Escambia County Fire Rescue Announces Staff Promotions
May 27, 2017
Escambia County Fire Rescue has announced several promotions.
Lieutenants Daniel Brask, Russell Adam Bobe Jr. and Norman Robinson II were promoted to battalion chief. Brask and Bobe along with Chief Adam Harrison will be assigned to lead the newly created Third Battalion, which covers the fire stations north of Brent Lane, including the North Escambia area.
Robinson was assigned as the fire headquarters chief of Logistics. Firefighters Joseph Martin, James Beagle and Ronson Cloer have been promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and their assignments have yet to be determined.
The promotions were effective Saturday, May 20.
Wahoos Get Past Mississippi
May 27, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos left fielder Tyler Goeddel scored on right fielder Aristides Aquino’s soft ground out to shortstop to help the Blue Wahoos regain the lead, 6-5, in the seventh inning.
After four lead changes in Friday’s game at Trustmark Park, it was a lead that Pensacola would not relinquish. Blue Wahoos relievers Robert Stock, Geoff Broussard and Jimmy Herget combined to throw 3.2 scoreless innings, give up one hit and strike out two.
Pensacola evened its record to 9-9 in one-run games and improved to 27-21 and is in sole possession of first place in the Southern League South Division.
The seesaw game allowed Stock, who was called up from the High-A Daytona Tortugas, to get a win in his first appearance with the Blue Wahoos. He pitched 1.2 innings and struck out one. He retired all four batters he faced, which included a double-play to end the sixth inning.
Meanwhile, Herget earned his second save in a row for Pensacola and now has 13 on the season to lead the Southern League. The righty also struck out one and now has 36 Ks in 22 innings pitched this season.
Before Goeddel scored the winning run, Mississippi scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie Pensacola, 5-5. The Braves third baseman Travis Demeritte singled to center field to drive in center fielder Keith Curcio and right fielder Ronald Acuna.
Pensacola shortstop Blake Trahan had doubled in first baseman Eric Jagielo and second baseman Alex Blandino in the top of the sixth inning to put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 5-3.
Gabriel Guerrero had knocked in the tying run, 3-3, for Pensacola in the fifth inning when the center fielder’s single to shortstop scored pinch hitter Leon Landry.
Blandino smashed his second homer of the season to left field in the second inning that put the Blue Wahoos up, 2-0. Blandino was 1-3 with a walk and two runs scored in the game.
Guerrero also got back on track at the plate going 4-5 with a triple, scoring once and driving in a run. It was his first four-hit game this season with Pensacola and his 19th multi-hit game of the year. The 23-year-old Guerrero was 3-27 before going 6-12 against Mississippi in the first three games of the series.
Escambia Woman Killed After Running Red Light
May 26, 2017
An Escambia County woman was killed Friday morning after running a red light in West Pensacola.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 76-year old Ruth Stewart was traveling west on West Fairfield Drive when she ran a red traffic signal at Patricia Drive. Her vehicle was struck by a 1997 Lexus driven by 33-year old Jeremiah Nelson of Pensacola.
Nelson received minor injuries.
Three Injured In Cantonment Rollover Crash
May 26, 2017
Three people were injured in two vehicle crash Friday morning near Cantonment.
The collision between an Infiniti and a GMC Arcadia happened shortly before 10 a.m. at the intersection of West Kingsfield Road and County Road 97. The driver of the Arcadia and two juvenile passengers were transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Their conditions were not available.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Warm Today
May 26, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Memorial Day: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. West wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Byrneville Elementary Building Committee Talks Multi-Million Project
May 26, 2017
An organizational building committee meeting was held Thursday afternoon at Byrneville Elementary School, with group mostly comprised of teachers offering their ideas for a new school building.
The charter school is considering the construction of a new multi-million dollar modern building containing some number of classrooms, likely a cafetorium and possibly even a small gym.
Participants discussed the need for a building with at least 8-10 classrooms with separate bathrooms for kindergarten students. The largest building on the current Byrneville campus was build in 1941 and contains five classrooms, plus offices and a cafeteria.
Teachers also expressed their desire to see a multipurpose room and perhaps a modern lunchroom, making way to move the charter school’s library from a portable into the current lunchroom.
“The is a great opportunity for us,” Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan said the possible building project. “Our enrollment is steady and the population growth in the county is coming this way.”
The school’s board of directors will meet at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31 to continue discussion on a new building. The meeting is open to the public.
Cantonment Church Thrift Store Going Out Of Business
May 26, 2017
A thrift store in Cantonment that aimed to help others is going out of business.
Last October, St. Monica’s Episcopal Church officially opened Monica’s Attic Thrift Store in the old Winn Dixie shopping center at 470 Highway 29 South. The store will close for good at 5 p.m. this Saturday. There are currently liquidation prices across the store.
“Thank you Cantonment for this great mission opportunity,” Viven Welch of Saint Monica’s said.
Proceeds from the store have funded a beans and rice ministry and the church….providing beans and rice no questions asked to those in need in month.
With God’s help, the Beans and Rice ministry will continue through donations,” Welch said.
The next giveaway of free packages of dried beans and rice is this Saturday from 9 until 11:30 a.m. at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church, 699 S. Hwy. 95-A in Cantonment. call (850) 937-0001 for more information.
Pictured: Monica’s Attic Thrift Store in Cantonment. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Names 2017 Honors Graduates
May 26, 2017
Northview High School named their honors graduates during Thursday night’s 2017 Senior Awards Night.
Valedictorian of the Class of 2016 is Alyssa Brianna Borelli. Salutatorian is Kaitlyn Nicole Pugh.
The Northview High School Class of 2017 graduates at 4 p.m. Saturday in the school gym.
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above) are, in class rank order:
1. Alyssa Brianna Borelli — Valedictorian
2. Kaitlyn Nicole Pugh — Salutatorian
3. David Conrad Weber
4. Brandon Edward Korinchak
5. Elisabeth Claire Amerson
6. Hadley Marie Woodfin
7. Mitchell James Singleton
8. Daniel Kennedy Mascaro
9. Emily Michelle Heard
10. Jessica Lauren Stacey
11. Natalie Grace Barrow
12. Adrian Daniel King
Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are:
13. Zachary Chase Sheldon
14. Autumn Grace Albritton
15. Shyla Nicole Pope
16. Alyssa Marie Bell
17. Mallory Olivia Gibson
18. Peighton Danielle Dortch
Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are:
19. Morgan Alexis Myrick
20. Brittanie Nichole McLemore
21. Khari Adama Codrington
22. Victoria Anne Amerson
23. Brianna Morgan Smith
24. Kylie Brianne Brook
Scott Signs Off On Package Of Tax Breaks
May 26, 2017
Gov. Rick Scott signed a tax-cut package Thursday that — while vastly scaled back from what he wanted — eliminates the so-called “tampon tax” and offers tax holidays for back-to-school shoppers and Floridians preparing for hurricane season.
With the package offering $91.6 million in tax breaks during the upcoming year, Scott signed the measure (HB 7109) during a ceremony at 3Cinteractive in Boca Raton.
“Since I’ve been in office, I’ve fought to cut taxes and reduce burdensome regulations to help boost Florida’s economy and ensure our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to succeed in our great state,” Scott said in a prepared statement. “Every time we cut taxes, we are encouraging businesses of all sizes to create opportunities for families across the state, and more money is put back in taxpayers’ pockets.”
The savings are projected to reach $180 million over two years due to some permanent cuts.
Scott had requested $618.4 million in cuts before the legislative session, and an initial House package approached $300 million. But the package was scaled back substantially as the House and Senate negotiated a budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Business lobbying groups Thursday were quick to praise Scott for signing the package. Floridians will get the first tax breaks next week, when they can buy hurricane supplies without paying sales taxes during a three-day “holiday” starting June 2.
“These tax cuts are going to be huge this year,” Florida Retail Federation spokesman James Miller said. “It hits a number of different sectors, and a number of different industries. Business owners across the state are going to be really happy with the result of this.”
The window on tax-free storm gear is timed with the start of the six-month hurricane season, which begins June 1.
With the holiday estimated to save shoppers $4.5 million, sales taxes will not be collected during the period on items such as portable self-powered lights selling for $20 or less; portable self-powered radios and tarpaulins at $50 or less; first-aid kits up to $30; and portable generators up to $750.
The next high-profile savings, projected at $33.4 million, will come during a three-day back-to-school tax holiday set to begin Aug. 4.
Shoppers will be able to avoid paying sales taxes on clothes, footwear and backpacks costing $60 or less; school supplies costing $15 or less, and personal computers priced up to $750.
Two other key portions of the package, an elimination of sales taxes on feminine hygiene products and a reduction in a commercial lease tax, both go into effect on Jan. 1.
With the issue known as the “tampon tax,” eliminating sales taxes collected on products such as tampons, sanitary napkins and panty liners, is expected to save $4.8 million for Floridians next fiscal year. The savings are to slated to grow to $11.2 million when the tax cut is in effect for a full year.
“This common sense legislation will result in a tax savings for women all over the state who purchase these necessary products,” said Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, a Naples Republican who led efforts to repeal the tax.
Meanwhile, a reduction in the commercial lease tax from 6 percent to 5.8 percent is projected to save businesses $25.4 million next fiscal year, with that total growing to $61 million when the cut is in effect for a full year.
Business groups have long argued that the state should repeal the tax.
“The business rent tax reduction accounts for two-thirds of the overall cut in the package — that’s a significant show of support for small business and an indication that the Florida Legislature is serious about working toward fully repealing this burdensome tax,” Bill Herrle, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business-Florida, said in a prepared statement.
Scott had asked for the lease tax to be dropped to 4.5 percent.
“The most significant steps are often the first ones we take on an issue, and this cut opens the door for future reductions of this burdensome tax,” Maria Wells, Florida Realtors president, said in a release.
The delayed Jan. 1 start to the feminine-hygiene and commercial-lease tax cuts is what helps increase the tax-cut package to $180 million when stretched over two years.
The package also includes several other smaller tax breaks.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Northview Graduates Earn $1.33 Million In Scholarships
May 26, 2017
Northview High School has announced that the members of the Class of 2017 have earned $1.33 million in scholarships.
Scholarships were awarded or offered as follows:
Autumn Albritton
- Gary McAdams Memorial Scholarship – $1,000
Victoria Anne Amerson
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
Natalie Grace Barrow
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
Alyssa Marie Bell
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
Alyssa Brianna Borelli
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
- Bright Futures – Florida Academic Scholar – $12,360
- UWF – Academic Excellence Schoalrship – $20,000
- Auburn University – Presidential Scholarhip – $72,000
- Coastal Alabama Comm College – Full Tuition – $12,624
- Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholts Justices Foundation – $1,500
- Jim and Jumi Ross Memorial Scholarship – $500
- Valedictorian Award
- Navy League Scholarship – $1,000
- BBB Ethics Scholarshp – $1,000
Kylie Brook
- PSC Scholastic Achievement – $500
Katie Cmehil
- Jim and Jumi Ross Memorial Scholarship – $500
Ohijie Elliott
- Foundation Scholarship – $75
De’asia Ja’shay Fountain
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
Mallory Olivia Gibson
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
- Poarch Educational Assistance Scholarship – $100,000
Gabrielle Hawkins
- Gwen Applequist Difference Maker Award – $1,000
Emily Michelle Heard
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
Ta’keyzha Johnson
- Dedria’s Gift – $500
Adrian Daniel King
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
Daysha Kite
- EREC Scholarship – $1,000
Brandon Edward Korinchak
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
- Pensacola Interstate Fair Scholarship – $1,000
- FFA Alumni – Tommy Weaver Scholarship – $1,000
- Walnut Hill Ruritan – $100
- PSC Academic – $3,600
- Bright Futures – Florida Medallion Scholar – $9,240
- UWF Academic Excellence – $16,000
Daniel Mascaro
- Spring Hill Portier Award – $100,000
- UWF Academic Excellence – $16,000
Chase Olsen
- Take Stock in Children – $13,000
Malcom Jude Parham
- Poarch Educational Assistance Scholarship – $100,000
Shyla Nicole Pope
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
Kaitlyn Pugh
- Salutatorian Award
Dustin Radcliffe
- Dedria’s Gift – $500
- PSC Scholastic Achievement – $500
Zachary Chase Sheldon
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $150
- University of West Florida – Academic Excellence – $12,000
- US Army ROTC – 3 yr – $135,000
- Navy ROTC – 4 Yr – $180,000
- Bright Futures – Florida Medallion Scholar – $9,240
- Elks Lodge – $1,000
- Florence Krom & Johnny Stephanou Scholarship – $1,000
Mitchell James Singleton
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
- Barrineau Park Historical Society – $500
- Pensacola Interstate Fair Scholarship – $1,000
- Bright Futures – Florida Medallion Scholar – $9,240
- Glen Key Award – $500
- FFA Alumni – Tommy Weaver Scholarship – $1,000
- Jamie Hall Memorial Scholarship – $500
Brianna Morgan Smith
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star 4 yr – $750
- Northwest Florida Bowling Conference Scholarship – $500
- PSC Scholastic Achievement – $500
- PSC Academic – $3,600
Jessica Lauren Stacey
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – $500
- Freshman Academic Excellence – Mississippi State – $6,000
David Conrad Weber
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
- Belmont University – Merit Scholarship – $40,000
- Jacksonville State University – Merit 15 Scholarship – $40,000
- SEU – Chancellor’s Scholarship – $12,000
- Troy University – Millineum Scholar’s Scholarship – $53,856
- University of Mobile – Presidential Merit – $48,000
- Bright Futures – Florida Academic Scholar – $12,360
Luke Ward
- Poarch Creek Tuition Assistance – $50,000
- Mercer – Athletic Scholarship – $192,000
Alston Wiggins
- Take Stock in Children – $13,000
Hadley Marie Woodfin
- Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star – 4 yr – $750
- UWF Academic Excellence Scholarship – $12,000
- Bright Futures – Gold Seal Vocational – $3,456