Molino Student Awarded National Merit Scholarship
June 1, 2016
A Molino student was named today as a winner of a National Merit Scholarship.
Colby C. Gilley, a 2016 graduate of Trinitas Christian School in Pensacola, was awarded the National Merit Washington and Lee University Scholarship.
Washington and Lee is a private college for men and women devoted primarily to the liberal arts and sciences. Rich in heritage, its steady purpose is to remain one of the nation’s great teaching colleges; it encourages close association between an exceptional faculty and a talented, highly motivated student body–emphasizing the individual’s honor, integrity, and personal and social responsibility.
Gilley is undecided on his future career field.
Jessica Amerson of Walnut Hill was awarded a National Merit scholarship to the University of Alabama. Click here for a previous story.
Roy Dewayne Polk, Jr.
June 1, 2016
Roy Dewayne Polk, Jr., passed away peacefully on May 30, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. He loved to sing, play the guitar and spend his free time fishing.
He is preceded in death by his father, Roy Dewayne Polk, Sr.; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hillrey Moore; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Buck Polk; three nephews, Jeremy, Buddy and Bobby; and four uncles, W.C, Little Hillrey, Edgar and Robert.
He is survived by his mother, Pearl (Moore) Polk; two sisters, Renee (Winston) Dortch and Lisa (Kevin) Carnley; two brothers, Donnie (Debbie) Polk and Danny (Julie) Polk.
Pallbearers are Brian Smith, Steven Stokes, Darren Polk, Nick Poole, Winston Dortch and Kevin Carnley.
Funeral services will be held June 2, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with brothers Ken Johnson and Richard Phillips officiating.
Interment will follow at Jordan Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is handling arrangements.
Dixon Has Second Straight Game With Two Homers
June 1, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos second baseman Brandon Dixon was the player of the game for the team for the second straight night.
This time, the 24-year-old smashed two home runs for the second straight game and drove in five of the Blue Wahoo’s six runs for a, 6-5, victory over its rival the Mobile BayBears at Hank Aaron Stadium.
On Tuesday, Dixon was 4-4 with three runs scored, hitting his sixth and seventh homers of the season, which leads the team. He hit a solo blast to left field in the top of the second inning to put Pensacola ahead, 1-0. Then in the sixth inning, Dixon hit a two-out, two-run blast to left that also scored right fielder Sebastian Elizalde, giving Pensacola a 3-2 lead.
But Dixon wasn’t finished. He drove in two more runs on a double to left field in the eighth inning that scored both Elizalde and first baseman Kyle Parker, who hit back-to-back singles with one out. The runs put Pensacola up, 5-2, in the game.
Pensacola shortstop Zach Vincej then singled to left field to score Dixon and give the Blue Wahoos a critical, 6-2, lead.
Dixon now also leads the team with 30 RBIs and raised his batting average to .299.
Pensacola’s win in the opener of the five-game series kept them in first place in the Southern League South Division at 31-20. The Blue Wahoos also tied their longest win streak of the year at four games. The BayBears dropped to 22-29.
In the ninth inning, Mobile mounted a two-out rally by scoring three runs. Guerrero smashed his sixth homer of the season, a solo shot, to make the score, 6-3. Pensacola’s Phillip Ervin then made an error on a ball hit by Cron that allowed Mobile to pull within, 6-4, when catcher Ronnie Freeman scored. Pinch hitter Stewart Ijames then smacked a two-out double that scored Cron and Mobile was down just a run, 6-5.
Guerrero led the BayBears, going 2-4 with a home run and double with two runs scored and an RBI.
However, Pensacola closer Alejandro Chacin entered the game and got Mobile center fielder Evan Marzilli, the BayBears leadoff hitter who was hitting .354 in 23 games, to pop out to Blue Wahoos Vincej to end the game.
Chacin now leads the team with nine saves and is 2-0 and has an 0.84 ERA in 18 appearances.
Gracie Lee Watson Blackmon
June 1, 2016
Gracie Lee Watson Blackmon, 73, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. Not only was she was an artist, she loved to fish, hunt and spend time at the casino. She was devoted to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many, many others.
She is preceded in death by her parents and five brothers.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Richard “Dickie” Blackmon; daughters, Frankie (Gary) Peters, Mickie (Randy) Mitchell, Christie (Tim) Khune, and Leslie (Todd) Powell; grandchildren, Ginnie, Bubba, Melanie, Kevin, Richie, Ronnie, Jesse and River; and great-grandchildren, Dalton, Kaydon, Kinzlee, Bella, Ryleigh, Payton, Colton, Tripp and Caroline.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Brother Ronnie Bearden officiating.
Interment was at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers were Bubba Peters, Richie Khune, Ronnie Khune, Kevin Mitchell, Chad Biggs and Rodney Collins.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is handling arrangements.
Linda Susan Aligood
June 1, 2016
Linda Susan Aligood, a resident of Pensacola, passed away on May 30, 2016, following an acute illness.
Linda was born as Linda Susan Huelsbeck in Pensacola on August 24, 1951, to John William Huelsbeck, Sr. and Shirley Ann Creel. She was their brave and bright first child. Linda was raised in Cantonment, and she played in the high school band, built her first car with salvaged parts and flew airplanes before her peers held a driver’s license.
Linda graduated from Tate High School in 1969 and attended Pensacola Junior College. She met the love of her life, John Maurice Aligood, following his return from the Vietnam War where he served in the US Marines. They married on June 20, 1970 at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Cantonment. Linda and Johnny enjoyed 45 years together.
Linda worked as a trusted bookkeeper and realtor with John S. Carr and his companies for over 30 years. She was an active member in St. Monica’s Episcopal Church and volunteered for the church in many roles, including most recently as Treasurer.
Until her illness she was blessed with health permitting her to enjoy quilting, cooking and crafts.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Johnny; sons, Jonathan Keith Aligood (Rhonda) and Jeremy Todd Aligood; siblings, John William Huelsbeck, Jr. (Cathy) and Jan Moye Smith (Bill); grandson, Jonathan Connor Aligood (Taylor); granddaughters, Ashley Elise Byrd and Mercedes Kay Byrd; nephews, Joshua Michael Huelsbeck and William Kelly Smith; and extended family.
She was loved by family and her many, many friends, and she will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate to have shared a part of her life.
Linda’s faith in God and her church family enriched her life. It would be her wish that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to St. Monica’s Episcopal Church, 699 South Highway 95-A, Cantonment, FL. 32533.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 3, 2016, at 10 a.m. at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church with committal to follow at Bayview Memorial Park.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 2, 2016, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel North.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Jason Lee Nichols
June 1, 2016
Jason Lee Nichols died suddenly on May 29, 2016, and is at peace with his Lord. He was born on October 16, 1970, and has been a lifelong resident of Montgomery, AL.
Jason is survived by his two sons, Dallas Nichols of Appleton, WI and Evan Nichols of Pensacola, FL; his mother, Dorothy Collier (Buck); his father, David L. Nichols (Janice); aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins, and numerous loving friends. He will be missed by all.
A visitation will be held at Leak Memory Chapel on Friday, June 3, 2016, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. with a Celebration of Life Service following at 11 a.m.
Storms Cause Damage In Atmore, Walnut Hill, Cottage Hill (With Gallery)
May 31, 2016
Thunderstorms, and a reported possible tornado, caused damage in Atmore Tuesday afternoon, with additional minor damage reported in separate storms in Walnut Hill and Cottage Hill.
Atmore Police reported that an Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s deputy reported spotting a possible funnel cloud over Industrial Boulevard in Atmore where a roof was blown off an industrial shop, power lines were downed and large hail was reported. There has been no confirmation of a tornado.
NorthEscambia.com photos of damage from across the area are below.
A falling tree destroyed a storage shed, a vehicle and damaged a home in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photo.
A falling tree destroyed a storage shed and damaged a home in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photo.
A falling tree destroyed a storage shed and damaged a home in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Roof blown off equipment shot at Swift Lumber in Atmore. Reader submitted photo by Randon Watson.
Roof blown off equipment shop at Swift Lumber in Atmore. Reader submitted photo by Randon Watson.
Roof blown off equipment shop at Swift Lumber in Atmore. Reader submitted photo by Randon Watson.
Roof blown off equipment shop at Swift Lumber in Atmore. Reader submitted photo by Randon Watson.
Hail on Swift Mill Road in Atmore. Reader submitted photo by Randon Watson.
A large pecan tree split in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Winds damaged this barn in Cottage Hill. Reader submitted photo for Tammy McGraw.
A small tree snapped off in Cottage Hill. Reader submitted photo for Tammy McGraw.
Pictured: Alabama Power works to replace a broken pole and removed a downed tree on Jack Springs Road at Industrial Boulevard. NorthEscambia.com photo.
‘Lava Java’ Coffee Shop Hit By Car In Two Vehicle Wreck
May 31, 2016
A popular Cantonment drive thru coffee shop is temporarily closed after being struck by a vehicle during a traffic accident Monday afternoon.
Details on the accident on Highway 29 near Muscogee Road have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol, but we do know it involved a pickup truck and a passenger car. Two people in the accident refused treatment, while two others were transported to a Pensacola hospital by ambulance.
Following the initial collision between vehicles, the car struck the Lava Java Coffee Drive Thru, pushing the business several feet. A young man working inside the coffee shop received non-life threatening injuries, including a fractured foot.
The FHP is continuing their investigation into the accident.
NorthEscambia.com is told Lava Java will be closed for rebuilding, but will be back open as soon as possible.
Pictured top: A vehicle slammed into the Lava Java Coffee Drive Thru following a Highway 29 traffic crash Monday afternoon. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. The business was pushed several feet. Additional photos by Kristi Barbour for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mostly Sunny, Scattered Showers For Some
May 31, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. West wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Molino Park Principal Woodward Retires After 30 Years (With Gallery)
May 31, 2016
Molino Park Elementary School Principal Alice Woodward is retiring after 30 years in local education.
Woodward is proud of her connection to the local community and her connection to three local schools. She started her teaching career in 1986 at Barrineau Park Elementary School. She moved into administration as the curriculum coordinator and then served as a principal intern splitting her time between Barrineau Park and Molino Elementary while the new Molino Park Elementary School was under construction. Molino Park opened in the fall of 2003, and Woodward stepped into the role of principal in the fall of 2006.
“It’s very rare to have a principal who has worked in a single school and then ended up principal in that same school,” Woodward explained. “This is our world and it is wonderful to be in the same community for 30 years. I was very fortunate to have that door open for me.”
During the last five years Woodward has had parents come into the school that are her former students. “As a matter of fact, I signed a yearbook yesterday for a little girl and she was so sweet she came up and said, ‘I love you, Mrs. Woodward, and thank you for teaching my daddy.’ So I signed her yearbook, I love you and you are very special, just like your daddy was.”
She will happily talk about how much she enjoys crossing paths with her students and their families, outside of school at Jimmy’s Grill, or church, or the ballpark where she would go to watch her kids or her grandkids along with her students. “I think I was a coach’s nightmare,” she says with a laugh. “I walked up and the kids were all hollering, ‘Hey. Mrs. Woodward,’ instead of watching the ball game.”
“It’s been a lot of fun. I enjoy getting to see them other places then just the schoolhouse. It makes us a family and a community.”
When she looks back at the beginning of her career, Woodward smiles and says, “I was so happy to be a teacher! I couldn’t believe they were going to pay me to do this job. I remember telling my sister, this is so much fun I can’t believe they pay me to do this!”
When Woodward was first hired by the school district, her first assignment was to teach second grade at Barrineau Park Elementary School. Her daughter was going into second grade and there was only one homeroom. “She was going to have to be in my classroom and I made a promise to myself, and my students’ parents, that I would treat their children like they were mine, instead of treating my child like she were theirs. That means you have to get onto them sometimes, but you love them all the time. I have tried to stay true to that promise.”
“That’s the same thing I told my parents when I became a principal in 2006. By then I had grandchildren here, so I told them I would treat their children like they were one of my grandchildren, instead of treating my grandchild like one of theirs.”
For today’s new teachers Woodward has some words of advice, “Number one you have got to love what you do, and if in your first few years of teaching you don’t love it, go find another job. If you don’t, it will wear you out.”
For teachers who are considering whether or not to make the move into administration, she says, “If you begin to look around and see that you want to affect more people and more children, and you want to hone your leadership skills, then going into administration is a great idea” Woodward explained. “But, if you don’t like to be the leader and be the listener as well, don’t go into administration. It’s a team effort and leading and listening are equally important.”
“Alice Woodward is well respected in the north end of our county, and specifically at Molino Park Elementary School. Her devotion to her faculty and staff, her students, and to her community has never been questioned. She will leave a void as someone else will do her job but no one else can take her place,” stated Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
Woodward was selected last year as the Escambia County School District’s Principal of the Year. Sara Calhoun, a Molino Park teacher and parent, contributed to the nomination package. She describes Woodward this way, “Although she is quick to always celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of others, she never seeks any recognition for herself for the tremendous gains our school has made. Her desire to strive for excellence as we educate these young minds, while never neglecting to gently shape each precious heart, makes her an exemplary leader. I know that I am eternally grateful for the ‘fingerprints’ she has left on my own children.”
So how did the Molino staff decided they would recognize Woodward’s accomplishments? How would they thank her?
If you visit Molino Park Elementary you will see art on the walls, not hanging on the walls, but painted on the walls. One hallway, in fact, it is painted floor to ceiling with an underwater scene. So, it is not a surprise that they decided to show their thanks in a way that would honor her professional history with a mural.
“We commissioned Loren Miller to create a mural that shows Barrineau Park School, where Mrs. Woodward started her teaching career; Molino Elementary School, where she became a leader; and Molino Park Elementary School where she has served as principal since 2006,” explained Assistant Principal Quinn Evans. “She was involved in every detail when the two older schools were closed and all of the students transferred into the new school.”
“It is humbling,” Woodward says of their gift.
Woodward leaves Molino Park with a message for the community.
“Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for supporting your children and helping them be the best they can be and learn, and thank you for making this community what it is.”
Pictured above: Retiring Molino Park Elementary School Principal Alice Woodward spent the last day of school saying goodbye to students, staff members and volunteers. Pictured below: A cafeteria mural in Woodward’s honor. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
