UWF Donates Computers To Century Community Development Partnership
May 8, 2008
The University of West Florida is reaching out to the Century community with an offer of help and assistance to local organizations. Recently in collaboration with the Century Community Development Partnership Inc. (CCDP), UWF donated 20 computers, a chalk board and six work tables to help in the creation of a Job Development Center in Century. The job center will be under the direction of the CCDP.
The purpose of the training center will be to teach lower income residents of the City of Century effective life-living skills and entry-level job skills. The center will also provide basic computer classes for adults and senior citizens, financial literacy and GED prep.
“The North-End of Escambia County has struggled for years against chronic poverty, under-education, a lack of job training, under-employment and a lack of housing,” said Pastor Irvin Stallworth of New Life Baptist Church of Century and president/executive director of the CCDP. “With this donation from UWF, the CCDP will establish a ‘Career-Path-Gateway Program.’ This program will introduce residents of our area to career opportunities, especially in the construction and construction technology trades.”
The goal of the project is to ultimately train technicians, journeymen and eventually, contractors. First, the center will work to attract and interest people in these career directions and offer basic career preparation. Trainees will then be directed on a career path and the center will work with their partners in career development to carry the trainees forward.
“Assisting the partnership helps us fulfill our mission to engage the community and help provide educational opportunities,” said John Cavanaugh, UWF President. “These computers will be a great asset for the Century community and will enable many to improve their job skills.”
The Century Community Development Partnership was founded in 2005, after Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis. The partnership is the vision of Stallworth. The mission of the non-profit organization is to provide relief to the poor, the distressed and the underprivileged in the Town of Century and the rural communities of Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties by engaging in and supporting activities that provide affordable housing, create jobs, eliminate blight and provide needed services; lessen the burdens of government, neighborhood tensions, eliminates discrimination and combats community deterioration; and aid, support and assist by gifts, contributions, or otherwise, other corporations, community chests, funds and foundations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational or scientific purposes.
Additional Partners teaming with the CCDP on the Job Development Center include the Office of U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Workforce Florida, Workforce EscaRosa Career Center, Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development and the Escambia School District.
Ernest Ward 6th Graders Create Artistic Planets In Science Class
May 8, 2008
Students at Ernest Ward Middle School recently created their own paper-maché planets.
Mary Spence’s sixth graders created the planets in various shapes and sizes in their science classes.
The various classes with their paper-maché planets are pictured above and below. Submitted photos. Scroll down to see all photos.
IP Will Hold Open House In Cantonment Today, Tours Resume
May 8, 2008
The International Paper (IP) Pensacola Mill in Cantonment will host a community open house this evening from 5:00 until 7:00. IP will kick off mill tours following the completion of its product line conversion.
The event is free to the public and will take place in front of the mill’s administrative offices at 375 Muscogee Road in Cantonment.
Cat Country 98.7 will broadcast live from the event, eat! restaurant will serve guests, and Harvesters Federal Credit Union will be on hand with information about membership services and benefits. Children’s activities include a bounce house and slide, coloring activities, and a visit from costumed characters the Cat Country Cat and Pinelope Tree.
Adults and children 12 and older can join one of six tours lasting 30 minutes each beginning at 5:15 p.m. Reservations are required, and no child care will be provided for children under 12. Details on what to wear and other tour information will be given at the time of the reservation.
The deadline for reservations is today at noon.
Tours will show guests both machines the mill operates to produce lightweight linerboard, which is used to make cardboard boxes, and fluff pulp, used to make baby diapers, feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products.
For more information or to reserve a space for the mill tour, contact Jessica Morris at 850-968-4203 or via email at jessica.morris@ipaper.com.
Ernest Ward Student Places Third In School District Art Competition
May 8, 2008
Wesley Chancery recently placed third in show at the “Bright Images” District Art Exhibition at the school district’s Hall Center in Pensacola. The Ernest Ward Midddle School student is a student of Amy Mosley Welch, the art specialist at both Ernest Ward and Carver/Century K-8 School.
Pictured above: Wesley’s entry into the show. Pictured below: Wesley Chancery. Submitted photos.
Walnut Hill VFD Responds To Vehicle Fire Early Wednesday AM Near Bratt
May 7, 2008
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire near Bratt early Wednesday morning.
The car fire was reported near the intersection of Still Road and Howard Hall Road just before 1:00 Wednesday morning. The first firefighters on the scene were able to bring the fire under control quickly, but the car was heavily damaged. It appeared the blaze started in the car’s interior.
The Buick Century was parked in a yard about 25 feet in front of a mobile home, but the mobile home was never endangered by the fire.
There were no injuries.
Pictured above: Firefighters beginning to fight the vehicle fire moments after the first truck arrived on scene. Picture below: More photos from the vehicle fire. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Century Crash Victim Still Not Awake; Three Crosses Erected For Victims
May 7, 2008
Nearly a month after a Century crash claimed three lives, one young man is still not awake.
Jacob Castleberry, 17, of Jay has been moved from Sacred Heart Hospital to a specialty hospital in Pensacola. Three other people in the car Castleberry was riding in died as a result of the crash at Jefferson Avenue and Highway 4 at about 10:30 p.m. on April 11. Three white crosses bearing their names have been erected at the intersection.
“Jacob still is not awake, but is doing better,” his mother Kathy Castleberry told NorthEscambia.com. “He has cracked his eyes a little and is moving both arms and legs; his broken bones are healing well.”
We are continuing to trust God and believing he will wake up soon,” she said. “Keep him,and us, in your prayers and thoughts.”
Meanwhile, Century Mayor Freddie McCall said the town had cleared some brush from around the Jefferson Avenue side of the intersection, making it easier to see oncoming traffic, and painted rumble strips (those lines of paint that vibrate your steering wheel) have been added.
McCall has also requested the Florida Department of Transportation to add a flashing caution light at the intersection. The Florida DOT says the caution light and the entire intersection will be studied.
Michael Joe Edwards, 17, of Brewton was driving north on Jefferson Avenue when he failed to stop at a stop sign, driving across Highway 4 into the eastbound path of a 2008 Ford truck driven by William H. Arnett, 43, of Holt. Arnett’s truck struck the left side of Edward’s truck, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The FHP says Edwards was pronounced dead at the scene. Edward’s passenger Daniel A. Smith, 16, of Jay was also pronounced dead at the scene. A second passenger, Jessica L. Smith, 20, of Jay was later pronounced dead at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The Smiths were brother and sister.
Arnett was not injured, according to the FHP. His passenger, Glinda M. Arnett, 30, of Baker was transported to Sacred Heart in critical condition. She was released from the hospital a few days later.
For the original story from NorthEscambia.com about the crash, including crash photos, click here.
Hwy. 29 Accident Critically Injures One
May 7, 2008
One person was critically injured in a two vehicle crash in Cantonment Tuesday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Chester Smith, 40, of Pensacola was critical injured when he was ejected from his vehicle.
The accident happened in a construction zone on Highway 29 just south of Neal Road about 4:20 Tuesday afternoon.
The FHP says Dannie J. Barnett, 64, of Cantonment was traveling west on Neal Road and stopped at the stop sign. When she entered Highway 29 southbound, she entered into a closed lane. When she realized she was in a closed lane, she made an improper lane change into the inside southbound lane of Highway 29, according to the accident report.
Smith then braked and veered toward the median when he lost control, overturned and was ejected. Smith was transported from the scene to Sacred Heart Hospital by Lifeflight.
Barnett was not injured in the accident.
The accident is still under investigation by the FHP, and charges are pending.
Hammer Heads Down Century; NWE Blows Past Hurricanes; Photo Gallery: NWE, Molino And Century
May 7, 2008
The NWE Hammer Heads rallied to beat Century 11-10 Tuesday night at Bradberry Park. Century’s powerhouse team held the lead for most of the night.
But the Hammer Heads began to come back in the bottom of the fifth. The Hammer Heads sealed the victory in the bottom of the sixth with a RBI single from Ben Preston.
In other action NWE’ Sandy Sansing girl’s team blew past the Flomaton Canes 18-1.
For a complete photo gallery with NWE, Century and Molino action from Tuesday night, click here.
Pictured above: Pitcher Mallory Ryan at bat for NWE Tuesday night. Pictured below: Ben Preston drove in the the winning run for the NWE Hammer Heads Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Holds Incoming Sixth Grade Orientation
May 7, 2008
Orientation for students planning to attend Ernest Ward Middle School school next year was held Tuesday evening in the school gym.
The future sixth graders, mostly students leaving Bratt and Molino Park elementary schools, had the chance to meet the EWMS staff and teachers to learn about the transition to middle school.
After a short assembly, the students and their parents had the chance to meet the teachers. They were also able to learn about Ernest Ward’s various sports, band, club offerings and more.
For more photos from Tuesday evening’s Ernest Ward Middle School orientation, click here.
Pictures above and below: Ernest Ward Middle School sixth grade orientation Tuesday evening in the school gym. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NWE Eagles Down Century Gafford
May 7, 2008
The NWE First National Bank Eagles defeated Century/Gafford Monday night by a score of 3-0.
Kevin Vaughan blasted a solo homerun in the first inning and gave the Eagles all they needed to win the game. Reid Bell pitched fours inning with six strikeouts and no hits. Jordan Coon pitched two innings with two strikeouts and one hit. Hitters for the night were: NWE Vaughan 3-3, Coon 2-3, L. Purvis 1-2, Reyes 1-2. Century Pfifer 1-3. The Eagles will be back in action Thursday night at 7:30 against Jay/Fisher.