Check Out The Summer Reading Program At The Library
June 7, 2017
Summer Reading Club 2017 is in full swing at West Florida Public Libraries locations with a new adult Summer Reading Club running in conjunction with the traditional children’s program.
Parents wanting to sign up their children can do so at any library location through July 31. Children will get reading logs to keep track of every 15 minutes they read. After 12.5 hours of reading, they get a free book and a bonus reading log to be entered for additional prizes.
Prizes include books, tool sets, Lego sets, Keva planks, Duplo sets, bicycles, a fire truck pedal car, a drift trike, waterproof solar chargers, a Fujifilm camera and fire truck rides to school for a few lucky students.
Summer Reading Club programs include Pensacola MESS Hall, Reno’s Reptiles, Tampa Taiko, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, The Noiseguy Charlie Williams and The Magic of Reading with Russell Davis.
The schedule is as follows:
Summer Reading
Summer STEAM: Trebuchets & Catapults
- Wednesday, June 7, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Friday, June 9, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
- Tuesday, June 13, 2 p.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 14, 10:30 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
- Thursday, June 15, 2 p.m. – Westside Branch Library
Are historical war weapons your secret fascination? Do you want to try your hand at a fun, crafty application of physics and engineering? Join West Florida Public Libraries for a day of medieval mischief.
Reno’s Reptiles
- Wednesday, June 7, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 7, 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 8, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 8, 3 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Kick off Summer Reading with the exciting animals of Reno’s Reptiles.
Tampa Taiko
- Thursday, June 8, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library (Held at Big Lagoon State Park, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway)
- Thursday, June 8, 3 p.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Friday, June 9, 7 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Saturday, June 10, 10:30 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Saturday, June 10, 2 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Learn about the exciting traditional Japanese performing art of Taiko drumming and see big Taiko drums. This program is presented by Ron Collins of Tampa Taiko.
Pensacola MESS Hall presents “Block by Block”
- Tuesday, June 13, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library (Held at Big Lagoon State Park, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway)
- Wednesday, June 14, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 14, 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 15, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 15, 3 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
A young girl outsmarts the king in this adaptation of “One Grain of Rice” using Legos®. Students get a concrete sense of exponential growth as they discover how quickly the Legos® multiply. This science show brought to you by Pensacola MESS Hall.
Summer STEAM: Different Ways of Flying
- Tuesday, June 20, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library
- Wednesday, June 21, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 22, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
- Tuesday, June 27, 2 p.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 28, 10:30 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
- Thursday, June 29, 2 p.m. – Westside Branch Library
Don’t have wings? Not lighter than air? No worries; there are lots of ways to fly. Come make paper airplanes that don’t come down (as long as the power is on…), balloons that are solar powered (kind of), and other wonky ways of using science, technology, engineering arts and math to wing it!
Pensacola MESS Hall presents “Intro to Engineering”
- Tuesday, June 20, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library (Sign-up is requested due to space limitations.)
- Wednesday, June 21, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 21, 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 22, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 22, 3 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Pensacola MESS Hall will give a 15-minute interactive presentation about engineering principles for young engineers followed by open build time with our imagination playground.
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo
- Tuesday, June 27, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library (Held at Big Lagoon State Park)
- Wednesday, June 28, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 28 , 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 29, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 29, 3 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Animals aren’t the only things that can make sounds. Come see, hear and touch different musical instruments. Don’t worry, they won’t bite.
Karl Jernigan Named New Tate Aggie Baseball Coach
June 7, 2017
Former Pace High School assistant coach and Florida State standout Karl Jernigan has been named head baseball coach for the Tate Aggies, replacing the retiring Greg Blackmon.
Jernigan was a four-year starter for the Florida State Seminoles in center field. He recorded career-highs with a .332 batting average and 15 stolen bases in 2000 and was regarded as one of the top defensive center fielders in the country. he was responsible for one of the most memorable victories in FUS history. His three-run homer in the bottom of the 11th inning gave FSU a 14-11 win over Stanford in the 1999 College World Series and a spot in the national title game.
Jernigan was drafted by the Oakland A’s, playing pro ball for three years. He spent the last 12 years as an assistant coach — at Milton for two years and then at Pace for the past 10 years.
Blackmon played on the UWF Baseball team from 1989 to 1990 under head coach Jim Spooner as a top first baseman. He holds the UWF career record for top batting average (.375) and is second in on-base percentage (.461). He is listed as third in slugging percentage (.570) and sixth in homeruns (13). In 1989, Blackmon was named to the All-Tournament team for his performance in the 1989 NAIA College World Series. By 1990, Blackmon held the second best single-season batting average (.472), slugging percentage (.624) and on-base percentage (.543). In 1990, he hit 11 homeruns as a third all-time record in the single season records.
Upon graduating from UWF, Blackmon continued to compete in the game as the head baseball coach at Tate High School in Cantonment, Florida for eight years. He led the high school team to two state championships in 1998 and in 2005 and posted a 202-42 record in eight seasons, leading them to five 6A Final Four appearances. Under his leadership, the Tate High School baseball team was crowned district and regional champions five times, as Blackmon was named the 6A Coach of the Year in 1998 and a six-time District I Florida Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year. He later received the Fred Waters Award in 1999 for his exceptional community contributions and devotion to the game of baseball.
Blackmon retired after the 2005 season to seek his master’s degree. He returned to the Aggie program six years later. His last two teams finished one win shy of a return to the state final four.
Northview Quarterback Club Announces New Officers
June 7, 2017
The Northview High School Quarterback Club has announced new officers and board members for the upcoming year. They are:
President – Jerry Fischer
Vice President – Josh Edwards
Secretary – Tammy Wilson
Treasurer – Courtney Nichols
Concession stand manager – Susan Hagan
Spirit merchandise – Jan Coleman
Programs and Ads – Genia Bayshore
Media – Carrie Bryan
Board Of Directors:
Ronald Peebles
Kent Calloway
Gary Killam
Kyle Wilson
Ronnie Cloud
Lonnie Wilson
Kevin Bryan
The next meeting of the Northview High School Quarterback Club will be at 6:30 p.m. on July 11 in the NHS Media Center.
No Injuries In West Kingsfield Road Crash
June 6, 2017
There were no injuries when in single vehicle wreck Tuesday morning on in the 1900 block of West Kingsfield Road. The driver lost control, left the roadway and struck an embankment. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Body Of Missing 12-Year Old Naomi Jones Discovered (With Gallery)
June 6, 2017
The body of missing 12-year old Naomi Jones was discovered Monday afternoon in the area of Detroit Boulevard and Ashland Avenue in Eight Mile Creek.
The body was discovered about five miles from where Jones was first reported missing about 1 p.m. last Wednesday in the 1400 block of East Johnson Avenue. The body was found by men who were looking to go fishing.
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan says the case is now being investigated as a homicide.
Multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, including scores of volunteers, have spent the past several days searching for Jones.
Click here for a photo gallery.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Woman Charged With Stealing From Her Real Estate Company Employer
June 6, 2017
An Atmore woman as been charged with stealing from the local real estate company where she worked.
Jamie LeAnne McCoy was charged with theft of property first degree for the alleged theft of property exceeding $2,500, according to the Atmore Police Department. She was released from the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton after posting a $10,000 bond.
The complaint was filed after the owner of Reynolds Real Estate found numerous discrepancies in business financial records, according to police reports. McCoy had worked at the company for many years, most recently as the office manager, according to the Reynolds Real Estate website.
Ernest Ward Middle School Presents Year End Awards
June 6, 2017
Ernest Ward Middle School recently presented the following year-end awards:
Language Arts
6th Grade Highest Academic Average — Emily Levins
6th Grade Most Improved — Tylor Forman
7th Grade Highest Academic — Anna Adams
7th Grade Most Improved — Tereasia Burt
8th Grade HIghest Academic Achievement — Amber Gilman
8th Grade Most Improved — Madalin Roberts
Reading
6th Grade Highest Academic Average — Tiana White and Ryan Andrews
6th Grade Most Improved — Britney Kimbler
7th Grade Highest Academic Average — Tereasia Burt
7th Grade Most Improved — Hannah Hassebrock
8th Grade Highest Academic Average — Naudia Carach
8th Grade Most Improved — Brittany Walston
History
6th Grade Highest Academic Average (World History) — Drake Allen Driskell
6th Grade Most Improved (World History) — Wyatt Jarvis
7th Grade Highest Academic Average (Civics) — Anna Adams
7th Grade Most Improved (Civics) — Da’merion Findley
8th Grade Highest Academic Average (American History) — Amber Gilman
8th Grade Most Improved (American History) — Amalyah Chastang
Math
6th Grade Higest Academic Average — Alexia Yeater (Mancuso)
6th Grade Most Improved — Luke Moye; Travis Sunday
7th Grade Highest Academic Average — Anna Adams
7th Grade Most Improved — Kara Hawkins (Sellers)
8th Grade Highest Academic Average — Naudia Carach
8th Grade Most Improved — Amalyah Chastang
Algebra 1 Highest Academic Average — Amber Gilman
Algebra 1 Most Improved — Jeremiah Morris
P.E.
6th Most Outstanding Achievement Boy — Jamarkus Jefferson
6th Most Outstanding Achievement Girl — Leila Boutwell
7th Most Outstanding Achievement Boy — John Bashore
7th Most Outstanding Achievement Girl — Payton Gilchrist
8th Most Outstanding Achievement Boy — Lane Wilson
8th Most Outstanding Achievement Girl — Mary Paige Nassar
Agriculture
6th Most Outstanding Achievement Wheel — Takayla Chiles
7th Most Outstanding Achievement Ag — Shakyria Dixon
8th Most Outstanding Achievement Ag — Amber Gilman
Culinary
6th Most Outstanding Wheel Wheel — Kaden Odom
7th Most Outstanding Achievement Culinary — Miyhanna Davidson
8th Most Outstanding Achievement Culinary — Ashley Ragsdale
7th-8th Most Outstanding Personal Development — Angelina Heritage
Manufacturing
6th Most Oustanding Wheel Wheel — Emily Levins
6th Most Outstanding Achievement Manufacturing — Drake Allen Driskell
7th Most Outstanding Achievement Manufacturing — Sarah Hetrick
8th Most Outstanding Achievement Manufacturing — Savannah Doremus & Peggy Sunday
Graphic Arts Academy
6th Most Outstanding Achievement Wheel Wheel — Jessica Stabler
7th Most Outstanding Achievement Business — Hunter Borelli
8th Most Outstanding Achievement/MOS Specialist Certification IIT — Maggie Amerson, Kenley Brown, Meredith McGhee, Emily Stabler, Ariel Ward, Brayden Mickel, Torrie Edmonson
6th-8th CCTV Most Outstanding CCTV — Luke Bridges & McKenna Simmons (6th), Madelyn McAnally & Wylder Gibson (7th), Emily Stabler (8th)
Band/Chorus
6th Most Outstanding Achievement Band — Bradley Hamilton
7th Most Outstanding Achievement Band — Adrianne Shanks
8th Most Outstanding Achievement Band — Michael Sanders
6th Most Outstanding Achievement Chorus — Sara Long
7th Most Outstanding Achievement Chorus — Shelby Cotita
8th Most Outstanding Achievement Chorus — Mary Paige Nassar
Fuel Ed/Compass
6th -8th Most Outstanding Achievement — Brittany Walston
6th – 8th Most Outstanding Achievement — David Warren
Principal Awards
6th Principal Award — Ramyia Pogue
7th Principal Award — Dallas Cleckler
8th Principal Award — Amalyah Chastang and Ryan Pendleton
Take Stock In Children – Harley Walker, Jonathan Gibbs, Miyhanna Davidson, Paige Gibbs
Duke Talent Search — Anna Adams, Adrianne Shanks
Cox Hero Award — David Lamb
Student of the Year — Taviana Parker
Nokomis and Meadows Stop Sign Relocated Today
June 6, 2017
Effective today, the stop sign at the intersection of Nokomis Road and Meadows Lane near Davisville will change to improve safety, according to Escambia County.
The stop sign was previously on the westbound lane of Nokomis Road. Today, the stop sign will be moved to the southbound lane of Meadows Lane.
Motorists are advised to use caution when navigating the intersection during and following the transition period.
Gov. Scott Ceremonially Signs Triumph Gulf Coast Bills In Pensacola
June 6, 2017
With the first check — for $300 million — on the way, Northwest Florida leaders know they must wisely invest the money across the region to ensure state lawmakers keep the BP settlement cash tap open.
After Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation Friday, the non-profit organization Triumph Gulf Coast is expected to eventually handle three-quarters of the $2 billion the state will receive over the next 13 years from BP in a settlement stemming from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Triumph Gulf Coast board members said Monday the Legislature can always alter future payments if they fail to properly make economic-development and educational investments with the first batch of money.
“If we do a poor job with the first $300 (million) that’s not going to help us down the road,” said Allan Bense, a former state House speaker from Panama City who also chairs Triumph Gulf Coast. “There is $1.2 billion still out there. I’m mindful of the fact that the Legislature can pull that $1.2 billion. They can get that future money.”
Bense’s comments came as Gov. Rick Scott conducted the first of two ceremonial bill signings on Monday — in Panama City and Pensacola — for measures (HB 7077 and HB 7079) tied to the BP settlement. Scott signed the bills on Friday.
Scott said by wisely investing the money in infrastructure and education, Panhandle counties should be able to compete for manufacturing jobs against other Southern states.
“People love to be in the Panhandle, we should win those types of jobs,” Scott said. “On top of that, we should be able to get good back-office jobs, regional offices and corporate offices. All of these are things we have opportunity to do if we are wise to how we spend our money.”
The House and Senate spent much of this year’s regular legislative session battling over how the money could be used before ultimately reaching agreement.
Rep. Jay Trumbull, a Panama City Republican who oversaw the issue in the House, expressed optimism Monday.
“I’m very pleased with the way to the board is set up,” Trumbull said. “This is going to be essentially a business entity. They’re a governmental entity, but the fact that they’re going to have the ability to look at each individual project. I truly believe that in the next 10 to 15 years, the Panhandle you see today, we’re going to see extraordinary growth directly because of Triumph.”
In addition to the money, the measures set minimums for how much each county — Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla and Walton — will receive and expands the Triumph board from five to seven members to provide more representation from less-populated counties.
Jorge Gonzalez, CEO of The St. Joe Company, said the money will help the region make up for years of economic development hindered by the devastating spill, which dumped millions of gallons of oil less than 100 miles off the Florida coast just as the region was emerging from the recession.
“It’s been a long seven years for many of us,” Gonzalez said. “This legislation is about creating jobs. It’s not about building buildings.”
Bense would like to see the money eventually help attract a large company such as Boeing.
“That’s what I would love, but in the meantime you have to hit singles and doubles,” Bense said.
However, no funding decisions or project vetting will be done until House and Senate leaders make their appointments to bring the Triumph board to seven, he said.
“I want to allocate as much as I can to economic development,” Bense said. “I don’t foresee us funding boat ramps or gun ranges, or things like that. I think those are county and city obligations.”
Pictured top: Gov. Rick Scott with local leaders at a ceremonial bill signing in Pensacola Monday afternoon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
House, Senate To Convene Wednesday Afternoon
June 6, 2017
The House and Senate will meet early Wednesday afternoon as they start a scheduled three-day special session to take up budget-related issues. House members are scheduled to meet in their chamber at 12:30 p.m., with an Appropriations Committee meeting at 2 p.m. and a Rules & Policy Committee meeting at 6:45 p.m., according to the House website. Senators are scheduled to convene at 1 p.m., according to the Senate website. Gov. Rick Scott on Friday called the special session after reaching agreement with House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, and Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, on funding issues related to education, tourism marketing and economic development. Bills (HB 1A and HB 3A) have been filed in the House dealing with economic-development and public-school funding.
by The News Service of Florida