Local Students Are Winners At Battle Of The Books
June 9, 2014
The third annual Battle of the Books was held recently with elementary, middle and high school students competing with their comprehension skills. In addition to the team winners, the Team Spirit Award was presented to Cook Elementary School, and the Sportsmanship Award went to Bratt Elementary School. Madison Weber from Northview won the poster contest.
The winners were:
ELEMENTARY
3rd Grade
- 1st Place – SUTER (Cindy Bradley, coach) Alyx Zapatka, Tori Vinson, Madison Brown, Jacob Turner, Abigail Price
- 2nd Place – McARTHUR (Jennifer Messer, coach) A.J. Branton, Diego Moreno, Asher Nissim, Wesley Rabago, Grace Williams
- 3rd Place – LONGLEAF (Jane Smith, Brenda Gipson, Rebecca Taylor, coaches) Gabrielle Johnson, Kate Buchanan, Kendra Gwaltney, Cadence Peacock, Victoria Keeton
4th Grade
- 1st Place – BLUE ANGELS (Sara Mason, Katie Canalani, coaches) Reagan Delgado, Kendall Harding, Margo Mason, Ceirra Morre, Tallon Peterson
- 2nd Place – LIPSCOMB (Melissa Dorsett, coach) Daphnne Ross, Amara Shoppman, Yasmin Chromik, Saige Shanchez, Alexis Harrison
- 3rd Place – HOLM (Judy VanBlaricom, coach) Isaiha Price, Andrea Morrell, Mary Collins, E’moni Moore, Nakeya Davis
5th Grade
- 1st Place – PLEASANT GROVE (Annette Joyner, coach) Ian Larrieu, Jenalyn Fernandez, Kalyn Flanders, Jackson Paul, Alex Weekley
- 2nd Place – LONGLEAF (Jane Smith, Brenda Gipson, Rebecca Taylor, coaches) Michael Dixon, Caden Moorehouse, Trey Roemer, Catherine Spina, Fisher Peacock
- 3rd Place – BELLVIEW (Ashley Roche’, coach) Amy Jackson, Sydney Irwin, Theryn Delacruz, Kylie Nicoll, Kharma Romano-Cantara
MIDDLE
- 1st Place – BAILEY Team A (Roberta Wetzel, Coach) Jamiah Cummings, Solo Lim, Mackenzie Degado, Mia Torres, Aspyn Schoen
- 2nd Place – BAILEY Team B (Roberta Wetzel, Coach) Melanie Cook, James Barnes, Kamron Culp, Lauren Jaworski, Susie Shasteen
- 3rd Place – BROWN BARGE Team B (Susan Ingram, Coach) Joseph Sutton, Nolan Costa, Raelyn Dominque, Alissa Cotton, Payden Mouritsen, Kai Eckerd, Layla McRae
HIGH
- Winner – NORTHVIEW (Kayleen Amerson, Coach) Jason Perritt, Jessica Amerson, Harmoni Till, Julie Hester, Maddi Weber, Moriah McGahan, Bethany Reynolds
- Runner-Up – TATE (Mitzi Allen, Coach) Michelle Danley, Jonathan Portier, Katelyn Bailey, Kayla Woods, Forrest Biddle, Mary Elizabeth Nicholas, Samarii Mitchell, Jacob Marsh
The annual event is sponsored by the Escambia County Literacy Teacher’s Association.
New Online Portal Is One Stop For Water Resource Permitting
June 9, 2014
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, along with the state’s five water management districts, recently launched Florida’s Water Permitting Portal. This portal provides information about all water resource permitting in Florida in one place — including well and user permits.
The agencies have integrated existing online services with the portal, providing one place for residents and businesses to go to determine what permits may be needed and from which agency. The website will continue to add new features to enhance and simplify online access and make the work more transparent.
The new online system is an open door for residents, local governments and the private sector to find information and assistance from the Department and water management districts. The water permitting portal enables users to apply for commonly issued authorizations, permits, certifications and renewals, pay fees and submit monitoring reports and other compliance documentation. It’s also a great place to get information about compliance and other water program information.
The portal allows visitors to electronically apply for permits and other authorizations including:
- Environmental Resource Permits (and authorizations to use state-owned submerged lands, where applicable).
- Consumptive and Water Use Permits.
- Well Construction Permits.
- Works of the District Permits.
Glenn Gradutes From Basic Military Training
June 9, 2014
Air Force Airman Nicholas M. Glenn graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Glenn is the son of Kenneth Glenn and grandson of Dorothy Glenn, both of Hartwell, Ga.
He is a 2011 graduate of J.M. Tate High School.
Funds Available For Farmers, Ranchers To Help Declining Pollinators
June 9, 2014
Florida’s pollinators — like honeybees – are in trouble. City sprawl is overtaking their habitat, threatening wildflowers and ecosystems, along with the state’s agricultural industry. And now farmers and ranchers can get technical and financial assistance to help.
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is funding $300,000 in Florida through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to promote conservation practices that help reverse the loss of pollinator food and habitat. The signup deadline is July 18.
Some of the conservation practices that address loss of foraging habitat for pollinators include conservation cover, field borders and hedgerow planting. To learn more, contact the Milton Service Center at 6277 Dogwood Drive or call (850) 623-2441.
“This initiative will improve the state pollinators while reducing food costs by improving fruit and seed set in important agricultural commodities,” said Russell Morgan, Florida’s state conservationist.
Wahoos Washed Out Again
June 9, 2014
Due to heavy rain prior to Sunday’s schedule first pitch, the umpires ruled the field at Riverwalk Stadium unplayable. The Blue Wahoos and the Biscuits will make up the postponement as part of a Monday doubleheader beginning at 11:05 a.m.
The twin-bill will consist of two seven-inning games with roughly a half-hour break between the two contests.
The Blue Wahoos will send RHP Mikey O’Brien (2-3, 4.43) to the mound in game one followed by RHP Michael Lorenzen (3-4, 2.59) in game two. The Biscuits will counter with RHP Roberto Gomez (1-3, 6.00) and RHP Mike Colla (2-7, 5.51).
The Blue Wahoos are on the first leg of a 10-game, 11-day road trip before the Southern League All-Star Break June 16-18. The Blue Wahoos open play on the second half of the season at home against the Huntsville Stars on Thursday, June 19.
Slight Rain Chance, Hot
June 9, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Tuesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Thursday Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday Night Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
- Sunday Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Poarch Creek Indians Elect New Chairman
June 8, 2014
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians elected their first female chair in history Saturday.
Stephanie Bryan won the position with 782 votes, defeating Robert McGhee with 605. Buford Rolin had held the seat since 2006, and Bryan serves as vice chairman. Incumbents Arthur Mothershed and Garvis Sells were re-elected to their Tribal County seats, defeating several challengers.
Certified results were as follows:
Tribal Chairman
- Stephanie A. Bryan 782
- Robert “Robbie” McGhee 605
- Write -in 1
At Large
- Arthur Mothershed 880
- Garvis E. Sells 803
- Charlotte Meckel 316
- Carolyn M. White 256
- William “Billy” Bailey 242
- Dewitt Carter 173
- Rodney Exum (write-in) 44
- Other write -in 1
There were a total of 1,394 General Council Members who voted in the Tribal Election held Saturday. There were 259 absentee ballots cast, 550 walk-in ballots counted and 585 votes that were cast in person.
Pictured: Certified Poarch Band of Creek Indian election results from Saturday. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Receives $50,000 Grant For New Playground Equipment
June 8, 2014
The Town of Century has received a $50,000 state grant to renovate the existing playground area at Showalter Park.
Last fall, the town followed a recommendation from the Century Recreation Advisory Committee a submitted two Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program applications. In addition to the Showalter renovation grant, the town also applied for a $125,000 grant to install a splash pad at the Anthony Pleasant Sportsplex, but that grant was not approved.
FRDAP is a competitive program which provides grants to local governments for outdoor recreational projects. The grants are administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Pictured: The existing wood playground equipment at Showalter Park in Century. The town has received a $50,000 state grant to purchase new playground equipment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Grad Baldwin Completes Basic Military Training
June 8, 2014
Air Force Airman Henry J. Baldwin graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Baldwin earned distinction as an honor graduate.
He is the grandson of Joy and Henry Baldwin of Pensacola.
The airman is a 2012 graduate of Northview High School.
Monday Is Deadline For Escambia Applications For Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance
June 8, 2014
Residents of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties who were unemployed as a result of the severe storms and flooding have until Monday to apply for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits.
Recovery officials advise storm survivors that these deadlines apply to disaster unemployment only. Other forms of disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency still may be available until July 7. To be eligible for disaster aid, however, storm survivors must register with FEMA by going online to DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 on Monday. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can call TTY 800-462-7585.
The disaster unemployment assistance program, which is administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, extends coverage to self-employed individuals, part-time workers, farm workers and others who have lost employment as a direct result of the disaster and do not qualify for regular re-employment assistance benefits.
To be eligible for either regular state re-employment assistance or federal disaster unemployment assistance, the applicant must be a legal resident. An individual must not be entitled to regular state re-employment assistance, must have been working in or residing in a county, for which the disaster has been officially designated, or the individual was scheduled to start work and the job no longer exists, or the job became inaccessible as a direct result of the disaster.