Shana Brown Named Molino Park Elementary Teacher Of The Year
November 3, 2017
Shana Brown has been named Molino Park Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year. Brown teaches science to all fifth grade students at Molino Park, where 92 percent of FSA Science test takers scored a “3″ or higher on the state assessment. That placed Molino Park in the 99th percentile in science achievement, outscoring 1,826 of Florida’s 1836 elementary schools.
Man Stabbed In Cantonment Neighborhood, Driven To McDonald’s
November 2, 2017
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing Thursday afternoon in Cantonment.
The stabbing occurred about 3 p.m. in the 700 block of Escambia Avenue in the Harvester’s Homes neighborhood after two people became involved in a confrontation. The adult male victim was driven by a witness to McDonald’s on Highway 29 near Old Chemstrand Road.
The victim was transported from McDonald’s by Escambia County EMS as a trauma alert to an area hospital. He suffered a knife wound to the neck or upper body area, according to Maj. Andrew Hobbs, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Hobbs said an adult male suspect was taken into custody and is being questioned to determine the events that occurred.
Pictured top: A Cantonment stabbing victim was driven to McDonald’s on Highway 29 Thursday afternoon (courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com). Pictured below: The stabbing occurred on Escambia Avenue. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Community Complex Expands With Remodeled Cafeteria Building
November 2, 2017
Escambia County has remodeled the old cafeteria at the Molino Community Center, and it will soon be available for public rentals.
The building includes tables and chairs and a full commercial kitchen.
The building will be managed by The Community Action Program Committee, Inc., a local non-profit organization, under a lease agreement with the county for $1 per year for an initial term of five years. F
At their regular meeting Thursday evening, the Escambia County Commission is expected to give final approval of the cafeteria lease agreement with The Community Action Program Committee. For use information, contact the Community Action Program office at (850) 679-4817 .
The Molino Mid-County Historical society will continue to mange the auditorium and meeting rooms in the main building of the Molino Community Center. For rental information call the Molino Mid-County Historical Society at (850) 587-5011.
Courtesy and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Whitney Fike Named Communications Manager At International Paper Cantonment
November 2, 2017
International Paper announced Wednesday that Whitney Fike has been named manager, Communications for its Pensacola Containerboard and Pulp Mill in Cantonment. In her new leadership role, Fike will be responsible for the mill’s internal and external communications, which includes employee communications, media relations and community engagement.
Most recently, Fike (pictured left) owned a public relations company, Sparkplug Social, and worked with clients on public relations plans, social media management and content development. She has a vast background of communications experience and has worked in a variety of sectors including not-for-profit, government, tourism, financial, entertainment and events throughout her career.
Fike is a founding member of the local Lean In chapter, past-president of the Florida Public Relations Association Pensacola chapter and a 2012 graduate of Leadership Pensacola. Fike and her family reside in the Pensacola area.
In a related move, Janice Cooper Holmes has been promoted to Manager, Communications, Global Manufacturing System for International Paper. In her new leadership position, Holmes will provide strategic communications planning and support for IP’s Global Manufacturing System and serves as the subject matter expert for employee communications across the company, globally.
Most recently, Holmes (pitured left) was the Manager, Communications for the Pensacola Mill and prior to that Director, Communications for the University of West Florida. Holmes is a past-president of the Junior League of Pensacola, a 2003 graduate of Leadership Pensacola and currently serves as chair of the Creative Learning Academy Board of Trustees. Holmes and her family will continue to reside in the Pensacola area.
Walnut Hill VFD Fish Fry Set For Saturday
November 2, 2017
The Annual Catfish Fry at the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department will be Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97. Plates will be $8 each with your choice of catfish fillets or grilled chicken, plus baked beans, cole slaw, hush puppies, rolls and dessert.
There will also be drawing for door prizes beginning at 1 p.m. and a live auction. There will be bounce house and fire safety house for the kids. The Bloodmobile will also be on hand for a blood drive.
Escambia County EMS will also be on hand with equipment and personnel, and available to answer questions about their new service coming to Walnut Hill and Bratt.
Tate And Northview FFA Chapters Receive National Honors
November 2, 2017
The Northview High and Tate High FFA chapters received top awards at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN.
Both the Tate and Northview FFA chapters were recognized in the 2017 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization.
The Tate FFA chapter received the national Three-Star Chapter Award, while the Northview FFA received the national Two-Star Chapter Award.
The chapter award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters from throughout the country that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations and Agricultural Education using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.
The Northview High School FFA Alumni received a national bronze award.
Northview graduate Mitchell Singleton received a silver ranking in Extemporaneous Public Speaking. The National FFA Extemporaneous Public Speaking LDE is designed to recognize outstanding FFA members for their ability to prepare and present a factual speech on a specific agricultural issue in awell thought out and logical manner. Members select one topic from a choice of categories, have 30 minutes to prepare a four to six minute speech, and respond to five minutes of questions following delivery.
Four other Northview graduates — Kaitlyn Kleinatland, Bethany Reynolds, Haylee Weaver and Courtney Weekley — were awarded the American FFA Degree. Miranda Vidak, a West Florida High School graduate also earned her American FFA Degree but did not attend the convention. The degree is presented after the FFA member graduates from high school. [Read more...]
The American FFA Degree is the highest honor bestowed upon any regular member of the National FFA Organization. The degree is presented to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their supervised agricultural experiences.
Pictured top: The Tate High School FFA Chapter at the National FFA Chapter in Indianapolis, IN. Pictured below: The Northview High School FFA Chapter at the National Convention. Pictured bottom: The Tate FFA also visited Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, and other landmarks. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Names Students Of The Month
November 2, 2017
The following students were named Students of the Month for October at Bratt Elementary School.
Pre-K
- Caleb Madison
- Cameron Parmer
Kindergarten
- Sawyer Sandavol
- Brylee Peters
- Zoey Davidson
- Jonah Carter
- Calee Satterwhite
First Grade
- Keylashia Randle
- Landon Barlow
- Jaxon Byrd
- Jepp Godwin
Second Grade
- Breah Shelly
- Jacob Dove
- Oneisha Dubose
- Cassie Stillwell
- Camden Jacobson
Third Grade
- Jake Taylor
- Presley Johnson
- William Classen
Fourth Grade
- Aakira Davis
- Reece Starns
- Jackson Bridges
- Desiray Bagwell
Fifth Grade
- Taliyan Johnson
- Colton Criswell
- Bryce Stabler
- Ashton Covan
In addition, Oneisha Dubose and Desiray Bagwell were selected to represent Bratt Elementary as Escambia County Students of the Month for October.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Brewton Teen Sentenced For Deadly Hit And Run
November 2, 2017
An Alabama teen that struck a middle school student with her vehicle in 2016 before leaving the scene was sentenced to prison Wednesday.
Donnavia Zandra Williams pleaded guilty to manslaughter for hitting and killing 12-year-old Devon Spencer.
Williams was sentenced to 20 years in state prison by Judge Bert Rice. Under the sentencing, the first five years are mandatory to be followed by five years probation. If Williams completes both the prison sentence and probation without any disciplinary action or reincarceration, the remaing 10 years of her sentence will be waived.
Williams was 17 in February of 2016, when the deadly crash occurred. She told police her windshield was icy, and she’d thought she hit a mailbox.
Devon Spencer, 12, and a friend were walking on Williamson Street, traveling from an apartment complex to W.S. Neal Middle School. The friend was not seriously injured, but Devon died a few days later at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Williams was 17 in February of 2016, when the deadly crash occurred. She told police her windshield was icy, and she’d thought she hit a mailbox.
Devon Spencer, 12, and a friend were walking on Williamson Street, traveling from an apartment complex to W.S. Neal Middle School. The friend was not seriously injured, but Devon died a few days later at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Pictured top: Devon Spencer.
Escambia Seeks Volunteer To Serve On Disability Awareness Committee
November 2, 2017
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking county residents interested in volunteering for an “at-large” appointment to the Escambia County Disability Awareness Committee, which was established by the board in 2013.
Escambia County Residents interested in serving on the committee are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by the close of business Wednesday, November 8. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Judy Witterstaeter, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, Florida 32502, or emailed to jhwitter@myescambia.com.
Resumes submitted for consideration are subject to public records requests and are included in Escambia County Commission meeting information, including the agenda and official meeting minutes.
The purpose of the committee is to make recommendations to the board of county commissioners regarding issues relating to the disabled community and any other issues requested by the board. The committee is composed of seven voting members, and all members of the committee must be electors of Escambia County. Each commissioner on the board of county commissioners appoints one member to the committee, and each member serves concurrently with his or her appointing commissioner’s term. The board collectively appoints two at-large members, who each serve a four-year term.
There are four meetings scheduled each year on the third Wednesday of the month. Meetings begin at 3 p.m. and typically last until 5 p.m. Special meetings may be scheduled if needed. There is no travel required.
FHP Identifies Man Killed In Fiery Santa Rosa Crash
November 2, 2017
The Florida Highway Patrol has identified a man killed in a fiery high-speed crash Wednesday night in Santa Rosa County.
The FHP said 30-old Darius Hunter of Pensacola was driving a two-door Nissan east on Highway 90 near Woodbine Road about 10:40 p.m. He was traveling at a high rate of speed when he passed a slower vehicle, left the roadway and traveled down the shoulder of the road. After striking several trees, the vehicle caught fire.
Hunter was pronounced deceased on scene. This investigation is ongoing.
The FHP is currently seeking a dark colored sedan that may have been racing Hunter when the crash occurred. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact CPL L. Slick of the Florida Highway Patrol at (850) 471-6927.