Photos: Century’s Youngest (And Cutest) Graduates
June 1, 2015
The Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center recently held a VPK graduation ceremony. The young graduates demonstrated their ability to count to 100 in various increments, presented their favorite letters, sang songs and spoke a little Spanish — skill all learned in their VPK classes.
For more photos of the graduates, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names May Students Of The Month
June 1, 2015
Ernest Ward Middle School has named Students of the Month for May. They are Summer Water, sixth grade; Justin Cruce, eighth grade; and Emily Boutwell, seventh grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Hospital Now Managed By Infirmary Health; Baptist Out
June 1, 2015
Atmore Community Hospital is now officially managed by Infirmary Health of Mobile, rather than Baptist Health Care of Pensacola.
In August 2014, the Escambia County Healthcare Authority (ECHA) voted to move forward with the Infirmary partnership, ended an agreement that Baptist entered 20 years ago to manage the 49-bed facility.
ECHA issued a request for management proposals as part of an inquiry period that began in late 2013. The proposals, including one from Baptist Health Care, were analyzed by the ECHA Executive Committee which ultimately recommended Infirmary Health.
As the largest non-governmental, not-for-profit healthcare system in Alabama, Infirmary Health is composed of three acute care hospitals, three post-acute care facilities, three diagnostic centers, and more than 22 medical clinics and other affiliates serving an 11-county area along the Gulf Coast and treating more than 800,000 patients annually.
Infirmary Health currently operates Mobile Infirmary, Thomas Hospital in Fairhope and North Baldwin Infirmary in Bay Minette. The company employees more than 4,900 people with about 700 physicians on staff. The company is the largest private employer in Mobile.
Pictured: Atmore Community Hospital in now managed by Infirmary Health of Mobile, ending a 20-year agreement with Baptist Health Care of Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com photo by Ditto Gorme, click to enlarge.
Hurricane Season Begins, New Graphic Introduced For 2015
June 1, 2015
With the new hurricane season today comes a new prototype storm surge watch/warning graphic from NOAA’s National Hurricane Center, intended to highlight areas along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of the United States that have a significant risk of life-threatening inundation by storm surge from a tropical cyclone.
The new graphic will introduce the concept of a watch or warning specific to the storm surge hazard. Storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from a tropical cyclone, and it can occur at different times and at different locations from a storm’s hazardous winds. In addition, while most coastal residents can remain in their homes and be safe from a tropical cyclone’s winds, evacuations are often needed to keep people safe from storm surge. Having separate warnings for these two hazards should provide emergency managers, the media, and the general public better guidance on the hazards they face when tropical cyclones threaten.
NOAA is predicting a “below average” hurricane season for 2015. Click here for more info in an earlier story.
Mississippi Braves, Blue Wahoos Rained Out
June 1, 2015
Sunday’s doubleheader between the Mississippi Braves and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos has been canceled due to inclement weather. The games will not be made up because the two teams do not meet again during the first half of the season.
Pensacola travels to take on the Mobile BayBears beginning Monday for a five game series. The Blue Wahoos return to play the Jacksonville Suns June 6-10.
Jesse Taylor III
June 1, 2015
Mr. Jesse Taylor, III age 64 of Atmore, passed away Sunday, May 31, 2015, at his residence.
Mr. Taylor was born in Brewton and was a life time resident of Escambia County. He worked as a finance manager at Johnson Ford in Atmore, and was of the Methodist faith. Mr. Taylor was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Taylor, Jr. and Charlotte Ann Taylor.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Wanda Sue Taylor of Trenton, GA; a son, Jesse (Crystal) Taylor, IV of Las Vegas, NV; a daughter, Sara (Rodney) Devers of Castleberry, AL; a brother, William Bartlett Taylor of Brewton; a sister, Anna (Michael) Barlow of Cumming, GA; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2015, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home in Brewton with Rev. Clyde Madden officiating. Interment will follow in Union Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Craver’s Funeral Home on Wednesday from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m.
Northview High School Class Of 2015 Graduates (With Photo Gallery)
May 31, 2015
Just over 100 members of the Northview High School Class of 2015 graduated Saturday.
‘Have the courage to follow your heart in order to achieve your dreams,” said Valedictorian Kyndall Hall. “The only person that can keep you from achieving your dreams is yourself. Life isn’t about how long you live, but how you live. It is not about what you have, but how you use what you have. I pray that whatever you do with your life, you are successful with it.”
“God has a plan for each of our lives,” she said. “And to find and pursue it will mean success.
School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas praised the Class of 2015 for their numerous academic and athletic accomplishments, and for earning over a half million dollars in scholarship money.
For a complete video of the graduation ceremony, click here.
For a photo gallery, click here. (More individual diploma photos will be published this week.)
A complete list of graduates is below the bottom photo, scroll down.
Pictured top: Northview valedictorian Kyndall Hall delivers a speech to her class. Pictured below: Salutatorian Samantha Sharpless addresses the Class of 2015. Pictured bottom: The NHS Senior Ensemble. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above) are:
Kyndall Lauren Hall -Valedictorian
Samantha Elizabeth Sharpless – Salutatorian
Matthew Ryan Chavers
Mallory Mason Ryan
Tristan Taylor Brown
Julie Beth Hester
Jessica Leigh McCullough
Megan Paige Bryan
Austin Blake Cunningham
Aaron Thomas McDonald
Tristan Hunter Portwood
Kendal Brooke Cobb
Desiree Nicole Elliard
Kristen Renae Byrd
Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are:
Kelton Joe Wooten
Charmayne Mishanna Fountain
Joshua Joseph Borelli
Kamryn Denise Brock
Hannah Elizabeth Gibson
Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are:
Shania Lynn Ward
Penny Nicole Banda
Adriann Dawn Lee
Jaylen Malik Parker
Morgan Maxine Ward
Rachel Caroline Sepulveda
Rickey Heath Smith
E’layzha Rikiah Bates
Madison Ma’clay McGhee
Holly Merlice Cofield
Alphabetical
Sean Thomas Allister
Brodie Jackson Amos
Autumn Leanna Ates
Mason Dylan Baker
Chandler Lane Boies
Alexander Wesley Bradley
Tydre’ Laquan Bradley
Jessica Faye Brewton
Mark Jordan Brink
AngeliqueTatiana Brown
Ciara Ann Campbell
Jason Wade Cantrell
Lane Jarrett Carnley
Andrew Martin Clemmons
Hope Marie Coggins
Lawrence Eathan Coon
Tiffani Amber Cruce
lyanna Latice Davidson
Allyson Brianne Edwards
Kayla Marie Fears
Ray’shon Donnelle Fletcher
Kaylee Elizabeth Foster
Chasen Lee Freeman
Everette Francis Garvey
Ryder Tristen Gifford
Landon David Godwin
Jonathan Wayne Griffis
Azeen Bisheer Grissett
Austin Taylor Halfacre
Dillon Wade Hall
Courtney Danielle Hallford
Davy Scott Hanks
Elijah Chase Harbison
Ronald Nyshun Harris
Alliyiah Quarille Henderson
Trenton D’Angelo Howard
Hannah Elaine Johnson
Kadarius D’Quan Johnson
John Hunter Johnston
Justin David Kite
Kaitlyn Grace Kline
Nicholas Dewayne Lambert
Angel Nicole Lathan
Keondrae Shamar Lett
Dakota Ray Lowery
Cody Wayne Mathis
Andrea Shiyann Miles
Teamber Marie Moorer
Kayla Michelle Nahkala
Catherine McKenzie Nassar
Kenneth Erving Nelson
Cameron Rasheed Newsome
Jarred Donovan Nixon
Jeniya Charmaine Odom
Jason Kade Parham
Lakelynn Nicole Parker
Breanna Marie Payne
Courtney Paige Peebles
Emily Graye Pippins
Joseph Tanner Plant
Natassja Sam one Scott
Logan Hunter Sherouse
Zachary Samuel Sims
Anissa Shanae Smiley
Paula Lynnette Spicer
Keona Monshea Stanley
Benjamin Michael Stott
Kachanne Elaine Thomas
Cara Renea Thompson
Asja Mo’na Trotter
Brett Clayton Weeks
Erica Megan Wiggins
Kennisia Teresa Ann Williams
Natasia Nicole Williams
Takeya Monique Williams
Tristan Parker Williams
Brandon Michael Wilson
Ashley Suanne Young
First Molino Crawfish Festival Held (With Photo Gallery)
May 31, 2015
The first Molino Crawfish Festival was held Saturday. The family-oriented event included live, music games, bounce houses, and other food items — including burgers, fries and hot dogs and watermelon. And there were plenty of crawfish — over 1,500 pounds of crawfish.
Proceeds benefited the Molino Historical Society and area churches.
Photos by Michael Pevahouse and Ramona Prestion for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Spanish Tall Ship Elcano Open For Tours Today (With Photo Gallery)
May 31, 2015
Large crowds tourned the Spanish tall ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano while it was in port in Pensacola over the weekend.
The Elcano is the official training ship for the Royal Spanish Navy and entrusted with the formation and training of the Spanish Naval Midshipmen. Since 1927 the Elcano has sailed more than a million and a half nautical miles through all the seas of the world. Of the 85 cruises she has completed, 10 of them have been around the world.
Considered to be a “floating embassy,” her presence in foreign countries and ports contributes considerably to the Spanish foreign policy. Elcano Captain Enrique Torres-Piñeyro of El Ferrol, Galicia, Spain and crew will sail into Pensacola Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 9a.m. to help honor the U.S. citizenship of General Bernardo de Galvez, a Revolutionary War hero who won the Battle of Pensacola 234 years ago in May.
Spanish commander Galvez defeated British troops in the Battle of Pensacola on May 9, 1781, reconquering West Florida for Spain and aiding the 13 American colonies in their quest for independence. Each year, Pensacola, which boasts a large population with connections to Spain, celebrates that victory. In December of 2014, the United States Congress conferred honorary citizenship on Galvez, citing him as a hero of the Revolutionary War.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ditton Gorme, click to enlarge.
Rain Chance Each Day This Week
May 31, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Friday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Friday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Saturday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.