White House To Honor Man For Leading Century, Escambia County Disaster Prep
January 18, 2012
The executive director of the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE) will be recognized at the White House on Thursday for his efforts in Escambia County and Century.
Greg Strader, founder of BRACE, will be one of the 17 local leaders who will be honored at the White House as Champions of Change who help prepare their communities for disaster and build a more resilient nation.
“These men and women have demonstrated significant innovation and creativity in working to get their communities ready for the unexpected and embraced the approach of involving all members of their communities in emergency preparedness and response, reaching out to faith-based, tribal, non-profit, private sector and community-based organizations, as well as individual citizens,” according to the White House.
The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different issue is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to better their communities.
BRACE works to prepare educate and train local communities in disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
According to Kermit Housh, chairman of the board for BRACE, Strader will meet with administration officials to discus how the public private partnership model used by BRACE to prepare local for disaster can be a model for other communities.
“This past year we’ve been reminded that disasters can strike at any time and that preparedness is critical,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. “We commend the innovative practices and achievements that these individuals bring to the field of emergency management in order to make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared.”
Through Strader and BRACE, Century recently held CERT — the Community Emergency Response Team — training, including mock disaster drill, for over two dozen local citizens.
Pictured top: Century town council member Sandra McMurray Jackson (left) and another CERT volunteer held a disaster “victim” during a CERT disaster drill. Pictured inset and below: CERT volunteers search for tornado victims during a drill. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Miss NHS Tickets Going On Sale
January 17, 2012
Tickets go on sale this week for the annual Miss Northview High School pageant.
Tickets will be sold to Miss NHS contestants only on Wednesday, January 18. All others can purchase tickets on Thursday, January 19th. Tickets are available through the front office at Northview for $6 each. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
The annual Miss NHS pageant will be Saturday, January 28 at 7 p.m.
Trial Begins For Man Accused Of Shooting Escambia Deputies
January 17, 2012
Jury selection began Tuesday in the case of a man accused of shooting three Escambia County deputies in October 2010.
Phillip Monier is charged with shooting Deputy Jeremy Cassady and deputies Sam Parker and Chad Brown during a home invasion hostage incident October 29 at his girlfriend’s home near Scenic Highway in Pensacola.
Monier has about a dozen different charges, including four counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault, aggravate kidnapping, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of methamphetamine.
Cassady was severely wounded in the incident and spent 20 days in Sacred Heart Hospital. He later received a pancreas and kidney transplant in August 2011.
Remembering The Dream: Residents Honor Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 17, 2012
Residents across the area gathered Monday to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with parades, motorcades and uplifting programs.
In Century, residents gathered at a program sponsored by the Century-Flomaton Improvement Association where guest speaker Tony R. McCray, Jr. told the attendees to follow in the footsteps of King’s dream.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“Dr. King had a dream. We need to keep that dream alive that one day we will all be able to stand together and work together. We must have faith,” McCray said. “Remember, faith can move mountains. All we want to do is move some dollars and create jobs and business opportunities for our community, for our cities and for our county.”
McCray, executive director of the IBIS Community Development Corporation, said communities in Escambia County could come together for mutual benefit under a program called Higher Heights Escambia.
“When we work together, when we plan together, when we pray together when we invest together, when we raise our voices together, we can accomplish much more,” he said. ” A new effort of black leadership, and of white leadership, is coming together to move to a higher height of unity…We are going to be calling on you in Century to sit down to the table and let’s work through our problems.”
Also during Monday’s event in Century, a $250 William R. McMurray Scholarship, presented by the Jackson McMurray Funeral Service, was awarded to Kiara Williams.
Similar events, parades and motorcades were held across the area Monday, including Flomaton, Atmore and Pensacola.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Attendees join in a chorus of “We Shall Overcome” during a Martin Luther King, Jr. program in Century Monday morning. Pictured top inset: Leola Robinson listens to a speaker during the program. Pictured bottom inset: A musical performance. Pictured below: Dozens of Century area residents attended the program. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Alarm Upgrade Planned For Tate High
January 17, 2012
Fire alarm systems at Tate High School will be replaced in the coming months.
The Escambia County School District has approved a $120,500 proposal from low bidder Advanced Control Concepts for the work. There was only one other bid on the project — $157,351 from Fire Control Systems.
Bratt Elementary Holds Math Madness Night (With Gallery)
January 17, 2012
Bratt Elementary School recently held their 2012 Math Madness Night. About 200 students, parents and teachers took part in an evening on math activities and games. The evening ended with refreshments and door prizes.
“We would like to thank all of the teachers and parent volunteers who helped make this night a success,” teacher Linda Jackson said.
Pictured: Bratt Elementary’s 2012 Math Madness Night. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weather Photos: A Colorful Barrineau Park Sunset
January 17, 2012
Low clouds made for an interesting sunset Monday in Barrineau Park, as seen in this weather photo submitted by Lawson Berry.
If you have a photo you would like to share, email it to news@northescambia.com.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Over Half Million Earned: Century Nets $10K From $18.2 Million Bond Issue
January 16, 2012
The Town of Century recently collected $10,000 in fees for signing off on an $18.2 million bond issue for an apartment complex renovation in Miami.
The approval was granted by Century and Gulf Breeze as members of the Capital Trust Agency, an independent public body for the purpose of financing or otherwise accomplishing development programs. Century entered into the Capital Trust Agency with Gulf Breeze in 1999 with Century essentially serving as the “second signature” for CTA.
Century has received over a half million dollars in fees since the inception of CTA.
The latest CTA project was a $18.2 million bond issue for renovation of the Civic Towers Apartments Miami to provide housing for low and moderate income families.
The CTA is structured in such a way to indemnify Century from any financial risk, whether it be from a company that defaults on repayment or any other legal liabilities, according to Matt Dannheisser, attorney for both Century and Gulf Breeze. The funds used for the bonds are from the CTA’s coffers, not from Century or Gulf Breeze.
Gulf Power Marks MLK Day With Power Of Service Awards
January 16, 2012
Gulf Power Company recognized four community service organizations Monday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.
The inaugural “Power of Service” awards were given to Truth for Youth, STRIDE, Chain Reaction and the General Daniel “Chappie” James Academy, four organizations that work to improve the lives of young people and to promote character and public service. Each organization was given a $2,500 grant from Gulf Power, an inscribed award, and – from the White House – The President’s Volunteer Service Award.
“Dr. King preached the value of community service and Gulf Power is proud to launch this award program as a way to annually honor this special day and to encourage others to give back to the community,” said Sandy Sims, Gulf Power spokesperson. “Because of the encouragement and guidance of these programs, hundreds of local youths’ lives are positively changed.”
Power of Service Recipients:
Chain Reaction provides students between the ages of 13 and 18 with meaningful volunteer opportunities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Chain Reaction works with over 1,200 teens and has partnered with 130 different community agencies, providing monthly opportunities for teens to volunteer. Chain Reaction seeks to develop Escambia and Santa Rosa teens into active citizens that recognize the significance of giving back and prepare them for their next journey after completing high school. Some of the services they provide include offering teens the opportunity to volunteer, character education and monthly leadership trainings.
The General Daniel “Chappie” James ACE Academy is an aviation exposure program designed to introduce young boys and girls to the aviation industry at all levels. Their goal is to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through aviation that will allow young children to embrace education in a fun and positive way. The Pensacola ACE Academy started in 1996 and is sponsored by the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Inc.
Truth for Youth, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is comprised of an all-volunteer staff of concerned citizens, educators, and businesses in Pensacola. Overnight lock-ins are coordinated to provide social, civic, educational and recreational activities for inner-city, at-risk, underprivileged youth, ages six to 16. The targeted population includes economically distressed, low-income areas and supports both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The mission of Students Taking Responsibility In Developing Excellence (STRIDE) is to provide positive male role models, academic tutoring, and character development mentoring to fourth and fifth grade at-risk male students. STRIDE believes it is critical for male, at-risk students in this age group to receive academic and character development mentoring to enhance their opportunity of a successful future. Some of the goals of STRIDE include improving students’ performance on standardized tests, helping students resist negative peer pressure and encouraging students to take responsibility for their individual actions. For more information.
Century Reschedules Tonight’s Town Council Meeting
January 16, 2012
The Century Town Council has rescheduled their normal third Monday of the month meeting.
The meeting scheduled for tonight will be held next Monday, January 23 at 7 p.m. The meeting was rescheduled due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
The meeting is open to the public.
Pictured: (L-R) Mayor Freddie McCall, Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez and council members Annie Savage and Ann Brooks at a recent Century Town Council Meeting. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.