Tate High Student Named Escambia County’s Sunshine State Scholar

June 28, 2023

Synoma Perea, an incoming senior at Tate High School, was named the Sunshine State Scholar for Escambia County. This honor is in recognition of outstanding achievement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Perea plans to major in mechanical engineering in college. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Local Hams Take To The Airwaves For Amateur Radio Field Day, Practicing Emergency Communications

June 27, 2023

Local ham radio operators at two locations in Escambia County took part in the 2023 American Radio Relay League Field Day this past weekend.

ARRL Field Day was an opportunity for about 40,000 amateur radio enthusiasts throughout the U.S. and Canada to set up temporary communications stations and make contact with like-minded people. Licensed radio operators, often called “hams,” spent the weekend practicing community outreach, emergency preparedness and technical skills.

For a photo gallery, click here.

The Five Flags Amateur Radio Association operated continuously from 1 p.m. Saturday until 1 p.m. Sunday at Ashton Brosnaham Park off East 10 Mile Road.

“After Hurricane Ivan in Escambia County, we were the only thing talking for the 36 hours,” said amateur radio operator Gene Bannon, call sign KB4HAH. “Sheriff’s deputies couldn’t talk to each other; the fire departments couldn’t talk to each other. We were the communications source for the first 36 hours, and by then they brought in the satellite trucks and all the other stuff. That’s one of the reasons why we like to think amateur radio exists.”

Club member set up their amateur radio equipment — ranging from old 1980s radios to modern digital gear and satellite communications. With a generator, solar panels and portable antennas, including a wire antenna spanning half a soccer field, they were soon communicating with ham operators across the United States and Canada.

The goal was to reach other ham operators in as many Canadian provinces and U.S. states as possible, including Alaska and Hawaii. The Hawaii contact was checked off by about 4 p.m. Saturday.

“Amateurs are out here doing what we’re doing out in the parks, out in the fields, out in the woods,” he said. “Trying to make as many contacts as we can,” Bannon said.

During our visit to Ashton Brosnaham Park Saturday afternoon, a digital scan of the 10-meter amateur radio band showed just one other weak signal, but they were able to make contact with the operator in Venezuela.

The Southern Amateur Radio Union (SARU) participated from Travis Nelson Park on West Highway 4 in Bratt, near Northview High School. Club members from both Escambia counties (Alabama and Florida) participated from noon Saturday until noon Sunday. The equipment in Bratt was a bit simpler including handheld radios to reach a nearby repeater. Operators would carefully tune radios, repeat their call sign and see who would answer from where.

“Sidney, Australia, mate,” the radio boomed at Travis Nelson Park Saturday evening. Contact had been made from some 9,000 miles away from a picnic table in Bratt.

Local hams participate in providing emergency communications during hurricanes and other disasters when normal communications can be knocked out of service.

The amateur radio operators have their own equipment inside the Escambia County Operations Center, ready to provide needed communications during local emergencies. That room is being named for Rudy Hubbard, WA4PUP, a ham operator that passed away in May 2021.

For a photo gallery from both field day sites,, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Dustin Vaughn Is New Cantonment Rotary Club President

June 25, 2023

The Rotary Club of Cantonment recently installed Dustin Vaughn as its new president for the next year.

A product of Ransom Middle and Tate High schools, Vaughn will lead a club that has seen nine new members in the previous leadership of Tony Lee. He is currently employed at Harvesters Federal credit Union and is married with three children.

Now in its 75th year, the Rotary Club of Cantonment continues to support many projects for the area, primarily north of Nine Mile Road. The club also funds various scholarships and other philanthropic projects throughout the area.

Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Escambia Sheriff’s Newest Vehicle Is a 1957 Chevy Bel Air

June 24, 2023

The newest vehicle in the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office fleet is a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air.

The non-profit Escambia County Sheriff Foundation purchased and modified the classic car to gift to the ECSO ato further promote community engagement and pay tribute to the men and women who have served at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office throughout its history.

“This has quickly become a favorite in our fleet,” Sheriff Chip Simmons said. “This gift allows us to acknowledge the dedication and sacrifice of those who have proudly served at the Sheriff’s Office throughout our 200-year history, while providing us with another opportunity for community engagement.”

For more photos, click or tap here.

The Escambia County Sheriff Foundation exists to promote the community engagement efforts of the Sheriff’s Office while directly supporting its employees. It is the Foundation’s hope that this privately funded gift will help enhance the engagement efforts of the sheriff’s office while evoking a sense of pride from current employees as well as those who have come before.

The Chevy Bel Air was presented during an event at the Summer Vista Assisted Living Community.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Honeysuckle Garden Club Awards Scholarship

June 5, 2023

The Honeysuckle Garden Club recently awarded their first scholarship.

The $500 scholarship was awarded to Cole Poston.

Poston plans to major in horticulture and minor in botany. He will attend Pensacola State College for his first two years and will transfer to University of Florida at the Milton campus.

Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Here’s A Big List Of VBS Events Across The North Escambia Area This Summer

June 4, 2023

Vacation Bible School is a summertime tradition across the North Escambia area. A list of VBS events is below.

To submit your North Escambia area VBS, email news@northescambia.com, or click here for our contact form.
First Baptist Bratt VBS
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will host Twists & Turns VBS through June 8 from 6-8:30 nightly for ages four through sixth grade. The church is located at 4570 Highway 4 in Bratt.

Cottage Hill Baptist Church Summer Jam
Cottage Hill Baptist Church Summer Jam is 9 a.m. until noon June 5-8. Open to all upcoming students grades K-4 with a separate Summer Jam for preteens.

First Baptist Church of Cantonment VBS
“Keepers of the Kingdom” Vacation Bible School will be held June 5-9 from 6:30 until 9 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Cantonment. Classes for all ages, including adults. Dinner will be served nightly. Register online.

Dogwood Park Baptist Church VBS
Dogwood Park Baptist Church “VBS Operation Arctic: Exploring the Coolest Book on the Planet” June 5-9 from 6:30 until 8 p.m. for ages K5-5th grade. Stories, crafts, games and more. The church is located at 3301 Highway 97, Molino.

Walnut Hill Baptist Church VBS
Walnut Hill Baptist Church “Stellar” VBS will be June 11-15 from 6-8:30 p.m. Ages 4 through 5th grade. Snacks served nightly.

Poplar Dell Baptist VBS
Popular Dell Baptist Church will host Vacation Bible School June 12-16 from 5:30 until 8 p.m. Classes for age 2 through adult. The theme will be “Keepers of the Kingdom, Standing Strong in Today’s Battle for Truth”.

Oak Grove Baptist Church VBS
Oak Grove Baptist Church “Twists & Turns” Vacation Bible School will be held June 12-16 from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Dinner provided each night, petting zoo, games, Bible study and more.

Highland Baptist Church VBS
Highland Baptist Church “Stellar” Vacation Bible School will be June 19-23 from 6-8 p.m.

Charity Baptist Church
Charity Baptist Church will hold VBS June 19-23 from 6-8 p.m. for grades K-5 though 5th at 1675 West West Roberts Road in Cantonment.

Shiloh Free Will Baptist VBS
“Stellar” Vacation Bible School will be held June 19-23 from 6-8 p.m. at Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church. For grades pre-K through 5th grade. More info: Call (850) 860-4856.

Walnut Hill Mennonite Church VBS
Walnut Hill Mennonite Church will hold VBS for children 5 years old through ninth grade June 25 – 30 from 6-8:30 p.m. The church is located at 6840 Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.

Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church VBS
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church on Bogia Road will hold Keepers of the Kingdom Vacation Bible School July 9-14 from 4-7 p.m. Click here for online registration.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Escambia County Partnered With Northview FFA To Build Wetland Wood Duck Boxes

May 30, 2023

The Escambia County Natural Resource Conservation Division recently partnered with the Northview High School FFA Chapter to build wood duck boxes for wetland habitats across the county.

The division said wood duck boxes provide suitable nesting sites for wood ducks in urbanized areas and can help attract ducks to local wetlands. This first round will be placed at Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve, with more to come in the near future.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.