Walnut Hill Church Steps Back For Victorian Inspired Christmas Banquet
December 18, 2011
The ladies of Walnut Hill Baptist Church recently took a step back in time during a Victorian-inspired Christmas banquet.
For the catered banquet, church members decorated tables to match the theme, and guest speaker Cindy Still related the many ways the Victorians celebrated Christmas. Still said many modern day Christmas traditions are from the Victorian era — including caroling, Christmas cards and the Christmas tree.
Walnut Hill Baptist Church members that participated in table decorating for the event were Somer Bridges, Karla Bryan, Kathy Faircloth, Paula Ferguson, Pam Gabriel, Ramona Gay, Katie Godwin, Luanne Henderson, Katlyn Jacobson and Tammy Wilson.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Do you have news or photos to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com.
Pictured top: Paula Ferguson with her Victorian-inspired table decorations during a recent banquet at Walnut Hill Baptist Church. Pictured below: Banquet attendees learned about Victorian Christmas traditions. Photos submitted by Ramona Gay and Marilyn Ward for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Offers Recycling Workshop For Kids
December 18, 2011
Escambia County Department of Solid Waste Management will host another recycling workshop over the Christmas holidays to give children a learning experience in recycling. The workshop will be offered on Thursday, December 22, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Preregistration is required as space is limited. All workshops are held at the Perdido Landfill, 13009 Beulah Road in Cantonment. The cost of the workshops is a donation of one pair of new or gently used shoes for Soles4Soles.
Activities at the camp will include tours of the landfill and recycling center, arts and crafts with recycled materials and games that focus on recycling and reuse. Participants should wear clothes that are appropriate for outside play and bring a lunch, snack and drinks. Organizers ask that participants pack a zero waste lunch in reusable containers.
The event is sponsored by the Department of Solid Waste Management. For more information or to preregister, call (850) 937-2160.
Four From Atmore Injured In Bratt Highway 4 Wreck
December 17, 2011
Four Atmore residents were injured in single vehicle accident Friday night in Bratt.
The Florida Highway Patrol says 19-year old Mekell J. Rivers was eastbound on West Highway 4 just east of Northview High School about 10:30 p.m. when he lost control for an unknown reason. His 1992 Pontiac Bonneville left the roadway, overturned several times and came to rest in a field off the highway.
Rivers and his passengers — 19-year old Fredrick McDowell, 19-year old Rico Stallworth and 18-year old Kalene Anderson — were all transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with minor injuries. All four were wearing their seat belts.
Charges are pending against Rivers, according to the FHP.
Atmore Ambulance, the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured top: First responders work to stabilize four people injured in a single vehicle accident Friday night on West Highway 4 near Northview High School. Pictured inset and below: Four people were in this Pontiac Bonneville, which came to rest in a field after overturning multiple times. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
East Beats West In All Star Game Called Early After Fight
December 17, 2011
A battle between all-stars from a three county region ended with a bit of a brawl Friday night and the last four minutes of the Subway High School All-Star Series football game canceled.
After a touchdown and extra point attempt by the East team from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, there was shoving, pushing and a few punches between the East and West teams. The incident reportedly stemmed from an end zone celebration by the East team after a touchdown — a practice that’s forbidden during the regular season but accepted and promoted by the organizers of the All-Star game.
In the end, the East beat the West 27-14. The East has won the game four of the last five years.
For the West, Northview High School quarterback hit Shaquille Purifoy of Pine Forest for a touchdown. Sheets also threw a another touchdown pass to Eddie Matthews of Catholic High.
The West All-Star Team, representing Escambia County, included several North Escambia area players: Northview’s Brandon Sheets, Montaio Mitchell, Sean Knight, Brian Ross, and Austin Albritton; Tate’s Scott Ryals, Jacob Lasky, Cameron Covington and Hagan Mancuso;West Florida’s Kyle Faxlanger, Jalen Jones, Joe Jackson, Antwon Carter, Jorgen Stolsig, Jake Morris and Coach Harry Lees; and Pensacola High’s Dak Sims who lives in McDavid.
The East All-Star Team, representing Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, included local players Sammy Jones and Haden McCaskill from Jay High.
Jobless Rate Increases Across Area
December 17, 2011
The latest job numbers released Friday showed an increasing number of people out of work in the three-county North Escambia area — while Florida’s state unemployment rate dropped to the lowest level in two and a half years.
Escambia County’s unemployment increase slightly from 9.9 percent in October to 10.2 percent in November. There were 135 jobs during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 13,962 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 11.5 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment increased a half percentage point from 8.7 percent in October to 9.2 percent in November. Santa Rosa County lost 277 jobs during the period, with a total of 6,458 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 10.2 percent.
The employment news was a bit better in Escambia County, Alabama, where unemployment dropped from 10.1 percent in October to 9.3 percent in November. That represented 34 people returning to work during the month. There were 1,350 people unemployed in the county during the month.
Florida’s jobless rate dipped in November to 10 percent – its lowest level in 30 months — as the state added 98,100 non-agricultural jobs over the year and lowered its unemployment rate by 1.9 percentage points from November 2010.
“We are continuing to move Florida in the right direction by streamlining government, eliminating burdensome regulations, identifying economic development opportunities and prioritizing education,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement. “I am hopeful that we will see Florida’s unemployment rate continue to decline as jobs grow and more Floridians find work.”
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 8.7 percent in November, was down from October’s rate of 9.3 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 9.1.percent.
GE Wind Turbine Factory Hiring For 50 Full-Time Jobs
December 17, 2011
GE Wind Energy is hiring 50 full-time employees at their Pensacola Wind Turbine and Hub Assembly plant during the first few months of 2012.
Jobs include assemblers, electrical testers and maintenance technicians.
Applications are being accepted online now at www.gewindjobs.com for the jobs, which are located at GE’s plant just off Scenic Highway north of I-10. The plant is one of the world’s largest suppliers of wind turbines.
Trent Richardson Checks Out All-Star Game, Meets Locals
December 17, 2011
Alabama Crimson Tide running back and Heisman Trophy finalist Trent Richardson attended the Subway High School All-Star Football Game at Woodham Middle School Friday night. Richardson, pictured top center, took the time to pose for photos with the Northview High School cheerleaders. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Students Receive Free Bikes, Helmets
December 17, 2011
Thirty students at Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment received new bicycles and helmets from Academy Sports and Outdoors.
Pictured: Jim Allen Elementary School third grader Riley Williamson could not wait to get home Friday afternoon to enjoy her new bicycle compliments of Academy Sports and Outdoors. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Head Coach Gibson Resigns
December 17, 2011
Escambia Academy’s Heath Gibson resigned Friday as head coach and athletic director.
Gibson had led the Cougars to a couple of Alabama Independent School Association semifinal games and was named AISA Coach of Year in 2009 after recovering from an 0-11 season the in 2008.
Gibson was head coach for the EA Cougars for nine seasons.
Manna Hat Auction Sets New Record
December 16, 2011
The sixth year of the annual Manna Hat Auction from Cat Country 98.7 set a new record Friday morning at $1,676, up from $1,250 last year.
All of the proceeds will be presented to the food bank before Christmas. That, according to the radio station, will allow Manna Food Pantries to feed 57 area residents for five days.
High bidder was Larry Clemons of Pace. He said “the fact that Manna is able to help of some folks who can’t eat” is the reason he continued to drive for the winning bid.
Country artists like CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton and his wife Miranda Lambert helped out by autographing the special hat that was sold on eBay.
ACA Artist of the Decade Toby Keith, a second time signer, said “it is awesome to be able to help.”
“This year the need is particularly great,” Brent Lane said about the need at Manna Food Pantries. “There has been an increase of 24 percent in services.”
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
