Pensacola Beach Observation Wheel Opens Today
July 3, 2012
The 360 Pensacola Beach observation wheel is set for a noon Tuesday opening.
The 360 Pensacola Beach Wheel has 42 Swiss-manufactured, fully enclosed climate controlled gondolas with heating and air conditioning. Gondolas will feature UV protective, non-reflective glass for excellent viewing, photo or video capturing. The flight lasts approximately 10-12 minutes with 4 revolutions. The wheel will include one VIP gondola that features these amenities in addition to leather bucket seats, a television and champagne bucket. Each gondola can hold up to 6 adults. But unrelated parties will not be required to sit together.
The wheel is the largest portable wheel in the world, and the first of its kind in America. It features over 1 million white Led lights outlining the wheel and each of its gondolas.
The wheel will be open 10 a.m. to midnight daily. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for kids under 48-inches tall.
Pictured above and below: Views from the new 60 Pensacola Beach observation wheel late Monday afternoon. Pictured inset: The wheel towers about 200 feet above Pensacola Beach. Photos by Jaimee Lee, WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Youth ‘Converge’ During Camp That Served
July 2, 2012
Last week, dozens of youth from across Escambia County took part in Converge — a combination youth summer camp and summer missions project to help the community.
Among the week’s projects, the youth took part in beatification projects at Byrneville Elementary and Warrington Middle schools, a food drive for Manna Food Bank, handed out milk and bread in needy neighborhoods and even helped build a house with Habitat for Humanity.
From the North Escambia area, youth groups from Highland Baptist in Molino and Ray’s Chapel in Bogia took part in Converge last week.
“All the kids made new friends and had a great time working and making a difference in the lives of our communities,” youth leader Ramona Preston said.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Local youth converged on Escambia County last week in a youth camp/missions project. Pictured inset: Youth take part in a cleanup at Byrneville Elementary School. Pictured below: Ray’s Chapel Pastor Nathan Brown with the church’s youth group. Submitted photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward FFA Members Compete At State Level
July 1, 2012
Ernest Ward Middle School FFA team members competed this past week at the 84th Florida State FFA Convention in Orlando. After winning at the district level, the team qualified to compete at the state level in the Parliamentary Procedures category. Team members also attended various leadership and educational workshops while at the convention. There were over 3,000 registered attendees at this year’s convention.
By Allison Woodfin,
EWMS FFA Reporter
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School FFA members in Orlando (front, L-R) Miranda Vidak, Bethany Reynolds, Courtney Weekley, Ian Schneider, Haylee Weaver, Hunter Kite, (back, L-R) Kaitlyn Kleinatland, Allison Woodfin, Cindy Wilson-Advisor, Mitchell Singleton and Renee McGahan. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Birth: Lexi Marie Taylar Holland
July 1, 2012
Derrick and Christina (Allen) Holland of Atmore, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Lexi Marie Taylar Holland.
Lexi was born at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope on June 18, 2012, at 9:37 a.m. She weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces and was 20 inches long.
Proud grandparents are, Karen Allen of Atmore, Pam amd Will Lambert of Atmore. Great grandparents are Johnny Holland of Atmore, and Helen and Glenn Wolfe of Bay Minette.
Northview FFA Food For America Named Best In Florida
June 29, 2012
The Northview High School FFA’s Food For America program was named the best in Florida Thursday during the 84th Florida FFA State Convention in Orlando.
The Northview Food for America Program gave hundreds of elementary school students a chance to learn about agriculture firsthand up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more. About 800 elementary school students and about 100 volunteers took part in the program that featured over two dozen off-campus exhibitors.
The 2012 Food For America program was dedicated to Tommy Weaver, a beloved Northview teacher who passed away during the last school year.
The Food for America award is sponsored by the Florida Department of Agriculture.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the March event, click here.
Pictured above and below: The Northview High School FFA Food for America program was named the best in Florida Thursday afternoon in Orlando. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Church Youth ‘Converge’ On Pensacola
June 27, 2012
Youth from churches across Escambia County are taking part in Converge — part youth summer camp and part missions project to help the community.
From the North Escambia area, youth groups from Highland Baptist in Molino and Ray’s Chapel in Bogia are taking part in Converge this week. The youth are taking part in building a house with Habitat for Humanity, a beautification project at Warrington Middle School, a food drive for Manna Food Bank, handing out milk and bread in needy neighborhoods, and more.
And while working on the missions projects, the students are also sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to organizers.
Pictured: Converge youth work to build a house with Habitat for Humanity on Wednesday. Submitted Photos by Brad Johnson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: A Cartoon Adventure At The Century Branch Library
June 27, 2012
The summer reading program for kids and teens continued Tuesday at the Century Branch Library with cartooning with Mike Artell.
The award-winning cartoonist and illustrator presented plenty of facts and set the kids off drawing their own cartoon adventure.
There will not be a program next Tuesday, July 3. The Summer Reading Series will conclude on Tuesday, July 10 at noon with a program featuring drums with Mark Seymour. Children will explore the world of drums, drum styles and sounds.
The Century Branch Library also offers a preschool story time each Tuesday in June at 10:30 a.m. for children birth to five-years old.
For more information, call the library at (850) 256-6217.
Pictured above and below: Children enjoy cartooning during the Summer Reading Series Tuesday afternoon at the Century Branch Library. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Tropical Storm Debby’s Surf At Pensacola Beach
June 26, 2012
Tropical Storm Debby pounded Pensacola Beach with heavy surf. For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Pensacola Beach on Sunday as Tropical Story Debby churned in the Gulf of Mexico. Photos by DonaJean Heist for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: TS Debby Kicks Up Surf On Pensacola Beach
June 25, 2012
Tropical Storm Debby kicked up 11 foot swells on Pensacola Beach Sunday — great for the surfers but keeping everyone else out of the water.
To find out if the surfer above wows the crowd or wipes out, visit our Facebook page and become a Fan for a photo gallery.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Open Soon: Molino Tax, Property Offices Open (With Photo Gallery)
June 25, 2012
Next week, new Escambia County tax collector and property appraiser offices will open in Molino.
The offices will be located in a new 7,000 square foot building constructed adjacent to the old Molino School on Highway 95A, just south of Molino Road.
Touring her new office location with NorthEscambia.com, Tax Collector Janet Holley took a moment to point out the signs next to the office restrooms — “Cowgirls” and “Cowboys”. It’s part of the “local flair” meant to reflect the Molino area community.
For a photo tour of the facility, click here.
The Molino service center for the tax collector will process motor vehicle and vessel registrations and titles, hunting and fishing licenses, property taxes, and business tax receipts. Limited driver license and ID card services will be available by appointment only. The new office will continue to offer drive thru service and a 24-hour drop box. Office hours will remain the same — Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m
The county currently leases the Cantonment service center location in the old Winn Dixie Shopping Center for about $60,000 per year. That money, Holley said, will likely be saved and returned by her office to the county’s coffers at the end of the fiscal year.
Property Appraiser Chris Jones is moving his office from the nearby Escambia County Farm Bureau office on Highway 97, saving the county about $16,000 per year in rent.
Pictured top: Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley in front of her newest office in Molino, which is scheduled to open July 2. Picture inset: The bathrooms in the office reflect the local community, labeled “Cowgirls” and “Cowboys”. Pictured below: The new office awaits counters and office equipment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
