Karen Powell Named Escambia Sheriff’s Volunteer Of The Year
June 16, 2018
Karen Powell of Cantonment has been named the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Volunteer of the Year.
Powell has volunteered three years with the Escambia County Mounted Posse and has helped with the Citizens Law Enforcement Academy, Neighborhood Watch Academy and Camp Friendship.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area First Responders Honored
June 13, 2018
First responders were honored during a recent cookout at Atmore First Assembly of God. Hundreds of people joined together to show their appreciate to first responders from multiple agencies in Alabama and Florida. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Academy Presents Student Awards
June 12, 2018
Century Academy presented the following year-end student awards:
- Grayson McLellan – Most Improved
- Seth Dean – Super Student
- Bentley Kirkland – Super Student
- Adolfo Smith – Outstanding Student
- Braxton Hale – Super Star for Improvement
- Mason Hale – Super Student
- L.J (John) Bradley – Reading Award (Not Pictured)
- Austin Gibbs – Reading Award
- Michael Allen – Award of Excellence in Art
- Isaak Armstrong – Award of Excellence in Math
- Ethan Lathem – Outstanding Student
- Ryan Hudson – Most Improved
- Joseph Franklin – Most Improved
- Chad Sager – Award of Excellence in Social Studies
- Brandon Odom – Super Student
- Ella Kizer – Most Improved
- Sarah Brooks – Award of Excellence in Math
- Olivia Lambeth – Award of Excellence in General Studies
- Rose Boutwell – Award of Excellence in Science
- Sage Moon – Certificate of Awesomeness
- Chauni Lathem – Reading Award
- Maggie McCauslin – Award of Excellence in Spelling
Highland Baptist Presents ‘Acorns To Oaks’
June 10, 2018
Highland Baptist Church wrapped up their summer music camp Sunday night with a performance of “Acorns to Oaks.
Photos courtesy Samantha Lundy for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Summer Reading Program At The Molino And Century Library (Gallery)
June 8, 2018
The Summer Reading Program got underway this week at the Century and Molino branch libraries with a dynamic, interactive show featuring Japanese Taiko drums.
Next week, the free programs will feature musician Roger Day on the following schedule:
Tuesday, June 12, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library – Weather permitting program will be held at Big Lagoon State Park Amphitheater
Tuesday, June 12, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Wednesday, June 13, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
Wednesday, June 13, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
Thursday, June 14, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
Friday, June 15, 11 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Day has performed with the Indigo Girls, Nancy Griffith and the Crickets (Buddy Holly’s band).
Pictured: This week’s Summer Reading Program at the Century and Molino branch libraries. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Grades 3-5 Awards Presented
June 6, 2018
THIRD GRADE
A Honor Roll
Jayden Arredondo
Brielle Garcia
Savannah Gilmore
McKinsey Mayne
Addison Parsons
A/B Honor Roll
Khloe Gibson
John Parker Miller
D’Marcus America
Camden Borelli
Tristan Buck
Autumn Dinkle
Isabella Joiner
Aydan Nigam
Daniel Tourney
Perfect Attendance
Cortez Chambers
Brielle Garcia
Felix Soileau
Good Citizenship
Dayton Andrews
Auna Arredondo
Jayden Arredondo
Grace Barraclough
Camden Borelli
Dalton Davidson
Rosie Denham
Autumn Dinkle
Morgan Driver
Taylor Dyer
Brielle Garcia
Khloe Gibson
Savannah Gilmore
Annabella Grant
Cooper Halfacre
Landen Harris
Taylor Hart
Jonas Houston
Nicholas Kahalley
Chelsea Mace
Elizabeth Madden
Darla Massey
John Parker Miller
Aydan Nigam
Addison Parsons
Elias Ridgley
Rayna Thompson
Christian Ward
Brooklynn White
Third Grade Special Recognition
Most Accelerated Reader Points/Bethea-John Parker Miller
Most Sunshine Math Points/Bethea-John Parker Miller
Sunshine Math/100 points or more-
Grace Barraclough
Waylon Downing
Khloe Gibson
Annabella Grant
Cooper Halfacre
John Parker Miller
Gavin Newman
Brooklynn White
Math Facts Master/Bethea-Rosie Denham
Most Improved/Bethea-Annabella Grant
Most Improved/Godwin-Taylor Dyer
FOURTH GRADE
A Honor Roll
Ayden Crabtree
Lily Driver
A/B Honor Roll
Destiny Abrams
Taylor Anderson
Jack Boutwell
Alyssa Brooks
Garrett Crabtree
Larry Chambers
Caden Eady
Kamryn Gibbs
John Hatch
Austin Jackson
Macy Miller
William Nowlin
Mary Oliver
Aryanna Smith
Perfect Attendance
Kaiden Harris
Excellent Attendance
Jordan Thibodeaux
Good Citizenship
Destiny Abrams
Jack Boutwell
Alyssa Brooks
Lily Driver
Chase Gibson
John Hatch
Gus Leatherberry
Andrew Milam
Macy Miller
Mary Oliver
Noel Pugh
Aryanna Smith
Sophia St. Cyr
Fourth Grade Special Recognition
Most improved Reading/Madril & Driver-Veronica Williams-McFarlain
Most Improved Reading/Reed-Isaiah Sasser
Most Improved Reading/Robinson-Claire Roetter
Most improved Math/Madril & Driver-Cameron Bodiford
Most Improved Math/Robinson-Natalie Andrews
4 th Grade District Award: Sons/Daughters of the American Revolution (Good Citizens)-
Andrew Brown
Andrew Milam
Claire Roetter
Aryanna Smith
Sunshine Math-
Alyssa Brooks
Raegan Holley
Austin Jackson
Caelan McKillion
Macy Miller
Mary Oliver
Top Accelerated Reading Award in 4th Grade-Austin Jackson – 260.7 AR pts.
FIFTH GRADE
A Honor Roll
Jericha Finlay
Aubree Jordan
Logan Shoffner
A/B Honor Roll
Emma Benson
Blakely Campbell
Alysia Enfinger
Kaylen Fore
Olivia Franks
Rhianne Gayagoy
Tyler Gilmore
Noah Goslee
Aiden Harris
Megan Houston
Kristopher Kelley
Joshua Kennedy
Emma Nigam
Madison Smotherman
Brooke Lytton
Hunter Manning
Mattie McLaney
Morgan Salmon
Perfect Attendance
Sophia Jones
Brooke Lytton
Fifth Grade Special Recognition
Presidential Awards-Citizenship
Emma Benson
Gabriella Burklund
Blakely Campbell
Alysia Enfinger
Jericha Finlay
Olivia Franks
Kaylen Fore
Rhianne Gayagoy
Tyler Gilmore
Noah Goslee
Megan Houston
Aubree Jordan
Kristopher Kelley
Joshua Kennedy
Brooke Lytton
Logan Madden
Mattie McLaney
Emma Nigam
Morgan Salmon
Lacey Sapp
Logan Shoffner
Madison Smotherman
Gabriel Staneart
Brooklyn Summerlin
Brooke Wilson
Daughters/Sons of the American Revolution (citizenship)
Logan Shoffner
Jericha Finlay
Noah Goslee
Rhianne Gayagoy
Aiden Harris
Mattie McLaney
Student of the Year
Morgan Salmon
Shining Star
Madison Smotherman
Hero Award
Olivia Franks
Spelling Bee Winner
Logan Shoffner
Sunshine Math Awards Participation (Trophy & Certificate):
Abbie Bertran
Kameron Cole
Kristopher Kelley
Naoki Rogers
Brooklyn Summerlin
Cayenne Thompson
Sunshine Math Team (Medal):
Joshua Kennedy
Logan Shoffner
Mattie McLaney
Kathleen Jackson
Madison Smotherman
Alysia Enfinger
Jercha Finlay
Most Sunshine Math Points:
Brooklyn Summerlin
Science Olympiad:
Joshua Kennedy
Kristopher Kelley
Alysia Enfinger
Logan Shoffner
Tyler Gilmore
Blakely Campbell
EREA/FREA Essay Contest Participation:
Alysia Enfinger
Kaylen Fore
Noah Goslee
Most Accelerated Reader points
Logan Madden (123.9)
Hunter Manning (105.3)
Kathleen Jackson (164.7)
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Cora Andrews Is Candidate For State FFA Officer
June 5, 2018
Cora Andrews, of the J.M. Tate High School FFA Chapter, has been selected as a Florida FFA state officer candidate.
Andrews is seeking the position of the Area 1 state vice president.
Andres and 32 other high school seniors from around the state participated in the rigorous interview process at the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center in Haines City. Over the course of two days, Andrews and the others were challenged with a personal interview, written exam, individual problem-solving exercise, advocacy stand and deliver practicum, state degree interview, agricultural education interview and a conversational exercise.
State officer election will take during the 90th Florida FFA State Convention & Expo, June 11-15 in Orlando, Florida
Gonzalez Kids Write Letters To ECSO Deputies
June 3, 2018
Children at Gonzalez United Methodist Church wrote letters to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies to thank them for their service to the community. The children were learning about the parable of the Good Samaritan and how to help others and perform acts of kindness.
“You’re amazing,” Micah Frazier wrote. “Thank you for saving us from bad guys.”
“You area a savor to our city. We are very thankful and grateful for all yall. So thank you so so much. God and Jesus are with you for ever rescue. Thank you for every thing you do,” Jayda Fillingim wrote.
Images courtesy Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vacation Bible School Scheduled At Many Area Churches
June 3, 2018
Vacation Bible School is a summertime tradition for many area children. Here is a list of upcoming VBS events in the North Escambia area. To add a VBS to this list, email news@northescambia.com.
JUNE
First Baptist of Cantonment VBS
First Baptist of Cantonment presents Game On! VBS for Summer 2018. VBS for Finished PreK- finished 5th grade will be held June 4-8, from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. For the first time, we are offering a Special Friends VBS. This VBS will be catered to children that would benefit from all the VBS excitement and thrive in a small group setting with more one-on-one support. This VBS is pre-register only and will be held June 10-13, from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Student, parent, and sibling class will be provided. Dinner will be served. The church is located at 118 Morris Ave in Cantonment (850) 968-9135. Find registration forms at www.fbccfl.com.
Highland Baptist Church Music Camp (Molino)
Highland Baptist Church will hold music camp June 4-8, from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. for children kindergarten through fifth grade. Deadline to register is May 28. A musical performance will be held June 10. The church is 6240 Highway 95A North in Molino. For more information call (850) 587-5174.
Atmore First Assembly VBS
Shipwreck VBS will be June 4-8 from 8 a.m. until noon at Atmore First Assembly on South Main Street.
Heritage Baptist Church VBS (Cantonment)
Heritage Baptist Church at 3065 Highway 297A in Cantonment will hold Vacation Bible School June 4-8 from 6-8:45 p.m for finished kindergarten to finished fifth grade. Register online at www.heritageonline.net or call (850) 478-3316.
Southern Harbor Mennonite Church VBS (Walnut Hill)
Southern Harbor Mennonite Church will hold VBS June 4-13 from 6-8:30 p.m. for ages five years through 9th grade. For more info or transportation call (850) 712-7256, (850) 281-2320 or (337) 340-0646.
Walnut Hill Baptist VBS
Walnut Hill Baptist Church Game On Vacation Bible School will be held June 10-15 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Marcus Pointe Baptist VBS (Pensacola)
Marcus Pointe Baptist Church, 6205 North W Street, Time Lab Discovering Jesus Vacation Bible School will be held June 11-15 from 9 a.m. until noon. More info: www.pensacolachurch.org
First Baptist Church Bratt
First Baptist Church Bratt Game On VBS will be held June 11-18 from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m.
Flomaton First Bapist ChurchVBS
Flomaton First Bapist Church Game On VBS will be held June 11-15 from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m. for children that have finished kindergarten through the sixth grade.
Highland Baptist Church VBS (Molino)
Highland Baptist Church will hold VBS, Shipwrecked Rescued by Jesus, June 18-22, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. for children ages three years old through fifth grade. Family night will be June 24. The church is 6240 Highway 95A North in Molino. For more information call (850) 587-5174.
First Baptist Atmore VBS
Shipwrecked Rescued by Jesus VBS at the First Baptist Church of Atmore June 18-22 from 5:30 until 8:30.
Hillcrest Baptist Nine Mile Campus VBS (Nine Mile Road)
Game On VBS at the Hillcrest Baptist Church at 800 East Nine Mile Road June 18-22 from 8:30 a.m. until noon. More info: www.hillcrestchurch.com
Olive Baptist VBS (Pensacola)
Olive Baptist Church Game On VBS June 18-22 from 9 a.m. until noon for ages K-5 to fifth grade. More info: www.olivebaptist.org/kids
Byrneville Community Church VBS
Byrneville Community Church Vacation Bible School will be held June 20-24 at 5 p.m. daily. The church is at 1351 Byrneville Road.
Aldersgate UMC VBS (Molino)
Aldersgate United Methodist Church will host Rolling River Rampage VBS June 25-29 from 5:30 until 8 p.m. for children three-years old to rising fifth graders. Online registration is available at www.aumcmolino.org. For more information, contact Sandra Greenwell at (850) 587-2489 or the church office at (850) 587-5294.
Oak Grove Baptist VBS
VBS at Oak Grove Baptist Church, 2600 North Highway 99, June 25-29 from 6-8:30.
Beulah Free Will Baptist VBS
Beulah Free Will Baptist VBS Shipwrecked Rescued by Jesus VBS will be June 25-29 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Hillcrest Baptist Spanish Trail Campus VBS (Pensacola)
Game On VBS at Hillcrest Baptist Church at 3960 Spanish Trail June 25-28 from 6-8 p.m.. More info: www.hillcrestchurch.com
JULY
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church VBS (McDavid)
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church will hold VBS, “Time Lab”, Discovering Jesus from Eternity Past to Eternity Future, July 9-13, from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. for children ages five and older. The church is located at 170 West Bogia Road in McDavid.
Charity Chapel VBS (Pensacola)
Charity Chapel Shipwrecked – Saved by Jesusl Vacation Bible School will be July 9-13 for ages 4 to eighth grade. Register at www.charitychapel.org by June 29. The church is located at 5820 Montgomery Avenue, three blocks behind the Mobile Highway Publix. (850) 944.5520.
Campus Church VBS (Pensacola)
Campus Church at 115 St. John Street will hold Camp Moose on the Loose Vacation Bible School July 10-13 from 6:15 until 8:30 p.m. for children entering K-4 to the the sixth grade. CampusChurch.com/vbs for more info.
Poplar Dell Baptist VBS (Century)
Poplar Dell Baptist Church Vacation Bible School will be held July 16-20 from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m.
St. Luke UMC VBS (Nine Mile)
Saint Luke United Methodist Church Shipwrecked Rescued By Jesus VBS will be held July 16-20 from 9 a.m. until noon for ages 4 to rising sixth grade. For more information: www.stluke-umc.org
UF/IFAS: Test Your Well Water At Least Once Per Year
June 2, 2018
by Andrea Albertin, UF/IFAS
An estimated 2.5 million Floridians (approximately 12% of the population) rely on private wells for home consumption, which includes water for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing, toilet flushing and other needs. While public water systems are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure safe drinking water, private wells are not regulated. Private well users are responsible for ensuring the safety of their own drinking water.
How can well users make sure that their water is safe to drink?
It’s important to have well water tested at a certified laboratory at least once a year for contaminants that can cause health problems. According to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), the most common contaminants in well water in Florida are bacteria and nitrates.
Bacteria: Labs generally test for Total coliform bacteria and fecal coliforms (or E. coli specifically) when a sample is submitted for bacteriological testing. This generally costs about $25 to $30, but can vary depending on where you have your sample analyzed.
Coliform bacteria are a large group of different kinds of bacteria and most species are harmless and will not make you sick. But, a positive test for total coliforms indicate that bacteria are getting into your well water. Coliforms are used as indicator organisms – if coliform bacteria are in your well, other pathogens (bacteria, viruses or protozoans) that cause diseases may also be getting into your well water. It is easier and cheaper to test for total coliforms than a suite of bacteria and other organisms that can cause health problems.
Fecal coliform bacteria are a subgroup of coliform bacteria found in human and other warm-blooded animal feces. E. coli are one species of fecal coliform bacteria. A positive test for fecal coliform bacteria or E. coli indicate that water has been contaminated by human or animal waste.
If your water sample tests positive for only total coliform bacteria or both total coliform and fecal coliform (or E. coli), the Department of Health recommends that your well be disinfected. This is generally done through shock chlorination. You can either hire a well operator in your area to disinfect your well or you can do it yourself. Information for how to shock chlorinate your own well can be found
Nitrates: The U.S. EPA set the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for nitrate in drinking water at 10 miligrams per liter of water (mg/L). Values above this are a concern for infants who are less than 6 months old because high nitrate levels can cause a type of “blue baby syndrome” (methemoglobinemia), where nitrate interferes with the capacity of hemoglobin in the blood to carry oxygen. It is particularly important to test for nitrate if you have a young infant in the home that will be drinking well water or when well water will be used to make formula to feed the infant.
If test results come back above 10 mg/L, never boil nitrate contaminated water as a form of treatment. This will not remove nitrates. Use water from a tested source (bottled water or water from a public supply source) until the problem is addressed.
Nitrates in well water come from fertilizers applied on land surfaces, animal waste and/or human sewage, such as from a septic tank. Have your well inspected by a professional to identify why elevated nitrate levels are is getting into your well water. You can also consider installing a water treatment system, such as reverse osmosis or distillation units to treat the contaminated water. Before having a system installed, make sure you contact your local health department or a water treatment contractor for more information.
Where can you have your well water tested?
Most county health departments accept samples for water testing. You can also submit samples to a certified commercial lab near you. Contact your county health department for information about what to have your water tested for and how to take and submit the sample.
Contact information for county health departments can be found on this site: http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/county-health-departments/find-a-county-health-department/index.html
You can search for laboratories near you certified by FDOH here: https://fldeploc.dep.state.fl.us/aams/loc_search.asp This includes county health department labs as well as commercial labs, university labs and others.
You should also have your well water tested at any time when:
- The color, taste or odor of your well water changes or if you suspect that someone became sick after drinking your well water.
- A new well is drilled or if you have had maintenance done on your existing well
- A flood occurred and your well was affected
Remember: Bacteria and nitrate are by no means the only parameters that well water is tested for. Call your local health department to discuss your water and what they recommend you should get the water tested for. The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) also maintains an excellent website with many resources for private well users: http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/private-well-testing/index.html . This site includes information on potential contaminants and how to maintain your well to ensure the quality of your well water.