Northview Ag Teacher, FFA Sponsor Perry Byars Retires
July 27, 2019
A retirement celebration was held Friday at Northview High School for longtime agriculture teacher and FFA advisor Perry Byars.
Under Byar’s two decades of leadership, the Northview FFA program has received numerous state and national awards
Allie (Vidak) Eubanks had been named the school’s new agricultural teacher and FFA advisor. Eubanks is a 2011 Northview graduate, and Byars was her FFA advisor.
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Weekend Gardening: These Caterpillars Could Be Devouring Your Azaleas Right Now
July 27, 2019
by Beth Bolles, Escambia County Extension, for NorthEscambia.com
Azalea caterpillars have made their presence known this summer and are devouring the foliage of one of our favorite evergreen plants.
The brown moths will lay large numbers of eggs on azaleas throughout the spring and then young emerging caterpillars feed in groups, eating entire leaves. As the caterpillars grow in size, they become more brightly colored with yellow bodies and black stripes. They also have bright red legs and a head. If you touch a mature caterpillar, it will often raise it’s head and ‘tail’ in response. These are not stinging caterpillars so that is only a defensive response.
The feeding damage of the caterpillars results in a very unattractive azalea. Some leaves with damage will also turn brown making the damage more noticeable. The good news is that even through plants look terrible, a relatively heathy azalea will grow new leaves during the season.
If you do have an infestation of azalea caterpillars, you may want to consider a treatment. Remember that it is easier to manage young caterpillar so if you have caterpillars that are already two inches in length, your chemical treatment may not be as successful.
One option for management is to physically remove the caterpillars if you only have a small number on your plants. If you choose to use an insecticide, choose an organic product like B.t (Bacillus thuringiensis) or spinosad. These are safe for many beneficial insects that are also helping in the management of the caterpillars. Both products will be available at our local nurseries.
Pictured: An azalea caterpillar on a bush in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Waterfront Rescue Mission Celebrates 70 Years
July 27, 2019
The Waterfront Rescue Mission held a party for clients and guests Friday to celebrate their 70th anniversary.
Community leaders served lunch to the guests. Attendees enjoyed free haircuts, live music, face painting, lunch and more.
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Robert Lloyd Baggett, Sr.
July 27, 2019
Robert Lloyd Baggett Sr. was called home on July 19, 2019, after a brief illness. He was a man of strong Christian values and beliefs which served him well in his 84 years on earth. His deep faith helped him get through a major heart attack and quadruple bypass that gave him and his family 22 additional years together. He was proud to be a charter member of St. Luke United Methodist Church and gave back whenever possible through his involvement in many different areas of the church.
Robert was born on February 11, 1935, in Pensacola, Florida. He spent most of his life in Pensacola except for the years he was in the service. To most, he was called “Bob” but to his sweetheart he was “Hun”. When the children came along, he was called “Daddy” followed by “Paw” or “Gramps” by the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a kind and gentle man, a great son, brother, husband, grandfather, friend, proud American, and devout Christian.
He met the love of his life, Gloria, in 1951. He knew his life would not be complete without his sweetheart. When he joined the Air Force in 1954, Gloria knew he would send for her and his car if nothing else. He completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. His next step would be Lowery Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado where he sent for his sweetheart and his car. They were married for 65 years. One of their greatest memories was their honeymoon hike to the top of Pike’s Peak, 14,110 feet. Together they had a beautiful life and raised three wonderful children that are forever grateful that God chose Robert L. Baggett Sr. to be their father. He taught us all so much and was active in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s lives up until the minute he went home.
Bob accomplished many great things in his life and to know him was to love him. He had many things he was passionate about and napping was one of them. He loved to kick back in his recliner and take a good, long rest. One of his other passions was the family farm in which he loved to go visit his son, Bob Jr. and see the hard work and effort he was putting into what is now called “Baggett Farms”.
Bob is preceded in death by his father, Thomas L. Baggett Jr.; his mother, Lois Baggett; his sister, Ouida Baggett Regan; his nephew, Daniel Regan; and his grandson, Forrest Maier Edgar.
Left to treasure his memory are his beloved wife of 65 years, Gloria G. Baggett; daughters, Vicki Baggett Hinson (Terry), and Cynthia Baggett Edgar (Pete); his son, Robert L. Baggett Jr., “Bob”; his granddaughters, April Edgar Blackwell, and Kristen Arnold Frazier (Clif); his great-grandchildren, Astley Devoe Blackwell V, “Quent”, Meadow Dianne Edgar, Kylea Grace Gibbs, Willow Dianne Edgar, and Ellie Marie Edgar; and his niece, Marcia Shannon (Don).
A visitation is scheduled for Sunday, July 28, 2019 at 2 p.m. followed by a 3 p.m. Memorial Service at Azaela Trace Auditorium. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Luke United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.
Laura M. Butler
July 27, 2019
Laura M. Butler, 85, of Cantonment, FL, passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2019.
Mrs. Butler was born in Toledo, Ohio on July 29, 1933, to the late Richard Lee McGougan and Una Helen Carter McGougan. She was a faithful pastor’s wife and a member of Olive Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. James C. Butler; granddaughter, Jessica Peebles Thompson; parents; and brothers, Charles McGougan, Raleigh McGougan, and Lowell McGougan.
Mrs. Butler is survived by her daughters, Oma Butler (Jerry) Peebles and Cathy Butler Roberts; grandchildren, Derek Roberts, James, David, and Daniel Peebles, April Roberts Nicholas, and Ashley Roberts; nine great-children; brother, Richard McGougan; and sisters, Rachel McGougan Strawbridge, Lauretta McGougan Hanks, and Carolyn McGougan Taylor.
Funeral services were held Friday, July 26, 2019, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Burial was at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Barry Nicholas, Derek Roberts, David Peebles, James Peebles, Daniel Peebles, Billy Thompson, Frankie Fails, Jr., and Jesse Fails.
No Serious Injuries In McDavid Rollover Crash
July 26, 2019
A driver escaped serious injury in a single vehicle rollover crash Friday morning in McDavid.
The female lost control and overturned off Pine Barren Road near Bogia Road about 7:20 a.m. A fire hydrant was broken off and a telephone company pedestal was damaged in the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. Escambia County EMS and the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Charged With Allegedly Shooting Cat, Dumping Body
July 26, 2019
A Century man is facing a felony animal cruelty charge after allegedly shooting a cat in Walnut Hill before dumping the body.
Austin Everett Berry, 27, was charge with aggravated animal cruelty and unlawful disposal of the a dead animal.
Berry allegedly shot a cat on Green Village Road with a 12-gauge shotgun and then threw the body into an area of overgrown bushes, according to an arrest report.
A woman told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that she had exited a house in the area and heard a loud boom like a shotgun. She said she observed a male later identified as Berry place either two kittens on one large cat in a bag, and she said she asked Berry if he had shot the cat. She told deputies he answered, “[Expletive] year I did”, the ECSO report states.
Deputies and Escambia County Animal Control located the deceased black and white domestic cat in large overgrown area about 20 yards off the road by a fence. The remains were removed by animal control for proper disposal.
The Sheriff’s Office seized Berry’s loaded pump action 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition to be placed into evidence.
Berry made statements to the sheriff’s deputy, but those statements were redacted from the arrest report. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,750 bond.
The Chess Challenge: Youth Can Learn To Play Chess For Free Sunday In Century
July 26, 2019
Rafael Lopez of Cantonment loves the game of chess, and he will share that love with children and teens during free classes the next two Sundays in Century.
“I learned to play chess as a younger man. I was taught by a man who was incredible to watch on the board. As he taught me, he would give me reasons as to why he would move certain places. Also, he played handicapped without his queen on the board until I was able to beat him. Once I was able to beat him, he never took his queen off the playing board ever again,” he said.
Lopez calls his learn to play methodology the “chess challenge”.
“The chess challenge is my dream. It’s purpose it’s make chess fun again in a world full of technology. In the extremely beginning stages of turning this dream into a nonprofit,” Lopez said. “Long term, I would love to have a place to call home. There’s some commercial real estate in Cantonment near my house that is vacant. I pass by it every day and wonder how many sad lonely, lost and even bored kids pass by that location that could be served. A safe place after school that is conducive to higher learning with an emphasis on chess and the study of chess. We have so many basketball camps yet very few brain games.”
The chess challenge is targeted to youth ages 6-17 and will be held Sunday, July 28 from 2-5 p.m. and Sunday, August 4 from 2-5 p.m. at 7321 North Century Boulevard (the building with the large “Florida” mural, just south of the library). There is no cost and refreshments will be served.
Youth can attend either of the Sunday sessions, but the second session will recap and expand on the skills learned in the first session. Lopez starts by teaching the basics, and says this is for youth of any skill level.
“I love chess because we all start out equal, but have the potential to be great depending on how much time and effort we put into the study and application of the game. As a game, it’s almost as old as hide and seek,” he said. To teach one brilliant mind would be one of my simplest goals.”
“Chess doesn’t care what color you are or what gender you are. Every player starts out completely equal. But as with anything in life, you get what you put in. Study the previously played games and this study furthers advancement and skill. When a young brain learns the principles that chess teaches, they’re improving and expanding their critical thinking and reasoning skills with each move. Technology isn’t to blame, but relying on technology to think for us is. Chess teaches us how to think— think about future possible outcomes before they may even happen. Predictive.”
For more information on the chess challenge in Century, call Lopez at (850) 723-5362.
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Rain And Humidity Return For The Weekend
July 26, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Kids Enjoy Water Day At Carver Park
July 26, 2019
Kids enjoyed Water Day Thursday during lunchtime at Carver Park in Cantonment.
The Summer Breakspot program at Carver Park provided free meals for kids and teens through Feeding the Gulf Coast during the summer, and other community groups such as Ascend Cares often joined in to help. Earlier this month, the West Florida Library even had real moon rocks at a lunch program.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
