New Barn Planned For Escambia County 4-H Facility In Molino
August 16, 2017
A new livestock barn is planned for the Escambia County 4-H Facility in Molino.
The one-story building will include associated sidewalks and parking. The barn will be about 2,600 square feet and will be constructed on a 28.7 acre parcel that is used for livestock activities that currently includes a show barn arena and several open pole barns. The site also includes a 79.5 acre parcel for 4-H activities. The facility is located at 5701 South Highway 99 just north of Chalker Road.
The project is set to go before the Escambia County Development Review Committee Wednesday afternoon for final approval.
Pictured: The show bard at the Escambia County 4-H Facility in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County 4-H Shines At 4-H University
August 15, 2017
Head, Heart, Hands and Health. These are the four “H’s” that comprise 4-H.
This summer there were many 4-H activities promoting and utilizing all of the four “H’s” together and individually. One of these activities was 4-H University, which is a week-long convention for senior 4-H members (ages 14-18) hosted on the campus of the University of Florida. Over 340 youth attended this event and had the opportunity to utilize the different facilities such as dorms, Gator Dining and the Reitz Union. This year Escambia County had seven youth attend: Dillon Conti, Rashidi Joseph, Von Littlejohn, Taylor Nelson, Danielle Tinker, Michelle Tinker, and Bobby Vose.
On July 31 Escambia County 4-H members kicked off 4-H University with state competitive events, along with a spirit rally and guest speaker. Tuesday was a day of scholarship interviews and workshops. That evening, 4-H members attended the annual Share-the- Fun talent show. Wednesday was a morning of workshops and an afternoon of community service. That evening, 4-H members, participants and guests attended the formal 4-H University Awards Banquet where scholarships were awarded to seniors, 4-H trips were distributed and the 2017-2018 Florida 4-H State Council Officers were inducted. Escambia County’s own Michelle Tinker was inducted as the 2017-2018 Florida 4-H State Council Parliamentarian and she also received a trip to attend National 4-H Conference in Washington D.C. in 2017. Danielle Tinker received a 4-H scholarship and the prestigious Leader of the Legacy award, Florida 4-H’s version of a Hall of Fame.
Thursday morning was the competitive events award ceremony and Escambia County 4-H members received awards for their state competitions. Results of the different state contests were:
- Dillon Conti, first place, photography contest, architecture division
- Taylor Nelson, first place, photography contest, hat tricks and magic division
- Von Littlejohn, red ribbon, safety demonstration category
- Taylor Nelson, blue ribbon third place, personal well-being demonstration category
- Danielle and Michelle Tinker, blue ribbon first place, plants and gardening team demonstration category
submitted by Escambia County 4-H
Students Head Back To Class (With Photo Gallery)
August 11, 2017
Thursday was the first day of school…so that means it’s time for our annual Back to School Photo Gallery.
We asked NorthEscambia.com readers to submit their back to school photos.
For a photo gallery, click here.
We apologize, but due to a tremendous response, we were unable to publish all the photos we received, and we are unable to add additional photos to the gallery.
Pictured top: Pre-K student Jase and fifth grader Aubree from Molino Park Elementary. Pictured below: Addyson, kindergarten at Jim Allen Elementary, and Brianna, seventh grade at Ernest Ward Middle. Picture bottom: Justin, Crista and Derek Kinley, fifth grade at Bratt Elementary. Pictured above inset: Laura Kinley, senior at Northview High. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park PTA Holds ‘Welcome Back’ Lunch For School Staffers
August 10, 2017
The Molino Park Elementary School PTA showed their appreciation to the school’s teacher’s faculty and staff with a catered back to school luncheon on Wednesday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
School Bus Safety And Traffic Laws
August 10, 2017
It’s the first day of school in Escambia County, with more than 40,000 students making their way to and from school. About 25,000 of them will be on board 300 school buses across the county.
Parents are reminded to instruct their children to be at the bus stop at least five minutes before scheduled bus arrival time, stay off of the roadway, observe and stay clear of traffic, stay out of the bus blind spots, don’t chase after the bus once it leaves the bus stop, and buckle seat belts as soon as they board.
Motorists are reminded to give themselves plenty of time to get where they’re going and to be patient in traffic. They should watch out for school buses, comply with bus-passing laws, and stay off of those cell phones.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, drivers must follow these school and school bus safety rules:
- Adhere to the posted speed limit in designated school zones.
- When approaching an intersection where a crossing guard is present in the crosswalk with the stop sign raised, do not cross – or turn – into the crosswalk until the guard has completely left the crosswalk.
- Never stop a vehicle in a manner that blocks a crosswalk.
- When you approach a stopped school bus (from behind) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you must stop.
- When you approach a stopped school bus (from front) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you also must stop, unless:
- you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by an unpaved space at least five feet in width, or
- you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by a physical barrier.
- You are required to stop at least 10 feet away from the school bus.
- You must not resume driving until the school bus turns its lights off and withdraws its stop sign.
- Be certain all exiting children have reached a safe place before proceeding.
Quintette Community Center Hosts Back To School Bash
August 7, 2017
The Quintette Community Center held their 3rd Annual Back to School Bash Sunday afternoon with fun, games, food, kickball, haircuts and free back to school supplies. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Student To Compete In National Pony Event
August 7, 2017
Local equestrian Lexi Bryant has qualified for the the U.S. Pony Finals coming up this week at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Bryan, 13, will be riding “Surreal”, owned by Morgan Mickel. The Ransom Middle School student qualified at an Elite “A” show that was held at the Escambia County Equestrian Center. Bryant and Surreal will compete against the top ponies and riders in the nation at the event. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UF/IFAS Extension Offers Right-of-Way, Forests And Invasive Species Workshop
August 4, 2017
UF/IFAS Extension in Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties will hold a Right-of-Way, Forestry and Invasive Species Workshop on Wednesday, August 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Bear Lake Pavilion, approximately 2.5 miles east of Munson crossroad of Highway 4 and Highway 191 in the Blackwater Forest north of Milton. Cost is $10 per person and includes lunch.
Pesticide license exams will not be given during this workshop, however, this program will prepare students for aspects of the exam. CEUs will be available in the following areas: Core (2), Private Applicator (4), Demo and Research (4), Forestry (4), Natural Areas (4), and Right-of-Way (4).
Topics include: Herbicides, Herbicide Safety, Weed Management Considerations for Forestry, Chemical Side Trim, and Roadside Invaders. To pre-register or to set up an appointment to take a pesticide license exam, contact Bethany Diamond at the Santa Rosa County Extension Office: 850-675-6654.
New Website For West Florida Public Libraries
August 2, 2017
Tuesday, West Florida Public Libraries announced the launch of a newly-designed website.
The revamped site was created to provide a user-friendly experience that makes it easier than ever for citizens, businesses and visitors to access information about the library system from their computer, tablet or mobile phone.
The website was developed using the latest technology and a responsive design, making it compatible with all browsers and mobile devices. Users will also have the option to share information across all major social networking sites.
The site is organized to provide quick and direct access to all of the programs and services the library offers.
Some new features include:
- Upcoming events and new fiction titles available on the homepage
- An easily-fillable form for requesting a meeting room
- Access to searches for the Kids Catalog and the full catalog on the homepag
The site will be continually updated, with new features being added regularly.
Escambia School District, UWF Honor Top Summer Science Students
August 2, 2017
Future environmental health advocates from the Escambia County School District presented their Capstone projects to wrap-up the UWF Environmental Health Scholars 8-week summer program.
“This was our fourth year in this partnership and each year we have the pleasure of working with some amazing local high school students. They make me feel good about our environmental futures,” said Aisha Adkison, Health Science Specialist, in the ECSD Workforce Education Department. “These students dedicated three days a week for eight weeks of their summer vacation to learning more about our world and a vast variety of environmental challenges. They each select a research topic and prepare a Capstone project.”
The program is funded on a subcontract for over $100,000/yr for 5 years through the Gulf Region Health Outreach Program (GRHOP) administered by the Center for Gulf Coast Environmental Health Research, Leadership & Strategic Initiatives, School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, Tulane University. The grant covers training for secondary education teachers from the region, specialized equipment and supplies for those teachers’ classrooms and the summer program for students. Selected students spend three days a week at UWF with public health faculty, Dr. Enid Sisskin and Dr. George Stewart.
Project topics included, the 21st Century War on Science, GMOs, pandemics, climate change, the dangerous cumulative effect of littering, storms’ effect on the ozone layer, anthrax and a look at the U.S./Mexico border challenge from the perspective of its effect on animals. Another student took a hard look at anxiety and tied it to the other topics because, as she pointed out, how can any of us go out and fix any of these other environmental problems if anxiety keeps us trapped inside.
The results were:
1st Place: Madison Kemp, Ernest Ward Middle graduate and a Florida Virtual School student. Her topic was: The Effects of Manmade Climate Change on Global Health.
2nd Place: Tyra Williams, a rising senior in the Health Academy at Pensacola High School. Her topic was: How Facts Became Opinions: The 21st Century War on Science.
3rd Place: Tyler Motts, an Environmental Science student from Pine Forest High School, His topic was: The Environmental Impact of the US – Mexico Border.
Statements made during the presentations started with facts, data, graphs and images. But project requirements also directed the students to reach their own conclusions, reflect on what they learned and state their opinions. One student did a great job of summarizing a conclusion shared no matter what the topic, “We need to care. Humans must take a stand, because we are our own worst enemy.”
Pictured: Tyra Williams (left), second place winner, and Madison Kemp, first place winner. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.