Century Resident Celebrates 102nd Birthday
February 20, 2014
Della Godwin of Century celebrated her 102nd birthday on Wednesday with a party attended by family and friends.
Godwin was born in Jay back in 1912, one of 12 children born to her parents Annie and William Griffis. She has two younger surviving siblings - Jean Clark and Veda Welch. She raised two sons, one of which is deceased, and has four grandchildren.
She was raised in the Mount Carmel community of Santa Rosa County. In her early years, she spent most of time in the cotton fields, but she was always in church on Sundays.
Godwin attributes her long life to hard work. Those who know her will say that she was always caring for and helping others. She always put family first, even if it meant she had to do without the things she needed.
Godwin is the oldest resident at the Century Care Center.
Pictured top: Century resident Della Godwin turned 102 on Wednesday. Pictured below: Godwin celebrated her 102nd birthday posing for photos with family and friends. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
House Adds Ammo To Ban On Insurers Discriminating Against Gun Owners
February 20, 2014
Insurance companies could face tougher penalties if they impose higher rates or take other actions against auto or homeowner policyholders due to lawful gun ownership — or ammunition possession — under a measure that received its second House committee backing on Wednesday.
While Florida law already prohibits such actions, the House Civil Justice Subcommittee in an 8-2 vote approved a bill by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, that would provide a court remedy to policyholders.
Along with higher rates, the bill would target insurers who refuse to issue or renew policies or cancel policies.
“The laws that we have on the books now only allow the government to step in and stop an insurance company from discriminating against someone for exercising a constitutional right,” Gaetz said. “As of now they would be blocked at the courthouse steps.”
The committee also agreed to amend the bill, backed by the National Rifle Association and Unified Sportsmen of Florida, to include a ban on crafting insurance policies that discriminate against people for possession of ammunition. The measure must still get through the House Regulatory Affairs Committee.
The Senate version (SB 424) has already been backed by the Banking and Insurance and the Criminal Justice committees and has only to clear the Appropriations Committee before reaching the Senate floor.
by The News Service of Florida
Northview Orientation Tonight For Incoming 9th Graders
February 20, 2014
Northview High School will host an orientation for eighth graders (incoming ninth graders next school year) from 6-7:00 tonight. The orientation session is designed to provide information for students entering the ninth grade and provide for a more efficient transition to high school.
The program will cover:
- How to Calculate a Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Courses Required for Graduation
- What Pre-requisites are Required for Courses
- What are Credits
- What is Class Size Reduction
- Specific Courses
- Special Programs: Academies, NJROTC, Band, etc.
- Reading FCAT
- How Absences Affect Grades, Exams, and Final Grades
- EOC’s: Algebra, Geometry
- Counseling Services
- Tutoring
- Required On-line Course
- Virtual Schools: EVA not FLVS
- Sports and GPA Requirement
- Random Drug Testing for Extracurricular Activities
- Parking on Campus and GPA of 2.0
- Medicines and the Clinic
- Free and Reduced Lunch Application Process
- Club Participation
- Student Behavior: Tardy Policy, ISS, OSS, Cell Phone Policy
- Parent Conferences
- Parent Portal and FOCUS: Grades and Attendance
For more information, call (850) 327-6681.
Ernest Ward Celebrates FFA Week With Breakfast
February 20, 2014
FFA students at Ernest Ward Middle School did their part to celebrate National FFA Week with a Wednesday morning breakfast for faculty and staff.
Students prepared a breakfast of French toast sticks, grits, biscuits, bacon, sausage and more for the EWMS faculty and staff.
Pictured: FFA students at Ernest Ward Middle School provide breakfast for the school’s faculty and staff Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
High School All-Star Soccer Rosters Announced
February 20, 2014
Tonight, the best boys and girls senior soccer players from Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties will play in the 7th annual Subway High School All-Star Soccer game at Asthon Brosnaham Park. The Pensacola Sports Association is pleased to announce this year’s coaches and rosters.
The coaching staff for the west teams, comprised of Escambia County schools, consists of Gerald Praylow from Pensacola High School for the girls’ team and Felipe Lawall from Washington High School leading the boys’ team.
Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County Schools make up the east team. Jeff Klug from Milton High School will lead the girls’ team while Navarre High School’s Zac Preston will coach the boys’ team.
Girls West Team:
- Catholic Kaitlyn Lockridge, Holey Sherman, Mallory Hermann
- West FL Olivia Griffin, Andrea Rivera, Kaysi Roberts
- East Hill Meghan Doyle
- Tate Brittany Barth, Samantha Flaherty, Anna Del Gallo, Carlie Del Gallo
- Washington Megan Sauer, Haley Burgess, CJ Gascoigne
- Escambia Rori Cassedy
- Pensacola Tianna Little, Molly Ambrose, Lauren Scott
- Pine Forest Danielle Corda, Kayla Hall
Girls East Team:
- FWB Kerri Andre
- Gulf Breeze Alyssa Pejic, Kylie Feltenberger, Frances Harpole
- Niceville Brooke Sneller
- Crestview Baylee O’Marra
- Rocky Bayou Amber Smith
- Navarre Hannah Gullickson, Hunter Moorer, Ella Burkhart, Bri Young, Gabby Armstrong, Jade Whitley
- Pace Katelyn Burkhart, Taylor Burkhart, Jenna Dilauro
- Milton Keely McNeal, Alexia Tzagakis, Megan Melendez
- Choctaw Maggie VanHusan, Sam Shaw, Rachyl Sutton
Boys West Team:
- East Hill Stephen Churchill
- Escambia Jesus Perez, Augustine Maldonado, Patrick Land, Max Schnieder
- Catholic William Keegan, Marcus Valles, Brandon Wiley
- Pensacola Aron Byrd, Long Le
- Pine Forest Jordan McBride, Thomas Aadnanes, Augusto Bustamante
- West FL Christopher King, Austin Broussard
- Tate Michael DeMars, Keenan Grace, Brandon Jenkins, Paul Shelton
- Washington Mitchell Lipham, Holder Hudson, Antonio Collins
Boys East Team:
- Choctaw Kevin Sanchez
- Crestview David Born, Blake Brooks
- FWB Josh Popoy, Merle Thumma, Tristan Tiegan
- Gulf Breeze Lucas Zalar, Josh Ceravolo
- Milton Brian Abenojar, Jacob Schiowitz, Adrian Dunn
- Navarre Ricardo Hidalgo, Cameron Smith, Noah Hughson, Cody White, Edward Layne
- Niceville Mikey Swiercz, Lucas Van Decar, Andy Rodriguez
- Pace Luke Breland, Chandler Castleman
- Rocky Bayou Joe Neau
Final game rosters are subject to change.
Tickets to the SUBWAY High School All-Star Game are $7 at the gate and $5 with a canned good item dontation. The PSA is teaming with Manna Food Bank for a canned good drive and encouraging everyone to help families by bringing a canned good item.
NRCS Florida Agricultural Assistance Application Deadline Is Friday
February 20, 2014
Farmers and ranchers can apply until Friday, February 21 for conservation technical assistance and financial assistance for the following initiatives:
Organic Initiative–helps producers install conservation practices on USDA certified organic operations or those working toward organic certification.
Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative–helps producers install high tunnels designed to extend the growing season, increase productivity, keep plants at a steady temperature, and conserve water and energy.
On-farm Energy Initiative–helps producers conserve energy on their operations.
Longleaf Pine Initiative–helps private landowners improve the sustainability and profitability of Longleaf pine forest ecosystems.
Working Lands for Wildlife Initiative–provides technical and financial assistance for landowners who voluntarily choose to implement conservation practices that benefit the habitat of the target species–the gopher tortoise in Florida–while continuing to manage the habitat as working lands.
Gulf of Mexico Initiative–helps producers located in the Escambia River andMiddle Suwannee River Area watersheds to focus on reducing soil erosion, improving soil health, improving water quality, and wildlife habitat on cropland, pastureland and forestland. Producers in these watersheds can sign up for assistance under this initiative by contacting the local NRCS office below:
- Escambia County District Conservationist Joshua McElhaney at (850) 587-5404, x3, 151 Highway 97, Molino.
- Santa Rosa County District Conservationist Trent Mathews at (850) 623-3229, x3, 6285 Dogwood Drive, Milton.
Additional information on NRCS, conservation assistance, and available programs is offered on its website at www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov or at your local USDA – NRCS office.
Benny Killam
February 20, 2014
Benny Killam, age 59 of Jay, went home to be with the Lord on the February 19, 2014. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was a member of Poplar Dell Baptist Church. He enjoyed drinking coffee and talking friends, being around his grandchildren, cooking at his barn for friends and family, and farming with his son. He never met a stranger.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Claud Killam; brother-in-law, Alvin White; and niece, Laura Dunn.
He is survived by his loving, devoted wife of 39 years, Debbie Killam; son, Lucas (Kendra) Killam; daughter, Lana (Rhett) Rowell; grandchildren, Major and Piper Rowell; sisters, Shirley Dunn, Diane White, and Annette (Ladon) Hall; brothers, Clinton (Ann) Killam, and Dewayne Killam; brother and sister-in-laws, Tim and Ann Russell, Alan and Marilyn Michel; and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 21, 2014, from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home with the funeral immediately following at 6 p.m.
The family would like to thank the staff of the dialysis center in Century and all the friends that helped him daily. Benny will be greatly missed but is happy and well with a new body in Heaven.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Benny’s name to the American Diabetes Association at http://www.diabetes.org or 1-800-DIABETES.
Barrineau Park Road Controlled Burn Gets Out Of Control
February 19, 2014
A controlled burn near Barrineau Park got of control Wednesday afternoon.
The fire began as a controlled burn in the 4000 block of Barrineau Park Road, just east of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. As the 20-acre fire got escaped its boundaries, the Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service were called on to assist.
There were no injuries and no structures damaged by the fire.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Manhunt At Atmore Prison: No Escape; Suspects Tried To Toss Items Over Fence
February 19, 2014
A manhunt was under Wednesday afternoon along and near Highway 21 and the Fountain Correctional Facility north of Atmore.
Two people reportedly tried to toss contraband over the prison’s fence and into the facility. One was taken into custody while the second suspect fled on foot. The area was secured by local and state law enforcement. K-9 were used in the search for the suspect.
At last report, the second suspect had not been arrested.
The Fountain Correctional Facility is located on 8,200 acres that directly parallels Highway 21 just north of I-65.
Officials said there has been no escape from the medium security prison; officials have accounted for all prisoners.
Pensacola Chamber Honors Business, Community Leaders
February 19, 2014
The Pensacola Chamber Foundation announced its 54th Annual PACE Award recipients last night at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front. The PACE Awards are given out each year to honor the outstanding individuals in the community who have made significant contributions to Greater Pensacola’s overall economic progress.
“This year’s award recipients have distinguished themselves as innovative entrepreneurs, visionary business and civic leaders, and exemplary corporate citizens,” said Pensacola Chamber Foundation Executive Director and Chamber President Jerry Maygarden. “They are the very best of us, and we are honored to pay tribute to these individuals who have made positive impacts to our community.”
Jessica Lee, the general manager and vice president of Kia AutoSport of Pensacola, was named Emerging Leader of the Year for her volunteerism with such organizations and groups as OneBlood, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, the University of West Florida College of Business, Leadership Pensacola Alumni Association and Impact 100. Pensacola native and Fitness Onboard, LLC Founder and CEO Cindi Bonner was honored as the Professional Leader of the Year, having helped to grow her company into one of the premier Stand Up Paddleboarding fitness, rental and special event businesses along the Gulf Coast.
John Peacock, chairman of the Downtown Improvement Board and current financial advisor with Edward Jones, was named Community Leader of the Year and was recognized for being a tireless advocate for the revitalization of Downtown Pensacola, as well as a relentless supporter of several local nonprofits. Gulf Power Company President and CEO Stan Connally was named Business Leader of the Year for his contributions toward developing economic development programs and workforce development initiatives in Northwest Florida.
Charles Carlan was awarded the Spirit of Pensacola Award for his devotion toward the betterment of the engineering profession by hiring and mentoring countless young engineers for more than four decades. And finally, the late Dr. Reed Bell, founder of the Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart, was posthumously honored with the prestigious Pioneer Award, established in 1978 to honor an individual who has made significant contributions with lasting impact and who has demonstrated a lifetime commitment to progress for the Greater Pensacola Area. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.