Free Hunter Safety Course Offered
September 19, 2011
Escambia County Extension Services and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are offering a free hunter safety course at the Langley Bell 4-H Center, 4810 West Nine Mile Road.
Classes will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on September 20th, 22nd, 27th, and 29th with the range portion held October 1st from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Both traditional classroom style and online training are available.
The traditional hunter safety course, which covers the knowledge, skills, and ability needed to be a safe hunter, is 12 hours of classroom instruction with a test and three hours on the range.
The online version allows students to learn a majority of the course via computer with the remainder of the course covered in a four-hour classroom session on September 20th, followed by a test, and three hours on the range on October 1st.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must complete a hunter safety course before purchasing a hunting license.
Participants must be 12 years of age or older. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Each person must be pre-registered.
Information and registration is available online at http://myfwc.com/hunting/safety-education or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at (850) 265-3676 or
by calling Libbie Johnson at Escambia County Extension Services, (850) 475-5230 or email libbiej@ufl.edu.
Prep Football: No Leaders In District 1-1A, 1-6A After Three Weeks
September 19, 2011
Three weeks down in the high school football season, and there are not yet any leaders in District 1-1A or District 1-6A because none of the teams have actually played a district matchup.
But that will change Friday night in 1-6A with district games between Tate and Escambia, Pine Forest and Pace and Milton and Pensacola. The other team in 1-6A, Washington, will sit out Friday night with a bye.
There are still no district matchups this Friday night in District 1-A. The Northview Chiefs and the Jay Royals will face off in Jay on October 2 in the first district game of the season for either team.
Pictured top: Action Friday night as Tate lost to West Florida. Pictured inset: The Northview Chiefs fell to Chipley on the road last Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, Jay Place In Pace Cross Country Meet
September 19, 2011
Both Northview and Jay high schools placed in the annual Patriot Invitational Cross County meet held recently at Simms Middle School in Pace.
The meet, hosted by Pace High School, featured 160 runners from high schools in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. The Jay High Lady Royals placed sixth among 15 schools, while the Northview Lady Chiefs placed 13th. The Northview boys placed 14th.
Top runners for Northview and Jay were:
- Northview Boys Top 5: Issac McGahan, Joseph Baldwin, Dakota Craft, Jonathon Moretz and Jack Floyd
- Northview Girls Top 5: Georgia Goetter, Jazzlyn Franklin, Lakelyn Parker, Zacarra Davis and Julia Thorpe
- Jay Girls Top 5: Jessica Thornton, Jorja Agrait, Allison Blair, Ally Settle and Savannah Brow
Pictured top: The Northview Lady Chiefs at the recent Patriot Invitational Cross County meet in Pace. Pictured inset Jorja Agrait and Jessica Thornton run for the Jay Lady Royals. Pictured below: Members of the Northview Chiefs boys cross country team. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Kids Celebrate With Back To School Blast
September 19, 2011
Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino held a “Back to School Blast” Sunday afternoon. Children from across the community enjoyed fun and games, and there was a family cookout for people of all ages. The church also collected reams of paper to benefit Molino Park Elementary School.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Do you have news from your church or community group? Email your photos and information to news@northescambia.com.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Faces Life After Sexual Battery Conviction
September 19, 2011
An Escambia County man was convicted on sexual battery charges and now faces up to life in prison.
Alvin Alexander, 58, was found guilty by an Escambia County jury on three counts of sexual battery with great force, burglary of a dwelling with a battery, and aggravated battery with great bodily harm.
On October 21, 2010, Alexander entered the residence of the 22-year old female victim who was alone at home and asleep in her bed. The victim was awakened by Alexander beating her with a metal pipe. As she tried to escape, Alexander forced her to remain inside. While inside, he continued to beat her with the metal pipe and sexually battered her multiple times, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
Alexander faces life in prison when sentenced by Judge Terry Terrel on October 31.
Walnut Hill’s ‘The Tank’ Named 2011 Ag Innovator
September 18, 2011
The Escambia County Extension Service has named “The Tank” in Walnut Hill as the 2011 Ag Innovator for Escambia County.
Vernon Hiebert has been a catfish producer in Escambia County for more than 15 years, but after several years of depressed prices and increasing production costs, he decided that he needed to do something drastically different if he wanted to keep his enterprise afloat.
The prices he was receiving for his live fish at the catfish processing plant were not keeping pace with his costs, but the demand for catfish was increasing. He decided to direct market his product locally to individuals and eventually stores and restaurants by building The Tank — a 32-foot wide indoor pool that can hold up to 20,000 catfish at a time.
The Tank, Hiebert says, offers the freshest tasting catfish anywhere—none of that musky flavor that makes catfish taste “off.”
He seines fish from one of his production ponds each Monday and brings 800–1200 lbs of live fish into the Tank. The water in the tank is recycled; it goes through a three-stage filter system ensures the freshest water. The fish have three days to purge themselves in the clean water, removing impurities that might cause off-flavor.
The round indoor tank uses a system of fences to contain fish to a certain part of the pool, or move them toward an electric “elevator” that lifts them out of the water. Shoppers can take the fish home whole or have them dressed, or cleaned. He has standing orders from one high end grocery store in Pensacola and several seafood restaurants that are happy to offer a local freshwater fish choice on their menus.
Hiebert is a huge supporter of Escambia County Extension. During their 2010 Farm Tour, he hosted 120 visitors to The Tank and offered each person samples of his fish prepared by frying and by grilling. Before the stop, several people said that they were interested in learning more about catfish product but not in eating any of the samples because he or she didn’t like catfish. Most of the naysayers changed their tune once they were coaxed into trying the fish by Hiebert.
His innovative business has been instrumental in helping Escambia Extension with a major part of its clientele — local consumers. Hiebert’s operation is in the heart of Walnut Hill—the center of Escambia County agriculture. His business draws people to North Escambia where people can see local agriculture and purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Local agritourism has great potential in an area like Escambia County that has a large local and tourist population, and The Tank is a great way to get people out of the city and into the areas where farmers can sell directly to the consumers, according to the Extension Service.
Escambia County’s one thriving catfish industry is down to three producers — one of which sells only to processing plants, one who markets to plants and has a fee fishing operation, and Hiebert’s The Tank.
Pictured top: Vernon Hiebert corrals catfish at The Tank in Walnut Hill. Pictured inset: Catfish in the crystal-clear waters of The Tank. Pictured below: The Tank can hold 20,000 catfish. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECUA Water Customers Could See Low Pressure, Discolored Water Next Week
September 18, 2011
ECUA water customers in Escambia County could experience lower water pressure or discolored water for brief periods during the next week due to testing.
The ECUA water system will undergo system-wide fire protection capability testing September 19-23. The ISO water system testing will include pressure and flow testing at fire hydrants throughout the ECUA water service area.
According to ECUA, these tests have the potential to temporarily impact small segments of the service area, possibly resulting in isolated and/or short-term cases of lower-than-normal water pressure. The potential also exists for the appearance of discolored water for brief periods in areas where the testing will be conducted.
The ISO testing is part of a national program that serves insurance companies, fire departments, and insurance regulators through the provision of information related to risk. The information is used in pricing homeowner and commercial property insurance.
Dobson Wins Semper Fi 5K Run, Other Local Runners Place
September 18, 2011
Matt Dobson of Jay was the overall winner of the 28th Annual Semper Fi 5K Charity Run in Pensacola Saturday. Dobson’s time was 16:51.
Other North Escambia area runners placing in the race were:
- 58 — Christopher Tuckey, Cantonment, 21:40
- 42 — David Hanes, Cantonment, 20:43
- 156 — James Henderson, Cantonment, 24:28
- 172 — William Henderson, Cantonment, 24:51
- 226 — Richard Murray, Cantonment, 26:03
- 295 — Peter Ferree, Cantonment, 27:43
- 338 — Ashley McCormick, Cantonment, 28:33
- 359 — Hugh Long, Atmore 29:17
- 366 — Jason Beck, Cantonment, 29:27
- 426 — Dale Crabtree, Cantonment, 31:12
- 448 — Rob Bath, Molino 31:48
- 453 — Joshua Tucker, Cantonment, 31:58
- 457 — Paul Jones, Cantonment, 32:12
- 458 — Stephanie Godfrey, Cantonment, 32:13
- 462 — Renee Henderson, Cantonment, 32:22
- 500 — James Clark, Cantonment, 33:20
- 562 — Ann Jones, Cantonment, 38:38
- 623 — Lasonya Purifoy, Cantonment, 48:50
- 629 — Herman Clark, Cantonment, 52:00
Other North Escambia area residents place in the 5K walk were:
- 3 — Sonny Manning, Cantonment, 37:29
- 5 — Wiley Tramble, Cantonment, 39:04
- 14 –Catherine Griffin, Cantonment, 43:01
- 15 — Thomas Demoully, Cantonment, 43:04
- 25 — Michael Clouse, Cantonment, 46:15
- 28 — Ellen Beck, Cantonment, 46:51
- 57 — Carly Haskins, Cantonment, 55:03
- 58 — Chrystal Pedicord, Cantonment, 55:03
- 60 — Cindy Walker, Cantonment, 55:06
- 72 — Susan Vega, Cantonment, 55:44
- 73 — Lakota Maloney, Molino, 59:44
- 74 — Robynn Maloney, Molino ,59:46
Golfer Bubba Watson Donates $100K To Ronald McDonald House
September 18, 2011
Pro golfer Bubba Watson has donated $100,000 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida.
Watson’s relationship with Ronald McDonald House began a few years ago when he began championing fundraising events for the RMHC Chapter in Pensacola, where he donated a playground for families to enjoy at the House.
“It was clear that he valued family and giving back more than any win on the course. It’s through the generosity of people like Bubba who help show families that are cared for by us that they are not alone in their fight for their critically ill child. One hundred thousand dollars will go a long way to ensure the families whose children are getting treated in Pensacola are supported and cared for during the most trying of times,” said Marty Coyne, president and CEO, RMHC.
Gulf Power Academy Celebrates 10 Years At West Florida High
September 18, 2011
Engineers, welders, electric linemen and equipment operators all get their start somewhere. In Escambia County, Gulf Power Academy has been that starting point for almost 200 students over the past 10 years.
This career academy is built into the West Florida High School curriculum and is designed to prepare students for entry-level work in the electric utility industry or for post-secondary education in engineering, electronics, and other technical fields of study.
Ten years ago Gulf Power was looking for opportunities to engage in the educational process to develop a diverse pool of candidates for critical Gulf Power positions.
“At that time we were already seeing a gap in the technical training we were looking for in our applicants and realized we would need to get involved on a much deeper level in recruiting employees,” Jennifer Grove, Workforce Development coordinator, said.
Gulf Power initiated the program in 2001 after learning about the opportunity to partner with West Florida High School. A total of 170 students have graduated from the program and 45 of those graduates have been hired for full-time or temporary positions at Gulf Power.
Students choose to participate in the career academy through grades 9-12 and receive a combination of rigorous academics along with a relevant technical education. In addition to supplying resources for training, Gulf Power helps pay for materials, lab equipment and training for the students.
Prior to their senior year the students can apply for the Advanced Career Experience (ACE) program. Students in the ACE program work at Gulf Power every other day and are rotated through several departments and positions.
Students earn a high school diploma, a technical certification in their area of study and receive college credit.
“I’ve met countless determined students through this program who are willing to work hard at a very young age in order to give themselves a successful future,” Grove said. “To see these kids grow up and succeed in a career is extremely satisfying.”
Calvin Mattin, a Plant Equipment operator for Plant Crist, graduated in 2008 from the program and was hired soon after in July of 2008.
“While I was in the program I got to meet a lot of people and we were able to take trips to the plants to get an idea of what it would be like if we did get hired,” Mattin said. “Working for Gulf Power part-time gave us a good feel of whether we would like that type of work or not.”
“I would definitely recommend the academy for any student. Even if you don’t end up working for Gulf Power, its good experience and a great way to learn about the utility industry,” Mattin said.
This year’s ACE senior class began working at Gulf Power earlier this month.
For more information on Gulf Power Academy, call Jennifer Grove at (850) 444-6821 or visit the West Florida High School website at www.wfhs.net.
Pictured: Gulf Power Academy students tour the Crist Plant in Pensacola. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.