Bratt Elementary Holds Field And Fine Arts Day (With Gallery)
October 27, 2018
Bratt Elementary School held their first ever Field and Fine Arts Day Friday.
Students enjoyed a dance demonstration, storytelling from a pirate, a photography lesson, hands-on drumming and a pottery demonstration in addition to traditional outdoor field day events.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pine Forest Beats Tate
October 27, 2018
The Pine Forest Eagles defeated the Tate Aggies 35-20 Friday night. Pine Forest (6-3, 3-0) clinched the district title with the win.
Pine Forest cruised to a 21-0 lead before Tate’s first score of the game on a quarterback keeper from Hunter Riggan.
Tate (2-7, 1-2) will host Elba, AL (7-1, 4-1) next Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Tate FFA Horse Judging Team Named 5th Best In The Nation
October 27, 2018
The Tate High School FFA Horse Judging Team was named fifth in the nation Friday.
Victoria Kelson was also named as the high individual overall, and Kaelin Brinker was named as 10th high individual. Other team members are Raven Hollis and Molly Graham. Advisors are Erin Lawall, Melissa Gibbs and Austin Courson.
The event was held in conjunction with the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. The top 10 individuals and the national winning team members received cash prizes to recognize their success in the event.
The National FFA Horse Evaluation CDE is a competitive event that tests students’ ability to select and evaluate horses. Event components include eight selection classes consisting of four halter classes and four performance classes. Students also give four sets of oral reasons with two sets coming from each evaluation class. Teams also work together to complete practical activities and a team presentation. Each team competed at local and state levels for the privilege of representing their state at the National FFA Convention & Expo.
he event, held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, is one of many educational activities at the national convention in which FFA members apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.
strong>Pictured: The Tate High School FFA Horse Judging Team Frida in Indianapolis. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Church Pumpkin Patch Open In Cantonment
October 27, 2018
Looking for a pumpkin? The Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch has sold hundreds of pumpkins so far this year, and they have a selection remaining at the corner of Highway 29 and Neal Road in Cantonment. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available, with some priced as low as 50 cents.
The Allen Memorial United Methodist Men have sponsored the Pumpkin Patch since 1995.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Finals
October 26, 2018
Here are tonight’s North Escambia area high school football finals:
FLORIDA
- Pine Forest 35, Tate 20
- Northview 56, Snook Christian 0
- Jay 30, Freeport 26
- West Florida 21, Pensacola 0
- Escambia 35, Washington 12
- Pace 21, Milton 14
- Navarre 40, Gulf Breeze 12
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 48, Fort Dale 13
- Flomaton 20, T.R. Miller 13
- UMS-Wright 29, W.S. Neal 0
- Flomaton 20, T.R. Miller 13
- Williamson 7, Escambia County 2 (Thurs pm)
With $674 In The Bank, Century’s Gas Dept. Scrambles To Pay $33.6K In Past Due Bills
October 26, 2018
With just $674 in the bank, the Century Gas Department was scrambling for a way to pay $33,602 in mostly past due bills.
At an emergency town council meeting Thursday afternoon, the council voted to zero out a $11,030 reserve account and transfer $25,000 from a special revenue account in order to make payments that include health insurance premiums for workers and the actual natural gas sold to consumers.
The past due bills include $7,816 from BP Energy for natural gas, $1,200 to City Services and $912 to Florida Gas Utility due about 45 days ago. Another $10,638 is also 15 days past due to those companies. A $1,250 payment to the town’s financial auditor, Warren Averett, is 46 days past due, and $504 to Consolidated Pipe & Supply is at 50 days. Health insurance premiums of $2,567 to United Healthcare for gas department employees is 28 days past due.
Other “emergency” bills are less than a week past due – $236 to Verizon Wireless, $615 to Purchase Power, $30 to Louverne Starkie. One bill for $85.44 to Century Auto Parts was not past due as of Thursday; it has a Saturday due date.
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said the emergency meeting was called for Thursday afternoon because “our bills would have been late”, and the town did not know if any service might be suspended before the next regular council meeting in two weeks.
“I called an emergency meeting; we got to get these checks out,” the mayor said. When asked if the town has every paid bills late before, he said, “we are breaking that habit”.
“We have lost our health insurance before. We ain’t going to do that again,” Hawkins said.
Council member Ann Brooks was out of town and did not attend Thursday’s meeting, and Louis Gomez was absent due to an appointment.
NorthEscambia.com will look at some of the other issues faced by the Century Gas Department in future stories.
Pictured: Accountant Robert Hudson (left) explains the Century Gas Department financial situation to town council members Sandra McMurray-Jackson, Ben Boutwell and Gary Riley Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Blalock Named Florida Social Studies Teacher Of The Year
October 26, 2018
Tate High School teacher Robin Blalock has been name the Florida Council for the Social Studies 2018 Florida Teacher of the Year. Blalock was named one of Escambia County’s Social Studies Teachers of the Year earlier this year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Lineworkers Killed By Suspected DUI Driver
October 26, 2018
Three lineworkers restoring power after Hurricane Michael struck by a vehicle and killed by a pickup truck pulling a U-Haul trailer near Chipley. The vehicle left the roadway and hit the men as they worked on shoulder.
Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews said suspect John Goedtke (pictured) fled the scene before being arrested about five miles away. He was charged with DUI manslaughter, felony vehicular homicide and leaving the scene.
The victims were 52-year-old George Cecil of Cole Rain, NC; 22-year-old Ryan Barrett, of Roanoke Rapids, NC; and 60-year-old James Ussery of Chipley.
Even though the crews were not part of Gulf Power’s group of lineworkers, the company said the news was a tragic reminder of the dangers of working along the roadside.
“Nothing matters more than the safety of our customers and our storm crews, and after a storm of this magnitude, all of us must remain vigilant,” said Adrianne Collins, Gulf Power’s vice president of Power Delivery. “Risk from oncoming traffic is one of the biggest dangers our lineworkers face, and our community can assist with the protection of all our restoration team members by observing the Move Over law.”
Gulf Power offered the following tips:
Move Over law – The Move Over law provides safety buffers for those working or assisting others along Florida’s roadways including law enforcement, emergency responders, utility and sanitation workers and other public servants.
- The law requires motorists to move over a lane when passing.
- If they cannot move over, then they should slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
- If drivers violate the Move Over law, they could be issued a ticket, which could result in a fine as well as three points on their driver’s license.
Mad Scientist Night At Kingsfield Elementary (With Gallery)
October 26, 2018
Thursday was Mad Scientist Night at Kingsfield Elementary School.
It was night of madness for students, family members and faculty. From dry ice smoke to spider webs, from pumpkin oobleck to building with “bones” (AKA Q-tips), students got to experiment and create for a couple of hours of scientific wonder and adventure.
Photos by Kim Stefansson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volunteer Sought For FloridaWest Board of Directors
October 26, 2018
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment on the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance Board of Directors.
Residents interested in serving on the board are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by close of business Friday, November 2. Resumes should be submitted to Judy Witterstaeter, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, FL 32502, or emailed to jhwitter@myescambia.com.