Becoming Warmer
January 19, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Calm wind.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
Bratt Elementary Wins $1,000 Wellness Challenge For Third Year
January 19, 2018
For the third consecutive year, Bratt Elementary School has been named the winner of Escambia Superintendent Malcolm Thomas’ Choose Wellness Challenge. The school was presented a $1,000 prize at Tuesday’s meeting of the Escambia County School Board.
The challenge was to see which school or major department could achieve the highest level of participation in the challenge by the end of the school year. Participants completed four steps to promote health and wellness, potentially reducing the district’s health care and lost work time costs.
Thomas said he expected the winner to come from a school that was located near the district’s health and wellness center. But he was wrong…again.
“This year’s winner, for the third straight year, is a school that’s actually located further away from the Wellness Center than the majority of our schools, making it quite evident that mileage and inconvenience was absolutely, not a factor,” Thomas said off Bratt Elementary.
“When we started this, we made a plaque and we thought that each year we would put the winner on the plaque.” Thomas explained. “So far, we have three years and we only have one school on it. So, my challenge to the other schools and departments is – Is there anybody out there that’s willing to take on Bratt Elementary to see if you can be next year’s winner?”
The $1,000 prize is expected to be used in some manner to promote wellness among the school’s staff. All of the funds were from private donations; no taxpayer dollars were used.
The Exceptional Student Education department received a $500 prize for increase participation of about 30 percent.
Pictured: Bratt Elementary accepts their $1,000 Wellness Challenge award during a Tuesday meeting of the Escambia County School Board. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Arbor Day Tree Giveaway Saturday In Barrineau Park
January 19, 2018
The annual Arbor Day tree giveaway is coming up Saturday at in Barrineau Park.
Florida Arbor Day is observed the third Friday in January to recognize the benefits of trees, and to encourage planting and care. The Florida Forest Service and Escambia County UF-IFAS Extension will hold the Barrineau Park event with additional support from Escambia County Department of Natural Resource Management, Resource Management Services and the Northview High School FFA club.
The event will be from 10 a.m. to noon at Barrineau Park Community Center, located at 6055 Barrineau Park School Road.
Trees in one-gallon containers will be given away. Species include tulip poplar, Chickasaw plum, Shumard oak and fringetree. Special edition Arbor Day water bottles featuring the winning design from last year’s art contest also will be given away. A tree will be planted for the community center and as a demonstration of proper planting.
Pictured: Last year’s Arbor Day Tree Giveaway was held in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen’s Robinson Named Cat Country’s Coach Of The Week
January 19, 2018
Our NorthEscambia.com media partners at Cat Country 98.7 named Jim Allen Elementary School P.E. teacher Will Robinson as their “Cat Country Coach of the Week”. The award was presented to Robinson on Thursday. He is pictured below with the Cat and Gabby Johnson, one of the students who nominated him for the Coach of the Week award. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Baker Outpaces Northview (With Gallery), Tate Tops Milton
January 19, 2018
Baker 71, Northview 60
The Northview Chiefs lost to the Baker Gators 71-60 Thursday afternoon in Bratt.
The Gators only outscored the Chiefs by two to hold an 18-16 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Baker outpaced Northview in the second to take a 40-27 by the half. Baker scored a basket more than Northview in the third, while Northview outscored Baker by four in the fourth.
Up next, the Northview Chiefs varsity will host Pensacola Christian Academy at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday and Freeport next Thursday at 6:15 p.m. The JV boys will tipoff at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and 5 p.m. Thursday.
Tate 68, Milton 54
The Tate Aggies beat the Milton Panthers 68-54 Thursday in Cantonment.
The Aggies to a 15-9 lead by the end of the first quarter and were up 33-26 by halftime. Tate outscored Milton by seven in the third, while both teams scored 23 points each in the fourth.
The Tate Aggies (10-6, 4-0) were led by Love Bettis with 21 points.
The Tate Aggies will travel to Fort Walton to take on Choctawhatchee High School at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Pictured: Baker at Northview Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Group Wants More Local Residents To Achieve A College Degree
January 19, 2018
A local group wants to increase the number of Escambia County residents with a college degree by 20 percent by 2025.
Achieve Escambia has received a $20,000 planning grant from the Florida College Access Network to support a new effort dedicated to supporting pathways to postsecondary education and employment in Escambia County.
Currently, Escambia County’s postsecondary attainment rate is 40.1%. The Florida College Access Network’s goal is to increase that achievement rate to 60% by 2025.
To reach this goal, Achieve Escambia will create a Local College Access Network. The group will include leaders representing a variety of sectors to build a culture that supports postsecondary opportunity in Escambia County. The partnership will focus not only on increasing college readiness, access and completion, but also on supporting collaborative initiatives that can raise attainment rates in tangible ways.
“We are the first local network in the Panhandle to connect with a broader statewide strategy designed to provide all high school graduates with clear paths to postsecondary success,” said Kimberly Krupa, director of Achieve Escambia.
“We know that moving the needle on something as big as postsecondary attainment is not the responsibility of one individual or organization,” said Debbie Calder, executive vice president of Navy Federal Credit Union and chair of the Achieve Escambia Leadership Council. “This is all about bringing people together across many sectors to seriously focus on what we need to do to improve education and workforce outcomes.”
Laurie Meggesin, executive director of the Florida College Access Network, said local college access networks like Achieve Escambia are in the best position to close gaps that exist between the skills of local workers and the needs of current and future employers.
Robert K. Goforth
January 19, 2018
Robert K. Goforth, Lt. Col. USMC (Ret) of Walnut Hill, FL, passed away on January 15, 2018.
He was born in Snow, OK in 1936 and lived in Clayton, OK until he attended Oklahoma State University. He joined the USMC in 1956 as an Aviation Cadet. He served in Vietnam from 1966-1967, he served as Air Operations Officer on the USS Guam, he was Squadron commander of HMM 264, and he also worked at Headquarters Marines before retiring from NTC Orlando in 1978. He received many awards and commendations, including the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star.
Upon retiring he worked as an independent consultant before joining Southwest Research Institute as a project manager before retiring in 2003. He was an active member of his community; he enjoyed mentoring, canning, cooking, hunting and the great outdoors. Fall, he said was his favorite time of year and he could not wait to go into the woods. He was an active member of Trinity Episcopal where he served as Senior Warden.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Marguerite “Maggie” Newton Goforth; his parents, Guy Charles and Eura Bell Goforth and his brother, USAF Capt. Oscar L. Goforth.
He is survived by his son, Brian L. Goforth of Pensacola, FL; daughter, Mary M. Goforth Shontz and son-in-law, Ed Shontz; granddaughter, Mariah C. Shontz of Pensacola, FL; brother and sister-in-law, Arlie and Marilyn Goforth of Perry, OK; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
Visitation will be held 4-6pm Friday, January 19, 2018 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. A reception will be held in the church parish hall from 11:00am until the Celebration of Life Service at 12:00noon Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Atmore, AL with The Rev. John Phillips officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00pm at Berryhill, Milton Historic Cemetery with full military honors.
Pallbearers will be: Bill Jones, Jerry Sansom, Officer Candidate USN Bryson Goforth, Edward Newbill, Offie Macks and Devin Altenhofen.
Honorary Pallbearers will be: Brian Goforth, Ed Shontz and James Shontz.
Learn About ‘Starting Your Plants From Seeds’ From Escambia Extension
January 19, 2018
Join Escambia Extension for “Starting Your Plants from Seed” on January 26 at 9:00 a.m. Attendees will learn about seed starting techniques to get a jump on a successful gardening season.
Register at https://ufstartingseeds.eventbrite.com .
The program will be held at the Escambia County Extension Office at 3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Melvojo McCurdy Ward
January 19, 2018
Melvojo McCurdy Ward, 88, of Mt. Carmel Community in Jay, Florida, died Thursday, January 18, 2018. Mrs. Ward was born on August 13, 1929. She was the youngest of ten children born to Ruben and Ruby McCurdy. When she was born at home with two broken arms, the doctor told her parents not to bother naming her because she wouldn’t survive more than a few hours. God had a different plan for her life. Mrs. Ward lived for 88 years within one mile of where she was born. She loved working with her hands. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, cooking, quilting and crafting. Until the time of her death, she could be seen outside working in her yard.
Mrs. Ward was an active lifelong member of the Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church. She fulfilled numerous roles including Sunday School and VBS teacher, youth leader, choir member, treasurer of the Willing Workers, as well as serving on many committees. Her father helped build the original church. Her husband Pete helped with construction of the brick structure that replaced the original wooden building. She was thrilled to attend services in the recently rebuilt church.
Mrs. Ward was preceded in death by her husband, Earl “Pete” Brandford and daughter Jackie.
She is survived by her sister, Bonnie Stuckey of Brewton, AL; daughter, Joan (Gary) Mondor of Covington, LA; son, David Ward of Brewton, AL; grandchildren, Jason (Barbara) Ward of Brewton, AL, Shannon (John) Rutherford of Milton, FL, Misti (Adam) Whitney of Broussard, LA, Melodie (Timothy) Taylor of Pace, FL and Micah (Lacey) Mondor of Covington, LA. She was blessed with 14 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life service will be held Monday, January 22, 2018, at Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church. The viewing will be from 1:00 – 3:00 with services beginning at 3:00. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Carlie T. James
January 19, 2018
Mrs. Carlie T. James, age 98, passed away Tuesday, January 16, 2018 in Atmore, Alabama.
Mrs. James was a native and life long resident of Atmore, AL. She was a member of the Sovereign Grace Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her husband, William Earl James, Sr.; two sons, William Earl James, Jr. and Clifton E. James and two daughter-in-laws, Jackie James and Pat James.
Survivors include her sister, Cliffie Mae Hanks of Pensacola, FL; five grandchildren; Cheryl James (Warren) Fenner of Atmore, AL, Jonathan Earl (Christy) James of Atmore, AL, Julie James (Michael Branch) of Atmore, AL, William Earl (Lisa) James, III of Webster, FL and Claude James of Atmore, AL; eight great grandchildren, Ashley Harris Sharp, Blake (Courtney) Harris, Joanna James, Marianna (Nykia) Rolin, Lily Woods, Travis James, Brayden James and Melissa James and three great great grandchildren, Hannah Boothe, Chayton Rolin and Nyla Rolin.
Graveside services will be held Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Pine Level Cemetery with Elder Kevin Fralick officiating.
Visitation will be held Sunday, January 21, 2018 from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Jonathan James, Travis James, Phillip James, Blake Harris and Warren Fenner.