The Blues Angels Are Back! Here’s The 2023 Practice Schedule.
March 21, 2023
The Blue Angels returned home to Pensacola Monday, and they have announced their practice schedule.
The schedule is as follows:
- March 28, 29
- April 4, 5*, 11, 12*, 18, 19*, 25, 26*
- May 2, 3*, 9, 10*, 16, 17*, 31*
- June 6, 7*, 13, 14*, 20, 21, 27, 28*
- July 11, 12, 25, 26*
- August 1, 16*, 22, 23*, 29
- September 6*, 12, 19
- October 18*, 24, 25*
* Indicates Blue Angels autograph sessions in the museum following the practice.
The National Naval Aviation Museum will open the flight line behind the museum to view Blue Angels practice flight demonstrations. Gates will open at 9:30 a.m. on practice days and the Blues are scheduled to take to the skies at 10:30 a.m.
The museum and the practices are open to DoD ID card holders and their guests who can access NAS Pensacola. The practices can be seen from other locations off-base, including Fort Pickets and the Target or Walmart parking lot on Blue Angel Parkway.
Clear And Cool Tonight, Low In The 40s
March 21, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 77. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Escambia School Board Members Taking To The Road For Town Hall Meetings
March 21, 2023
The Escambia County School Board will hold a series of town hall meetings, along with Superintendent Tim Smith, beginning next week and concluding in early May.
The meetings will be held at 6:00 pm at each site as follows:
- March 27 – District 3 member David Williams at Pensacola High auditorium
- March 28 — District 2 member Paul Fetsko at Escambia High media center
- April 4 — District 4 member Patty Hightower at Washington High auditorium
- April 11 — District 1 member Kevin Adams at Pine Forest High media center
- May 8 – District 5 member Bill Slayton at Tate High cafeteria
All of the town hall meetings are open to the public.
Pictured: The Escambia County School Board holds a workshop meeting Monday.
Beulah Middle Ag Students Explain Growing Program To School Board
March 21, 2023
Students from the Beulah Middle School Agriscience Technology Academy shared the latest about their growing program with the Escambia County School Board during a Monday workshop.
Under the leadership of their instructor, Leanne Jenkins, students Mikayla Salvadora, Jayden Williams and Harrison Vernier addressed the board.
“Without agriculture, these things would not be possible,” Salvadora said after asking board members if they had consumed meat or vegetables Monday, or if they were wearing clothes. “Everything we have, everything we consume, starts on a farm.”
Williams, who is the first Beulah Middle student to pass the program’s industry certification test this year, explained that the program looks to share important values with students. For instance, produce grown in the program becomes a bit of a life lesson after it is harvested.
“Giving away our produce, we promote compassion and healthier eating options. But when not giving away that food, we give it to our students who have grown it and let them cook it so they get to taste what they have grown,” Williams said.
“Technology within agriculture changes every single day,” academy student Vernier told the board. “With our growing population, the need for improvement is crucial. We use technology in our classroom on a daily basis and constantly talk about the every-changing technology in the agriculture industry.”
“We are blessed to have such a dynamic program in classrooms at Beulah Middle,” Superintendent Tim Smith said.
All three students said they hope to continue their agricultural education after high school.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Luke Bridges Signs To Play Football At Millsaps College
March 21, 2023
Monday, Northview High School senior Luke Bridges signed to play football at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.
According to NHS head football coach Wes Summerford, Bridges recorded 353 career tackles on defense for the Chiefs, including 19 tackles for a loss. On offense, he scored 19 touchdowns and averaging “a stunning 24 yards every time he touched the football”.
Bridges took a moment to thank his family during the signing ceremony.
“My dad taught me how to love the game and what it meant to be a football player on and off the field…and my mom for being my biggest supporter…and then my little brother for being by my said through it all,” he said. Bridges also thanked his teammates and coaches.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ginger Ann Ramer
March 21, 2023
Ginger Ann Ramer, age 51, born in Monroeville, AL and a resident of Perdido, AL died Sunday, March 19, 2023 at North Baldwin Infirmary. She was a homemaker.
She is survived by her husband, Johnny Lee Ramer of Perdido, AL; her children, Justin Levi (Meghan) Ramer of Perdido, AL and Holly Lee-Anne Ramer of Perdido, AL; her mother, Sarah Ann Williams of Dyas; one brother, George Johnson of Goodway, AL; one sister, Darlene McLain of Walnut Hill, FL and two grandchildren, Aiden Ramer and Asher Ramer.
She was preceded in death by her father, Orvin Franklin Johnson; a sister, Gail Faye Johnson and a brother, Doyle Orvin Johnson.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. at the chapel of Norris Funeral Home with Reverend Bubba Rolin and Kevin Rackard officiating. Burial will follow at Bryars-McGill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until the 12:30 p.m. service at Norris Funeral Home.
Northview Students, Community Mourn 18-Year Old Killed In Highway 29 Wrong-Way Crash
March 20, 2023
Northview High School students and the North Escambia community are mourning the death of NHS senior Kara Santorelli.
Santorelli, 18, was killed in a head-on crash early last Friday morning on Highway 29.
Extra counselors were at Northview Monday to assist staff and students with the tragic situation.
“Today, with sad hearts, we welcome back our students after spring break. We are deeply sorry for the tragic loss of our senior Kara Santorelli. We hold tight to beautiful memories that she had left with us. Her beautiful smile and kind spirit will continue to be in the hearts of her friends and classmates,” NHS said in a statement. “We also extend our condolences to her family, praying that they find comfort and strength in the midst of their grief.”
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a white Chevrolet sedan was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Highway 29 just south of Quintette Road at 12:41 a.m.
A burgundy Nissan SUV driven by Santorelli was northbound at the time, and the vehicles collided head-on.
The Chevrolet sedan caught fire with the driver still inside. Troopers said the sedan driver has not yet been identified.
Both drivers were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Pictured: Kara Santorelli was a senior member of the Northview High School homecoming court last fall. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Man Charged With Attacking Relative With A Bat In Cantonment
March 20, 2023
A Flomaton man has been charged with allegedly attacking a relative with a baseball bat at a home in Cantonment.
Richard Kevin Morris, 54, was charged with felony burglary with a battery and aggravated battery. The incident occurred February 7, with his arrest coming late last week.
Morris allegedly struck a relative in the back of his head with a bat. The relative was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital as a “Level 1 trauma alert”, following the attack, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
The victim told deputies that he remembered Morris swinging a blue bat at his face just before he lost consciousness. The victim’s parents arrived home to find him passed out, the report states.
Morris remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $65,000.
Public Comment Period Ends Today For Hurricane Sally Infrastructure Grant Projects
March 20, 2023
A public comment period closes today on Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program projects. The program is designed to fund fund infrastructure restoration and hardening projects in communities impacted by Hurricane Sally.
The Escambia County Commission has selected five project to prioritize:
- Energy-efficient Escambia County Transit Center and solar-powered bus shelters with ADA upgrades
- Upgrades to the Pensacola Bay Center
- Indoor multi-use facility at Ashton Brosnaham Park
- Beach Haven stormwater and septic-to-sewer project
- 11 stormwater projects in Escambia County:
- Carver Park Phase 2
- Brickyard Road
- Woodrun Bridge Replacement
- Pensacola High School Drainage Improvements
- Oakfield Estates/Palafox Street
- Monroe Avenue
- Gulf Beach Highway Pipe Replacement
- Vista Park
- Muldoon Road Drainage Improvements
- Bayou Grande Villas
- Olive Road Street and Drainage
The comment period is open until March 20. Public comments can be email to sallyrecoverygrant@myescambia.com.
Escambia School Board To Consider Return To Elected Superintendent During Tuesday Meeting
March 20, 2023
The Escambia County School Board could vote Tuesday on whether or not to move forward with the potential return to an elected superintendent.
In 2018, Escambia County voters narrowly approved a ballot referendum for an appointed superintendent, with 50.36 voting yes and 49.64 percent voting now. This was the sixth time voters had considered the idea of an appointed superintendent in the county; all of the other attempts failed.
The term of then superintendent Malcolm Thomas ended in 2020, and Dr. Tim Smith was appointed as the new school district boss.
District 1 member Kevin Adams will present a resolution to the school board on Tuesday, that if approved, will officially request a referendum to switch superintendent back to an elected job. The Escambia County Commission would then have to pass a resolution asking the legislature to place the question on the ballot during the presidential preference primary on March 19, 2024.
“I think it is a good time for the citizens to look at where we are at and decide if we need to go back to an elected superintendent.,” Adams said at a previous meeting. “And let them choose.”
Smith, the current appointed superintendent, told the school board that he does not support a return to an elected superintendent.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to go back to an elected superintendent,” Smith said. “I think it needs to be given a chance.”
“I just hope, somehow, some way, the easy out to kick the superintendent to the curb is not out answer. I think we are better than that,” Smith said. “It’s going to take time…It’s not easy work.”
The Escambia County School Board will consider the superintendent resolution during the regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. While not on the agenda, the board could discuss the issue during a workshop meeting on Monday at 1 p.m., but a vote could not be taken at that time.