High School Seniors Can Apply For Cooperative Scholarships
January 5, 2012
This April, Escambia River Electric Cooperative will award the Herman D. Johnson Scholarships to graduating seniors in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Two $4,000 scholarships, one in each county, will be offered to students with a parent or guardian that is a member of cooperative. The students must show proof of enrollment and maintain a 2.5 GPA to continue to receive the funds each year.
To apply, seniors in EREC’s service area should check with their high school guidance counselors or contact EREC Marketing and Communications at (850) 675-4521 or (800) 235-3848. The deadline to submit an application is March 1. Winners will be announced at EREC’s annual meeting on April 28.
This is EREC’s 15th year of offering scholarships to high school seniors. In the past, capital credits issued by EREC that were unclaimed were required to be turned over to the state. But state legislation now allows such funds to be deposited into a qualified, educational charity fund. The EREC membership voted to use these funds in the form of scholarships for graduating seniors in EREC’s service area.
Area Band To Perform At BCS Championship Game
January 5, 2012
An area high school band will perform next Monday night at the BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans.
The T.R. Miller High School band of Brewton will play at the game as the Alabama Crimson Tide takes on the Tigers of LSU for number one in the nation.
Band members have rehearsed and held fund raisers for months. Band Director Lance Gainous said his young musicians earned the trip through hard work and a string of superior ratings in competitions last fall. The band departs for New Orleans on Friday and will return after the game.
The game airs on ESPN beginning at 7:30 Monday night. There’s no word yet if the Miller band will appear in the broadcast.
Pictured: The T.R. Miller Band practices. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
2011 Persons Of The Year: LCpl Travis Nelson And Family
January 3, 2012
NorthEscambia.com is naming Persons of the Year for 2011. The recipients were nominated by our readers as individuals that have a made a difference in North Escambia during the past year — people that have given of themselves to help others and the communities of North Escambia during 2011.
Recipients named so far included the volunteers and supporters of the Health and Hope Clinic, and Northview Athletic Director Sammy Day. and Wade Jernigan and organ donors.
Fallen Marine LCpl. Travis M. Nelson and his family have been named as 2011 North Escambia Persons of the Year.
LCpl. Nelson gave all on the battlefields of Afghanistan in August 2011, and his family has continued to give back to the North Escambia area.
A world was shattered in August at the Nelson home in Bratt as three men in military uniforms stood at the door. “I just screamed and said no,” Beckie Nelson off Bratt said shortly after she learned that her son, LCpl Travis Nelson, was shot and killed while conducting combat operations in in Helmand province, Afghanistan. “I just went to my knees and said don’t let them come in. I knew right away that he was gone.”
It was a tragedy that began a wave an emotions and events that touched the entire North Escambia area and a nation. The community grieved as hundreds if not thousands changed their Facebook profile pictures to a single image in honor of Nelson. Tears flowed as powerful photos were published that showed an honor guard removed Nelson’s flag-draped coffin from a plane at Dover AFB in Deleware.
The rain poured down at Pensacola Naval Air Station as the final leg of Nelson’s journey home began. The rain did not send them running; they stood silently — many holding American flag — as the hearse carrying an American hero departed on a 55-mile journey to Atmore. Along the way, some of Pensacola’s busiest roadways came to a complete standstill as the motorcade passed. Many motorists stood outside their vehicles and paid their respects. In Walnut Hill, just a few miles from Nelson’s boyhood home in Bratt, the motorcade slowed as it approached Ernest Ward Middle School. Nelson was Golden Eagle, attending Ernest Ward in the sixth and seventh grades.
Hundreds of Ernest Ward Middle School students and teachers dressed in red, white and blue lined Highway 97, American flags in hand, waiting for the arrival of the motorcade.
As the procession passed, the students stood with their hands over their hearts, waving Old Glory. The thunder of 127 Patriot Guard motorcycle riders vibrated the ground and echoed across the country fields near the school.
Six Florida Highway Patrol trooper vehicles led the hearse past the school. Many broke down in tears at the sight of a flag draped coffin. Others cried as they made eye contact with Nelson’s parents and their daughter — a sixth grader at Ernest Ward.
The motorcade continued into Atmore, where crowds stood along the route, waving Old Glory. At a local bank on Highway 31, people stood with large flags as the Northview High School NJTROC stood steadfast at attention. Across the way at the iconic Atmore train station, a group of local veterans stood proudly and saluted as Nelson’s remains passed.
Nelson’s funeral was held in Atmore where, again, hundreds paid their final respects.
Nelson was not forgotten. His name was added to the Walnut Hill Veterans Wall of Honor and other area memorials. A scholarship was announced. The Bratt Community Park was renamed the LCpl. Travis M. Nelson Park. Nelson’s family was honored at the annual Veterans Day program at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Madeline Cates was to marry LCpl Travis Nelson when he returned from service with the Marines in Afghanistan. She had picked out her dress just before he lost his life serving his country half a world away in August.
“It wasn’t suppose to happen,” Madeline Cates said about the death her soulmate. “He was the love of my life.”
Cates, 21, decided that she would join the Marines to finish what Travis Nelson had started. She is due to report to boot camp in March 2012. After a NorthEscambia.com story was published about her decision, Cates’ story made international news.
Travis Nelson’s parents, Scott and Beckie Nelson, just could not stand the thought of their first Christmas without their son. To take their minds off a Christmas without Travis in the house, they decided to give back to the communities that had supported them so much following his death.
The Nelson family, along with a small army of volunteers, prepared and delivered about 125 Christmas meals Sunday for elderly, shut-in and needy people in the Bratt, Atmore and surrounding areas.
“He really was our hero,” Scott Nelson said.
LCpl Travis Nelson left behind a short, simple note just in case he did return from the battlefield in Afghanistan.
“Dear friends and family, if you are reading this, I didn’t get to come home. I love each and every one of you. I have no regrets, I died for a meaningful cause.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Top 11 Stories Of 2011
January 3, 2012
Here is the second part of our pick for the Top 11 Stories of 2011. (For the first six stories, click here.)
5. Century Lumber and Land
Century Lumber and Land held a ribbon cutting in October 2010. The ribbon cutting was delayed as the company continued to seek financing, and officials learned later that the company did not have any option or claim to the old Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company at the time of the ribbon cutting. Over 3,000 people applied for jobs at the company. As 2011 rolled around, company officials continued to make promises about a series of industries that would bring up to 500 jobs to Century. As October rolled around, James Leonard Craft, the manager of Century Lumber and land, was jailed in Alabama on numerous securities and financial fraud related charges after being indicted as the result of an Alabama Securities Commission investigation into his alleged practices with Century Lumber and Land. Meanwhile, a realtor announced that the old Alger-Sullivan property was still on the market.
4. Northview and West Florida football
2011’s season for the Northview Chiefs was repeat of 2010 with the school’s second ever trip to a state semifinal game. The Chiefs were able to host their entire playoff run at home in Bratt. For the West Florida Jaguars, it was a dream season with nine wins — the most every in the school’s history, and their second ever appearance in the playoffs.
3. Three Children Die in Atmore House Fire
In November, three young children died in a house fire in Atmore. Their 18-year old mothers, twin sisters Akeevia Lajoseia Abner and Tekeevia Lajoseialan Abner, were each charged with three counts of reckless murder. An investigation revealed that the children, ranging in age from 22 months to 3 years, had been left home alone with an unattended stove. There was also a mattress found blocking the front door of the home.
2. Federal And State Raid of Medical Center
In late July, federal and state law enforcement swarmed the Jay Medical Center, seizing records belonging to hundreds of patients from across the area. Dr. Cleatious David Smith and Dr. John-Stewart Michael Smith were forced to surrender their DEA licenses to prescribe narcotics on the spot, and about two weeks later they requested leaves of absence from the medical staff of Jay Hospital. Agencies including the FBI, federal Drug Enforcement Agency, the Attorney General’s Office, the Florida Department of Health and Florida Department of Law Enforcement took part in the raid. As of the end of the year, no one had been charged with any crime as a result of the raid.
1. LCpl Travis Nelson
NorthEscambia.com’s Top Story of 2011 was the death of Marine LCpl Travis M Nelson and the events that followed. For more, click here for a story about LCpl Nelson and his family being named 2011 North Escambia Persons of the Year.
For a look back at stories from 2011 about LCpl Nelson, click the links below:
Local Marine Travis Nelson Killed In Afghanistan
August 19, 2011
Fallen Marine’s Family: He Was Our Hero
August 20, 2011
Hundreds Honor Fallen Marine With Facebook Profile Picture
August 22, 2011
Fallen Marine Travis Nelson Returns Home Wednesday, Funeral Friday
August 22, 2011
Obituary: Lance Cpl. Travis Michael Nelson
August 22, 2011
Fallen Marine’s Name Added To Walnut Hill Veterans Wall Of Honor
August 23, 2011
Powerful Photo Gallery: Fallen Marine’s Remains Arrive In U.S.
August 24, 2011
Lance Cpl. Travis Nelson Arrives At Pensacola NAS
August 24, 2011
Heartfelt Homecoming: Fallen Marine Returns (Photo Gallery: Pensacola, Walnut Hill, Atmore)
August 25, 2011
Flags Ordered At Half Staff Today For Lance Cpl Travis Nelson
August 26, 2011
Funeral Held For Fallen Marine (With Photo Gallery)
August 27, 2011
Family Of Fallen Marine LCpl Travis Nelson Offers Letters Of Thanks
August 29, 2011
Family Plans Scholarship, Memorial To Honor Fallen Marine
September 2, 2011
Commission Expected To Rename Park For Fallen Marine
September 12, 2011
Football Teams Honor Fallen Marine LCpl Travis Nelson
September 28, 2011
Bratt Park Renamed For Fallen Marine
November 9, 2011
Video: Remembering The Return Of LCpl Travis Nelson
November 10, 2011
Ernest Ward Middle Thanks Veterans, Honors Memory Of LCpl. Travis Nelson
November 10, 2011
Plaque Presented In Honor Of Fallen Marine At Pensacola Veterans Park
November 12, 2011
In His Honor: Fallen Soldier’s Fiancé Joining The Marine Corps
November 12, 2011
Videos: Madeline Cates Joining Marines To Finish LCpl Travis Nelson’s Job Makes National News
November 21, 2011
Wreaths Placed At Barrancas With Honor; Event Also Honors LCpl Travis Nelson
December 12, 2011
Fallen Marine Travis Nelson’s Family Gives Back For Christmas
December 26, 2011
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
2011 In Photos: October
January 3, 2012
We are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2011. Today, we are featuring photos from October.
An improvised oxygen mask made from a water bottle is used on a puppy revived by CPR after a Century house fire.
This woman was among those arrested during an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office “Operation Clean Sweep” in Century.
This accident at Chemstrand and Ten Mile roads presented an interesting image.
Jay Elementary School made the national news after racy images were found on slap bracelets given to students as prizes from a fundraising company.
Incumbent Mayor Freddie McCall shakes hands with defeated challenger Henry Hawkins after Century election results were announced.
Annie Carter Savage and her husband Lloyd react to the news that she has been reelected to the Century Town Council.
Northview High beat Feeport in a district matchup.
Tate High School held their Senior Night.
A CERT disaster training exercise was held in Century.
Two people were seriously injured in this crash on Highway 29 in Bluff Springs.
Logan Doremus and Trace Franklin perform the skit “Nerd USA” during a talent show at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Hundreds of people attended the annual Williams Station Day in Atmore.
Senior Night was held at Northview High School.
Hundreds of area residents attended the annual Fall Festival in Flomaton.
A copper thief destroyed air conditioning units at the Davisville Community Center.
One person was injured in this crash in which they said they were trying to avoid hitting a deer.
Rebecca Wilburn watches through an ambulance window as first responders work to save her 9-year daughter following an ATV accident in Walnut Hill.
Funeral services were held for Megan Wilburn, a 9-year old Bratt Elementary School student killed in an ATV accident.
Homecoming was held at Tate High School.
Fall was in the air at the annual Molino Park Carnival.
Bratt Elementary School students took a virtual trip to Russia during a week-long Global Corner Learning Center program at the school.
The Second Annual Chief Challenge 5K was held at Northview High School. Overall male and female winners were Georgia Goetter and Isaac McGahan.
The Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals 56-7.
The Jay High School band performs a variety of “Car Tunes” at a Friday night football game in Jay.
Milton defeated the Tate Aggies 35-17.
Diann Stewart of the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue explains fire safety to a group of students at Bratt Elementary School.
A “Dig Pink” volleyball game between Northview and Flomaton benefits cancer awareness.
A new free Health and Hope Clinic to serve the needy opened in Century. Above, Executive Director Rick Hollis discusses clinic details with volunteer Billy R. Ward of Bogia.
Pac-Man and Pie: Someone spray-painted graffiti that included a slice of pie and apparent Pac-Man characters on the 120-foot tall Bratt-Davisville Water System water tower on North Highway 99.
The Century Town Council approved a business tax rate equal to that charged by Escambia County.
Thousands of people attended the annual Jay Peanut Festival.
Jay High School held their annual homecoming parade during October.
Is Your Heater Safe, Or Was It Recalled? Find Out Here
January 3, 2012
Several models of electric space heaters have been recalled in the past few months by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, including:
- Flow Pro, Airtech, Aloha Breeze & Comfort Essentials Heaters (2.2 million units) The heaters can malfunction resulting in overheating, smoking, burning, melting and fire.
- Lasko Portable Electric Heaters (107,500 units) An electrical connection in the base of the unit can overheat, causing it to melt and expose the electrical connection, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
- Honeywell Electric Baseboard and Fan Heater Thermostats (77,000 units) The thermostats can overheat, causing them to melt and smoke. This poses a burn hazard to the consumer.
- GE Zoneline Air Conditioners and Heaters (90,600 units) An electrical component in the heating system can fail, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
- Meijer Touch Point Oscillating Ceramic Heaters (13,000 units) The oscillating mechanism in the heaters can short out, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
To find out more about the recalled products, including model numbers and photos, visit the CPSC website.
2011 Persons Of The Year: Wade Jernigan And Organ Donors
January 2, 2012
NorthEscambia.com is naming Persons of the Year for 2011. The recipients were nominated by our readers as individuals that have a made a difference in North Escambia during the past year — people that have given of themselves to help others and the communities of North Escambia during 2011. Additional Persons of the Year will be named on Tuesday.
Recipients named so far include the volunteers and supporters of the Health and Hope Clinic, and Northview Athletic Director Sammy Day.
An unexpected tragedy and a simple act of unselfishness led to the selection of 16-year old Kenneth Wade Jernigan and everyone that has signed their name as an organ donor as 2011 North Escambia Persons of the Year.
A heart of gold, always a smile, always positive, always there, and always giving of himself. Those are just some of the ways Wade Jernigan’s friends described him in the hours following a tragic wreck on a cool December morning not far from Northview High School. And, even in his death, he continued to give of himself.
After doctors did all they could do, Wade was kept on life support at Sacred Heart Hospital in order to donate his organs.
“Through his unselfish, giving spirit he chose to be an organ donor, and even though we greatly grieve his passing, through it he gave eight people and their families life and in this way he lives on through them,” his obituary said.
His impact on the communities of North Escambia was perhaps more profound than we will ever know. The Northview family grew closer together. Students signed up to become organ donors, perhaps multiplying the number of lives saved by Wade Jeringan’s death many times over. Many young people also examined their mortality and many made life altering decisions in their personal and spiritual lives.
An anonymous commenter on a NorthEscambia.com story about Wade Jernigan perhaps summed up the reason that all that are signed up to be organ donors and Wade Jernigan are 2011 North Escambia Persons of the Year:
“I’ve never in my time being at Northview witnessed the halls so empty of emotion and noise. Silence had overwhelmed us completely. This tells you how great of a guy he was. It hurts us all to think the guy you surrounded yourself with in case you were having a bad day, is gone,” the Northview student wrote.
“In return, we will all grow stronger, and learn from this.”
2011 In Photos: September
January 2, 2012
We are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2011. Today, we are featuring photos from September.
Fire completely destroyed this brick home on State Line Road near Century.
Students from Bratt and Byrneville elementary schools learned about peanuts during a special in-field demonstration.
Bus driver Tonia Allen found this little girl wandering alone in South Highway 99 near Walnut Hill. She was returned unharmed to her parents.
A weak funnel cloud was caught on camera near Fairground Road and the Escambia River in Molino.
An estimated $80,000 in marijuana was seized from a home on Highway 29 just north of Highway 97 in Molino.
Hundreds of students gathered to pray during the annual See You at the Pole event at a several schools.
At Atmore woman was critically injured in this early morning crash on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
A butterfly enjoys pretty weather in late September at the Turtle Point Science Center in Flomaton.
The Flomaton Hurricanes beat the Jay Royals.
Ernest Ward Middle School’s Eagle’s beat the Baker Gators.
Northview’s junior varsity beat the Blue Devils of Atmore.
Residents of Century Care Center enjoyed a little fall fishing at the facility’s pond.
The Escambia Gators beat the Tate Aggies.
The Northview Lady Chiefs defeated the Lady Royals of Jay.
The National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola officially dedicated the “Marine One” helicopter used to transport Presidents Nixon and Ford.
Northview, Ernest Ward, Tate and Jay took part in a soggy Cross County meet in Pace.
Jacob Dunsford gains yardage for the Ernest Ward Middle School as the Eagles defeated J.U. Blacksher.
Fort Walton beat Tate 33-0.
A boat belonging to a missing former Jay resident was found in Mexico, but there was no sign of Lee Kent.
Three men were charged in connection with an accident that claimed the life of a Southern Choctaw football player and injured several others after leaving a game in Flomaton.
Heavy surf pounded Pensacola Beach from Tropical Storm Lee.
Century Care Center Celebrates The New Year
January 2, 2012
Families and friends gathered with residents at the Century Care Center Sunday to celebrate the New Year. As they looked forward to 2012, they also looked back at 2011.
“Century Care Center wishes to thank all of the local churches, families, staff and organizations who have supported us throughout the year, especially for our wonderful Christmas,” Activities Director Mae Hildreth said.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
2011 Persons Of The Year: Sammy Day
January 1, 2012
NorthEscambia.com is naming Persons of the Year for 2011. The recipients were nominated by our readers as individuals that have a made a difference in North Escambia during the past year — people that have given of themselves to help others and the communities of North Escambia during 2011. Additional Persons of the Year will be named on Monday.
Northview High School Athletic Director Sammy Day has been named a North Escambia Person of the Year for 2011.
Day, who was recently named the Northview Teacher of the Year, will retire at the end of this school year. He has been a teacher and coach for 37 years in the Escambia County School District. He is the only athletic director ever at Northview High School, after serving many years at Ernest Ward High School.
In addition to coaching, he has taught driver’s education for many years at Northview and previously at Ernest Ward.
“I want you to know that you were a fatherly influence in my life,” one NorthEscambia.com reader wrote in the comment section on a recent story about Day. “Know that you are loved and respected by many-especially those students who were lucky enough to get to know you.”
“You sure made a difference in my life and I have thought of you often over the years,” Cathy Davis wrote.
“You have truly been a blessing in so many peoples lives,” said Pam Morgan.
“You have always been an inspiration and great representative for our school and our area. Thanks for all you did for us on the softball, baseball and football fields, in the classroom and, most of all in our lives. We are all better people after knowing you,” wrote Michael Pennington, a 1984 Ernest Ward graduate and a member of Day’s 1982 state championship baseball team.