Students Head Back To Class (With 2012 School Calendar)
January 2, 2012
Students in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida are headed back to class Monday following a couple of weeks out for Christmas Break, while students in Escambia County, Ala., returned to class Tuesday.
Here is a look at the remaining holiday and break days for the 2011-2012 school year:
Escambia County, FL
- January 16 — MLK Day
- January 17 — Teacher Work Day (no students)
- March 19-23 — Spring Break
- April 6 — Teacher Work Day (no students)
- May 28 — Memorial Day
- June 1 — Last Day of School
Santa Rosa County, FL
- January 16 — MLK Day
- January 20 – Teacher Work Day (no students)
- February 20 — President’s Day
- March 12-16 — Spring Break
- April 2 — Teacher Work Day (no students)
- April 6 — Good Friday
- May 28- Memorial Day
- June 7 — Last Day of School
Escambia County, AL
- January 16 — MLK Day
- February 20 — President’s Day
- April 6 — Good Friday
- April 23-27 — Spring Break
- May 24 — Last Day of School
2011 Persons Of The Year: Wade Jernigan And Organ Donors
January 2, 2012
NorthEscambia.com is naming Persons of the Year for 2011. The recipients were nominated by our readers as individuals that have a made a difference in North Escambia during the past year — people that have given of themselves to help others and the communities of North Escambia during 2011. Additional Persons of the Year will be named on Tuesday.
Recipients named so far include the volunteers and supporters of the Health and Hope Clinic, and Northview Athletic Director Sammy Day.
An unexpected tragedy and a simple act of unselfishness led to the selection of 16-year old Kenneth Wade Jernigan and everyone that has signed their name as an organ donor as 2011 North Escambia Persons of the Year.
A heart of gold, always a smile, always positive, always there, and always giving of himself. Those are just some of the ways Wade Jernigan’s friends described him in the hours following a tragic wreck on a cool December morning not far from Northview High School. And, even in his death, he continued to give of himself.
After doctors did all they could do, Wade was kept on life support at Sacred Heart Hospital in order to donate his organs.
“Through his unselfish, giving spirit he chose to be an organ donor, and even though we greatly grieve his passing, through it he gave eight people and their families life and in this way he lives on through them,” his obituary said.
His impact on the communities of North Escambia was perhaps more profound than we will ever know. The Northview family grew closer together. Students signed up to become organ donors, perhaps multiplying the number of lives saved by Wade Jeringan’s death many times over. Many young people also examined their mortality and many made life altering decisions in their personal and spiritual lives.
An anonymous commenter on a NorthEscambia.com story about Wade Jernigan perhaps summed up the reason that all that are signed up to be organ donors and Wade Jernigan are 2011 North Escambia Persons of the Year:
“I’ve never in my time being at Northview witnessed the halls so empty of emotion and noise. Silence had overwhelmed us completely. This tells you how great of a guy he was. It hurts us all to think the guy you surrounded yourself with in case you were having a bad day, is gone,” the Northview student wrote.
“In return, we will all grow stronger, and learn from this.”
Top Stories Of 2011
January 2, 2012
Here is the first part of our pick for the Top 11 Stories of 2011. The remainder of the list will be published on Tuesday.
11. Jay Hospital
The Town of Jay was abuzz in late April that Jay Hospital was about to be closed, sold or merged with another facility. A town meeting was called and 250 residents were told that Baptist Healthcare and Naples-based Health Management Associates wanted to form a new partnership involving Jay Hospital and the Santa Rosa County Medical Center in Milton. Dr. David Smith said Baptist wanted to strike the word “non-profit” from their contract with Santa Rosa County, perhaps leading to a reduction in services at the 55-bed hospital. Century and Flomaton leaders also spoke out against any change in the hospital’s services. After the public outcry, Baptist never requested any change to their lease.
10. Health and Hope Clinic
The Pensacola Bay Baptist Association opened their second Health and Hope Clinic in Century to meet the needs of uninsured and medically underserved in Escambia County. The clinic is entirely volunteer and donor supported, bringing access to health care to potentially hundreds of North Escambia residents that otherwise could not afford it.
9. Conecuh Woods
The Conecuh County (Ala.) Commission gave their blessings to a proposed 5,100 landfill near Repton despite an outcry against it. The Conecuh Woods landfill will include a 1,600 acre “disposal cell” from Range to Repton to near the Big Escambia Creek. Big Escambia Creek flows southward into Escambia County, Alabama, Flomaton and drains through a North Escambia swamp into the Escambia River and then into Escambia and Pensacola bays. Downstream governments joined a lawsuit seeking to stop the landfill that was filed by the tiny town of Repton, Ala., (pop. 280). Escambia counties in Alabama and Florida, Century, Flomaton, Atmore, Brewton and Pensacola all joined the suit expressing concerns about potential harm to drinking water. No decision was rendered by the end of the year.
8. Northview Quarterback Suspension
The Northview Chiefs were without starting senior quarterback Brandon Sheets as they faced Chipley in the second-ever state semifinal game for the Chiefs. Sheets was suspended for a game by the Florida High School Athletic Association. The first flag against Sheets in playoff game against Chipley came after a touchdown when Sheets stopped just across the goal line and dropped the ball near a Freeport defender. The second flag came on the next play. As a referee was explaining the flag to coach Sid Wheatley on the Chiefs’ sideline (pictured), Sheets ran back on the field to run the extra point play. That’s when Sheets allegedly mocked a referee by looking at him and clapping. Northview’s appeal of the suspension was denied by the FHSAA.
7. Wicked Weather
The list of top stories from 2011 would certainly not be complete without the weather. From a freezing start to the year in January to extreme drought and tornadoes, 2011’s headlines often included the weather. An EF-1 tornado slammed the heart of McDavid in March with 105 mph winds, damaging or destroying several homes. The destruction was much more intense at the end of March as 263 people died in a massive tornado outbreak in Alabama, many of them in Tuscaloosa. A McDavid native was among those killed; Iva Mae Cantrell died in Jefferson County, Ala. Following the tornadoes, North Escambia communities rallied to help north Alabama with supplies and volunteers. Weather headlines in 2011 also included an extreme, record-setting drought that impacted local agriculture.
6. Cancer Scam Arrest
Communities across North Escambia were stunned at the arrest of a Molino couple, Chris and Sonja Luker, on allegations that she faked a cancer diagnosis to scam people out of thousands of dollars in donations. An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigation determined the Lukers used thousands of dollars in fundraising dollars to avoid foreclosure on their home and purchased a $4,000 Harley motorcycle. Both were awaiting trial by year’s end on a felony fraud charge.
The Top 5 stories of 2011 will be published on Tuesday.
Pictured top: About 250 people attended a community meeting in support of Jay Hospital in late March. Pictured top inset: Northview Coach Sid Wheatley discusses the suspension of quarterback Brandon Sheets with an official. Pictured bottom inset: One of the homes destroyed by a tornado on Main Street in McDavid. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
East Pond Street In Century Closed This Week
January 2, 2012
East Pond Street in Century will be closed this week for a scheduled drainage improvement project.
The street will be closed Monday through Friday from Jefferson Avenue west to Ramar Street near Highway 29, according to the Town of Century.
For more information, contact Century Town Hall at (850) 256-3208.
2011 In Photos: September
January 2, 2012
We are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2011. Today, we are featuring photos from September.
Fire completely destroyed this brick home on State Line Road near Century.
Students from Bratt and Byrneville elementary schools learned about peanuts during a special in-field demonstration.
Bus driver Tonia Allen found this little girl wandering alone in South Highway 99 near Walnut Hill. She was returned unharmed to her parents.
A weak funnel cloud was caught on camera near Fairground Road and the Escambia River in Molino.
An estimated $80,000 in marijuana was seized from a home on Highway 29 just north of Highway 97 in Molino.
Hundreds of students gathered to pray during the annual See You at the Pole event at a several schools.
At Atmore woman was critically injured in this early morning crash on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
A butterfly enjoys pretty weather in late September at the Turtle Point Science Center in Flomaton.
The Flomaton Hurricanes beat the Jay Royals.
Ernest Ward Middle School’s Eagle’s beat the Baker Gators.
Northview’s junior varsity beat the Blue Devils of Atmore.
Residents of Century Care Center enjoyed a little fall fishing at the facility’s pond.
The Escambia Gators beat the Tate Aggies.
The Northview Lady Chiefs defeated the Lady Royals of Jay.
The National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola officially dedicated the “Marine One” helicopter used to transport Presidents Nixon and Ford.
Northview, Ernest Ward, Tate and Jay took part in a soggy Cross County meet in Pace.
Jacob Dunsford gains yardage for the Ernest Ward Middle School as the Eagles defeated J.U. Blacksher.
Fort Walton beat Tate 33-0.
A boat belonging to a missing former Jay resident was found in Mexico, but there was no sign of Lee Kent.
Three men were charged in connection with an accident that claimed the life of a Southern Choctaw football player and injured several others after leaving a game in Flomaton.
Heavy surf pounded Pensacola Beach from Tropical Storm Lee.
Century Care Center Celebrates The New Year
January 2, 2012
Families and friends gathered with residents at the Century Care Center Sunday to celebrate the New Year. As they looked forward to 2012, they also looked back at 2011.
“Century Care Center wishes to thank all of the local churches, families, staff and organizations who have supported us throughout the year, especially for our wonderful Christmas,” Activities Director Mae Hildreth said.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Year’s Closures
January 2, 2012
The following will be closed on Monday in observance of the New Year’s holiday:
- Escambia County offices
- Santa Rosa County offices
- Century town offices
- Jay city offices
- Atmore city offices
- Flomaton city offices
- West Florida Library branches
- U.S. Postal Service – no mail except Express Mail, retail windows closed.
- ECAT will not run Monday.
- ECUA routes will all be picked up as normal.
The regular first Monday night of the month Century Town Council meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 3 at 7 p.m.
Century Reschedules Council Meetings
January 2, 2012
The Century Town Council has rescheduled their first two meetings of 2012.
Both regular January council meetings have been rescheduled due to the holidays. The regular Monday, January 2 meeting will be held Tuesday, January 3, and the January 16 meeting will be held the following Monday, January 23. Both meetings are at 7 p.m. and are open to the public.
December Ends With Four Escambia Residential Fires
January 2, 2012
Escambia County’s “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign came to an end Saturday night with four December residential fires recorded in the county.
One of the fires was in North Escambia — a home on Washington Street in Cantonment was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours of December 30. [Read more...]
By comparison, the 2010 Keep the Wreath Green campaign ended with 18 red bulbs representing residential fires, with 15 of those fire occurring by Christmas Eve. In 2009, there were a dozen fires during the period.
In the wreath campaign, each time firefighters responded to a residential fire in Escambia County, a green light bulb was replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations.
Pictured: This home on Washington Street in Cantonment was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours of December 30. Click here for more photos.
Pat (Fred) White
January 2, 2012
Pat (Fred) White, 78 of Jay, passed into eternal rest on December 31, 2011, surrounded by his cherished family.
Pat was born May 24, 1933, in Jay to Albert and Bessie (Floyd) White. He married the love of his life, Janie Duke White, of Boaz, AL, on June 19, 1961, and they were blessed with the birth of their only child, Patty, on August 27, 1964.
Pat worked and retired from the State of Florida Division of Forestry and was an active member of Berrydale United Pentecostal Church. He was a true outdoorsman “country boy” and sports fan. Sentimentally and lovingly known as “Tub” to many family members and friends, he enjoyed dog hunting, fishing, planting and working in his garden, tending to his goats, and attending livestock sales. In addition you could always find him watching Alabama Crimson Tide football and New York Yankees baseball.
Pat was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Janie; his parents, Albert and Bessie White, father-in-law and mother-in-law Hollis and Estelle Duke; brother, Floyd White; son-in-law, Jessie McGraw, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Billy and Wandean Farish; and a very special cousin and friend, G.W. White.
He is survived by his loving and dedicated daughter, Patty White McGraw; special sister-in-law, Mary Dell White, special brother-in-law, Jimbo Leatherwood; and nephews and nieces: Jimmy and Sue White, Sharon and Lyvon Phillips, Glenn and Paula White, Shellie, Kevin and Hallie Macht, Paige, Ashley, and Sawyer Baxley, Adam and Shelby White, and Justin and Joy White; other special people in his life Dorothy Penton; Kevin, Hannah, and Madison Smith; devoted “Grand Dog”, Sport; and his feline companion, Sylvester; and a host of relatives, friends, and neighbors.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 3, 2012, from 6-8 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home. Funeral and celebration of his life will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home with Reverend Billy Smith and Reverend Manuel Bennett officiating. Burial will follow at Walling Cemetary.
Active pallbearers will be Jimmy White, Glenn White, Adam White, Justin White, Kevin Macht and Ashley Baxley.
Honorary pallbearers will be Buddy Bradley, Floyd Cobb, Frank Coffey, Scott Farish, Jerry Floyd, Roger Floyd, Shorty Floyd, Gary Fox, Dr. Tony Frazier, Gary Gibson, Wade Hill, Keith Ivey, Carmen Ivie, Jabo Jernigan, Gary Jones, Mike Jones, Ray Jones, Lamar Lewis, Bill Patrick, Lyvon Phillips, Millard Sims, Dr. C. David Smith, Randy Watson, and Franklin Wolfe.
A very special note of gratitude and blessings for the wonderful care provided by Dr. C. David Smith and Jay Medical Clinic staff, Dr. Edwin Rogers, Dr. Neal and the staff of Sacred Heart Hospital, and the staff of Select Specialty Care. Your kindness, consideration, and compassion will be remembered forever.