IP Shift Safety Calendar Created By Jim Allen Elementary Students
August 7, 2022
This shift safety calendar being used this year at International Paper in Cantonment was created by students at Jim Allen Elementary School.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our team members, and the shift calendar serves as a reminder for all of us to keep an active safety mindset,” said Whitney Fike, IP communications manager. “We asked the students of Jim Allen Elementary to help us create safety messages for each month of our shift calendar. The students were very creative in their safety messages and drawings and we were excited to be able to have them participate.”
International Paper thanked the students earlier this year with a pizza party and copies of the finished calendar.
For more photos, including each photo in the calendar, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Serves On USS Ronald Reagan In Philippine Sea
August 5, 2022
Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Devante Bonham of Cantonment is serving on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in the Philippine Sea.
He is pictured on Thursday, August 4, operating on a receiver processor in the avionics shop aboard the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier. Ronald Reagan’s avionics shop troubleshoots aviation equipment, ensuring the squadrons aboard are equipped with properly functioning gear.
Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
Photos by USN Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eric Stanton for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
IP Employees Scholarship Foundation Awards Four College Scholarships
August 1, 2022
The International Paper Pensacola Employees Scholarship Foundation has awarded four college scholarships.
The scholarships of $1,000 each were presented to:
- Tyler Daw, University of West Florida
- Emma Goldberg, University of West Florida
- Chase Horton, Florida State University
- Rachel Thomas, University of Central Florida
“We are proud to be able to award scholarships to these deserving young students. We wish them the very best in their educational journey,” said Laura Osborne, president of the I.P. Employees Scholarship Foundation.
Awarded annually to high school seniors, the scholarships were established more than 40 years ago. To be eligible, students must be a child of an active or retired employee of International Paper Pensacola Mill, be accepted by an institution of higher learning and submit an application with a qualifying ACT score.
Pictured: Scholarship winners (above) Tyler Daw, Emma Goldberg, (below) Chase Horton and Rachel Thomas. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
30,000 Pounds Of Food, School Supplies Distributed In Molino (With Photo Gallery)
July 31, 2022
Hundreds of local families received a back to school boost Saturday during an event at the Molino Community Center.
There were 473 families that received boxes of food as over 300 vehicles passed through the line. Volunteers also distributed 290 backpacks containing school supplies, 300 energy saving LED light bulbs, and 150 gift cards worth $10 each to Walmart.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
The event was hosted by Rep. Michelle Salzman, Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, Sheriff Chip Simmons, ECUA board member Kevin Stephens, Senator Marco Rubio, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Jubilee Church, Florida Power & Light, International Paper, State Farm and other community partners.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Christmas In July Toy Giveaway Held In Walnut Hill
July 31, 2022
A Christmas in July Toy Giveaway was held Saturday at the Walnut Hill Community Center.
Children ages 2-17 received early Christmas gifts during the toy giveaway sponsored by Youth and Family Community Outreach, Good 360, Toys for Tots, and Renovot.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
1943 L&N Railroad Coaling Tower On State Line Is Demolished (With Photo Gallery)
July 28, 2022
A bit of railroad history on the Alabama-Florida line is no more.
A former L&N Railroad coaling tower along the CSX tracks in Flomaton was demolished this week by CSX. The concrete tower was built in 1943 and was located on the eastern side of the railyard in Flomaton.
For a photo gallery of the Flomaton L&N coaling tower, click here.
Elevated coaling towers were large bunkers that stood above the tracks to load coal into steam locomotives.
NorthEscambia.com reached out to the CSX media team to find out why the tower was brought down, but we received no response.
Pictured: A 1943 L&N Railroad coaling tower on the Alabama-Florida line in Flomaton, Alabama, as seen July 16, 2022. The top photo shows the size of the structure as CSX engines pass underneath. The bottom photo shows electric wind turbines passing under the coal tower. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Fire Chief Henry Hiebert Celebrates 35 Years Of Service With ECFR
July 27, 2022
Escambia Fire County Fire Rescue Molino District Chief Henry Hiebert recently celebrated 35 years of faithful and dedicated service.
Hiebert’s career with ECFR began with a chance encounter with the late Molino chief Gary Diamond at a local gas station.
During the early stages of his career, Hiebert learned from former Molino chief Harry Nowlin and Ferry Pass chiefs Tom and Corky Jones. His early training included taking the mandatory 40-hour training class. As the standards for fire service increased, Hiebert continued his fire education, taking part in 80-hour, 160-hour and 204-hour training classes.
Most recently, the chief became part of the “2nd Alarm Project,” which is a mental health awareness program with a focus on first responders.
“It is rewarding to be able to help others through a hard time and see them move on with renewed courage and strength,” he said.
Hiebert’s wife Polly continues to provide support, whether it be rewarming meals or being late to functions due to fire calls. They have five children and recently welcomed their first grandchild with a second on the way in November.
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Chief Hiebert for many years,” said ECFR Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “His service and sacrifice should be recognized as he continues to serve in his most recent capacity as District Chief of our Molino station. Chief Hiebert has a special connection with our north-end members due to his service history and is considered a mentor and good friend by many. Congratulations to Chief Hiebert and Ms. Polly on the birth of their first grandchild and thank you to both for your 35 years of service.”
“I’ve had many great mentors and have made many friends,” Hiebert said, as he continues to serve. “I feel humbled at the willingness of the firefighting brotherhood to spend personal time to teach others. My wish is that I can be as good of a mentor as those I’ve had and encouragement to those following me.”
Pictured top: Escambia Fire County Fire Rescue Molino District Chief Henry Hiebert. NorthEscambia.com photo. Pictured below: Hiebert and his wife Polly. Photo for NorthEscambia.com. Click to enlarge.
Five Escambia Volunteer Firefighters Earn State Certification
July 26, 2022
Five Escambia County volunteer firefighters recently earned their certification.
The five volunteers — Christianna Barry, Jeff Carden, Chris Knezienski, Nate Montgomery and Anna Niedermeyer — completed 206 hours of training through online courses and practical evolutions.
“I want to welcome these men and women to the ECFR family and thank them for their willingness to serve their communities and dedication to complete many hours of training to attain their certifications,” said Escambia County Fire Rescue Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “We hope they will spend many years with ECFR and continue their training throughout their time with us.”
The five also completed the following training:
- Mental Health/PTSD Training
- Cancer Prevention Training
- FL-130 Wildland Firefighter Training
- FL-180 Human Factors in Wildland Fire Service
- FL-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
- ICS-100 Introduction to Incident Command System
- ICS-700 Introduction to National Incident Management System
- Traffic Incident Management
- Structural Collapse Awareness
- Emergency Medical Responder
Pictured above: (L-R_ Nate Montgomery, Jeff Carden, Chris Knezienski, Anna Niedermeyer and Christianna Barry. Pictured below: The ECFR volunteers training in Ocala. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
When You Need A Friend: Bratt Elementary PTA Donates New ‘Buddy Benches’
July 22, 2022
Bratt Elementary School has new “Buddy Benches” thanks to the Bratt PTA.
“These will be used to help our children show kindness to other children who need a friend and to help them feel more included. If a child feels lonely or needs a friend, they can sit on the bench and our teachers will make sure a friend comes along to help cheer them up,” according to the PTA.
The benches were assembled by volunteers and are ready for the first day of school.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview NJROTC Cadets Conduct ‘FOD Walkdowns’ Cleaning Up Two Local Parks
July 21, 2022
The Northview High School NJROTC performed a little community service Wednesday, and learned a new skill at the time same time.
The cadets picked up trash at Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt and at the Byrneville Community Center.
They walked methodically side by side in what’s known as a foreign object debris (FOD) walkdown. On the deck of an aircraft carrier or a runway on land, sailors conduct FOD walkdowns scanning for any foreign objects, no matter how large or small, to prevent mishaps.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
