Mark Your Calendars For Upcoming School Orientations
July 13, 2023
Mark your calendars; here is the schedule of upcoming orientations for public schools in Escambia County.
July 28 — 9 a.m. — Washington High 9th Grade
August 3 — 9 a.m. — Pensacola High 9th Grade
August 4 — 9 a.m. — Escambia High 9th Grade
August 4 — 9 a.m. — Tate High 9th Grade
August 5 — 9:30 a.m. — Pine Forest High 9th Grade
August 5 — 9:30 a.m. — West Florida High 9th Grade
August 7 — 9-11 a.m. – All Elementary Schools
August 7 — 1 pm — Bailey Middle, Brown Barge Middle, Workman Middle
August 8 — 9:30 a.m. — Beulah Middle, Ernest Ward Middle
August 8 — 1 pm — Ransom Middle
August 3 — 1 pm — Ferry Pass Middle
August 8 — 1:30 pm — Northview High
August 9 — 1 pm — Bellview Middle
Tate Aggies Holding Youth Football Camp July 26-27
July 13, 2023
The Tate Aggies Youth Football Camp will be held July 26-27.
The camp is for incoming first through eighth grades and will be held from 5-7 p.m. The cost is $50 per player, including a t-shirt.
To register, complete this form and bring payment on the first day of camp.
3-Mile Bridge Renamed In Honor Of General Daniel ‘Chappie’ James, Jr.
July 13, 2023
The Pensacola Bay Bridge was official named the “General Daniel ‘Chappie’ James, Jr. Bridge” as ground was broken Wednesday for a memorial plaza at the base of the bridge.
James, a proud son of Pensacola, was a Tuskegee Airman, Korean and Vietnam War combat fighter pilot, and the nation’s first Black four-star general.
In June 2020, Florida Governor DeSantis signed the legislation that named the new 3-mile bridge over Pensacola Bay the General Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr. Bridge.
The memorial plaza will be located adjacent to the Pensacola Visitors’ Center and will feature a 10-foot statute of James, an 80-foot high flagpole and a phantom jet similar to the one he flew. A foundation is in the final stages of fundraising $2 million for the plaza.
Food And Backpack Distribution Set For July 22 In Gonzalez
July 13, 2023
A food school backpack distribution will be held Saturday, July 22 in Gonzelez.
The event begins at 8 a.m, with line up no earlier than 7:30 a.m., at the Gonzalez Methodist Church at 2026 Pauline Street. The event will continue while supplies last (a minimum of 300 families).
Rep. Michelle Salzman, the Gonzalez Methodist Church and other community partners are sponsoring the event, which is open to all in need with no eligibility requirements.
“We understand that going back to school is a struggle for many families, so during our Fall Food Distribution, we are also giving away backpacks, courtesy of Ascend Cares, State Farm Tyler Kercher, Kevin Stephens, and Jubilee Church. Along with our food distribution, we want our families to get a good start for the new school year,” Salzman said.
Pictured: A similar distribution was held last July at the Molino Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks Semi Car Hauler That Forced Woman Off Highway 29 Near Barrineau Park Road
July 12, 2023
A 55-year old Escambia County woman was seriously injured when she was forced off the road near Molino by a car hauler.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the “non-contact hit and run” crash happened about 10:12 a.m. on Highway 29 just north of Highway 196.
Troopers said the woman was traveling southbound on Highway 29 directly next to a semi car hauler. The driver of the semi attempted to change lanes but “failed to maintain awareness of traffic in the outside lane”, according to FHP. The woman swerved to avoid a collision, left the roadway and her car struck a tree in the wood line.
Witnesses told troopers that the semi, which had a red jeep and white van on the trailer, continued south on Highway 29.
Anyone with information can call *FHP.
Reader submitted images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Awards $144 Million To Century, Escambia County, Pensacola, Jay For Hurricane Sally
July 12, 2023
Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $144 million to the Town of Century, Escambia County, City of Pensacola and Town of Jay for Hurricane Sally impacts through the Florida Department of Commerce’s Rebuild Florida program. Rebuild Florida provides funding for local governments to strategically rebuild homes and harden infrastructure to prevent or mitigate losses from future disasters through multiple avenues.
“Governor Ron DeSantis continues to make good on his promise to support Northwest Florida communities with vital resources to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Sally,” said Senator Doug Broxson. “Today’s awards will go a very long way to get people back in their homes and build up vital infrastructure to strengthen Northwest Florida’s resiliency in the face of future storms.”
The Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program
The Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program provides funding for local governments to strategically rebuild and harden infrastructure in order to prevent or mitigate losses from future disasters. Communities will receive awards through the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program for Hurricane Sally for the following projects:
- Town of Century ($12,877,137) – to demolish the old Century High School Gym building located on Hecker Road and build a shelter that can also be used as a multi-purpose facility and to make drainage and road improvements at Jefferson Avenue, Freedom Road Bridge and Alger Road Bridge, which were damaged during Hurricane Sally.
- Escambia County ($52,946,768) – to build a new state-of-the-art, energy-efficient and resilient Escambia County Area Transit Center and to make regional stormwater drainage improvements in low- and moderate-income neighborhood
- City of Pensacola ($39,686,539.86) – to facilitate a stormwater infrastructure project at Hollice T. Williams Park to improve water quality and reduce stormwater in the area, to repair infrastructure at the Port of Pensacola, and to repair and improve infrastructure at the Fricker Center.
- Town of Jay ($5,479,939) – to build a Community Disaster Response Facility and various infrastructure to support disaster response and recovery following a storm event.
The Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program
The Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program reduces the risk of future property loss and recurrent flooding by funding the purchase and re-purposing of residential properties in high flood-risk areas.
- Escambia County ($3,170,114)
The Rebuild Florida Hometown Revitalization Program
The Rebuild Florida Hometown Revitalization Program is designed to support the recovery of economic activity in commercial areas of communities impacted by Hurricane Sally, facilitating the return and recovery of businesses, jobs, and provision of goods and services to the area. Communities will receive awards through the Rebuild Florida Hometown Revitalization Program for Hurricane Sally for the following projects:
- Escambia County ($5,000,000) – to improve streetscapes and add solar-powered lighting throughout low- to moderate-income areas by installing 80 new Escambia County Area Transit bus shelters and updating 32 Escambia County Area Transit Bus Shelters.
- City of Pensacola ($10,000,000) – to acquire, prepare and rehabilitate a targeted property at West Cervantes and North Pace Boulevard and complete a project at Baptist Hospital.
The Rebuild Florida Housing Repair and Replacement Program (HRRP)
The Rebuild Florida HRRP for Hurricane Sally is designed to provide funding for local governments to rebuild, replace or repair homes that were damaged by Hurricane Sally, helping impacted Floridians return to decent, safe and sanitary homes. Communities will receive awards through the Rebuild Florida Housing Repair and Replacement Program for Hurricane Sally for the following projects:
- Escambia County ($9,000,000)
- City of Pensacola ($5,861,500)
The overall awards announced by DeSantis Wednesday totaled $187 million with funds also going to Panama City.
“My administration has prioritized supporting businesses and communities impacted by hurricanes while they get back on their feet,” said DeSantis. “Today, I am happy to announce $187 million in awards to aid in recovery efforts following Hurricane Sally – an important step in helping Northwest Florida recover.”
Pictured: The old Century High School gym on Hecker Road will be demolished and replaced with a new shelter and multi-purpose facility. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
State Charges Cantonment Woman With Exploitation Of Elderly Person, Credit Card Fraud
July 12, 2023
State authorities recently charged a Cantonment woman with fraud and elderly exploitation for allegedly defrauding an elderly person.
Pamela Suzanne McCann was charged with two counts of felony fraudulent use of credit cards more than two times in six months, and felony exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult.
According to the Florida Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), the victim was an 84-year old female suffering from numerous serious age-related illnesses that was confined to a walker and wheelchair until they fell. The victim was admitted to the hospital and rehabilitation faculties.
McCann worked fo a company as a senior care advocate, according to court documents.
The MCFU said McCann was added to the victim’s American Express account and later made thousands of dollars in charges. The agency said McCann was an unauthorized user on a Capital One account belonging to the victim, with McCann’s card totalling $2,443 in charges to McCann’s insurance company, power company, Verizon, restaurants and gas stations.
The victim’s AT&T account reached a balance of $2,317, according to investigators, for 16 devices — five phones and an Apple iPad with McCann as the registered user, five phones registered to McCann’s husband, four wearable devices for which McCann’s husband was the registered user, and one additional iPad with “Apple iPad” as the registered user.
McCann was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $15,000 bond.
Wanted Atmore Man Captured After Fleeing From Police On Bicycle
July 12, 2023
A wanted Atmore man was arrested after allegedly fleeing from police on a bicycle.
According to Atmore Police, 56-year old Gregory Brown was riding a bicycle without lights late at night on Liberty Street. As an officer was checking Brown’s identification, he fled on his bicycle.
Brown was taken into custody a short time later in a nearby wooded area. Officers searched Brown and found a metal straw used to ingest narcotics that contained a white rocky substance that field tested positive for cocaine,” Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Brown was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and attempting to elude. He also had additional warrants outstanding for theft of property third degree, criminal mischief third degree, and criminal trespassing third degree.
Wednesday morning, Brown remained in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond.
This Is Who Claimed A $28K Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In Beulah
July 12, 2023
We now know who had a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket sold in Beulah.
The ticket sold at the Publix on Beulah Road at Nine Mile Road was one of two winning tickets in Sunday’s midday drawing and was worth $28,725.68. The other winning ticket was sold in Sarasota.
According to the Florida Lottery, the cash option on the winning ticket was claimed by Lori Lee Stuard of Robertsdale.
Sunday’s midday winning numbers were 4-10-19-23-33.
Free Wi-Fi Now Available On All ECAT Buses
July 12, 2023
Free wi-fi is now available on all Escambia County Area Transit buses.
Commuters can now use their travel time to catch up on work emails, attend virtual meetings or even stream their favorite shows, according to ECAT. Riders will simply need to connect to the network and accept the terms and conditions.
“Providing Wi-Fi on public transit is a game-changer for our commuters,” said Mass Transit Director Rodriquez Kimbrough. “We understand the importance of staying connected and we are committed to providing our riders with the best possible experience.”