Navy Federal Named Best Place To Work In IT
June 19, 2019
Navy Federal Credit Union was named a Computerworld 2019 Best Places to Work in IT for a fifth consecutive year, ranking eighth among 49 large organizations. This is Navy Federal’s highest-ever ranking, and the organization continues to be the only credit union on the list.
Navy Federal’s Information Technology professionals provide support for the credit union’s 18,000 employees and over 8 million members. The credit union is known for its workplace culture that’s filled with opportunities to learn and encourages collaboration and innovative thinking.
“Navy Federal’s focus is always on our members,” said Tony Gallardy, chief information officer. “That focus is the main reason we’ve created a thriving culture that empowers our team members to explore and develop digital solutions to provide members with the best experience possible.”
Computerworld compiles its Best Places to Work in IT list based on a comprehensive questionnaire regarding company offerings in categories such as benefits, career development, training and retention.
Additionally, IT professionals are surveyed and their responses are factored heavily in determining the rankings.
In 2019, Navy Federal is placing an emphasis on growing its team in the information services department, with commitment to fill 120 positions before the end of the year.
Pictured: Employees in the Information Services Department (IT) at Navy Federal’s Greater Pensacola Operations Center. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former NBA Coach To Lead Bratt Basketball Camp
June 19, 2019
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will host a basketball camp with a former NBA, college and high school coach.
The camp for children ages 8-14 will be held June 26-28 at the church. Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach will teach kids the fundamentals of basketball and Biblical awareness.
Dutremble is a a retired coach and member of the International Basketball Hall of Fame. He career includes coaching at every level from high school to the NBA, and into international arenas, with a lifetime coaching record of 687-117 and seven national championships. He was selected “Coach of the Year” six times, and served as national team head coach to Belgium, Scotland, and Jordan. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, serving under Paul Westhead and Pat Riley, from 1979-83 and helping the team to three NBA championships with players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
““He is a devoted Christian man that has a unique ability to deal with children, and his love for them is evident,” FBC Bratt Youth Pastor Tim Hawsey said. This is the eighth year the church has offered the camp.
The cost is $45 per student with a limited number of scholarships available. The funds are used exclusively to purchase shoes and basketballs for needy children in other countries where Dutremble conducts camps.
The First Baptist Church of Bratt is located on Highway 4 just west of Northview High School.
All children participating in the camp will receive a certificate of completion and a t-shirt from Dutremble. For registration information, call (850) 327-6529, or stop by the church Monday through Wednesday mornings.
Pictured: Students that participated in a previous basketball camp at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Inset: Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Central Water Works Experiences Water Main Break, Boil Water Notice Issued
June 19, 2019
**This boil water notice was lifted Friday, June 21.**
Central Water Works experienced a water main break Wednesday morning at the intersection of Cox Road and Highway 29.
The water was cut off on Cox and Holland roads for repairs, and those customers will be without water for several hours while repairs are made.
Other customers were expected to gradually regain water pressure. Customers not on Cox or Holland roads that do not have water pressure should call (850) 256-3849.
Central Water Works customers between Cox Road and Byrneville Road, including customers on Byrneville Road are under a precautionary boil water notice until at least Friday afternoon. Updates will be posted on NorthEscambia.com
United Way Of Escambia Is Now ‘United Way Of West Florida’
June 19, 2019
The United Way of Escambia County has completed their name change to the United Way of West Florida.
In April, United Way of West Florida expanded its service area to incorporate Santa Rosa County. “We have been serving Escambia County for 95 years, and as we move forward, it was important to have an identity that represents every person in every community that we serve,” said President and CEO Laura Gilliam. “We look forward to engaging new people in our work and the opportunity to ensure that everyone within Escambia and Santa Rosa counties knows that we fight for them.”
“We’ve been able to serve our community for as long as we have because of our organization’s willingness to evolve and adapt,” Gilliam added. “As our community changes, so do the issues it faces. We will continue to grow to meet those most pressing needs.”
Sun And Showers Summer Weather
June 19, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 106. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Ernie Lee Magaha, Former Escambia Clerk Of The Court, Passes Away
June 19, 2019
Former Escambia County Clerk of the Court Ernie Lee Magaha, Sr. passed away Tuesday. He was 91.
Magaha was born in Jay, raised in Mosquito Flats near Century, and graduated from Century High School. He served in the Merchant Marines and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in economics in 1950.
He served as a state auditor for five years and resigned in 1956 to run for the clerk of the court of record. At that time, he and his wife, Lucile, spearheaded a grassroots campaign and literally walked the county for a successful election in November 1956 as she was expecting their first child.
Magaha took office in January of 1957 and has held the position of clerk until 2012. His office was instrumental in the smooth transition of the court system in 1972 to the two-tier system in place today. In 1995, then Governor Lawton Chiles asked him to assume the additional responsibilities of the comptroller’s office.
Escambia County’s governmental hub is named in his honor – the Ernie Lee Magaha Governmental Complex.
Visitation will be held 9 a.m. until the funeral service to begins at 10 a.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church, Pleitz Chapel with Dr. Dave Snyder and Rev. Walt Magaha officiating. A private family burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Age For Florida Correctional Officers Reduced To 18
June 19, 2019
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a law that allows 18-year old corrections officers in Florida.
The minimum age for a corrections officer in Florida is currently 19. The 18-year old minimum goes into effect July 1 not only to the state prison system, but in county jails in an effort to solve staffing issues.
In addition, the bill bans the use of drones near and over near county, state and private correctional facilities and juvenile detention centers to help decrease the amount of contrand introduced into the facilities.
Pictured: Inside a prisoner dorm at Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photo.
All-Star Baseball, Softball Games Are This Evening
June 19, 2019
The 20018-19 Subway High School All-Star Series baseball and softball games are Wednesday evening at the University of West Florida’s Jim Spooner Field and Softball Complex in Pensacola.
The head coaches for the west teams, comprised of Escambia County schools, are Northview’s Amy Holland coaching softball and Brett McCullough of Pine Forest High School coaching baseball.
Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County Schools make up the east team. Brian Watson of Jay High School will lead the east softball team while Fort Walton Beach’s Brian McDaniel will coach the east baseball team.
New at this year’s event, Pensacola Sports is holding an equipment drive. Fans are encouraged to bring used / new baseball and softball equipment to be donated to the Miracle League of Pensacola.
Donations can include balls, bats, gloves, bags, cleats, catchers gear, trainings aids, etc. Miracle League of Pensacola officials will be on-site collecting the equipment. Miracle League of Pensacola will also gladly accept donations of monetary value.
The softball game will begin at 6 p.m. with the baseball game following at 6:30 p.m.
Rosters are as follows:
WEST SOFTBALL
Catholic – Casey Durant
Catholic – Josie Madison
Escambia – Hailey Sedig
Escambia – Shelby Ullrich
Northview – Aubree Love
Northview – Makayla Jeneske
Northview – Lydia Smith
Northview – Valen Shelly
Northview – Tori Herrigton
Northview – Kendall Enfinger
Pine Forest – Crystal Hendrickson
Tate – Shelby McLean
Tate – Gabby Locke
Tate — Amber Decoux
Washington- Sumayah Fuavai
West Florida – Kenzi Wiley
West Florida – Amanda Klemm
West Florida – Meredith Morgan
West Florida Mackenzie McBride
EAST SOFTBALL
Baker - Shelby Sloan
Baker - Alyson Watson
Central - Skylair Fortner
Central - Malarie Foster
Choctaw - Alicyn Grete
Choctaw - Peyton Coots
Crestview - Caitlin Black
FWB Heidi Santos
Jay - Alyssa Baxley
Jay - Avarie Jackson
Milton - Kiahna Connell
Milton - Caroline Worrell
Milton - Alyssa Hudson
Navarre - Kallie Anderson
Navarre - Emily Cannington
Navarre - Lakin Grindland
Niceville - Katie Lightfoot
Pace - Ryleigh Baker -
Rocky Bayou - Madison Stubblefield
Rocky Bayou - Haley Nelson
Rocky Bayou - Rominey Willner
Rocky Bayou - Hayden Edelman
WEST BASEBALL
Catholic – Dustin Chabot
Catholic – Robert Black
Catholic – David Stafford
Escambia – William Browne
Escambia – Avery McNair
Escambia – Jayden Baesman
Northview – Seth Killam
PCA – Greg Clark
Pensacola – Jair Green
Pine Forest – Nolan Rigby
Pine Forest – Christian Munoz
Tate – Trey LaFleur
Tate – Hunter McLean
Tate – Easton Sidner
Washington – Sam Jackson
Washington – Colby Livingston
West Florida – Graham Holland
West Florida – Will Hackett
West Florida – John Leland
West Florida – Gavin Coles
West Florida – Derrick Town
West Florida – Dylan Reaves
EAST BASEBALL
Baker - Payton Rockwell
Central - Daryl Peek
Choctaw - Jared Gornto
Choctaw - Kairee Stocker
Choctaw - Brady Peters
Crestview - Coby Aguilar
Crestview - John Gillis
Crestview – Cooper Martin
FWB - Cameron Gagliano
FWB - Alex Holz
FWB - Karsun Barrett
Gulf Breeze Nick Deweese
Gulf Breeze Bryson Smith
Gulf Breeze Enoch Rycroft
Jay - Trevor Flowers
Laurel Hill - Tyler Southard
Milton - Tylor Patterson
Navarre - Cameron Terrian
Navarre - Eric Anderson
Navarre - Kaleb Hellard
Niceville - Connor Walsh
Pace - Aidan Gilroy
Pace - Brandon Sproat
Pace - Ty Kirchharr
Rocky Bayou - Cole Embey
Century Receives Another Offer For Vacant Industrial Property
June 18, 2019
The Town of Century has received another offer from a company looking to occupy the town-owned former Helicopter Technology building.
A “letter of intent” was emailed last Friday to Mayor Henry Hawkins on behalf of Noble Trucking Solutions, LLC, of Sheridan, Wyoming. The letter says the company specializes in oilfield water and sand hauling and wishes to expand to Century.
The building will serve as “multi-use facility that will house and serve as the Century Florida Annex for our Trucking, Logistics and CDL Trucking School with a CDL Certification Program”, according to the letter.
“Our presence in Century will allow us to bring a variety of services resulting in the creation of employment resources and enhanced skilled trades options, all under one roof to be nurtured and developed into a sustainable business,” stated the email from Felecia L Knight, a consulting agent for ACTS Entertainment Management on behalf of Noble CEO Devin Harper.
In 2017, the building was appraised for $550,000 with a fair market rent of $80,000 per year ($6,667 per month).
Nobles offered rent of about $3,500 per month for a minimum term of 3-5 years with a negotiated “moderate” annual rental increase. The company also asked for deferred payments for 90 days to “accommodate the necessary construction build-out, repairs and equipment implementation”.
According to Wyoming Secretary of State, Noble Trucking Solutions, LLC was organized April 11, 2019, and uses and address and registered agent address of a Sheridan, Wyoming, law firm. No company officers are listed.
The lack of immediately available information about the company led town council members to express concern at their Monday night meeting.
Council President Ann Brooks and councilman Ben Boutwell both told Hawkins they want to know more about the company before considering their officer. Hawkins said he would attempt to get more information from company principals soon.
Three weeks ago, the council rejected a $240,000 deal for the building.
West Florida Gin Manager Robert Earl Godwin and businessman Larry Baxley, who are in the process of setting up North Escambia Warehouse and Storage, LLC, made a preliminary lease-to-own offer on the town-owned building at $4,000 per month for five years, for a total of $240,000. The company would have made an $8,000 deposit, paid the first month’s rent in advance, and paid for any upgrades to the building. At the end of the lease term, they would have had the option to buy the building for $100, a proposed lease agreement prepared by the town’s attorney stated.
The cotton storage would likely not create any jobs, which was one major concern for some council members.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Traffic Alert: Bridge Inspection Today On Highway 4 Over Canoe Creek
June 18, 2019
A contractor for the Florida Department of Transportation will be conducting a routine inspection on a West Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek on Tuesday.
A “snooper truck” will be used to allow inspectors to look under the 225-foot bridge between Bratt and Byrneville.
One lane of the bridge will be closed during the inspection with traffic flaggers on site.
Pictured: The West Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek as seen Monday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.