Layoffs As Ascend Performance Materials Cantonment Facility Cuts Workforce
October 11, 2024
Ascend Performance Materials has cut their workforce at their Cantonment plant, but the plant will continue to play a vital role as the company moves forward.
“Our nylon manufacturing facility in Cantonment is the largest integrated nylon manufacturing site in the world and is a critical source of durable, high-quality materials that make modern life possible,” Osama Khalifa, Ascend director of corporate communications and government affairs, told NorthEscambia.com in an email Thursday afternoon. “Unfortunately, we have faced a challenging market due to lower demand for vehicles, housing and consumer goods globally over the past two years. This market has forced us to make some difficult decisions, including an adjustment in our workforce in Cantonment over the past few months.”
Khalifa said the Ascend plant in Cantonment has operated for 70 years, and “it is a critical part of the global supply of nylon and will continue to play an important role in that market for generations to come.”
The company did not disclose the number of layoffs at the plant over the past few months, or address if there would be additional layoffs. According to data from economic development authority FloridaWest, Ascend was the sixth largest employer in Escambia County with 1,288 employees.
In 2022, Ascend invested over $80 million at the Cantonment plant to improve safety and reliability.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Amazing Sight: Northern Lights Over North Escambia Area
October 11, 2024
North Escambia area residents were treated to a rare sight Thursday night — for the second time this year. The dazzling display of the aurora borealis was visible across the area, especially in more rural locations away from city lights.
The experience, commonly called the northern lights, was caused by an extreme solar storm. The geomagnetic storm is the most severe since the one that led to auroras in North Escambia in May. and that was the first here in about three decades.
NorthEscambia.com photos from Cantonment by Kristi Barbour and from Molino by Kevin Enfinger, click to enlarge.
Pickup Discovered In The Escambia River Near Bluff Springs
October 10, 2024
A pickup truck was discovered in the Escambia River Thursday morning.
The Toyota Tacoma pickup was partially submerged in several feet of water in the Bluff Springs Recreational Area, about 1.7 miles from Highway 29 just south of Century (map below).
The Century and Molino stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded about 8 a.m. and found no obvious signs on anyone in the vehicle. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office dive team later responded and confirmed that the pickup was not occupied.
The ECSO said the truck was later reported stolen by the owner.
The pickup was down an embankment at end of a dirt road in the Escambia River Water Management Area.
NorthEscambia.com photos/images, click to enlarge.
One Adult, Two Kids Injured In Highway 29 Crash
October 10, 2024
Two juveniles and an adult were injured in a two-vehicle traffic crash Thursday morning in Cantonment.
The crash at about 8:20 a.m. involved a passenger car and pickup truck that overturned at the intersection of Highway 29 and North Tate School Road.
The three injuries were transported to area hospitals by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further details.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Reminder: Breakfast And Lunch Are Free For Every Student At 44 Escambia Schools; Others Must Apply
October 10, 2024
Breakfast and lunch are free for all students, regardless of income, during the upcoming school year at 44 schools and centers in Escambia County. Applications must be submitted for free or reduced price lunches at all other schools.
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program means that parents of the students at these schools are not required to submit an application for the Free and Reduced Meal program at that school. However, siblings attending schools not on the CEP list will need to apply for eligibility.
The free meal schools are selected based upon income levels.
Meal applications, or payment, will be required at: Beulah Elementary, Blue Angels Elementary, Cook Elementary, Cordova Park Elementary, Hellen Caro Elementary, Kingsfield Elementary, Suter Elementary, Brown Barge Middle, Ransom Middle, Tate High, and West Florida High.
Parents at these schools should plan on providing their child with money for their meals until eligibility is established to avoid creating a deficit in their account. Funds can be added to student accounts online at myschoolapps.com.
This program has been in place since 2015 in Escambia County and was not related to the pandemic.
Free meal schools are:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
- Bellview Elementary
- Bratt Elementary
- Brentwood Elementary
- Byrneville Elementary
- C.A. Weis Elementary
- Ensley Elementary
- Ferry Pass Elementary
- Global Learning Academy
- Holm Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lincoln Park Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary
- Longleaf Elementary
- McArthur Elementary
- Molino Park Elementary
- Montclair Elementary
- Myrtle Grove Elementary
- Navy Point Elementary
- Oakcrest Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Pleasant Grove Elementary
- Scenic Heights Elementary
- O.J. Semmes Elementary
- Sherwood Elementary
- Warrington Elementary
- West Pensacola Elementary
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Bailey Middle
- Bellview Middle
- Beulah Middle
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Ferry Pass Middle
- Workman Middle
HIGH SCHOOLS
- Escambia High
- Northview High
- Pensacola High
- Pine Forest High
- Washington High
OTHER SCHOOLS AND CENTERS
- Acceleration Academy
- Achieve Academy
- Capstone
- Escambia Westgate Center
- Hope Horizon
- Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy
- Success Academy
Free/reduced meal applications are available here.
Pictured: An Escambia County School lunch as served to students this school year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Aurora Paul Is Lipscomb’s Teacher Of The Year
October 10, 2024
Aurora Paul has been named the R.C. Lipscomb Elementary School Teacher of the Year. She will be contender for the Escambia County Teacher of the Year later this year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cat Country 98.7 Named 2024 CMA Radio Station Of The Year: NewsRadio Wins Marconi Award
October 10, 2024
Wednesday, Pensacola’s Cat Country 98.7 won the 2024 Country Music Association (CMA) Radio Station of the Year Award, and sister station NewsRadio 92. won the Marconi Awards Medium Market Station of the Year.
Both stations are owned by Dave and Mary Hoxeng and Pensacola-based ADX Communications.
Cat Country 98.7 CMA Radio Station of the Year
This is the third time the station has won this prestigious CMA STation of the Year award, having previously won in 2017 and 2019.
The announcement was made Wednesday morning in Nashville by the CMA. The station was informed of the win by the multi-CMA award-winning group Brothers Osborne, who called into the Cat Pak Morning show hosted by Brent and Mel.
“The CMA Station of the Year award is the most prestigious award Cat Country can achieve and to get this award for doing what we do daily, working to serve and entertain our community, is an honor, ” said Mary Hoxeng, owner and general manager of WYCT, Cat Country 98.7. “I’m so proud of our entire team, and it does take everyone.”
The winners of the 58th Annual CMA Awards will be honored during the November 20 ABC telecast (to be aired locally on WEAR 3) from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The CMA Awards show will also be available on Hulu beginning November 21.
NewsRadio 92.3
Wednesday night, NewsRadio 92.3 announced as the winner of the Marconi Awards Medium Market Station of the Year by the National Association of Broadcasters at a ceremony in New York City.
This the stations first-ever win for this award.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Florida High School To Host Academy Showcase For 8th Graders And Families On Saturday
October 10, 2024
On Saturday, West Florida High School of Advanced Technology will welcome any interested 8th grade student and their guardians for an organized campus tour and informational sessions about the school’s 12 career academies.
Tours are alphabetically ordered by the student’s last name. The first tour will be for students with the last names beginning with “A” through “L” and will be held from 9-11 a.m. The second tour will be for families with the student’s last name beginning with the letters “M” through “Z” and will be held from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Current eighth grade students meeting the admission criteria and timely submitting an application for admission will be entered into the Escambia County School Choice lottery selection system.
WFHS will accept applications via the Open Enrollment office October 29-December 6, 2024. Apply online at www.wfhs.net. Click on the link: “2025-2026 WFHS Application.”
Tate High Wins Boys Golf Meet with Strong Individual Performances
October 10, 2024
The Tate High Aggies dominated the boys’ varsity golf match held at Perdido Bay Golf Club on Tuesday, taking first place with a team score of 146 (+2), beating out Washington, West Florida, and Escambia.
Leading the charge for Tate was sophomore Baylor Touchstone, who fired a 32 (-4), the lowest individual score of the day. Sophomore Ben Robinson shot an even-par 36 to place second among Tate’s golfers, while freshman Jacob Drysdale followed closely with a 38 (+2).
Parker Hassell, a junior, carded a 40 (+4), with junior Landon Ray contributing a 44 (+8), and Nolan Satterwhite, also a junior, posting a 45 (+9) to round out the Aggies’ strong team effort.
Washington (Pensacola) placed second in the team standings with a score of 179 (+35), while West Florida and Escambia both finished at 213 (+69).
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volleyball District Playoffs Begin Monday For Tate, Northview
October 10, 2024
High school volleyball tournaments are set to being Monday.
In 6A District 1, the No. 5 Tate Aggies will travel to No 4 Pace at 6 p.m. Monday, with the winner advancing to the semifinals Tuesday at No 1. Gulf Breeze. In other Monday pairings, No 7 Milton will be at No. 2 Niceville and No 6. Crestview will be at No 3 Navarre with the winners facing off in the semis on Tuesday.
In Rural District 1, No. 5 Laurel Hill will be at No 4. Northview at 6 p.m. Monday. The winner will advance to the semifinals on Tuesday against No 1 Jay. Also Tuecay, No. 3 Central will take on No. 2 Baker. All of Tuesday’s games and Thursday’s final will be at Baker High School.
Pictured: Tate traveled to Northview on Monday. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.