Northview’s Laughlin Signs College Football Scholarship
May 4, 2019
Northview High School senior Lance McLaughlin signed a football scholarship Friday afternoon with Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
McLaughlin has a 3.77 weighted GPA is in the top 25 of his class in Northview. He had 162 tackles this past season for the Chiefs, possibly a school record. He also had two forced fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
“Lance is going to be around the football,” Northview Head Coach Derek Marshman said. “He is a role model. I think he is going to do great things. I think the best things for Lance are yet to come.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gracie Brasch Named Tate FFA Rodeo Queen
May 4, 2019
The Tate High School FFA Alumni Association has named Gracie Brasch as their 2019 Rodeo Queen.
Brasch and first runner-up Jayme Smith are both juniors at Northview High School. Other contestants were Hannah Merchant, Kenzie Ricardy, Emily Boutwell and Destiny Cleckler.
The 28th Annual Tate FFA Alumni Foundation Rodeo was held Friday and Saturday nights.
Pictured above: First runner-up Jayme Smith and Tate Rodeo Queen Gracie Brasch. Pictured below (L-R): Contestants Jayme Smith, Hannah Merchant, Gracie Brasch, Kenzie Ricardy, Emily Boutwell and Destiny Cleckler. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued
May 4, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A chance of scattered mostly early evening showers with a low around 66.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Thursday Night: 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. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.
Tate High Basketball’s Moftaqir Signs With Lawson State
May 4, 2019
Tate High School senior Yaseen Moftaqir signed Friday afternoon with Lawson State Community College in Birmingham.. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Signs Firefighter Cancer Benefits Into Law
May 4, 2019
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a measure into law providing cancer benefits for firefighters. With the signing of this legislation, Florida joins 45 other states that provide a cancer benefit to these first responders.
“Here in Florida, we look after our first responders and I am honored to sign this bill to help ensure our firefighters who are battling cancer have the tools and benefits they need,” said DeSantis. “These men and women are true heroes, who often are the first on scene and the last to leave during an emergency.”
“This marks an enormous victory for these brave men and women in their fight against cancer,” said Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis. “Today, Florida tells every firefighter battling cancer, every firefighter afraid of getting cancer, and every child who dreams of being a firefighter that we are in their corner. I’m proud that we can now add Florida to the list of states that provides this essential benefit for firefighters.”
While treatment for cancer is often covered already existing health plans, the new law requires the firefighter’s employer to cover out-of-pocket expenses such as copays and deductibles.
The Florida League of Cities called the law an “unfunded mandate” in a letter to DeSantis.
“In theory, it sounds like a worthwhile initiative, which is why it was met with great fanfare during Legislative Session. However, when you dig into the details, this is a significant unfunded mandate with widespread negative impact on property taxpayers,” the League said in the letter.
Escambia 4-H Team Places Second In State Meat Judging Contest
May 4, 2019
The Escambia County 4-H senior meat judging team placed second at the state 4-H Meat Judging Contest at the University of West Florida’s Meat Processing Center.
Participants had to identify 50 retail cuts, place eight retail, primal or carcass classes, answer questions relating to the meat industry, and give two sets of oral reasons on why and how they placed a class.
The senior team comprised of youth ages 14-18 included Jessica Conti, Hannah Schnupp, Ethan Thorne and Hannah Thorne. When the individual scores were tallied, Conti was the high individual and top meat judging 4-H member in Florida. Other individual results were Thorne placing seventh, Schnupp 10th and Schnupp 11th.
The senior 4-H meat judging team will now have the opportunity to compete at the Western National Roundup meat judging contest in Denver as part of the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in early January 2020.
The 4-H meat judging program develops life skills through activities related to the processing of beef, pork, and lamb, including retail identification, factors relating to meat quality, and cooking methods. Participants developed an understanding and appreciation of the basic scientific principles involved in eating and cooking quality, nutritional value, and consumer appeal of meat. 4-H members on the team also learned life skills such as effective decision-making, critical thinking, goal setting, and teamwork.
Fire Heavily Damages Home In Cantonment
May 3, 2019
Fire heavily damaged a home in Cantonment Friday afternoon.
The fire was reported about 12:45 p.m. in the 3000 block of Woodbury Circle. The fire was reported to be heavily involved in the garage area of the 3,000 square foot brick home.
There were no injuries reported, and the cause of the blaze is under investigation.
Multiple stations from Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Firefighter Trainee Allegedly Steals Truck From Walnut Hill Fire Station, Facing Multiple Alabama Charges
May 3, 2019
A former volunteer firefighter trainee behind bars in Alabama will be charged with stealing a brush truck from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
Lawrence Eathan Coon, 22, was taken into custody in Escambia County, AL, on unrelated charges of tampering with physical evidence, carrying a concealed pistol without a permit, third degree criminal mischief, third degree reckless endangerment, interference with a domestic violence emergency call, stalking, third degree theft of property, first degree criminal mischief and second degree theft of property.
According to Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson, his department responded to domestic disturbance involving Coon and his ex-girlfriend on Ross Gate Road north of Atmore. Coon was in a vehicle blocking the roadway that sped away as the deputy approached, Jackson said, and the deputy stopped the vehicle on Butler Street. A pistol belonging to Coon was in the glovebox of the vehicle, the sheriff said, adding that Coon had allegedly ran his ex-girlfriend off the road before deputies were called.
He faces extradition back to Escambia County, FL, on a charge of vehicle theft, a third degree felony.
Coon had access to the Walnut Hill Fire Station as a volunteer. He allegedly entered the fire station and took a brush truck late the night of April 14 and drove around for more than hour, including crossing the state line to Flomaton before returning the truck.
Officials say as a trainee he was not authorized to drive any fire department vehicle. Coon resigned from the volunteer fire service when confronted with the allegations.
We are still awaiting details on what led to Coon’s charges in Alabama.
Interim County Administrator Lovoy Departing Two Months Earlier Than Expected
May 3, 2019
Interim County Administrator Amy Lovoy will be leaving Escambia County at the end of next week, over two months sooner than originally thought.
The county commission approved letting Lovoy depart before working out the 90 day notice she gave when she submitted her resignation. She had been set for a last day of July 12.
Assistant County Administrator Matt Coughlin plants to align his last day with Lovoy’s final working day with the county.
New County Administrator Janice Gilley won’t begin work until about June 24, leaving the county without an acting administrator for over six weeks if Coughlin departs early.
It is expected that Natural Resources Management Department Director Chips Kirschenfeld will be named active administrator until Gilley arrives.
Thursday, the Escambia County Commission approved a 5 percent retroactive raise for Lovoy to cover the time she has worked as interim administrator through May 9. After voting unanimously for the pay increase, the commission gave Lovoy a standing ovation.
This Weekend: Sawmill Day, Tate FFA Rodeo, Mayfest, Quintette May Day And More
May 3, 2019
Several big events are planned for Saturday in the North Escambia area:
Tate High School Rodeo — The 28th Annual Tate FFA Alumni Foundation Rodeo will continue Saturday night at 7:30 at the Escambia County Equestrian Center at 7750 Mobile Highway in Beulah. Admission at the gate is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Children under 5-years old are admitted free.
Sawmill Day And Car Show — The eighth annual free event Saturday in Century will feature all-day entertainment, a large classic and custom car show, exhibits, arts and crafts, food, museum tours, heritage tours, contests and prizes. Fresh grilled hamburgers available. The event will be 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Houston Jones Park at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Fourth Street.
Quintette Community Center May Day — May Day at the Quintette Community Center with entertainment, fun and games for the family, food and vendors. Free admission, 10 a.m. until on Saturday.
Mayfest – Atmore — Mayfest 2019 will held Saturday with a day of fun-filled family activities, food, live entertainment, vendors, children’s activities and more. Tom Byrne Park, Lindberg Avenue, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission.
Northview Football Car Wash — The Northview Chiefs football team will be holding a car wash on Saturday at the Advance Auto Parts in Atmore.
