Students Of The Month Named
November 22, 2010
Escambia County Students of the Month for November have been named by the Escambia Association for Administrators in Education. The awards are presented monthly to two students from participating schools.
The following students were named from North Escambia area schools:
- Bratt: Rachel G. Franklin, kindergarten; Meggan L. Brown, fourth grade
- Jim Allen: Thierry K. Robinson, third grade; Christopher J. Page, third grade
- Molino Park: Bradley W. Bridges, fifth grade; Bailey J. Baldwin, fifth grade
- Ransom: Taylor A. Ertel, eighth grade; Eric E. Esselburn, seventh grade
- Northview Zachary S. Johnson, 10th grade; Courtney Y. Solari, ninth grade.
- Tate: Kelly H. Ewing, 12th grade; James L. Sherrill, 12th grade.
Pictured top: Courtney Solari and Zachary Johnson, Northview High School’s Students of the Month for November. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pushin’ The Limits Walk To Benefit Cancer Patient
November 22, 2010
A “Pushin’ the Limits” walk will be held Sunday, December 5 to benefit cancer patient Nadine McCaw.
The walk will begin at 2 p.m. at the Food Giant in Century and be from the northern to the southern city limits in Century, a distance of about three miles. Registration is $20, with advance registrants receiving a t-shirt.
To register, click here for a registration form to return to the Century Branch Library, or visit the library for a registration form.
Molino Man Named Member Of Angus Association
November 22, 2010
Keith Walther of Molino has been named a new member of the American Angus Association.
The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef registry association with over 30,000 adult and junior members. The association’s goal is to serve the beef cattle industry, and increase the production of consistent, high quality beef that will better satisfy consumers throughout the world.
Gizmo Angus Farm and PineRidge Black Baldies are the only other North Escambia area members of the American Angus Association.
Escambia Elections Officials Recognized
November 22, 2010
In ceremonies conducted recently by the Election Center in Orlando, Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford and Deputy Supervisor of Elections Michael Hardin were designated as Certified Elections/Registration Administrators (CERA), the highest professional achievement.
CERA designation is achieved only through a multi-year course of study conducted by The Election Center’s Professional Education Program and completion of 12 core courses taught by the Master’s in Public Administration faculty of Auburn University ranging from ethics, to voter registration and elections law, planning, communications, and voter participation, among others.
The intent of the program is to improve the professionalism the management of voter registration and elections administration in promoting and preserving public trust in the democratic process.
“This is the highest designation available to elections and voter registration officials,” said R. Doug Lewis, director of the Center. “Of more than 21,000 elections and voter registration officials throughout America, this graduating class of 44 professionals takes us to 589 election officials who have achieved the CERA status. This is an outstanding accomplishment.”
“Escambia County is indeed fortunate to have Michael and David as two of the top designated professionals in America. Obtaining and maintaining CERA status means that they have committed to a career long process of continuing education to improve the electoral process in Florida and the nation,” he stated.
The Professional Education Program is sponsored by The Election Center, a non-profit association of voter registrars and elections administrators throughout America. Its membership is comprised of township, city, county and state elections officials. The Center’s primary purpose is education for local and state voter registrars and elections officials to promote and improve the democratic process.
Professional Education Program participants receive continuing education credit from Auburn University as well as professional training credits from The Election Center. The Professional Education Program was recognized in 1996 as the top continuing education program in America by the National University Continuing Education Association.
Pictured: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
Photos: Art At The Farm
November 22, 2010
People from across the area had the opportunity to enjoy Art at the Farm this weekend in Walnut Hill. The annual event featured art, crafts, food and plenty of family friendly fun.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured above and below: Art at the Farm was held this weekend in Walnut Hill. Photos by Seales Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Jobless Rate Drops
November 21, 2010
The latest job numbers released Friday show the unemployment rate in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties dropping by a half percentage point, with over 1,300 people returning to work.
Escambia County’s unemployment dropped by a half percentage point— down from 11.0 percent in September to 10.5 percent in August. That represented 875 retuning to work for a total Escambia County unemployment of 14,795 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 10.2 percent.
Santa Rosa County also recorded a half percentage point drop in unemployment— from 9.8 percent in September to 9.3 percent in October. Santa Rosa County gained 459 jobs during the period, with a total of 6,627 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 9.4 percent.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County, Ala., held held steady at 10.6 percent from September to October, representing 1,538 unemployed. Last year’s unemployment rate for the same period in Escambia County was 12.6 percent.
Florida’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in October, holding at 11.9 percent from September but still above the 11.3 figure posted a year ago, the Agency for Workforce Development reported Friday.
The lack of improvement in the state’s jobless rate was blamed on continued sluggishness in housing and credit markets that has idled construction and slowed sales of existing property. The national seasonally adjusted average was 9.6 percent
The state’s top labor officials said the plateau has a bright side, a 35,700 increase in the number of available jobs, the strongest year-to-year increase since May 2007. Such growth may be contributing to improved consumer confidence, which according to a University of Florida rose six points in October from the previous month.
“While Florida’s unemployment rate did not decrease this month, we continue to see positive signs of stabilization and growth,” said AWI Director Cynthia Lorenzo, noting also that Florida led the nation last week in the decrease of first-time unemployment applicants.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 8.9 percent in October, remained unchanged from September’s rate of 8.9 percent but was below the year-ago rate of 10.8 percent.
Pen Air Donates Turkeys To USO
November 21, 2010
When the USO called for help to feed the multitude of troops remaining on NAS Pensacola during Thanksgiving, Pen Air Federal Credit Union had sleeves rolled up ready to help, contributing cash for supplies and over 65, 12-16 pound turkeys.
“Without the support from individuals and businesses like Pen Air Federal Credit Union, we simply could not keep up with the needs of those we serve and who serve us,” said USO Program Manager Kathy Karsten.
The USO is a non-profit organization with a mission to support the active military serving our country. The local Pensacola USO is set up at the Pensacola Regional Airport with space to receive and send on active military and now at their new facility onboard NAS Pensacola. The USO receives all its financial support from private donations. These donations help provide support for programs that assist deployed personnel and their dependents.
“The USO has always been there for our military, and Pen Air Federal Credit Union is proud to be able to be there for the USO – if you support our military, you should support your local USO,” said Pen Air FCU President/CEO Ron Fields. “We are honored to be able to help the USO any way we can to make the lives of our service men and women whether at home or abroad better.”
For more information about the USO or on how you can help visitt www.uso.org/Pensacola.
Pictured top: Presenting the 65 turkeys local sailors stationed at NAS Pensacola are (L-R) AVP/Military Liaison John Ochs, EVP/CFO David Tuyo, Pen Air CEO Ron Fields and EVP/COO Carroll Scarborough. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thanksgiving Week Forecast: Rain?
November 21, 2010
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast for Thanksgiving week:
- Sunday: Becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Patchy fog after 11pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph.
- Thanksgiving Day: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 57.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
Spences Celebrate 50th Anniversary
November 21, 2010
John and Mary Ann Spence celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday with an anniversary celebration at the Walnut Hill Community Center.
John and Mary Ann were married on November 19, 1960, in Dry Springs, Florida. They have six children, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. John is retired from Gulf Power in Pensacola. Mary Ann is retired from Monsanto in Pensacola and is currently a teacher at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Six Inducted Into Atmore Area Hall Of Fame
November 21, 2010
Six people were inducted into the Atmore Area Hall of Fame Saturday night.
The honorees were:
Marty Hodnette — an educator who taught at Escambia County High School for 41 years.
J.F. “Red” Vickery — a football star at Escambia County High from 1938-1941 who later played for the University of Georgia. After a stint in the military — and a war injury — he was elected as Escambia County circuit clerk.
Cornell Torrence — who coached football and basketball for nearly four decades. He was a leader in establishing a health center in Atmore and served on the city council.
Woodrow McCorvey Jr. — was a football star at Escambia County High School and Alabama State University. He later coached at the University of Alabama from 1990 to 1997, including 1992 when the Crimson Tide won the National Championship. He also coached at the University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee and Mississippi.
Don McNeal — who played football at the Escambia County High School and at Alabama — including on the National Championship teams of 1978 and 1979. He played for the Miami Dolphins from 1980-1989 and played in the Super Bowl twice.
Hugh Rozelle – who dedicated his life to public service. He served as an Escambia County judged, a member of the Alabama legislature and served on numerous civic committees.