Entries Being Accepted For Northview Homecoming Parade
September 24, 2015
The annual Northview High School Homecoming Parade has been set for Friday, October 9.
The parade will line up at noon and travel from Bratt Elementary School to Northview High. Entries are being accepted now; there is no cost to enter. For a printable entry form, click here. Entries are due by October 2.
Contact Perry Byars at (850) 327-6681 ext. 248 for more information.
The Northview Chief’s homecoming game will kickoff at 7 p.m. on October 9 against Liberty County.
Pictured: A float in the 2014 Northview High Homecoming Parade in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County 4-H Presents Annual Awards
September 22, 2015
Escambia County 4-H recently awarded youth, volunteer and club efforts in the past year.
Youth Awards
Beasley Junior Achievement Award – Leah Rutherford, Gracie Meredith
Intermediately Leadership Award – Dillon Conti
Extension Director Leadership Award – Allison Woodfin
Dave and Sylvia Timberlake Helping Hand Award – Danielle Tinker
Langley Bell Award – Tori Kelson and Karrigan Scott
Margie Gindl Public Speaking and Public Awareness Award – Amanda Tanner
Cecil Guidy Animal Science Award – Kaley Lashley
4-H’er of the Year Award – Jessica Conti and Hannah Thorne
Youth Standards of Excellence
Cloverbud
Nathan Jacobs
Senior
Emerald – Rachel Grammer, Tori Kelson, Amanda Tanner, Danielle Tinker, Michelle Tinker
Silver – Karrigan Scott
Intermediate
Emerald – Dillon Conti, Jessica Conti, Lauren Walsh
Silver – Raven Hollis, Ami Rodgers, Raven Thompson
Bronze – Avery DeStafney
Junior
Bronze – Tanner DeStafney, Brayten Workman
Volunteer Awards
Margie Gindl Volunteer Leader Award – Christine Rodgers
Jean Guidy Volunteer Award – Sarah Jane Conti
Volunteer Standards of Excellence
Emerald – Sarah Jane Conti, Christine Rodgers, Sharon Tanner
Gold – Teresa Myrick
Club Awards
Historian’s Book Award – Cool Clovers 4-H Club, by Ami Rodgers
Treasurer’s Book Award – Cool Clovers 4-H Club, by Dawn VanIderstine
Secretary’s Book Award – Barrineau Park 4-H Club, by Jessica Conti
Scrapbook Award – Escambia County Shooting Sports
Club Standards of Excellence
Emerald – Barrineau Park 4-H Club
Gold – Escambia County Shooting Sports
He Sent You: Local Principal’s Facebook Post About Homeless Man Goes Viral
September 21, 2015
An Atmore elementary school principal, John Brantley, watched as the man, down on his knees, checked fast food bags in the garbage can outsid the Mobile Best Buy store. The man found a few fries here, a few bites of a an old leftover burger there. The man never solicited those passing by him for money and cleaned up the area when he was done.
Brantley shared his experience on Facebook, in a post that has now been shared over 1.2 million times in less than a week.
“My heart literally hurt for him. I am not someone who just hands out money or even helps homeless people because so many are not truly homeless. I don’t guess I’ve ever seen someone actually go through a garbage can to try to find food to eat,” Brantley wrote in his now viral Facebook post.
Brantley approached the homeless man and told him to follow him on his bike to a nearby restaurant. He bought the homeless man the biggest meal on the menu and fulfilled his one other request…a big glass of sweet tea to go with the meal.
“When I brought him his food, he was so thankful. He told me his name was Steve and he’d been homeless ever since his sister died last September. He was trying to get off the streets, but it was so hard. I told him God loved him and I would pray for him. He told me again how much he appreciated the meal,” Brantley said.
Brantley drove off, but he felt compelled to return. He went back and talked to the man, and bought him a McDonald’s gift card for future meals.
“He broke down crying. He told me that he prayed for me today! I wasn’t sure what he meant (I was assuming he was praying for me for what I did for him) so I thanked him. He said, “No, you don’t understand. I prayed that God would send someone to buy me a hot meal today,” Steve told Brantley.
Then Steve would say three powerful words.
“He sent you.”
“I didn’t know what to say…I was speechless! Praying for a hot meal wasn’t a prayer I had prayed today! Come to think of it, that’s not a prayer I’ve ever prayed! I always pray over my food, but I’ve never prayed for a meal…it’s expected! I’ve never doubted that I wouldn’t be able to eat…Tears began to fill my eyes! Oh my…how blessed am I… Maybe God used me to answer this man’s prayer…to let him know that He cares for Him and knows what goes going through! But, maybe God used this man to show me just how blessed I am and what I take for granted,” Brantley wrote.
Then Steve pulled up his shirt, showing Brantley a huge mass sticking out of his stomach. He explained that he was dying from cancer, and he knew it would not be much longer.
“I asked him if knew Jesus. He told me that he did. I asked if I could pray for him and he said that I could. We prayed right there on the sidewalk of McDonalds. Tears just poured from his eyes,” Brantley said. “I stayed and encouraged him for a few minutes trying to fight back my tears. My prayer is that I showed him the love of Jesus today…that something I said gave him a hope.”
Since that Facebook post, offers to help Steve have came in….including an offer from a doctor in North Carolina that has volunteered to treat Steve’s cancer for free. And there are plans for an online fundraiser, perhaps through his home church, Cross Point Church in Atmore.
So far, no one has been able to find Steve again. The Best Buy store and many others are on the lookout.
To read and share Brantley’s original Facebook post, click here.
September Proclaimed Library Card Month In Escambia County
September 21, 2015
September was proclaimed “Library Card Sign-Up Month” in Escambia County, urging all residents to obtain a library card and use the services of the West Florida Public Libaries. Clifford the Big Red Dog stopped by the Escambia County Commission Meeting as the proclamation was approved and presented. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Celebrates Homecoming, Bell Named Queen (With Photo Gallery)
September 19, 2015
Tate High School celebrated homecoming Friday night. Alli Bell was named 2015 Homecoming Queen for the Aggies.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Keith Garrison, click to enlarge.
Teens Learn Employable Skills During Partnership Camp
September 18, 2015
During the summer, the Children’s Home Society of Florida YouthWorks Program partnered with Escambia County’s Department of Neighborhood and Human Services to provide youth with valuable skills working as “Play, Learn, Grow” summer camp support staff.
The youth worked alongside Escambia County employees and were trained on conflict resolution, dealing with difficult people in a work environment, working with diverse populations, responsibility, customer service, professionalism, teamwork and many other workforce skills. The training was conducted in several ways, including one-on-one, in a group setting and hands-on.
“The experience itself helped develop and prepare our youth for the future workforce and we, as well as the youth, are very grateful,” said Eunicia Giuchici, youth career placement coordinator for Children’s Home Society of Florida YouthWorks.
Some of the youth were offered jobs with the county next summer, while others went off to college with new employable skills, and some were hired in local jobs. All of the participants were successful on some level due to their involvement in the summer camp program.
“One youth, Kianna, has a future goal of becoming an educator for young children,” Giuchici said. “This was her first job working with at-risk children. She had some bumps along the way but was able to learn from her experience to guide her in her next job. Due to her hands-on experience at the Summer Camp, Kianna was able to secure a job as a retail associate at Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast. She will be attending Pensacola State College next semester to begin working toward her education degree.”
She added that all youth learn in different ways and that is why teaching alternatives are important to their success.
“Whether we tell them, teach them or involve them, we are making a positive effort in the future of our youth and workforce,” Giuchici said. “We applaud the hard work of the supervisors, staff, and support personnel from Escambia County’s Department of Neighborhood and Human Services including Shurlitha Jones, Leroy Williams, Kathryn Lovely and Nellie Washington, and the continuous employment support from Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast (Robin King and Ronald Rivera).”
Pictured: Summer camp participant Kianna was able to secure a job as a retail associate at Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast. She will be attending Pensacola State College next semester to begin working toward her education degree. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
September 16, 2015
Ernest Ward Middle School has named students of the month for August. They are (L-R) Anna Adams, sixth grade; David Lamb, seventh grade; and Keaton Solmonson. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Holy Smokes Batman! Mini-Caped Crusader Has Fire Department’s Back
September 15, 2015
When Escambia Fire Rescue’s Engine 6 rolled out of Ensley to a vehicle versus house call Sunday off 10 Mile Road, they knew they had backup coming from other fire stations. But little did they know that they would have superhero backup from the Bat Cave.
Firefighters said they looked over there was the mini-Batman walking down the street with his mom. Firefighter Peter Welch and Lt. Bryan Caro took time after their call to pose for a photo with mini-Batman.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Five Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputies Promoted
September 15, 2015
Several Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies were promoted to new positions Monday.
Promoted were: (pictured top) Sergeant Heath Jackson, (pictured below, in descending order) 1st Lieutenant Carl Jones, 1st Lieutenant Tom Greer, Lieutenant Kevin Pachucki and Sergeant Kevin Biggs.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hundreds Witness ‘Miracle’ After Coach’s Heart Attack At Northview
September 14, 2015
Hundreds of people believe they witnessed a real miracle Saturday night during youth football games at Northview High School in Bratt.
The scene was a jubilant one on the Northwest Escambia side over the field after a win over Flomaton and a spirit line forming as their next team was about to get underway. The excitement was building; it had been a great homecoming day for the NWE Chiefs.
But that changed, literally in a heartbeat, as a NWE coach fell to the field in full cardiac arrest.
In the moments that followed, the pieces of a lifesaving puzzle quickly fell into place. Husband and wife medics, a doctor and other football fans trained in CPR rushed to the field, literally taking turns performing chest compression on the beloved coach. There was no AED and no advanced life support immediately available on the field. Fire and EMS arrived on scene several minutes later.
Around the stadium, the crowd began to pray. Entire football teams dropped to their knees in prayer. There were no team divisions, no rivals, no opponents…just the voices of prayer as CPR continued.
Shannon Nolen snapped the powerful photo at the top of the page as another NWE coach, Pastor Ted Bridges, was on his knees, hands on the ambulance in prayer with the fallen coach inside.
“In the middle of all the chaos everyone prayed together with Brother Ted as he lead us over the PA system,” witness Crystal Godwin said. “There was no lines of division between race, team or family, we were all as one and the Holy Spirit could be felt moving through the stadium.”
And then there was an answer.
“Someone came and faced the crowd from the back of the ambulance and gave a thumbs up and the stadium erupted with joy! There wasn’t a dry eye in the stadium.” CPR had worked.
“Coach….is stable which is a work of God after seeing his condition on that field,” Flomaton Youth Football League President William DeSpain said. “These 9-10 year old boys and girls did not get to play Saturday night, but they helped with a great accomplishment of answered prayer. They all won Saturday night.”
The NWE coach was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital, where family member said late Sunday he was expected to make a full recovery. A second member of the crowd was also airlifted to an area hospital in a second helicopter after suffering a medical problem.
Karen Jay and her husband Frank, owners of Atmore Ambulance, were off-duty and among those at the game that performed CPR on the coach.
“It truly was a miracle along with CPR that saved him,” Karen Jay said as she encouraged everyone to learn CPR. “But the Lord’s hand was on him. A whole lot of people witnessed a miracle.”
Pictured top and inset: Pastor Ted Bridges, who is also a NWE football coach, on his knees praying outside an ambulance as CPR is performed inside on another NWE coach. Flomaton football players on their knees praying for the NWE coach. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
