Carsyn Dortch Named Miss Ernest Ward (With Pageant Photo Gallery)
January 27, 2019
Carsyn Laine Dortch was named Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Saturday night in a “The Greatest Show” themed pageant at the school.
Third runner-up was Jamison Abigail Gilman, second runner-up was McKenna Rae Simmons, and the first runner-up in the annual pageant was Emma Sage Gilmore.
The Personality Award went to McKenna Rae Simmons; Miss Hospitality, the People’s Choice Award and the Physical Fitness Award to Jessica Faith Stabler; the Poise and Appearance Award to Emma Sage Gilmore; and Miss Congeniality to Carsyn Laine Dortch.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the pageant, click here.
Pictured top: Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Carsyn Laine Dortch. Pictured below in descending order: First Runner-up Emma Sage Gilmore, second runner-up McKenna Rae Simmons, and Third Runner-up Jamison Abigail Gilman. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Family Celebrates Three Generations Of Birthdays On The Same Day
January 22, 2019
Against the odds, three generations of a local family are celebrated a birthday on Sunday.
Janis O’Farrell of Walnut Hill, born in 1935, turned 84. Her son Dennis O’Farrell of Walnut Hill, born in 1959, turned 60. His daughter Candi O’Farrell Lusk of nearby Perdido, AL, was born in 1981 and turned 38 Sunday.
What are the odds? 1 in 133,225, according to published reports.
Photos: Molino Park Second Grade Grandparents Breakfast
January 19, 2019
Molino Park Elementary School held their Second Grade Grandparents Breakfast Friday morning. The school holds a grandparents breakfast during the year for each grade level.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
GoFundMe Established For DUI Crash Family; Tate ‘Numbers’ Memorial Honors Banks
January 15, 2019
Balloons with the numbers 40, 53 and 28 were on the fence outside Tate High School on Monday. Those were the jersey numbers worn by 15-year old sophomore Sean Banks in basketball, football and baseball.
Banks and his older sister Antoinette Marie McCoy, 22, were killed early Saturday morning in a suspected DUI crash on East Kingsfield Road.
The number 53 football jersey at Tate has been retired and will never be worn again.
A GoFundMe account for the Banks family has been established, according to the Tate Quarterback Club. The funds will help with funeral expenses and time off work for the parents. To contribute to the GoFundMe account, click here.
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Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Explains More About Rare Redhorse Fish Found In The Escambia River
January 14, 2019
After we published a story about a rare river redhorse fish being found in the Escambia River, numerous people responded on NorthEscambia.com and our social media with reports of frequently seeing or catching the fish.
Until the recent discovery, the river redhorse had not been documented in the Escambia River since 1976, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
NorthEscambia.com reached out to the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute for more information. Here is their response:
The river redhorse is a species that may easily be confused with other commonly found fish – in particular, the spotted sucker and the blacktail redhorse.
The river redhorse is only found in the Escambia River, whereas the spotted sucker occurs in every river in the panhandle and the blacktail redhorse occurs in all drainages in Florida west of the Apalachicola River.
Ways you can tell them apart- a blacktail redhorse has a black strip that occurs in the tail, and the spotted sucker has noticeable spots on its scales.
Researchers captured a river redhorse during a night trawl. In Florida, the river redhorse is listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
The fish prefers large, clean rivers with sand or gravel bottoms and swift currents. The river redhorse was implanted with an acoustic tag and released. The movement of the fish will be monitored to estimate site occupancy and assess population trend, according to the FWC. The fish was found as freshwater biologists were working on imperiled species trawl survey in the Escambia River.
Pictured top: The rare river redhorse fish documented in the Escambia River for the first time since 1976. Other fish that look similar are below, courtesy of FWC and the Florida Museum. Each photo is labeled. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Above: Spotted Sucker
Above: Blacktail redhorse
Above: River redhorse
Arbor Day Art Contest Entries Accepted Now
January 13, 2019
Celebrate Arbor Day by participating in the UF/IFAS Extension Arbor Day mail art contest. Make your own drawing, collage, painting or photo — or decorate a postcard or envelope — related to the theme, “Plant Trees Today for Shade Tomorrow.” Be creative and have fun!
The contest age groups are children 12 and under, teens ages 13-18, and adults 18 and older. One winner will be selected from each age group, and winners will receive either a tree, a shovel or a book about trees.
Mail entries to: Arbor Day Mail Art Contest, Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment, FL 32533. Entries can also be dropped off at the Extension office. Include your name, age and phone number or email address on the back of your art. Entries must be postmarked by Tuesday, Jan. 15.
Entries will be displayed at the Escambia County Extension office through the month of January. Artwork may be used in Extension programs, such as blogs, flyers and workshops. No received work will be for sale, and we reserve the right to omit offensive work. A panel will judge the works and choose one winner from each age group prior to Friday, Jan. 18.
Winners will be awarded Saturday, Jan. 19 during the mail art display and tree giveaway event at the Escambia County Extension office. If winners cannot attend, they may pick up their prizes at the Escambia Extension office by appointment.
For more information, contact Carrie Stevenson at 850-475-5230 or ctsteven@ufl.edu.
Council On Aging Needs Heaters For Elder Adults
January 11, 2019
As temperatures drop, elder adults without dependable sources of adequate heating are vulnerable to extreme discomfort and health complications. Each year, Council on Aging of West Florida provides brand-new space heaters to these individuals to keep them warm during the colder Florida months of December, January and February. This year, Council on Aging has distributed more space heaters than ever before, but the agency still receives several calls a day desperate for relief from the cold.
“We don’t often think of Florida being bitterly cold during the winter, but temperatures can often drop below freezing,” said John Clark, president/CEO of Council on Aging of West Florida. “It is not unusual for homes with poor insulation to reach 50 degrees at night. This can constrict blood supply, impede cognitive function and slow metabolism, not to mention how uncomfortable it is. Our seniors deserve better.”
Those interested in helping these senior adults should purchase new space heaters of any size from area stores or donate online at http://www.coawfla.org/donate-to-council-on-aging/. The Council on Aging cannot accept donations of used heaters, because the agency cannot verify the safety of used appliances. Safety information is distributed with each space heater.
Individuals age 60 and over that are suffering in the cold should call (850) 432-1475 to request a space heater and verify heaters in stock before picking one up from 875 Royce Street in Pensacola. They are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and based on need.
Escambia EMS Crew Recognized For Delivering Atmore Couple’s Baby
December 27, 2018
An Escambia County EMS crew was recognized with the County Star Award for their assistance with several baby deliveries over the summer, including one on July 31 involving a couple driving from Atmore to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The patient’s water broke in the car before they could make it to the hospital, forcing them to call 911 for help. Paramedic Kristin Bruce and EMT Kaitlyn Brown were able to get to the couple just as the patient was giving birth in the front seat of the car, facilitating a safe, healthy delivery.
The patient was very thankful and reported that the crew was very kind to her, giving her much-needed emotional support.
Assistant County Administrator Matthew Coughlin presented each crew member with a Star Award for their dedication and service.
Santa Claus Visits Cantonment Senior Dining Site
December 24, 2018
Santa Claus recently stopped by the Council of Aging of West Florida’s senior dining site in Cantonment. He visited and distributed Christmas gifts. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia 4-H Holds Holiday Bake-Off, And Here’s The Winning Recipe
December 23, 2018
Escambia County 4-H recently hosted its second annual Holiday Bake-Off.
The best of show award went to A.T. Bridgers from the Barrineau Park 4-H Club for his Yule Log, his second bake-off win. For the recipe, click here.
There were 41 4-H members submitting 90 delicious entries, and over 100 people attended the awards ceremony and enjoyed all the goodies.
Division winning entries received the coveted golden spoon for all of their hard work. Cloverbuds, 4-H members ages 5-7, also were able to enter, although their desserts were not judged. Cloverbuds instead received a participation ribbon and golden spoon for their hard work.
The category winners were:
- Cloverbuds (Participation ribbon only)-Lindsay Carbone (2), Syrah Chauvette (3), Zaiyn Chauvette (2), Megan Gray, Ellison Miller, Z’Akarr Shaw, Weston Simmons (2), Anna Simmons, and Hunter Smith
- Cakes-A. T. Bridgers of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club
- Cupcakes-Hannah Schnupp of the New Horizons 4-H Club
- Pies-Maegan Workman of the Cool Clovers 4-H Club
- Candies-Jasmine Guillory of the Olive Heights 4-H Club
- Cookies-Hannah Schnupp of the New Horizons 4-H Club
- Brownies-Izzie Jenkins of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club
- Breads-Taylor Anderson of the Escambia County Horse 4-H Club
- Specialty Items-Ethan Thorne of the Escambia County Leadership 4-H Club
- Appetizers-Izzy Kent of the Escambia County Leadership 4-H Club
- Lite Recipes-Izzy Kent of the Escambia County Leadership 4-H Club
- Gluten Free Cookies- Maegan Workman of the Cool Clovers 4-H Club
- Gingerbread House Making Workshop-Bella M. of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club
As a community service project, 4-H members were also encouraged to bring a toy to be donated to Toys for Tots.