Catholic Downs Northview Girls In 1-3A Semifinal
February 2, 2008
The Northview Chief girls were defeated by Catholic 60-33 Friday in Bratt.
The game got off to an uneven start, with Catholic up 25-12 in the first period. Gabe Wesley sank 12 points for the Chiefs. Other scorers were: Melissa Garrett 8, Timeka Marshall 6, Karissa Lee 2, Shiniqua Jones 2, Brittney Thompson 2, and Angela Rodriguez 1.
The Changing Face Of The Homeless Right Here In North Escambia
February 2, 2008
There’s a changing face to the homeless population in Escambia County, and many of those homeless people are right here in North Escambia.
The word “homeless” usually brings to mind an image of a pour soul sleeping on park bench, under a bridge or begging for money at a busy Pensacola intersection. But there is a much larger segment of homeless people in our county, many of them sitting in North Escambia classrooms during the day and going home…well, not actually going home anywhere.
“The fastest growing segment of the homeless population is families with kids,” said Lon Roberts, a homeless advocate with the Escarosa Coalition on the Homeless. “The average age of these is nine.”
A homeless person is not just one sleeping outside, he said. A homeless person many be a family forced to stay in a motel, or live with relatives because they have no other place to go.
“Being homeless does not mean that you are living in a tent somewhere,” Brunie Emmanuel, coordinator for the Escarosa Coalition on the Homeless, said.
“I work with the school system to help determine the need,” Roberts said. “Schools don’t always know. They don’t think of doubling up as homelessness.”
Friday, the homeless coalition teamed with many other community and faith based organizations to hold a free fish fry in Century. Participants were fed a catfish meal with all the fixings. They were asked, but not required, to respond to a questionnaire about their home situation.
Questions like “where did you sleep last night” and “how long have been homeless” were asked as the men, women and children ate.
The purpose of the survey is to determine the need for homeless services in North Escambia, and determine the best response to those need. Then the group plans to determine how to fund that response.
“My project has no money,” Roberts said. But sometimes he is able to match a need with a provider such as a church that might have a clothes closet or a food closet.
He did have a $15,000 grant to buy underwear, a very basic need among people. When that money ran out after three years, he received a few thousand more in donations.
“I just take one day at a time,” he said. “God is good. He provides.”
Faith plays an important part in the homeless coalition’s efforts, with many churches supporting the organization.
The homeless fed on Friday were given the opportunity to leave with socks, blankets and flashlights.
In addition to the EscaRosa Coalition on the Homeless, other participants in Friday’s lunch in Century included the Pensacola City Housing Board, the Florida Department of Children and Families, Gonzalez United Methodist Church, Hillcrest Baptist Church, the Town of Century, Brownsville Baptist Church and United Ministries.
Other churches and organizations that would like to become involved in the project, or persons needing assistance, can contact Rita Icenogle or any of the volunteers at the United Way at 595-5905.
Picture above: One of the children at Friday’s lunch. Pictured below: Blankets and socks were available.
Going Absolutely Nowhere
February 1, 2008
The railroad crossing arms on East Bogia Road were stuck in the down position for several hours on Friday. The crossing is located just east of Highway 29 in the Bogia community.
CSX railroad officials were expected to have the crossing opened in a few hours. East Bogia Road comes to a dead end less than half a mile past the crossing. There are just a few houses located on that section of the country road.
A Hot, Sticky, Stinky Mess
February 1, 2008
It took over two hours to clean up a hot, sticky mess following an accident Friday morning on Highway 97.
The accident happened when a concrete mixer trailer being towed southbound came loose and was struck by a northbound dump truck hauling load of hot asphalt, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The dump truck skidded off the highway, spilling a large amount of hot asphalt into the ditch.
The driver of the dump truck and a passenger received minor injuries in the accident, which was reported at 9:18 on Highway 97 just north of Pelt Road in front of the Emmanuel Faith Center.
A bobcat loader and another dump truck were brought into remove the asphalt.
Picture above: The front of the dump truck that struck the concrete mixer trailer. Pictured below: Hot asphalt steams as it is loaded into another dump truck. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos.
Ray’s Chapel Honors The Retiring Rev. Enfinger Saturday
February 1, 2008
Saturday afternoon, Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church honored retiring pastor F.L. Enfinger and his wife Mary.. Enfinger is retiring after 38 years in the ministry. NorthEscambia.com will have a complete story and photos Sunday morning.
Funeral Services Held Friday For Father And Son
February 1, 2008
A father and son who died in a tragic accident in Walnut Hill were laid to rest Friday.
Funeral services for Danny Marlow, 40, and Drew Marlow, 2, were held Friday morning at the Pace Assembly of God in Pace, FL. Visitation was held Thursday night at the Pace Assembly of God.
Funeral services for Joyce Marie McGahan, 70, of Cantonment were held at Thursday morning at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North In Cantonment. Visitation was held Wednesday night at the funeral home.
The Marlows died instantly in the accident on Highway 97 Monday afternoon. McGahan died a few hours later as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.
Click here to read the accident story.