Ransom Responds, Tate’s Shackle Shivers With Ice Bucket Challenge
September 2, 2014
Ransom Middle School staff members recently responded to the ice bucket challenger for ALS, as did Tate High Principal Richard Shackle.
Shackle recently completed the ALS ice bucket challenge from Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. Shackle challenged the Escambia County School District’s assistant principals and Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. Shackle also donate $100 to ALS. (Video below)
And the staff at Ransom Middle School stepped up to the challenge after Principal Brent Brummet was challenged by Thomas. About 50 Ransom staff members took part in the ALS challenge.
The ALS challenge has a couple of goals — raise money and raise awareness about ALS, a neurodegenerative nerve disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
Pictured top: Ransom Middle School staff members including Principal Brent Brummet (tan pants) and Assistant Principal Sandy Ames (long black pants) take the ALS ice bucket challenge. Pictured inset: Tate Principal Rick Shackle takes the challenge.
If you do not see the video below, it is because your work, school or home firewall is blocking external videos from Youtube.
Tate Grad Awarded Prestigious Southern Illinois University Scholarship
September 2, 2014
A Tate High School graduate has been named has been named a Southern Illinois University Carbondale Chancellor’s Academic Scholar.
Elizabeth Blalock is the daughter of Robin and Timothy Blalock. A National Honor Society member, Blalock graduated in the top 10 percent of her class and was a 2014 selection for Tate High School’s Hall of Fame. She was a member of the Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society, Rho Kappa honor society and her Tatel’s social studies student of the year and senior social sciences award recipient. She was a member of the student council, French club, and cross-country and tennis teams. She plans to major in psychology.
The Chancellor’s Academic Scholarship, SIU’s most prestigious award, is a significant achievement for the students as it covers tuition, fees and room and board for four years.
More than 560 students participated in the Chancellor’s and University Excellence Scholarship interview weekend, vying for the competitive scholarships. Each scholarship is based on information that includes the students’ ACT or SAT scores and the students’ academic credentials submitted at the time of admission along with personal interviews. The applicants also show leadership roles in their community and participate in numerous activities.
The award is renewable for four years, contingent upon the students maintaining a 3.0 or higher GPA.
Feeling Sleepy? FHP Cracking Down On Drowsy Driving
September 2, 2014
Do you fight to keep your eyes open and your head up when you are tired? All too often this scenario is real on Florida’s roadways. To help prevent crashes caused by driver fatigue and to bring awareness to the dangers of drowsy driving, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Florida Department of Transportation are teaming up with lawmakers and safety advocates this week for Florida’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week September 1–7 in memory of Ronshay Dugan, who was killed by a drowsy driver in 2008.
“Alert drivers make for safer roads,” says DHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “To help get everyone home safely, the Department reminds motorists never to drive tired.”
FDOT Secretary Ananth Prasad said, “The department recognizes that making our roads safer includes driver responsibility and encourages all motorists not to drive drowsy. Be alert every trip, every time you get behind
“Six years ago, the life of a little girl was tragically taken in a crash that easily could have been prevented,” said state Representative Alan Williams, who sponsored the legislation in 2010. “Drowsy driving can be eliminated by simply planning and making a conscious decision to pull over and rest when you’re tired. I applaud Ronshay’s family for keeping her memory alive and fighting to prevent other senseless deaths.”
Here are some tips to prevent drowsy driving from the Florida Highway Patrol
- Allow plenty of time to get to your final destination.
- Avoid driving at times when you would normally be asleep.
- Drink caffeine. Two cups of coffee can increase alertness for several hours.
- Get a good night’s sleep before you travel.
- Take a break every 100 miles or 2 hours.
- Take a nap—find a safe place to take a 15 to 20-minute nap, if you think you might fall asleep.
- Use the buddy system, switch drivers when needed.
Ronald Wayne Johnson
September 2, 2014
Mr. Ronald Wayne Johnson, 63, passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2014, in Bluff Springs.
Mr. Johnson was a native of Reedley, California and a resident of Bluff Springs since 1976. Mr. Johnson was a former gospel musician (guitar player). His grandparents, Robert & Maggie Johnson of Century and Levi and Aley Johnson of Marysville, CA precede him in death.
Survivors include his parents, Aubrey and Rosa Johnson of Bluff Springs; one brother, David (Jackie) Johnson of Bratt; one sister, Alice (Dee) Bennett of Panama City, FL; one nephew, Dale (Karen) Johnson of Pace; one great-nephew, Nathanael Johnson of Pace; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He leaves behind his special friends, Nick and Teressa Emmert of Pensacola.
Funeral services were held Monday, September 1, 2014, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Kevin Stott and Bro. Dale Johnson officiating.
Burial will follow at the McCurdy Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Nick, Emmert, Dusty Richardson, Darrin Merchant, Ken Johnson, Dale Johnson and Robert Gandy.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Faulk Graduates From Basic Military Training
September 2, 2014
Air Force Airman Randy Faulk 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.
Faulk is the son of Volante Henderson of Augusta, Ga., and grandson of Junius McGee of Century.
Scattered Showers Today
September 2, 2014
\Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Tuesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
- Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
- Thursday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
- Friday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind.
- Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind.
- Saturday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
- Sunday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
- Monday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Irwin Randall Barlow
September 2, 2014
Mr. Irwin Randall Barlow, 66, passed away on Monday, September 1, 2014, in Bratt.
Mr. Barlow was a native of Walnut Hill and a resident of Bratt for the past 10 years. Mr. Barlow was an avid outdoorsman, fisher and hunter. He is preceded in death by his lifetime fishing buddy, Buddy Crews.
He is survived by his companion, Debra Crenshaw of Atmore; two brothers, Travis (Debra) Barlow of Soperton, GA and Gilbert T. “Buddy” (Linda) Barlow of Walnut Hill; one sister, Gayle (Ronnie) Martin of Atmore; one aunt, Bobbi Jones of Atmore; five nieces, two nephews, six great nieces, seven great nephews and two great-great nieces.
Memorial services for Mr. Barlow will be announced at a later date.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Wahoos Win Season Finale
September 2, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (29-41, 60-80) took the season finale 4-3 over the Birmingham Barons (31-39, 60-80) at Regions Field on Monday afternoon. With the victory, the Blue Wahoos took the season series over the Barons winning eight of 15 games.
The Blue Wahoos got a spot start from RHP Drew Hayes in the season finale. RHP Michael Lorenzen was originally scheduled to pitch, but had reached his innings limit for the season. Hayes tossed 4.0 superb innings for the Wahoos and struck out four batters. He did allow one run on four hits.
The Barons got on the board in the fourth inning off a Rangel Ravelo RBI triple that scored Tim Anderson all the way from first base. The Wahoos kept the Barons lead to just one when Kyle Waldrop threw Ravelo out at home trying to score on a sacrifice fly to right field.
The Blue Wahoos countered in the top of the sixth when Seth Mejias-Brean scored Travis Mattair on an infield single to the left side. Mejias-Brean hustled down the line and just beat out the throw from Barons’ third baseman Chris Curley.
The Barons re-took the lead in the seventh on a single from Michael Earley off Wahoos’ reliever James Walczak, which scored Joey DeMichele from second base. Birmingham’s Nelvin Fuentes could not coax a shutdown inning as Mattair hit a two-out RBI single to score Brodie Greene, who had stolen second earlier in the inning. The Wahoos then loaded the bases on Fuentes and veteran Ray Chang came up with the big hit, scorching a base hit past the third baseman Curley. Mattair and Mejias-Brean both came home to score to give the Blue Wahoos a 4-2 lead.
RHP Shane Dyer earned his franchise leading 22nd save of the season for the Wahoos in the ninth. He did allow a run in the inning, but struck out Anderson to end the game. RHP James Walczak earned his sixth win of the season and Fuentes took the loss for the Barons. This is the first time in Blue Wahoos’ history that the team won on the season’s final day.
by Tommy Thrall
Clara L. Stacey
September 2, 2014
Clara L. Stacey, 83 of McCullough, passed away Saturday, August 30, 2014, at her residence. She was a homemaker born in Escambia County, Fla., on May 13, 1931, to the late Beddie Edward and Annie Singleton Conway. She was a member of the Atmore Church of God.
She is preceded in death by daughters, Linda Jane Stacey and Nelda Christine Pistorcich; grandson, Allen Pistorcich; three sisters; and five brothers.
Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Charles Stacey; one son, Charles “Buddy” (Lisa) Stacey all of McCullough; two daughters, Marie (Ross) Brown of Perdido and Betty (Michael) Smith of Atmore; two brothers, Winston (Helen) Conway and Ray Conway all of Pensacola; two sisters, Joyce (Howard) Neal of Excel and Kathyrin (Ralph) Drew of Atmore; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Services were held Monday, September 1, 2014, at 2 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Glenn Bryars officiating.
Interment will follow in McCullough Cemetery.
Active pallbearers are Daniel Biggs, David Pistorcich, Korey Biggs, Clayton Stacey, River Watson , and Roger Hadley.
In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Atmore Church of God.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc is in charge of all arrangements.
Celebrating 100 Years: Extension’s Role In The Community
September 1, 2014
For 100 years, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension program has been enhancing and sustaining the quality of life by making university research accessible to the public.
UF/IFAS Extension is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences. UF/IFAS has a reputation for excellence in teaching and research on the university campus, which is extended into every community in the state through county extension offices. The local branch of UF/IFAS is typically referred to as “extension,” with “extension agents” tasked with carrying out educational programs.
Since inception, the Escambia County extension agents have translated research from the UF campus into useful instruction for members of the community, taking a highly engaging approach to learning. For example, natural resource agents lead clientele in kayaking trips over seagrass beds to teach them about coastal ecology, while the agriculture agent hosts a biannual farm tour for elected officials. Horticulture agents teach physically and intellectually challenged youth to grow vegetables in a wheelchair accessible garden, while 4-H youth learn legislative procedure at mock sessions in the state capital.
Customer service surveys performed in 2012 indicated 96% of residents who used Escambia County Extension were satisfied with their experience, and 90% of walk-in clientele said the information they received answered their questions or solved their problem.
Annually, Escambia County Extension agents train over 700 volunteers to further the reach of our educational efforts, with a total contribution (in 2012) of 54,035 hours valued at $983,437. Individuals in classes and workshops return to Extension time after time, due to the agents’ ability to utilize relationships with UF and local community members to provide targeted, science-based information through creative teaching methods.
ll of these efforts promote the advancement of agriculture, natural resources and sustainable economic development in Escambia County. Program area advisory committees, comprised of local citizens, assure that programs meet community needs.
Pictured top: Escambia County Extension Agent Carrie Stevenson and 4-H caretaker Ellis Miller blow out the candles on a 100th birthday cake for Escambia Extension. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.