Tate High Names Students Of The Month
April 9, 2015
Tate High School has name Students of the Month for March. They are Valerie Samuel (left) and Travoris Hunt (right), pictured with Principal Rick Shackle. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sawmill Pageant Winners Announced
April 9, 2015
Results from the 2015 Miss Sawmill Pageant held recently in Century have been announced. Winners were as follows:
Overall Winner for Middle School and High School: Ansley LaSala
Overall Winner for 6 to 11 Years Old: Andrea LaSala
Overall Winner 0-5 Years Old: Allison Grant
Miss Congeniality: Elsa Faulk and Madelyn Faulk
Individual Category Winners
Tiny Baby Miss 0-12 Months
Queen: Kensley Therrell
1st Runner-up: Emma Odom
2nd Runner-up:Brooklyn Cox
3rd Runner-up: Gracelynn Grant
Photogenic Winner: Emma Odom
Casual Wear Winner: Kensley Therrell
Baby Miss 13-23 Months
Queen: Kenley Welch
1st Runner-up: Mallory Marn
2nd Runner-up: Jenna Pritchett
3rd Runner-up: Jillian Kate Sanders
Photogenic Winner:Jillian Kate Sanders
Casual Wear Winner: McKinley Sapp
Toddler Miss 2-3 Years
Queen: Madelyn Faulk
1st Runner-up: Aiyana Cole
2nd Runner-up: Laurel Wadkins
3rd Runner-up:Abigail Hawthorne
Photogenic Winner: Laurel Wadkins
Casual Wear Winner: Aiyana Cole
Little Miss 4-5 Years
Queen: Layla Schoonover
1st Runner-up: Khloe Hamilton
2nd Runner-up: Chloe Johnson
3rd Runner-up: Jozalyn Coy
Photogenic Winner: Peyton Lee
Casual Wear Winner: Khloe Hamilton
Little Miss 6 Years
Queen: Lanie Stephens
1st Runner-up: Emilee-Grace Braswell
2nd Runner-up: Kailee Herndon
3rd Runner-up: Jacie Himes
Photogenic Winner: Emilee-Grace Braswell
Casual Wear Winner: Lanie Stephens
Junior Miss 7-8
Queen: Andrea LaSala
1st Runner-up: Jaci Jackson
2nd Runner-up: Natalie Hendricks
3rd Runner-up: Bailey Fillingim
Photogenic Winner: Andrea LaSala
Casual Wear Winner: Andrea LaSala
Junior Miss 9-11
Queen: Anna Marie Reaves
1st Runner-up: Bentley Glover
2nd Runner-up: Kenzie Garrick
3rd Runner-up: Nevaeh Brown
Photogenic Winner:Anna Marie Reaves
Casual Wear Winner: Anna Marie Reaves
Middle School Miss
Queen: Abigail Bell
1st Runner-up: Skylar Crawford
2nd Runner-up: Ansley LaSala
3rd Runner-up: Jillian Thornton
Photogenic Winner: Ansley LaSala
Casual Wear Winner: Ansley LaSala
Miss Sawmill- High School
Queen: Kassidy Adams
1st Runner-up: Heather Hilton
2nd Runner-up: Janna Johnson
3rd Runner-up: Jerni Crabtree
Photogenic Winner: Kassidy Adams
Casual Wear Winner: Kassidy Adams
Photos courtesy Photos by Fischer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scientist Named To Florida Inventors Hall Of Fame
April 7, 2015
Jerry Pratt, one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of robotics, has been named to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, joining a group of inventors which includes the likes of Thomas Edison.
Pratt, a senior research scientist at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) in Escambia County, holds four patents on robotics inventions and is considered a rising star in the field. He is one of seven people with Florida connections who will be inducted into the Hall at an October ceremony in Tampa. Others in this group, the second year of inductees, include famed automaker Henry Ford and scientist Robert Grubbs, winner of the 2005 Nobel Prize in chemistry.
Pratt said he was honored and humbled by the recognition.
“Sometimes I think what’s most fun about working in robotics is that we are practically inventing the field every day,” Pratt said. “There’s a long way to go before robotics is a mature field, and I am honored to join so many other people who are working to create the future.”
Pratt, 43, holds a Ph.D. in computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Before joining IHMC in 2002, Pratt’s company developed a powered exoskeleton that allowed a person to carry large loads over rough terrain with little effort. His other patents cover technology that allows bipedal robots to know where to place their feet when walking, and to maintain their balance and prevent falls.
Pratt leads a team of researchers who also developed the HexRunner, which last year set a world speed record for legged robots, reaching speeds of more than 30 mph. Pratt’s work has been instrumental in changing the stereotype of robots as clunky machines with jerky movements to ones that maximize speed, agility and biological similarity, said IHMC founder and CEO Ken Ford.
“We’re really proud of Jerry; it’s a well-deserved honor,” Ford said. “Jerry’s work personifies the subtle and rather beautiful virtuous cycle between the acts of invention and of scientific discovery.”
In June, Pratt and the IHMC Robotics Team will compete in the final round of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) international robotics competition, which tests the ability of humanoid robot systems to respond to disasters. The team placed first in the Virtual Robotics Challenge, a computer simulation, and second in the DRC Trials at Homestead Miami Speedway using actual robots in a competition featuring 26 teams from around the globe.
Pictured top inset: Jerry Pratt, left, at DARPA Robotics Trials. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Car Show In Jay To Benefit Relay For Life
April 6, 2015
The “Show ‘n Shine” car and truck show will be held Saturday, April 11 in the Jay City Park.
The car show begins at noon, with judging at 3:00. The early entry fee is $20, and increases to $25 at the gate. Awards will be presented for best in show and best project.
All proceeds from the car show will go to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. For more info, call (850) 565-0504.
Cantonment Meeting: Learn How To Protect Your Home Against Formosan Termites
April 6, 2015
Rep. Doug Broxson (R-Gulf Breeze) is hosting a free public workshop Tuesday in Cantonment for area residents to learn necessary steps to protect their greatest investment from costly Formosan termite damage.
Annually, Formosan termites cause $1 billion in damage in the United States, and our surrounding areas of Escambia, of Santa Rosa and Okaloosa countis are known hot spots for these aggressive pests. Florida’s temperate climate provides a perfect environment for termites, and immediate signs of structural damage to a home may go undetected for long periods of time. Springtime serves as the breeding season for most species of termites, and Formosan termites will be swarming in May, so it is important for residents to understand what they can do in advance to protect their homes.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is collaborating with the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Science’s Extension Offices in the Panhandle to educate homeowners about Formosan termites. Homeowners can learn methods for controlling this structural pest and protecting their homes by attending one of four educational meetings being held in the month of April. Homeowners are also encouraged to bring their pest control contract to one of these workshops for review.
Specific topics include:
- Formosan termite biology including simple ways to identify them
- Available Formosan termite pest control protection for your home
- Florida law and building code pertaining to termites
- What you can do to recognize and fix the weaknesses in and around your home
- Bring your pest control contract for review by FDACS experts
Registration is encourage, but not required, for meetings that will be held as follows:
Escambia County Meeting
Tuesday, April 7, 6 – 8 p.m. at Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment. Contact Beth Bolles to register: bbolles@ufl.edu or (850) 475-5230.
South Santa Rosa County Meeting
Thursday, April 9, 6- 8 p.m. at Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze, Contact Johanna Welch to register: Johanna.Welch@FreshFromFlorida.com or (850) 363-5845.
North Santa Rosa County Meeting
Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 6- 8 p.m. at Santa Rosa County Extension, 6263 Dogwood Drive, Milton. Contact Johanna Welch to register: Johanna.Welch@FreshFromFlorida.com or (850) 363-5845.
Photo courtesy UF/IFAS for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Graffiti Bridge’ Used To Spread Easter Message
April 5, 2015
“Graffiti Bridge” in Pensacola, as seen on Easter Morning. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Members Inducted Into Tate High National Honor Society
April 5, 2015
The following students were recently inducted into the National Honor Society at Tate High School:
- Kayla Armstead
- Ann Barker
- Samantha Brown
- Megan Gulsby
- Alexa Harmon
- Kayla Johnson
- Jesica Johnston
- Jenna Loomis
- Dawn Looney
- Katherine Luebke
- Julie Menah
- Jessica Merritt
- Paxton Metcalf
- Grace Mills
- Erin Reitz
- Madison Rondeau
- Rebakah Seibert
- Justin Shelton
- Emma Shows
- Heather Sport
- Leah Struble
- Daliss Williams
- Gaylin Workman
Camp Fire Kids Enjoy Easter Egg Hunt
April 5, 2015
The Children of the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center recently visited their neighbors at the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center for their annual Easter Egg Hunt. The children enjoying hunting for the eggs, while the residents enjoy watching them. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Easter Bunny Visits Molino
April 3, 2015
The Easter Bunny paid a special visit Thursday evening to the Molino Branch Library. Children enjoyed a pajama story time and had a chance to pose for photos with the Easter Bunny during the event. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Looking For A Spring Break Outdoor Adventure? Try One Of These Ideas
April 2, 2015
by Carrie Stevenson, Escambia County Extension
This time of year, many families are looking for ways to entertain their kids during spring break. For those not planning to travel far, our area is full of fun, and often inexpensive, outdoor adventures.
As part of a series of field excursions led by Extension Agents over the past few years, we’ve been able to introduce visitors and lifelong residents of the panhandle to some tremendous natural resources that are right at our back door. Following are three examples of family friendly trips worth marking off your “Florida bucket list”.
Perdido River: the natural border between Alabama and Florida, the Perdido stretches over 65 miles from its source near Atmore, Alabama and ends up at Perdido Key in the Gulf. Clean, clear, and sandy-bottomed, the Perdido River is a perfect spot to tube, kayak, canoe or paddleboard and several local outfitters can provide equipment. While on the river, you might experience a flyover from a bald eagle, see towering bald cypress, or explore shallow backwater springs and swamps.
Further east is Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna. This region is one of the most biodiverse in the state, with endemic tree species—like the Florida Torreya, found only in three counties in the state—along with many hardwood species found more typically in the central Appalachians. The extensive limestone cavern and spring systems in Jackson County are home to beautiful swimming/diving spots as well as the caverns. The ranger-led tours are excellent, as well as the hiking trails within the park grounds. The cave tour takes about an hour and is mildly strenuous. There are no tours on Tuesday or Wednesday, so keep this in mind when planning a visit.
At the edge of our district is Hollywood-famous Wakulla Springs. Film site for both “Tarzan” and “Creature from the Black Lagoon”, the spring teems with wildlife year-round. A guided tour via pontoon boat will bring you up close to manatees, alligators, ospreys, anhingas, and large herons. Hiking trails, a swimming hole, and the historic lodge and restaurant are open to visitors as well. The nearby Chipola River is also a beautiful spot to paddle.
Every county in the Florida panhandle has tremendous water resources, from the Gulf to inland rivers and even waterfalls. Take time to explore on your days off this spring.
For more information, contact Coastal Sustainability Agent Carrie Stevenson at 850-475-5230 or ctsteven@ufl.edu.
Pictured top: Canoeing on the Perdido River. Pictured inset: Bald cypress trees at Wakulla Springs State Park. Photos by Carrie Stevenson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.