Lose This Horse Near Atmore? The Sheriff’s Office Has It In Custody.
March 9, 2020
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office found this horse on the run last week near Atmore.
Deputies and animal control officers were able to safely take the horse into custody. It’s receiving necessary care and remains in the custody of animal control.
To claim ownership of the horse, call the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-0741.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Roy Hyatt Environmental Center Holds ‘Night of Nature’
March 9, 2020
The annual Roy Hyatt Environmental Century Night of Nature was held Friday night.
Attendees had a chance to meet raptors, visit with reptiles, peer through telescopes, see a planetarium show, take a night hike and more.
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center is located at 1300 Tobias Road in Cantonment. The facility is owned and operated by the Escambia County School District.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Nearly 2,500 People Vote Early In Escambia County. Here’s How You Can Too.
March 9, 2020
Early voting kicked off Saturday in Escambia County for the presidential preference primary.
There were 2,448 people that cast their ballots early in Escambia County on Saturday and Sunday, according to the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office.
Early voting will continue through Saturday, March 14 at nine locations in Escambia County:
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- University of West Florida, Building 90, Campus Lane (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Highway (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Main Library, 239 Spring Street (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
Early voters cast paper ballots through digital scanners and may choose any one of the nine sites. Each location is also equipped with an ExpressVote ballot marking device for use.
Cantonment Man Facing Drug, Concealed Weapon Charges
March 9, 2020
A Cantonment man is facing drug and concealed weapon charges after law enforcement made contact with him on a dirt path near Perdido Bay.
Adam Joseph Hammac, 28, was charged with carrying a concealed firearm, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (methamphetamine), possession of a marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer and an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy made contact with Hammac after dark on a dirt path between Lillian Highway and Perdido Bay.
Hammac had a semi-automatic handgun in his front waistband and an additional firearm magazine in his front pocket but does not have a concealed carry permit, according to an arrest report. He also had a plastic marijuana pipe and bag of marijuana on his person, and methamphetamine, marijuana, glass pipes and syringes in this vehicle, the report states.
Hammac was released from the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $3,000.
Schedule Of Escambia County Public Meetings This Week
March 9, 2020
Here is a schedule for public meetings planned for this week in Escambia County:
Monday, March 9
Marine Advisory Committee Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Tuesday, March 10
Environment Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Tourist Development Council – 3 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room
Escambia Housing Finance Authority Audit Committee – 4:30 p.m., 700 S. Palafox St.
Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor Training Room
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority – 5 p.m., 700 S. Palafox St.
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee – 5:30 p.m., 420 W. Chase St.
Wednesday, March 11
PPBEP Technical Committee Meeting – 9:30 a.m., 800 Shoreline Drive, Gulf Breeze
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
PPBEP Policy Meeting – 1:30 p.m., 800 Shoreline Drive, Gulf Breeze
Santa Rosa Island Authority Board Meeting – 5 p.m., 1 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach
Thursday, March 12
Board of County Commissioners Committee of the Whole – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Bergosh: Escambia County Needs To Get Ahead Of The Coronavirus Locally
March 8, 2020
Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh says he wants to have a serious discussion this week about the coronavirus with his colleagues.
“I believe we need to be proactive in our leadership in discussing how we will handle an outbreak locally should we encounter such an event,” Bergosh said. He is requesting an agenda add-on for Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting for the commission to talk plans.
Bergosh said his biggest concern right now for county operations is planning for infections that might arise in the Escambia County Jail.
“If we are put in the unfortunate circumstance that we have one or more infections in our jail–then we need to be prepared with a plan of how that will be handled–because that could become a problem of geometric proportion if it occurred,” the District 1 commissioner said. “We need to be discussing this now, just as other communities are. ”
He said plans also need to be made for ECAT and how the county will handle mass transit if the virus spreads locally — including how to disinfect buses or what to do if drivers become infected.
“I’m not an alarmist, and I am not trying to panic folks,” Bergosh said. “But we need to get ahead of this locally.”
DeSantis Actives State Emergency Ops Center After Coronavirus Deaths
March 8, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday activated the state’s Emergency Operations Center following the death of two Florida residents from coronavirus, including one that died at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
The Level II activation is to coordinate the state’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19) and provide critical support to the Florida Department of Health and county health departments.
The governor’s directive follows Friday night’s announcement from the Florida Department of Health (DOH) that two individuals have died and two new presumptive positive cases were confirmed in Broward County. Additionally, Saturday DOH announce new presumptive positive cases in Lee and Charlotte counties. The individual is isolated and receiving appropriate care.
The COVID-19 patient that died Friday in the Pensacola hospital was a 71-year old man from Santa Rosa County who traveled to the Dominican Republic. Officials said he had underlying medical conditions and had traveled internationally.
“I have directed the Division of Emergency Management to activate to Level II to ensure our state has all the necessary resources engaged as we respond to COVID-19,” said Governor DeSantis. “It is critical that we proactively coordinate all state resources to mitigate the threat and contain COVID-19. I urge all Floridians to take necessary precautions and follow hygiene guidelines issued by the Surgeon General and Florida Department of Health.”
On March 1, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-51, which directed Surgeon General Rivkees to declare a public health emergency to better equip Florida with the resources needed to handle the public health threat. The Governor has requested $25 million from the Florida Legislature to be appropriated in this current year for the Florida Department of Health to be used immediately to assist with the COVID-19 response.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Rages Through Storage Shed In Walnut Hill
March 8, 2020
Fire destroyed a storage shed in Walnut Hill late Saturday afternoon.
The fire in the 3000 block of Mayhaw Road, between North Highway 99 and Highway 164, was reported about 5:40 p.m. Firefighters arrived to find the approximately 200 square foot shed fully involved. A wooden fence was also damaged, but a nearby home was not. There were no injuries.
The exact cause of the fire was not immediately known.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Atmore Fire Department and Escambia County EMS responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Meet The Pensacola Chamber’s 60th Annual PACE Awards Winners
March 8, 2020
The Greater Pensacola Chamber announced its 60th annual PACE Award recipients during a special one-night event at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front. Each year, the PACE Awards are presented to outstanding individuals in our area who have made significant contributions to Greater Pensacola’s economic, educational, and community progress.
“Pensacola has no shortage of amazing people who work every day to make our community a better place,” said Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Justin Beck. “It’s an honor to have the opportunity to specifically recognize the special individuals and the work they do.”
The 2020 PACE Award winners are:
Emerging Leader of the Year: Robin Zimmern, Major Gift Officer at the University of West Florida, was named Emerging Leader of the Year. A little over two years ago, Zimmern has found herself in a leadership role with the University of West Florida managing to double her fundraising goals each year. Along with consistently surpassing the goals set for her in her professional life, Zimmern serves on several local non-profit boards and volunteers with many other community organizations. She possesses the ability to serve as a leader of a group when needed, but also serve as a productive and hard-working member of a group under the leadership of others.
Business Leader of the Year: Will Condon, President, Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart, was named Business Leader of the Year. Born and raised in Pensacola, the 2020 Business Leader of the year is an individual who could be described as a business visionary. Condon is a graduate of Pensacola Catholic High School and then chose to further his education at the University of West Florida for both his bachelors and master’s degree. In his current role as President of Studer Family Children’s Hospital, Condon oversees the operations and continuous growth and development of the Studer Family Children’s Hospital and led the move from the old children’s hospital to their new facility. Condon’s focus has been on patient experience and under his leadership, Sacred Heart was voted the nation’s best pediatric emergency department.
Professional Leader of the Year: Don Snowden, Department Head of the Performing Arts Department, Director of Bands and Assistant Professor at Pensacola State College, was named Professional Leader of the Year. Since 1987, Snowden has developed a strong relationship within our community and has assisted Pensacola State College in raising over $500,000 in support of the programs, faculty, and students in the Performing Arts Department. Snowden’s professional reach goes beyond just Pensacola State College. He has made an impact on the Pensacola Symphony, the Pensacola Civic Band, Pensacola Little Theater, Gulf Breeze High School, and many other programs throughout our community.
Community Leader of the Year: Brent Lane, radio personality at Cat Country 98.7, was named this year’s Community Leader of the Year. Since moving to Pensacola in 2005, Lane has made a positive impact on the Pensacola community by dedicating his time, energy, and talents to this community and its citizens. He supports over twelve non-profit organizations throughout the community and touches the lives of thousands of people each year through his volunteer efforts. Along with presenting a top-rated morning radio show, he has dedicated himself to Manna, where he has served on the board of directors for the past eight years, including serving as Board President as well as chairing several committees.
Advocate Leader of the Year: Dr. Kim Krupa, Executive Director of Achieve Escambia, was named Advocate Leader of the Year. In her role as Executive Director at Achieve Escambia, Krupa has tripled the volunteer base, doubled the fundraising revenues, and elevated the profile of a community-based organization that is unique to Florida. She has led the charge at Achieve Escambia in improving kindergarten readiness by 10% points at C. A. Weis Community School where they are making a long-term investment in the 3-year-old preschool program. Under her direction, Achieve Escambia has won two most-improved statewide awards as a result of their first-ever Escambia County FAFSA Challenge to connect more high school seniors to financial aid for college.
Leader in Education: Dr. Kim LeDuff, Vice President for Academic Engagement and Student Affairs at the University of West Florida, was named Leader in Education. Dr. LeDuff became an educator because she recognized the doors that were opened for her as a result of her educational experiences. She is an individual with a stellar record of education service through outstanding contributions to advancement, mentorship, and encouragement of students in or outside of the classroom. LeDuff has made a lasting impact on the University of West Florida by building a strong diversity program that infuses inclusion in all that they do and establishing a new division dedicated to academic engagement and student success.
Pioneer Award: John Appleyard, Pensacola historian, was named as the recipient of this year’s Pioneer Award. John Appleyard has been a pioneer in the Pensacola community for two generations, having dedicated his life to sharing Pensacola’s rich history daily. Beyond founding the Appleyard Agency in 1959, he is an avid historian who has authored dozens of books about Pensacola’s past. Appleyard was named director of the Florida Quadricentennial Celebration in 1958 and has been involved with numerous local historic preservation efforts. Appleyard’s 15-minute films about Pensacola’s history are viewable Tuesdays through Saturdays in the Appleyard Storytelling Cottage, located in UWF’s historic village.
Spirit of Pensacola: Carol Carlan, President, Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation, was named as the recipient of the Spirit of Pensacola Award. As a businesswoman and community leader, Carlan has served and bettered our community through her roles in business, education, and philanthropy. Carlan is known for her heart-felt commitment to education and social issues, and has served on more than 35 not for profit organization boards during her career including: the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, Pensacola State College, the Institute of Human & Machine Cognition, and the PACE Center for Girls. Under Carlan’s leadership as President of Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation she has helped raise $50 million in assets.
Students Learn About Ag During Fresh From Florida Event (With Gallery)
March 8, 2020
About 1,000 elementary school students attended the annual Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” agricultural advocacy program Friday morning at the school in Bratt.
Formerly known as the “Food For America program”, the event gave students a chance to learn about agriculture first hand, up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more to learn how food gets from the farm to their tables. Students were even able to make and enjoy eating their own fresh butter.
The Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” program has been honored as the number one program in the state multiple times, and the chapter was recently name one of the best in the United State by the National FFA Organization.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
