Pine Forest High’s Jamiliya McBride Named Escambia Teacher Of The Year
January 29, 2022
Pine Forest High School’s Jamiliya McBride was announced as the Escambia County Teacher of the Year Friday night.
“She is a servant leader,” Escambia Schools Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith said. “She is one that embodies the goodness, great dedication, the great hart that all of our teachers share.”
“I always strive to do my very best for students, staff and parents. I want to give a special thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has never failed me and who I live for daily,” McBride said, also thanking her family, friends and her Pine Forest High family.
“It is a great honor to be placed in this category with such great people,” McBride, an instruction coast, said of her fellow nominees.
(Story continues below photo.)
In addition to McBride, the other four finalists where:
- Laura Hobbs, Lincoln Park Elementary School
- Alison Link, A.K. Suter Elementary School
- Caleb Lovely, Warrington Middle School
- Jessica Phelps, Kingsfield Elementary School
Here is the complete list of teachers honored as Teacher of the Year for their individual school:
- Achieve Academy — Aarin Phillips Nedd
- Alternative Education — William Broome
- Jim Allen Elementary — Amanda Robar
- Jim C. Bailey Middle — Jessika Brown
- Bellview Elementary — Christina Burson
- Bellview Middle — Dominick Limle
- Beulah Academy of Science — Jessica Lewis
- Beulah Elementary — Kris Lapata
- Beulah Middle School — Cindy Speed
- Blue Angels Elementary — Eunice Angeles
- Bratt Elementary — Mary Rackard
- Brentwood Elementary — Gail Hanson
- Brown-Barge Middle — Angela Nass
- Hellen Caro Elementary — Tammy Robertson
- N. B. Cook Elementary — Mary de Boer
- Cordova Park Elementary — Courtney Lurton
- Ensley Elementary — Iris Jones
- Escambia High — Susan Chambers
- Escambia Westgate — Melissa Caldwell
- Exceptional Student Education — Elizabeth Leonard
- Ferry Pass Elementary — Diondria Bridges
- Ferry Pass Middle — Brittany Wobecky
- Global Learning Academy — Amanda Westbrooks
- Reinhardt Holm Elementary — Lisa Jones
- Hope Horizon — Vivian Gillard
- Kingsfield Elementary School — Jessica Phelps
- Lincoln Park Elementary — Laura Hobbs
- R. C. Lipscomb Elementary — Dustin Brenton
- Longleaf Elementary — Laury Heath
- L. D. McArthur Elementary — Lindsey Jeremiah
- Molino Park Elementary — Jessica Varner
- Montclair Elementary School — Ashley Roache
- Myrtle Grove Elementary — Rich Gonzalez
- Navy Point Elementary — Dovennie Day
- Northview High — Jeffrey D. Simpkins
- Oakcrest Elementary — Philip Jones
- Pensacola High — Karen Bruening
- Pine Forest High — Jamiliya McBride
- Pine Meadow Elementary — Christina (Tina) Schlauder
- Pleasant Grove Elementary — Amy Urban
- Ransom Middle — Angela Avery
- Scenic Heights Elementary — Janette Calder
- O. J. Semmes Elementary — Rickie Merritt
- Sherwood Elementary — Alicia Smith
- George Stone Technical College — Edward Sizemore
- A. K. Suter Elementary — Alison Link
- Success Academy — Carolyn Dejacimo Pillar
- J. M. Tate High — Karl King
- Ernest Ward Middle — Katie Roley
- Warrington Elementary — Alicia Abbuhl
- Warrington Middle — Caleb Lovely
- Booker T. Washington High — Barbie Spears
- C. A. Weis Elementary — Brianna Cooks
- West Florida High — Laura Rainey
- West Pensacola Elementary — Audra Livingston
- J. H. Workman Middle School — Helene Carrington
Remember The Five P’s of Cold Weather Safety
January 29, 2022
With this weekend’s cold weather, Escambia County is urging residents to exercise caution and remember the “Five P’s” of cold weather safety.
- Protect People: Remember to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. It is important to try to stay out of the wind and to stay dry. Also, remember to check on young children and the elderly family and neighbors who are the most sensitive to cold weather. If the temperature cannot be maintained at a home, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere, including with friends and family.
- Protect Pets: If cold weather is in the forecast, be sure to bring outdoor pets inside or give them a warm shelter to stay in.
- Protect Plants: Cover cold sensitive plants to protect them from the dangerous temperatures.
- Protect Pipes: Cover pipes and allow outdoor faucets to slowly drip to prevent from freezing and breaking.
- Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, which is a deadly gas. Also, make sure to use space heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames.
Cold Weather Closes Drive-Thru COVID Testing Site For The Weekend
January 29, 2022
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County’s COVID-19 drive-thru testing site will be closed Saturday and Sunday due to cold weather. Normal testing is expected to resume on Monday for all persons with or without symptoms.
Beginning Monday, testing will be available as follows:
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 3330 West Park Place in Pensacola (across the street from FDOH-Escambia Fairfield)
- Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Marie K Young Wedgewood Community Center, 6405 Wagner Road in Pensacola
- Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3330 West Park Place in Pensacola (across the street from FDOH-Escambia Fairfield)
All tests are drive-thru with no appointment needed. Bring a valid form of identification. This is PCR testing with results available within 48 hours.
FDOH-Escambia continues to offer COVID-19 rapid testing to persons experiencing symptoms or those who have been exposed to someone with known COVID-19. An appointment is required. Call (850) 595-6500 option 6 to schedule an appointment. Rapid testing with results available within 30 minutes. Questions can be directed to FDOH-Escambia’s COVID-19 phone line at 850-595-6500 option 6.
Click or tap image to enlarge.
Today’s Fashion: Dressing For Cold Weather
January 29, 2022
With our cold weekend weather, it’s important to dress in layers, cover skin and limit time outside, according to the National Weather Service office in Mobile.
Here’s how to dress for cold weather:
Trial Delayed After Mom’s Attorney Withdraws In Tate High Homecoming Queen Case
January 29, 2022
Trial has been postponed for the former school official accused of illegally accessing student information to help her daughter win the Tate High School homecoming queen crown.
Laura Carroll appeared in an Escambia County courtroom Friday as a judge allowed her attorney, Randy Etheridge. to withdraw from the case. Etheridge filed the motion to withdraw due to a conflict of interest. He stated the main conflict of interest involves Carroll’s daughter Emily Rose Grover and the likelihood that she will be called to the stand.
Etheridge said he previously thought the case would end with a plea deal and not go to trial. Prosecutors said Carroll was offered a plea deal that she rejected — plead guilty to one felony and received probation, while the other felony charges would be dropped.
Trial was originally set to begin next week, but has now been set for April to allow Carroll’s new attorney, Chris Crawford, to prepare.
Carroll, former assistant principal at Bellview Elementary School, and her daughter Emily Rose Grover were charged by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with one count each of felony offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices; felony unlawful use of a two-way communications device, felony criminal use of personally identifiable information, and conspiracy to commit these offenses.
Grover is entering a pre-trial diversion program that, if successfully completed, will result in the charges against her being dismissed.
Both were accused of illegally accessing the Escambia County School District FOCUS computer system and casting 246 votes for Tate homecoming queen in the fall of 2020. Grover won, but she was later expelled.
NorthEscambia.com photo (left) and Escambia County Jail photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Records 3,180 New COVID-19 Cases, 32 Deaths Last Week
January 29, 2022
There were 3,180 new COVID-19 cases and 32 deaths reported over the last week in Escambia County, according to the Florida Department of Health and the CDC. There were 3,193 cases reported during the previous week and 5,010 two weeks ago.
Here is the latest data from FDOH and the CDC:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 72,938 (+3,180)
Positivity rate last week: 41.52%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 1,000
People vaccinated: 168,464 (+375)
Full vaccination rate (age 5+): 57.5%
New hospital admissions: 296
Current hospitalizations (as of Friday): 245
Total deaths reported last 7 days: 32
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 44,198 (+2,278)
Positivity rate last week: 41.14%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 1,232
People vaccinated: 97,804 (+226)
Full vaccination rate (age 5+): 55.6%
New hospital admissions: 36
Total deaths last 7 days: <10
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 5,478,671 (+198,719)
Case positivity rate: 26.4%
Case Rate per 100k: 904..3
Deaths: 64,955 (+206)
Data sources: CDC, Florida Department of Health, Escambia County
Bertha Inez Dean
January 29, 2022
Ms. Bertha Inez “Polly” Dean, age 71, passed away, Monday, January 24, 2022, in Atmore, AL. She has been a lifelong resident Atmore, AL.
Ms. Dean valued her time she got to spend with her grandchildren. She was an avid Alabama Football Fan and watching wrestling. She enjoyed crocheting, and cooking for her family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Melton (Gladys Johnson) Amos, two brothers, James Oneil Amos, Will Amos, and aunt and uncle Margaret and Wade Johnson.
She is survived by her one son, Michael Glen “Wormy” (Amy) Dean, of Atmore, AL; one daughter, Lawanda Lynn Coker, of Nokomis, FL; three brothers, Clifford Amos, of Biloxi, MS; Carlton Amos, of Perdido, AL; Thomas (Pam) Amos, of Atmore, AL; two sisters, Carolyn (Jimmy) Jackson, of Atmore, AL; Bernice (Joe) Pace, of McDavid, FL; seven grandchildren, Caitlan, Whitney, Britney, James, Kenny Wayne, Abby, Mary Joiner, four great-grandchildren, Lanceton, Vivian, Isabeth, Little Rudy, other relatives, and friends.
Graveside services were held Friday, January 28, 2022, at Sullivan Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Adam Hadley, Larry McDuffie, Oneil Johnson, Cassie Jackson, Blake Adams, and James Kimbler.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
No Serious Injuries In Highway 95A Rollover Wreck
January 28, 2022
There were no serious injuries in a rollover wreck Friday on Highway 95A south of East Roberts Road.
The crash about 9 a.m. involved two cars, with a Chevrolet Cruze coming to rest upside down. Both drivers refused transport by Escambia County EMS.
The Ensley Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded, and the Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Nine Mile, Highway 29 Corridor Project Is Finally Complete, FDOT Says
January 28, 2022
The Florida Department of Transportation says Nine Mile Road and Highway 29 are now complete.
The $100 million corridor improvement project included the widening and improvement of Nine Mile Road in different sections from Highway 29 to Beulah Road. Work on Highway 29 was from East 10 Mile Road to I-10.
When announced in 2016, the Nine Mile Road project that was due to be completed in 2019 faced several delays — including Hurricanes Michael and Sally plus other tropical systems.
For more aerial photos, click to tap here.
Photos courtesy FDOT for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lows In The 20s, Wind Chills In The Teens By Morning
January 28, 2022
With a low in the middle 20s and wind gusting up to 20 mph, the wind chill — the feels like temperature — will be in the teens by Saturday morning. Even with sunny skies, highs on Saturday will struggle to reach the mid 40s with a strong north wind.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 26. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 46. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 30. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 61. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 55. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 54.
Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 47.