Sheriff’s Office Clean Sweep Today In Cottage Hill
May 18, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a Clean Sweep in the Cottage Hill area this morning.
The focus of “Operation Clean Sweep” is to work with Neighborhood Watch groups, residents, churches and business owners to control and prevent the damaging effects of criminal activity, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Florida’s SRO Of The Year, Ronnie Gill, Retires From Ernest Ward Middle
May 18, 2017
Ernest Ward Middle School, Northview High School, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office celebrated the retirement of Senior Deputy Ronnie Gill Wednesday morning.
Gill retired March 30 from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office after 15 years with the agency. The school resource officer has volunteered his time as a reserve deputy since March 30 to continue his service at Ernest Ward Middle School until the end of the school year.
The Ernest Ward Middle School staff presented Gill with a Canon DSLR camera for his retirement and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office presented him with a plaque and watch. On behalf of several students, NorthEscambia.com presented Gill with a few needed accessories for his new camera.
His law enforcement career spans nearly 40 years. He joined the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in 2002 and joined the school resource officer program over 12 years ago.
Last year, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Florida Association of School Resource Officers Monday named Gill as the 2016 School Resource Officer of the Year for Florida.
“Deputy Gill goes above and beyond to not only ensure the safety of students at the school he serves, but to also provide guidance to the youth in his community,” Bondi said at the time. “Resource officers play a vital role in the lives of students on a daily basis.”
Bondi and the FASRO present the School Resource Officer of the Year award annually to a Florida officer who demonstrates dedication and tireless work ethic to enhance the lives of the students they serve.
Gill was also awarded the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Meritorious Service Medal for the crucial role he plays in breaking down the barriers between law enforcement and youth.
Senior Deputy Gill not only worked hard protecting the students and faculty within Ernest Ward, he also gave selflessly of his time to mentor and help students in need. Whether it was counseling students, leading the Ernest Ward “Teens for Christ” group, or showing up at community sporting events to work security on his own time, Gill built a reputation within the student population as not just a law enforcement officer, but a person they can look up to and approach.
Gill also gave selflessly of his finances. He opened his own lunch account with the school and would transfer money into needy student’s accounts on a regular basis. He has been known to provide funds for students that cannot afford trip fees and club dues. He has also taken students shopping for Christmas and has even paid a high school senior’s graduation fees. Whenever there is a need that has been identified, Senior Deputy Gill would step up and fulfill that need.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Corrections Department Honors Employees Who Died In Line In Duty
May 18, 2017
With department Secretary Julie Jones saying each name “represents a hero,” the Florida Department of Corrections on Wednesday held an annual wreath-laying ceremony to honor fallen officers and employees.
The event, held at Wakulla Correctional Institution south of Tallahassee, included adding Sgt. Jorge Ramos and Karan Smith, a systems project consultant, to the names of 47 others from the Department of Corrections who have died in the line of duty over the years.
Ramos, who worked at the South Florida Reception Center in Miami-Dade County, died in May 2016 during a department training event. Smith died of a heart attack last July while on the job at the Reception and Medical Center in Union County.
“Each name represents a hero, a member who bravely took an oath to serve the people of the state of Florida, and they died in the line of duty,” Jones said. “Today we proudly honor them, and we also never forget them.”
by The News Service of Florida
Jim Allen Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
May 18, 2017
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Students of the Month for May. They are Clotee Williamson (left) and Marabelle Hamilton. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Nokomis and Meadows Stop Sign To Be Relocated
May 18, 2017
Effective Tuesday, June 6 the stop sign at the intersection of Nokomis Road and Meadows Lane near Davisville will change to improve safety, according to Escambia County.
Currently, there is a single stop sign on the westbound lane of Nokomis Road. On June 6, the stop sign will be moved to the southbound lane of Meadows Lane.
Motorists are advised to use caution when navigating the intersection during the transition period.
Northview Softball’s Jamia Newton Signs With Coastal Alabama
May 18, 2017
Northview High School senior Jamia Newton has signed to play softball with Coastal Alabama Community College in Monroeville, AL. She is pictured at a signing ceremony Wednesday afternoon at Northview with family, friends and fellow Northview Chiefs players. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECFR Installing Free Smoke Detectors Saturday In Harvesters Homes
May 18, 2017
Escambia County Fire Rescue will be installing free smoke detectors Saturday during a neighborhood canvas in the Harvesters Homes subdivision off Muscogee Road in Cantonment. ECFR will be going door to door starting at 8 a.m., walking the neighborhood and offering to install the free smoke detectors.
Smoke detectors that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a working smoke detector cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half. The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Escambia County Fire Rescue are continuing to work toward their goal of having a working smoke detector in every home in the county.
For more information, contact Escambia County Fire Rescue at (850) 475-5530 or fire@myescambia.com. For information about obtaining a home smoke detector, call 850-595-HERO (4376).
When Will The Molino Road Bridge Reopen?
May 17, 2017
When will the Molino Road bridge reopen? That was the hot question at a community town hall meeting Tuesday night with District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry.
“It’s been about three and a half weeks with any visible work on it,” local resident Bonnie Exner said. “The frustration is the lack of activity.”
The project, Escambia County Public Works Director Wes Moreno said, is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation and is outside direct county control. He said the contractor has until September to complete the bridge replacement under their contract with FDOT.
Numerous residents at the public meeting expressed their displeasure with the lack of signage on Molino Road near Highway 29 warning of the road closure.
“That’s something we can and will take care of,” Barry said, adding that the county will approach FDOT and the contractor for additional signs like a variable message board. If not, he said, the county will place their own message board warning of the closure.
The replacement of the Molino Road bridge over Penasula Creek, just east of Sunshine Hill Road, started in early January.
The project is expected to be completed in approximately 265 calendar days.
The old wood piling supported bridge was constructed in 1958 had reached a level of deterioration to warrant replacement and was next on the list of the FDOT’s Five-Year Work Plan. The project is being funded and the construction work will be performed under contract for the Florida Department of Transportation. After completion of the structure, Escambia County will be responsible for the maintenance of the bridge.
Pictured: Construction on the Molino Road bridge over over Penasula Creek as seen late Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Warm And Sunny Week, Weekend Showers
May 17, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
Century Implements Reservation Fee For Splash Pad Pavilion
May 17, 2017
Due to the popularity of the Century splash pad, the town has implemented a reservation fee for a neighboring pavilion at Showalter Park.
Since the splash pad opened earlier this year, many more people are using the pavilion for birthday parties and other events, Mayor Henry Hawkins said. With no reservation policy in place, there have been conflicts between groups wanting to use the pavilion, the mayor said, including a disagreement that led to the involvement of law enforcement.
Now, the town will reserve the pavilion for $25 per hour, with a two hour minimum. For information on reservations, contact town hall at (850) 256-3208.
“If there is no reservation for a particular time, it is first come first served,” Hawkins said.
The actual splash pad is open to all and cannot be reserved.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.