Byrneville Elementary School Presents Year-End Awards
June 16, 2015
Byrneville Elementary School presented the following year-end awards:
Mrs. Linton’s Awards
All A’s All Year:
Kelan Jurey
Jared Riley Long
Even Matlock
Mia Turner-White
A/B’s All Year:
Ayden Atallah
Gavin Beasley
Mrs. Gilmore’s Awards
Reading-Highest Average
Jolee Sloan
Drake Allen Driskell
Emily Levins
Science – Highest Average
Jolee Sloan
Drake Allen Driskell
Emily Levins
Blake Yoder
Math – Highest Average
Emily Levins
Drake Allen Driskell
Jolee Sloan
Social Studies – Highest Average
Drake Allen Driskell
Blake Yoder
Jolee Sloan
A Honor Roll
Emily Levins
Drake Allen Driskell
Bradley Hamilton
Kaden Odom
Blake Yoder
Jolee Sloan
A/B Honor Roll
Tiana White
Hunter Barnes
Briana Dunsford
Leah Anderson
Aloysia Dortch
Kayla Johnson
Abby Weber
Mrs. Thornton’s First Grade Awards
All A Honor Roll for the Year:
Ryder Lee
Elizabeth Coleman
Savannah Hudson
Wade Bailey
A/B Honor Roll for the Year:
Mary-Clayton Dawson
Makenzie Levins
Easten Odom
Andrew Plant
Bree Robertson
Charlee Weaver
Citizenship Awards:
Makenzie Levins
Ryder Lee
Savannah Hudson
Top Reading Awards
Wade Bailey
Ryder Lee
Math Award Highest Average
Elizabeth Coleman
Science Award Highest Average
Savannah Hudson
Social Studies Award Highest Average
Wade Bailey
Technology Award
Charlee Weaver
Nicholas Walston
Mrs. Johnston’s Fifth Grade Awards
Highest reading average: Hunter Borelli
2nd highest reading average: Jace Gifford
Highest math average: Hunter Borelli
2nd highest math average: Kaitlin Gafford
Highest science average: Hunter Borelli/Jace Gifford
2nd highest science average: Kaitlin Gafford/Harley Walker
Highest history average: Hunter Borelli/Kaitlin Gafford/Jace Gifford
2nd highest history average: Harley Walker
3rd highest history average: Taylor Levins
“A” Honor Roll ALL year:
Hunter Borelli
Kaitlin Gafford
Jace Gifford
Shelby Rice
“A/B” Honor Roll ALL year:
Cody Adams
Tanner Boone
Dusty Carnley
Taylor Levins
Torka Mills
Harley Walker
Anthoni Weaver
Second Grade–Weaver
A Honor Roll
Logan Bevins
Maddie Mae Driskell
Madison Levins
Jayden White
Brian Yoder
A/B Honor Roll
Madeleine Atallah
Luke Diamond
Kerissa Dortch
Tyler Gilmore
Braden Glick
Mia Kornegay
Blake Shaw
Highest Language Average
Brian Yoder
Second Highest: Madison Levins
Third Highest: Maddie Mae Driskell
Highest Math Average
Brian Yoder and Madeleine Atallah
Second Highest: Madison Addisen
Third Highest: Braden Glick
Highest Science Average
Brian
Second Highest: Madison Levins
Highest Social Studies:
Madison Levins and Brian Yoder
Third Grade: Mrs. Dunsford
All A’s
Sarah Bailey
Riley Dawson
Madalyn Grimes
Meredith Johnston
Tyler Riggs
A/B
Alexa Castro
Kayla Glick
Kaylee Hamilton
Tyson McBride
Aydan Smith
Highest Reading Average: Sarah Bailey, Tyler Riggs
Highest Social Studies Average: Sarah Bailey
Highest Science Social Studies: Sarah Bailey and Tyler Riggs
Highest Math Average: Riley Dawson, Tyler Riggs
Molino Fire Dept. To Hold Open House This Saturday
June 16, 2015
The Molino Volunteer Fire Department will host their second annual open house from 4-8 p.m. Saturday.
The event will feature free food, drinks and festivities, special guest appearances, vendors, fire station tours and more. There will be a demonstration event at 6 p.m. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted for food plates.
For vendor information, call (850) 587-2661 or click here for the department’s Facebook page.
The Molino Hotshots will hold a car wash at the fire station Saturday morning.
The Molino Volunteer Fire Department is actively seeking volunteers for emergency and non-emergency operations. Applications are accepted from persons age 16 and older. The Molino Fire Station is part of Escambia Fire Rescue and provides emergency services to the Molino community.
Positions needed include clerical assistance, medical first responders, apparatus operators and firefighters. Free training is provided and includes junior firefighters 16 to 18 who can earn valuable credit for Bright Futures Scholarships through volunteer service and training.
Pictured: A live burn demonstration during last year’s open house at the Molino Volunteer Fire Department. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Awards Scholarships
June 15, 2015
The Barrineau Park Historical Society recently awarded scholarships to three deserving members of the Class 0f 2015 during an event at the Barrineau Park Community Center.
Cara Thompson, a Northview High School School graduate, received a $500 Lynda C. Minchew Memorial Scholarship. Thompson plans to major in English and wants to become a writer.
Josey Venable, a West Florida High School graduate, received a $1,000 Barrineau Park Historical Society Scholarship. Venable plans to be come a registered nurse.
Tamara Wise, a West Florida High School graduate, received a $1,000 Steven Jogan Memorial Scholarship from the Barrineau Park Historical Society. Wise plans to pursue a career in nursing.
Graduating seniors who attend Tate or Northview high schools, or reside in those districts, were eligible to apply for these scholarships with a 3.0 average or higher. The applicants were also required to write an essay explaining why a historical society is important to a community.
Pictured: Barrineau Park Historical Society scholarship recipients (L-R) Cara Thompson, Josey Venable and Tamara Wise. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Second Lady Christens USS Gabrielle Giffords In Mobile
June 14, 2015
The Navy christened its tenth littoral combat ship (LCS), the USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), during a midday ceremony Saturday at Austal USA shipyard in Mobile. LCS 10 is named after former United States Representative Gabrielle Giffords.
“The christening of the future USS Gabrielle Giffords marks the beginning of what is certain to be a long life for this great ship,” said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. “It is also a celebration of the skill and dedication of the men and women who have built LCS 10 and the courage of her namesake. This ship truly embodies the Navy motto of Semper Fortis – Always Courageous.”
During the event, Second Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden, the ship’s sponsor, broke a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow thereby christening the ship in a time-honored Navy tradition.
“Gabby represents the same qualities the Navy embodies,” Dr. Biden said. “She also represents the six Americans who lived those values but lost their lives in Tucson the day Gabby nearly lost hers.”
“In congress I was proud to support our armed forces. I love the Navy. I even married a sailor,” Giffords said. “She’s stealthy. She will defend freedom around the world. Go Navy!”
The LCS class consists of the Freedom variant and Independence variant, each designed and built by different industry teams. The Freedom variant team is led by Lockheed Martin (for odd-numbered hulls, e.g., LCS 1). The Independence variant team is led by General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works (LCS 2 and LCS 4) and Austal USA (for the subsequent even-numbered hulls). Purchased under the innovative block-buy acquisition strategy, there are 12 ships currently under construction.
While capable of open-ocean tasking, LCS is intended to operate in the littorals — shallow, coastal waters. As such, the ships can operate in water as shallow as 20 feet deep and can travel at speeds in excess of 40 knots. USS Freedom (LCS 1) and USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) recently demonstrated these critical capabilities as part of their operational deployments to U.S. 7th Fleet in the Asia-Pacific region.
LCS 10 is the 16th U.S. naval ship to be named for a woman, and only the 13th ship to be named for a living person since 1850. Giffords was a Congresswoman for Arizona’s 2nd District when Jared Loughner shot and wounded her on January 8, 2011.
Gabrielle Giffords is the third ship in a block buy contract with Austal to build 10 Independence- variant LCS ships. Sister ship Jackson (LCS 6) is preparing for builder’s trials, and Montgomery (LCS 
was christened in November 2014. The LCS program is ramping up in 2015 to deliver two ships per year from the Austal shipyard, as well as two Freedom-variant ships from the Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hurricane Season: Insure Against The Worst
June 14, 2015
It’s early in the 2015 hurricane season in the U.S., and with the significant risk of hurricane damage in Florida – from the state’s extensive coastline to the interior – insurance experts say it’s a good time for Floridians to do a check-up on their insurance policies.
Lynne McChristian with the Insurance Information Institute says with needs and property values constantly changing, it’s best to check the status of coverage every year.
“The most important thing is to have an annual conversation with your insurance company or insurance agent,” she says. “You need to make sure your homeowner’s insurance policy is enough to rebuild your home in the event of a disaster.”
The relatively quiet hurricane seasons of recent years have enabled the state to build up its Hurricane Catastrophe Fund to $17 billion. The state-run Citizens Property Insurance Company, created when many private insurers wouldn’t write policies in Florida after a series of damaging storms, has more than $7 billion in reserves.
While many property owners are protected, McChristian says the state’s large number of renters are not, unless they’ve purchased a renter’s policy.
“A lot of renters neglect to get property insurance, because nobody forces them to get it,” she says. “A landlord’s insurance does not cover your personal possessions.”
McChristian says it’s important to remember that flood insurance is not included in standard property insurance policies, but is something all Florida homeowners should consider.
“Even if you don’t live in a high-risk area for flooding, you really need to think about flood insurance,” she says. “We have inland bodies of water in Florida, and you may have a storm surge that could push water inland. That water has to go somewhere.”
According to AAA, one in five Floridians has flood insurance. On average, a flood insurance policy costing 85 cents a day will cover $100,000 in structural damage.
by Stephanie Carson, Public News Service Florida
Blooming Century Plant Turning Heads
June 11, 2015
Travelers and residents on Jordan Road northeast of Flomaton have been treated to a unique site — a blooming agave americana, more commonly known as a century plant.
The plants were once thought to bloom every 100 years, this the name, but scientists say the plants actually bloom about every 10 to 30 years. The bloom stalk may reach up to 30 feet high. The plants die after blooming, but shoots from the base may continue growning.
The century plant is located at the home of Shirley Petty in the 1100 block of Jordan Road, near Wolf Log Road.
Submitted photos by Andrea Boutwell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sustainability Summer Day Camp Planned In Cantonment
June 10, 2015
The Environmental Education Coordination Team will host a week-long summer day camp for children entering 1st through 5th grades, July 20 through 24, at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center, 1300 Tobias Road in Cantonment. Children will learn the importance of sustainable practices used to protect and preserve our valuable natural resources through hands-on lessons and activities.
Registration is $150, $75 for each additional child, and includes materials for activities, plus mid-morning and afternoon snacks. Camp hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Click here to RSVP.
To make payment or for more information contact Traci Goodhart, (850) 332-7976 Ext. 222 or traci.goodhart@wfrpc.org.
Pictured: John, the Eastern screech owl at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center, just one of the species children will learn about at an upcoming day camp. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Elementary Math Teams Place At Pensacola High Tourney
June 9, 2015
Recently, students from Jay Elementary School brought home several awards from a math tournament held at Pensacola High School.
- 4th Grade Results for Individual Round – Avery Mitchem and Jody Godwin received Honorable Mention. Emerson Walters placed tenth overall.
- 4th Grade Results for Team Round – third place overall
- 5th Grade Results for Individual Round – Shawn Thompson received honorable mMention. Megan Bethea placed first overall.
- 6th Grade Results for Individual Round – Katelyn Mayo placed eighth overall, Brody Johnson placed fourth overall, and Carson Walters placed second overall.
With the combined scores the fourth and fifth grades, Jay Elementary walked away with a second place overall sweepstakes trophy.
Pictured are Jay Elementary fourth and fifth grade math team members (L-R) Andrew Diamond, Kristin Archer, Megan Bethea, Emerson Walters, Hope Lashley, Avery Mitchem, Jody Godwin, Dylan Bradley, Preston Smith and Shawn Thompson. Picturd below: Jay Elementary sixth grade team members Katelyn Mayo, Emma Knowles, Brody Johnson, Bray Watson and Carson Walters. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Take Stock In Children Awards $300K In Escambia Scholarships
June 9, 2015
Take Stock in Children and the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation awarded $300,000 in scholarships, with 18 graduating seniors receiving four-year scholarships, six of which also received two-year university housing scholarships.
The 2015 Take Stock in Children graduates were:
- Escambia High: Karina Mendez-Rostro, Airamis Perez, Calvin Stallworth
- Northview High: Teamber Moorer, Cara Thompson
- Pensacola High: Jaimee Durbin, Andrew Huynh
- Pine Forest High: Jammie Yeldon
- PSC Collegiate High: Alexandra Campbell
- Tate High: (Jonathan) Alex Richards, Hangnga Suon
- Washington High: Doveline Delouis, Linorche Delouis, Ailene Goldsby, Keanan Williams
- West Florida High: Jillian Fillingim, Margaret McCaskill, Alexis Kennedy.
Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization in Florida that provides a unique opportunity for deserving low-income youth/students to escape the cycle of poverty through education. Students receive college scholarships, caring volunteer mentors, and hope for a better life. Students are selected through a need-based application process in middle school and comprehensive services continue through high school and include the students’ transition into college. Scholarships and student services are funded through a unique public-private fundraising model in which local scholarship donations are matched by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation when scholarships are purchased each year. Each student is matched with a volunteer mentor who meets with the student weekly at school.
Pictured: The 2015 Escambia County Take Stock in Children graduates (front, L-R) Alex Richards, Keanan Williams, Calvin Stallworth, Linorche Delouis, Doveline Delouis, Ailene Goldsby, Alex Campbell, Cara Thompson, (back) Karina Mendez-Rostro, Andrew Huynh, Airamis Perez, Jammie Yeldon, Jaimee Durbin, Alexis Kennedy, Jill Fillingim, Margaret McCaskill, Teamber Moorer and Hangnga Suon. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia River’s Gator Grand Slam
June 8, 2015
This Escambia River gator grand slam from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute is not for the faint of heart.
FWC freshwater fisheries researchers and herpetologists recently caught an alligator gar, alligator snapping turtle and an American alligator while conducting different studies at the same time on the Escambia River. American alligators are found in all 67 counties in Florida, but alligator gar and alligator snapping turtles are far less common.
Fnding alligator gar can be a challenge, but it’s one biologists with the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute are taking on to learn more about the population of the fish in Florida.
Alligator gar have historically resided in rivers and brackish waters throughout the southeastern U.S. from the Florida Panhandle – from the Apalachicola River west to the Perdido River – to Texas and Mexico. Since the mid-1900s, alligator gar numbers have declined, leaving populations in only half of the 14 states they once inhabited. The FWC acknowledged this in 2006, prohibiting harvest of alligator gar for all but scientific purposes.
Since 2010, FWRI researchers have been tagging alligator gar in the Escambia River to learn more about their movement and habitat use. Using large-mesh gill nets, researchers collect adult alligator gar and fit them with telemetry tags before releasing them back into the river. These tags transmit information through radio and sound signals, allowing researchers to track each individual’s location for about two years.
Three years into the study, researchers have tagged 22 alligator gar ranging from 11 pounds to a state record 132 pounds; tagged fish average 60 pounds. Researchers are trying to identify what habitats these fish prefer, how far they travel and whether they return to the same location over time. Preliminary tracking data indicate alligator gar are highly mobile and can travel more than 40 miles in a single week.
The data also reveal their movement and habitat use varies by season. In winter, the tagged fish tend to reside in a slough – a cove off the main river with no current – and move very little. As the season changes to spring, they begin traveling the river’s main channel but return repeatedly to the slough. Only in late spring did the gar venture from their home-base slough and begin cruising. Biologists recorded alligator gar moving as far north as Century and the Alabama state line and as far south as Escambia Bay during this time.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.