Escambia Students Of The Month Named By Education Association
March 26, 2008
The Escambia Association for Administrators in Education has named their Students of the Month for January. The association spotlights two students from each school. They are picked by the schools and receive certificates from the EAAE.
February Students of the Month:
- Jim Allen Elementary: Paul Garcia and Dylan Smith, fifth grade.
- Bratt Elementary: Savannah Roley, Kindergarten; Shalmali Bhadkamkar, fifth grade.
- Carver/Century K-8 School: Kendrell Elliott, sixth grade; Sklyer Macks, seventh grade.
March Students of the Month:
- Jim Allen Elementary: Rafael Jackson and Madison Jogan, Kindergarten.
- Bratt Elementary: Laura Kinley, 2nd grade; Morgan Ward, fifth grade.
- Molino Park Elementary: Sierra Slay and Chance Stockstill, 2nd grade.
- Carver/Century K-8 School: Keairra Brown and Devon Cottrell, seventh grade.
- Ernest Ward Middle School: Madalyn Coon, sixth grade; Ashley Mooney, seventh grade.
Space Shuttle Was Visible From North Escambia Monday Night
March 25, 2008
This exclusive NorthEscambia.com picture shows the space shuttle Endeavor as it streaked across the North Escambia sky Monday night (click to enlarge).
This photo was taken looking south-southwest from Walnut Hill at about 8:12 p.m. The shuttle had undocked from the International Space Station at 7:25 local time, ending its 12-day stay at the orbital outpost. Endeavor is scheduled to land at Kennedy Space Center Wednesday.
For the photo buffs: This photo was taken with a Canon Digital Rebel Xti, 28 mm at 1600 ISO with a 10 second manual exposure using a release cable. Probably not the best settings to use, but this was our best photo of the two and half minute window where the shuttle was visible. If you have experience with night sky photos such as this, we’d love to talk. Email us at news@northescambia.com.
Northview High Class of 2012 Visits Campus
March 25, 2008
The Northview High School Class of 2012 had the opportunity to check out the school Monday night as the school held an orientation for next year’s freshman class.
For incoming freshmen Elizabeth Wright, the move from Ernest Ward Middle School to Northview High School won’t be as huge of a step as for some. She played with the Northview Tribal Beat marching band this past year, so she already has friends at the school.
“I’m super excited to be going here,” Elizabeth (pictured left, click to enlarge) said. “There’s a huge band trip in the summer, and then I can’t wait to play at the football games.”
She plans to take band (“I would die without the band,” she says) and yearbook as her electives. She will be the only freshman on the yearbook staff.
When asked was she’s most afraid of about her freshman year, she said “The wideness of the hallways. It is just so big and wide and open here compared to Ernest Ward.”
For incoming freshman Lydia Weaver, her freshman year nervousness involves not being able to find her classes on time.
Lydia is looking forward to getting to Northview and taking part in FFA. She is this year’s president of the Ernest Ward FFA, and many of her old friends are in the Northview FFA.
“I look forward to going to school with all of my FFA friends that are already here,” she said of attending Northview in the fall. For her elective, Lydia plans to take a PE class. Lynda is pictured on the left looking on as her mom Cheryl Weaver talks to Northview FFA President Andrea Byars.
Various departments, clubs and teachers setup displays Monday night in the main halls of the Northview campus to illustrate the educational and extracurricular opportunities available to next year’s freshmen class. Parents and students had the opportunity to visit with teachers, administration and staff during the orientation.
Pictured below, from the left: Northview Tribal Beat band members Elizabeth Wright, Drum Major Jeremy Halteman, Colton Sims, Tabitha Steege and Lania Eubanks. Wright was at Northview Monday night for incoming freshman orientation. Click photo to enlarge.
Northview Plans Renaissance Fair, Booth Sponsors Needed
March 25, 2008
The English Department at Northview High School has planned a Renaissance Fair at the school on Saturday afternoon, April 12 from 2:00 until 6:00.
“The fair will be full of thrilling activities for all ages: face painting, costume contest, sack races, obstacle course, jousting at the dreaded Barbarian Pit, perhaps a trip to the daunting gallows and other activities,” said Raja Atallah, NHS 10th grade English instructor. Turkey legs and other “scrumptious foods” and drinks will be available.
The senior class will perform William Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” twice during the event, at 2:00 and 5:30.
The English Department is currently looking for sponsors to help fund the event. For $30, sponsors will receive a booth to sell their wares. A $50 prize will be awarded for the best decorated booth.
For more information, contact Terri Jernigan, Megan Carroll, or Sascha Blackburn in the English Department at Northview High School at 327-6681.
Admission will be free for birth to pre-kindergarten , $2 for kindergarten to fifth grade and $5 for sixth grade to adult.
Highland Kid’s Klub Celebrates Easter
March 23, 2008
Dozens of children celebrated Easter morning at Highland Baptist in Molino.
The children’s Kid’s Klub held an Easter Egg Hunt during the Sunday School hour, and also enjoyed a snack. During the worship service, the children performed a song for over 300 in attendance.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here
Click any photo on this page to enlarge.
Exclusive Photos & Video: Police Chase Through North Escambia Easter Sunday
March 23, 2008
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department chased a potentially suicidal man about 50 miles through North Escambia Sunday afternoon.
The man was identified as Aaron Bruce, 18, by deputies. Law enforcement officers had been on the lookout for Bruce since early afternoon after relatives reported that he was possibly suicidal and he believed that police officers were out to get him, according to Lt. Sammy Peavy of the Escambia Sheriff’s Department. He had also removed an ankle GPS monitoring device that he was wearing while awaiting trail on earlier charges of grand theft auto and burglary. He is pictured left (click to enlarge) behind the wheel of his Grand Am during the chase.
Bruce left the area of Old Chemstrand and Chemstrand roads near Solutia in Cantonment and stole a tag because his Pontiac Grand Am did not have a tag, Peavy said. Deputies spotted Bruce and gave chase near Jack’s Branch Road and Kingsfield Road. The chase proceeded north on Jacks Branch Road past Barrineau Park Road, north on County Road 99 to Walnut Hill (pictured top), south on Highway 97, across Highway 29 in Molino to Molino Road, and south on Molino Road to the Cottage Hill community. Bruce finally hit a chain link fence at a home on the end of a dirt lane off Crowndale Road.
Deputies had “backed off” of the vehicle when the sheriff’s department helicopter began following the Grand Am near Pilgrim Hills along Highway 97. When Bruce hit the fence off Crowndale Road, residents of the area gave chase before deputies arrived. He fled into a wooded area, according to witnesses. A perimeter was setup by deputies around the area, and a sheriff’s canine unit was called to the scene.
That canine unit was unable to locate Bruce, possibly because the residents that gave chase had contaminated the suspect’s scent, Peavy said. He said the sheriff’s helicopter had spotted Bruce in the woods but had lost him.
The search was called off a little after 3:00 Sunday afternoon.
Bruce was later arrested by deputies and charged with reckless driving and fleeing or attempting to allude law enforcement authorities. His bond was set at $5,000 on the reckless driving charge and $45,000 on the attempting to allude charge. He is pictured, left in his booking photo.
NorthEscambia.com has obtained exclusive video of the chase as it turned from Highway 99 to Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
(article continues below video, click to play video)
Speeds in the chase were reported to approach 70 mph, but the chase often proceeded at speeds near the speed limit. NorthEscambia.com was able to follow the chase at a safe distance at a legal speed for some distance down Highway 97 from Highway 99.
One of Bruce’s relatives, who did not wish to be identified or directly quoted , told NorthEscambia.com that Bruce had become upset “over a girl” earlier Sunday. The relative said he found Bruce cutting an extension cord in a garage and threatening to hang himself.
(Scroll down for all photos.) Pictured below: Bruce turns at a high rate of speed from County Road 99 to Highway 97 Sunday afternoon. The smaller spare tire on the right rear of the vehicle is beginning to lift off the highway in this photo. Pictured below middle: The suspect behind the wheel during Sunday’s chase. Pictured bottom: The vehicle hit a fence at the end of a dirt lane off Crowndale Road in the Cottage Hill community. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Sunrise Service Celebrates Resurrection
March 23, 2008
Six Molino churches came together for an Easter Morning Sunrise Service Sunday morning at Aldersgate Methodist Church.
Some wore their Sunday best and others came in jeans and t-shirts to celebrate the risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Over 100 braved a cold wind to sing, hear the Easter message from Bro. Jeff McKee from Victory Assembly of God, and pray.
The event included worshipers from Aldersgate Methodist Church, New Beginnings Church of God, Molino First Assembly of God, Highland Baptist church, Victory Assembly of God and NorthEnd Community Church.
For a complete photo gallery from the service, click here.
The Bible says:
Matthew 28:1-20
Resurrection Morning
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached [the tomb]. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5
But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”
8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”
The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie
11 As they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.
The Great Commission
16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
from the Holman Christian Standard Bible
Walnut Hill Baptist Holds Spring Fling
March 23, 2008
Walnut Hill Baptist Church held its annual Spring Fling Saturday afternoon at Dream Acres Farm on Mason Road.
The annual event included an Easter Egg Hunt, food, fishing, a puppet show and even an Egg Drop. In the Egg Drop, children created containers they thought could be dropped from the loft of a barn to the ground with an egg inside…without breaking the egg. Four children were successful in creating such containers, including one design that included a parachute (pictured below).
For a complete photo gallery from the Walnut Hill Baptist Spring Fling, click here.
Dream Acres Farm is the home of Rev. James and Ellen Boyd. Boyd is pastor of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church in Atmore.
Woman With Local Ties Finishes Play In NCAA Final Four
March 23, 2008
A young woman with local ties played this weekend for Atlanta’s Oglethorpe University in the battle for the NCAA Division III title.
Oglethorpe Junior forward Tina Grace, a Pensacola Catholic High graduate, is the granddaughter of Jim and Alpha Maloney of Pilgrim Hills near Molino.
Oglethorpe University’s women’s basketball teams’ incredible run through the 2008 NCAA Tournament came to an end on Friday night as Messiah College defeated the Petrels, 80-60.
In a battle of the birds, the Petrels and the Falcons traded baskets in the early going, with Oglethorpe jumping to an early 10-9 advantage. That’s when Messiah College, however, made a move and went on a decisive 15-0 run from which Oglethorpe could never recover. The Petrels trailed by as many as 22 points in the contest before finally succombing by the final score.
The junior with grandparents here in North Escambia, Tina Grace, led all scorers with 21 points and 7 rebounds and Katie Kulavic, despite some early foul trouble, scored 14 points for Oglethorpe. The Petrels struggled to knock down shots against a swarming Falcon defense that held Oglethorpe to 34% shooting for the game.
The Petrels post-season run included thrilling victories over Piedmont, Thomas More, William Smith and Kean University before a veteran Messiah College team was too much to overcome. Despite the outcome, Oglethorpe will return seven of their top eight players in terms of minutes played for the 2008-2009 campaign that should see the Petrels comfortably ranked in the Preseason Top 25.
The Oglethorpe University women’s basketball team finished their most successful season in school history in defeat on Saturday afternoon, losing to Wisconsin-Whitewater, 80-67. The Warhawks were literally able to rebound from Friday’s loss in the national semifinal, crushing Oglethorpe on the boards with their size, 69-30.
Grace scored ten points in Saturday’s game.
Game information courtesy Oglethorpe University.
Highway 97 Accident Injures One Saturday Afternoon
March 22, 2008
An Atmore woman was injured in a one vehicle accident on Highway 97 near Walnut Hill just after 2:00 Saturday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Laquette Barron, 26, of Atmore was injured when she apparently fell asleep behind the wheel of her Toyota while headed north on Highway 97 just south of Highway 164. Troopers say Barron was asleep when her vehicle left the roadway and traveled hundreds of feet in the ditch before striking a culvert at Highway 164. Her vehicle then went airborne before flipping over and landing on the other side on Highway 164 next to Highway 97, the FHP says.
Barron was flown from the scene by LifeFlight, but her injuries did not appear to be life threatening, according to the Highway Patrol. Troopers say Barron’s mother stated that she had worked all night, and she was on her way home after stopping to purchase Easter baskets for her children. Two large Easter baskets lay on the ground beside the car.
Troopers say Barron was not wearing a seatbelt and speed was a factor in the crash.
Pictured above: This vehicle went airborne across Highway 164 before landing next to Highway 97 Saturday afternoon. Pictured below (scroll down for all pictures) : Easter baskets lay on the ground next to the car; LifeFlight responded to the scene. Pictured bottom: This picture shows how far the car landed from Highway 164. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
