Possible Routes For Beulah Beltway Reduced To Three

October 31, 2017

A Beulah Beltway Alternative Corridor Evaluation Public Meeting was held Monday night at Hillcrest Baptist Church.

The public had an opportunity to review the latest plans for the project, including the reduction of the number of possible northern routes. The 11 mile, four-lane Beulah Beltway will serve to connect Nine Mile Road in Beulah to Highway 29 somewhere in the area from south of West Quintette Road to Barrineau Park Road. The highway will also have a new exit on I-10.

There’s no funding available yet for the northern potion of the project, which has seen the number of possible routes drop to three. At their next meeting on Thursday, the Escambia County Commission is set to consider cutting the number of possible northern routes to just one or two.

The interchange and southern segment are expected to begin construction in 2023.  Without a funding source, there is no estimated time frame for the northern segment.

Click here for a full-page pdf map of route options.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Escambia Schools Announce Their Teachers Of The Year

October 31, 2017

Teachers of the Year have been named at each school in the Escambia County School District.

Each teacher on the list has been selected by their peers and they represent ingenuity, dedication, compassion, organization, and so many other traits shared by teachers in their schools. They teach subject areas and how to use technology, but they also teach life skills and employability skills such as teamwork, time management, and social responsibility.

Each has been honored by their school and they will be honored at the District level at the Golden Apple Awards set for Jan. 26, 2018. Sponsored by the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation is a special night when each of these outstanding educators will receive their Golden Apple. The top five will receive special recognition and the overall Teacher of the Year will be announced.

Several North Escambia area Teachers of the Year have already featured with a front page photo on NorthEscambia.com, and we will continue to feature them over the coming days.

The Escambia County School District’s Teachers of the Year are:

Alternative Education — Mercedes Musto
Jim Allen Elementary — Cheryl Massey
Jim C. Bailey Middle — Bobby White
Bellview Elementary — Katie Trier
Bellview Middle — Paulette Brown
Beulah Academy of Science — Rodney Story
Beulah Elementary — Suzanne Hollingsworth
Blue Angels Elementary — Donna C. McKay
Bratt Elementary — Kim Ryan
Brentwood Elementary — Mrs. Scotti Mason
Brown-Barge Middle — David Mellor
Byrneville Elementary — James McDaniel
Camelot Academy — Barbara Belvin
Hellen Caro Elementary — Amy Blamires
N. B. Cook Elementary — Kim Anthony
Cordova Park Elementary — Julios Dewberry
Ensley Elementary — Myra L. Palmer
Escambia High — Keitha Jenkins Brown
Escambia Westgate — Barbara McGill
Ferry Pass Elementary — Nikki Cole
Ferry Pass Middle — Dustin Brenton
Global Learning Academy — Clarence Myles, Jr.
Reinhardt Holm Elementary — Tonya Gron
Lakeview School — Sherry King
Lincoln Park Primary — Jamila Richardson
R. C. Lipscomb Elementary — Patti Payne
Longleaf Elementary — Rena Croker
L. D. McArthur Elementary — Elizabeth Benoit
McMillan Pre-K — Lillian Welch
Molino Park Elementary — Shana Brown
Montclair Elementary School — Catherine Gritsavage
Myrtle Grove Elementary — Angela Carver
Navy Point Elementary — Dawn Paulus
Northview High — Megan Carroll
Oakcrest Elementary — Lori Martin
Pensacola High — Thelma Mullin
Pine Forest High — Jeffrey Lance
Pine Meadow Elementary — Vanessa Taylor
Pleasant Grove Elementary — Alison Schultheis (Sarah)
Ransom Middle — James Jackson
Scenic Heights Elementary — Melissa Thompson
O. J. Semmes Elementary — Cole Harper
Sherwood Elementary — Alexis Quick
George Stone Technical Center — Susan Shockley
A. K. Suter Elementary — Susan Anderson
J. M. Tate High — Alton “Dale” Gilmore
Title 1 — Wendy Ellis
Ernest Ward Middle — Jennifer Luker
Warrington Elementary — Keri Buck
Warrington Middle — Anne Laurenzi
Booker T. Washington High — Carla Ross
C. A. Weis Elementary — Jennifer Kemp
West Florida High — Shawn Walker
West Pensacola Elementary — Tereasa Newton
W. J. Woodham Middle — William Broome
J. H. Workman Middle School — Milagros Sessions

Escambia Charter, Jacqueline Harris Prep. Academy and Pensacola Beach Elementary did not submit names for the list.

Sunny Skies, Middle 70’s

October 31, 2017

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Dedication Held For Sheriff Wendell Hall Highway

October 31, 2017

A portion of Highway 90 from Chumuckla Highway to Woodbine Road in Pace was designated as the “Sheriff Wendall Hall Highway” during a ceremony Monday to honor former Sheriff Wendell Hall.

The designation was passed by the Senate and House of Representatives and signed into law by Governor Rick Scott at the request of Senator Doug Broxson and Representative Jayer Williamson.

Born in Atmore, Hall attended Ernest Ward High School in Walnut Hill before continuing his education at Pensacola State College and Troy State.

Sheriff Hall was elected in 2000 and is the first Sheriff in Santa Rosa County to have been elected and re-elected to four terms.  Since his tenure, his office was readily accessible to the community, and he was well known for his “Open Door” policy for all.  He strived to ensure excellence, accountability and integrity in the management and conduct of Sheriff Office programs and policies.

Sheriff Hall is also very involved in the community through volunteer service with the Santa Rosa Kids House, United Way of Santa Rosa, Florida Sheriff’s Association, Vets to VA Clinic, Think of NW Florida, and the WW II Veterans to Washington DC Committee.

A highway designation is a rare honor reserved for those Floridians who give extraordinary service to the state. A designation requires an act of the Legislature and approval by the Governor.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Florida Back to School Tax Holiday Pitched For 2018

October 31, 2017

Sales taxes would be lifted for two weekends before the start of the 2018 school year on clothes, school supplies and personal computers, under a measure filed Monday in the Senate.

The back-to-school sales tax “holiday” proposal (SB 686) by Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, would allow shoppers to avoid paying sales taxes for 10 days in late July and early August on clothes and shoes costing up to $100 per item, school supplies that cost $15 or less, and personal computers and related accessories priced at $1,000 or less.

This August, the state offered a three-day tax holiday, with taxes not collected on clothes and shoes costing up to $60 per item and personal computers priced at $750 or less. This year’s tax break included school supplies at the $15 mark.

The state has offered back-to-school tax holidays most years since 1998.

The House does not currently have a version of Perry’s bill, which is filed for the legislative session starting in January. If Perry’s bill is approved, the tax holiday would last from July 27 through August 5.

by The News Service of Florida

Halloween, Fall Festival Events Planned

October 31, 2017

Here is a look at Halloween and fall festival events planned today in the North Escambia area:

The First Baptist Church of Cantonment will hold a Trunk or Treat from 6-8 p.m. with food, games, hayrides and candy. There will also be a One Blood blood driver beginning at 5 p.m.

Heritage Baptist Church in Cantonment at 3065 Highway 297A will host their annual Fall Festival and Truck or Treat from 6-8 p.m. There will be candy, games, dinner, train, ponies, Reno’s Reptiles, a mechanical bull and more.

Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church in Cantonment will hold a Trunk or Treat  from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. at 699 South Highway 95A in Cantonment.

Victory Assembly of God will hold a Community Fall Festival on from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. There will be chili, hotdogs, candy and treats, inflatables and hay rides. The event is free. The church is located at 1895 Victory Road in Cantonment — just south of Barrineau Park Road along Highway 29.

Pine Forest Assembly of God will hold a Community Fall Festival from 6-8 p.m at 3125 Pine Forest Road in Cantonment. Free games, food, candy and more.

New Life Assembly of God will hold a Trunk or Treat event on from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Lots of candy and goodies. The church is located at 8450 Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.

Trick or Treat hours set by the city council in Atmore will be 5-8 p.m.

Brooks Memorial Baptist Church will host its annual Fall Festival , from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be fun for the whole family with a Trunk or Treat, concessions, cake walk, silent auction, games, chili contest and more at 904 McRae Street in Atmore.

Beulah Free Will Baptist Church will hold a Trunk or Treat from 6-8:30 p.m. at 7561 Mobile Highway. Free event with inflatables. decorated vehicles, food, cotton candy, hayride and candy.

Windy Hill Baptist Church will hold a Fall Festival from 6-8 p.m. at 9896 Rebel Road. Free chili, hot dogs, cold drinks, candy and lots of fun games.

Woodbine Church in Pace will hold a Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat from 6-8 p.m. at 5200 Woodbine Road in Pace.

**There are no official Trick or Treat hours in Escambia County, FL, or in Century.

NorthEscambia.com file photos.

Escambia Man Sentenced To 30 Years On Drug And Gun Charges

October 31, 2017

Circuit Judge Edward P. Nickinson sentenced Ozell Pressley, Sr. as a habitual felony offender to 30 years in state prison with a three year minimum mandatory and a $50,000 fine.

Pressley was convicted by an Escambia County jury of one count of  trafficking in cocaine (28 grams but less than 200), one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of controlled substance (less than 20 grams of cannabis).

On November 03, 2016, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigators  served a search warrant at a known drug house located in the 2300 block of West Bobe Street. An investigation in to Pressley began after information was received that Pressley was distributing crack cocaine from the West Bobe Street house.

Pressley, a co-defendant and three other adults were located in the home, along with more than 30 grams of crack cocaine, cannabis and a loaded firearm. Pressley is a convicted felon and has an extensive criminal history, including five prior charges of the sell, manufacture, deliver, three prior charges of possession of controlled substance, resisting an officer with violence, attempting to flee and elude, felony battery, possession of marijuana (over 20 grams), improper exhibition of a firearm and aggravated battery.

Tate Baseball Holds Annual Costume Game

October 31, 2017

Tate Baseball held their annual costume game Monday night. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Escambia Search And Rescue Open House This Saturday

October 31, 2017

Escambia Search and Rescue will hold an open house Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

ESAR’s open house will take place at 9530 Nims Lane (behind Vannoy’s Tires and the Dollar General on Nine Mile).

There will be a display of gear and equipment, demonstrations of different search and rescue tools and techniques. The citizens of Escambia County are welcome to come out to see what this 100 percent volunteer, 100 percent donation and grant funded organization does.

Information on how to become a member of Escambia Search and Rescue will also be provided. Light refreshments will be served, and attendees will receive a green light bulb while supplies last to commemorate Veterans’ Day on the following weekend.

Northview NJROTC Places At Milton Drill Meet

October 31, 2017

The Northview High School NJROTC competed against seven schools and place fourth overall during a Navy JROTC drill meet this past weekend at Milton High School. Northview’s NJROTC placed second in Personnel Inspection and third in Armed Exhibition Drill. In individual awards, Oscar Rodriguez placed fifth in Individual Drill competition from among over 200 cadets.

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