Northview High Announces Honor Rolls
June 10, 2009
Northview High School has released high honor and honor rolls for the fourth nine-week grading period.
Students on the High Honor Roll, with a 4.0, are:
9th Grade:
Holly Nicole Dickson
Amber Dianne Francis
Elizabeth Ashley Wright
10th Grade
Hillary Kate Byrd
Ashley Elizabeth Digmon
James Tyler Garrett
Jocelyn Marlese Gould
Sarah Malinda Killam
Michael Todd Lowery
Stephanie Katlynn Miller
Christina Nicole Sepulveda
Hayley Renee Simpson
Colton Darryl Sims
Stephanie Leann Solari
11th Grade
Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway
Clinton Eugene Davis
Mark Allen Shipps Jr.
12th Grade
Gretchen Denea Boughner
John Louis Handrop
Jody Wade Levins
Frederick Lamario Smith
Ashley Arlene Snow
Students on the Honor Roll, with 3.5-3.99 average, are:
9th Grade
Arthur Jacob Baldwin
Jacob Nathaniel Gibson
Camilah Joy Goetter
Chelsea Grace Parham
Alexander Dewayne Payne
Tyler Lindsay Randolph
Joel Nathaniel Wetzel
10th grade
Mallory Ann Bell
Brandi Shabril Boggan
Allie Rebecca Bryan
Allyson Michelle Bullard
Sara Lynn Conner
Laneicia Dinette Gomez
Kara Renae Hardin
Shaniqua Shanell Jones
David Aaron Lambert Jr.
Dabney Harrison Langhorne
Dustin Neal Lewis
Brittany Cheyenne Peebles
Dixie Lynn Picheo
Derrick Edward Portis Jr
Alexis Haylee Roach
Brianna Renae Roley
Megan Juliette Ryan
Joshua Clayton Scott
Dimond Brooke Tullis
Emily Faith Vickrey
Allison Ayers Vidak
Ladarion Bernard White
Katie Marie Wieborg
11th grade
Jessica Nicole Bloodsworth
Kolbi Shae Cobb
Candice Louise Greenwell
Bradley James Lowery
Amber Nicole McMillan
Felicia Michelle Settle
Dakota Wayne Stuckey
12th grade
Richard Kyle Braun
Kayla Sue Brewer
Clarence Alfred Brown III
Coty James Chance
Amy Nicole Conner
Lanie Jeannine Eubanks
Whitney Michelle Flurnoy
Michael Lee Frye
Jamison Blayne Garrett
Melissa Nicole Garrett
Briana Renea Halteman
Stormy Brooke Hayes
Amber Renae Holland
Luke Fletcher Killam
Samantha Parry Merritt
Timeka Janay Marshall
Samantha Parry Merritt
Jessica Maria Mothershed
Summer Denise Sanders
Amanda Morgan Sellars
Aaron Richard Sharpless
James Anthony Sharpless
Chelsea Ellen Sims
Amie Jolynn Sutton
Garbell Sharda Wesley
Kayla Dlaine Wheeler
Teacher To Be Hired To Ensure Community Involvement At Bratt And Ernest Ward
June 8, 2009
The Escambia County School District is hiring a teacher on special assignment to help ensure that parents and the community are as involved as possible at Ernest Ward Middle and Bratt Elementary schools next year.
It is all part of the plan to make sure the consolidation of Carver/Century K-8 into Ernest Ward and Bratt goes as smoothly as possible.
“We are using stimulus money to hire this person to help with community involvement at Bratt and Ernest Ward,” Escambia Superintendent Malcolm Thomas told NorthEscambia.com. “A big part of the program will be to help Century residents participate in the schools.”
When Thomas announced the closure and consolidation of Carver/Century, there were concerns expressed by many Century area residents that they and their children would not be able to become involved in their child’s school.
According to the job description for the position, the person hired will be a certified teacher that will:
- provide leadership in transition activities
- serve as a liaison between families, various committees, departments and agencies as requested by the principals
- assist the principals in the development, preparation and a process of data collection, needs assessments, satisfaction surveys and other activities
- assist the principals and office support personnel in the preparation of calendars, fliers, newsletters and registration packets
- coordinate and facilitate partnerships with civic groups, business partners, mentors and volunteers
“We will see if we get results and the position is beneficial before we continue it next year,” Thomas said. “We will see if it increases parental involvement.”
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month; GPA And Principal Award Winners
June 8, 2009
Today, NorthEscambia.com continues a series of stories with award listings from area schools. Today’s listing contains the names of some of the award winners from Ernest Ward Middle School that received awards during the year for Student of the Month, plus year end awards for Highest GPA and the Principal’s Award.
Students of the Month 2008-2009
August 2008: Shalmali Bhadkamkar, Tamara Green, Ashton Gibbs and Jasmine Maher
September 2008: Charmayne Fountain, Courtney Weaver, Ashley Mooney and Ancel Pleasant
October 2008: Logan Lee, Jenny Spears, Kaitlyn Gunn and Brannen Bateman
November 2008: Austin Cunningham, Lily Townson, Harold Harrison and Ashlynn Clemmons
December 2008: Hannah Gibson, Jessica Lowery, Marisa Penland and Jacob Hendrix.
January 2009: Danielle Suggs, Victoria Wright, Justin Halteman and Derick Edmonson
February 2009: Tamara Wise, Anna Fischer, Hannah Ziglar and Jodi Ard
March 2009: Kyndall Hall, Danielle Scott, Jonathan Moretz and Radeja’nique Lewis
April 2009: Penny Banda, Danielle Steadham, Georgia Goetter and John McGary
May 2009: Morgan Ward, Austin Kelly, Zach Johnson and Isaiah Williams
Highest GPA Awards:
6th grade: Amy Elizabeth Murph
7th grade: Kasie Lee Braun
8th grade: Haley Dezarae Turner
Highest GPA Overall: Amy Elizabeth Murph
Mrs. Perry’s Principal Award
6th grade: Joshawa Burton
7th grade: Quanisha Green
8th grade: Chris Leonard
Northview Honors Teacher, Volunteers Of The Year
June 8, 2009
Teacher and volunteers of the year at Northview High School were recently honored.
Bill Welch was named the Senior Volunteer of the Year for NHS. Bryan Colburn was named Adult Volunteer of the Year. Micah Byars was named the Student Volunteer of the Year, and Sasha Blackburn was named the Teacher of the Year.
Pictured above: (L-R) Bill Welch, Bryan Colburn, Sasha Blackburn and Micah Byars were honored recently for their service to Northview High School. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Are You Ready For DTV? Digital TV Transition Date Is Friday
June 7, 2009
The long awaited switch to digital television is Friday. In North Escambia and the immediate surrounding area, 15,776 free $40 coupons for converter boxes to prepare for the June 12 switch have been ordered.
If you do not have a digital ready television and have not installed a digital converter box, your TV will stop working after the transition on Friday if you do not have cable or satellite. The government was handing out $40 coupons to anyone that asks to help purchase the converter box, including replacement coupons for those that allowed coupons they had previously ordered to expire.
Here is the breakdown of how many coupons had been ordered in the North Escambia and surrounding area, as of the first week of June:
- Century, 32535: 1,490
- McDavid/Walnut Hill, 32568: 1,199
- Molino, 32577: 1,252
- Cantonment, 32533: 4,343
- Jay, 32565: 1,477
- Flomaton, 36441: 920
- Atmore, 36502-4: 5,095
While those watching satellite or cable television, or those with digital tuner TV will not be required to connect a converter box in order to continue watching their favorite broadcast stations, a converter box would be required in order to watch TV when the satellite or cable system was not working.If you do have cable or satellite television, having a DTV converter box may open up programs that you are unable to watch on local stations. WKRG channel 5 is currently running classic television programs . Channel 15, WPMI, is running a weather station “WeatherPlus” on station 15-2. If you like public television, a converter box will get you not only the normal public TV stations 23 and 42, but also five additional public TV stations on the subchannels for WSRE and WEIQ. (Each digital station may have more than one channel. For instance, WSRE 23 on a normal analog TV become three stations…23-1, 23-2 and 23-3… with different programming on a digital box).
In order to get on the waiting list for a $40 converter box coupon from the government, visit dtv2009.org or call 1-888-DTV-2009. The boxes sell at retail from about $40 to $70. They can also be ordered from several retailers online with the coupon.
If you still have questions, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has three events scheduled in Escambia County this week to provide more information and allow persons to apply for coupons in person. The FCC events will take place at
- The Bayview Senior Center at 2000 East Lloyd Street Tuesday from 10:30 until 11:3o a.m.
- Radio Shack, Cordova Mall, Tuesday from 4:00 until 5:30 p.m.
- Bands On the Beach, Pensacola Beach, Tuesday from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m.
Here is more information from the dtv2009 web site:
On June 12, 2009, all full-powered television stations will begin broadcasting only in digital, as required by law. To assist U.S. households with this historic transition, the National Telecommunication and Information Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program to help Americans continue receiving over-the-air television after June 12, 2009.Why is television going from analog broadcasting to digital?
The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires broadcasters to broadcast only in digital after June 12, 2009. Digital television promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up some of the nation’s airwaves for use by emergency responders.
What is the significance of the June 12, 2009 digital TV transition date?
If households receive television programs over-the-air using “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna, they must take action to continue using their analog TVs after June 12, 2009. Consumers have three options, which include 1) buying a converter box that will plug into their current analog TV, 2) buying a TV with a digital tuner or 3) connecting their analog TV to cable, satellite or other pay service.
How can the public obtain a $40 coupon toward purchasing an eligible converter box?
All U.S. households are able to request, on a first-come, first-served basis, up to two, $40 coupons to help pay for the cost of a certified converter box. Converter boxes are expected to cost between $40 and $70, however, it is a one-time cost with no monthly service charges. Coupons will expire 90 days after they are mailed.
For more information about the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, or to apply for coupons, visit www.DTV2009.gov or call toll free 1-888-388-2009 (1-888-DTV-2009). The hearing impaired may call the TTY number 1-877-530-2634 for information in English, and for information in Spanish, consumers can call TTY number 1-866-495-1161. Consumers can also request and submit a coupon application by mailing PO Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208 or by faxing 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632).
Where can the public buy a coupon-eligible converter?
Coupon-eligible converter boxes are only available at certified stores and online retailers where televisions and other consumer electronics are sold, as well as by mail-order. When the coupon is mailed to you, it will include an insert with a list of nearby, participating retailers. You can also go online at www.DTV2009.gov, enter your zip code, and locate participating retailers on a map.
What can the public do to plan for the transition?
Now is the time to identify whether any TV in your home is analog and receives over-the-air programming through “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna. Television viewers with these sets that are not connected to a pay TV service will need to take action before June 12, 2009, to ensure their TV sets continue to work. It is important to know your options and make sure your family, friends and neighbors are aware of whether they need to take action before the transition date. The important thing is that no one is left in the dark on June 12.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Presents Scholarship
June 7, 2009
The Barrineau Park Historical Society recently presented a scholarship to Clint Fillingim of Barrineau Park.
Fillingim is a lifetime member of the Barrineau Park Historical Society and a graduate of a West Florida High School of Advanced Technology. He also received a Bright Futures scholarship and Cum Laude awards.
He performs with the musical group Chapel Strings at the Barrineau Park Community Center, various churches, nursing homes and prisons.
Pictured above: Nita Berry presents a Barrineau Park Historical Society scholarship to Clint Fillingim recently at West Florida High School. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
There’s Still Time To Tour The Juan Sebastián de Elcano
June 7, 2009
Today is the last day to tour the Spanish Navy’s training tall ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano at the Port of Pensacola. The Elcano and its crew of 300 sailors are in Pensacola until Tuesday for the 450th anniversary celebration of the city as well as the 60th anniversary of the Fiesta of Five Flags.The free 20 minutes tours will be Monday from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m.
The tall ship is named after Juan Sebastián de Elcano who sailed with Magellan on his first circumnavigation of the globe, and then completed the circumnavigation after Magellan’s death during the voyage. The Elcano was launched on March 5, 1927. It is the official training ship for Spanish Midshipmen of the Spanish Naval Academy and has sailed more than 1.5 million nautical miles on 77 cruises, 10 of which have been around the world. Considered to be a “floating embassy,” the ship’s presence in foreign countries and ports has enhanced Spanish foreign policy across the globe. This is the ships sixth visit to Pensacola since 1959.
For more photos from Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click here.
Pictured: The Juan Sebastian de Elcano in Pensacola. Submitted photo by Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
For even more photos, visit www.mikenewtonphotography.zenfolio.com.
Blueberries Are Ready At Area U-pick Farm
June 6, 2009
The blueberries are ripe for the picking this weekend at A & N Blueberries in Molino.
Sweet, plump, perfect-color blueberries are just $1 per pound at the u-pick farm that has become a North Escambia tradition.
“They are sweeter than the blueberries you find in the stores,” Sarah Miller of A & N Blueberries said. “Plus it is just a fun atmosphere to bring the family to pick. We even have some families that will bring a lunch and have a picnic.”
“I love blueberries. I love blueberry jam. Blueberries on toast, on bagels,” she said. “Blueberries are just good.”
The blueberry farm sits on about six acres, with rows and rows of trees nearly two decades old. Miller and her husband Eli purchased the farm from his grandparents this year. The blueberries are top quality, good enough that Apple Market and other stores in Pensacola sell A & N Blueberries.
Sarah said that now is the time to pick blueberries for the freezer, and freezing blueberries is easy.
“You go straight from the farm to the freezer; you don’t even wash them first,” she said. “You wash them after you take them out of the freezer.” She said blueberries frozen fresh from the farm can last for a few years in the freezer. Fresh blueberries, she said, will remain at peak quality for about five days.
The blueberry crop is expected to be available until about July 1. The farm will also have watermelons in about two weeks.
In addition to the u-pick blueberries for $1 per pound, A & N also offers pre-picked blueberries for $3 per pound, and fresh blueberry jam.
A & N Blueberries is located on Suncrest Lane, just off Sunshine Hill Road about a half mile north of Molino Road. Click here for a Google map. A & N Blueberries is open Monday-Saturday 7 a.m. to dark.
Pictured top: Sarah and Eli Miller pick blueberries at their A & N Blueberries farm in Molino. Pictured inset and below: Farm-fresh blueberries at A & N Blueberries in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flush! An Ode To Toilets: Library Kicks Off Summer Series
June 4, 2009
The Century Library kicked off its summer reading programs Wednesday with “Flush! An ode to toilets” — complete with all the necessary sound effects from Charlie “The Sound Guy” Williams.
“How’d he do that,” one child repeated over and over as Williams made the sounds of flushing toilets, chainsaws, airplanes and more.
The Century Branch Library will continue its summer series as follows:
- June 9, Tuesday, 12:00: Funny Money
- June 16, Tuesday, 12:00: Kids Can Cook
- June 23, Tuesday, 12:00: Beau Broomall, magician. West Florida’s favorite local magician will delight and surprise with magic tricks galore.
- June 30, Tuesday: No Program
- July 7, Tuesday, 12:00: Tuffy the American Quarter Horse
- July 14, Tuesday, 12:00: Color-wheel creations. Get messy with finger paints then celebrate your art with ice cream.
Pictured above: Charlie “The Noise Guy” Williams reads “Flush: An ode to toilets” at the Century Branch Library Wednesday afternoon. Picture below: Williams’ created a lot of a laughter during his library program. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Smoke ‘Tornado’ Photo: Wheat Field Burns
June 2, 2009
Pictured above: A control burn in wheat field at Highway 97 and Tungoil Roads near Walnut Hill Monday afternoon. If you look carefully at the photo below, you can see three different smoke vortexes spinning like three tornadoes. Pictured below: The smoke from the fire was visible from several miles away. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
