Local Rotary Clubs Honor Local Military Members
November 11, 2014
Rear Adm. Mike White, commander, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) was the guest speaker at the recent Combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola (CROP) annual Military Appreciation Luncheon.
More than 270 personnel including Rotarians from 13 local clubs, community leaders and military members attended the event to honor and recognize local military members. Bob
Schuster, member of the Five Flags Rotary Club and assistant governor, Area 1, gave opening remarks, recognized numerous military veterans and welcomed the active duty service members in attendance to the Rotary meeting.
“The Rotary motto ‘service about self’ – is something that every sailor as well as every individual who wears a uniform shares,” said White, as he talked about the newest generation of sailors and the sacrifices they make today.
Representatives from several local Pensacola commands were honored for their contributions not only in the military workforce but also as members of the community. During the 2014 fiscal year, more than 1,600 military members volunteered their spare time to feed the hungry, tutor children, help the elderly and clean beaches. Their combined volunteer effort totaled more than 26,900 hours.
“Without any reservation, in this all volunteer force, they have chosen a lifestyle of service, dedicating themselves to the highest standards of American citizenship and commitment,” White added.
U.S Congressmen Jeff Miller gave closing remarks and said that he was grateful for the opportunity to share in the day’s events.
“It was an honor to be here today recognizing those men and women who wear the uniform both present and past,” said Miller. “Thank you for your service and selfless sacrifice.”
by Lt. Cmdr. Kate Meadows
Veterans Honored, Embassy Flag From Baghdad, Iraq Dedicated
November 11, 2014
Century Health and Rehabilitation Center held a special ceremony recently to honor those that have served and to dedicate a flag that once flew over Baghdad, Iraq.
The flag once flew over a Baghdad compound that served as a temporary embassy. Before leaving, the men took the flag with them. Major Scott Sewell, who served under the flag, gifted it to his father, Major John Sewell U.S. Army, retired. The flag was presented to Century Health and Rehabilitation Center by “Johnny” Sewell, the center’s former social services director.
The center also recognized each veteran resident, staff member and volunteer with a special pin and certificate during their patriotic program.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
American Diabetes Month: Floridians Impacted In Large Numbers
November 11, 2014
November is American Diabetes Month. As the prevalence of the disease continues to rise across the state and nation, the number of Floridians with diabetes is expected to increase.
David Becker, a spokesman for the American Diabetes Association, says the latest numbers show 29 million Americans with diabetes, and the toll on health can be great, including kidney failure, blindness, amputations and more.
“There are a lot of co-morbid diseases as far as diabetes and cancer and heart disease,” he points out. “It all kind of is interrelating.”
Becker says about 95 percent of those people who have diabetes have Type 2, which healthier lifestyle choices with nutrition and physical activity can help prevent.
In Florida a little more than 1.7 million have diabetes, but that is expected to increase to nearly three million by 2030, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Becker notes that even some simple, small changes with healthy eating and regular exercise can yield big results. “If you lose just 7 percent of your body weight, you can decrease your chances of getting diabetes by 58 percent,” he stresses.
If the current trends don’t change, it’s estimated that by 2050, 30 percent of all Americans will have diabetes.
by The Florida News Connection
Energy Workshop To Be Held For Small Busineses, Ag Producers
November 11, 2014
Escambia County Extension, Santa Rosa Extension and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/IFAS) will host a energy workshop prestened by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, Florida Department of Energy and Power South Energy Cooperative. The primary focus of this workshop is to notify local small businesses and agricultural producers of grant opportunities.
The workshop will be held at the Jay Community Center, 5259 Booker Lane, on Tuesday, November 18, from 12 to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Registration will begin at 11:30 a.m. RSVP to Sabrina Owens at (800) 235-3848 ext: 7433 or sabrina@erec.com or Dewanna Smith at USDA Rural Development at (850) 526-2610 ext: 110 or dewanna.smith@fl.usda.gov.
Two Sentenced To Life For Christmas Eve Murder
November 10, 2014
Two Escambia County men have been convicted of a Christmas Eve 2012 murder.
According to State Attorney Bill Eddins, Deontrez Kitt and Anthony Wilson Jr. were each convicted after a five-day trial of first degree felony murder and armed burglary of a dwelling. Following the verdict, Circuit Judge Jan Shackelford sentenced both Kitt and Wilson to life in prison on both counts.
On Christmas Eve 2012, Deontrez Kitt, Anthony Wilson, Jr., Deavis Saulsberry, and Trevon Nelson kidnapped and killed Torrance Hackworth. All four defendants entered the home of Torrance Hackworth in the Morris Court apartment complex in a home invasion. When they were not satisfied with what they found in the home, they bound Hackworth, took him from the home, threw him in the trunk of a car, and drove off with him. Several blocks later, Hackworth was able to escape from the trunk. He was then chased down and shot to death. The stolen car used to transport Hackworth was then dumped in Pensacola Bay.
The four defendants were identified by eyewitnesses, DNA, and other forensic evidence. Saulsberry was convicted by a jury in July 2014 of the same charges and sentenced to life in prison. Nelson pled to second degree murder and armed burglary of a dwelling. Nelson testified against Kitt, Wilson and Saulsberry. Nelson will be sentenced November 18 where he faces up to a life sentence.
Man Found Shot To Death In Vehicle In Beulah, One In Custody
November 10, 2014
One person has been taken into custody after the body of a man was discovered shot to death in a vehicle early Monday morning in a quiet Beulah neighborhood.
Terrance Piece Soles, 26, has been charged with homicide for the death of 30-year old Skky Ralphel Shine after his body was found in the 6000 block of Patch Lane. Patch Lane near Castleberry Boulevard in the Blackberry Ridge neighborhood off Frank Reeder Road.
At about 1:40 a.m., Soles contacted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and said that he had shot someone. When deputies arrived, Shine was located in a vehicle, deceased of an apparent gunshot wound. Soles was in the same vehicle and was taken into custody at the scene, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Further details have not yet been released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office as their investigation continues.
Pictured top: The scene in the Blackberry Ridge neighborhood in Beulah Monday morning. Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Drivers Escape Injury In Morning Cottage Hill Crash
November 10, 2014
There were no serious injuries reported in a two vehicle accident his morning near Highway 95A and McKenzie Road in Cottage Hill. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Chip Truck Overturns In Cantonment
November 10, 2014
An 18-wheeler hauling wood chips overturned just before 5:00 on Tree Road at the International Paper in Cantonment Sunday.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, with the assistance of a passing ladder truck from Century, worked to contain a minor fuel spill. There were no injuries reported in the incident.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge..
Photos: Blue Angels Come Home
November 10, 2014
Over 150,000 people attend the 2014 Blue Angels Homecoming Show aboard NAS Pensacola this weekend.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: The Blue Angels Homecoming Show. Pictured inset: The No. 1 pilot, Capt. Tom Frosch, signs autographs. Pictured below (top to bottom): screaming for the skies, lining up, Fat Albert and plane versus jet truck. Photos by Ditto Gorme for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Events To Honor Veterans
November 10, 2014
Here are Tuesday events to honor veterans:
A free Atmore Veterans Day Breakfast is planned for 6-10 Tuesday at the Anchor Cafe, 211 North Trammel, sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary to Atmore Memorial VFW Post 7016. All Veterans will eat free.
The 2014 Pensacola Veterans Day Parade and Observance will be held Tuesday. The parade beings at 9 a.m. downtown on Spring Street, and a ceremony will take place at 10:45 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park on Bayfront Parkway at 11 a.m.
Admission to all National Parks, including the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and all state parks in Florida will be free on Veterans Day.