Get To Know Cassi McGee, Escambia County’s Teacher Of The Year
February 6, 2024
As we first reported Friday night, Escambia County Public Schools named Pine Meadow Elementary’s Cassi McGee as Teacher of the Year.
McGee has been employed by the district since 2005, when she began as a fifth grade teacher at Scenic Heights Elementary. She stayed in that position until she transferred to Pine Meadow Elementary, where she still teaches today.
McGee’s students have consistently achieved learning gains and met and surpassed state-mandated benchmarks. In 2022-2023, 90% of her students made learning gains in math, with an average rise from a level 2 to 3. She has also been a valuable asset at Pine Meadow as the Math Committee Chair and is active in the Writing and Language Arts committees. Thirteen years ago at Pine Meadow, she started the safety patrol program for fifth-grade students, which is still thriving. She also serves as a coach for Pine Meadow’s award-winning Math and Battle of the Books teams each year.
“We are so proud to announce Cassi McGee has been selected as our Teacher of the Year,” stated ECPS Superintendent Keith Leonard. “Her contributions to Escambia County Public Schools epitomize the dedication, flexibility and innovation so necessary to prepare our students for a successful and meaningful future. She is truly an invaluable asset to her students, her school and this community as a whole.”
Ms. McGee will now move on to represent Escambia County Public Schools in the state Teacher of the Year competition.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Woman Charged With Assaulting Officers, Biting, Spitting And Throwing Narcotics At Them
February 6, 2024
An Atmore woman facing drug charges is accused of assaulting officers, biting, spitting and throwing bottles of narcotics at them.
The Atmore Police Department responded to a disturbance in the 300 block of Jack Springs Road where they were told by a family member that 44-year old Mary Hodges Lassiter “was acting strange and may be under the influence of narcotics,” according to APD.
“Due to Miss Lassiter’s history of being combative and aggressive with first responders the officers contacted Lassiter to ensure it was safe for medics to enter the residence,” APD Sgt. Darrell McMann said. “During the interaction with the officers, Miss Lassiter threw a clear glass jar at one of the officers that struck him in the chest. The jar contained a substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. Lassiter then threw a grenade shaped bottle with plastic tubes attached to it that struck the same officer. That bottle had a liquid in it that field tested positive for cocaine. Lassiter threw a third item which was a shampoo bottle at the officer that missed him.”
“The officer attempted to detain Lassiter but she began pulling away from him, the officers forced Lassiter to the floor and gained control of her. While handcuffing Lassiter she was able to bite one of the officers on his hand. Lassiter also grabbed an officer’s arm and grabbed a section of skin and began twisting it causing an injury.”
“While detaining Lassiter so medics could evaluate her, she spit in an officer’s face twice. A spit mask was placed on Lassiter. While medics were attempting evaluate her, she began racially taunting one of the medics. She was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where she refused to cooperate and was released to the officers,” McMann continued.
Lassiter was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, assault with bodily fluids, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and assault third degree. She remained in the Escambia county (AL) Detention Center without bond.
Sunny, Mild For Tuesday
February 6, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Union Expresses ‘No Confidence’ In Escambia EMS Leadership
February 6, 2024
The local EMS union has executed a vote of “no confidence” in Escambia County’s EMS leadership.
The letter, dated Monday and addressed to the four sitting Escambia County commissioners, said the bargaining members of the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics Local 325 executed a vote of no confidence in EMS Chief David Torsell and Deputy Chief Christopher Stevens, citing “unsuccessful attempts to resolve the culture of harassment, tyranny and lack of health and safety for both the Escambia County community and its EMS providers”.
The union claims leadership has reduced the number of ambulances available to answer calls while forcing employees to work “unsafe and unreasonable” hours.
“Chief Torsell’s decisions while in office have created a crisis in which the community is suffering and us first responders are exhausted,” the letter signed by union leadership stated. They also alleged that Torsell has willfully misled Public Safety Direct Eric Gilmore in order to obstruct oversight.
Union leadership demanded that Torsell and Stephens resign or be removed immediately.
Escambia County has not responded to the allegations.
$2.375 Million Proposal Would Align Quintette Road At Highway 95A Intersection
February 5, 2024
Escambia County is set to seek funding to improve and align the intersection of Quintette Road with Highway 95A.
Currently, the east and west legs of Quintette Road are offset approximately 115 feet from one another, creating a hazard for the smooth flow of intersection traffic
There is no available right-of-way for a lateral shift on the west side of the intersection, but the east side has an approximate right-of-way of 100 feet, which could accommodate a northerly shift. Immediately adjacent to this intersection are a concrete plant, asphalt plant, a high-end vehicle restoration complex, a new residential development, and a proposed convenience store station on the northeast corner.
According to Escambia County, Quintette Road (CR 184) is a vital route for logging traffic from points to the northeast extending to the Florida/Alabama state line, to provide pulpwood to the International Paper Mill at Cantonment.
Quintette Road has also served as the only connection between Escambia and Santa Rosa County in the event of a catastrophic storm, as occurred in 2004 in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, when the US 90, I-10, and US 98 bridges were all incapacitated and incapable of carrying traffic.
A study to determine if a traffic signal is warranted was conducted at the intersection in Summer 2023 before the proposed addition of the convenience store.
A westbound right turn lane is also proposed to reduce delays with logging trucks turning north onto CR 95A. Preliminary sketches indicate the proposed improvements can be facilitated within the existing public rights-of-way, but a potential corner clip donation may be required of the Circle K property once the design is underway.
Circle K has, in an email to the county, obligated $250,000 toward the intersection improvements, with an official agreement under review for acceptance at an upcoming Board of County Commissioner meeting.
At a February 8 meeting, the Escambia County commission will consider applying for a Florida Department of Transportation Regional Incentive Program for grant funding for the intersection. If awarded, the grant will require $1.275 million in matching funds from Escambia County.
The total project, including grant funds, is estimated at $2.375 million. If the project funding is awarded, completion is estimated for October 2025.
Pictured top: The proposed alignment of Quinette Road at the intersection with Highway 95A. Pictured below: A Circle K is proposed at the intersection. NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.
Sun Returns Tuesday
February 5, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
February 5, 2024
Northview High School has named their Students of the Month for January. Pictured with Principal Mike Sherrill, they are Cameron Bodiford and Payton Daw. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Student Zoe Wade’s Sculpture Wins Second Place At National Beta Club State Convention
February 5, 2024
Tate High School student Zoe Wade won second place in Division 2 (11th and 12th graders) at the National Beta Club State Convention with her sculpture. With the win, Wade and her sculpture will advance to the nationals in Savannah, Georgia, this summer. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Fraser McDavid Mill Proposes Construction Of Two New Kilns
February 5, 2024
West Fraser is proposing to add two continuous dry kilns at their existing sawmill at 401 Champion Drive in McDavid.
Three existing batch kilns will be decommissioned in phases, according to the company’s application with the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
The proposed development occupies an area of approximately 5.83 acres at the eastern side of the current 170.5 acre parcel.
The total area of construction is about 5.831 acres. Of that, approximately 4.170 acres is new impervious with new pavement accounting for 3.354 acres, leaving 0.816 acres in buildings and other structures.
In addition to the two new kilns, the proposed project includes a motor control center (MCC) for the kilns, a fuel storage/reclaimer building and MCC, energy system building, electrical building, transformer/generator building, breeching system building, a conveyor from the existing facility, and other conveyors for moving material through the new facilities. The new area pavement will be concrete.
There will be no impacts to wetlands, according to the company.
The project is currently in the pre-application stage with the Escambia County Development Review Committee and is set for public meeting at 2:25 p.m. on February 7 at the Escambia County Central Complex Building at 3363 West Park Place.
Florida Gas Prices Decline; Pensacola Metro Has State’s Chepeast Gas
February 5, 2024
Florida gas prices are moving lower again after jumping 12 cents last week. Rising crude oil and gasoline futures prices contributed to last week’s increase, which sent the state average to a 3-month high of $3.27 per gallon on Thursday.
“Futures prices reversed course last week, enabling pump prices to drop 4 cents in past three days,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Sunday’s state average was $3.23 per gallon and falling.”
Gasoline futures prices dropped 15 cents per gallon. The U.S. price for crude oil declined $5.73 per barrel (-7%) last week. Friday’s closing price of $72.28/b was the lowest daily closing price in two weeks.
Sunday night, Pensacola was the cheapest market in Florida, with an average of $3 per gallon. A North Escamba low of $2.93 could be found at a statin on Highway29 in Cantonment.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
