FHSAA 1A Rural Division Approved, To Include Northview And Jay
November 22, 2010
The Florida High School Athletic Association’s new rural school division to include Northview and Jay high schools was approved Monday.
The new 1A Rural division includes 36 schools for football — 47 for other sports — with among rural schools with a student populations of 44 to 600.
“When the FHSAA originally went up to six classifications in team sports in 1999, we had 517 member schools, with 480 of those playing team sports. Now that we have 670 member schools and 650 of those in team sports, the number of teams in individual districts is too large,” said FHSAA Executive Director Roger Dearing. “Moving to eight classifications allows for fewer teams in each district, which allows for more flexibility in scheduling for the season.”
District 1-1A Rural includes Jay, Baker, Freeport and Northview, plus Central and Laurel Hills for volleyball only. For boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball, Northview and Jay joins Baker, Freeport, Holmes County and Vernon in District 3-1A.
With 549 students, Northview is the largest school in the two districts. Jay has a student population of 286.
The FHSAA plan approved Monday also includes an Urban Division 1A composed of the state’s small schools in larger cities across Florida.
Dearing recommended the approval of the new classifications for the 2011-2013 school years, allowing for schools to appeal between November and January with the final classifications to be approved in January, 2011. Every two years, the classifications would be restructured based upon student enrollment.
The invitation deadline for the new classification was September 15 for schools with students populations under 600 and located in areas designate rural by the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development.
Pictured above and below: Action from Northview’s 34-0 defeat of Jay earlier this season. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fall Break This Week For Public School Students
November 22, 2010
This week is fall and Thanksgiving breaks for public school students.
Students in Santa Rosa County are out of class all week, while students in Escambia County will be out of school on Wednesday for a one day Fall Break and out of class Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. Escambia County students will be in class Monday and Tuesday.
Students in Escambia County, Alabama, will also be out of class all week.
Students across the area will return to class on Monday, November 29.
Students Of The Month Named
November 22, 2010
Escambia County Students of the Month for November have been named by the Escambia Association for Administrators in Education. The awards are presented monthly to two students from participating schools.
The following students were named from North Escambia area schools:
- Bratt: Rachel G. Franklin, kindergarten; Meggan L. Brown, fourth grade
- Jim Allen: Thierry K. Robinson, third grade; Christopher J. Page, third grade
- Molino Park: Bradley W. Bridges, fifth grade; Bailey J. Baldwin, fifth grade
- Ransom: Taylor A. Ertel, eighth grade; Eric E. Esselburn, seventh grade
- Northview Zachary S. Johnson, 10th grade; Courtney Y. Solari, ninth grade.
- Tate: Kelly H. Ewing, 12th grade; James L. Sherrill, 12th grade.
Pictured top: Courtney Solari and Zachary Johnson, Northview High School’s Students of the Month for November. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pushin’ The Limits Walk To Benefit Cancer Patient
November 22, 2010
A “Pushin’ the Limits” walk will be held Sunday, December 5 to benefit cancer patient Nadine McCaw.
The walk will begin at 2 p.m. at the Food Giant in Century and be from the northern to the southern city limits in Century, a distance of about three miles. Registration is $20, with advance registrants receiving a t-shirt.
To register, click here for a registration form to return to the Century Branch Library, or visit the library for a registration form.
Molino Man Named Member Of Angus Association
November 22, 2010
Keith Walther of Molino has been named a new member of the American Angus Association.
The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef registry association with over 30,000 adult and junior members. The association’s goal is to serve the beef cattle industry, and increase the production of consistent, high quality beef that will better satisfy consumers throughout the world.
Gizmo Angus Farm and PineRidge Black Baldies are the only other North Escambia area members of the American Angus Association.
Escambia Elections Officials Recognized
November 22, 2010
In ceremonies conducted recently by the Election Center in Orlando, Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford and Deputy Supervisor of Elections Michael Hardin were designated as Certified Elections/Registration Administrators (CERA), the highest professional achievement.
CERA designation is achieved only through a multi-year course of study conducted by The Election Center’s Professional Education Program and completion of 12 core courses taught by the Master’s in Public Administration faculty of Auburn University ranging from ethics, to voter registration and elections law, planning, communications, and voter participation, among others.
The intent of the program is to improve the professionalism the management of voter registration and elections administration in promoting and preserving public trust in the democratic process.
“This is the highest designation available to elections and voter registration officials,” said R. Doug Lewis, director of the Center. “Of more than 21,000 elections and voter registration officials throughout America, this graduating class of 44 professionals takes us to 589 election officials who have achieved the CERA status. This is an outstanding accomplishment.”
“Escambia County is indeed fortunate to have Michael and David as two of the top designated professionals in America. Obtaining and maintaining CERA status means that they have committed to a career long process of continuing education to improve the electoral process in Florida and the nation,” he stated.
The Professional Education Program is sponsored by The Election Center, a non-profit association of voter registrars and elections administrators throughout America. Its membership is comprised of township, city, county and state elections officials. The Center’s primary purpose is education for local and state voter registrars and elections officials to promote and improve the democratic process.
Professional Education Program participants receive continuing education credit from Auburn University as well as professional training credits from The Election Center. The Professional Education Program was recognized in 1996 as the top continuing education program in America by the National University Continuing Education Association.
Pictured: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
Photos: Art At The Farm
November 22, 2010
People from across the area had the opportunity to enjoy Art at the Farm this weekend in Walnut Hill. The annual event featured art, crafts, food and plenty of family friendly fun.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured above and below: Art at the Farm was held this weekend in Walnut Hill. Photos by Seales Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Jobless Rate Drops
November 21, 2010
The latest job numbers released Friday show the unemployment rate in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties dropping by a half percentage point, with over 1,300 people returning to work.
Escambia County’s unemployment dropped by a half percentage point— down from 11.0 percent in September to 10.5 percent in August. That represented 875 retuning to work for a total Escambia County unemployment of 14,795 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 10.2 percent.
Santa Rosa County also recorded a half percentage point drop in unemployment— from 9.8 percent in September to 9.3 percent in October. Santa Rosa County gained 459 jobs during the period, with a total of 6,627 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 9.4 percent.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County, Ala., held held steady at 10.6 percent from September to October, representing 1,538 unemployed. Last year’s unemployment rate for the same period in Escambia County was 12.6 percent.
Florida’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in October, holding at 11.9 percent from September but still above the 11.3 figure posted a year ago, the Agency for Workforce Development reported Friday.
The lack of improvement in the state’s jobless rate was blamed on continued sluggishness in housing and credit markets that has idled construction and slowed sales of existing property. The national seasonally adjusted average was 9.6 percent
The state’s top labor officials said the plateau has a bright side, a 35,700 increase in the number of available jobs, the strongest year-to-year increase since May 2007. Such growth may be contributing to improved consumer confidence, which according to a University of Florida rose six points in October from the previous month.
“While Florida’s unemployment rate did not decrease this month, we continue to see positive signs of stabilization and growth,” said AWI Director Cynthia Lorenzo, noting also that Florida led the nation last week in the decrease of first-time unemployment applicants.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 8.9 percent in October, remained unchanged from September’s rate of 8.9 percent but was below the year-ago rate of 10.8 percent.
Pen Air Donates Turkeys To USO
November 21, 2010
When the USO called for help to feed the multitude of troops remaining on NAS Pensacola during Thanksgiving, Pen Air Federal Credit Union had sleeves rolled up ready to help, contributing cash for supplies and over 65, 12-16 pound turkeys.
“Without the support from individuals and businesses like Pen Air Federal Credit Union, we simply could not keep up with the needs of those we serve and who serve us,” said USO Program Manager Kathy Karsten.
The USO is a non-profit organization with a mission to support the active military serving our country. The local Pensacola USO is set up at the Pensacola Regional Airport with space to receive and send on active military and now at their new facility onboard NAS Pensacola. The USO receives all its financial support from private donations. These donations help provide support for programs that assist deployed personnel and their dependents.
“The USO has always been there for our military, and Pen Air Federal Credit Union is proud to be able to be there for the USO – if you support our military, you should support your local USO,” said Pen Air FCU President/CEO Ron Fields. “We are honored to be able to help the USO any way we can to make the lives of our service men and women whether at home or abroad better.”
For more information about the USO or on how you can help visitt www.uso.org/Pensacola.
Pictured top: Presenting the 65 turkeys local sailors stationed at NAS Pensacola are (L-R) AVP/Military Liaison John Ochs, EVP/CFO David Tuyo, Pen Air CEO Ron Fields and EVP/COO Carroll Scarborough. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Spences Celebrate 50th Anniversary
November 21, 2010
John and Mary Ann Spence celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday with an anniversary celebration at the Walnut Hill Community Center.
John and Mary Ann were married on November 19, 1960, in Dry Springs, Florida. They have six children, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. John is retired from Gulf Power in Pensacola. Mary Ann is retired from Monsanto in Pensacola and is currently a teacher at Ernest Ward Middle School.