NWE Ball Wrap Up: Storm Downs Muckdogs; Panhandle Cafe Beats Jay; FNB Eagles Over Jay Shell
April 29, 2008
The Northwest Escambia Storm downed the NWE Muckdogs 25-17 Monday afternoon.
In other NWE play, the NWE Panhandle Cafe team beat Jay Fisher 2-0.
The NWE First National Bank Eagles defeated Jay Shell 12-2 Monday night. Kevin Vaughan pitched five innings, eight strikeouts and just two hits. The Eagles were up 4-2 going into the sixth inning, when the Eagles busted loose with eight runs in the top of the 6th…highlighted by a three run home run by Reid Bell. The Eagles will be in action again next Monday, May 5th when they host Century @ 7:30.
For a complete photo gallery from the Muckdogs vs. Storm game, click here.
If you have photos or scores from any game in Century, Molino or Walnut Hill, email them to news@northescambia.com or click here.
Pictured above: Cady Thomas of the Storm takes a swing. Photos submitted by Ramona Preston. Scores and information submitted by Ramona Preston, David Bell and Greg Green.
North Escambia Women Attend Extraordinary Women Conference
April 29, 2008
Scores of women from the North Escambia area attended the annual Extraordinary Women’s Conference at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola this past weekend to hear inspiring messages and music, including a concert by Mandisa.
The following report is from one such woman…Joan Strickland from NorthEnd Community Church in Barinneau Park:
This year’s Extraordinary Women’s conference was held at Olive Baptist Church. On Friday night we were warmed up by Charles Billingsley and Michael O’Brien. We were touched by the performance of Children of the World. These are all orphans, most having lost both parents to AIDS. They performed song and dance in their native tongue and some in English. Visit their website at worldhelp.net ‘Meet the Children of Hope. Be touched. Be inspired. Be changed.’
Chonda Pierce had us rolling with laughter while taking in her sincere message of the need for churches to reach out, listen and be supportive of our communities. Mark Schultz wrapped up our Friday night with song and stories through those songs of inspiration. I have enjoyed learning more about him over the past year as he performed last year as well.
On Saturday the folks that came early were again blessed with a perfomance by World Help – Children of the World Choir. Helping us to ‘Discover God’s Dream’ were speakers throughout the day including Lisa Whelchel, Angela Thomas, Karen Kingsbury and Thelma Wells. We returned from lunch to a concert by Mandisa (pictured left), ‘that girl can sang!’ Mandisa has a gift from God in her voice and her personality as well, she is sincerely a Christian Music Artist. She signed her CDs and book and enjoyed photo opportunities with all who wished to do so. She was as kind as her beautiful smile implied she would be, truly genuine.
Next year’s E-Women conference is scheduled for April 24-25th and will be held at the Pensacola Civic Center. The 2008 conference was sold out a month before hand! Upon completion of the 2008 conference 2000+ women have already signed up for 2009! The 2009 theme is Free to be Real ‘The Lord and the Spirit are one and the same, and the Lord’s Spirit sets us free.’ II Corinthians 3:17 Learn more at www.ewomen.net or phone 1-800-526-8673.
For more photos from this year’s E-women conference, click here.
Story and photos submitted by Joan Strickland.
Northview High Student Running For State FFA Vice President Post
April 29, 2008
Northview senior Andrea Byars is a finalist for a position in state position in Florida’s FFA.
Byars, who is president of the Northview High School FFA, is one of two finalists for state officer from Florida’s Area I of FFA. The finalists were selected by the State Officer Screen Committee. They were challenged with an individual interview, written exam, individual problem solving activity, group problem solving activity, interviews and conversational exercises. Byars and the other candidates will seek election at the 80th annual Florida FFA State Convention.
If elected, Byars (pictured right) would represent FFA as Area I State Vice-President. Area I covers the area from Pensacola to Tallahassee, about 15 counties in all. She will be competing for the office against Carly Barnes (pictured left) from Malone High School.
“As a state officer I will travel the state, country, and internationally as a representative for Florida agriculture, Florida FFA, and Florida agricultural education,” Byars told NorthEscambia.com ” I believe that it is an opportunity to meet people and see things that I may not other wise have the chance to experience. Being a state officer really is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I have always had the idea in the back of my mind that I wanted to run for a state office and a s the chance grew closer I decided to take the opportunity and just see how far I could go.”
Students should consider FFA, she said, because it opens up the vast, changing world of Florida agriculture while teaching life lessons.
“Agriculture is no longer cows and plows and neither is the FFA. Ag technologies are advancing the way in which goods are produced and the FFA helps students to find their niche in any area that they can think of from farming to biochemical engineering,” she said. “The many areas of the FFA helps students to see the world around them and to test out their many interests before they enter the real world.”
Byars (pictured left) said she has enjoyed her years in FFA, especially meeting others her age that share similar interests. She said she enjoys FFA competitions, and meeting other students like her. And meeting some that are very different, like at the National FFA Convention a few years ago in Louisville, Kentucky.
“I knew that there was going to be a lot of people but I did really know how many. There were probably 50,000 FFA students there from everywhere, from Alaska to Porto Rico and From Maine to Hawaii,” she said. ” It was so cool seeing how many different states were at this one convention. But the coolest part was seeing the FFJ (Future Farmers of Japan) members at our convention.”
The 80th Annual Florida State FFA Convention will be held June 9-13 in Orlando. Byars is the daugther of Perry and Kay Byars of Oak Grove.
Coed Softwall Tournament Coming; Enter Your Team Now
April 29, 2008
If you are interested in a friendly game of coed softball, the First Baptist Church of Bratt is looking for you and your team.
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will hold a coed softball tournament at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill on Saturday, May 31.
There is a $200 entry fee per team. There must be at least three women on the field at all times.
Proceeds will go to the church youth group’s summer camp expenses.
For more info contact Brad Gibbs at (251) 294-0187 or Derek Angeles at (850) 418-5004.
Blown Tire Leads To Highway 29 Crash Sunday Near McDavid
April 28, 2008
(Updated: Monday, 12:10 p.m.) Three people, including two children, were injured in a one vehicle accident just after 6:30 Sunday night on Highway 29 north of McDavid.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Laketia Harrison, 33, of Pensacola was southbound on Highway 29 north of Highway 164 when her right front tire blew out. Her vehicle left the roadway, traveling into the median and into the northbound lanes. She then turned back into the median to avoid hitting a northbound vehicle head on. She then crossed the northbound lanes and down an embankment, where the vehicle struck a tree.
Harrison was transported from the scene by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital. Her injuries were classified as minor by the FHP.
Her passengers, Alexis Lowe, age 6 of Pensacola, and Geneva Harrison, age 11 of Pensacola, were both transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Their injuries were listed by the FHP as minor.
All three were properly restrained, according to the crash report. There were no charges filed.
Pictured above: LifeFlight lifts off from Highway 29 about 7:18 Sunday night, transported the driver of a single vehicle involved in a Highway 29 crash near McDavid. Pictured below: The vehicle came to rest in a wooded area off Highway 29. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
IRS Stimulus Money Begins To Arrive Monday In North Escambia
April 28, 2008
The first people in North Escambia to get their economic stimulus payment from the IRS will get their money in the next few days.
To receive a payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security number, $3,000 of income and file a 2007 federal tax return. The IRS will take care of the rest. Eligible people will receive up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples), and parents will receive an additional $300 for each eligible child younger than 17. Millions of retirees, disabled veterans and low-wage workers who usually are exempt from filing a tax return must do so this year in order to receive a stimulus payment.
The earliest payments will go to those that have requested direct deposit, then checks will start arriving in North Escambia mailboxes.
The IRS will make payments by the following schedule:
Annie Jones Memorial UMC Holds Homecoming Service
April 27, 2008
Folks gathered at Annie Jones Memorial United Methodist Church in Walnut Hill for homecoming Sunday morning.
The Rev. George McClure welcomed the 60 or so people in the congregation.
The walls rang with the old hymns …”Love Lifted Me”, “Church in the Wildwood”, “He Lives” and “Amazing Grace”.
The Rev. Jean Spikes, who preached several revivals at Annie Jones through the years, brought the message.
As befitting any good homecoming, tables were laden with good food as everyone enjoyed dinner on the grounds after the service.
Pictured above: Dinner on the ground was held after the service. Pictured below: Rev. Jean Spikes (left) and Rev. George McClure (right).
For more photos from the event, click here.
Photos and story courtesy Sherry Digmon.
Benefit BBQ Held For Drew’s Field
April 26, 2008
A BBQ Donation Dinner was held Saturday to benefit Drew’s Field, a new t-ball field planned for the Northwest Escambia Little League. About 250 people enjoyed a BBQ lunch featuring meat prepared by Ronnie Cloud “the BBQ man”.
All proceeds went towards the field planned for NWE’s Bradberry Park in memory of Drew Marlow. About a dozen volunteers worked to cook, prepare plates and serve.
If you would like to help build Drew’s Field, donations can be made at any Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties in Florida or at the Atmore, Alabama branch to the “Drew’s Field” account.
For more photos, click here.
For the complete story on Drew’s Field and the tragic accident that claimed Drew’s life, click here.
Pictured above: Ronnie Cloud “the BBQ man” cooks for the event Saturday. Pictured below (L-R): Cyndi Marlow, Sandy Brown and Jessica Cloud work on BBQ plate sales Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NorthEnd Community, Cottage Hill Youth Hold Car Wash
April 26, 2008
The youth groups from NorthEnd Community Church in Barrineau Park and Cottage Hill Baptist Church held a car wash Saturday in Pensacola.
Proceeds earned from the car wash will go toward both youth groups attending a Student Life Camp this summer. The car wash was held at the Albertson’s Express in the Target Shopping Center at the corner of Nine Mile Road and University Parkway.
“Thanks to all who came out in support of the Car Wash to help our Youth raise unds for this summer’s Student Life Camp,” one youth leader said.
Two North Escambia Churches Holding Homecoming Services
April 26, 2008
Two North Escambia churches will hold Homecoming services Sunday morning.
Aldersgate Methodist Church in Molino will celebrate Homecoming Sunday at 10:30. The guest speaker will be Rev. Jim Reece from First United Methodist Church in Wetumpka, Alabama. A covered dish meal will follow
Annie Jones Memorial United Methodist Church in Walnut Hill will hold Homecoming services at 11:00 Sunday morning. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Jean Spikes from Bethel UMC in Atmore. Dinner will follow.