Thousands Attend Atmore’s Mayfest (With Photo Gallery)
May 2, 2021
Atmore’s Mayfest returned Saturday with big crowds after being canceled last year due to the pandemic.
The event featured live entertainment, beautiful baby and Miss Mayfest pageants, games for the kids over 80 vendors.
Lines were still long for games and good eats late into the afternoon as thousands from the Atmore and North Escambia areas attended.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Middle School Team Competes In National Equestrian Finals
May 2, 2021
The Trinity Farm of Northwest Florida’s Middle School Equestrian Team recently competed in the Interscholastic Equestrian National Finals.
The team comprised of middle schoolers from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties was named Zone 4 Champions — an area that includes Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and the Bahamas. They were ranked in the top 18 in the nation.
Nationals was not our strongest performance, but for this being their first time ever competing at this level, and for doing as well as they did against the top riders in the nation, I have to say I’m pretty impressed,” said coach Morgan Mickel of Molino. “What a team of talented young riders. I can’t wait for what the future has in store for them.
Trinity Farm Middle School Equestrian Team members that competed at nationals are Hannah Teague, Amberleigh Bishop, Taylor Irwin and Ava Tillotson.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beulah Middle School Kids Have Named Their (Goat) Kids. Meet…
April 27, 2021
Those absolutely super adorable goats born a couple of weeks ago at Beulah Middle School now have names picked by the students.
Through the school-wide vote using change, $147.94 was raised for the animals and two names were chosen.
Meet Nugget, the black and white cutie pictured on the left, and Hazel pictured on the right.
(For more news about the goats, and we must warn you that it’s very sad and may not be kid friendly, scroll down below the photos.)
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
There actually three goats born two weeks ago at Beulah Middle School. Sadly, the third goat did not survive.
Libby Pugh, Andrea Moorer Named EREC Scholarship Winners
April 25, 2021
Saturday, Escambia River Electric Cooperative awarded two $4,000 scholarships to local high school seniors.
The Escambia County winner was Libby Pugh from Northview High School (pictured left), and the Santa Rosa County winner was Andrea Moorer from Central High School. The Herman D. Johnson Scholarship Award is offered to graduating seniors with a parent or guardian that is a member of the cooperative..
In the past, capital credits issued by EREC that were unclaimed had to be turned over to the state. But state legislation now allows such funds to be deposited into a qualified, educational charity fund. The EREC membership voted to use these funds in the form of scholarships.
Both students will receive $1,000 for each of four years provided they continue to meet the scholarship criteria.
Pictured above: EREC scholarship winners Libby Pugh (left) from Northview High School and Andrea Moorer from Central High School. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia 4-H Meat Judging Teams Place First, Second In Florida; Tate FFA Places Fourth
April 24, 2021
One Escambia County 4-H meat judging team has won a state championship, and another has place second.
The intermediate (ages 11-13) 4-H meat judging team placed first at the state 4-H meat judging contest at the University Of Florida in Gainesville. The team included A.T. Bridgers, Laney Clarke, Tucker Padgett and Hunter Taylor.
The senior (ages 14+) 4-H meat judging team placed second in their division with members Alan B., Gracie Meredith and Lilly Warne. J
Tate High School’s FFA also competed at their meat judging career development event and they placed fourth in the FFA competition.
Last year, both the intermediate and senior Escambia County 4-H meat judging teams place first at the virtual state competition.
Participants identified 40 retail cuts and placed six retail, primal, carcass classes. The 4-H meat judging program develops life skills through activities related to the processing of beef, pork, and lamb, including retail identification, factors relating to meat quality and cooking methods. Participants developed an understanding and appreciation of the basic scientific principles involved in eating and cooking quality, nutritional value and consumer appeal of meat. 4-H members on the team also learned life skills such as effective decision-making, critical thinking, goal setting and teamwork.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Krul Lake Repairs Expected To Be Finished In About Two Weeks
April 20, 2021
Repair work on Krul Lake in the Blackwater State Forest is expected to be completed soon.
The 6.5 acre lake was drained for maintenance.
“We’re looking at two weeks to finish the repairs at Krul according to contractors,” Joe Zwierzchowski, spokesman for the Florida Forest Service, told NorthEscambia.com.
Krul Lake is filled from springs located on the north end of the lake and is popular summer swimming area. The Krul Recreation area, located about a half mile east of Munson, also features restrooms and showers, hiking trails, a gristmill, a suspension bridge over Sweetwater Creek, and a picnic area.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
K-9 Cairo Retires From Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
April 16, 2021
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Cairo retired Thursday after six years on the job.
“This is a ruff letter to write, but I must inform you of my decision to retire,” Cairo “wrote” in his retirement letter to Sheriff Chip Simmons. “Every dog has its day, and today is mine.” You can read the full retirement letter in the photos below.
Cairo’s day started at his daily muster where he was showered with retirement gifts. His day ended with a special pet-friendly treat from Simmons.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cuteness Overload Alert: Goat Gives Birth To Triplets At Beulah Middle School
April 15, 2021
Three new “kids” joined the Beulah Middle School family Tuesday afternoon as a goat in the school’s agriscience program gave birth to triplets.
Beulah Middle agriscience teacher Leanne Jenkins tells the story, in her own words:
Y’allllllllllllll…..
My cheeks hurt so bad and my heart feels like it’s going to explode! Today we experienced the most amazing births at Beulah Middle School! I’m in tears typing this announcement to you.
We thought we had a day or two before the arrival, but we moved Mama to her “birthing suite” to get her comfortable with the area. She was there most of the day and was crying to go back to the field with her buddies.
At the beginning of the last period, I had a student go on the back porch to get a duckling. He casually walked into the classroom with the duckling and said, “That goat out there is having a baby.” I told him she’s not having her baby yet, that she had a day or two before arrival. He then said, “oh, I could have swore I saw something coming out of her bottom.”
I went running, and sure enough, there was a hoof coming out of sweet mama!!
About 40 minutes later, with 60 students and staff members quietly watching, we have healthy, thriving, triplets!!!
It was beautiful and amazing and we are all on cloud nine.
Welcome to the world sweet babies ❤️. Brace yourselves for the hundreds of students that are thrilled to have you join our farm ❤️.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Florida Library Patrons Can Now Browse The Shelves At All Branches
April 15, 2021
For the first time since the start of the pandemic, patrons can now browse the shelves at West Florida Public Libraries.
Online order pickup is still available. Requests for library materials placed prior to arrival will be retrieved and ready for pickup at your vehicle. Designated online order pickup spaces will be marked. Drive-thru services are closed.
West Florida Public Libraries also increased eBook, eAudiobook and eMagazine titles for electronic access during COVID-19.
Pictured: The Century Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
April 14, 2021
Ransom Middle School has named students of the month for March. They are Bryce Joachimi and Terra Sprung. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
