Northview FFA Horse Judging Team Receives Gold Emblem Award At Nationals
November 1, 2021
The Northview High School Horse Judging Team was recognized with a Gold Emblem Award at the 2021 National FFA Convention.
Team members include Audrey Goetter, Leia Grantham, Hannah Hassebrock and Samantha Kimmons.
Goetter, Grantham and Hassebrock placed gold as individuals, while Kimmons placed bronze.
After being named as the state champion team in April, the team competed in the virtual team activity and written exam earlier in October, and the final rounds in-person at the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. The team is coached by sisters Courtney and Stephanie Solari, both Northview graduates.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kitty Kitty Got In A Tangle Because Of Lightning. Escambia Deputies Rescued Her From A Van In Bratt.
October 29, 2021
Kitty Kitty is afraid of lightning — very, very afraid.
And rightfully so. Her pet parents, Steve and Theresa Hanks of Bratt, said Kitty Kitty was struck by lightning when she was just a kitten.
When an unexpected storm recently moved through Bratt, Kitty Kitty ran for the first safe place she could find. She climbed into the engine compartment of a van, getting all tangled up in some wiring underneath. She was stuck in a bad sort of way.
The Hanks knew they needed a little help from the “PAW Patrol”, so they made the call. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies Ty Brewton and Eric Anderson responded to Bratt. The dynamic duo helped safely rescue the one-eared cat.
“(We) can’t say thank you enough to these two great guys and the whole team at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. They are truly the best, second to none,” the Hanks wrote in a thank-you note to the ECSO. “I also might need to pay for dry cleaning for (deputy Brewton); he got quite dirty getting Kitty Kitty free from my work van.”
“Don’t worry Mr. Hanks, no dry cleaning is needed! We are just happy Kitty Kitty is safe,” the Sheriff’s Office responded.
“I wanted (Sheriff) Chip Simmons to know how much we appreciated his team,” Steve Hanks told NorthEscambia.com.
Kitty Kitty, whose proper name is Callie, is doing just fine, back to doing all those great things the cats do. And probably staying away from that van.
Pictured above: Kitty Kitty. Pictured below: Deputies Anderson (left) and Brewton. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Students Learn About Fire Safety
October 24, 2021
Kindergarten students at Byrneville Elementary School learned about fire safety Friday with Escambia Fire Rescue’s Engine 5 from Century and other emergency services representatives.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
October 22, 2021
Jim Allen Elementary School has named their September Students of the Month. They are Jackson Rains and Miranda Grandpre. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Carter Pitts Named National Merit Commended Scholar
October 21, 2021
Tate High School senior Carter Pitts was recently named a National Merit Commended Scholar.
The honor is based on high national percentage scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Commended students throughout the nation are recognized each year for their exceptional academic promise.
Additionally, Carter was selected as the Escambia County School District’s academic nominee for the U.S. Presidential Scholarship. His nomination will allow him to compete at the state level for the scholarship.
“Carter is a phenomenal student who epitomizes the Aggie Spirit,” Tate High School Principal Laura Touchstone said. “We are so proud of Carter and all of his accomplishments, both academic and extracurricular.”
Carter is in the top 10 of Tate’s senior class; a four year member of the Showband of the South, currently serving as battery captain; a member of a number of honor societies and other organizations; and captain of the academic team.
Pictured: National Merit Commended Scholar Conner Pitts. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High, Beulah Middle And Ransom Middle Take Top Honors At FFA Forestry Event
October 20, 2021
The FFA District Forestry Career Development Event was hosted by the Florida Forest Service recently at Blackwater River State Forest.
Tate High School’s Synoma Perea took the top individual spot in the high school level as she and her teammates (Tate A) took home the top spot in the team competition. Tate B took second and Poplar Springs (Graceville) High placed third.
Tate “A” team members were Synoma Perea, Isabella Owens, Laynee Hubbell, and Jiana Dortch. Tate “B” team second place members were Kristen Gibbs, Ryan Grace, Piper Pfeuffer Ferguson and McKenzie Gray.
In the middle school competition, Abby Vernier from Beulah Middle School took top honors while Beulah A took top team honors, Ransom Middle B second and Beulah B third.
First place Beulah “A” members were Abby Vernier, Lawson Theisen, Ian Stinnett and JR Zeravsky. Second place Ransom “B” members were Samantha Storey, Carly Helmig, Parker White and Christopher Williams-McFarlain. Third place Beulah “B’ members were Gabriel Flores, Colin Shelton, Isabell Flores and Jazlynn Evans.
For the complete results from all teams and competitors, click here (pdf).
Seven high schools and three middle schools brought a total of 17 teams to participate in the competition, for a total of 87 students and agriculture teachers.
The contests allow students to test their knowledge and skills in various aspects of forestry and compete against students from other schools within their FFA District, with the winning schools advancing to state.
The event consisted of a forestry general knowledge exam and other stations where the students were tested on tree identification (dendrology), forestry equipment identification, forest disorders and timber cruising.
The competition promotes and facilitates the education of skills used in forest management and can serve as a great foundation to prepare students for a college forestry program and further enable them to pursue a career in forestry.
Florida Forest Service personnel and education professionals served as judges and graders and assisted with the day’s activities.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
October 19, 2021
Northview High School has named Students of the Month for September. They are Noah Kimrell and Anastasia Bryan. They are pictured with Principal Mike Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Honors Robert Tims For 33 Years Of Dedicated Service
October 19, 2021
The Town of Century honored longtime employee Robert Tims Monday night with a service award.
Tims was honored “for 33 years of dedicated service”. He first went to work for Century in August 1988.
Pictured: Century Mayor Ben Boutwell (right) presents a service award to Robert Tims honoring him for 33 years of employment with the town. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Native Serves As Member Of U.S. Navy’s ‘Silent Service’
October 18, 2021
A Molino native is stationed at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, homeport to all East Coast ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines.
Seaman Jackob Braun, a 2020 Northview High School graduate, joined the Navy this year.
“I did the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps in high school and felt like the Navy was a solid foundation to continue my career,” said Braun.
Today, Braun serves as a missile technician, who is currently in training to learn about his job field.
According to Braun, the values required to succeed in the military are similar to those found in Molino.
“I learned values like honor, courage and commitment from my hometown,” said Braun. “I had self-discipline before boot camp, so I was prepared for what was to come.”
Known as America’s “Silent Service,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).
Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare.
The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
As a member of the submarine force, Braun is part of a rich 121-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.
Serving in the Navy means Braun is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy ensures national security through projection of power around the world,” said Braun. “We can’t do everything from the United States. We need ships around the world ready to take action when needed.”
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through underwater fiber optic, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
A major component of that maritime security is homeported at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
“We do two big things here in King’s Bay: we send SSBNs on strategic deterrence patrols and we forward deploy our guided missile submarines overseas,” said Rear Adm. John Spencer, Commander, Submarine Group Ten. “This work is essential to uphold the number one mission of the Navy: strategic deterrence. And this is the only home port for both of these types of submarines on the East Coast.”
Strategic deterrence is the Nation’s ultimate insurance program, and for decades, Kings Bay has been home to Ohio Class SSBN ballistic-missile submarines. Beginning in 2028, the new Columbia Class ballistic-missile submarines will arrive and provide continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.
As Braun and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“A lot of people don’t ever serve, but someone has to,” added Braun. “Someone has to step up. So many have served before us, and now it’s my turn.”
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Rae Moreno, Navy Office of Community Outreach. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Rae Moreno for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Reimagine Cantonment Blesses Those In Need With Food, Clothing And More (With Photo Gallery)
October 17, 2021
The hearts and lives of hundreds of area residents in need were touched during Reimagine Cantonment at Carver Park on Saturday.
The faith-based event included a 20,000 pound food giveaway, lunch, fishing lessons with free fishing rods, baby diapers, HIV testing, clothing, haircuts and health tests. Absolutely everything was free. There were also be free children’s activities, including train rides, inflatables, face painting, games, popcorn, and a coloring contest with three participants winning a new bicycle.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Reimagine Cantonment is a project of Doers of the Word Ministry and was sponsored by numerous churches and other organizations, including NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
