Three North Escambia Students Win Rotary Essay Contest
December 14, 2009
Three students from Northview and Tate high schools were winners in a recent essay contest by the SubWest Rotary Club of Pensacola.
Each year the Rotary Club conducts an essay contest that enables students the power to express themselves and communicate . Contestants write a short essay on “Why is the Rotary Four-Way Test Relevant Today?”. The Rotary contest committee reads and chooses three finalists, with one being chosen as the grand prize winner for a cash reward.
The grand prize winner in this year’s contest was Lauren McCall (pictured right), a sophomore at Northview. The second place winner was Erin Freeman (pictured left), junior at Northview. Third place winner was Shawna Murphy, a junior at Tate.
The Rotary Four-Way Test states:
Of the things we think, say or do
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
For Erin Freeman’s essay, click here (pdf).
The winning essay, “An Unexpected Gift” by Lauren McCall is reprinted below.
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs located all over the world.
The Rotary Clubs have a four way test that is used to evaluate how I conduct my daily
life. I believe “the four way test of the things we think, say, and do” is an honorable
and ethical guide to the way I live my life.
My brother and I have always been raised in a Christian home. From an early age
we have been taught right from wrong. It has always been clear to my brother and me
how my parents feel about certain issues. One such issue that they often spoke to us
about was saving yourself for the man or woman you would one day marry. We both
knew that this was the right thing to do, but also the expected thing to do
Last November, my family’s lives, attitudes, and emotions were changed dramatically
when my brother, at the age of nineteen, announced that his seventeen year old girlfriend
was expecting a baby. My parents and I were crushed and disappointed by this news. At
the time, we felt that having a baby would change their lives in a huge way and we were
right. What we didn’t realize is how much it would change all of our lives. We now
have a precious baby girl named Kaylie Madison McCall, and she has turned us into
her servants.
Before Kaylie was born my brother and I used to argue non stop. Now when an issue
comes up that I would usually fuss with him over, I think about how much I love Kaylie
and how I would not want to hurt her and I choose not to argue with him. Another
change for me is sharing my mom and dad. I was used to being the youngest and the
center of attention after my brother graduated and got a job. Now, mom and dad like to
spend a lot of their time playing with or holding their grandbaby. I also am called on
to hold Kaylie, fetch bottles, blankets, and pacifiers, and to entertain Kaylie when
needed. Has my life changed along with my brother’s? DEFINITELY!
The first question of the four way test is “Is it the truth?” It is the truth that
pregnancy out of wedlock changes lives and relationships. I have heard it said that
unplanned pregnancy ruins lives. I personally don’t believe that it ruins lives, but it
definitely changes them. For example, I used to rush home from school to watch
my favorite show on television. Now, I rush home to help tend to Kaylie.
The second question of the four way test is “Is it fair to all concerned?” In my
opinion, teen pregnancy is something that schools and service organizations should
work hard to prevent, because of the hardships it puts on many teens and their babies. In
our case, we have a big supportive family that lends help when needed. For many teens
this is not the case. I do believe it is fair because of the choices teenagers make. I wish
we could educate teenagers to make better choices and to realize the consequences of
their actions.
The third question is “ Will it build good will and better friendships?” When a baby
is born, kindness and compassion-both elements of good will blossom. My family and
I care about the kind of environment that Kaylie grows up in and therefore we are careful
in how we talk to and treat one another. We have definitely become closer to each other,
closer to members of our extended family, and closer to friends and acquaintances who
have shared similar experiences with us. For example, a sweet lady from our church
shared a story with us about how her granddaughter had a baby out of wedlock and how
the father of the baby had left her. But the point that she made very clear to us was what
a joy the baby was to their family. I feel the same way about Kaylie. She is truly a joy
to our family.
The fourth question of the four way test is “Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
The subject of this essay is in essence spotlighting one of the greatest moral debates
of the twentieth century – Abortion. My brother and his girlfriend had to make a
decision very early concerning what they felt like would be best for all those people
involved. I am very thankful that they chose to have the baby, accept responsibility, and
face the challenges that would lie ahead of them. There are so may bad things that go
with abortion. Among them are death of an innocent child, emotional illnesses such as
depression and nightmares, possible physical damage to the woman, and long term
memory of what was done. On the other hand, there are so many good things that
come from choosing life. In the case of Kaylie, she has brought joy to our lives. She
has the opportunity to grow up and do great things. She will be able to play little
league, be a cheerleader, go to college, and hopefully do something great for her
community and country. It is my belief that of the two choices my brother and his
girlfriend had, they chose the one that would be most beneficial to all those concerned.
Ernest Ward Takes Tri-County Basketball Championship, Sets School Record
December 14, 2009
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles are the Tri-County basketball champions.
The EWMS Eagles finished their basketball season with a record of 7-1, the best record in school history.
Team members were Tristan Montgomery, Jaron Myles, William Andreoli, Cameron Newsome, Dalton Tullis, Jeffrey Taylor, Azeen Grissett, Izeyic Phifer, Brett Helton, Grady Floyd and Jaylen Parker. They were coached by Keith Griffin.
Barrineau Park Bridge Partially Open, Second Molino Bridge Closed
December 14, 2009
Two months after it first closed, a Barrineau Park Road bridge was scheduled to partially reopen on Monday, while another Molino bridge will was scheduledto be shut down for about a month.
Barrineau Park Road from Jacks Branch Road to Barrineau Park School Road was closed October 16 so that repairs could be made to the Penasula Creek Bridge which is located north of the intersection of Barrineau Park Road and Jacks Branch Road.
On Monday, one lane wast to be reopened. The road closed and detour signs will remain up on Barrineau Park Road westbound, and traffic will be routed to Jack’s Branch Road at St. Elizabeth’s Church, according to Sonya Daniel, Escambia County spokesperson. She said traffic will be able to make the right turn onto Jack’s Branch northbound at that intersection. The contractor, DKE Marine Services, will provide flagmen at both sides.
The bridge over Jack’s Branch on Bet Raines Road was set to close on Monday for about four weeks while bridge repairs are made. The road, which runs between Highway 29 and Highway 95A, primarily serves local traffic.
Study Finds Pensacola Has The Nation’s Worst Water
December 13, 2009
Pensacola has the worst drinking water of any American city, according to the results of a national survey released Saturday.
In the study, there were 21 chemicals found in Pensacola’s water that exceeded health guidelines, including radium, lead, bezene and carbon tetracholride.
In an unprecedented analysis of 20 million tap water quality tests performed by water utilities between 2004 and 2009, Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that water suppliers detected a total of 316 contaminants in water delivered to the public. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set enforceable standards for only 114 of these pollutants.
Another 202 chemicals with no mandatory safety standards were found in water supplied to approximately 132 million people in 9,454 communities across the country. These “unregulated” chemicals include the toxic rocket fuel component perchlorate, the industrial solvent acetone, the weed killer metolachlor, the refrigerant Freon and radon, a highly radioactive gas.
Pensacola’s worst water ranking was among 100 of the nation’s largest water systems in cities over 250,000 in population. In North Escambia, water systems are operated by small independent water companies such as Walnut Hill Water Works, Molino Utilities, Central Water Works, Bratt-Davisville Water System and the Town of Century. These smaller water systems were not part of the worst water results. Only the water provided by the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) in the Pensacola metro area was part of the water study. The smaller North Escambia water systems were not included in the study by EWG.
“The nation’s tap water has been compromised by weak federal safeguards and pitiful protection of drinking water supplies,” said Jane Houlihan, Senior Vice President for Research at EWG.
“Utilities do the best job that they can treating a big problem with limited resources,” said Houlihan, “but we must do better. It is not uncommon for people to drink tap water laced with 20 or 30 chemical contaminants. This water may be legal, but it raises serious health concerns. People expect better water than that, and they deserve it.”
Federal law does not require tap water to be safe for long-term consumption; the long-term risks of cancer and other health threats are balanced against the cost and feasibility of purification. As a result, health officials acknowledge that legally binding contamination limits typically allow exposure to levels of pollutants that present real health risks. For hundreds of other contaminants there are no legal limits at all — any amount is legal.
Some communities have made the commitment to deliver safer water, with dramatic results. Boston had a serious contamination problem that peaked in 2004-2005. After installing a new filtration system and changing treatment techniques, the regional water system now delivers some of the highest-rated big city water in the country. It has also committed to a well-protected reservoir system, a key to preserving the long-term effectiveness of the new techniques.
Tap water contaminants come from a wide variety of sources. EWG’s analysis revealed 97 agricultural pollutants, including pesticides and chemicals from fertilizer- and manure-laden runoff; 205 industrial chemicals linked to factory discharges and consumer products; 86 contaminants that originate in polluted runoff and wastewater treatment plants; and 42 byproducts of water treatment processes or pollutants that leach from pipes and storage tanks.
“In most U.S. households, pouring a glass of tap water means exposing families to hundreds of distinct chemicals and pollutants, many of them completely unregulated,” said Houlihan.
Chemicals detected in Pensacola’s water supply from 2004 to 2008 were: Barium (total), Chromium (total), Cyanide, Mercury (total inorganic), Nitrate, Nitrite, Selenium (total), Trichlorofluoromethane, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, 2,2-Dichloropropane, Monochloroacetic acid, Dibromoacetic acid, Chloroform, Xylenes (total), p-Dichlorobenzene, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, 1,1-Dichloroethane, 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane, Monochlorobenzene (Chlorobenzene), Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Alpha particle activity (incl. radon & uranium), Combined Uranium (pCi/L), Cadmium (total), Lead (total), Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Heptachlor epoxide, MTBE, Total haloacetic acids (HAAs), 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), Bromoform, Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane, Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), 1,2-Dichloroethane, Carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-Dichloropropane, Trichloroethylene, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, Tetrachloroethylene, Benzene, Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium), Radium-226, Radium-228.
Pictured: The nation’s best and worst water systems in cities over 250,000 population, according to a study released Saturday by the Environmental Working Group.
Grease Fire Causes Minor Damage
December 13, 2009
A kitchen fire caused minor damage in a Nokomis home Sunday morning.
The grease fire was reported about 11 a.m. Sunday in a brick home on Nokomis Road near Rockaway Creek Road. The resident extinguished the fire before firefighters arrived. There were no injuries reported.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the call. The Molino and McDavid stations and the Atmore Fire Department were also dispatched to the call.
Pictured above: A grease fire in this Nokomis home was out before firefighters arrived Sunday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driver Trapped For An Hour After Highway 97 Crash
December 13, 2009
A man was trapped in his pickup truck for an hour early Sunday morning in a single vehicle accident on Highway 97 in Davisville.
The accident happened about 2:15 a.m. between Meadows Road and Nokomis Road, near Mike’s Ag Air. The driver of a southbound pickup truck lost control and left the roadway. The truck then partially wrapped around a tree, trapping the driver inside.
Firefighters from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Atmore Fire Department used the Jaws of Life and other tools to extricate the male driver. Emergency workers were forced to cut the roof off the truck and push the dash of the truck and its steering wheel away from the driver to complete the extrication. He was trapped in the vehicle until about 3:15 a.m., one hour after the original 911 call about the accident.
The driver was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Click here for more photos of the entire extrication process.
Pictured top: Firefighters work at 2:45 a.m. to remove the roof of a truck involved in a Highway 97 accident. Pictured below: The driver was trapped after the truck wrapped around a tree. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
About 200 Receive H1N1, Season Flu Vaccines At Century Clinic
December 13, 2009
Almost 200 people received an H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccination Saturday at a clinic in Century.
The vaccinations were given at a portable clinic set up in the gym of the old Century High. With “stations” for paperwork, triage and the actual vaccinations, members of the public were quickly directed through organized areas of orange traffic cones with military precision. Escambia County Health Department employees, the Escambia County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Medical Reserve Corp (MRC), the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Reserves all participated in Saturday’s clinic.
“This is a lot like we would set it up for a mass emergency response,” Eric Gilmore, Escambia County’s director of public health preparedness, said. Such a setup, he said, could accommodate thousands of people in just a few hours. In the event of a public health emergency, the Escambia County Health Department, Gilmore said, could handle the entire population of the county in about a day with such clinic setups.
“This was a good exercise for us today,” he said.
“It was a very efficient setup; we were in and out in less than 10 minutes,” said Jan LeCocq of Century.
Health officials were prepared for a large turnout in Century — the only H1N1 clinic planned for the general public in North Escambia. There were 1,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine available Saturday, according to Molly Payne-Hardin, spokesperson for the Escambia County Health Department.
Just before the end of the six hour clinic, Hardin said the clinic had administered 160 H1N1 vaccinations and 22 for the seasonal flu. All of the vaccines were given at no charge.
“It didn’t hurt a bit,” Ramond Kimmons of Walnut Hill said after receiving his H1N1 vaccination.
Anyone over six months old in Escambia County can receive the HN1 vaccine by:
- calling their local retail pharmacy or physician’s office.
- visiting the Escambia County Health Department’s Flu Fast Track Clinic, Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. or Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1295 W. Fairfield Drive, Pensacola. Walk-ins only.
“The clinic rarely has a wait, with the longest wait being documented at 10 minutes,” Hardin said.
”The best gift you can give this holiday season is the gift of good health,” said Escambia County Health Department Director Dr. John Lanza. “I encourage everyone to get their flu shot. It’s your best protection and helps ensure that you won’t pass the flu on to a high-risk individual. The vaccines are safe and simple to receive.”
Pictured above: Ramond Kimmons of Walnut Hill received the H1N1 vaccine Saturday morning at an Escambia County Health Department Clinic in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Residents Graduate From UWF
December 13, 2009
The following North Escambia area students graduated from the University of West Florida Saturday:
Fall 2009
Cantonment
- Associate of Arts Degrees: Jonathan Harrod
- Bachelor’s Degrees: Joseph Bane, Crystal Boyd, Britney Caine, Dorothy Carr, Robert Cox, Brandi Crosby, Kevin Dickens, Nicholas Fox, Kristen Gaddis, Katelyn Geri, Stephanie Godfrey, Alexsonda Hale, Matt Hawkins, Kevin Jones, James Long, Brian Lyle, Daniel Martin, James McAllister, Michael Misky, Blane Padilla, Danielle Petroski, Melbourne Pierce, Loren Powell, William Reak, Jason Robbins, Brooke Rowell, Timothy Sanders, Michael Simmons, Cherith Welter, Heather Wiscombe
- Master’s Degrees: Brian Ball, Charles Cather, William Klorig, Lisa Lavoie, Anthony Pinto, Paula Smith
Century
- Bachelor’s Degree: Nicole Cook
Molino
- Associate of Arts Degree: John Whitfield
- Bachelor’s Degrees: Keith Barry, James Falkenstein, Robert Myrick
Jay
- Associate of Arts Degree: Tiffany Odom
- Bachelor’s Degrees: Alana Morrison, Justin Nelson
- Master’s Degree: Beth Marky
Summer 2009
Cantonment
- Associate of Arts Degrees: Byong-Jo Kang, Gabrielle Taite
- Bachelor’s Degrees: William Andrews, Stacey Barnes, Sherry Bell, Crystle Ellis, Arthur Fletcher, John Fortuna, Melissa Holley, Ashley King, Derek King, Natalie Ollinger, Lee Poppe, Brianne Reid, Danyel Smith, Shella Tubbs
- Master’s Degree: Candice Knowles
Century
- Bachelor’s Degree: Robinson Hallford
Molino
- Bachelor’s Degree: Nicholette Floyd, John Henley
Jay
- Bachelor’s Degree: Jessica Ivey, Carrie Penton
Editor’s note: UWF did not provide a graduates list to us from Escambia County, Ala., so that we could include Atmore and Flomaton area graduates on our list.
Musical Drama Features Live Manger Scene
December 13, 2009
“A Savior is Born”, a musical drama, will be presented Monday and Tuesday 6:30 p.m. in the First Assembly of God Prayer Path and Park located at 1120 South Main Street in Atmore. The production is a presentation of the story of the birth of Christ from Gabriel to the Inn. The grand finale will be an interactive manger scene as well as the actors presenting in song.Pictured: Sheila Harrison as Mary; Rick Hetrick as Joseph; and Kelvin Diller, Roy Corley and Frankie Baggett as shepherds in the First Assembly of God production “A Savior Is Born”. The presentation will be held at 6:30 Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights at 1120 South Main Street in Atmore. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Christmas Parade Canceled
December 12, 2009
Rain forced the cancellation of Saturday’s Pensacola Christmas Parade. The parade will not be rescheduled.
“On behalf of the committee, I appreciate the time and effort put forth by the participants to ready their floats, marching units and bands for the City of Pensacola’s Christmas Parade. I am disappointed that the weather did not hold up, but I am looking forward to a wonderful 2010 Pensacola Christmas Parade.,” said Bruce Wolfe, chairman of the Pensacola Christmas Parade.
With most of the parade’s expenditures utilized before the parade takes place, securing port-a-lets, insurance, walkie-talkies, etc., no refunds will be offered. However, discounts for next year’s entries will be provided, organizers said.
The Pensacola’s Christmas parade normally draws about 50,000 people to the downtown Pensacola area. The Pensacola Christmas Parade profits go to local high school band booster organizations to assist in the purchasing of uniforms and equipment and funding of travel expenses.