ECSD Names School Age Child Care Director of the Year From McArthur Elementary
June 1, 2019
Angela James, McArthur Elementary School’s school age child care director has been recognized as Escambia School District’s Outstanding Child Care Director of the Year.
“This was my first year that I had some of my kindergartners go into the fifth grade and leave,” James (pictured above in blue) explained. “Getting down to the last couple of weeks, I said, ‘Wow, you were with me when I first came here and now you are getting ready to leave me,’ and it was very emotional because I have watched them go from kindergarten to fifth grade. It’s hard to see them go.”
Last year, James started a summer program on McArthur’s campus because she listened to the parents and heard a need. “I scouted out this area for affordable childcare, and there wasn’t a program.” So, she took her proposal to Aisha Adkison, ECSD Workforce Education’s School-Age Child Care Administrator.
James praises the ECSD Workforce Department for allowing them to start the summer program, and her staff for their integral part in the success of the program. “They love the kids just like I do and all I can say is, I have been blessed with a staff that will go above and beyond with me.”
Summer participant, McKynleigh Montano will tell you that all of the staff members are, “really nice. We go outside a lot and we go outside on Fridays for water days, and that’s really fun.” When asked about the award presented to James, Montano said, “I am really happy for her and I’m shocked because she does the best!. And I never knew that this day would come. She is nice to all of us and I am just so happy to have her.”
A bonus staff member is Jason Lewis. Jason attended McArthur Elementary School and he was one of James’ after-school kids. Now, he is about to start high school and this summer he is back helping the staff in a variety of ways. When asked what he is learning from this experience, he explained that he is “learning how to take care of things, to be like them (indicating the staff), and leadership.”
The staff plans indoor and outdoor activities including crafts. This year they are adding field trips to go bowling, skating, to a bounce house and the park.
And, James did her homework. She found out that if she and her staff completed annual training with Feeding the Gulf Coast, her students could get lunch and an afternoon snack.
“It is awesome that we can provide this here,” said James. The program operates Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. She currently has room for ten more students. During the summer, they are not restricted to McArthur students the way they are during the school year.
“James works with her principal, district staff, PTA and community organizations to achieve this feat,” explained Adkison. “Angela and her staff members go above and beyond to ensure her children at McArthur experience a high-quality child care program during the school year, as well as this summer program.”
Additional attributes that her supervisors praise James for are, her outstanding record keeping, inspirational leadership abilities, and for following all process requirements.
“Even better than all of that is that she can do all of that and also be so loved by the students and their parents,” Adkison added.
Jeff Bergosh Guest View: Learn from History-Don’t Erase It
June 1, 2019
Guest editorial by Jeff Bergosh
In 2021, the $427 Million replacement bridge now under construction over Pensacola Bay will be completed. Current FDOT policy and practice dictates replacement structure(s) carry the same designations as the original structure(s) replaced-absent any new legislative action.
In this instance and by an act of the Florida legislature in 1961-the bridge connecting Pensacola with Gulf Breeze is officially recognized as the “Philip D. Beall Sr. Memorial Bridge”—although most locals call it the “3-Mile Bridge.” (Sen. Philip D. Beall was a State Senator from Pensacola from 1935 until 1943.)
But some folks now insist we give this replacement structure a new name—stripping the Beall family name and re-naming it the Daniel R. “Chappie” James bridge. (Chappie James was a decorated combat aviator, the first black man to become a 4-star general in the U.S. Military.)
I believe a better tribute for a great man like Chappie would be for us to rename Pensacola’s airport in his honor—after all, Chappie was an aviator! If Louisville Kentucky can rename their city’s airport for their favorite son, Mohammad Ali, then why can’t Pensacola do this same thing for Chappie James?
Beall’s descendants have suggested a fair compromise amidst all this rancorous debate—a dual designation of the bridge, honoring both men.
Unfortunately- this magnanimous, common-sense gesture was rebuked.
Our legislative delegation, meanwhile, has signaled its willingness to introduce legislation to change the bridge’s official designation– if this is the will of the four interested communities.
Pensacola and Santa Rosa County have already taken formal votes on this.
Escambia County and the city of Gulf Breeze, however, have wisely moved forward with a committee approach for considering this issue–allowing individual citizens a voice in this decision. (citizens may send their thoughts to: namethebridge@myescambia.com )
I’m hopeful this committee will listen to all sides of this matter with open minds.
Because sadly–some folks that are supportive of changing the bridge’s name have now resorted to denigrating a family’s legacy by calling Sen. Beall a “racist”- an insidious claim that has no basis in fact!
This negative turn in the discussion has been devastating to Beall’s descendants.
Senator Beall’s daughter sat in my office going through memorabilia recently—and emotionally asked me this: “Why do they want to erase my family’s history-our family wasn’t racist?”
Nevertheless– individuals pushing to tear Beall’s name from the bridge continue assaulting his legacy, pointing to legislation the senator sponsored in 1935 that made Democratic primaries statewide “white only.”
But these primaries were ubiquitous in the 1930s south; the Supreme Court decision in Grovey v. Townsend ruled that such primaries were lawful and didn’t deprive citizens of their 14th or 15th Amendment rights. It was about party politics of that time, not race.
Meanwhile– every racist injustice committed by Andrew Jackson, FDR, Robert Byrd, and other historic figures that have monuments locally and nationwide—apparently, these are a non-issue. (Jackson owned slaves, FDR force-segregated black troops and illegally interred American Citizens of Japanese descent. Byrd was in the Ku Klux Klan—yet all these guys’ monuments stand proudly?)
It’s rank hypocrisy that’s borderline delusional.
Allowing ANY angry mob to become the de facto “monument police,” re-writing our history to suit their agenda and ideology, condemning selected historical figures while ignoring historical realities, acting as judge, jury and executioner to erase history—this is wrong!
I don’t– and we shouldn’t—countenance the sanitizing of history by condoning the forceful destruction of statues, the removal of monuments, and/or the stealing of families’ memorial designations—-on the orders of ANY angry mob.
Jeff Bergosh is an Escambia County Commissioner representing District 1.
Man Charged With Murdering His Grandfather
June 1, 2019
An Escambia County man has been arrested for murder.
Marcus Knight, 25, was arrested Friday for the murder of his grandfather, 66-year old James Howard Royster.
Royster found deceased in his his residence at 1035 East Lee Street in Pensacola on the morning of May 8. He was was beaten to death with an unknown object, according to Pensacola Police.
Knight had lived at the residence, but was being kicked out at the time of the incident.
Investigators said Knight was developed as a suspect in the murder early on in the investigation, but initially probable cause was insufficient. Knight was, however, arrested on a theft charge and has remained in jail on that charge since the murder.
Police said probable cause for the murder was established after three weeks of investigation.
Knight remains in the Escambia County Jail with no bond.
Century Academy Closes Three Years After Opening
May 31, 2019
Century Academy has closed its doors three years after opening due to low enrollment.
“The administration and staff of Century Academy would like to express our appreciation to all our families for the support you have shown us these past 3 years,” Administrator Barbara Barber wrote in a letter to parents. “It is with a heavy heart that we will not be able to continue providing those services in the future. Due to the low enrollment at the school along with no indication of a future increase we find that we must close the Academy.”
Century Academy was a private, non-profit K-12 school that specialized in teaching children diagnosed with autism and other related learning disabilities. Century Academy was operated by East Hill Academy in Pensacola.Barber said they will assist parents with the transfer of students to other area schools, including East Hill Academy or their campus in Milton.
Century Academy was located in the former Carver/Century K-8 school on Hecker Road– an older building that was transformed with plenty of paint and decor into a world filled with rain forest and ocean scenes — designed to capture the attention and imagination of children with autism. It opened after winning a $20,000 prize in a 2015 Studer Institute Century Business Challenge.
Century Academy had an official motto stenciled on a wall just inside the front door — “We are Century Academy. All of us are unique. And when we come together, The puzzle is complete.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Structure Fire in Walnut Hill; Power Lines Spark Brush Fire In Molino
May 31, 2019
Firefighters responded to a brush fire in Molino and structure fire in Walnut Hill Thursday afternoon.
Highway 97 Brush Fire
Just before 4 p.m., Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a power line down on Highway 97 near Pilgrim Trail. The live power line sparked a brush fire, and prevent firefighters from putting out the blaze until it was deenergized.
Gulf Power reported about 260 customers without power in the area. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also assisted by directing traffic.
Highway 97 Structure Fire
Firefighters were dispatched to a reported structure fire about 6 p.m Thursday in the 7900 block of Highway 97, just north of the Walnut Hill Fire Station. The fire was reportedly burning in the insulation under the home.
Information on the cause of the fire was not immediately available. No major damage was reported, and there were no injuries.
Pictured: Firefighters responded to a reported structure fire on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill about 6 p.m. Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free Summer Meals At The Century, Molino And Main Libraries
May 31, 2019
Free summer lunches are available at the libraries in Century, Molino and downtown Pensacola.
The meals are available through a partnership with West Florida Public Libraries and Feeding the Gulf coast through Friday, August 2 for children 18 and younger.
Meals are available as follows:
- Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd: Tuesday-Friday, lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
- Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A : Monday-Friday, lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
- Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St.: Monday-Friday, lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
Each lunch includes a serving of milk, two or more servings of vegetables or fruits, a serving of a grain or bread and one serving of meat of meat alternative.
Pictured: Free summer meals last summer at the Molino Branch Library. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay High’s Burkhead Signs With Pensacola State
May 31, 2019
Jay High School graduate Dutch Burkhead has signed a baseball scholarship to play with Pensacola State College. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rortvedt, Davis Each Homer Twice In Wahoos 6-4 Loss To Mississippi
May 31, 2019
It had been over a full calendar year since the last time a Blue Wahoo hit two home runs in a game. Thursday night, a pair of Wahoo sluggers went deep twice, but the Blue Wahoos still fell 6-4 to the Mississippi Braves.
In game three of a five-game set at Blue Wahoos Stadium, the M-Braves took an early 2-0 lead over Pensacola in the first inning against opener Williams Ramirez. With two outs, Tyler Neslony tripled to right, barely beating a rapid relay from the outfield and sliding under the tag at third. The next batter, Ryan Casteel launched a two-run home run.
The score stayed locked at 2-0 until the fourth inning when Pensacola cut the lead in half with a towering home run off the bat of Ben Rortvedt.
The Braves answered immediately in the top of the fifth, stringing together singles by Christian Pache and Drew Waters with two outs before Neslony drilled a three-run shot off Jorge Alcala, his second home run in as many days against the Wahoos.
Prior to the fifth, Alcala had pitched strong in relief of Ramirez, throwing 3.0 scoreless innings on just two hits. He finished the night with a line of 5.0 innings pitched, five hits and three runs allowed, two walks, and six strikeouts. For Alcala, it was his third straight outing following an opener, a role in which he holds a 6.59 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 13.2 innings pitched.
Trailing 5-1, Jaylin Davis lofted a no-doubt solo shot in the sixth inning for Pensacola to keep the Wahoos in the ballgame.
Davis would strike again in his next at-bat, lining another solo shot over the left field wall in the eighth.
The Braves also added a run in the eighth on back-to-back doubles by Riley Unroe and Luis Valenzuela off reliever Sam Clay, who struck out six over 3.0 innings of relief.
The Wahoos made it interesting in the ninth. With one out, Rortvedt knocked an opposite field solo home run, his second of the night. With the score now 6-4, Caleb Hamilton followed with a single up the middle.
With the tying run at the plate, the Braves turned to Jeremy Walker in relief to try and close out the game for the second straight night. For the second straight night, he delivered, retiring the next two batters to preserve the win for Mississippi.
Over in Biloxi, Brewers prospect Trey Supak came within one out of a no-hitter in a 3-0 win for the Shuckers over the Tennessee Smokies. With the Wahoos loss and Biloxi’s win Thursday, Pensacola’s lead in the Southern League South Division is down to just 1.0 game.
The Wahoos and Braves will play again Friday night wiith righty Andro Cutura (0-2, 6.87 ERA) on the mound for Pensacola against Braves #2 pitching prospect Ian Anderson (2-3, 3.38 ERA).
Florida Tax Holiday Underway On Hurricane Supplies
May 31, 2019
Hurricane season begins Saturday, and now is the time to stock up on supplies during the 2019 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.
The tax holiday runs through June 6. The following items are exempt from sales tax during the holiday period:
Selling for $10 or less:
- Reusable ice packs)
Selling for $20 or less:
- Any portable self-powered light source (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank or gas)
- Candles
- Flashlights
- Lanterns
Selling for $25 or less:
- Any gas or diesel fuel container, including LP gas and kerosene containers
Selling for $30 or less:
- Batteries, including rechargeable batteries only in sizes: AAA-cell, AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, 9-volt
- Coolers and ice chests (food storage; nonelectrical)
Selling for $50 or less:
- Bungee cords
- Ground anchor systems
- Radios (powered by battery, solar or hand-crank)
- Two-way radio
- Weather band radio
- Ratchet straps
- Tarpaulins (tarps)
- Tie-down kits
- Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths and other flexible waterproof sheeting
Selling for $750 or less:
Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in the event of a power outage
For the fine print and further information, click here.
Cantonment Man Charged With Attacking Firefighters With A Shovel
May 30, 2019
A Cantonment man is facing charges after allegedly trying to attack firefighters with a shovel Wednesday afternoon.
Melvin Ronnie Brown, 65, was charged with two counts of felony aggravated assault on a firefighter, two counts of simple assault on a firefighter and two counts of failure to obey police or fire department. He was released from the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning on a $33,000 bond.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to an unspecified “sick call” on Tyler Lane near East Chipper Road at 2:45 p.m.
Brown was intoxicated in the front yard of the home with a shovel, according Maj. Andrew Hobbs of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and took multiple swings at the arriving firefighters.
The firefighters backed out of the scene, calling for immediate assistance. They were not injured.
Brown was taken into custody when deputies arrived on scene minutes later. Firefighters and Escambia County EMS were then able to evaluate the adult female patient inside the home. The patient was transported non-emergency to West Florida Hospital for a medical issue, according to an Escambia County spokesperson.