Tate High FFA Chapter Earns Numerous Awards And Honors At FFA State Convention
June 21, 2024
The Tate High School FFA chapter brought home numerous awards and honors from the 96th Annual Florida FFA State Convention & Expo in Orlando recently.
Tate attended with 34 FFA members, chapter advisors, administration, and FFA alumni. Members attended the convention, leadership student workshops, and career show.
Chapter delegates Lawson Theisen and Maegan Coleman and represented the chapter at the Florida FFA business session and District 1 meeting. Tate High Principal Laura Touchstone also attended the convention and shared in the chapter’s accomplishments for the week.
The chapter was received the following awards, honors and accolades::
Florida’s Finest – National Chapter Award – recognizes the top 10% of chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the National FFA organization as they emphasize three components: Growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture while engaging the entire membership.
Florida’s Finest – Premier FFA Chapters – Recognizes superior achievement by FFA chapters as they engaged in agriculture and the FFA. Chapters must be proficient in alumni and community partnerships, financial planning, public relations and models of excellence FFA activities.
Advisor of the Year Finalist – Tate FFA advisor Melissa Gibbs was a top finalist for the Timothy Cribbs Advisor of the Year Award as it recognizes advisors who make a positive difference in the lives of their agricultural FFA members.
Honorary State FFA Degree – Richard Gibbs was chosen by the Florida FFA Association Board of Directors, officers and staff to receive the coveted Honorary State FFA Degree. Gibbs is a charter member of the Tate FFA Foundation and a 1954 Tate High School graduate and FFA member. The Honorary State FFA Degree is the highest honorary award presented by the Florida FFA organization. Its purpose is to recognize those individuals who have greatly contributed to the advancement of agricultural education and who have provided outstanding service to the FFA program.
American FFA Degree Candidates – As the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization, the American FFA Degree shows an FFA member’s dedication to his or her chapter and state FFA association. It demonstrates the effort FFA members apply toward their supervised agricultural experience and the outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement they exhibited through their FFA career. American FFA Degree recipients show promise for the future and have gone above and beyond to achieve excellence. Tate FFA recipients were Dawson Guy and Jaxson Stafford.
State FFA Degree Recipients – The State FFA Degree is the highest degree a state association can bestow upon a member. It is a step in the FFA degree system that encourages premier leadership, personal growth and achievement of career success. The degree is a high and rare honor, in which less than two percent of FFA members earn. It requires commitment and hard work to reach and attain this goal. The State FFA Degree is awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to the Florida State FFA Association and made significant accomplishments in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs).
The following Tate students received the State FFA Degree.
- Sarah Alexander
- Wyatt Allen
- Ryan Grace
- Austin Manning
- Francis Martin
- Alexis Nelson
- Synoma Perea
- Brayden Touchstone
- Lyllian Warne
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Supervisor of Elections Disqualifies Supervisor of Elections Candidate Bruce Childers
June 21, 2024
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office has disqualified GOP candidate Bruce Childers, who was running for Supervisor of Elections, according to a statement from that office late Thursday.
According to a statement from the Super of Election Office:
“Mr. Bruce Childers did not qualify as a candidate for the position of supervisor of elections. Mr. Childers’ full and public financial disclosure was not provided by close of qualifying, and Florida Statute §99.061(7)(a), requires a candidate qualifying for Constitutional office to provide a copy of the full and public financial disclosure Form 6 by the close of qualifying. The requirement is pursuant to the Florida Constitution and Florida’s election and ethics laws.
“The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office remains committed to ensuring the integrity of elections and maintaining compliance with the election laws of Florida.”
Childers, a local attorney, is the husband of Escambia County Comptroller and Clerk of the Court Pam Childers.
Without Childers in the race, incumbent Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender was automatically elected.
According to SOE records, the Childers’s campaign had $101,000 — a single $1,000 donation from a retired individual and $100,000 in loans to himself as of June 14. He had spent $42,362.97 including the $9,735.48 qualification fee, $4,027.49 for signs and $28,600 for Lamar Advertising billboards.
By June 14, Bender raised $21,450, and had spent $10,735.48 including consulting for $1,000 and the $9,735.48 qualifying fee.
Molino 6U All-Stars Win Gospel Projects World Series
June 21, 2024
The Molino 6U All-Stars won the Gospel Projects World Series this week.
The Gospel Projects World Series started in 1970 and Molino has never finished better in 6Uthan second back in 2019.
These are the same boys that won 5U last year, which also was a first for Molino at the 5U at Gospel Projects.
Molino defeated NEP Gold 31-22 for the championship.
Molino 6U All-Stars head coach is Tanner Brooks. Assistant coaches are Jason Chaney, Mark Cutler, Wesley Summerford, Brad Brooks, and Blake Schnyder.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Respond To Report Of Smoke In Cantonment Dollar General
June 21, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to a report of smoke in the building at a Cantonment Dollar General Thursday afternoon.
The report was made about 5 p.m. from the Dollar General at 111 South Highway 97 at Muscogee Road. Firefighters tracked the source of the smoke to an electrical problem with an HVAC unit.
There was no severe damage and no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
‘Doc’ Johnson Just What Blue Wahoos Ordered in 2-0 Win
June 21, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos resummoned their winning formula on Thursday night.
It was enough to keep them in a divisional playoff race.
As he’s so often done at home this year, righthander M.D. Johnson gave his teammates a big lift with five shutout innings prior to a brief rain delay, then the bullpen took over on Mullet Thursday for Pensacola’s 2-0 win against the Chattanooga Lookouts.
Taking on their alternate identity as the Mullets, the Blue Wahoos rebounded from two series-opening losses, including a 9-1 setback Wednesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium, to stay in contention in the Southern League South Division first half chase.
The win was vital, considering the Montgomery Biscuits won their second game this week against the Birmingham Barons – the North Division leader – to maintain a 1.5 game lead with three weekend games remaining.
“(Thursday) we played more like Blue Wahoos baseball,” said Johnson, who improved to 3-4 on the season and lowered his earned run average to 3.11. “We weren’t super tight. We weren’t trying to do everything so perfectly, because of what’s at stake. We just played the game that we’re all here trying to play.
“I think that, going forward, is what we need to carry on doing.”
All three of Johnson’s wins have come at home. He carried a mindset of blocking any thoughts of needing to carry the team in a must-win type of scenario.
“I didn’t think of it along the lines of that,” said Johnson, who allowed just three hits – matching his fewest this season – along with two walks and four strikeouts.
““Because as soon as you try to add that little bit of extra pressure, then you are going to try and nitpick things,” he said. “I went more along the lines of… we lost the first two games of the series, and it’s opening weekend. We are trying to get a win here to jump start the week, versus, ‘Oh we have to try and stay in the hunt.’ I don’t have to think about that.
“(Playoffs) will take of itself with us winning baseball games. I treated it like a normal start. We just lost two, I need to come in here and set the tone for the week. And I think I accomplished that.”
The Blue Wahoos scored both runs on home runs.
Catcher Joe Mack did it again, leading off the fourth inning with a solo shot over the right center berm. It was his team-high 11th homer of the season, his ninth in the past 20 games.
Cody Morissette followed a 21-minute rain delay in the bottom of the fifth inning by connecting on a 1-1 pitch for his fifth homer this season.
Those two swings became enough. The Blue Wahoos had just four hits. Mack had one of those with a first-inning single and Zach Zubia had the other.
That was enough offense for the Blue Wahoos bullpen to take over. Austin Roberts, the team’s saves leader, who was used Thursday as a middle reliever, worked the sixth and seventh in flawless fashion with four strikeouts to get his first hold of the season.
Raffi Vizcaíno earned his seventh save by working two scoreless innings. When he recorded his fourth strikeout to end the game, Vizcaíno leaped off the mound and showed joyous emotion after sealing a much needed win.
The Lookouts (19-47), who have the fewest wins in all levels of Minor League Baseball, have played solid baseball so far this week against the Blue Wahoos.
“The bullpen has been nails all year,” Johnson said. “They have been fantastic. If I can give us five to six innings… not just myself but the whole starting staff… if we can give them the lead after five to six innings of good quality baseball, it’s lights out.”
The series will continue on Friday with Cade Gibson making his first home start for the Blue Wahoos against Rhett Lowder, the Cincinnati Reds’ No. 1 prospect, who will entered with a 0-3 record Friday but is coming off a scoreless five innings in his last start.
GAME NOTABLES
— The rain delay began at 7:20 p.m. after the umpires called for the tarp to be put on the field. It was the first time in the Blue Wahoos’ 36 home games that weather has affected a game.
— The University of West Florida had a group outing on the Winn-Dixie party deck with 200-plus guests.
— The win pushed the team’s record to 5-2 wearing the Mullet uniforms and 27-1 when leading after seven innings.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Friday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Cantonment Man, 44, Identified As Fatality In Escambia Bay Bridge Crash
June 20, 2024
The victim of a fiery crash last week on the I-10 bridge over Escambia Bay has been identified as a 44-year-old Cantonment man.
The Florida Highway Patrol released the information Thursday afternoon but did not release the man’s name or any update on the cause of the wreck.
The crash happened about 2:15 p.m. June 13 on I-10 eastbound near the Scenic Highway overpass.
The Florida Highway Patrol said four vehicles were involved with one confirmed fatality in a vehicle that was fully engulfed.
A 55-year-old Milton man, 15-year-old Shreveport, Louisiana girl, 26-year-old Dothan, Alabama, man were also injured and transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
FHP is continuing to investigate the crash.
Photos: Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Department of Transportation.
Escambia, Florida, School Board Discusses Student Phone Policy; Escambia, Alabama, Will Lock Phones In Pouches
June 20, 2024
The school board in Escambia County, Florida is discussing how changes could be made to cell usage in local schools along with a Florida law already in place.
The discussion comes as Los Angeles school board on Tuesday moved to ban cellphones all day on campuses for a half million students in the nation’s second largest district.
Meanwhile, a new cell phone policy has already been adopted in Escambia County, Alabama, banning usage during the high school day. Students will be able to have their phones, but they’ll be locked in pouches.
Details on both Escambia counties are below.
Escambia County, Florida
A Florida law last year prohibits school networks from using social media, and gives teacher discretion to ban cell phone use in their classrooms during classroom time.
“I appreciate the guidelines we currently have in place, but cell phones and earbuds and headphones are a top problem in the classroom,” Escambia County teacher Cheryl Zigler told the school board. “They are a distraction in the classroom. I am not recommending banning them, but in districts where they have been banned, grades went up.”
“We do need a district-wide policy, so every school is doing the same thing,” Zigler added. “There’s a company that sells these awesome pouches that kids can lock up their phone; they get it back at the end of the day. They can carry around their phone, but they can’t open it (the pouch).
Parents need to work with their children on cell phone usage. Parents don’t need to text their kids at school during class,” she added.
“They use their cell phones to cheat; they’ll take pictures of test questions; they’ll text pictures to friends. We’ve got to do something.”
“This is a crisis across America,” District 1 school board member Kevin Adams said.
“School board are not the reason that students have cell phone,” District 5 board member Bill Slayton, nothing that the board did have regulations against cell phones in schools maybe 20 years ago. “But a father that was on the Legislature wanted to be able to get in touch with their child, and the Legislature passed the statute that said that we could not prohibit cell phones in schools. And look what we have come around to.”
“Please bear with us as we make this new rule,” Slayton continued. “It will probably have to be modified many, many times just because it is very difficult nowadays to stop it.”
“I do hate to see a child fail or be suspended because of this,” he said, holding up his phone. “But that is kind of where we are going…bear with us. This is going to take a while.”
Superintendent Keith Leonard said he’s discussed cell phones with students representing the district’s high schools, and they are planning a student-led “unplugged day” next school year.
“Every year, we have tried to give teachers and instructors more power over the cell phones in their classrooms,” District 4 member Patty Hightower said.
Escambia County, Alabama
The Escambia County Board of Education in Alabama has banned student cell phones during the high school day beginning with the upcoming school year.
The district will issue Yondr pouches to each student at the beginning of the school year. When they arrive on campus, they will lock their phones inside the pouch that will be unlocked by the school at the end of the school day. The students will be unable to unlock the pouch containing the phone without a special device, and if they damage the pouch, they will be charged $20. Pouch searches may be conducted during the school day.
The locking policy does not apply to school-issued computers.
“There is no reason that a student should need a cell phone during the regular school day,” the policy states. “In any instance requiring emergency communication with a student, our school will immediately assist the
student, a parent, or other responsible adult with that situation by using a school telephone.”
The policy also states, “instances may occur where administration will unlock pouches for students to call home such as severe weather, unplanned early release, etc.”
Violations can lead to in or out of school suspensions or even alternative school for 15 days following the sixth offense.
To read the Escambia County, Alabama, policy, click here (pdf).
Pictured: Escambia County (FL) School Board member Bill Slayton hold up his phone during a board meeting this week. NorthEscambia.com image, click to enlarge.
Friends Of The Library Announces Summer Book Sale
June 20, 2024
The dates for the Friends of the West Florida Public Library HOT Summer Book Sale have been announced with a hot summer sales twist.
The Friends’ Hot Summer Book Sale will be held July 26, 27 and 28th and this year. For every t10 items (books, DVD’s, audiobooks, and CDs) purchased, library supporters will be invited to select an 11th item – for free! This includes all books, (paperback, hardback, kids’ books, etc.) except those in the Collector’s Corner. The books in Collector’s Corner are always individually priced.
The books will be sorted by genre to make it easier to find your favorite novels, children’s books, books about gardening and decorating, biographies, and so many more.
Friday, July 26, 2024, 3-7 p.m., $5 admission (free for member), Hot Summer Sale: Buy 10 items and get one more for free.
Saturday, July 27, 2024, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., free admission, Half-off prices all day! Hot Summer Sale: Buy 10 items and get one more for free.
Sunday, July 28, 2024, 9a.m. – 3 p.m., free admission | $7 bag sale (Collector’s Corner closes on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.)
The sale will be held at the downtown library, located at 239 North Spring Street. Debit and credit cards will be accepted.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Votes To Spend Up To $15K For Flooring With Company That Can Start Work Fastest
June 20, 2024
The Century Town Council voted Tuesday night to spend up to $15,000 for new flooring in areas of town hall with the company that can get to work the fastest.
“We could take the lowest two and make a condition: whoever can get it done quicker,” was the recommendation of council member Alicia Johnson that became the motion approved by the council.
The two lowest bids were Home Depot at $12,926.44 and Shamar Carpet on North Old Corry Field Road in Pensacola for $15,000 to replace flooring in the back office area of town hall.
“I would say the one that could get here quickest, that we would engage them,” Johnson recommended.
The town also received a bid of $21,145.57 from Cannon’s Carpets in Brewton, and it previously reached out to Atmore Carpets, which has closed due to the owner’s retirement.
The town plans to pay for the purchase with American Rescue Plan funds.
In 2022, the town refinished the lobby floors at a cost of $2,952 (pictured).
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Before:
Amateur Radio Field Day Is This Weekend, Free Demonstrations At Ashton Brosnaham And Bratt Parks
June 20, 2024
Local ham radio operators will gather at two locations in Escambia County this weekend for the 2024 American Radio Relay League Field Day.
ARRL Field Day is an opportunity for thousands of amateur radio enthusiasts throughout the U.S. and Canada to set up temporary communications stations and make contact with like-minded people. Licensed radio operators, often called “hams,” spend the weekend practicing community outreach, emergency preparedness and technical skills.
Local hams participate in providing emergency communications during hurricanes and other disasters when normal communications are disabled and during local events like triathlons, bikeathons, parades or wherever real time communications are needed.
The Five Flags Amateur Radio Association will begin operations beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday and operate continuously until 1 p.m. Sunday at Ashton Brosnaham Park, 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Drive, off East 10 Mile Road.
The Southern Amateur Radio Union will participate from Travis Nelson Park on West Highway 4 in Bratt, just west of Northview High. Club members from both Escambia counties (Alabama and Florida) will participate from noon Saturday until noon Sunday.
The public is invited to stop by both locations to observe and learn.
“I’m excited to welcome our amateur radio friends back to Escambia County’s Ashton Brosnaham and Travis Nelson parks for their annual field day, and I wish them a fun and successful event,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “I encourage the public to come watch amateur radio in action and learn more about the important service they provide. I’d like to thank both groups for all they’ve done over the years in our community, and for sharing their expertise with the public through these exciting events.”
The Escambia County Commission recently proclaimed June 17-23 as “Amateur Radio Week” in the county to recognize the key role amateur radio plays in our community.
Pictured: 2023 American Radio Relay League Field Day events at Travis Nelson Park in Bratt and Ashton Brosnaham Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
