Students Of The Month Named At North Escambia Schools
October 27, 2009
Escambia County Students of the Month have been named by the Escambia Association for Administrators in Education. The awards are presented monthly to two students from participating schools.
- Bratt Elementary — Tereasia S. Burt, kindergarten; Noah J. Moore, third grade
- Molino Park Elementary — Devin A. Abrams, fourth grade; Madelyn A. Lathan, fourth grade
- Jim Allen Elementary — Keith A. Isaacs, fourth grade; Christopher M. Jones, fourth grade
- Ernest Ward Middle — Justin D. Kite, seventh grade; Madalyn Y. Coon, eighth grade
- Ransom Middle — Amber P. Nguyen, seventh grade; Hannah K. Smith, sixth grade
- Northview High — Angel M. Mitchell, ninth grade; Da’michael A. Fountain, ninth grade
- Tate High — Courtney M. Bonucchi, 12th grade; Kevin M. Sapp, 11th grade.
Pictured top: Angel Mitchell and Da’michael A. Fountain, Northview High School’s Students of the Month for October. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
PCA Knocks Jay Out Of District Tournament (With Photo Gallery)
October 27, 2009
The Jay Royals are out of the District 1-1A volleyball tournament after a loss Monday night to Pensacola Christian Academy.
PCA beat Jay 24-26, 25-19, 20-25, 25-17, 15-13.
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
Pictured: Action from PCA versus Jay Monday night in Bratt in the Disrict 1-1A tournament. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Aerospace Alliance Announced, Will Work To Bring Jobs To Region
October 27, 2009
The Aerospace Alliance announced Monday afternoon could help Northwest Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana create new jobs in aerospace and related manufacturing industries.
Leaders from the four states will using the non-profit marketing alliance to market the Gulf Coast to aerospace developers, including a push to bring the KC-45 tanker construction project to Mobile. If Northrop Grumman and EADS land the KC-45 tanker deal for Mobile, it could create 48,000 direct and indirect jobs in the four state region, according to Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, and it would create the fourth largest aerospace corridor in the world.
While the KC-45 is the first priority for The Aerospace Alliance, it is not the only one. Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida are currently home to manufacturers of helicopters, missile defense systems, composite aircraft structures, engine components and many R &D firms. The Aerospace Alliance will collaborate to working towards growing these aerospace, aviation, space and defense industries in the region.
“We will work together to promote our region’s many assets. We will work together to advocate for policies, programs and specific aerospace projects on the local, state and national level. The programs we attract will in turn attract suppliers, bringing even more jobs and development,” Alabama Gov. Bob Riley said Monday in Bay Minette. “Our first initiative is to win the KC-45 tanker, our first lesson is Geography — Mobile, Alabama and the Gulf Coast States are part of the U.S. and our jobs are American.”
“This alliance will go far in promoting our region for what it is – one of the largest aerospace corridors in the world and a great place for companies in this sector to do business,” said Governor Barbour, who addressed the event via video uplink. “The Gulf Coast states share geographic proximity, a long tradition of aerospace and aviation activities and a skilled and experienced workforce, and by joining together, we will be well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities to grow this sector in our region.”
Mitch Waldman, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Vice President applauded their efforts, saying, “We already know that the Gulf Coast is a center of excellence in defense, aviation and aerospace. We look forward to working with Governors and leaders of Aerospace Alliance states, and the many members and supporters of The Alliance, to spread the word to the rest of the world.”
Participants emphasized the need for jobs in the region’s economy, badly damaged by both Hurricane Katrina and the recession. Unemployment rates are high throughout the entire Southeast, and both Alabama and Florida have unemployment over 10 percent.
“Coupled with the recent announcement by Southwest Airlines of service to the new international airport in Northwest Florida, the formation of this alliance demonstrates a growing momentum that places the region and its assets center stage,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida. “When the rest of the world has the opportunity to hear about our tradition of excellence in aerospace and aviation, we’ll attract even more quality jobs and opportunities.”
Northwest Florida is already home to a strong aviation, aerospace, defense and national security region, Nelson. Between Tallahassee and Pensacola there already are seven military installations, 400 aerospace and defense companies, 1,900 vendors, contractors and businesses providing essential support and a 70,000-person-strong aerospace and defense workforce, he said.
The members of The Aerospace Alliance include business leaders, economic development professionals and government officials from the Gulf Coast and surrounding region. The establishment of the four-state aerospace corridor was first conceived at the 2009 Paris Air Show, a gathering of the world’s aerospace industry.
Pictured: Alabama Gov. Bob Riley announced The Aerospace Alliance Monday afternoon in Bay Minette.
Pay Business Tax Receipts By Saturday
October 27, 2009
Business owners and practicing professionals should pay their business tax receipts for 2009-2010 by Saturday in order to avoid a 15 percent penalty, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley.
Business owners are encouraged to renew their business tax receipt online. Other options are available, such as payment by mail, by phone (convenience fee may apply), and in person at any of the four convenient tax collector offices. Business tax receipts can be renewed at any tax collector office: Downtown, Marcus Pointe, Warrington, and Cantonment. After hours drop boxes and drive thru service are available at all locations.
For more information, call (850) 438-6500.
Budget Woes: Hours To Be Cut At Santa Rosa Libraries
October 27, 2009
Libraries in Santa Rosa County, including the one in Jay, will be cutting back hours in November because of the economic downturn.
Due to declining county revenues and a reduction of 59 percent in the state’s aid to Santa Rosa County libraries, county commissioners approved the county administrator’s recommendation to reduce library hours by five hours per week. The reduced hours begin November 9.
The reduced hours will eliminate two fulltime jobs and nine student positions.
Libraries in Jay, Milton, Pace and Gulf Breeze will see a reduction of five hours per week. The new hours will be:
- Monday, 9 am – 5 pm
- Tuesday 11 am – 7 pm
- Wednesday 11 am – 7 pm
- Thursday 9 am – 1 pm
- Friday 9 am – 5 pm
- Saturday 9 am – 1 pm
The new library hours were based upon user surveys that indicated patterns of library usage by students that use the library for homework that generally depend on working parents to take them to the library after work, typically come between 5 and 7 p.m. from early to mid-week, working adults that typically use the library after 5:30 p.m. and high early morning library usage.
“Many factors must be considered in making changes to library hours. Our foremost library service goal is to provide the highest possible level of library service to the greatest number of our citizens, while also considering the welfare and safety of library employees, schedules for youth programs and community groups who use library space for their meetings,” Linda Hendrix, Santa Rosa county library director, said.
Library usage in Santa Rosa County is actually on the increase, with a 27 percent increase in checkouts during the last year.
Foul Play Not Suspected In Death Of Man Found In Park
October 26, 2009
Authorities say foul play is not currently suspected in the death of a man found inside a pickup truck at Showalter Park in Century Sunday afternoon.
A person walking their dog discovered the man inside a Chevrolet pickup that was parked between a ball field and railroad tracks at the back of the park, near a cemetery.
Sheriff’s Office investigators and crime scene technicians were unable find any signs of foul play related to the death of the 61-year old white male, according to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Mike Workman. He said an autopsy would be performed to confirm if the death was indeed natural.
Workman said it appeared the man had been dead up to about two hours before his body was discovered.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call at 4:39 p.m. The man was pronounced dead by Escambia County EMS at 4:47 p.m.
Pictured: Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy David Bayshore (left) and Sgt. Mike Workman discuss information after a man was found dead Sunday afternoon at Showalter Park in Century. Pictured lower inset: A man was found dead inside the the pickup truck to the left of the photograph. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Attempts To Rob Flomaton’s Subway Using His Finger As A Weapon
October 26, 2009
A man attempted to rob the Subway restaurant in Flomaton Sunday night using his finger as a weapon.
The man reportedly put his finger under his shirt to make it appear that he had a gun when he attempted to rob the business about 10 Sunday night. He was described as a white male in a gray shirt wearing a baseball cap. He fled in an unknown direction from the restaurant.
There were no injuries in the robbery attempt.
A K-9 unit from the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office was used to search for the suspect. The tracking dog lost the man’s scent in the 1900 block of Poplar Street, about a block from the restaurant. The K-9 unit called off their search about 11:30 p.m.
Further details were not available.
Governors To Announce Multi-State Aerospace Alliance Today
October 26, 2009
The governors of Alabama and Mississippi will announce a plan today for “The Aerospace Alliance” in a four state region from NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi to Panama City, Florida.
The mission of The Aerospace Alliance will be to establish the Gulf Coast as a world class aerospace, space and aviation corridor. The members include business leaders, economic development professionals and government officials.
Alabama Gov. Bob Riley will be at Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette to make the announcement Monday afternoon.He will be joined by a host of economic development and business leaders, including representatives from Northrop Grumman and EADS North America. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour will appear at the announcement via satellite.
“I am excited about the possibility of regional collaboration and growth,” Jim Kellen, executive director of the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council, said about the joint Florida, Alabama and Mississippi project. “That is a real positive thing.”
Kellen said that even if none of the aerospace manufacturers locate directly in North Escambia, the project cold still have a great impact here due to the reasonable driving distance from the area to nearby communities that might be home to an aerospace company.
“Over time, we will continue to see the entire region prosper,” he said.
No School Today In Escambia
October 26, 2009
Public school students in Escambia County have the day out of school today. It’s the day between nine-week grading periods — a work day for teachers and school staff.
Report cards for the first nine weeks will be sent home a week from today, on November 2.
Mark your calendars; here are the holidays for the remainder of the year in Escambia County:
- Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
- Nov. 25-27 — Fall Break and Thanksgiving
- Dec 21 – Jan 1 — Christmas Holidays
- Jan 4 — Teacher Plan Day (No Students)
- Jan 18 — Martin Luther King Holiday
- Jan 19 — Teacher Plan Day (No Students)
- Mar 29- Apr 1 — Spring Break
- Apr 2 — Good Friday
- May 31 — Memorial Day
- Jun 4 — Last Day of School
Weekend NWE, Cantonment Youth Football Scores
October 26, 2009
Here are weekend football scores from Northwest Escambia and Cantonment from the Gulf Coast Youth Football Alliance:
- Bellview Gold Mini-Mites 26 — Northwest Escambia 0
- Bellview Gold Mites 20 — Northwest Escambia 0
- Northwest Escambia Midgets 20 — Bellview Gold 6
- Cantonment Mighty-Mites 7 — Myrtle Grove White 6
- Myrtle Grove White Mini-Mites 12 – Cantonment Mini-Mites 6
- Myrtle Grove White Mites 8 — Cantonment 6
- Myrtle Grove White Midgets 30– Cantonment 0
- Cantonment Juniors 30 — Myrtle Grove 0
For more on the NWE Midget win over Bellview, click here.