International Paper Announces New Mill Manager
December 2, 2012
International Paper has been named Brett DeJong as mill manager for the Pensacola Containerboard Mill. DeJong will be responsible for the mill’s operations, employee engagement and financial success.
Most recently, he was the operations manager at the Augusta, Ga., Coated Paperboard Mill. Brett joined IP in 1997 in Global Technology, and has since held a variety of leadership positions at the Mansfield, La., Prattville and Augusta mills. He and his family will relocate to the Pensacola area.
“My family and I are looking forward to relocating to the area and learning more about the people and the community,” said DeJong. “Mobile is home for my wife, so we are very tied to the Gulf Coast.”
In a related move, former Pensacola Mill Manager Carl Gunter has been named mill manager for IP’s Prattville, Ala., Containerboard Mill.
Warm Week Ahead
December 2, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Sunday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
- Sunday Night: Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
- Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 68.
Area Cheerleaders Compete In West Florida Regionals
December 2, 2012
Over 20 cheerleading squads took part in the UCA West Florida Regional Cheerleading Competition hosted Saturday by Tate High School.
Participating schools included Tate Hight, Northview High, Jay High, West Florida High, Pine Forest High and Ransom Middle School.
The Northview Chiefs varsity squad took first place in the Medium Varsity Non Tumbling Division. For a video of the Northview performance, click here.
Other results were not immediately available.
Pictured: Varsity cheerleading squads competed in the West Florida regionals Saturday at Tate High School, including Tate (top), Northview (below) and Jay (bottom). Submitted photos by Tammy Calloway for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Wins Women’s Soccer National Title
December 2, 2012
The University of West Florida women’s soccer team won its first national championship in program history with a 1-0 victory over UC San Diego on Saturday.
Chelsea Palmer scored the game-winner with an assist from Sashana Campbell. Tori Fish, Rachel Cutts and Campbell named to All-Tournament team along with the Defensive MVP Sarah Story and Offensive MVP, Palmer.
Pictured top: The national chamption UWF Argonauts. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: NHS Band Brings Cheer To Mall
December 2, 2012
The Northview High School Tribal Beat Band, color guard, dance team and majorettes performed Saturday afternoon at Cordova Mall in Pensacola. The band used the performance as a fundraising opportunity to their trip next week to Orlando for the Class 1A football championship game.
For more photos, click here.Photos by Laura Gilmore, Leslie Gonzalez and Connie Brook for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Video: Northview Cheerleaders At Tate Competition
December 2, 2012
(If you do not see the video above, it is because your home, work or school firewall is blocking YouTube videos.)
Fire Heavily Damages Cantonment Home
December 1, 2012
Area fire departments responded to a house fire in Cantonment this afternoon.
Flames were coming out of the attic of the home at the corner of Pace Parkway and Mintz Lane when the first firefighters arrived on scene about 12:40 Saturday afternoon.
The home was currently uninhabited; there were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Pictured: Fire damaged this empty home in Cantonment Saturday afternoon. Reader submitted photos by Douglas Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
31 Fire Safety Tips: Keep The Wreath Green
December 1, 2012
As part of the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign, Escambia Fire Rescue and the City of Pensacola public safety officials have joined forces to promote fire safety during December with a month’s worth of holiday safety tips:
- Dec. 1 - Prior to buying a live tree, test its freshness by pulling along a small branch. If the needles fall away in your hand, the tree is already too dry.
- Dec. 2 - Prior to buying an artificial tree, make sure the tree bears a UL label of approval and be certain the tree is made of fire retardant materials.
- Dec. 3 - To keep a live tree fresh cut 1-2 inches from the bottom to expose fresh wood and place it in water. Make sure your tree stand can hold water. Check the water level every day, and add water as needed. Do not place trees near sources of heat like radiators, space heaters or heating ducts.
- Dec. 4 - Use candles with care. Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Burn candles inside a 1-foot circle of safety, free of anything that can ignite. Use sturdy candleholders that will not tip over. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Dec. 5 - Make sure all holiday lights are UL labeled and inspect them prior to use. If possible, use LED lights since they burn cooler. Check each set of lights for broken or crushed sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard all damaged lights.
- Dec. 6 - When hanging holiday lights, either on your tree or outside, make sure you follow the manufactures guidelines on how many strands can be connected together. Usually it is not more than 3. Make sure you do not overload electrical outlets or circuits. Do not run power cords underneath rugs or carpets.
- Dec. 7 - When decorating, remember not to block stairways, doors, or windows. Remember to always unplug lights and extinguish candles before leaving the house or going to bed.
- Dec. 8 - Have a plan in case you have a fire:
- Step 1 – Design a plan for your home and your family. Make sure every one understands exactly what to do and where to go in an emergency. Also, make sure you have enough smoke alarms.
- Dec. 9 - Have a plan in case you have a fire:
- Step 2 – Know two ways out of every room and practice them to make sure you can do it.
- Dec. 10 - Have a plan in case you have a fire:
- Step 3 – Make sure you crawl low under smoke and feel closed doors for heat. If you come to a door that is warm, find another way out.
- Dec. 11 - Have a plan in case you have a fire:
- Step 4 – If you become trapped, close doors and stuff the door cracks to keep smoke out. Try to call 911 and let them know exactly where you are and signal for help from a window.
- Dec. 12 - Have a plan in case you have a fire:
- Step 5 – Pay special attention to young children, elderly people and the disabled. Be sure to include them in your plan.
- Dec. 13 - Have a plan in case you have a fire:
- Step 6 – Get out as fast as you can and stay out. Never go back inside. Once you’re safely outside have someone go to a neighbor’s house and call 911.
- Dec. 14 - Remember, matches and lighters are tools for adults. Store them in a safe place above the reach of children. Also teach youngsters to never touch them, instead tell a grownup.
- Dec. 15 - Have a fire extinguisher readily available in your home and make sure it is fully charged. Know how to use your fire extinguisher.
- Remember the PASS system:
- Pull the pin,
- Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire,
- Squeeze the trigger lever, and
- Sweep the stream side-to-side at the base of the fire.
- Remember the PASS system:
- Dec. 16 - Have your chimney and fireplace inspected by a professional to make sure it’s clean and free of obstructions. Never burn paper or trash in the fireplace.
- Dec. 17 - Be sure your fireplace is covered with a metal screen or glass doors to prevent the spread of sparks and fire.
- Dec. 18 - Make sure to have a working smoke alarm outside of every bedroom and on every level of your house. Make sure to test monthly and change batteries every time you change your clocks.
- Dec. 19 - With children out of school, people doing yard work, dry vegetation, high-winds and low-humidity, remember that wildfires can happen quickly.
- Dec. 20 - If you are enjoying the great outdoors during the holidays, don’t leave campfires or warming fires unattended – make sure they are completely out!
- Dec. 21 - Never leave cooking food unattended. Handles on stovetop pots should be turned away from the front, so they won’t be accidentally tipped or knocked over.
- Dec. 22 - Before you cook that holiday dinner be sure that the oven and stovetop are clean, free of grease, and are in good working order.
- Dec. 23 - Keep cooking areas clean and free of grease and other combustibles (e.g. potholders, towels, rags, drapes, and food packaging), which can catch fire easily.
- Dec. 24 - Do not burn wrapping paper in the fireplace because of the high flammability, dangerous sparks and possibility of flash fires.
- Dec. 25 - Remember to be safety conscious and have a happy holiday.
- Dec. 26 - When purchasing a space heater look for heaters that have safety features such as cut-off switches that turn the heater off if they accidentally tip over or overheat.
- Dec. 27 - Space heaters need space. Make sure they are at least 3 feet away from combustible materials such as draperies, furniture, bedding, clothing and decorations. Also teach youngsters to keep away from them.
- Dec. 28 - Use only UL labeled space heaters and follow the manufactured instructions. Never use stoves, ovens or other cooking appliances to warm your home.
- Dec. 29 - Turn space heaters off when you leave the room. Also, remember to constantly supervise children and pets when space heaters are in use.
- Dec. 30 - Don’t cut up and burn your tree in the fireplace. Burning evergreens give off tar and creosol, which can ignite and cause a chimney fire. Dispose of your tree by following the instructions of your local trash disposal service.
- Dec. 31 - Don’t drink and drive, have a designated driver or call a friend.
Third Time’s The Charm: Northview Heads To First State Championship
December 1, 2012
The Northview Chiefs beat the Liberty County Bulldogs Friday night 48-14 to earn a trip to the Class 1A state championship game next week in Orlando.
For the Chiefs, Friday night marked the third consecutive trip to a state semifinal games; the last two years ending with a loss.
The boys from Bratt will face undefeated and No. 1 ranked Trenton next Friday night at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando — the first time in school history that Northview has ever made the Class 1A championship game.
“It’s kind of surreal right now,” Northview Coach Sid Wheatley said after the win on the road in Bristol. “We’ve (came) so close last year, and for these guys to persevere and be so close and fight through it to get back to that same point … You know, I really sensed before the game that they were ready, and they really delivered tonight. There was no denying them.”
For an action photo gallery, click here. (For cheerleader, band and fan photos, click here.)
It was, simply, near-perfect execution and style for the Chiefs. The Chiefs played an entire game with no errors. No fumbles, no interceptions, nothing. Liberty County was almost unable to gain ground; the Chiefs held them to just under 100 yards for the entire game.
Liberty County was effectively shut down by Northview as the Chiefs took a commanding 41-0 lead. Liberty County was only able to gain ground and get on the board as Wheatley began to put in backup and reserves.
The Bulldogs were stopped in the tracks on the opening kickoff, with Northview’s Jeffery Taylor recovering a Liberty County fumble. That set up a 38-yard drive ending with a 2-yard touchdown dash from Brannon Freeman, 7-0 NHS.
“It was huge,” Wheatley said Taylor’s opening play fumble recovery. “It was huge to grab momentum right now and go down and score.”
And Liberty County was just getting taste of how Northview football is played.
La’Mikal Kyles scored with 5:20 to go in the first on a 1-yard run. A good kick from Kevin Vaughan, and the Chiefs were up 14-0. In the second, Northview scored on a 12-yard run from Freeman and a 32-yard run from Kyles for a 28-0 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Northview added a 13-yard touchdown run from La’Darius Thomas and a 51-yard run across midfield from Freeman, 41-0.
By now, fans on the Liberty County side were beginning to sneak quietly out of the stands and head for home. And the PA announcer was beginning to congratulate Liberty County for a “great” season, winning nine in a row and not losing a game at home this year. Or at least until they were whipped by the Chiefs.
As Wheatley began to substitute backup players, the Bulldogs added a couple of touchdowns.
The Chiefs racked up 367 rushing yards on 44 attempts. Freeman added 138 yards, while Kyles had 11. At QB, Vaughan was 5-8 for 73 yards, plus 23 rushing. Thomas contributed 33 yards for the Chiefs, and Neiko Robinson, who scored the final Chiefs TD of the night, had 45 yards.
“Man, we are so excited; these kids deserve it,” Wheatley said after the win. They put in the effort; they put in the time. And they’re deserving of this moment.”
For an action photo gallery, click here. (For cheerleader, band and fan photos, click here.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blood Drive Saturday Afternoon At Fran’s Grill In Molino
December 1, 2012
The Northwest Florida Bloodmobile will be at Fran’s Grill in Molino Saturday from 2:30 until 6:30 p.m.
When you donate to Northwest Florida Blood Services, you can save the life of a hospital patient in northwest Florida. Northwest Florida Blood Services is the exclusive provider of blood products to more than 24 area hospitals who need 175 blood donations a day. Each donation can save up to three lives.
Requirements for giving blood are below.
- 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.