International Gospel, Patriotic Recording Artist To Appear Tonight
March 7, 2010
International recording artist Jim Worthing will be in concert this evening at Annie Jones Methodist Church in Walnut Hill.
In his 29th year of professional singing, Pennsylvania native Worthing is an accomplished songwriter in gospel and patriotic music.
In addition to producing and recording five solo CD’s, Worthing sang with two national award-winning groups, Re-Creation and The Cumberland Boys. While he was with Re-Creation, the group was awarded the prestigious George Washington Medal of Honor by the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.
While with the Cumberland Boys, Opryland’s gospel quartet, he shared in the Horizon Award, Christian Country Group of the Year Award, and seven nominations for the Music City News/TNN Christian Artist of the Year Award. The Cumberland Boys recorded 11 albums and scored 10 gospel top 80 hits with Worthing singing lead. He has appeared in 48 states, Canada, Bahamas and Switzerland.
He has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, Prime Time Country, Nashville Now, Crook and Chase, the Trinity Broadcasting Network, the Canadian television, and Paul Heil’s nationally syndicated radio show, The Gospel Greats.
Worthing was also featured as the special guest vocalist of the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the United States Army Reserve held in Washington, DC, CPAC 2007-2009, Presidential Banquet, the 2003 Miss Kentucky Pageant, and produced and hosted a Gospel Cruise for “The General Jackson Showboat” in Nashville.
A three octave range, a voice alive with the dynamics of faith and experience, a clear and winsome testimony, and a deep-seated commitment to the Christian message make a Jim Worthing concert inspiring, challenging, and uniquely unforgettable.
The public is cordially invited to attend. A free-will offering for Worthing’s ministry will be received at the concert.
The concert takes place at 5:30 this evening the Annie Jones Methodist Church in Walnut Hill. The church is located “under” the water tower on Arthur Brown Road near Highway 97.
For more information, call Leslie at (850) 565-7128.
Northview FFA Participates In District Competition
March 7, 2010
Northview High School recently participated in the FFA District Competition at the Jay Community Center.
Micah Byars placed first in Exemplary Public Speaking, and Heather Kite placed second in Prepared Public Speaking.
Other participants included:
- AG Mechanics: Micah Byars, Wes Chancery, and Allie Vidak
- AG Business Management: Allie Vidak, Stephanie Solari, Lydia Weaver, and Heather Kite
Pictured top: (L-R) Heather Kite, Lydia Weaver, Allie Vidak, Stephanie Solari, Micah Byars and Wes Chancery. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Baptist Pastor Killed In Nine Mile Road Motorcyle Crash
March 7, 2010
A Milton man died in a crash Saturday morning on Nine Mile Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Gary E. Laird, 52, of Milton, was killed when his Harley Davidson motorcycle was hit by a 1985 Lincoln driven by Pamela Denise Knight, 38, of Pensacola.
Laird was the pastor of the Avalon Baptist Church in Milton.
According to the FHP, Knight was eastbound on Nine Mile Road near the ballpark when she attempted to turn across traffic onto Hummingbird Boulevard and struck Laird’s motorcycle. Both vehicles had a green light.
Laird was wearing full leather protective gear and helmet. He was pronounced dead on the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Charges against Knight are pending the completion of the investigation, according the the FHP. Troopers said she voluntarily submitted a blood sample for analysis, and that impairment is not suspected.
Helping Haiti Part II: Local Disaster Relief Team Visits Ravaged Country
March 7, 2010
Today we have the second installment of a three-part series “North Escambia: Helping Haiti”. We are taking you to Haiti through the eyes of two area men that just returned from a disaster relief mission. We will hear about their work in Haiti in their own words, and we’ll see the country through their eyes via their photographs. We will also look at how you can be a part of the effort to provide relief in the earthquake ravaged country.
Today, in his own words, Drayton Smith from the First Baptist Church of Cantonment describes his recent Pensacola Disaster Relief team visit to Haiti. Monday morning, we will learn how you can do you part to help Haiti. The photographs that accompany this article were taken by Smith in Haiti.
On February 8th I received a call from Florida Disaster Relief wanting a group of four to travel to Haiti for building inspection and Chaplaincy. They wanted us to leave on the 12th. I could not leave that soon so we left on the 17th. At that time no flights were able to go into Port-Au-Prince so we flew into the Dominican Republic. On the 18th we traveled to Haiti by bus. A trip that was about 200 miles would take all day. The roads are inferior to say the least. We left around 4 a.m., as the sun peaks over the mountain range we can see the banana plantations along with the sugar cane fields.
As we approach the border things become very chaotic. It is very crowded and large trucks with supplies are blocking the road way. Our driver goes in to take care of all the paperwork and we are on our way again. The roads continue to be very crowded for quite some time. Check points are set up all along the way. As we get closer to Port au Prince congestion gets worse. We see many military vehicles from all over the world. The streets are filled with people. Some selling fruits and vegetables, others begging for money. All along the edge of the roads we see tents and temporary shelters made from scrap lumber, tin, tarpaulins bearing names like USAID, RED CROSS, and other symbols and emblems. We approach our destination where we will be calling home for the next week. It seems to be in tact. Running off of batteries during the day and a generator to charge the batteries at night. Across the alley we see a home that has collapsed and hear of a 2 year that has lost their life from the falling roof. This hits home with me, I have a two year old.
As we get up on our first day we visit with local pastors who welcome us with open arms and somewhat of a smile. We inspect several homes and churches that day. We find out that everyone is petrified to return back into their homes, even if they are safe to go in. “What if it happens again?” That seems to be the question everyone asked. As we pray for those and try to minister to them, we struggle to find the words to say, “its going to be okay.” Its hard because we do not know when and if another quake will happen. Everyone knows someone who lost someone.
As the week progresses we meet several new friends from all over the US. They all have come as part of the SBC Disaster Relief. Some are doctors, nurses, pharmacist, others are building inspectors and Chaplains. Each having left their families, jobs and homes to minister to those in need. Over and over I recall the scripture Matthew 22:34-40 “love the Lord and love your neighbor as yourself” (paraphrased). That is what we are doing, Haiti is our neighbor.
During the week we spend time with parents who have lost children, children who lost parents. We met one lady whose daughter had been kidnapped for seven days before the authorities were able to catch the criminals that took her. We continue to hear the stories of people losing everything. One lady shares of her daughter in nursing school where 300 nurses perished wqhen the roof collapsed. We see where a small hole has been dug out when a 26 year old boy lost his life. I hear from the parent of a nine and three year old who lost their lives. That’s the hard part for me, what to say to these parents.
There is no equipment at all, men are removing rubble and tearing down buildings with make-shift tools and bare hands. Carrying rocks and busting down walls. It is taking hours and days to do what we could do in just a few minutes in the states with our technology and heavy equipment.
All we can offer is hope, 1 Peter 5:7 states “cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” And Philippians 4:19 “My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” What can your offer was our question, Jesus was the answer.
While we were there we heard chanting from the voodoo and heard the loud speakers of the Satanist wanting the churches torn down. We kept our eyes on Jesus and shared Him when we could. That was the best comfort for them. (2 Corinthians 1:3-11)
During the nights when the aftershock and tremors would wake us up I would remember the scriptures in Psalm 18 and Isaiah 24 where it speaks of the earth shaking. My mindset was to go and help and be a blessing to the people of Haiti, the blessing was for me. I thank God for how He opened my eyes and provided and protected me.
Photos by Drayton Smith, First Baptist Church of Cantonment, for NorthEscambia..com, click to enlarge.
Fish And Wildlife Offering Free Hunter Safety Course
March 7, 2010
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering a free hunter safety course in Escambia County.
The course will be at the W.J. Woodham Middle School, 150 E. Burgess Road, in Pensacola. Instruction will be from 6 to 9 p.m. March 9, 11, 16 and 18. The range portion of the class will be March 20.
An adult must accompany children who are under age 16 at all times. Students should bring a pencil and paper with them to take notes.
The state requires successful completion of a hunter safety course before anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, can purchase a Florida hunting license. The FWC course satisfies hunter safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
People interested in attending this course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at (850) 265-3676.
William Donald “Don” Huie
March 6, 2010
William Donald “Don” Huie, of Wing, Alabama went to be with the Lord on February 17, 2010.
He was born in McDavid, and retired from Reichhold Chemical in 1988. He was an avid coon hunter and loved to spend time with friends in the woods. He traveled around the country to coon hunt and go to meetings to preserve the rights of dog hunters everywhere. He was on the forefront of opening Blackwater Forest for dog hunters and coon hunters. He was one of the founding members of the Jay Coon Hunting Club and the Northwest Florida Tree Hound Club, of which he was also on the Board of Directors.
Don never met a stranger and was a great storyteller. He remembered every detail and kept his listeners captivated until the end.
Don was preceded in death by his parents William Homer Huie and Pencie Ola Bass Huie. He leaves to cherish his memories sons Wayne (Jo Ann), Bruce (Myrtice), Jim (Debbie), and Tom and daughter, Sheila Bahner; and sisters: Frances Green of Old Town, Fl, Lillian Green of Century, Mavis King of McDavid, Mable Thames of Oak Grove, and Wylene (Pat) Miller of Marietta, GA; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Jim Huie, Josh Huie, Steven Huie, Guy Huie, James Skinner, and Henry Langford. Honorary pallbearers were Charles Davis, Curtis Nixon, Aubrey Johnson, Dan Fike, Steve Coplen, Robert Davis, Josh Simpson, Daniel Young, and Mike Yarborough. A special thanks goes to, Charles Davis, Dr. James Brown, Dr. Kevin Jones, nurses and staff at the Medical Center Clinic, and West Florida Hospital. Burial was at Ray’s Chapel Cemetery on Saturday, February 20.
New Study: About 4 In 10 Escambia Students Are Overweight Or Obese
March 6, 2010
An annual survey just released shows that 37 percent of 11,790 Escambia County’s students are either overweight or obese.
The State of Florida requires the Escambia County Health Department to compile weight and body mass index (BMI) numbers for first, third, sixth and ninth grade students in each county.
BMI is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight and is used to screen for health problems resulting from an unhealthy body weight. The BMI for 18 percent of Escambia County students came in as “overweight”, while another 19 percent were labeled as “obese”. About two percent of students in the grades survey are actually underweight.
The numbers showed that almost 20 percent of sixth grade students in the county were overweight, while almost 24 percent of the sixth graders were obese — the highest percentages of any grade level in the study.
“While I think we’re seeing an impact of the efforts in our schools, we still have a long way to go,” said Escambia County Health Department Director Dr. John Lanza. “Making generational changes, as we are trying to do, can take 10-20 years or more. And yet, everyone can do their part to help Escambia change its culture about nutrition and physical activity. We need a county where good nutrition and regular physical activity are accepted as a normal part of our daily lives. With 37 percent of our students overweight or obese, every parent, grandparent, neighbor, and community leader needs to be a role model for good nutrition and regular physical activity.”
UniteEscambia’s Health Solutions Team is spearheading a community-wide commitment to increase physical activity and nutrition, with goals to reduce rates of children who are overweight or obese from 30% to 20% by 2020. The group is also working to increase by 14% the number of adults and children who are physically active and eat nutritious food by 2010.
UniteEscambia’s Health Solutions Team is chaired by former President and CEO of Health First Network Robin Herr and is made up of community organizations and businesses who impact or are interested in Pensacola and Escambia’s approach to healthy living.
The chart below show a more detailed look at the health survey results for each grade level.
Rep. Murzin: Time To Fess Up And Be Honest About Consolidation
March 6, 2010
The following opinion piece was submitted by Rep. Dave Murzin concerning governmental consolidation in Escambia County.
One of the biggest problems with government today is that people do not trust their elected officials. This is trust from Washington, D.C. to Tallahassee down to our city councils and school boards statewide.
The consolidation plan as presented to the Legislative Delegation creates multiple questions about the reasons behind the consolidation efforts and raises both legal and constitutional concerns.
I think we should be honest and open about the motives surrounding the need for consolidation of the City of Pensacola, the City of Century and Escambia County. Is the need to consolidate services in order to save money, avoid duplication of service, and be beneficial to taxpayers? Are there alternative actions that do not require legislative action, but can achieve the same results? Governmental functions such as energy services, law enforcement, fire protection, building inspections and water, sewer and garbage can all be combined without the Legislatures involvement.
Options are included in Florida Statutes for cooperation between local governments that do not require a vote from the Florida Legislature. One of those options is called the Florida Interlocal Cooperation Act of 1969. The Act provides city and county commissions the ability to enter into binding or nonbinding agreements and put a referendum before the voters for consideration. The people of Pensacola and Escambia County don’t need us in Tallahassee telling them what is best in their neighborhoods. The taxpayers should be the ones to decide these questions- the people who are affected most by these decisions. Let the city and county government officials enter into Interlocal Agreements and then let the citizens cast their vote on whether they want to consolidate.
But if the motivation for the most recent consolidation efforts is not honestly for consolidation of government services, and I am afraid that if that is the case, then we need to have a frank and open discussion about them.
If the proposal was a way to shift a City of Pensacola tax burden or pension liability from 54,000 people to 300,000 people, then we should talk about that issue and why these debts exist. If the plan was a way to pay for a specific project in one area at the expense of others, then let’s debate the merits.
If we need to have a discussion about annexation by one entity because of the financial liabilities, giving 54,000 people access to 300,000 checkbooks does nothing to solve the problem.
It is time to fess up and be honest about what is trying to be accomplished.
We live in a Republic, where citizens are elected to do the best job we can with all the resources available.
The people of Florida do not vote on every issue that is being discussed in a state of 18 million people. The Legislature gathers information, debates the merits of any plan and votes. Proposed constitutional changes are handled the same way. The referendum shall be held after the approval of the consolidation plan by the Legislature, at the next general election.
Northview Beats PCA; NHS JV Over Escambia Academy
March 6, 2010
Northview 7 Pensacola Christian 1
Northview beat Pensacola Christian 7-1 in a Friday afternoon district game. The win improves the Chiefs’ record to 6-2 on the season, 2-0 in the district.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs were Brad Lowery, 3 for 4 with three runs scored. He also had 2 RBI’s. Dabney Langhorne was 2 for 2 with 2 RBI’s, and a run scored. Austin Reid had a single, and a run scored. Heath Burkett was 2 for 3 with a run scored. Austin Arrington had a single for Northview.
Heath Burkett improved his record to 2-0 on the mound. He worked four innings, giving up no runs, on one hit, walked one, and struck out five hitters. Colton Sims pitched three innings in relief, giving up one run on four hits, he walked no one, and struck out five hitters
Northview 8 Escambia Academy 5 JV
The starting pitcher for the chiefs was Hunter Rigby. He pitched two innings giving up two runs and striking out four batters. Brandon Sheets pitched four innings in relief, giving up two runs and striking out nine batters. Chance Jackson pitched one inning, gave up one run, and struck out one hitter.
Chance Jackson and Ty Randolph produced hits for Northview. The JV Chiefs are now 2-0 on the year.
Helping Haiti: Local Disaster Relief Team Visits Part I
March 6, 2010
Today we begin a three-part series “North Escambia: Helping Haiti”. We will take you to Haiti through the eyes of two area men that just returned from a disaster relief mission. We will hear about their work in Haiti in their own words, and we’ll see the country through their eyes via their photographs. We will also look at how you can be a part of the effort to provide relief in the earthquake ravaged country.
Today, in his own words, Sonny Davis from Hillcrest Baptist Church describes his recent Pensacola Disaster Relief team visit to Haiti. Sunday morning, we will learn more about the trip from Drayton Smith of the First Baptist Church of Cantonment. The photographs that accompany this article were taken by Smith in Haiti.
The Pensacola Disaster Relief team consisted of two chaplains and two assessors — Sonny Davis, Doug Dickerson, and Scott Baisden from Hillcrest Baptist and Drayton Smith from First Baptist Church of Cantonment. Because the Port-au-Prince airport was stilled closed to commercial traffic at the time of our departure, we flew from Pensacola to Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic.
There, we were met by Doug Roberts, IMB missionary. Doug and his wife were our hosts at the mission house in Santa Domingo. When ground transportation could be arranged, we traveled by bus from Santa Domingo to Port-au-Prince. Accommodations were provided at the FL Mission House, which can hold about 55 people. The Mission House receives power from a generator and has running (although not hot) water. The generator is used to pump water from a well to a large cistern on the roof. Water is then available via gravity for showers and toilets. With that many people staying at the house, the cistern could not hold enough water for everyone to take a shower at once. Those arriving back to the mission house later than others would often have to wait at least an hour to repeat the process of filling the rooftop cistern.
Each morning, our team of four would be assigned to a Haitian pastor, an interpreter, a security person and a driver. Each pastor wanted his church building inspected first, then we would move on to members of his congregation, and further into the community. If the church was determined to be safe, it was then a viable location for a future medical clinic to be staffed by DR medical teams.
Maneuvering between houses down narrow lanes was a challenge for even our experienced drivers. Debris littered the streets, and tents were set up in almost any empty space. There are only a few street signs or house markers, so we used portable GPS units to mark the location of each structure that we inspected. Most of the structures that we inspected the first two days were habitable; although almost all needed some sort of repair.
The people have very little money for repairs. For those who did have livable homes, it was more difficult to convince them to sleep inside that it was to do the actual inspection. Each family was pleased that we were there and welcomed the prayers that we offered before moving on to another location. For those of you who have been to third world countries, you are probably familiar with seeing homes constructed primarily of concrete and blocks. No building codes are in effect, and construction materials are inferior; consequently, homes with concrete roofs were more susceptible to destruction than those with tin roofs. There is virtually no glass for windows, almost no running water, and little use of electricity. Many of the homes look like they were built in the 1950s. Some had plumbing fixtures, but they were no longer in use due to the lack of a working water system. Most families had access to a nearby well.
The Haitians buy food and a crude form of charcoal daily and cook on small grills that resemble hibachis. They cook in a small room on the outer edge of the house. Food was being cooked in nearly every home; however, the quantities were always small. Women and girls wear dresses, and men wear long pants. This seems to be a cultural practice, not a religious requirement. The Haitians we visited were clean and had clean clothes, despite having only a kitchen wash pan to bathe and wash their clothes in. None of the families that we visited on the first two days of our adventure had experienced any loss of life in their homes. They all had family members that had been injured or died in the area.
On Sunday, we attended Pastor Joe’s church. His was one of the first churches that we inspected. Even without musical instruments, the church produced a beautiful harmony while singing hymns in Creole. Pastor Joe preached, and an interpreter helped us understand what he said, then Drayton preached and the interpreter helped the congregation understand, and then Pastor Joe preached again. In all, the service lasted almost three hours. Their “pews” were the narrowest, wooden benches that I have sat on. After the service, LA DR volunteers set up a medical clinic and saw close to 300 patients. Most of the patients suffered from respiratory illnesses, high blood pressure, or infections. Many wounds also needed redressing. The people were appreciative and friendly both in the clinic and in the homes we visited. We were surprised by the number of Haitians that spoke some English, but not nearly enough spoke English to allow us to do without the interpreter.
On the last three days of our visit, we traveled with Pastor Pierre for about an hour and a half to the outskirts of Port-au-Prince in the back of a small truck. The truck had been outfitted with wooden benches on both sides of the bed. It also had a raised camper shell with open sides allowing air to flow through, but providing some protection from the elements. Vehicles of this manner are called tap-taps; the Haitian version of a taxi. Our security man always sat on the rear corner of the truck to keep residents from jumping on for a ride. This area had suffered a lot more damage. Very few homes did not suffer significant damage or were totally destroyed. Several families had lost members of their immediate family or close neighbors. It was difficult to tell the people that their home should be torn down.
Our job was to inspect and make notes about needed repairs; it was not to make actual repairs. We assured the people that many Christians in the United States were praying for them. We hoped that others would come to help with repairs, although we could not promise that. Often, our prayers were the only hope or comfort we could offer. While inspecting a house in that area, we led five girls and a boy to the Lord, ages 5 – 13. One lady, however, refused to get saved because she said her clothes weren’t good. The pastor promised to go back and visit with her again.
Later that same day while we were inspecting a church, Drayton led sixteen more people to Christ. The next day, seven additional Haitians were saved. Before agreeing to pray, most of the women would find a scarf or handkerchief to cover their heads. Those with bare arms would put on another shirt or wrap a towel around themselves before praying. What a blessing it was to see people eager to come to know Christ. Isn’t it true that tragedy often prods people, no matter where they live, to re-examine their lives? In total, our team inspected 7 churches and over 50 homes. Although the people we visited welcomed us with open arms, Haiti remains a very dangerous country. Our security guard kept a watchful eye on us constantly. He made sure that he stood between us and any possible confrontation. Only women are allowed to stand in line for food. The government is trying to prevent riots by excluding men from food distribution lines.
The Haitian people are very poor; the work to be done is overwhelming; and the Haitians need help to rebuild their lives and their country. Many relief agencies are visible in the country now, but FL Baptists will remain in Haiti long term. The FL Baptists were there for 15 years prior to the earthquake, and they plan to be there indefinitely. Through the efforts of FL Baptists almost 900 churches in Haiti have been established that are now led by Haitian pastors. Since the earthquake 40,000 people have come to know Christ through DR volunteers, Haitian pastors, and a 3-day call to prayer and fasting. The five year vision of the Haitian pastors is for an additional 1.5 million Haitians to come to know Christ. Through your financial help, your prayers, and your time as a volunteer this is possible.
Photos by Drayton Smith, First Baptist Church of Cantonment, for NorthEscambia..com, click to enlarge.