Northview High School Class of 2011 Graduates (With Photo Gallery)
June 5, 2011
The 135 members of the Northview High School Class of 2011 graduated Saturday.
“Each of us has the potential to be great, but if we want to reach that full potential, we must put in the work to get there and never give up,” Valedictorian Sarah Malinda Killam told her fellow classmates. “You have the power to make the decision to sit idle and accomplish nothing, or you have the power to work hard at things and make a change in this world that is so desperately needed.
She told the Class of 2011 not to “sweat the small stuff”, but understand that in life “a failure in life is inevitable, however it is what we do with our failures that determines the outcome of our success”.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Northview High graduates Katie Marie Wieborg, David Aaron Lambert, Jr., and Allie Rebecca Bryan turn their tassels Saturday afternoon. Pictures inset: Valedictorian Sarah Malinda Killam told her fellow classmates no to “sweat the small stuff” in life. Pictured bottom of page: The Northview High School Class of 2011. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Graduating members of the Northview High School Class of 2011 were:
Jared Avery Adams
T’Kieya Myzetta Amos
+Austin Kyle Arrington
Shannon Anthony Barnhill
*Mallory Ann Bell
Courtney Nicole Black
#Jansen Mathew Bodiford
Brandi Shabril Boggan
Justin Tyler Brooks
*Caitlyn Brianne Brown
Tammie Renea Brown
#Allie Rebecca Bryan
*Allyson Michelle Bullard
Miranda Beth Burkett
Lance Lee Bushaw
*Hillary Kate Byrd
Dixie Lee Carnley
#Jamichael Dashawn Carson
+Victoria Lynn Childers
Jacob Alan Clayton
Lauren Elizabeth Cloud
Shamere Latrez Cohen
+Haley May Coleman
+Sara Lynn Conner
Jeremiah Cooler
Naomi Lasheba Cooler
+Trestine Ivie Dean
*Ashley Elizabeth Digmon
Megan Nichole Flurnoy
Adam Tyler Freeman
Allison Shae Freeman
Erin Michelle Fremin
Lonnie Car’Telle Gardner
*James Tyler Garrett
Katelyn Michelle Garrison
Dustin Wayne Gibson
Levi Trest Gideons
*Laneicia Dynette Gomez
*Jocelyn Marlese Gould
Haley Nicole Gunn
Aaron Morgan Hammond
Kara Renae Hardin
Tyler Marie Hunter
Jessica Christine Imholte
Andrea Tanasha Jackson
Stephen Craig Jay
John Andrew Johnston
Phillip David Jones
Shaniqua Shanell Jones
*Sarah Malinda Killam
Joshua Michael King
Katelynn Nicole Kite
#David Aaron Lambert, Jr.
#Dabney Harrison Langhorne
#Derek Eugene Lewis
*Dustin Neal Lewis
Richard Keith Lucas, Jr.
Chelsea Danielle Luckie
Taylor Wayne Martin
*Jessynia Christina McCall
Kenny Lenele McCall
Ryan Lee McGhee
Samantha Elaine Merchant
Kiri Lynne Montgomery
Shawna Renee Montgomery
Michael McCarty Moore
Jacob Colby Morris
Samuel Wayne Ordis
Brittany Cheyenne Peebles
Haleigh Ciara Perkins
Jacob Lee Peterson
*Dixie Lynn Picheo
Kelsey Lynn Plant
+Derrick Edward Portis, Jr.
Brittanie Ann Poston
John Kaleb Purvis
Alexis Haylee Roach
#Brianna Renae Roley
Charles Thomas Rolin
Elliot Gene Ross
Skyla Bre’Ann Ryals
+Megan Juliette Ryan
Sarah Nicole Schachle
Brook Nicol Schlobohm
Brandon Heath Scott
*Joshua Clayton Scott
*Christina Nicole Sepulveda
*Hayley Renee Simpson
*Colton Darryl Sims
Jason Taylor Sims
Lauren Nicole Smith
+Stephanie Leann Solari
John Preston Solomon, II
Tabitha Renea Steege
George Douglas Tangeman
James Kevin Tangeman
Dimond Brooke Tullis
*Emily Faith Vickrey
*Allison Ayers Vidak
Thomas Lee Walston
Ladarion Bernard White
#Katie Marie Wieborg
Daniel Paul Williams
Casey Lane Wooten
#Dustin Brooks Yuhasz
*Summa Cum Laude – Garnet and Gold Cord
#Magna Cum Laude – Gold Cord
+Cum Laude – Garnet Cord
Saturday Was Record Hot; Today Another Scorcher
June 5, 2011
After record-setting heat on Saturday, there was a little relief for some with rain and clouds on Sunday. Monday will also be hot near 100 with another chance of seabreeze storms.
Saturday was the hottest June day ever in Mobile with an all-time official monthly high of 103. In Pensacola, the official record high of 102 was a record high for the day. Other high temperatures Saturday included 101 degrees in Cantonment, 100 degrees in Walnut Hill, Bratt and Jay; 99 degrees in Atmore and 98 degrees in Molino.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Blood Drive Today In Bratt
June 5, 2011
The First Baptist Church of Bratt Student Ministry will sponsor a Community Blood Drive today from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the church.
Requirements for giving blood are –
- Donors must be in generally good health
- At least 17 years of age, without permission. 16-year olds are now allowed to donate with permission granted by parents or legal guardians.
- Must bring picture ID
- Weigh at least 110 lbs
- Free of infection, fever or flu symptoms, for 3 days
- No cancer within the last 5 years
- No antibiotics within the last 48 hours
- No tattoos within the past 12 months
- No chest pain, heart disease, heart surgery (Requires written physician release with diagnosis)
- No history of viral hepatitis
- Cannot have lived in France for 5 years or more between 1980 and the present
- Cannot have lived or visited in the UK for a total of 3 months or more from 1980 to 1996
- Cannot have received a blood transfusion in the UK between 1980 and the present
- Military personnel (current and former), and their dependents, who spent time in military bases in northern Europe during 1980-1990, or southern Europe during 1980-1996, for 6 months or more
- All military personnel (active & reserve) that are returning from Iraq, are deferred for a period of 1 year after the last date on location in that country.
Young Poets Awarded
June 5, 2011
The Friends of the Library and the West Florida Literacy Foundation presented their annual poetry awards recently.
One winner was from the North Escambia area — Brianna Roley, a senior at Northview High School, was awarded first place in the 11-12th grade division.
Winners in the countywide competition were as follows:
11-12th grade
1st, Brianna Roley, 12th grade, Northview High School; 2nd, Andria Quinlan, 11th grade, Escambia High School; 3rd, Isabelle Murphy, 11th grade, Escambia High School; honorable mention, Alec Garcia, 11th grade, Escambia High School.
9-10th grade
1st, Kyle Sunday, 10th grade, Booker T. Washington High; 2nd, Geoffrey Stemen, 10th grade, homeschool; 3rd, McKenna Jobe, 9th grade, Escambia High School; honorable mention, Nicole Gengler, 9th grade, Escambia High School.
7-8th grade
1st place, Eldred McLamb, 7th grade, Bellview Middle School; 2nd, Ryan Longley, 7th grade, Episcopal Day School; 3rd, De’Andre Wesley, 7th grade, Bellview Middle School; honorable mention, Malik Kennell, 8th grade, Jim Bailey Middle School.
5-6th grade
1st, Sebastien Morel, home school; 2nd, Jordan Weddington, Oakcrest Elementary; 3rd, Jett-Ramy Kaddour, Hellen Caro Elementary; honorable mention, Austan Sexson, Oakcrest Elementary.
3-4th grade
1st, Nicolas Morel, home school; 2nd, Daisy Barbosa, Oakcrest Elementary; 3rd, Andre Archer, Hellen Caro Elementary; honorable mention, Nikole Butler, Oakcrest Elementary.
1-2nd grade
1st place, Ella Claire Prusa, Scenic Heights Elementary; 2nd, Ben Spangrud, Episcopal Day School; 3rd, Olivia McCrory, Episcopal Day School; honorable mention, Esme Culleton, home school.
UWF Argos Win First-Ever National Championship
June 5, 2011
The University of West Florida Argos won their first-ever national title Saturday with a 12-2 win over Winona State in Cary, N.C.
“It’s an amazing moment and a great moment for West Florida baseball, the University of West Florida and the Pensacola community. As a coach, you work hard and you wonder as you’re out there in the hot sun, doing field work and doing individual work with the guys if anyone is ever going to see the fruits of your hard work. There are so many great teams across the country working hard, too. It’s special. Words can’t describe it,” Argos Head Coach Mike Jeffcoat said.
“When you get four runs in the first inning, you go out there and just pitch to contact – throw strikes, not try to strike everyone out. Our hitters did what they’ve done all year, just try to put the ball in play and let the ball do the work. Our defense was amazing again today. An outstanding performance by our infield and outfield. It’s just a great job all around,” Said UWF pitcher Daniel Vargas-Vila.
With the win, UWF ended their record setting season at 52-9.
“It’s exciting. Words really can’t describe how great this feels. We’ve worked for it all year. Jumping out to a big lead like that was huge. We were excited throughout the whole game, but still trying to stay focused, stay in the moment, not lose ourselves. It’s just a great feeling,” said UWF right fielder Greg Pron.
Century High Class Of 1968 Holds Reunion
June 5, 2011
The Century High School Class of 1968 held a reunion last weekend.
The group met Saturday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Fiebig in Avalon Beach for dinner. They met again on Sunday at the Alger Sullivan Historical Society Museum in Century for dinner.
The group also raised funds to purchase eight memorial bricks for deceased class members.
Pictured: (seated, L-R) Sharon Calloway Jones, Marilyn Stewart Chestnutt, Becky Cash, Pamela Wood Fiebig, Danette Purvis Morris, Juanita Carden DuRocher, Jean Harwell, (back row,L-R) Eugene Pettis, Sandra Watson Pettis, Mike Brock, Bill Bryan, Pamela Robinson Callahan, Barnie Jones, Sandra Callaway, William Cash, Linda Stuckey, Jerry Bondurant, Lois Wilson Aboud, Irene Folmar Bondurant, Jack Leahey, Robert Flanders and Tommy Wilson. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Alabama Declaried Disaster Area; FEMA Help Available
June 5, 2011
The Federal Emergency Management Agency designated Escambia County as a disaster area due to tornadoes back in April.
Escambia County was declared a disaster area due to the damage incurred during the weather event on the night of April 15, 2011. Any residents that suffered losses in this event are encouraged to call FEMA as soon as possible at (800) 621-3362 and register for assistance. Each applicant will receive a FEMA ID number for their claim.
A FEMA strike team will be in the Emergency Management office in the courthouse at 314 Belleville Avenue in Brewton on Monday June 13th from noon till 6:00 p.m. and on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 14th and 15th from 7:30 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. They will be there to assist the applicants with the documentation process and to provide other assistance as needed. Representatives with the Small Business Administration will also be on hand to provide information on low interest loans that may be available to homeowners and businesses that were affected in this event.
Applicants should bring their FEMA ID number (obtained by calling FEMA at the number above) and other documents with them to the meeting. No appointment is necessary.
For more information call the Escambia County EMA office at (251) 867-0232.
Pictured top: This mobile home overturned twice in the Damascus community of Escambia County, Ala. Pictured inset: Another home damaged on Damascus Road. Pictured below: A damaged home on Highway 31 north of Brewton. Submitted photos by the American Red Cross East Escambia Chapter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Roy Crews
June 5, 2011
Roy Crews, age 74 of Jay, died on June 3, 2011. “Poppy”, as he was known to his grandkids, was a loving and kindhearted father and grandfather. He enjoyed his TV shows and following the weather around the world. He was planning a trip to Australia in 2012 to observe the next major solar eclipse. He was a member of Pine Level Baptist Church and was in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict. He retired from Monsanto in 1991 after 36 years of service. He will be truly missed by all.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Linette Crews; parents, Julian Isom and Annie Ruth Crews and brother, Emory O’Neal Crews.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Knowles Crews; daughters, Linda Ruth Crews and Brenda Laverne Hinote; sisters, Dorothy Nell Penton and Betty Ruth Simmons; grandchildren, Katelyn Andrews, Michael Kelley, Shelbie Andrews, Dylan Kelley, Lexie Hinote, and Chandler Hinote; and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Visitation was held on Sunday, June 5, 2011, at Jay Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 6, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Jay Funeral Home with Bro. La- Don Hall and David White officiating.
Active pallbearers will be Boy Scout Troop 400 from Pace and special music by Melinda.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Florida Weekly Government Roundup: Scott Signs Bills, Opponents Hire Lawyers
June 5, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott spent the week signing major pieces of legislation into law, a not-so surprising list dealing with growth management, gun rights and health care that had been priorities for the governor and the Republican-led Legislature.
But while Scott’s Sharpie was flying, groups affected by many of those bills began the march to the courthouse doors, an equally expected development that will likely be repeated in the weeks ahead on such issues as elections, abortion, and what physicians and their patients can talk about during visit.
Meanwhile, the 2012 elections came into closer focus this week as one GOP contender got booted off a conservative talk radio show while his two opponents piled on as part of their own attempts to curry favor with the conservative wing of the Republican Party, the support of which is critical to their aspirations to unseat Democrat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson 18 months from now.
BILL SIGNINGS
Following his previous week’s budget signing, Scott spent the week signing other Republican priorities into law.
Scott penned his name to a pair of bills that backers hope will change the way Florida’s $20 billion Medicaid program is run. Tucked within a couple dozen bills, Scott signed the measures (HB 7107 and HB 7109) that attempt to funnel most of the state’s 2.7 million Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
The state must now convince the federal government, which picks up most of the Medicaid tab, to let it make the change from the traditional fee-for-service model that has defined the health safety net since its inception.
Scott also affixed his signature to a sweeping change in growth management law, reversing a quarter century of policy in shifting responsibility for growth decisions back to the locals. When that was the case a couple decades ago, lawmakers found little ability to regulate growth with a regional viewpoint. With the new law, the pendulum goes back the other way, with Republicans having said that state management of growth simply slowed growth and prevented job creation.
In a nod to gun owners, Scott also approved a pair of bills pushed by the National Rifle Association, which flexed its political muscle throughout the 60-day session.
One measure (HB 45) prevents local governments from enacting stricter gun ordinances than state law provides. The bill passed with minimal opposition. The other (HB 155) bill prevents doctors in certain situations from asking patients if they own guns or have them in their homes.
The original bill imposed stiff penalties and provided few exceptions for health practitioners who might want to include gun safety questions in a battery of queries like whether a pool is fenced in or are there pesticides within a child’s reach.
With comfort language inserted to allow most health practitioners to get around the “Don’t Ask” provision, the Florida Medical Association dropped its opposition to the bill, a decision that provided political cover for many lawmakers caught between two powerful constituencies.
Mixing health care and law enforcement, Scott did a little whistle stop tour Friday as he signed, –and signed again and signed again — a measure (HB 7095) to clamp down on pain management clinics that distribute legally obtainable prescription drugs to “patients” for handsome profits under the nose of law enforcers who can do little to stop the often deadly transactions.
The so called “pill-mill” bill makes a number of changes to state law to stem the tide of pain clinics, which legally distribute controlled substances that critics say are raising more havoc than those illegal drugs purchased from old-school drug dealers who work on a street corner. The law requires tracking of the wholesale distribution of certain controlled substances, bans doctors from dispensing controlled drugs like oxycodone and provides money to prosecute.
“This legislation will save lives in our state, and it marks the beginning of the end of Florida’s infamous role as the nation’s pill mill capital,” Scott said while making stops in Tampa, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale.”
Apparently, Scott had drugs on his mind. Earlier in the week, he signed legislation (HB 353) requiring recipients of temporary cash assistance to pass a drug test before being allowed to collect benefits from the federal program that replaced traditional welfare in the 1990s.
The bill requires applicants to pay for the drug tests, the cost of which will be reimbursed if they pass.
Recipients who fail must foot the bill for the test and forgo economic assistance for at least a year. Florida becomes the first state in the nation to require such tests of all recipients.
LAWSUITS BEGIN FLOWING IN:
While Scott was busy signing bills into law, others were equally occupied with attempts to undo things that have already been done.
On Friday, the American Civil Liberties Union said it was asking a court to delay enforcement of a bill signed into law in May that makes it harder for voters to cast ballots in the much anticipated 2012 presidential election as an effort to reduce fraud. Opponents called the bill
a “trifecta of voter suppression.”
The bill (1355) reduces the number of earlier voting days and makes it more difficult to cast provisional ballots, changes Democrats say are thinly veiled attempts to discourage the types of efforts that helped President Barack Obama win in 2008. The bill also places tougher restrictions on voter registration groups, a move that promoted the League of Women Voters to say it would cancel registration efforts in the state.
“This new massive law has nothing to do with improving elections and everything to do with who will get to vote in 2012 and we’re ready to have that conversation with the Department of Justice,” said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida.
Earlier in the week the ACLU also filed suit over an executive order signed earlier this year by Scott that requires public employees to be drug tested.
Meanwhile, Travelocity.com, Orbitz, and Priceline.com filed lawsuits this week challenging hotel bed taxes sought by Broward County. The lawsuits, filed Tuesday in Tallahassee, argue that Broward County acted unconstitutionally earlier this year when it told the companies and subsidiaries that they owed a total of $484,000 in tourist-development taxes, interest and penalties.
2012 ELECTIONS IN THE CROSS HAIRS.
With the 2012 elections coming into planner view, Republican candidates continued their courting of the conservative wing of the party, a segment of the GOP electorate that plays an especially important role in the primary. In some cases the date didn’t go so well.
Taking a page out of Rick Scott’s playbook, Senate President and U.S. Senate hopeful Mike Haridopolos went on conservative talk radio to score some points with voters but instead sidestepped his way into a corner during an interview.
Haridopolos was unwilling to give a yes-no answer on whether he supports a federal budget proposal by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R- Wis., that includes a dramatic restructuring of Medicare, a national issue that has many Republicans running for political cover. Haridopolos got booted off the show by talk show host Ray Junior whose repeated queries were re-directed by Haridopolos to the successes of the 2011 state legislative session. Finally Junior had enough.
“OK, get him off my phone, get rid of him,” Junior said before hanging up.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Several major pieces of the Legislature’s work were signed into law – including a couple of the most potentially far reaching bills passed in recent years. One returns management of growth decisions to local government, another overhauls the Medicaid system, essentially shifting nearly all Medicaid patients into private managed care plans. Gov. Scott also signed a bill cracking down on pain clinics that enable addicts, and a new requirement for drug testing for public assistance recipients.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “How could you possibly not have all that information? You’re running for Senate.” Conservative radio talk show host Ray Junior before hanging up on Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Mike Haridopolos who said he needed more information before deciding whether he would have supported a controversial and highly publicized GOP backed budget measure.
By Micheal Peltier
The News Service of Florida
Strong Storm Hits; Causes Minor Damage, Traps Fire Crew (With Photo Gallery)
June 4, 2011
A surprise heavy thunderstorm in North Escambia Friday afternoon caused scattered damage in several communities, prompted reports of a tornado and even led to a crew being trapped in a fire truck.
The first reports of damage came from Barth Lane where several residents reported a possible tornado touchdown just after 5 p.m. Other residents reported seeing a possible funnel cloud above the treetops. There was minor damage reported with small tree limbs downed, a shed damaged and outside items tossed about. First responders reported hail in the area of Champion Drive in McDavid shortly after the reported tornado sightings.
For a photo gallery of damage around the area, click here.
There was no tornado indicated on radar in the area, according to the National Weather Service.
Trees and power lines were reported down in several locations in Barth, Molino, Barrineau Park and near Enon. There was an area of concentrated minor damage in the area of Barrineau Park Road, Barrineau Park School Road, Highway 99 and Settle Road where trees and power lines were downed. One home on South Highway 99 near Black Berry Lane received minor damage with vinyl siding ripped from the side of the two story home and a trampoline tossed over a chain link fence. A tree was also downed in the roadway on Molino Road near Highway 95A.
Those downed power lines caused problems for three volunteers with the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue. While responding to damage reports, their fire truck collided with falling power lines on Barrineau Park Road just west of Barrineau Park School Road. After hitting the Gulf Power lines, the truck became entangled in additional downed lines.
The fire department volunteers spent about 20 minutes trapped in their fire truck as they waited for Gulf Power to arrive and cut power to the electrical system in the area. As they waited, power lines could been seen near the truck arcing and causing tree limbs to smolder.
The firemen were uninjured in the incident. The fire engine received minor damage in the incident.
Gulf Power Company said about 1,500 customers in the Molino area lost power as a result of the storm. An unknown number of Bright House Networks customers lost power and internet service as well.
A few Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers also lost power. On South Highway 99 just south of Highway 97-A, downed power lines sparked a brush fire over several acres. The Molino and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Florida Division of Forestry were able to contain the blaze with no damage to nearby structures.
For a photo gallery of damage around the area, click here.
Pictured top: Three Molino firefighters were trapped in their truck after hitting power lines on Barrineau Park Road Friday afternoon. Pictured top inset: A large tree limb was downed on Barrineau Park School Road. Pictured bottom inset: This trampoline was tossed over a fence at this home on South Highway 99 near Black Berry Lane. Siding was also ripped from the home. Pictured below: Downed power lines sparked a brush fire on South Highway 99 just south of Highway 97-A. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
