Giddy Up: Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS Photo Gallery
July 21, 2010
Saddle Ridge Ranch Vacation Bible School is underway this week at Highland Baptist Church on Highway 95A in Molino.
The VBS, for ages Pre-K through graduating fifth graders continues each evening from 5:30 until 8:30 through Friday. There will also be a Family Night Ranch Round-Up with games, a sing-along and a hot dog roast Sunday at 5 p.m.
About 250 took part in the first night of the VBS.
For more photos from the Highland Baptist Church VBS, click here.
Pictured above and below: VBS at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. Photos by Brad Johnson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge..
Do you have new or photos you would like to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com
Photo Gallery: Northview FFA Officers Attend Leadership Retreat
July 21, 2010
The Northview High School FFA chapter held a leadership retreat Tuesday.
Chapter officers met at Pensacola Beach to learn about the oil spill’s impact on Escambia County from Eric Johnson from the county’s Neighborhood Redevelopment office. They also toured the T.T. Wentworth Museum.
“They took part in several team building exercises and learned what they expect of each other as officers,” said Perry Byars, FFA sponsor.
During the retreat, officers also worked to plan events for the upcoming school year.
Northview High School’s 2010-2011 FFA Officers are: Lydia Weaver, president; Allie Vidak, vice president; Stephanie Solari, secretary; Allyson Bullard, treasurer; Courtney Solari, reporter; Jessica Baldwin, sentinel; and Devin Bell, historian.
Pictures above and below: Officers from the Northview High School FFA during a leadership retreat Tuesday on Pensacola Beach. NorthEscambia.com photos by Lydia Weaver and Allie Vidak, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Dies In Single Vehicle Crash
July 21, 2010
A 27-year old Cantonment man died in single vehicle accident Tuesday night.
Andrew Crosby, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 8:55 p.m. crash on County Road 97 south of Sherrilane Drive in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Crosby was southbound on County Road 97 when he ran off the road for an unknown reason. He over-corrected and traveled back across the roadway into a tree. The top of his 2007 Ford pickup struck the tree, according to the accident report.
Crosby was not wearing a seat belt, according to the FHP.
The Cantonment, Ensley, Brent and Bellview stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the crash along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured above and below: A 27-year old Cantonment man died in this single vehicle crash Tuesday night in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
McDavid Man Accused In Sexual Battery Of 14-Year Old Female Runaway
July 21, 2010
A 19-year old McDavid man has been charged with the sexual battery a 14-year old girl.
Nathan Arron Mack, 19, of Railroad Street, McDavid, remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $55,000. He is charged with lewd and lascivious battery on a person 12-16 and interference with custody.
The victim’s stepfather told Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies that the 14-year old, who had been reported as a runaway, was at Mack’s residence on Railroad Street. When deputies arrived at the residence, they found Mack and the teen girl.
According to the Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Mack admitted to having intercourse multiple times with the 14-year old. He admitted that he had picked up the Pensacola girl at the Winn Dixie on Nine Mile Road because he knew the victim’s mother would not allow the two to be together. The young girl corroborated Mack’s story, according to the report.
When deputies contacted the victim’s mother, she advised that she wanted to pursue criminal charges against Mack. The mother stated that she had retrieved her daughter from Mack at the McDavid Mini Mart the week prior and had forbidden him from having any contact with her daughter.
Lister Found Guilty Of Stealing $1.43 Million From Sheriff’s Office
July 21, 2010
A former Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employee has been found guilty of stealing $1.43 million from the department.
Cathy Lister, 58, a former accountant who allegedly stole the funds over a long career with the Sheriff’s Office, was found guilty Tuesday afternoon of one count of aggravated white collar crime and 11 counts of money laundering.
She is schedule to be sentenced in August; she faces at least 30 years in prison under state sentencing guidelines.
Lister was first charged in February with stealing $130,000 from the sheriff’s office, but further investigation determined that well over $1 million more was missing. The money was taken over a 10 year period from monies seized as part of investigations that was placed in the department’s Evidence Trust Fund. She testified in court that she paid bills and sometimes supported other family members with the money.
Lister was a 32-year employee of the department who retired from the finance division just six days before her arrest.
Nokomis Habitat Home Dedicated
July 21, 2010
In just two months, an army of volunteers constructed Escambia County Habitat for Humanity’s 17th home.
Construction workers, teachers, bankers, business owners, high school students, ordinary people — over 100 people from all walks of life volunteered their time and skills to make Jennifer Dorriety’s dream of home ownership a reality.
“It’s a dream come true,” Dorriety said recently.
“It’s fun to help and advance the Kingdom of God,” said volunteer Shinora Redmond from Alto Products, one of Habitat’s sponsors for the Nokomis home, as she worked on the first construction weekend back in May.
Many of the volunteers, like Brittany Thompson, 16, had never had in part in building a house.
“I’m here because I wanted to help the people,” said Thompson, one of 14 students from Northview High School that spent part of a May Saturday working on the two bedroom home. “They never had a home of their own, and the home they are living in now is falling apart.”
Dorriety’s new home, which was dedicated Sunday, will continue to save her money for years to come, said Escambia County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Alecia Glaize. It incorporates many “green” and sustainable features, like Hardiplank siding, a composite concrete and wood fiber board; bamboo flooring and a long list of energy efficiency features.
Houses constructed by the non-profit Habitat group are not free for recipients like Dorriety. The homes are sold to families at cost — there’s no profit for Habitat. The 20 year mortgages are at zero percent interest, providing much needed savings for those are unable to afford a conventional mortgage. And new homeowners are required to invest 400 “sweat equity” hours working for Habitat.
The Nokomis Habitat build was a change for the group that has constructed 16 homes in Brewton. It’s the first outside of Brewton, the first in a rural area, the first on a raised foundation, and the first on the future homeowner’s land. But it won’t be the last; plans are underway for an additional home near Atmore.
Pictured top: (L-R) Jennifer Dorriety, her daughter Kaylee and Escambia County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Alecia Glaize at the dedication for Dorriety’s new home in Nokomis. Pictured top inset: Dorriety at Habitat dedication as an army of volunteers and supports (seen in a reflection in the glass) look on. Pictured bottom inset: Volunteers work during the first weekend of construction. Pictured bottom: A group of Northview High School students volunteered to help build the home. NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Individual Student FCAT Scores Available Soon
July 21, 2010
FCAT scores for individual students will be available next week in Escambia County.
The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test score letters have arrived at individual schools. Parents and guardians should receive an automated phone call on Thursday advising them when they can pick up scores at their child’s school.
Parents are asked not to stop by their child’s school for the scores until the date that will be provided during the automated phone call.
Our Hot Week Continues
July 21, 2010
It’s going to be a hot Wednesday, with lower rain chances and temperatures in the upper 90’s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Wednesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94.
Forecasters Watching Tropical System
July 21, 2010
Forecasters are keeping a close eye on a tropical system that may organize and head toward Florida.
The tropical wave is located between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Tuesday morning data shows the system has become less organized, and now forecasters say a tropical depression is not likely to form today. But the National Hurricane Center says conditions are favorable for some development as the system moves toward the Bahamas on Thursday.
The Hurricane Center says there is a 60 percent chance the system will become a tropical cyclone within 48 hours.
Escambia Academy Cheerleaders Win Top Honors
July 21, 2010
The Escambia Academy varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders recently won top honors at the Universal Cheerleaders Association camp in Montgomery.
The varsity cheerleaders were named the Alabama Independent School Association state champions for small varsity squads, and the junior varsity cheerleaders were named as runner-ups for the AISA in the small squad junior varsity division.
The varsity squad won first place in Home Pom and Cheer, second place in Extreme Routine. They also received a Leadership Award.
The EA junior varsity cheerleaders were runner-ups in Home Pom and Extreme Routine.
Nycole Thompson and Niki Bryan were named UCA All-American Varsity Cheerleaders. They will have the opportunity to dance in the New Year’s Day parade in London, England.
Natalie Lassiter and Anna Catherine Sasser were named UCA All-American JV Cheerleaders. They will have the opportunity to march in the Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade in Orlando this fall.
Bailey Vaughn was named an AISA All-Star; she will cheer at the AISA All-Star football and basketball games.
Escambia Academy also had three girls recognized for their leadership through the Pin It Forward Program that exemplifies why America needs cheerleaders. They were Amber Huskey, Page Lancaster and Anna Catherine Sasser.
Members of the Escambia Academy varsity squad are: captain Rachel Fuller, co-captain Bailey Vaughn, Amber Huskey, Samantha Lee, Nycole Thompson, Niki Bryan, Caitlyn Bruley and Page Lancaster. JV squad members are: Sarah Weatherford, Claire Dawe, Jessica Glick, Sissy Jeter, Natalie Lassiter, Anna Catherine Sasser, Kricket White and Hannah Boothe.
Pictured top: The Escambia Academy varsity cheerleaders: (front, L-R) captain Rachel Fuller, co-captain Bailey Vaughn, (middle, L-R) Samantha Lee, Caitlyn Bruley, Amber Huskey, Niki Bryan, Page Lancaster,, Nycole Thompson, (back, L-R) Cyndi Vaughn, varsity cheer sponsor. Pictured inset: UCA All American Cheerleaders (L-R) Natalie Lassiter, Niki Bryan, Anna Catherine Sasser and Nycole Thompson. Pictured below: The Escambia Academy junior varsity cheerleaders: (front, L-R) Kricket White, Anna Catherine Sasser, (middle, L-R) Natalie Lassiter, Sarah Weatherford, (back, L-R) Jessica Glick, Claire Dawe, Sissy Jeter and Hannah Boothe. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
