Triple Murderer Manhunt Won’t Close Escambia Schools Tuesday
February 7, 2017
Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has announced that as of 6:15 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, all schools are set to open at regular times Tuesday morning and all bus routes will operate as normal.
“We are, of course, staying in close communication with local law enforcement as they work to bring the fugitives to justice,” said Malcolm Thomas. “As a grandparent, I understand and share everyone’s concerns. As your school district’s superintendent, I feel that it is imperative that we continue school tomorrow and I assure you that we will also work to be vigilant with our schools’ security.”
“With many of our students’ parents needing to go to work, we would not want to risk parents having to leave their students at home alone,” Thomas added.
Tomorrow, the District will remain in close communication with law enforcement. If the District is provided with information involving a threat to any school, school personnel will follow normal protocols to activate lock down procedures to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Fire Destroys Cottage Hill Building
February 6, 2017
Fire destroyed a vacant building in Cottage Hill Monday afternoon. The fire was reported about 12:20 p.m. in the 100 block of Highway 95A near Cottage Hill Road. The unoccupied building was heavily involved in fire when firefighters arrived on scene. There were no no injuries. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Stafford Announces College Scholarship Availability
February 6, 2017
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford has announced the 2017 Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections (FSASE) college scholarship. Three $1,200 scholarships will be awarded this summer by FSASE for the 2017 school year.
The scholarship is available to juniors or seniors attending an accredited Florida university or college, with a major in: political science, public or business administration, or journalism/mass communications. Among the requirements, students must have maintained a “C” average or above the previous year, demonstrate financial need and be registered to vote.
Copies of the application and full eligibility requirements may be downloaded from the Supervisor of Elections website at EscambiaVotes.com, may be picked up at the Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, or click here. Completed applications must reach the Supervisor’s office by close of business March 29, 2017.
Stafford will forward one application with a written recommendation to the FSASE Scholarship Committee, which will review the submissions from all 67 Florida counties. The scholarships will be awarded by the Association and the winner will be announced at the 2017 FSASE Summer Conference in May.
Students from Escambia County were scholarship winners in 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2016.
IP Explosion: Officials Say No Impact On Drinking Water
February 6, 2017
The explosion two weeks ago at International Paper in Cantonment has had no impact on the drinking water supply in the area, according to officials with the Unified Command.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has inspected the local drinking water system and found zero impact related to the incident. Water quality samples are being taken from 13 locations in the impacted area.
In an abundance of caution, drinking water samples were taken from both ECUA and Gonzalez systems and test results confirmed the material is not in the drinking water.
There are no licensed private drinking water wells within in the community.
The Unified Command is comprised of International Paper, Escambia County EMA/Public Safety, Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Pictured top: Gonzalez Utilities, along with ECUA, Farm Hill and Cottate Hill utilities serve the Cantonment area. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
County To Re-do New Highway 97, 95 Intersection In Molino
February 6, 2017
Escambia County plans to try again on recent changes to a Molino intersection after public complaints about the design.
The county recently removed the “Y” intersection at Highway 95A and Highway 97 in Molino. A curve was added to Highway 95A to slow traffic and aid in the enforcement of a “No Truck” zone on Highway 95A from Highway 97 to Highway 29.
Late this week, weather permitting, the county plans to remove the asphalt and reduce the angles of the curves.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Updated Preliminary Flood Maps Available
February 6, 2017
Updated preliminary flood maps are now available for Escambia County on the Northwest Florida Water Management District’s flood information portal, which provides flood data to Northwest Florida residents for informational purposes only.
To check the proposed flood zone of a property, click on the Escambia County map and the flood information portal will open up to search for a property by address. The “effective flood zone” is the current information and “preliminary flood zone” is what is proposed. Citizens are encouraged to preview the maps online.
Flood Risk Open House meetings for the public will be coordinated by FEMA in the community during the month of April, providing residents an opportunity to view the maps and to speak one-on-one with specialists about topics such as flood zones, base flood elevations, flood insurance, the appeals process, mitigation grants and building requirements. Attending specialists will include representatives from various divisions of NWFWMD and FEMA.
Bratt Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
February 6, 2017
The following students (pictured above) were named Students of the Month for January at Bratt Elementary School.
Eric Anthony
Nevaeh Bush
Addison Carpenter
Kaedence Carter
Will Classen
Crimson Davis
Riley Dawson
Logan Diller
Kintley Flowers
Olivia Garrett (not pictured)
Tucker Hare
Graysen Hubbard
Mary Catherine Hughes
Landon Johnson
Kaitlin Lloyd
Maddi Lowery
Tyler McAnally
Keira McDuffie
Austin Minchew
Angel Schoonover
Jackson Simmons
Bryce Stabler
Kimmora Thomas
Raleigh Warr (not pictured)
The students pictured below, Kimmora Thomas and Logan Diller, were chosen to represent Bratt Elementary School as Escambia County Students of the Month for January.
<strong>Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.</strong>
4-H Horsepower Club Donates To Animal Shelter
February 6, 2017
The Escambia County 4-H HorsePower Club in Cantonment recently decided to help out the Escambia County Animal Shelter.
Following parliamentary procedures, the club approved a Levi Nelson motion to donate $125 worth of puppy and kitten food to the shelter. Taylor Nelson, president of the club, ensured that the purchase did not go over budget. The 4-Horsepower Club also collected baskets of used towels for the shelter.
The Escambia County 4-H HorsePower Club donates all funds collected to community service work.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tavianna Parker Named Miss EWMS (With Photo Gallery)
February 5, 2017
Tavianna Parker, 13, was named Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Saturday night in “A Disney Celebration” themed pageant at the school. She is the daughter of Joseph and Sheley Parker.
Third runner-up was Wylder Gibson, second-runner up was Jessica Stabler, and first runner-up in the annual pageant was Jordan Wilson.
Other awards presented were: Miss Hospitality Jessica Stabler, Miss Congeniality Tavianna Parker, People’s Choice Jessica Stabler, Miss Personality Jordan Wilson, Miss Physical Fitnesss Hailey Harigel, and Miss Poise and Appearance Jordan Wilson.
For a photo gallery from the pageant, click here.
Editor’s note: Photo reprints are available. Email news@northescambia.com for details.
Pictured top: Miss EWMS Tavianna Parker is crowned. Pictured inset: Jordan Wilson was first runner up and named Miss Poise and Appearance and Miss Personality. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Open to The Public: Cottage Hill Water Works Board Meeting
February 5, 2017
The Board of Directors of Cottage Hill Water Works will hold a special board meeting Tuesday, February. 7 at 6 p.m at 16 Williams Ditch Road in Cantonment for a presentation by the Escambia County Attorney’s Office on the Sunshine Law.