Bratt Elementary K-4 Awards
May 29, 2018
Bratt Elementary School presented the following year-end awards to students in grades K-
Honor Roll (A’s and B’s all year)
- Lauren Abbott
- Shane Alexander
- Claire Amerson
- Tyler Amerson
- Eli Anthony
- Eric Anthony
- Wade Bailey
- Montgomery Baker
- Sadie Baker
- Izzy Barber
- Bailey Blackwell
- Gabrielle Boatwright
- Abigail Brown
- Nevaeh Bush
- Jaxon Byrd
- Jack Carpenter
- Luke Chavers
- Addison Classen
- William Classen
- Payton Coon
- Tristan Crumm
- Harmony Cruz
- Caley Daharsh
- Jamarreai Davison
- Aakira Davis
- Crimson Davis
- Kylar Davis
- Jordan Dawson
- Jacob Dove
- O’Neshia Dubose
- Annberly Dunn
- Carson Eady
- Nolan Eady
- Brayden Faircloth
- Kintley Flowers
- Pryce Flowers
- Zachary Flowers
- Josyah Fontenot
- Parker Ganey
- Nathan Gilmore
- Hayden Gipson
- J.C. Glenn
- Cate Greenwood
- Talise Gregson
- Emmalee Grimes
- Laila Hadley
- Joseph Hardenbrook
- Will Heard
- Autumn Heist
- LanDon Johnson
- Tristan Johnson
- Reese Jones
- Anabella Keen
- Dallas Kelson
- Lane Lisenby
- Savannah Lowry
- Parker Marsh
- Samantha Minchew
- Briley Moore
- Carley Moore
- Jonathan Patrick
- Layla Pettway
- Mya Pettway
- Madalynn Pittman
- Makayla Plato
- Kain Pompa
- Keylashia Randle
- Brooklyn Reynolds
- Madison Rice
- Christian Roberts
- Anna Sanspree
- Caden Sanspree
- Braylan Shelly
- Miles Smith
- Lani Steadham
- Adalynn Southard
- Wyatt Spence
- Maggie Stewart
- Cassie Stilwell
- Jake Taylor
- Buster Thompson
- Kameron Thompson
- Raleigh Warr
- Kinley White
- Mi’kavion White
- Cobie Wiggins
Academic Achievement Award ( All A’s all year)
- Landon Allcock
- Alexis Amerson
- Desiray Bagweell
- Alexa Beasley
- Jackson Bridges
- Amara Campbell
- Christian Caraway
- Addison Carpenter
- Logan Diller
- Aubrey Flowers
- Olivia Garrett
- Sawyer Gilmore
- Sophia Ikner
- Brody Hall
- Kyndal Hadley
- Mason Helton
- Camden Jacobson
- Maybree Johnson
- Presley Johnson
- Kylee Langham
- Kaylee Long
- Mikayla McAnally
- Tyler McAnally
- Noah Luker
- Hunter Parker
- Dakota Richardson
- Makinzi Roley
- Jackson Simmons
- Avery Stuckey
- Kaylee Wilson
Progress Award (Most improvement during the year)
- Presley Amos
- Margaret Baker
- Landon Barlow
- Korben Bell
- Waylon Bell
- Teagen Black
- Rex Brown
- Jamarious Burt
- Jack Carpenter
- Jamaris Durant
- Evelyn Esparza
- Jakari Evans
- Cameron Gipson
- Michael Griffis
- Alexa Hardy
- Tucker Hare
- Emma Holder
- Fallon Hubbard
- Jessica Jowers
- Wesley Lambeth
- Ruby Lovely
- Adalynn Lowery
- Ava McCann
- Mya McCants
- Keira McDuffie
- Brylynn McGhee
- Niyah McGhee
- Cameron Moore
- Aydin Odom
- James Patrick
- Reagan Peebles
- Isabella Sanspree
- Emma Southard
- Reece Starns
- Jamileon Syria
- Tikiya Syria
- X’zavion Williams
Outstanding Attendance (5 or less check in/out or absences)
- Lauren Abbott
- Claire Amerson
- Amara Campbell
- Christian Caraway
- Luke Chavers
- Zakhel Clemmons
- Talaysha Curry
- Lucas Daniel
- Kylar Davis
- Annberly Dunn
- Blake Faith
- Averie Fleming
- Sawyer Gilmore
- John Griffis
- Michael Griffis
- Lori Hall
- Cade Hare
- Tucker Hare
- Will Heard
- Jackson Helton
- Mason Helton
- Taegan Hughes
- Emily Jarvis
- Jessica Jowers
- Keeli Knighten
- Kylee Langham
- Emily Long
- Wyatt Mooney
- Hunter Parker
- James Patrick
- Jonathan Patrick
- Kain Pompa
- Mikayla Ray
- Makinzi Roley
- Anniston Salter
- Michael Singleton
- Wyatt Swearingen
- Jeremy Thomas
- Kimmora Thomas
- Landon Watson
- Summer Weaver
- Mi’kavion White
- Jason Wiggins
Sons of the American Revolution Citizenship
- Lauren Abbott
- Desiray Bagwell
- Jackson Bridges
- Luke Chavers
- Landon Johnson
- Reagan Peebles
- Jackson Simmons
- Maggie Stewart
Bobby George Boatwright
May 29, 2018
On May 27, 2018, Bobby George Boatwright went to be with the Lord at age 77, after a short battle with cancer.
He is preceded in death by his two sons, one stepson, mom, dad, two brothers, and one sister. He is survived by his wife Mary Hill of 29 years, son Micheal (Darlene), brother Billy, stepson Dewey (Vicki), stepdaughter Melinda (Mike), and nine grandchildren. Bobby was born on August 14, 1940. He attended JM Tate and went on to serve his country in the Army. Bobby later founded his own business, Sunrise Steel Erections in 1989, becoming one of the prominent steel erectors in Northwest Florida. Like his business, he was made of Iron, but had a kind heart. Some of Bobby’s joys included hunting and fishing, frying mullet for his family, and feeding his “youngin”(dog Rocky). If you couldn’t find him at a job site, throwing his cast net, or in a hunting stand, you would surely find him roaming the tables at the flea market. Bobby will dearly be missed, as he was an important person in so many lives.
The family will receive friends from 10AM to 11AM on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Funeral services will be held at 11AM with Pastor Carl Shiver officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to one of Bobby’s employee’s daughter who is battling cancer. (Karol Rubio: 7117 SW Archer Road Lot 89, Gainesville, FL. 32608)
Gonzalez Convenience Store Robbed At Gunpoint
May 28, 2018
A Highway 29 convenience store in Gonzalez was robbed at gunpoint Monday afternoon.
Surveillance video shows the suspect enter the Speed Mart at Tate School Road wearing a black hoodie, black pants with a red and white design, sunglasses and a white mask.. The suspect pulls a handgun on the clerk and demands money. During the robbery, another customer starts to enter the store but quickly retreats when the suspects turns the gun on him.
The suspect fled the store on foot and was seen at an apartment complex near Batson Lane and Pauline Street, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620, Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured above and below: Images from an armed robbery Monday afternoon at the Speed Mart on Highway. Pictured bottom: NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Early Morning Fire Destroys Home In Beulah
May 28, 2018
Fire destroyed a home early Monday morning in Beulah.
The fire was reported about 1 a.m. on Tower Ridge Road near Frank Reeder Road. There was no immediate report of any injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Beulah, Bellview, Ensley, Ferry Pass and Osceola Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the blaze.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Alberto Makes Landfall
May 28, 2018
As of the latest advisory, Subtropical Storm Alberto was making landfall near Laguna Beach, just west of Panama City Beach.
The latest information on Alberto can be found in the graphics on this page.
There is a tropical storm watch in effect.
For the latest local forecast, click here.
Driver Downs Power Pole In Highway 97 Crash
May 28, 2018
For an update to this story, click here.
A driver escaped injured when she hit a power pole near Walnut Hill early Monday morning.
The woman was northbound on Highway 97 just north of Tungoil Road when she left the roadway about 1:10 a.m., hit the pole and continued through a ditch. She refused transport to the hospital.
The pole was broken off near ground level, downing power lines. Escambia River Electric reported 52 customers lost power following the crash.
The crash is under investigaton by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Memorials Honor Those That Served
May 28, 2018
People across North Escambia and the country paused Monday to remember the brave men and women that have served our country as we celebrated Memorial Day.
In North Escambia, there are several memorials that honor those that have served in the military:
Walnut Hill Veterans Wall of Honor
The largest such memorial in the North Escambia area, the Veteran’s Honor Wall has stood in front of the Walnut Hill Community Center since its dedication in 2003. There are nearly 300 names on the wall, including names of just over a dozen soldiers killed in action. The wall honors those from the Walnut Hill area that have served in the nation’s military.
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club began planning the wall in late 2001, and they decided that it would be a community project at no cost to the veterans listed.
Billy R. Ward began to engrave the names with an antique machine the club purchased off the internet, and there were 220 names on the wall when it was dedicated in 2003. He spent a lot of time on the project, even visiting the Wall South Memorial in Pensacola to get an idea what size the letters on the plaques should be.
On the Walnut Hill Veteran’s Honor Wall, everyone is equal. It was decided that no service rank would be include on the name plaques, just the branch and years of service.
It is estimated that about one-fourth of the veterans listed on the wall are now deceased.
The Walnut Hill Veteran’s Wall is located in front of the community center at 7850 Highway 97.
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LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park
The LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park was dedicated in Bratt on November 8, 2011, in honor of the local Marine killed in action in August 2011 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was just two weeks after his 19th birthday and only about a month after he arrived in Afghanistan.
The park features a memorial in Nelson’s honor. It is located on West Highway 4, just west of Northview High School.
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Atmore Veterans Memorial
The Veterans Memorial in Atmore stands proudly on the lawn of the Atmore City Hall to pay tribute to those have served from around Atmore and North Escambia. Names of the fallen are on the spire, while commemorative bricks around the base of the spire name those that have served in the military past and present.
Those honored on the bricks date back to the Revolutionary War with a brick with the name of Benjamin Sasser, 1755-1840. His relative, Federick Sasser, 1794-1846, is also honored for his service in the War of 1812.
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Barrineau Park Wall of Honor
The Wall of Honor inside the Barrineau Park Community Center honors scores of area residents that have served in the military. The wall was a project of the Barrineau Park Historical Society. (Pictured above.)
Century Veterans Wall of Honor
About four dozen of those that served from the Century area are honored on the Century Veterans Wall of Honor at Century’s Roadside Park on Highway 29. The memorial was dedicated on July 4, 2008. (Pictured below.)
The Century Veterans Wall of Honor is located in the Nadine McCaw Park at the corner of North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) and Hecker Road.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
More Rain Likely Tonight
May 28, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area Memorial Day forecast:
- FLASH FLOOD WATCH
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 7pm. Low around 73. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Democratic Effort To Hold Special Session Falls Short
May 28, 2018
A Democratic effort to hold a special session to increase education funding formally died Thursday, as Republican opposition blocked the idea. Supporters needed support from three-fifths majorities in the House and Senate to spur the special session. A final tally from the Department of State showed that 105 House members voted on the proposal, with only 41 supporting it. In the Senate, 29 members cast votes, with 16 supporting the special session.
Taking into account empty seats, Democrats needed votes from 23 senators and 70 House members to reach the 60 percent threshold for support. A dozen House Republicans and 10 Senate Republicans didn’t cast votes.
Rep. Shevrin Jones, a West Park Democrat who joined Rep. Nicholas Duran, D-Miami, in advocating for the poll, called the results “disheartening” and disappointing. “While many of our colleagues are focused on their pursuits for higher office, we are focused on the matters at hand, most importantly, doing our jobs in representing the best interest of our districts,” Jones said in a prepared statement.
Among those who did not vote were Rep. Jay Fant, a Jacksonville Republican who is running for attorney general, and Rep. Ross Spano, a Dover Republican who is running for Congress.
by The News Service of Florida
Byrne: We Remember The Fallen
May 28, 2018
by Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-AL
As Americans, we know all too well that freedom is not free. Each time we bow our heads to pray or speak up for what we believe in, we exercise rights that many across the world do not have. These are just some of the unique freedoms that the brave men and women of the United States military have fought and died to protect.
We are reminded of their patriotic sacrifice each Memorial Day as we pay our respects to servicemembers who have selflessly given their lives to defend freedom and liberty throughout our country’s history.
From the American Revolution to the War on Terror, men and women of all backgrounds have answered the call of service and paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend the United States. These American heroes shall never be forgotten.
Unfortunately, loss of life does not occur solely in times of war; this past year, we have experienced tragic loss during military training, likely due to the readiness crisis and funding shortfalls. In 2017, nearly four times as many members of the military died in training-related accidents as were killed in combat.
These accidents span from aviation training mishaps in the Air Force to major naval collisions involving the USS McCain and the USS Fitzgerald. The gravity of these accidents – in the air, on land, and at sea – could have likely been avoided given the proper resources and enhanced military readiness.
It is imperative that Congress take immediate action to give our servicemen and women the proper resources they need to keep our nation safe. That’s why I am proud that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019 passed the House with strong bipartisan support last week.
This bill authorizes funding for our military, including the highest pay raise for our troops in almost a decade. The bill prioritizes military readiness and rebuilding the military so that our troops can safely meet current and future threats.
This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. The NDAA reflects on a century of military service and focuses on the men and women who sacrificed to secure America’s freedoms. While those who served in the First World War are no longer with us, their memories live on in the hearts of younger generations everywhere.
I recently had the distinct pleasure of speaking at the Alabama Blue Star Salute Celebration at Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile. This annual event to pays tribute to the Armed Forces and the military heroes who have served our country.
As I addressed the crowd, I was filled with pride to see servicemembers of all ages, many different ranks, across all branches of service, who had come to participate in the event. I was also struck by the young people in the crowd, who may very well represent the next generation of servicemembers.
Heaviest on my heart were the people not in the crowd – the millions of Americans who lost their lives fighting to protect the red, white, and blue.
Memorial Day gives us the time each year to honor our American heroes at memorial services, vigils, and parades. Americans proudly display the stars and stripes in remembrance of the sacrifices paid in service to our country.
John 15:13 says it best, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Thank you to all of those who have served, are serving, or intend to serve in the United States military. Our nation is forever grateful.
Rep. Bradley Byrne is Congressman for Alabama’s First Congressional District, which includes all of Baldwin, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties, and a portion of Clarke County.