Mattie Smith Retires After 16 Years At Century Care Center
May 18, 2010
Century Care Center employee Mattie Smith has retired after 16-years of dedicated service at Century Care Care Center. Smith was hired before Century Care Center had patients, helping to move in the furniture. Smith, who many at CCC consider a mother-figure, was honored with a gold plaque and gold watch. Pictured above and below: Century Care Center Administrator Don Ripley and Mattie Smith. Submitted photos by Beth Whatley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Airman McCauley Graduates From Basic Training
May 17, 2010
Air Force Airman Travis G. McCauley graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Kevin and Lisa McCauley of Lake Suzanne Drive, Cantonment. McCauley is a 2002 graduate of Tate High School.
Photo Gallery: Combined Armed Forces, Memorial Day Parade
May 16, 2010
A combined Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day parade was held Saturday in Atmore. The parade honored those that have served, or are serving, in the armed forces.
The parade featured floats with area veterans; bands from Northview High, Escambia County High, Flomaton High and Ernest Ward Middle schools; ROTC units from Escambia County High and Northview High; motorcyle riders, the Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Team and more.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the parade, click here.
Pictured above: The Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Team reenact the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. Pictured inset: Merrilene Garret, chaplain of VFW Post 7016 smiles as she rides a float. Pictured below: A group of veterans ride in Atmore’s combined Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day parade Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Competes In Horse, Livestock Judging At State Fair
May 16, 2010
The Northview High School FFA horse and livestock judging teams competed at the Florida State Fair in Tampa. The members of the Horse Judging team were Heather Kite, Stephanie Solari, Brittany Thompson, and Dillian Crutchfield. Members of the Livestock Judging Team were Micah Byars, Lydia Weaver, Allie Vidak, and Brandon Chambless.
Pictured above: (L-R) Heather Kite, Stephaine Solari, Dillion Crutchfield, Alli Vidak, Brandon Chambless, Courtney Solari, Micah Byars, Brittany Thompson, and Lydia Weaver. In back: FFA Sponsor Perry Byars. Pictured below: Students judge. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Unusual And Entertaining Sights Found In Local Oak Trees
May 15, 2010
Local oak trees are putting on a show this year. Loaded with thousands of flower tassels or catkins, some say that the pollen is as bad as they have seen. Look closely however, and you’ll see more than just a pollen-laden tree.
Green acrobatic caterpillars
If you’ve been walking or raking under local oaks, then you’ve probably noticed the small green caterpillars performing acrobatic moves on thin whips of silken thread. If you haven’t noticed them, then probably someone has had to pick a caterpillar off your shirt or out of your hair.
Hundreds of these little caterpillars are hanging from panhandle oaks. What are they? While many will call them inchworms after their characteristic looping gait, they are technically called oak leafrollers.
Oak leafrollers are the larval forms of an earthy-colored moth. The moth lays masses of 40 to 50 eggs at the base of large branches and rough bark patches on both tree trunks and limbs. These eggs begin hatching in early spring and the caterpillars begin eating the leaves.
While they can eat an abundance of oak leaves, don’t worry. A little defoliation will not seriously harm a large oak tree.
Galls galore
Abnormally large round growths can be seen on many leaves of local oaks. These swellings are known as galls. While a variety of living organisms, including insects, mites, bacteria, and fungi are capable of causing galls, oak galls are typically caused by insects called gall wasps.
The tiny gall wasp begins the gall making process in early spring by piercing a selected tree part with its egg laying device and depositing an egg inside the plant tissue. Fluids deposited with the egg cause the plant cell multiplication process to begin. The larva that hatches from the egg produces additional substances that maintain and control cell division. The larva develops within a cavity inside the gall, feeding on material produced in the cavity lining. At maturity, the larva transforms into a pupa, and later becomes an adult that chews its way out of the gall. By causing the tree to form a gall, the gall wasp has provided food and shelter for its offspring.
Most galls are not harmful to oak trees. A healthy tree can support numerous galls without being seriously harmed.
Blisters erupt
If the caterpillars and gall wasps aren’t enough, a disease is also causing some unattractive leaves on local oaks.
Oak leaf blister is caused by a fungus. Early in the spring as leaves begin to expand, the fungus causes small, rough (concave, convex) spots. Gradually, the spots thicken and become pale green in color. Older spots are generally brown to greenish brown. Several blisters may merge, forcing the leaf to curl and can cause premature defoliation.
Because the oak leaf blister does not seriously affect the overall health of the tree, chemical control measures are usually not recommended. Collecting and disposing of the leaves as they drop may be of some benefit in reducing the inoculum for the following spring.
Local oaks are offering several interesting sights. All of the above issues will typically only cause leaves to look strange or unattractive. The trees themselves are not usually harmed by these strange and entertaining sights.
For more information, contact Theresa Friday at 850-623-3868 or email tlfriday@ufl.edu. Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Courtesy photos by Theresa Friday for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com Photos: The Final Launch Of Space Shuttle Atlantis
May 15, 2010
Space shuttle Atlantis launched Friday afternoon on its final planned mission.
The STS-132 launch put Atlantis in pursuit of its target, the International Space Station. Atlantis lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center right on time at 2:20 p.m. EDT, rising into a picture-perfect Florida sky and capping a relatively problem-free countdown.
“It was an amazing experience,” said Melissa Aiken Rawson of Cantonment who took the photos on this page for NorthEscambia.com. “It was great to be a part of that history.”
“Launch was just phenomenal,” said Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier during a postlaunch news conference. He cited the launch and processing teams’ hard work in preparing Atlantis for liftoff, even with a tighter timeframe after the vehicle’s rollout to Launch Pad 39A was delayed in late April due to weather.
“The teams stayed focused, they kept moving forward and they just did a great job,” Gerstenmaier added. “The vehicle looks like it’s in really good shape. We’re ready to go do the very challenging mission in front of us.”
Atlantis’ on-time liftoff followed a countdown remarkably free of problems. A small stress fracture spotted on an umbilical strut during the vehicle’s final inspection is not unusual, according to Mike Moses, chair of the prelaunch Mission Management Team. Moses also mentioned an issue that was brought up during the countdown’s final hold, concerning a ball bearing found days earlier in the shuttle’s payload bay. The bearing was determined to likely be a part of a camera system, and was ultimately ruled out as a concern.
And although weather is a frequent prelaunch topic at the Florida launch site, the day started out with a 70 percent “go” forecast, which improved to 90 percent “go” by launch time.
“It was a great launch today,” said Launch Director Mike Leinbach. “I’m very, very proud of the team. It’s the start of a good mission.
During the 12-day flight, Atlantis and six astronauts will fly to the International Space Station, leaving behind a Russian Mini Research Module, a set of batteries for the station’s truss and dish antenna, along with other replacement parts. Atlantis’ 32nd flight is scheduled to last 12 days and include three spacewalks and extensive robotics work.
Saturday, the six astronauts will survey the shuttle’s heat shield, checkout the spacesuits for the upcoming spacewalks and prepare for docking to the International Space Station on Sunday.
NASA astronaut Ken Ham commands an all-veteran flight crew: Pilot Tony Antonelli, and Mission Specialists Michael Good, Garrett Reisman, Piers Sellers and Steve Bowen.
Pictured top and inset: The final flight of space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from Kennedy Space Center Friday afternoon. Pictured below: The crew of STS-132 as they head toward the launch pad. NorthEscambia.com photos by Melissa Aiken Rawson, click to enlarge.
Tate High AJROTC Places In State Drill Competition
May 14, 2010
The J.M. Tate High School AJROTC Drill Team recently participated in the Florida State Drill Competition in Lakeland, Florida. This year’s competition was one the largest and most competitive with more than 80 teams in attendance.
The Tate “Aggies” placed well in each of their events, and proudly displayed the culmination of their hard work. The Regulation Armed Squad had the top scores for the battalion, placing 9th out of 35 teams. The Male Individual Drill placed 12th, Regulation Armed Platoon and Exhibition Armed Squad both placed 14th, Regulation Unarmed Platoon placed 20th, and Dual Male Drill placed 21st.
The teams competed for trophies and a place in the National Drill Competition. The young men and women were commended for their positive attitudes and unrivaled display of teamwork. Meanwhile, the cadets returning to the AJROTC program are dedicated to improving their skills in hopes of obtaining even higher rankings next year.
For more Tate AJROTC photos from regional and state drill meets, click here.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Cornbread’ Named Inspirational Hero
May 13, 2010
Cornbread is an inspirational hero — as most everyone around Northview High School knows.
Chris Moorer — also known as Cornbread — was named an inspirational hero by Cox Gulf Coast during their 16th annual Inspirational Student Hero Celebration Tuesday night. The event honors students that have faced significant challenges, including the loss of their parents, physical illness, handicaps and language barriers.
“Chris is the type of student every student and teacher knows at school. He brings smiles, compliments, and cheers to everyone’s day. He is a hard worker in class and takes pride with his job at school. Chris was awarded the Most School Spirit Award for this school year,” Northview reading teacher Natalie Nall said about Chris.
According to the event program, “Chris has brought smiles to the halls of Northview and into the lives of the school personnel and students. His proudest success is being able to complete his assignments. He is also very proud that he has learned not to be easily influenced and to take responsibility for his actions.”
Chris, a senior, was also awarded this year’s Most School Spirit Award at Northview.
Other North Escambia area students that received the Cox Inspirational Hero award were Tashima Talton of Cantonment, Escambia Charter School; Sarah Martin, Jim Allen Elementary; Jon Walker, Ransom Middle School; and Rebeccah Elizabeth Godwin, Tate High School.
Pictured above: Chris Moorer, also known as Cornbread, poses for pictures at the Cox Gulf Coast 16th annual Inspirational Student Hero Celebration. Pictured below: About 40 students were honored at the event. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Memorial Held For Pedestrian Killed Last Week
May 13, 2010
Friends and family gathered at his favorite fishing spot on Pensacola Beach Wednesday night to remember Billy G. Beck III.
Beck, 23, was walking on New Chemstrand Road May 6 when he was struck by at least three vehicles. The driver of the first vehicle to strike Beck fled the scene and has not yet been located by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Family members said that by sharing the photos here on NorthEscambia.com, they hope that it will show that Beck was loved and the amount of pain his death has caused his family. They hope that someone will step forward with information that will lead to the arrest of the unknown driver.
For more photos from the service, click here.
Billy Beck III is survived by his parents, Billy Jr. & Cathy Beck; brothers, Victor (Desiree) and Austin Beck; grandparents, C.A. & Mildred Longo; aunts & uncles, James Beck, Darlene Thompson, Susan Fonté, Anthony Longo and Charles Longo; his girlfriend, Jesseca Madrid; and close friends, Jason Fetters, Clint Wooten & Cami Wooten and a host of other family and friends.
“Superman loved to draw and fish the Bob Sikes Bridge, Ft. Pickens and area ponds and creeks. One can imagine that he’s finally found that perfect fishing hole,” his obituary stated.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Beck was walking northbound on the paved portion of New Chemstrand Road just south of 10 Mile Road when he was struck by a northbound vehicle. That vehicle fled the scene.
Beck was then struck by the front undercarriage of vehicle driven by Devin J. Poe, 18, of Cantonment. Poe and passenger in his vehicle, Joshua F. Valentine, 18, of Pensacola, were not injured.
A third vehicle, driven by Julian J. Donato, 24, of Pace, then struck Beck.
Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the FHP.
The FHP said they have no information or description of the vehicle that fled the scene. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Cpl. Michael J. Tucker at the Florida Highway Patrol Station in Pensacola, (850) 484-5000 ext.331.
Pictured top: A memorial service Billy G. Beck III of Cantonment was held Wednesday night on Pensacola Beach. for Pictured inset: Parents Billy Jr. & Cathy Beck. Pictured below: Brothers Victor and Austin Beck. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Mark Your Calendars: Molino Memorial Festival Is Coming
May 13, 2010
The Molino Annual Memorial Festival will be held Saturday, May 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at CrossFaith Church.
The day’s activities will include food, arts and crafts vendors, auction, live music and plenty of activities for the kids. Guest speakers will include John Krause, Congressional District 1 candidate and Captain Charlie Code from the NJROTC program at Northview High School.
Live entertainment will include Ashton Gibbs, Keith Rowell, Denise Palmer, Wayward Bypass, FACE and Ember.
Food and craft vendors are needed, contact Debra Smith at (850) 587-6060 or CrossFaith Church at (850) 587-3187.