Veterans Day Programs Planned Across The North Escambia Area

November 3, 2017

Numerous programs are planned over the next week to celebrate and honor veterans in advance of Veterans Day on Saturday, November 11.

Tuesday, November 7

Ernest Ward Middle School will present their annual Veterans Day Program on Tuesday, November 7 at 9:15 a.m. in the school’s gym. The school’s band and chorus will perform patriotic music and a special dramatic presentation will be performed by the drama class.  Guest speaker will be Master at Arms First Class Wartley-Banks from Pensacola.

Thursday, November 9

Lipscomb Elementary School is inviting local veterans to a very special assembly to honor them on Thursday, November 9 at 8:30 a.m. Veteran guests are asked to meet at the flagpole at 8:30 to enter the school together to proceed to the cafeteria for the program.

Bratt Elementary School will present “Let’s Sing America,” a salute to Veterans, on Thursday, November 9 at 9 a.m.

Pine Meadow Elementary School will hold a Veterans Day program will be Thursday, November 9 at 9 a.m. Kindergarten and fourth grade students will sing during the program. All veteran’s related to Pine Meadow Elementary students are invited.

Beulah Elementary School second grade students will present a Veterans Day program on Thursday, November 9 at 9:00 a.m.

Northview High School will have it an annual Veterans Day Program on Thursday, November 9 in the school’s theater.  Two identical programs will be presented – the first at 9:30 a.m. to be immediately followed by the second at about 10:30 a.m. The guest speaker will be Captain Chuck Kicker USN (ret) who served for 30 years as a Navy Surface Warfare Officer. He has continued his service to our country as a federal civil service employee and is currently the Executive Director of the Center of Naval Aviation Technical Training  (CNATT), training future Sailors and Marines.

The Town of Century will host a Veterans Day celebration on November 9 at 1 p.m.  at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4. Attendees are asked to bring a photo of their veteran to display during the ceremony.

Ransom Middle School will present a Veteran’s Day Program twice on Thursday, November 9 – at 2:25 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. The Ransom orchestra, chorus and band will perform.

Pictured top: The 2016 Veterans Day program at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Atmore Man Gets Prison For Brother’s Murder Despite Stand Your Ground Claim

November 3, 2017

An Atmore man has been indicted for the 2015 murder of his brother despite a stand your ground claim.

An Escambia County grand jury indicted James “Jamie” Tolin Scott on one count of reckless murder for the May 6, 2015, shooting death of Tony Tolin Scott.  Tony Scott was shot to death with a small caliber rifle at James Scott’s home on Jefferson Avenue in McCullough, a small community north of Atmore.

Wednesday, James Scott was sentenced to 25 years in state prison for the murder of his brother.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office had responded multiple times to the home prior to the shooting due to fights between the brothers.

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.

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