Northview’s Anna Barry Named Escambia Teacher Of The Year
February 27, 2015
Anna Barry of Northview High School has been named the Escambia County Teacher of the Year.
“As a teacher, it’s great to see what you did really did impact students later in life,” Barry said. “Sometimes you have to get them to step outside their comfort zones, and in the end it can all be worth it when they succeed.”
Barry teaches world history and honors world history at Northview. Barry is a product of the Escambia County School systems, from kindergarten at Bratt Elementary School, to Ernest Ward Middle School through gradation from Northview in 2000.
“To give back to something that gave so much to me, words can’t express that,” she said while accepting the award.
Barry received a bachelor of science degree in health education and went on to become professionally certified in several areas. She has taught for 10 years — two years at Ernest Ward and eight years at Northview.
She was quick to thank her students and the entire Northview faculty, staff and leadership for the Teacher of the Year award. “This is an award for Northview. Northview High School is such an incredible place with incredible people.”
Other finalists were Krystal Gibson of Beulah Elementary School, Andrew Rehwinkle of Pensacola High School, Sheila Hall of N.B. Cook Elementary and Doreen Wells of Ensley Elementary School. The award was presented Thursday night at the Golden Apple Awards Dinner, sponsored by the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation.
Pictured top: Anna Barry of Northview High School was named Escambia County Teacher of the Year Thursday night. Pictured inset: Barry with Northview Principal Gayle Weaver. Pictured below: Barry’s parents Ben and Dottie Davis of Walnut Hill react to the Teacher of the Year announcement, as does Northview teacher James Moretz (background). Pictured bottom: Barry and fellow teacher of the years finalists (L-R) Krystal Gibson of Beulah Elementary School, Sheila Harrington Hall of N. B. Cook Elementary School, Andrew Rehwinkle of Pensacola High School, and Doreen Wells of Ensley Elementary School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local High Performing Schools Receive $3.3 Million In Bonus Money
February 27, 2015
High performing schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are receiving over $3.3 million in School Recognition Program funding. The financial awards are based on sustained or significantly improved student achievement.
Schools may use their award for faculty or staff bonuses, to purchase educational equipment or materials, or hire temporary staff to help maintain or improve student performance. How the money will be spent will be decided by the School Advisory Council at each awarded school.
Schools in Escambia County will receive $1,420,617, while schools in Santa Rosa County will receive $1,925,063.
Schools eligible for recognition awards include those receiving an “A” school grade, improving at least one letter grade from the previous year, or improving more than one letter grade and sustaining the improvement the following school year.
A list of local school receiving funding was not yet available.
Local Elementary School Custodian Arrested For Child Porn
February 27, 2015
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Pensacola Regional Operations Center Special Agents have arrested Samuel Dwain Yates, 43, of 4289 W. Avenida De Golf, Milton, Fla. on four counts of possession of child pornography. Yates is a custodian at the Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment.
Agents began investigating Yates after receiving a tip that an electronic device at his residence was downloading child pornography. Agents served a search warrant at Yates’ residence yesterday and gathered evidence that Yates was in possession of at least four images of child pornography. Agents seized several items of digital media for forensic analysis. This investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are expected.
Yates, a 10-year employee at Jim Allen Elementary, has been suspended from his position, according to Norm Ross, deputy superintendent. He did not have computer access at the school, Ross said. Yates was an “evening custodian” beginning his workday in the early afternoon and remaining after most children were off campus.
Yates was released from the Santa Rosa County Jail on $20,000 bond. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney 1st Judicial Circuit. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office assisted in his arrest.
Mostly Sunny Skies Today
February 27, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. North wind around 10 mph.
- Saturday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
- Saturday Night Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 43. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
- Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 64. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Night A 30 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
- Tuesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
- Wednesday A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.
- Wednesday Night Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.
Baseball Wins For Tate, Northview; Softball Wins For Tate, WFHS
February 27, 2015
BASEBALL
Tate 2, West Florida 1 (9 innings)
The Tate Aggies beat the West Florida Jaguars 2-1 in nine-innings. It was the first varsity win for Tate pitcher Michael Sherrill. Tate’s junior varsity and freshmen teams also beat West Florida Thursday. The Aggies (2-) will play junior varsity and varsity Friday at 4:00 and 6:30.
Northview 4, Washington 1
Washington 11, Northview 1 (JV)
Northview defeated Washington High School 4-1 in Pensacola Thursday night., while the NHS JV lost to Washington 11-1. Northview will host Freeport in a district game at 7:00 Friday, following a JV matchup at 4:30.
SOFTBALL
Tate 7, Pace 1
Tori Perkins pitched a no-hitter and struck out 11on the road as the Tate Lady Aggies beat Pace 7-1. The Lady Aggies remain undefeated at 8-0. Rachel Wright hit a homer for Tate, Sam Burks had a couple of doubles, Tori Perkins hit a double and Casey McCrakin was 2-4.
West Florida 11, Washington 1
The West Florida Lady Jaguars defeated Washington Thursday night 11-1. Farrah Nichols pitched four for the Jaguars, striking out six while allowing three hits. Kristen Gunter was 3-4 for West Florida, while Emily Loring at 2-4.
Pictured: Northview at Washington. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Winning $57K Fantasy Five Ticket Sold In North Escambia
February 27, 2015
Someone is over $57,000 richer this morning after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket in Cantonment.
The ticket sold at the CMP Food Mart, 400 North Highway 29, was one of four winning tickets sold for Thursday night’s drawing worth $57,384.10. Other winning tickets matching all five numbers were sold in Aventura, West Palm Beach and Parrish.
The 354 tickets matching four numbers won $104.50 each. Another 10,610 tickets matching three numbers are worth $9.50 each, and 103,236 ticket holders won a free Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
Thursday’s winning numbers were 7-11-15-18-35.
Northwest Escambia Fooball, Cheer Names New Directors
February 27, 2015
Northwest Escambia Football and Cheer has announced new board members and officers for the upcoming 2015 season.
They are:
Greg Gibson – President
Jarrod Peebles – Vice-President
Vickie Grant – Treasurer
Harmony Thomas – Secretary
Kim Lambert – Cheer Coordinator
Mike Weaver – Concessions Manager
Matt Olson – Equipment Manager
Ted Bridges – Football Operations
Eric Jefferson – Football Operations
Joel Broadhead – Board Member
Carl Ward – Board Member
Patrick Boone – Board Member
Josh Edwards – Board Member
Kevin Bryan – Board Member
Arlo Smith – Board Member
Jason Stabler – Board Member
Gordon Godwin – Board Member
Stafford Announces Supervisor Of Elections College Scholarship Opportunity
February 27, 2015
Ecambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford has announced the 2015 Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections (FSASE) college scholarship. Three $1,200 scholarships will be awarded this summer by FSASE for the 2015 school year.
The scholarship is available to juniors or seniors attending an accredited Florida university or college, with a major in: political science, public or business administration, or journalism/mass communications. Among the requirements, students must have maintained a “C” average or above the previous year, demonstrate financial need and be registered to vote.
Copies of the application and full eligibility requirements may be downloaded from the Supervisor of Elections website at EscambiaVotes.com or may be picked up at the Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor. Completed applications must reach the Supervisor’s office by close of business on March 16.
Stafford will forward one application with a written recommendation to the FSASE Scholarship Committee, which will review the submissions from all 67 Florida counties. The scholarships will be awarded by the Association and the winner will be announced at the 2015 FSASE Summer Conference in June.
Students from Escambia County were scholarship winners in 2006, 2009 and 2010.
Edwin W. Ray
February 27, 2015
Edwin W Ray, longtime resident of Atmore and member of First United Methodist church passed away on February 26, 2015, at the William F. Green Veterans home in Bay Minette AL.
He was born to Eunice and W. Morton Rayon June 1, 1927, in Phoenix City, AL. Ed served in the US Navy as a Pharmacists Mate and was honorably discharged in July of 1946. He then attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University, and graduated in pharmacy in 1949. He moved to Dothan and practiced at a local pharmacy where he met his wife Jeanette Spooner. They married on July 2, 1950. Ed and Jeanette were married for 63 years until her death in 2013.Ed served in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in March 1954. After his discharge, he worked for seventeen years in pharmaceutical sales, sales management, and product management for E.R. Squibb & Sons.
In 1967, Ed bought Greenlawn Pharmacy in Atmore and practiced there for the remainder of his career. He was active in the Lions Club, served as president, and was also president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1972. Ed served on the Alabama Board of Pharmacy for five years, and was president for two years. Ed received the Bowl of Hygeia award from the American Pharmaceutical Association and A.H. Robbins, 1985, in acknowledgment of his service to his community and profession.
Ed is survived by his three children, Kathy Hasty of Pinehurst, NC; Joe Ray of Montrose, AL; Mary Jean Crane of Plantation, FL; six grandchildren, Brandi Schwartz, Sherri Ivey, Emily Ray, Ben Ray, Allen Ray and Matthew Crane; and two great-grandchildren, Raygan Schwartz and Leighanne Ivey; and two brothers, Jim Ray of Dothan, and Joe B.Ray MD Mobile.AL.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 28, 2015, at 12 noon from the First United Methodist Church of Atmore. Honorary Pallbearers are Matthew Crane, Ben Ray, Allen Ray, Jimmy Crook, Gene West, Clint Smith. Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Know Before You Burn: Burn Authorizations Often Needed
February 27, 2015
Many times, area residents need permits for outdoor burns, according to the Florida Forest Service.
One of the primary roles of the Florida Forest Service is management of the state’s burn programs. Whether burning acres of forestlands or piles for land clearing operations, residents who plan to burn often need an authorization from their local FFS office.
“One of the goals of the Forest Service is to promote the benefits of fire and forest management,” said David Smith, Operations Administrator for the Blackwater District. “These authorizations are not meant to discourage people from burning, they’re simply a way to measure and track how much burning is occurring, where it’s happening and help ensure that people are doing it safely.”
The “where” part of that equation can be essential if a FFS firefighter has to respond to a fire. Through the Service’s internal Fire Management Information System, districts can map out all the burns in their area on any given day and if the need arises, direct responding crews.
If we don’t know where the burns are happening, that task becomes much more difficult.
“Firefighters responding to the correct location is crucial,” Smith said. “If a wildfire is threatening someone’s property, we certainly do not want critical firefighting resources delayed or diverted to a burn that someone is watching.”
Recently, the Blackwater District’s fixed wing aircraft pilot has discovered numerous unauthorized burns while on routine patrol. Mostly pile burns, the pilot has been able to mark the area on GPS and radio dispatch who then sends a Forest Ranger to inspect. Many of these inspections have results in a Notice of Violation for the landowner or person conducting the unauthorized burns.
In 2014, unauthorized debris burns made up more than 7% of the wildfires in district. So far in 2015, there have been 4 escaped unauthorized debris burns which is almost 15% of our fires. Landowners or burners can be charged for the cost suppression if their fire escapes regardless of whether it is authorized or not.
It’s important to note that not all pile burns require an authorization, however, and sometimes it can get confusing. Sometimes residents simply are unaware that they need to get authorizations before lighting the pile.
What type of burning requires authorization from the Florida Forest Service?
- Acreage burns. If you’re planning to burn woodlands, grass pastures, home lawn or any other large area, you need an authorization.
- Pile burns. Whether you’re burning multiple piles of land clearing debris generated on site or simple yard debris you generated while trimming trees and shrubs, if the pile is greater than 8 feet in diameter, you need an authorization.
There is no fee for a burn authorization.
Information required to obtain an authorization:
- Location of the burn – street address or Section, Township and Range
- Acreage to be burned – if appropriate
- Number of piles to be burned, height, length (i.e. three piles, 9 by 12 feet in size) – if appropriate
- Landowner’s name
No authorization needed if you are burning a pile of yard debris generated on your own property but it must meet the following requirements:
- 8 feet or less in diameter or in a non-combustible container (burn barrel).
- 150 feet or more from other homes.
- 50 feet or more from paved public roads.
- 25 feet or more away from your home.
- 25 feet or more away from wildlands, brush or other combustible structures.
If residents are unsure if their planned burns needs to be authorized, they can call (850) 957-6140 for more information or visit www.FloridaForestService.com and click on the “Quick Link” for prescribed fire.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.