How Cold Did It Get Last Night? Here Are Low Temps From Local Communities
January 17, 2024
Here are the low temperatures for Wednesday morning as recorded by calibrated weather stations across the area:
- Century – 17
- Molino – 18
- Walnut Hill – 18
- Beulah – 19
- Pine Forst HIgh – 19
- West Florida High – 19
- Tate High School -19
- UWF – 20
- Pensacola High – 20
- Pensacola Beach – 22
- Perdido Key – 23
Keith Leonard Named Permanent Escambia School Superintendent
January 17, 2024
Keith Leonard is the officially appointed superintendent of Escambia County Public Schools.
Tuesday night, the school board unanimously approved making his interim position permanent and begin contract negotiations between Leonard and board chair Patty Hightower.
The motion was made by District 1 board member Kevin Adams, who found Leonard “highly effective” with 88 of 88 possible points in a recent evaluation. The motion was seconded by District 5 member Bill Slayton, who also evaluated Leonard as “highly effective”.
Leonard received glowing support and praise from nine public speakers prior to the vote.
Overall, Leonard scored 74.8 out of 88 for a “highly effective” rating when the scores from the five members were combined.
“My daddy told me a long time ago, ‘Boy all you can do is work. Get your butt up and go to work and do the very best you can. And always remember your last name,’” Leonard said after the vote. “So I’ve tried to do that everyday and that is what we will continue to do.”
Leonard’s contract as interim was set to expire June 30, 2024.
The board will avoid an expensive nationwide search. Leonard was one of four finalists in their last search which ultimately led to the hiring of Dr. Tim Smith who was later terminated and Leonard was named interim.
Century Council Extends Unsecured $41K Loan With Urban Development Century YouthFirst Program Cut By ECT
January 17, 2024
Tuesday night, the CEO of the Urban Development Center asked the Century Town Council for more time to repay an unsecured $41,925 loan to the Town of Century, and said she’s looking for ways to keep the YouthFirst Century program alive despite a complete funding cut by the Escambia County Children’s Trust (ECT).
Last year, Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded a contract to the Pensacola non-profit Urban Development Center for “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. In reality, they only reached 30 children in their targeted ages of 11-18. They requested to lower their target age group to just 5-years old, but that was also denied by ECT.
The Town of Century fronted an unsecured $61,925 loan to UDC to purchase items like computers and workbooks. At least $20,000 was recently repaid to the town, according to audio from a council meeting. However, public records requests by both NorthEscambia.com and Rick’s Blog to the town produced no documentation of the payment.
Griffen had proposed that the remaining $41,295 be repaid by December 31, 2023, but that deadline was missed. By phone Tuesday night, she requested an extension to March 31, 2024. Griffen disconnected from the phone call before providing any additional information to the council about her group’s financial condition or reimbursements already received from ECT.
UDC has been reimbursed $164,903.50 by ECT through October, according to records from the taxpayer funded Escambia Children’s Trust, but those funds were not used to fully repay the Town of Century.
UDC has requested a $189,256.70 reimbursement for their first year of operation, despite reaching just 56 children, with less than 30 of those in the target age range. That equals $6,308 per targeted child in the 11-18 age group.
Griffen also hinted that she is looking for alternative funding outside the ECT to keep the program alive.
“The Escambia Children’s Trust has voted not to fund the YouthFirst Century program due to low participation, but I have been talking to CareerSource Escarosa (CEO) Marcus McBride, who is diligently working to see how they can be an asset to the Town of Century and hopefully put something in place.”
The council voted 5-0 extended the repayment date on the unsecured loan until March 31 as requested.
Pictured: The Urban Development League’s Dr. Jessica Griffen introduces YouthFirst Century to a group at the Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church in Century in February 2023. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Federal Judge Rules Former Commissioner Underhill Must Pay $130K In Legal Fees
January 17, 2024
Former Escambia County Commissioner Douglas Underhill has been ordered by a federal judge to pay $130,425.50 in legal fees to David Bear.
Bear sued Underhill after he failed to respond to a public records request for records held by Underhill. Bear won the case, which allowed reimbursement for legal fees.
Underhill contended that Bear had the improper purpose of harming him financially and that further discovery was required to determine what fees were actually billed to Bear to avoid duplication. Underhill also filed a separate motion to remand, asserting that all federal claims have been resolved, and in the alternative, he requests reconsideration of the determination that he is individually liable for Bear’s attorney’s fees.
Underhill lost all of his arguments in the case with the order from Federal Judge Casey Rodgers.
“Record shows that the request was a genuine search for public records and the suit was filed because Underhill refused to respond to the request for public records that were within his custody, which is not improper,” Rodgers wrote in her order.
Space Heather Safety Tips From Escambia County Fire Rescue
January 17, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue is encouraging residents to practice space heater safety and know the potential risks associated with home heating equipment.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths and space heaters account for 4 out of 5 home heating fire deaths.
“Space heaters should have a three-foot safe zone around them,” said Escambia County Fire and Life Specialist Ray Melton. “They should never be left on while you’re away from home. They should be checked and serviced every year before used. Never plug a space heater into power strips or extension cords, and always have working smoke alarms.”
Follow these tips to stay safe while heating your home:
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 ft. away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
- Never plug a space heater in a power strip.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use an oven to heat your home.
For portable electric heaters:
- Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
- Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off so if they are tipped over they will shut off.
- Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
- Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections; replace before using.
Heating Fire Facts:
- Most home heating fire deaths (86%) involved stationary or portable space heaters.
- The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
- The leading factor contributing to ignition for home heating fire deaths (54%) was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding.
- Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.
Need a free smoke detector in Escambia County? Call (850) 595-HERO.
Hard Freeze Warning With Lows Near 16 Tuesday Night
January 16, 2024
There is a Wind Chill Advisory with bitter cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 10 above zero.
There is a Hard Freeze Warning with sub-freezing temperatures as low as 16 expected. Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 16. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 45. Wind chill values between 5 and 15 early. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly between 7pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 21. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 40. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22. North wind around 10 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students Of The Month
January 16, 2024
Ernest Ward Middle School named their Students of the Month for November. Pictured are: Lane Lisenby, sixth grade; Jordan Everett, eighth grade; Jadon Long, seventh grade; and Principal Tyvanna Boulanger.
Photo for NorthEscambambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Interim Superintendent Leonard Rated As ‘Highly Effective’ In First Board Review
January 16, 2024
The Escambia County School Board has rated interim Superintendent Keith Leonard as “highly effective” ahead of a Tuesday night discussion that could see Leonard appointed as a permanent superintendent.
In October, the board expressed a general consensus to make Leonard the permanent boss by extending his contract. Each board member individually completed a mid-year evaluation of Leonard’s performance to date, and those were compiled by the board attorney.
Overall, Leonard scored 74.8 out of 88 for a ““highly effective” rating when the scores from the five members were combined.
Individual board members evaluated Leonard as follows:
- District 1, Kevin Adams: 88/88, highly effective
- District 2, Paul Fetsko: 80/88, highly effective
- District 3, David Williams: 75/88, highly effective
- District 4, Patty Hightower: 45/68, effective (Hightower left several sections of the review blank. That resulted in possible maximum score of 68)
- District 5, Bill Slayton: 73/88, highly effective
Leonard was evaluated on student learning, instructional plan implementation, faculty development, decision making, leadership development, communication skills, professional and ethical behaviors.
Leonard’s current contract as interim is otherwise set to expire June 30, 2024.
The board will avoid an expensive nationwide search. Leonard was one of four finalists in their last search which ultimately led to the hiring of Dr. Tim Smith who was later terminated.
Freezing Weather — Protecting Pets, Plants, Pipes And Other Tips
January 16, 2024
With freezing weather, it is time to take necessary precautions to protect pipes, pets and plants, and check on elderly friends and neighbors.
Here are ways to stay safe during cold temperatures, courtesy of the American Red Cross:
- Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing body heat.
- Know the signs of hypothermia — confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. If someone has these symptoms, they should get immediate medical attention.
- Watch for symptoms of frostbite including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness or waxy feeling skin.
- Bring the pets indoors. If that’s not possible, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.
- Avoid frozen pipes — run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night to help avoid freezing pipes.
- Do not use a stove or oven to heat the home.
- Space heaters should sit on a level, hard surface and anything flammable should be kept at least three feet away.
- If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
- Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
And here are a few extra details and tips from ECUA on protecting pipes against the freeze:
- Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas: Pipes located in unheated areas of your house, such as a garage or crawl space under the house or in the attic, are subject to freezing. If you have time to do this before freezing temperatures arrive, wrap these pipes with insulation materials made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses: Detach all hoses from faucets and allow them to drain. This action guards against the water in the hose or pipe from freezing and bursting the faucet or pipe to which it is connected.
- Run a trickle of water: When forecasts call for sustained and / or severe freezing temperatures, run a thin trickle of water from the faucet furthest from the water line coming to your house. Usually this is in a room at the back of the house or outside, in the yard. Allowing the water to circulate through your home’s plumbing helps to keep it from freezing. Some consider this a waste of water but the cost of the water used is extremely slight compared to repairing broken pipes and the resulting water damage.
- Remember the backflow preventer: Residents and business owners who have backflow preventers on their properties for water lines, fire lines, irrigation systems, and swimming pools need to protect their backflow preventers from freeze as well. Extended freezes can burst the body of the backflow assembly, rendering it useless. Wrap these pipes with insulation materials, made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers. If the device and the water line are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.
Today’s Fashion: Dressing For Cold Weather
January 16, 2024
With our cold weather this week, it’s important to dress in layers, cover skin and limit time outside, according to the National Weather Service office in Mobile.
Here’s how to dress for cold weather:
