NorthEscambia.com Publisher Named One Of Escambia County’s Most Influential People
March 25, 2021
The Pensacola Independent News has released their 2021 Inweekly Power List — their ranking of the most powerful and influential people in Escambia County.
Only one person that works primarily in the North Escambia area was named to the list — NorthEscambia.com publisher William Reynolds for the ninth year.
Topping this year’s list was Sue Straughn from our news partners WEAR-TV.
To view this year’s Inweekly Power List edition, click here.
Kingsfield Elementary Teachers Get Pied In The Face For Relay For Life (With Photo Gallery)
March 22, 2021
Kingsfield Elementary School students recently had a chance to pie their teachers in the face.
It was all part of an annual fundraiser for Relay for Life, and they collected $1,101.37, twice as much as last year.
“We took nominations for teachers who wanted to be pied. Throughout the week students brought in money to add to the jars for the teacher they wanted pied,” said Kenli Rowe, a fundraising project coordinator and proud recipient of a pie plate full of whipped cream.
“We had daily totals and at the end of the event the top 5 teachers would be pied. But. in reality, most of the teachers who had volunteered took a seat and got pied anyway! This has been an annual event for Relay each year since the school opened and the kids, and the teachers, look forward to it,” Rowe said.
The top five classes were
- Hope Tourney, first grade, $202.77, Kenli Rowe, fourth grade $202.77 (tie)
- Whitney Hager, fourth grade, $121.82
- Melissa Venable, kindergarten, $110.43
- Stephanie Harris, kindergarten, $100.77
- Ashley Raia, third grade, $63.59
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino 4-H Member Falls In Love With An Animal. And A Way Of Life.
March 21, 2021
submitted by Scott Angle, UF/IFAS
An 1,100-pound heifer can be a little intimidating even if you’re not a 60-pound fourth-grader. Fear was no match for Tucker Padgett’s fascination, though, when the middle-schooler tending to the animal invited her to jump into the pen to help.
Tucker was at a Santa Rosa County Fair 4-H prep meeting with her goats. UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County 4-H agent Aly Schortinghouse had a hunch that Tucker would find interest in cows, so she had arranged for Tucker’s visit to the pen.
It went way beyond interest. Tucker, who’s now a seventh-grader who lives in Molino, says she fell in love that day, with an animal and a way of life. The Black Angus named Blake Shelton kissed her. Tucker reciprocated with a fistful of Jolly Ranchers. That night she went home and told her parents she wanted a calf.
The next test was faith. Tucker sold 40 goats and many of her chicks to raise the money to buy a calf from Barnes Feed Store. For a 10-year-old, that’s betting the farm.
She named the heifer Baby and worked for months to grow her. She brushed, cleaned, halter-trained and arranged for veterinary checkups. Tucker and Baby went to 14 competitions in Florida and Alabama—county fairs and jackpot shows. Baby herself turned out to be a jackpot, as she and Tucker earned nearly $5,000 in premiums
Tucker is now a 13-year-old with eight cows and intends to breed them to grow the herd. While she’s still fond of Baby, she’s not sentimental. Baby’s not a pet, she’s a producer. Tucker is learning about artificial insemination, selecting the bulls to breed her heifers, and arranging for professional techs to impregnate the animals.
The growing herd got the attention of neighbors who moved into Tucker’s neighborhood in Molino a year ago. Hunter, 14, started asking questions and developing an interest in beef cattle. His sister Morgan, 12, wants to know more about dairy cows.
Hunter and Morgan haven’t committed to an animal yet, but they’re learning from a young master, showing up at the barn at 6 p.m. every night where Tucker is teaching them to wash, brush, treat for hair growth, clip, tie and walk the animals.
Tucker is a member of the JFCA and the Northwest Florida Cattlemen’s Association. She has addressed meetings of both associations to share her story.
It’s a classic UF/IFAS Extension 4-H story. It’s how a 4-H agent put opportunity in front of a kid, changed her life, and set her on a course to become a leader. The early signs are there in the hours Tucker now spends daily not only tending to her animals but extending that opportunity to others of her generation.
Pictured top: Tucker Padgett with J. Scott Angle, the University of Florida’s vice president for agriculture and natural resources, during the UF/IFAS leader’s visit to the area in December 2020. Pictured inset: Tucker Padgett with her calf, Baby. The pair has gone to 14 competitions in Florida and Alabama, earning nearly $5,000 in premiums. Photos UF?IFAS for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and leader of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
Escambia County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit Earns Awards
March 20, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit competed with multiple agencies during the K-9 Trials held by the Pensacola Police Department this week. Friday, they were presented with the following awards:
2020 Cases in Quarter Award:
- Deputy Matt Beaty and K-9 Maddox
- Deputy Corey Smith and K-9 Cairo
- Deputy Casey Bowling and K-9 Nero
- Deputy Larry Richardson and K-9 Eso
- Deputy Thomas Bortner and K-9 Zeek
- Deputy Matt Howell and K-9 Tebow
4th in Overall (Patrol Dog):
- Deputy James Freeman and K-9 Shane
5th Overall (Patrol Dog):
- Deputy Wayne Gulsby and K-9 Enzo
13th in Overall (Patrol Dog):
- Deputy Matthew Housam and K-9 Axel
17th in Overall (Patrol Dog):
- Deputy Corey Smith and K-9 Cairo
4th in Agility:
- Deputy James Freeman and K-9 Shane
3rd in Two-Man Narcotics:
- Deputy James Freeman and K-9 Shane
- Deputy Matthew Housam and K-9 Axel
4th in Narcotics Indoor Detection:
- Deputy Larry Richardson and K-9 Eso
4th in Two-Man Narcotics Detection:
- Deputy Larry Richardson and K-9 Eso
- Deputy Matt Beaty and K-9 Maddox
Two-Man Intra-department:
- Deputy Thomas Bortner and K-9 Zeek
- Deputy T. White (Gulf Breeze Police Department)
Top Dual Dog:
- Deputy Matthew Housam and K-9 Axel
Celebrating The Incredible Kids Of Camp Fire Century (And A Big Birthday)
March 20, 2021
The children a the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center recently celebrated Camp Fire’s 111th Birthday and Absolutely Incredible Kids Day.
Parents and staff wrote a letter to each child telling them how they are an absolutely incredible kid. They also celebrated with ice cream, ice cream sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
March 18, 2021
Northview High School has named their February Students of the Month. They are Briar Weaver (pictured left) and Kinzey Powell (pictured right). Also pictured is Northview Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
March 17, 2021
Jim Allen Elementary School has named their February Students of the Month. They are Rhett Norton (pictured left) and Sarah Simpson. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Honeysuckle Garden Club Spruces Up Fillingim Landing Entrance
March 16, 2021
The entrance to Fillingim Landing in Barrineau Park is looking much better today thanks for a group of dedicated volunteers.
On Monday, 14 volunteers from the Honeysuckle Garden Club planted donated trees and flowers at the Fillingim Landing entrance. Sometimes working in the rain, the group also picked up trash in the area.
Fillingim Landing is a day-use recreation area that offers a canoe/kayak launch, hiking trails, picnic areas, pedestal grills, portable toilets and gravel parking. The area, managed by the Northwest Florida Water Management District, does not allow ATV’s or trailer boat launching. It is day use only (no camping), and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Fillingim Landing is located off Jacks Branch Road south of Barrineau Park Road. Admission is free.
Escambia County 4-H Members Headed To State Event Competitions
March 15, 2021
The UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension Office recently hosted 4-H County Events consisting of competitions in public speaking, demonstrations and illustrated talks, photography, graphic design and share-the-fun (talent) activities.
The socially distanced event featured 29 youth who submitted 66 different entries.
This year all senior blue ribbon demonstrations and the first place senior public speaker and Share-the-Fun participants will go on to State 4-H Events. The top junior (ages 8-10), intermediate (ages 11-13), and senior (age 14+) photographs will now proceed to the state contest. For graphic design competitions, all blue-ribbon winners will be eligible for the state contest at 4-H University at the University of Florida in July.
The following county winners will advance to state:
Graphic Design:
- Baylee B.
- Syrah Chauvette
- Ryan Clake
- Tucker Padgett
- Ava Chauvette, named Best in Show
- Brayden Clarke
- Maddie Goss
- Gracie Meredith
Share-the-Fun (Talent):
- Kailee Dunlap
Public Speaking:
- Maddie Goss
Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks:
- Alan B.
- Maddie Goss
- Gracie Meredith
- Ethan Thorne
- Hannah Thorne
- Jessica Conti
Photography:
- Zaiyn Chauvette
- Ryan Clarke
- Katherine Ballard
Pilot Club Donation To Provide Shade For Escambia Westgate Students
March 14, 2021
The Pilot Club of Pensacola presented a $10,500 donation to Escambia Westgate School to purchase canopies and shade sails to protect students from the sun.
They will be installed over the new Escambia Westgate playground to make it safer to the students to play outside on sunny days. Nearly 200 students ages 3-22 with developmental disabilities attend Escambia Westgate.
The grant included matching funds from the Pilot International Founders Fund.
Pilot Club of Pensacola members Sue Levin Linda Petty and Shirley Jacques presented the check to Escambia Westgate Principal Joanna Sellers and Assistant Principal Karen Robinson.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.