Rotary Academic All-Stars Named From Northview, ECHS, Escambia Academy, Atmore Christian
May 19, 2021
The Atmore Rotary Club has named 160 area high school students as Academic All-Stars.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the in-person ceremony could not be held this year, and students were mailed a recognition packet.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year.
The Rotary Club is presenting over $25,000 in scholarships this year to 37 Seniors. Each four-year Senior Academic All Star will receive a scholarship for $1,000. The seniors who have been an Academic All Star for three years will receive $700, two year seniors will receive $600, and one-year seniors will receive $500. The program excludes Northview students that are full-time dual enrolled.
Those honored as Atmore Rotary Club Academic All Stars were:
(Four-Year Academic All-Stars are denoted with asterisks.)
NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
9th Grade
Rabekah Danielle Abbott
Raegan Michelle Abbott
Kendall Anne Alvare
Sarah Elaine Bailey
Doria Beach
Kendal Brooke Beasley
Chloe Faith Criswell
Riley Elizabeth Dawson
Carsyn Laine Dortch
Austin David Dunsford
Mayson Claire Edwards
Brandon Lee Ferguson
Raleigh Sienna Gibson
Kaylie B Glick
Maggie Rose Godwin
Makayla Jane Golson
Kylie Breann Grantham
Madalyn Marie Grimes
Ava Kate Gurganus
Berklee Savannah Hall
Leah Kathryn Hetrick
Meredith Makenzie Johnston
James Judson Lee
Sarah Kate Long
Leila Ann Mason
Caden Thomas Mills
Chloe Layne Morris
Jackson Johnny Mac Parker
Evin Taylor Pedicord
Cody Tyler Pugh
Chloe Adele Ragsdale
Daniel Tyler Riggs
Wyatt Alexander Scruggs
Dequan Rashad Shabazz
Mandell Levan Smith
Skyler Marie Williams
10th Grade
Clayton Mitchell Allen
Leah Kalyn Anderson
Terrell Luke Bridges
Ethan Scott Collier
Presley Sharee Dortch
Drake Allen Driskell
Logan Taylor Faith
Emma Sage Gilmore
William Cross Goslee
Gabriel Kohle Harigel
Shelby Lynn Kent
Trent Austin Knighten
Emily Grace Levins
Sarah Kennedy Long
Bayllon David Matson
Megan T McGhee
Ruth Nicole Mobley
Elianna T. Morales
David Kaden Odom
Cameron Riley Partrick
Rustin Kyle Pope
Chase Randal Pugh
Leila Katherine Sanders
Simeon Sanders
Dustin James Santinelli
Alana Shelly
McKenna Rae Simmons
Jessica Faith Stabler
Audrey Michelle Stuckey
John Michael Ward
Preston Clay Wilson
Charles Michael Wood
Blake Richard Yoder
11th Grade
Anna Faith Adams
John Blake Bashore
Hunter Shane Borelli
Shelby Nicole Cotita
Miyhanna Patrice Davidson
Casandra Lynn Davis
Kaitlin Hope Gafford
Jonathan Thomas Gibbs
Holley Danielle Gilley
Jason Zane Gurganus
Sarah Margaret Hetrick
Jesse Allen Hughes
Grayson Elizabeth James
Ethan Riley Kilburn
Taylor Lynn Levins
Dallon Thortis Rackard
Sarah Jane Sconiers
Jordan Alise Stanley
Mia Rain Starns
Madison Victoria Watson
12th Grade
Maggie Lauren Amerson ****
Madelyn Brooke Berry
Sehoye Rose Buckley
Naudia Briana-Nicole Carach
Alexis Madison Fleming
Amber Marie Gilman ****
Leia Madison Grantham
Heather Lashea Knowles ****
David Allen Lamb ****
Abigail Lynn Levins
Meredith McKinley McGhee ****
Taheya Lee McGhee
Karelis Jadelynn Morales
Madyson Shai Moye
Jalexis Sy’Rai Robinson
Michael Jerome Sanders
Leah Faye Wood
Lillian Joan Worden
ESCAMBIA ACADEMY
9th Grade
Patrick Byrd
Eli Covington
Timmy Doerr
10th Grade
Abby-Kate Helton
11th Grade
Braden Crysell
Emma Hall
Brady Howell
Jamison Janes
Christopher Long
Ja’Daniel Nettles
Landon Sims
Jadon Stevens
12th Grade
Jeb Black
Randal Bonds
Lillian Bonner
Daughtry McGhee
Rubye Nix
Disha Patel ****
Joshua Spruill
Gabrielle Williams
ESCAMBIA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
9th Grade
David Bouler
Evereona Jackson
10th Grade
Shamirica Rankins
Summayah Tolbert
Carmelo Turner
11th Grade
La’Asia Henderson
Charity James
Zahria McCants
Aniya Stots
Sheldon Williams
12th Grade
Destiny Brown
Samantha Forkins
Brianna Morrow
Madison Simmons ****
Mia Simmons ****
ATMORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
9th Grade
Emmett Battles
Brooklyn Hursh
Dexter Smoker
Elizabeth Terry
Helen Weber
10th Grade
Elliott Classen
Claire Girby
Sydney Mast
11th Grade
Caeden Battles
Titus Dean
Gage Gades
Joanna Jernigan
12th Grade
Harleigh Crumbly
Morgan Jury
Micah Mast ****
Mia Morris
Reese White
Megan Wilson
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Jay Beats Wewahitchka In State Semifinal
May 18, 2021
The Jay Lady Royals beat Wewahitchka 7-2 Tuesday afternoon in the 1A state semifinal in Clermont. The head to the state championship Wednesday against the winner of this afternoon’s Branford vs. Trenton game. Pictured: The Jay Lady Royals after their regional win last week. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Critically Injured In Crash Trying To Pass Another Vehicle On Jacks Branch Road
May 18, 2021
A Milton woman was critically injured when she lost control of her SUV while passing on Jacks Branch Road Tuesday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 30-year old woman was traveling north on Jacks Branch Road at River Annex Road when she attempted to pass another vehicle. She ran off the roadway, hit a trashcan and lost control of her SUV. The vehicle rolled several times on the shoulder of the roadway.
The adult female was airlifted by MedStar Air Care helicopter to an area hospital.
FHP no longer releases the name of traffic crash victims.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Shed In Cottage Hill
May 18, 2021
Fire destroyed a storage shed in Cottage Hill Tuesday morning.
The approximately 500 square foot shed was involved in fire and had already collapsed when firefighters arrived behind a home in the 800 block of McKenzie Road about 7:45 a.m.
There were no injuries reported, and there was no word on the cause of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Smoke In Century Nursing Home Forces Evacuation
May 18, 2021
Smoke in a Century nursing home forced a partial evacuation of the facility Tuesday morning.
Fire alarms at the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center sounded about 6:40 a.m. Firefighters arrived at the 88-bed facility to find smoke in a back hallway.
The source of the smoke was believed to be the HVAC system. At least some of the residents were evacuated to the outdoors as firefighters worked to determine the cause.
There were no injuries reported.
The Century, McDavid and Walnut Hill Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Flomaton Fire Department, Atmore Fire Department, Pace Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were among those dispatched to the scene. Some of the fire units remained on scene until about 8:30 a.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Tom Thumb Closed Temporarily After Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19
May 18, 2021
The Tom Thumb in Molino is closed for a few days after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee notified Tom Thumb of their positive test result, and the store was closed early Monday afternoon for cleaning and sanitizing by an industrial cleaning crew.
“The store will re-open in the next few days. We are grateful to all our customers for their patience and understanding during this time,” a Tom Thumb spokesman said in statement to NorthEscambia.com. “We are making every effort to provide the affected team member and our broader team with the necessary resources and support.”
The company said the store’s employees have been contacted and advised to follow CDC recommended guidelines.
Pictured: The Tom Thumb at the corner of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
‘Going To Blow Tonight’ – Cantonment Man Sentenced For Arson Of His Grandmother’s Home
May 18, 2021
A Cantonment man has struck a plea deal and has been sentenced for setting fire to his grandmother’s house early this year.
Andrew Christian Geoghagan was charged with felony arson of a structure by the Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives Investigations in connection with a fire in the 600 block of Jacks Branch Road in Cantonment on January 5, 2021.
Judge Jan Shackelford withheld adjudication and sentenced Geoghagan to six months community control (“house arrest”), 36 months probation and 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to submit to drug and alcohol testing, pay fines and costs, seek employment and attend a weekly Narcotics Anonymous meeting.
According to prosecutor Elisibeth Davenport, Geoghagan started a fire in the crawlspace of his grandmother’s home using propane. The grandmother wanted to see Geoghagan receive drug treatment rather than spend time in state prison, Davenport said.
Before the fire, Geoghagan was seen taking a propane tank, and when confronted he stated, “that’s alright this [expletive] is going to blow tonight,” according to an arrest report. He was also seen in the area of the fire.
The estimated damage to the structure was approximately $1,000.
Pictured top: Andrew Christian Geoghagan appeared in video court before Judge Jan Shackelford. NorthEscambia.com image, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Elementary Dedicates ‘Jaden James Friendship Bench’ In Memory Of Student Killed Near Walnut Hill
May 18, 2021
On Monday, Flomaton Elementary School dedicated a bench in memory of a student killed in a car crash last year near Walnut Hill.
“The Jaden James Friendship Bench” honors the six grader killed in the crash October 3, 2020, on Highway 97 one mile south of Tungoil Road.
“Jaden was a friend to everyone he met and leaves a legacy for us to uphold,” the school said about Jaden James in a social media post. “The bench, which was built and donated anonymously, will be used for times when students (and adults) need to talk to each other and remember the value and importance of friendship.”
Jaden’s father Jermaine James and sister Jermiah attended the bench dedication.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Council On Aging Senior Dining Sites Have Reopened
May 18, 2021
The Council on Aging of West Florida senior dining sites reopened Monday for the first time since the start of the pandemic last year.
The Council on Aging congregate meal program sites are open elders 60 and over on Monday, May 17. The sites closed March 16, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, meals were available at these sites via a Monday through Friday grab-and-go platform, but now the locations are open with 100 percent occupancy so older adults can resume daytime activities.
Meals must be ordered a day in advance before 12 noon by calling (850) 432-1475.
For those who can and enjoy getting out for lunch, the Senior Dining Program is a neighborhood-based program which offers older citizens the opportunity to share their lunch with others their age. Hot nutritious balanced meals are served to active senior adults at several locations throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Meals are prepared fresh daily and contain one-third of the required daily allowance (RDA) for adults and comply with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Guidelines. In addition, participants have an opportunity to join in arts and crafts projects, play games and socialize. Serving times and location hours vary by site.
Missing from the list below are the sites in Cantonment and Beulah. Josh Newby, marketing director for the Council on Aging, said the Cantonment site needs building repairs, and the Beulah site is too small to allow for proper social distancing.
The sites wno open are:
Century Senior Center
6025 Industrial Boulevard
Century, FL 32535
(850) 256-1012
Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Chumuckla Community Center
2355 Highway 182 West, Chumuckla, FL 32566
(850) 994-8811
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane, Jay, FL 32565
(850) 675-0810
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Tuesday through Thursday
Bayview Senior Center
2000 E Lloyd St.
Pensacola, FL 32503
(850) 432-1475
Hours: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:30 AM
Monday through Friday
Cobb Center
601 E. Mallory
Pensacola, FL 32503
(850) 436-5192
Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Westwood Homes
4400 Westover Ave.
Pensacola, FL 32506
(850) 292-9868
Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Serving Time: 11:15 AM
Monday through Friday
Bagdad Community Center
6860 Pooley St., Bagdad, FL 32530
(850) 983-4500
Hours: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Christ United Methodist Church
5983 Dogwood Street, Milton, FL 32570
(850) 983-4590
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
E.H. Pullum Senior Center
8476 Gordon Goodin Lane. Navarre, FL 32566
(850) 936-1644
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:15 AM
Monday through Thursday Only
The decision to reopen comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lifted all coronavirus limitations based on emergency executive order, and local municipalities have followed suit. As vaccination rates continue to increase, COVID hospitalizations remain trending downward, and average infection age drops steadily, Council on Aging’s management and board have made the decision to allow seniors to recongregate.
“For decades, we have been preaching the importance of socialization and companionship for our community’s elderly,” said John B. Clark, Council on Aging president and CEO. “It’s good for your mind, your soul and your body. Of course, we had to reverse course during COVID as that physical safety became most pressing, but now we feel that our area is in a safe place to return these elders to a communal setting where they can support and enrich each other and grow together.”
Barrineau Park Historical Society Awards Scholarships To Outstanding Seniors
May 18, 2021
The Barrineau Park Historical Society recently awarded scholarships to five outstanding seniors.
Northview High School senior Abigail Nelson received a $1,000 Barrineau Park Historical Society scholarship awarded by BPHS President Craig Exner. She plans to attend Florida State University and work toward a degree in psychology.
Tate High School senior Jessica Conti received a $500 Lynda Minchew scholarship endowed by the Bobby Minchew family. She plans to major in agricultural science and will attend Mississippi State University in the fall.
Northview High School senior Amber Gilman received a $500 Louis Crabtree Sr. scholarship endowed by the Crabtree family. She will be attending the University of West Florida working towards a degree in psychology in the fall.
Home schooled senior Sidney Ziglar received a $1,000 Steven Jogan scholarship from the Barrineau Park Historical Society. Jogan was a lifetime BPHS member, and its treasurer and office manager for many years. Ziglar plans to attend the University of West Florida and major in physical therapy in the fall
Parker Hasselbrock ,a West Florida High School senior, received a $500 Mildred Haupert Schwartz scholarship endowed by the Paul Schwartz family. Parker plans to attend the University of West Florida and work towards a graphic design degree.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.