No Injuries In Quintette Accident

January 11, 2017

There were no injuries in a two vehicle wreck about 6:10 Tuesday night on Highway 95A at Quintette Road. Both drivers involved refused transport to the hospital by Escambia County EMS. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Molino Park Placed On Lockdown After Suspect Bails From Traffic Stop

January 10, 2017

FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE>

UPDATE: The suspect has been taken into custody. Name and details to follow.

Molino Park Elementary School was placed on lockdown  before noon today after someone ran from a traffic stop near the school.

According to Maj. Andrew Hobbs of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy attempted a traffic stop when someone bailed out of the vehicle and ran. Deputies and a K-9 unit were attempting to track the suspect inside a perimeter setup with deputies along Highway 97 and Crabtree Church Road behind the school.

The school was placed into lockdown as a precaution.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

ECSO: Girlfriend Slashes Boyfriend’s Tires Before Slashing Him

January 10, 2017

A man was slashed in the buttocks Monday night in Cantonment.

Authorities responded to the 1400 block of Neal Road about 10:19 p.m. where a man reported that he had been stabbed. Deputies discovered the incident was a domestic dispute, according to Amber Southard, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

The woman allegedly slashed her boyfriend’s tires before slashing him, Southard said.

The man’s injuries were not considered serious. The woman is expected to face charges; her name has not yet been released.

NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Crisafulli Won’t Run For Ag Commissioner, No Clear Front Runner

January 10, 2017

Former House Speaker Steve Crisafulli bowed out of a potential race for agriculture commissioner on Tuesday, leaving the 2018 campaign for the Cabinet position without a clear front-runner.

Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, comes from a family with deep roots in the state’s citrus industry and had made no secret of the fact that he was considering a bid for agriculture commissioner. Adam Putnam, who currently holds the post, is term-limited and expected to run for governor in 2018.

But in a statement issued Monday, Crisafulli said he was out of the race.

“I plan to remain politically active, but after years of travel to fulfill my obligations to the House Republican Conference and as speaker of the Florida House, there is nothing I want more than to spend time with my wife Kristen and our daughters as they finish out their final years of being at home before going off to college,” he said.

Crisafulli, who served as speaker from 2014 to 2016, said he has “no doubt a capable field of candidates will emerge who will be dedicated to the success of this critical industry.”

Crisafulli’s stint as speaker was itself a surprise, as he took the place of former Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Lake Mary. Dorworth had been slated to become speaker in November 2014, but he was defeated in a bid for re-election in his district in 2012.

Crisafulli’s tenure as speaker was tumultuous at times. During Crisafulli’s first year at the helm, the House ended its session early as part of a health-care showdown with the Senate, sparking the need for special session to finish work on the budget.

The announcement Monday marked the second time in recent weeks that a former House speaker had taken himself out of the running for statewide office. Former Speaker Will Weatherford, a Wesley Chapel Republican who was speaker before Crisafulli, announced last month that he would not seek the governor’s office in 2018. Like Crisafulli, Weatherford said he wanted to spend more time with his young family.

Current House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, is rumored to be considering a bid for governor, though he has been tight-lipped so far about his future plans.

The maneuvering is sparked in part by what could be wide-open races for the four top spots in state government. Gov. Rick Scott also faces term limits in 2018, along with Putnam and the two other Republican members of the Cabinet: Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater.

Bondi is reportedly in line to receive a White House appointment from President-elect Donald Trump, while Atwater has said he won’t seek higher office in 2018. For his part, Scott is widely expected to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Bill Nelson, a Democrat.

by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida

One Trapped After Nine Mile Crash

January 10, 2017

At least one person was briefly trapped in their vehicle in a crash Monday night on Nine Mile Road at Chemstrand Road.

A pickup truck and car apparently collided in the northern part of the intersection. The pickup then continued across Nine Mile Road onto Chemstrand Road, jumped a ditch a hit a parked car in the parking lot of  Taco Bell. None of the injuries were believed to be life threatening.

Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Northview, Ernest Ward Place In FFA Sub-District Career Development Events

January 10, 2017


Recently at the FFA Sub-District Career Development Events, the following students and teams placed from Northview High School and Ernest Ward Middle School.

1st Place in Extemporaneous Public Speaking- Mitchell Singleton, Northview (pictured top)

Scroll down for additional winners.


1st Place in Safe Tractor Operations- Donnie Dixon, Northview  (above)


3rd Place in Parliamentary Procedures- Northview High School (above)


3rd Place in FFA Opening and Closing Ceremonies- Ernest Ward Middle School (above)Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Feds Say Disabled Inmates’ Rights Violated In Florida

January 10, 2017

The U.S. Justice Department on Monday moved to intervene in a nearly year-old lawsuit against the Florida Department of Corrections, alleging that the state’s prison agency “systematically violates the rights of inmates with disabilities.”

The 12-page document, filed in federal court in Tallahassee, focused on inmates who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The Justice Department, in part, alleged that the state routinely fails to provide hearing aids, interpreters and types of communication devices that inmates could use to contact attorneys, families or friends.

The organization Disability Rights Florida filed the lawsuit last January against the Department of Corrections, alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws. In a document filed in June, the department denied systemic violations of laws designed to protect people with disabilities.

Slight Chance Of Rain For Wednesday, Morning Fog

January 10, 2017

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Tonight: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: Areas of fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday: Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 76. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Areas of fog after midnight. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 74. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. East wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.

M.L.King Day: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 72.

Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.

State Names Local Five Star School Award Winners

January 10, 2017

Four North Escambia elementary schools — Jim Allen, McArthur, Lipscomb, and Molino Park — were named Five Star Schools by the state on Monday.

The Florida Department of Education announced the names of schools in Florida’s Panhandle that have earned the Five Star School Award for the 2015-16 school year. The award is bestowed upon schools that are committed to incorporating family and community members into the school environment to enhance student learning. Statewide, nearly 700 schools earned the recognition.

“Family and community involvement is essential to student success, and I am grateful for the parents, caregivers and community members who invest their time in our state’s schools.” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “When school leaders and educators engage the community, the result is higher academic achievement and more students prepared for future success.”

To earn Five Star School recognition, a school must show that it has achieved all of the benchmarks and criteria in five categories – Community/Business Partnerships, Family Involvement, Volunteerism, Student Community Service and School Advisory Council. Schools must also earn a grade of “C” or above or a school improvement rating of “Maintaining” or “Improving” for the year being recognized.

Listed below are all of the Escambia County schools that received the Five Star School Award for the 2015-2016 school year.

  • A.K. Suter Elementary School
  • Beulah Elementary School
  • Blue Angels Elementary School
  • Cordova Park Elementary School
  • Ferry Pass Elementary School
  • Hellen Caro Elementary School
  • Jim Allen Elementary School
  • McArthur Elementary School
  • Molino Park Elementary School
  • Myrtle Grove Elementary School
  • NB Cook Elementary School
  • Pleasant Grove Elementary School
  • R.C. Lipscomb Elementary School
  • Scenic Heights Elementary School

The following Santa Rosa County Schools also received the award:

  • Gulf Breeze Elementary School
  • Gulf Breeze Middle School
  • Holley Navarre Intermediate
  • Oriole Beach Elementary School
  • S.S. Dixon Primary School
  • West Navarre Primary School

Douglas Henry Buss

January 10, 2017

Douglas Henry Buss, 76, of Pensacola, FL passed away Saturday, January 7, 2017. Douglas was born in Canada and moved to Florida when he was a teenager. Doug started working in the concrete products business and continued in that business until December 30, 2016. Doug loved sports and played a number of them all his life including fishing, racquet ball and bowling. Doug was a member of Elks #497.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Gertrude Buss; and his daughter, Doris Moore.

He is survived his loving wife, Mary Ann Buss; daughters, Valerie Moavero, Brenda Krull (Dan) and Gini Buss; son, Steven Hegemann; greatest friends, Mark and Linda Lambert, plus everyone Doug has ever come in contact with; six brothers-in-law and five sisters-in- law.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the charity of your choice.

Visitation will be held at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, Saturday, January 14, 2017, beginning at 9 a.m. with the Rosary at 9:30 a.m. Memorial service will begin at 10 a.m.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.

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