Cantonment Rotary Club Presents Culinary Scholarships

February 14, 2022

The Cantonment Rotary Club recently presented culinary endowed scholarships to two students at Pensacola State College.

The scholarships were awarded to Luther E. Scott III and Abbigail Kellogg.

These were just two of the 15-20 scholarships provided to PSC students each year by the Cantonment Rotary Club.

Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Tate Cheerleaders Compete At Nationals; JV Squad Takes Sixth In The Nation

February 14, 2022

The Tate junior varsity squad placed sixth in the nation in the JV Non-Tumbling Game Day division.

The state champion Tate varsity cheerleaders competed four times over the weekend in the Traditional Small Varsity D1 Division, and they finished 13 out of 108 teams from across the United States.

Pictured: The junior varsity (above) and varsity (below) Tate High School cheerleaders at national competition. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Louise Gilbert Brazwell

February 14, 2022

Louise Gilbert Brazwell, age 78, passed away February 7, 2022, at the hospital in Huntsville, Alabama.

She was born June 25, 1943, in Bay Minette, Alabama, the daughter of Harold and Thelma Gilbert.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Myron Brazwell; sons Jeffrey Brazwell and Wesley (Heather) Brazwell; grandchildren Gabriela Brazwell and Enzo Brazwell; brother Edward Gilbert; sisters Gail Hardy, Ann Hartshorn; and many nieces, nephews, and others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Harry Gilbert and sister Jean Cary.

She was a member of Bethel Church of Christ in Athens, Alabama. Louise was known for her dedication to family. She was selfless and giving to her sons and grandchildren. She enjoyed tending to plants and growing beautiful flowers, cooking large, delicious meals, and the yearly Gulf Shores family vacations.

Graveside service were held Friday, February 11 at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.

Vehicle Overturns Multiple Times Into Tate High School Parking Lot

February 13, 2022

A vehicle flipped multiple times into a parking lot at Tate High School Sunday morning.

The adult male was apparently westbound on Tate School Road when he failed to turn onto Tate Road and crashed through a fence.

The driver was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries not considered to be life threatening.

Officials said he was not a student at the school. However, there were students on campus shortly after the incident for scheduled ACT testing.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.

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NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Ordinance Would Require County Employees To Quit Before Running For County Commission

February 13, 2022

Escambia County is moving toward an ordinance that would require county employees to resign before running for the county commission.

The commission backed away from previous discussion of an ordinance that would require a resignation to run for any political office and settled on just candidates for the five commission seats.

“It would seem like the real potential negative effect is when it is our seats,” Commissioner Steven Barry said in a recent meeting.

“You can do whatever you want, you have free speech. You can say whatever you want, but there’s consequences,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said. “If you are really that passionate about it, quit and run.”

Bergosh has stated that he was not responsible for bringing a potential resign to run ordinance up for discussion. Two years ago, Johnathon Owens, who was an aide to District 2 Commissioner Doug Underhill, ran against incumbent Bergosh for the District 1 seat. Bergosh won with 38.71% of the vote. Owens finished third in the primary with 22.48% behind Jesse Casey with 31.01%

The commission voted 3-1 to schedule a public hearing on a resign to run for commission ordinance. Underhill cast the dissenting vote, while Commissioner Lumon May was off the dais and did note vote.

“The seats of power are equally open to the very rich and powerful, as well as the commoner,” Underhill said. “Anything that limits or in some way curtails who runs for public office is not in my opinion in the best interest of the citizens.

The ordinance, if approved, would apply to employees of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, but not the commissioners themselves as they don’t work for the BOCC.

Ernest Ward Middle Gym Getting An Updated Look

February 13, 2022

The gymnasium at Ernest Ward Middle School is getting an updated look.

The gym is being painted gray with a blue trim on the outside. The inside is also being painted, and there will be new lockers and a coat of paint in the locker rooms.

The 19,000 square foot EWMS gym has been blue since it opened in 1978. New paint was discussed during the construction of the new school building, which opened in February 2015, but the gym was never painted.

And stay tuned…if all goes as planned, there will be another aesthetic improvement coming to the front of the 44-year old building this summer.

Pictured above below: The Ernest Ward Middle School gymnasium, as seen on Saturday, is being painted. Pictured bottom: The building has been blue since it opened in 1978. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Winter’s Chill Returns

February 13, 2022

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 28. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Breezy, with a southeast wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Low around 62. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 72. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

Byrneville Elementary School Names Students Of The Month

February 13, 2022

Byrneville Elementary School has named their Students of the Month for January. They are:

  • Kindergarten: Samuel Mino and Cason Fowler
  • 1st Grade: Braxton Wilson and Khloie Garrett
  • 2nd Grade: Adri’Yanna Elliott and Tatum Godwin
  • 3rd Grade: Charley Cooley and Duece Simmons
  • 4th Grade: Taylin Boyington and Madison Brazwell
  • 5th Grade: Ta’Kayvia Jackson and Gabriella Moretz

Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Tate High Agriscience Students Address Escambia School Board During CTE Month

February 13, 2022

During February, Escambia County is celebrating Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month.

The school board adopted a resolution declaring February as CTE Month, opening the door for a month-long spotlight on District CTE programs, students, and teachers.

Students from the Tate High School Agriscience Academy shared some of the great things happening in their program last week with the Escambia County School Board during a special workshop.

“Ag has been and integral part of Tate High School, ever since there was a Tate High School,” District 5 member Bill Slayton said.

ECSD CTE  programs are responsible for preparing individuals for occupations important to the county’s economic development. Additionally, CTE programs prepare students who are looking to enter the workforce with career exploration, employability skills and work experiences.

CTE programs introduce students to real-life skills like resume writing, interviewing, public speaking and working collaboratively. They also offer hands-on activities through immersive environments in the classroom. Students learn by doing.

“This designation is meant to highlight the incredible contributions that Career and Technical Education makes to the lives of our students,” said ECSD Director of Workforce Education Steven Harrell. “The efforts of all CTE teachers ensure that competitive and skilled workers are ready, willing, and capable of performing in high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand career fields.”

Across the District last year, ECSD students at the secondary and postsecondary levels earned over 6,000 industry certifications. Each of these certifications represents an employment skill set imparted to a student.

Pictured above: (L-R) Tate High School Agricultural Educator and FFA Advisor Austin Courson, students Dawson Guy, Jaxson Stafford, Sarah Alexander and Darby Phillips address the Escambia County School Board. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Fire Damages Large Metal Building In Walnut Hill

February 13, 2022

Fire damaged a large metal building in Walnut Hill Saturday afternoon.

The fire on Smith Lane, just west of Kansas Road, was reported about 2:30 p.m. Smoke from the 2,100 square foot building was visible for miles.

Firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire under control. There were no injuries reported.

There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire. Other nearby structures and a residence were not damaged.

The Walnut Hill, McDavid, Century and Molino stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue,  Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department, Atmore Fire Department and Pace Fire Rescue were initially dispatched to the fire. Several of those units were canceled before arrival.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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