School Board Honors Champion Tate And West Florida Cheerleaders
February 20, 2019
The Escambia County School Board honored the Tate and West Florida high school cheerleaders Tuesday night.
The Aggie cheerleaders won the Florida High School Athletic Association Region Small Coed Championship. They are the first squad from Tate High School or Escambia County to take first place in their division since Pine Forest won that honor in the 80s, according to the Escambia County School District. They are also the first Escambia district squad to win since cheerleading was recognized as a sport and included in the FHSAA competitions.
Tate also placed fifth in national competition.
The Tate Aggie cheerleaders are Kyndell Ammons, Morgan Austin, Jonah Cass, Bailey Carter, Shelby Fleming, Isabella Floyd, Kensley Foley Hagyn Helton, Payton Herring, Madeline Hughes, Erin Johnson, Elena Lucci, Abi Manoso, Keaden Martin, Kyndal Milsted, Ashlyn NeSmith, Madelyn Ray, Emma Romero, Payton Simmons, Ariyana Wyatt, Krysanne Hagen – co-captain, Emilee Potter – co-captain, and Kennedy Bellard – captain. This year’s head coach is Morgan White and the assistant coach is Annie Wiggins.
The West Florida High School cheer squad placed second in the state. West Florida cheerleaders are Alyssa Albertson, Sarah Albertson Taylor Bailey, Lanie Brown. Chloe Claxton, Madison Couture, Chloe Douglas, Amanda Klemm, Saniyah Marioneaux, Jazmine Olsen, Haley Pratt, Erica Ragsdale, Nadiya Reeves, Zaniya Royster, Kalista Russell, Kaylin Russell Alexis Shaw, Alyssa Tran, Savannah Young, Destiney Larkins — co-captain, Jada Lee – captain, and coach is Stacie Hammer.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Moose, The Famous East Hill Publix Cat, Hit And Killed By Vehicle
February 20, 2019
Escambia County is mourning the loss of Moose, the “World Famous” East Hill Publix Cat.
Moose spent his days at the East Hill Publix in Pensacola, and headed to his owners’ home at night. The feline with thousands of followers on his very own Facebook page was last seen at the store on Saturday.
His owners said Tuesday night that it appears he was hit and killed by a car on Cervantes Street. A short time later, the Graffiti Bridge was painted in his honor.
“He was a free spirit that could not be confined,” his family wrote Tuesday night on Facebook. “He brought so much joy to us and the community. Thanks to everyone who love on him and gave him pets every day. You all made Moose a very happy kitty. He truly lived his best life.”
“And in the end it’s not the years in your life that counts; it’s the life in your years.”
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Central Water Works Issues Boil Water Notice For About 365 Customers
February 19, 2019
Central Water Works has issued a precautionary boil water notice for about 365 customers through at least Thursday afternoon.
The boil water notice is due to a broken water main discovered about 10:30 p.m. Monday in the 200 block of North Century Boulevard.
Complete details are in the image below, click to enlarge.
Drug, Weapons, Child Neglect And Animal Cruelty Charges Filed After Drug Raid
February 19, 2019
Five people, including a Cantonment woman, are facing a variety of charges after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
- Brandi Nichole Bell, 19, Cantonment, was charged with child neglect and animal cruelty. She was released on a $3,000 bond.
- Brittany Michelle Chaney, 32, Pensacola, was charged with possession of cocaine. She was held without bond as a fugitive without justice due to an outstanding warrant from Escambia County, AL.
- Dillon Eddins, 22, Pensacola, was charged with trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids, possession of drug paraphernalia, child neglect, animal cruelty and maintaining a public nuisance residence. He was released on a $116,000 bond.
- Scott Kelly Eddins, 47, Pensacola, was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of marijuana. He was released on a $3,000 bond.
- Jesse Allen Geoghahan, 22, Pensacola, was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He was jailed with bond set at $30,000.
Deputies located a quantity of marijuana, spice, Tramadol pills, ecstasy, methadone, crack cocaine, a total of $2,422 in cash, and drug paraphernalia throughout the house and vehicles. A dozen weapons including an AK-47, a sawed-off shotgun, rifles and handguns were also recovered.
A 1-year old child inside the residence was turned over to the Department of Children and Families.
Investigators said Geoghahan was sitting on a couch with a loaded semi-automatic handgun inches as they entered the residence.
Two dogs belonging to Bell and Dillon Eddins were found inside the home. One dog was “clearly” dehydrated, emaciated and was not being properly kept, according to an arrest report. Both dogs were seized and an Escambia County Animal Control investigation is continuing.
Deputies also found cocaine in Chaney’s purse, the report states.
The location of the home where the search warrant was executed was redacted from arrest reports.
Century Council Breaks Impasse And Hires Billing Clerk
February 19, 2019
The Century Town Council broke their impasse Monday night over the hiring of a billing clerk.
The council voted 3-2 to promote Netanya “Toni” Simmons as recommended by Mayor Henry Hawkins and increase her salary from $9.80 to $12 per hour. The council publicly interviewed Simmons during their regular meeting. She was only candidate interviewed by the council as advised by the town lawyer.
Hawkins first recommended to promote Simmons from within at the council’s January 28 meeting. Council president Ann Brooks, who represented the council at the interviews of several candidates back in January, said that she did not believe she was the best candidate. The council voted to interview Simmons and three other candidates.
On February 4, Brooks cited an emailed opinion from Matt Danheisser, town attorney, stating that the council essentially has veto power to disapprove of the mayor’ choice, but the council could not direct the hiring of a person not recommended by the mayor. Four council members split 2-2 on a motion not to promote Simmons, and 2-2 on a motion in the affirmative. Each time, Brooks and Ben Boutwell voted against Simmons, while Luis Gomez and Sandra McMurray-Jackson were in her favor. Council member James Smith was absent, causing the council to deadlock and instead decide to interview Simmons.
Monday night, Gomez, Jackson and Smith voted in favor of the promotion, and Boutwell and Brooks voted against. Gomez participated by phone for medical reasons.
According to her application, Simmons has worked with the town for just over a year as a clerk tech. She was previously employed for six months as a cashier at Odom’s Bar and Package, and six months as a desk clerk at Performance Tire & Wheel in Brewton. She is certified in Office, PowerPoint and Excel.
The previous billing clerk, Angela Suggs, resigned her position after seven years. The position is responsible for billing about $1.6 million in water, sewer and natural gas revenue each year.
Pictured: The Century Town Council interviews town employee Toni Simmons before promoting her to billing clerk during their Monday night meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, Tate FFA Horse And Livestock Teams Compete
February 19, 2019
The horse judging and livestock teams from the Northview High FFA and Tate High FFA competed recently for a chance to advance to the state finals.
Northview’s horse judging team placed 12th out of 58 teams during the state preliminaries at the Florida State Fair in Tampa and will advance to the state finals in Gainesville in April. Team members are Olivia Porter, Autumn Williams, Destiny Cleckler and Brooke Doolittle.
Northview’s livestock team placed 40th out of 79 teams. Team members are Raeleigh Woodfin, Kelley Merchant, Stewart Woodfin and Amber Gilman.
Competing for Tate’s livestock judging teams were Kylar Smith, Keaton Fuqua, Laura Alexander, Raven Hollis, Lindsay Von Stein and coach Melissa Gibbs.
Tate’s horse judging team also took part. Team members are Jessica Conti, Hannah Thorne, Emily Freeman, Katherine Cavanaugh and coach Erin Lawall.
Pictured top: Northview’s horse judge team. Pictured below: Tate horse judging team. Pictured bottom: Tate’s livestock team. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
February 19, 2019
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Kinzy Cutler and Cade Weaver as Students of the Month. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Program Will Help Needy Residents Get Wheelchair Ramps
February 19, 2019
Escambia County is implementing a program to provide wheelchair ramps to needy residents.
The wheelchair ramp pilot program will provide funding for supplies and materials in partnership with not for profit agencies who install the ramps through the use of volunteers.
With final approval expected this week, each agency will receive a grant and provide volunteer labor to construct ramp for income eligible applicants. The agencies are:
Council on Aging of West Florida $10,000
Pensacola Civitan Club, $12,000
Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, $6,000
Ray of Hope, of Northwest Florida, $14,000
The Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division (NED) will screen applicants for income eligibility and other program requirements. Once an applicant is approved, the agency will be notified by NED for scheduling of ramp installation.
Income limits for the program, based up household size will be:
1 — $36,550
2 — $41,750
3 — $46,950
4 — $52,150
5 — $ 56,350
Pictured: Council on Aging of West Florida volunteers build a wheelchair ramp. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bill Would Tie Vaping, Smoking Tobacco In Florida
February 19, 2019
State Sen. Debbie Mayfield, R-Rockledge, wants to define vaping products with tobacco products, a move that would allow electronic cigarettes to be lumped into anti-smoking marketing efforts.
In a news release Monday, Mayfield said she wants to change the definition of tobacco products in state law to extend to all “recreational” nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes and liquid nicotine.
“Currently, retailers that sell electronic cigarettes and liquid nicotine products do not have to comply with the same restrictions and requirements that tobacco retailers do,” the news release said. “This bill will require the same accountability, allowing law enforcement to verify that the retail businesses are only selling tobacco products to patrons that are 18 years of age and older.”
A measure by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, that would move forward with banning electronic smoking devices in workplaces was unanimously backed by the Senate Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee this month. Simpson’s proposal, which does not include the language sought by Mayfield, would carry out part of Amendment 9, a ballot measure that passed in November and includes a ban on vaping in indoor workplaces. Simpson has said he wants to keep a “clean” bill as it advances through the Senate and called the argument to add the tobacco definition to vaping “as a little bit of an overreach.”
Anti-smoking advocates contend that redefining vaping devices as tobacco products would help Tobacco Free Florida’s educational and marketing efforts.
The Simpson measure mirrors a longstanding ban on smoking tobacco in indoor workplaces and would add vaping to a state law that bars people under age 18 from smoking tobacco within 1,000 feet of schools.
by The News Service of Florida
Bill Takes Aim At Old ‘Docs Vs. Glocks’ Law
February 19, 2019
Two years after a federal appeals court rejected much of Florida’s controversial “docs vs. glocks” law, a House Democrat wants to erase those parts of the law from the state books.
Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, filed a bill that would delete parts of the law that were ruled unconstitutional in 2017 by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The law, which passed in 2011 and spurred legal challenges from doctors, sought to prevent physicians and other health-care providers from asking patients about guns and entering the information into medical records.
Doctors argued that the law, which was backed by the National Rifle Association, violated First Amendment rights.
The Atlanta-based appeals court found key parts of the law unconstitutional while upholding sections that bar doctors from discriminating against patients who have guns. While the court blocked parts of the law from being carried out, they have technically remained on the state books.
Smith’s bill, which is filed for the legislative session that starts March 5, would delete provisions that the appeals court found unconstitutional but keep in place parts that bar doctors from discriminating against gun owners.