Miss NHS Pageant Tickets Go On Sale Thursday
January 12, 2016
Tickets will go on sale this week for return of the annual Miss Northview High School pageant.
The public can purchase tickets beginning Thursday morning in the Northview front office. Tickets are $7 in advance only; tickets will be not be sold at the door. All proceeds will benefit the Northview Model United Nations Team and their annual competition in Orlando.
There are 18 contestants in this year’s pageant which takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 23.
Pictured: Miss NHS 2016 contestants (front, L-R) Maddi Weber, Jadlyn Agerton, Miss NHS 2015 Kendal Cobb, Kayla Galvan, Amber Freeman, (middle row) Morgan Myrick, Brittney Ward, Hannah McGahan, Sarah Dutton, Peighton Dortch, Sarah Perritt, Catie Clayton, (back) Alyssa Borelli, Brittanie McLemore, Bailey Spann, Ashtyn Carnley, Moriah McGahan, Brianna Smith and Alayna Brown. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Donate Adult Diapers To Council On Aging
January 10, 2016
Local firefighters donated 700 adult diapers to Council on Aging of West Florida, and expect to deliver several hundred more in the coming weeks.
“We wanted to go above and beyond,” said Dusty Merritt, vice president of Pensacola Professional Firefighters Local 707. “We know there’s a need.”
Adult diapers and underwear can cost up to $40 a pack, and can be a cost burden for many seniors. This donation will allow Council on Aging to help the clients in the community who need it most.
“Every day firefighters serve our community selflessly,” said John Clark, president/CEO of Council on Aging. “They already do so much for others, and we are grateful that they chose us to be the recipient of another selfless act.”
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volunteers Build New Beds For Animal Shelter
January 10, 2016
The animals at the Escambia County Animal Shelter have new beds, thanks to the efforts of about 200 volunteers who built the beds on Saturday. The beds are designed to provide a place for the animals to sleep off the shelter floor. The volunteers constructed about 150 beds, providing a few extras for the 120 kennels at at the animal shelter. The materials were all donated, and the beds were constructed at Emerald Coast Granite and Tile. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Names Students Of The Month
January 8, 2016
Tate High School has named Students of the Month for November. They are Paigge Gibson and Logan Blackmon, pictured with Principal Rick Shackle. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three New K-9 Deputies At Work For The Escambia Sheriff’s Office
January 8, 2016
The new K-9 deputies went to work for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office on December 26. In less than two weeks, Alek, Django, and Cairo and their handlers have tracked down suspects and taken illegal narcotics off the streets. Courtesy photo by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Special Needs Swing Installed At Showalter Park
January 7, 2016
The Town of Century Parks Department has installed a new swing for targeted for children with special needs at Showalter Park. The swing can also be used for young children. Pictured: Olivia Bush of Century enjoys the new special needs swing at Showalter Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
After 39 Years On His First Job, Bratt Elementary Custodian Retires
January 5, 2016
Willie Fountain of Walnut Hill has retired as the head custodian at Bratt Elementary School, where had worked since he was just 15-years old.
In 1976, Fountain was placed in a summer custodial job at Bratt Elementary by Ruby Amerson Wells, then-supervisor of the Escambia County School District’s Summer Youth and Employment Training Program. Fountain returned each summer and accepted a full time job at Bratt when he graduated from Ernest Ward High School. He was promoted to head custodian in 1981.
His last official day on the job was back in December, with an official retirement date of December 31.
He considered leaving Bratt Elementary only once before when the Century prison opened and was being staffed.
“I decided this isn’t for me,” Fountain recounted Monday about studying for a prison job. “I decided I was just going to stay where I was at. I did put my son there; he’s a correctional officer.”
‘You are irreplaceable,” current Bratt Elementary Principal Jeanene Hall said Monday during a retirement reception Monday at the school.
Numerous current and former teachers and school staff members shared stories about Fountain’s 39 years at Bratt Elementary — from the serious like recovering from hurricanes to the lighthearted like removing a snake from a classroom. Almost every story of Fountain’s decades at Bratt included laughter, because, as numerous educators attested, laughter was just Fountain’s way.
“I don’t know what we are going to do without you Willie,” Hall said. “You made things really easy. I can’t ever thank you enough.”
For now, Fountain said he’s ready for retirement and time in the great outdoors. “Fishing and hunting,” he said. “I have a whole lot of fishing and hunting to do.”
Also ready to go fishing is Bratt office employee Karen Brown, who was also honored Monday because she retires in a couple of months following 10 years at Bratt, about 35 total in education. “You are also irreplaceable,” Hall told Brown.
The group also recognized Sharon Cardwell, who was unable to attend, upon her retirement after 40 years in education.
Pictured top: Ruby Amerson Well (standing, left) found Willie Fountain (right) his first-ever job at Bratt Elementary School. Pictured bottom inset: Bratt retiree Karen Brown. Pictured below: Bratt Elementary School Principal Karen Hall shares written stories about retirees during a luncheon Monday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
2015 In Photos: October And November
January 4, 2016
Today, we continue our look back at the year 2015 in photos with a look at October and November.
The Tate High School Showband of the South announced that they headed to Hawaii in December 2016 to take part in the 75th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Mass Band. They will join bands from around the United States and Japan in a concert commemorating the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
First graders at Molino Park Elementary School completed pumpkin book report projects. The students read a great book, wrote a book report and decorated a pumpkin (with mom and dad’s help) as a book character..
Pine Forest defeated Tate 47-28 in the District 1-6A championship game.
The Northview Chiefs and the Baker Gators battled it out in Bratt for the District 1-1A championship, with Baker coming out on top 35-21.
Participants in the Escambia County Farm Tour visited several locations in October, including the pictured West Florida Gin.
The Tate High School Showband of the South earned straight superiors at the District 1 High School Marching MPA performances in October.
The Northview High School FFA chapter was awarded one of the highest national honors presented by the National FFA in Louisville, KY. Northview’s FFA received the Two Star Chapter award during the 88th National FFA Convention & Expo.
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church on West Bogia Road in McDavid celebrated 125 years during the church’s annual homecoming services.
Students at Molino Park Elementary School went back to the 50’s to celebrate the 50th day of the school year in late October.
The children at Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center recently held their seventh annual Trike-A-Thon in support of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
The community gathered in Molino to remember Marine Cpl. J.R. Spears who was killed by a single gunshot wound in Iraq 10 years ago.
CrossFaith Church in Molino held their annual “Ride to Remember” motorcycle ride to benefit local Alzheimer’s victims and their families.
Cantonment residents took part in a Homecoming Fall Festival at Carver Park.
A giant generator turbine passed through North Escambia in October.
The Northview High School Tribal Spirit yearbook staff was honored with a Gold Medal from the nationally recognized Columbia Scholastic Press Association, affiliated with Columbia University in New York City and the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.
A benefit piano concert at Highland Baptist Church raised $1,300 for the the music program at Molino Park Elementary School.
The Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Men’s Pumpkin Patch was open once again at the corner of Highway 29 and Neal Road.
Over 1,375 volunteers from nearly 100 companies were hard at work across Escambia County as part of the United Way’s annual Day of Caring on 84 projects at nonprofit agencies and schools, including volunteers at Bratt Elementary School.
The Northview Chiefs earned a 1A playoff berth with a 7-0 win over the Jay Royals.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue presented a fire safety program at Bratt Elementary School. The students also had a chance to sit in a fire truck and ask questions about equipment.
Hundreds of pumpkins arrived at St. Luke United Methodist Church on Nine Mile Road.
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles ended a perfect season with a win over Escambia County Middle School of Atmore.
Volleyball season continued for Tate and Northview.
Savannah Roux was named Northview High School homecoming queen.
The Northview High School Homecoming Parade rolled through Bratt in October.
The Jay Royals held their annual Homecoming Parade.
An official grand opening ceremony was held for the new Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill.
Tate High School graduate Matthew Bailey appeared during ” on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”. He didn’t bring home the million, but did win $20,000. Bailey is a 2013 honors graduate from Tate High School.
The Northview High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) sponsored a student led worship event “Fields of Faith” in the Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
Molino Park Elementary School held a “Community Helpers Day”.
Two Northview High School cheerleaders tumble across the field.
The Northview High School Dance Team performs.
October was time for the annual Jay Peanut Festival.
The iconic Fran’s Country Grill in Molino closed for good in October after a farewell and retirement party. The restaurantwas sold to nearby competitor Jimmy’s Grill and reopened under that name.
The Tate Aggies earned a district win over Washington.
The Health and Hope Clinic in Century closed due to a lack of funding, leaving the medically needy in the Century area with little, or perhaps no, access to health care.
Numerous pedestrian related improvements were underway over a 15-mile stretch of Highway 29 in North Escambia, most of them in Century.
A November sunset on Escambia Bay.
Pensacola’s iconic Graffiti Bridge was painted in support of the Tate High School Aggies early one November Saturday morning, following Tate’s 21-20 win over Niceville to claim the 6A Regional 1 championship.
About 160 volunteers spent their Thanksgiving working to feed the less fortunate at the Waterfront Rescue Mission. Turkey, dressing, gravy — all the fixings and dessert were served to about 1,000 people in need.
Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center held a Thanksgiving feast for children and their parents.
The Miracle League of Pensacola held their annual turkey fry fundraiser.
About 200 students from schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties worked in fields near Jayto harvest collards and bag sweet potatoes that fed hundreds of needy families for Thanksgiving.
The Tate High School Aggies continued their march toward state with a 31-7 win over the Pine Forest Eagles in the Region 1-6A semifinals.
A driver was was taken into custody for driving with a suspended license, and he will be cited for improper passing following an accident at Ernest Ward Middle
These Ransom Middle School academic teams competed recently in Tallahassee, with one team walking away qualified to move on to the national level.
Fire ripped through the garage of a home in the Pine Forest Estates subdivision off Pine Forest Road in Cantonment.
One person was injured when their vehicle was struck by a train in Atmore.
An arts, crafts and car show was held at Highland Baptist Church in Molino.
Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill held a program to honor veterans.
Seventh grade students at Ransom Middle school had a real-world lesson on voting, using real-world voting equipment, and voting on their choice for the next president.
Escambia County Teacher of the Year, Anna Barry of Northview High School, flew with the Blue Angels.
Many students at Jim Allen Elementary School spent their Saturdays in a mentoring program with students from the Center for Information Dominance Unit (CIDU) Corry Station.
Heavy downpours did not stop a community-wide Fall Festival in Molino.
A fiery halftime performance at Northview High School.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Perdido River Flooding Subsides, Logs Left Behind
January 3, 2016
Flooding along the Perdido River at Barrineau Park has subsided, but a large log jam against the bridge was left behind. These photos were taken Saturday afternoon from the Barrineau Park Road Bridge on the Florida/Alabama state line. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pvt. Joslin M. Frye Graduates From Basic Training
January 3, 2016
Army National Guard Pvt. Joslin M. Frye has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
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.
Frye is the daughter of Carl J. Staples and Jacqueline J. Frye, and granddaughter of Dorothy L. Dale, all of Atmore.
She is a 2010 graduate of Escambia County High School in Atmore. She earned an associate degree in 2014 from Fortis Institute in Pensacola.