Tate Lady Aggies Name 2023 Varsity, JV Teams
January 28, 2023
The Tate High School Lady Aggies have named their 2023 varsity and junior varsity softball teams.
Varsity
- Mackenzie Cook
- Charli Vinson
- Kate Balagbagan
- Kylea Gibbs
- Olivea Latner
- Elizabeth McVay.
- Blakely Campbell
- Miranda Gaut
- Amburleigh Laird
- Tristen Showalter
- Jordan Smith
- Lacy Wilson
- Kara Wine
- Peyton Womack
JV
- Carlyn Ham
- Aubree Jordan
- Caidance Peterson
- Abby Ward
- Jordan Banks
- Kinzlee Biggs
- Aubree Gorum
- Carmen Morris
- Madison Smillie
- Gracelyn Smitherman
- Kacie Tolbert
- Peyton Wilson
- Tatianna Yahle
File photo.
Haylee Linam Named Escambia County 4-H Coordinator
January 28, 2023
Escambia County 4-H has named Haylee Linam as 4-H coordinator.
In her position, she will work out of the Langley Bell 4-H Center with 4-H online, clubs and volunteers. She will also present 4-H programs.
Linam grew up in Molino and participated in FFA at Ernest Ward Middle School and Northview High School. She also showed livestock at the GCA/NRYO Spring Livestock show all four years of high school.
After graduating from Northview in 2016, she received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Tennessee in 2019.
Did You Feel It? Seismic Expert Says Friday Rumble Was Not An Earthquake
January 28, 2023
Did you feel the rumble Friday morning? Experts say it was not an earthquake.
There is no official confirmation about what caused a rumble or a ground shake. NorthEscambia.com received over 1,000 reports, and 911 operators took several reports.
The event was recorded on an official seismic monitor in Brewton, Alabama, at 11:09 a.m. (You can see the recorded event in the graphic above where the black line “jumps”.)
Geological Survey of Alabama Geologic Investigations Program Director Sandy Ebersole, PhD, reviewed the data along with the USGS and told NorthEscambia.com that it was not an earthquake.
“The data is messy and noisy,” she said. “It definitely does not have an earthquake signature.”
Ebersole said the rumble was likely caused by aircraft.
The Navy did not confirm anything from their bases, nor did the Air Force.
Escambia County officials confirm there was no explosion or other event in the county that caused the rumble. A large column of smoke was visible in southern Escambia County. The smoke was from a controlled burn at the Jones Swamp south of Highway 98 and was in no way related to the rumble, according to county officials.
EREC’s Plans For North Escambia Fiber Internet Moves Forward
January 27, 2023
Plans are moving forward for high speed fiber internet in North Escambia, and residents can now check future availability at their residential or business address.
Earlier this month, the Escambia County Commission selected member-owned Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC) with their partner firm Conexon Connect to provide high speed broadband in the area.
The Connect, powered by Escambia River Electric Cooperative, network will span approximately 600 miles of fiber network in Escambia County reaching over 4,000 electric member locations with an estimated cost of $24 million.
The network is expected to be complete to all 4,000 locations by mid-2024, with initial service availability targeted as early as the third quarter of 2023.
“I applaud the decision of the Escambia County Commission to make broadband connectivity to its unserved residents a priority,” said Conexon Partner Jonathan Chambers. “With funding from the county, we will be able to accelerate the construction of areas that were part of the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. In addition, if EREC is successful in its grant application to the state, we will be able to build a fiber-optic network to the rest of EREC’s members in Escambia County. I want to thank Ryan Campbell for his leadership. Soon, Escambia County will lead the state in fiber connectivity.”
Three basic speed tiers will be available:
- 100 Mbps/100 Mbps — $49.95/month
- 1 Gig/1Gig — $79.95/month
- 2 Gig/2Gig — $99.95/month
Qualifying households can receive a $30 per month discount through the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Ryan Campbell, EREC’s CEO, said installation will be free for customers that sign up when fiber is being installed on their road. After that, installation will be $100. Residents can learn more about plans here and check availability for their address here.
The company will also offer optional phone service and streaming programming packages from Directv.
The fiber will bring smart grid capabilities to EREC’s electrical infrastructure, including improved power outage response times, better load balancing, more efficient electricity delivery and more, according to the cooperative. Additionally, fiber connections to county facilities will also be provided.
“EREC has made great strides since the 1930s when we first brought electricity to this area. We continue to seek out and bring much-needed services to the rural areas, and high-speed internet is now a necessity,” Campbell said. “As a not-for-profit cooperative, we are excited about bringing this critical service to our members.”
Conexon and Conexon Connect work with electric cooperatives to provide fiber broadband to their members. With its clients, the company has designed more than 200,000 miles of fiber, builds more than 50,000 miles of fiber annually and has connected more than 500,000 rural Americans to fiber to the home.
“We’re thrilled to expand our partnerships in the state of Florida, continuing our efforts of serving unserved and underserved rural residents across the U.S.,” Conexon Founding Partner Randy Klindt said. “Bringing fiber to those who need it most is why we started Conexon and why we work daily to close the digital divide in communities like those served by EREC.”
Work Begins In Century On $4.7 Million Highway 29 Reconstruction
January 27, 2023
The first lane closures happened Thursday in Century as part of a $4.7 million safety project to resurface Highway 29.
The Florida Department of Transportation. Project includes a major reconstruction and realignment of Highway 29 from just south of East Highway 4 to the Alabama state line.
FDOT will also upgrade traffic signals, drainage structures, pavement markings, and driveways, while also improving curb ramps and sidewalks to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
During construction, drivers may encounter temporary traffic shifts and daytime and nighttime intermittent lane closures. Access to adjacent businesses and other properties will be maintained at all times.
FDOT estimates the project will be completed in late 2024.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Danielle O’Connor Is Beulah Middle School Teacher Of The Year
January 27, 2023
Danielle O’Connor was named the Beulah Middle School Teacher of the Year.
O’Connor has taught for seven years — five years as a math teacher and two years as a pre-engineering teacher. She also coaches volleyball, sponsors the Robotics Club, and loves to help out with the FFA.
NorthEscambia.com is continuing to spotlight Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area during January.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cold Tonight, Sunny For Saturday, Rain For Sunday
January 27, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. High near 69. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 56.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 67.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 46.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 59.
Friends Of The Library Big Winter Book Sale Underway Through Sunday
January 27, 2023
The Friends of West Florida Public Library’s Big Winter Book Sale is going on through Sunday at the downtown library on Spring Street.
Thousands of hardcover, paperback and collectible books will be available for purchase, plus a variety of DVDs, CDs, puzzles and other items. Books will be sorted into different genre categories to make it easier to find favorites. Proceeds are used to fund programs and enhancements at West Florida Public Library (WFPL) branches.
On Saturday, the book sale will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. with free admission and half off Friday prices.
Sunday, admission is free for the popular $7 bag sale from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. As much as will fit into a provided brown paper bag will be just $7.
Credit cards, cash and check are all welcome as payment. Carts will be available to assist in carrying bags.
Book Sale items include thousands of generous donations from the public and some library books retired from circulation, many of them now out-of-print. Novels and mysteries are sorted by author or into genres like Science Fiction and Westerns. Other book categories include arts and entertainment, children’s, cookbooks, history, holidays, home and hobbies, literature, foreign language, military, modern living, nature and gardening, religion, science, sports, technical, and travel. There are also recorded books, magazines and other media for sale.
The Collector’s Corner will feature an assortment of signed books, pre-1950s books, books by local and Florida authors and other special books that are great for gifts. These items are priced as marked and must be checked out separately, so shoppers paying by check should bring at least two of them.
DeSantis: Florida Will Remain The ‘Law And Order’ State
January 27, 2023
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday announced a “law and order’ legislative proposal that he says will push back against the abolishment of cash bail, increase penalties for drug-related crimes, step up human smuggling interdictions, strengthen the punishment for child rapists, prevent the early release of sex criminals, and make it more feasible to administer ultimate justice to those facing the death penalty.
“Other states endanger their citizens by making it easier to put criminals back on the street. Here in Florida, we will to continue to support and enact policies to protect our communities and keep Floridians safe,” said DeSantis. “Florida will remain the law and order state.”
DeSantis said the legislation will bolster Florida’s blueprint for fighting crime by:
- Reforming Florida’s death penalty statute to ensure that those convicted of the most heinous crimes are punished accordingly. Current law requires a unanimous jury recommendation to impose a death sentence. This proposal reduces the number of jurors required for a recommendation of death from unanimity to a supermajority jury recommendation.
- Addressing the ongoing fentanyl crisis that is plaguing our country by imposing additional penalties on fentanyl and other drug-related crimes when the drug’s appearance resembles a piece of candy, including making it a first degree felony to possess, sell, or manufacture fentanyl and other controlled substances that resemble candy and adding a mandatory life sentence and $1 million penalty for trafficking such substances that target children. Additionally, Governor DeSantis is allocating $20 million in local support funding for law enforcement agencies to increase efforts to interdict and apprehend the illicit sale and trafficking of fentanyl. This builds upon last year’s increase in fentanyl trafficking mandatory minimums and will protect vulnerable children who might be deceived by what has been dubbed “rainbow fentanyl.”
- Strengthening Florida’s bail laws by limiting who is eligible for release prior to first appearance, making sure that a judge is the ultimate decision maker when it comes to detention, and requiring a detention hearing be held prior to trial for dangerous crimes.
- Petitioning the Florida Supreme Court to establish a uniform bond schedule that all state courts must follow.
- Requiring convicted child rapists to serve at least life in prison and exploring options to make them eligible for the death penalty.
- Toughening penalties for sex criminals by expanding the list of crimes ineligible for gain time by adding all inchoate offenses (attempted crimes) of sexual misconduct, such as attempted sexual battery.
- Requiring law enforcement to report missing persons to the National Missing and Unidentified Person’s System. Currently, they are only required to report it to the Florida Crime Information Center and the National Crime Information Center.
- Dedicating $5 million in the upcoming budget recommendations to continue the successful interdictions by the strike force announced last year. To date, these interdictions have resulted in more than 200 felony charges, nearly 40 human smuggling charges, 66 drug charges, and more than $625,000 worth of illicit drugs seized.
Atmore Police Investigating After Multiple Shots Fired Near Local Park
January 27, 2023
Atmore Police are looking for a suspect after shots were fired near a local park.
About 7:35 Wednesday night, the Atmore Police Department responded to a shots fired call in the area of Westside Park on Wilson Avenue. They arrived on scene to find several spent casings in the street.
While they were working the scene, a bond agent contacted officers stating that he might know who was involved, according to police.
Officers were also notified that a residence on West Nashville Avenue was also struck by gunfire, as was a vehicle.
“Investigators are working to determine who fired the shots,” Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Atmore Police at (251) 368-9141.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.