps in high school and felt like the Navy was a solid foundation to continue my career,” said Braun.
Today, Braun serves as a missile technician, who is currently in training to learn about his job field.
According to Braun, the values required to succeed in the military are similar to those found in Molino.
“I learned values like honor, courage and commitment from my hometown,” said Braun. “I had self-discipline before boot camp, so I was prepared for what was to come.”
Known as America’s “Silent Service,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).
Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare.
The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
As a member of the submarine force, Braun is part of a rich 121-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.
Serving in the Navy means Braun is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy ensures national security through projection of power around the world,” said Braun. “We can’t do everything from the United States. We need ships around the world ready to take action when needed.”
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through underwater fiber optic, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
A major component of that maritime security is homeported at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
“We do two big things here in King’s Bay: we send SSBNs on strategic deterrence patrols and we forward deploy our guided missile submarines overseas,” said Rear Adm. John Spencer, Commander, Submarine Group Ten. “This work is essential to uphold the number one mission of the Navy: strategic deterrence. And this is the only home port for both of these types of submarines on the East Coast.”
Strategic deterrence is the Nation’s ultimate insurance program, and for decades, Kings Bay has been home to Ohio Class SSBN ballistic-missile submarines. Beginning in 2028, the new Columbia Class ballistic-missile submarines will arrive and provide continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.
As Braun and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“A lot of people don’t ever serve, but someone has to,” added Braun. “Someone has to step up. So many have served before us, and now it’s my turn.”
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Rae Moreno, Navy Office of Community Outreach. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Rae Moreno for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Reimagine Cantonment Blesses Those In Need With Food, Clothing And More (With Photo Gallery)
October 17, 2021
The hearts and lives of hundreds of area residents in need were touched during Reimagine Cantonment at Carver Park on Saturday.
The faith-based event included a 20,000 pound food giveaway, lunch, fishing lessons with free fishing rods, baby diapers, HIV testing, clothing, haircuts and health tests. Absolutely everything was free. There were also be free children’s activities, including train rides, inflatables, face painting, games, popcorn, and a coloring contest with three participants winning a new bicycle.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Reimagine Cantonment is a project of Doers of the Word Ministry and was sponsored by numerous churches and other organizations, including NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Roadside Attractions: North Escambia’s Colorful Fall Flowers
October 17, 2021
Looking for a little fall color? The roadsides throughout North Escambia are covered with lots of fall wildflowers.
From goldenrods to black-eyed Susans, there’s color everywhere.
If you want to take a North Escambia fall wildflower tour, grab the allergy pills and camera, get off Highway 29, and hit the less-traveled side roads.
The photos on this page were taken on McBride Road near Byrneville.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Students Receive Free Dictionaries
October 15, 2021
Members of St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Cantonment recently presented new dictionaries to students at Jim Allen Elementary School. Each third grader received their own copy of “A Student’s Dictionary.” The goal of The Dictionary Project is to assist all students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners by providing them with their own personal dictionary. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
October 13, 2021
Tate High School recently named their Students of the Month for August. They are Hailey Hartjen and Zavion Simmons. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bonus Gallery: Tate Homecoming Parade, Alumni Cheerleaders
October 12, 2021
Tate High School celebrated Homecoming 2021 Friday night.
For a new bonus photo gallery from the parade and alumni cheerleaders, click or tap here.
For the homecoming queen, king and their courts, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Beulah Middle Team Headed To BEST Robotics Competition
October 11, 2021
The Beulah Middle School Robotics Team will complete in the BEST Robotics Competition on October 23 in Dothan, Alabama.
The Beulah team has met five times a week for the last six weeks to prepare for this intense competition. Each year, BEST ( Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) comes up with a real-world problem for the students to solve using robots.
The competition’s theme this year is demolition, with the robotics teams tasked to create robots that will safely complete both demolition and cleanup. A solution would allow people to remain at a a safe distance from the demolition and not breathe harmful materials.
Teams like Beulah will compile an engineering notebook, prepare a marketing presentation, show their team exhibit, spirit and sportsmanship, and the robot performance. While preparing for each of these categories, the students learn how to apply science and technology, combat real-world engineering challenges, project management, leadership, teamwork, problem solving, marketing, technical writing and fundraising.
Silas Jackson and Campbell Ross have been on the Beulah Middle robotics team for three years.
“My future career choice is to be an aerospace engineer. Robotics can help me with the career I choose because it can help me develop better collaboration skills, communication skills, and robotics can help me get more experience with technology and brainstorming,” Jackson said.
“My future career is design engineering. This year’s game theme helps my future career because design engineers design the visual look of a robot. Designing the robot helps me know what I want the robot to look like and what parts should go where to have a functional robot,” Ross said. “They have to figure out the proportions for the robot so it isn’t very heavy on one side of the robot, and this year’s game helps me get used to altering proportions and figuring out what makes the robot the most effective. This competition is an opportunity to put my skills to the test and to improve those skills as well.”
Escambia Fire Rescue Talks Fire Safety With Kids In Century, Walnut Hill (With Gallery)
October 10, 2021
Firefighters from Walnut Hill and Century visited students at the Campfire Century Youth Learning Center and the Walnut Hill Christian School.
The students were able to learn about fire safety during Fire Prevention Week. The students had a look at Walnut Hill’s Engine 15 and Century’s Engine 5, learned about when and how to call for help during an emergency and what a firefighter looks like in full gear. They also learned what to do in the event of a fire and more from Escambia Fire Rescue.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fall Tradition: Pumpkins Have Arrived At Cantonment Pumpkin Patch
October 10, 2021
It’s a sure sign of fall in Cantonment.
The pumpkins have arrived at the Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch.
Friday evening, the Northview High School NJROTC took part in a community service project to unload 2,500 pumpkins by hand and place them under the tent. And we’re told not a single pumpkin was broken.
Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available under the big tent on Highway 29 near Neal Road from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 12-6 on Sundays.
The Allen Memorial United Methodist Men have sponsored the Pumpkin Patch since 1995.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
