Escambia County Veterans Services Office Advocates on Behalf of Local Veterans
October 23, 2024
For veterans trying to navigate the process of getting benefits through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, it can easily become overwhelming and confusing.
Escambia County resident and Navy Veteran Michael O’Neal, age 74, was struggling to get a benefits claim approved through the VA for knee surgery – until a friend told him about Escambia County’s Veterans Services Office.
“I had a documented injury that occurred while on active duty, and the VA kept denying me,” O’Neal said. “But these folks were able to put it together in such a way that they pretty much couldn’t say no.”
The Escambia County Veterans Services Office consists of two Veterans Services officers, Stevan Davis and Lisa Horan, who are accredited with the VA and experienced with helping veterans and their dependents navigate the VA benefits process.
Both veterans themselves, Davis and Horan are committed to working with veterans, their spouses, and dependents to file claims for benefits they are entitled to, acting as an advocate for them throughout the process. Most importantly, the Escambia County VSO provides these services to veterans completely free of charge.
“The veterans already paid for their benefits with their service, so why should anybody else get paid for what they’ve already paid for?” said Davis, who retired from the Air Force after 23 years of service. “We come across people who have done great things and have never asked anything back from their country.”
With a significant veteran population in Escambia County, the VSO stays busy, seeing approximately 65 veterans per week, in addition to outreach events, home visits, and numerous emails and phone calls for assistance. What was once a one-person office has now expanded to two Veterans Services Officers and one administrative assistant.
O’Neal said he worked with another agency before discovering the Escambia County Veterans Services Office, and the difference has been “night and day.” He retired from the Navy after 22 years of service, which included serving on Guam during the Vietnam War. O’Neal has experienced numerous health issues from exposure to Agent Orange, leading to various medical claims filed through the VA.
“We were able to get things accomplished with the VA that had not been able to get done before,” O’Neal said. “They just seem to do better work than anybody ese. They really care about us veterans – there’s no way you could possibly say enough good about them.”
Davis and Horan both emphasized that because they don’t work for the VA, their focus is on helping veterans file the best possible claim to receive the benefits they have earned through their military service.
“I’m your advocate,” said Horan, who served in the Marine Corps for seven years. “I’m a veteran, just like you. I work for you – I don’t work for the VA. Pretty much anything related to veterans, we’re going to do it if we know how to do it. If we don’t know how to do it, we’re going to find out how.”
The Escambia County VSO can assist veterans and their dependents with a variety of benefit claims, including medical treatment, disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, pensions, life insurance, burial claims, survivor benefits and more. Working closely with community partners including Waterfront Mission, Volunteers of America, and 90Works, the VSO also helps connect homeless veterans with available resources.
The VSO aims to make services as accessible as possible, visiting nursing homes throughout the county in addition to conducting home visits when the veteran or dependent cannot travel to the office.
As certified VSOs, Davis and Horan have access to the VA’s claims system, which provides them valuable information that can help when filing claims for veterans.
“That’s a huge benefit to us,” Horan said. “We have insight that the veteran doesn’t have.”
Although they can’t ensure every claim will be approved by the VA, Davis and Horan said they work hard to listen to veterans, gather the right information for their claim, and connect them with their benefits to the best of their ability. The most rewarding part for both of them is just being able to help veterans, many of whom express their appreciation through thank-you cards, letters of appreciation, or even through hugs and tears.
“Just seeing people get help is so rewarding, even if it’s a smaller claim,” Davis said. “For example, you get a guy who gets 10% for his hearing loss, he’s getting $171 a month, but he’s happy and thankful and comes and thanks you because now he gets hearing aids. And before, he couldn’t hear because he couldn’t get hearing aids – he couldn’t afford the $10,000 for a set of hearing aids.”
“That’s the great part of the job,” Horan said. “That’s what keeps us going.”
For more information about the Escambia County Veterans Services Office, visit MyEscambia.com/veterans. To schedule an appointment, please call 850-595-2409 or email VSO@myescambia.com. The Veterans Services Office is located at the Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Pensacola. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Mini Cheer Clinic Is Friday
October 23, 2024
Northview High School is set to hold its annual Mini Chief Cheer Clinic on October 25, 2024, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the school gym. The clinic is open to children ages 4 to 12, offering an exciting opportunity for young participants to learn cheerleading skills.
For a fee of $35 per child, attendees will receive a shirt, snack, and drink. The clinic will focus on teaching individual cheer techniques, partner stunts, and spirit dances, all with an emphasis on having fun. The highlight of the event will be a special family performance at 7:10 p.m., where the children will showcase their new skills.
Additionally, participants will be invited to cheer alongside the Northview cheerleaders during an upcoming Northview Chief Friday night football game, offering them the chance to experience the excitement of cheering under the stadium lights.
Families are encouraged to dress their children in comfortable clothes and tennis shoes. Those interested can contact Lauren McCall at 850-572-6412 or by email at lauren.ashleymccall@yahoo.com, or Alexis Wilson at 251-253-3503 or email dwilson10@ecsdfl.us.
NorthEscambia.com photo/grahic.
Escambia, Perdido Rivers Dropping Closer To Historic Lows
October 22, 2024
Rivers in the North Escambia area are dropping closer to historic lows.
At Century, the Escambia River was at 2.8 feet and falling at 7 p.m. Monday; the all-time record low level was 1.30 feet in 1954. The Perdido River at Barrineau Park was at 1.05 feet Sunday night. Low water records for the Perdido River are not available.
During a 50-to-100-year drought in July 2011, the Escambia and Perdido rivers were at 2.9 and 1.3 feet, respectively.
With no rain forecast for at least the next week, both rivers are expected to continue to fall.
Pictured: The Escambia River at Century last Monday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Over 8,500 Vote Early Monday In Escambia County
October 22, 2024
Over 8,500 people took advantage of the first day of every voting in Escambia County.
There were 8,517 early votes cast across 10 early voting sites Monday, With 11,112 vote-by-mail ballots that have been returned, voter turnout is already 19,640 or 9.15% for the 2024 general election in Escambia County.
Of those votes, nearly 53% were Republican, 32% were Democratic and 13% were no party affiliation.
Early voting will continue through November 2 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day at 10 area locations:
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North, Molino
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse, 7500 N. Century Blvd, Century
- Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- University of West Florida, 11000 University Pkwy, Bldg. 78, Room 136, Pensacola
- Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- Asbury Place at Cokesbury, 750 College Blvd, Pensacola
- Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street, Pensacola
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, Pensacola
- Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street, Pensacola
Voters may choose any one of the 10 locations, each of which is also equipped with a ballot marking device.
During the 2024 primary election, a total of 13,265 early votes were cast.
Jim Allen Elementary Accelerated Readers ‘Silly String’ Teachers
October 22, 2024
Jim Allen Elementary School students when met their Accelerated Reader (AR) goals were able to “Silly String” a teacher recently. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Motorcyclist Killed in Santa Rosa County Crash
October 22, 2024
A 48-year-old Escambia County motorcyclist was killed in a two vehicle crash Monday evening in Santa Rosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 16-year-old male driver from Pace was traveling east in a Chevrolet Malibu on Berryhill Road approaching Gardenview Road when he made a left turn into path of Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by the Pensacola man.
The motorcyclist. who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the 6:26 p.m. crash. The teen driver was not injured.
Troopers are continuing their investigation.
File photo.
Obreonne Parker Named Northview High School Teacher of The Year
October 22, 2024
Obreonne Parker was recently named the Northview High School Teacher of the Year.
Parker has been at Northview for 21 years. She now teaches ESE and is the OJT coordinator for ESE students. She has also served as the athletic director for Northview High School since 2017.
Parker is loved by her students and colleagues. Her hard work and care are evident in the positive environment that she creates for her students. When asked to reflect on her teaching career, she said, “Stay positive, love the kids, and continue to work hard because it pays off.”
She will now be in the running for the Escambia County Teacher of the Year, to be announced later this school year.
NRCS Florida Accepts EQIP, CSP Applications through November 1
October 22, 2024
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida announces Fiscal Year 2025 (October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025) federal assistance opportunities for agricultural producers, including through the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program (EQIP), and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
While NRCS accepts applications year-round, Florida producers and landowners should apply no later than November 1, 2024, to be considered for funding in the FY2025 current cycle. If applications are received after the signup period for FY2025, applications will automatically be considered during future funding cycles.
Application cutoff periods allow NRCS to screen-and-rank applications for those with the highest
conservation benefits across Florida’s landscapes, including cropland, grazing lands, and private non-industrial forestlands. Contract obligations for the highest ranked applications is scheduled for end of June 2025.
EQIP can help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands. It provides financial and technical assistance to address natural resource concerns. Benefits include conserving water; enhancing wildlife habitat; improving air, soil and water quality; mitigating impacts from climate change; and preventing soil erosion. The CSP is for working lands and is the largest conservation program in the country. Thousands of
people voluntarily enroll in the program, because it helps them enhance natural resources and improve their business operation. Landowners can earn CSP payments for conservation performance.
Applications in Escambia County are accepted at the Molino Service Center at 151 Highway 97. Contact Josh Mcelhaney at josh.mcelhaney@usda.gov or visit the Get Started With NRCS website.
FDLE Arrests Two Escambia Men On Multiple Child Sex Crime Charges
October 22, 2024
Two Escambia County men were arrested on child sex crime charges by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Mason Nicholas Radford, 21, was charged with
- three counts of using a computer to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a minor
- two counts of transmitting obscene material to a minor
- three counts of promoting the sexual performance of a child, and
- three counts of use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
Ryan Stephen Traynor, 52, was charged with one count each of using a computer to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a minor and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
FDLE said Pensacola Cyber Squad agents were contacted by the suspects during two separate undercover operations during which agents played the roles of 14-year-old girls. Both suspects sent sexual solicitation messages to the “girls” after being told that they were communicating with a juvenile.
Both men were booked into the Escambia County Jail. Radford remained jailed with bond set at $475.0000. Traynor was released on a $50,000 bond.
Woman Charged With Telling Child Through Gaming Platform To Murder Infant
October 21, 2024
A 36-year-old Escambia County woman has been charged with allegedly instructing a child to murder an infant through a on online gaming platform.
Tara Alexis Sykes was charged with attempted murder while engaged in aggravated child abuse.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Sykes had instructed a 10-year-old to purposefully drop a 2-month-old on a solid tile floor in an attempt to end the infant’s life.
On October 17th, ECSO investigators were contacted by the Gulf Coast Kids House in reference to a 2-month-old infant who had suffered serious injuries after being dropped on the kitchen floor by a 10-year-old. During the investigation, it was learned that the 10-year-old was communicating with Tara Sykes through the gaming platform Roblox.
The ECSO said that in the communication thread, Sykes instructed the 10-year-old on various methods to kill the infant. Sykes instructed the 10-year-old to drown the infant in the bathtub, burn the infant with scalding water, and drop the infant on the floor to kill the infant. Additionally, investigators said Sykes had instructed the 10-year-old on how to kill the adults the 10-year-old was temporarily living with by cutting their throats with a knife while they slept and burning their house by dousing bed sheets with aerosol spray and setting them on fire. The 10-year-old doused the sheets but was unable to carry out the other instructions.
Deputies said the “investigation will continue, and additional charges are possible as investigators continue to unwind this tragedy.”
“I have been in Law Enforcement for over 40 years and have never seen anything quite like this. I am truly disturbed by the circumstances and the thought that anyone could think like this, let alone instruct these acts to be carried out. There is something really wrong with her,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simons said.