Beulah Middle Ag Students Explain Growing Program To School Board
March 21, 2023
Students from the Beulah Middle School Agriscience Technology Academy shared the latest about their growing program with the Escambia County School Board during a Monday workshop.
Under the leadership of their instructor, Leanne Jenkins, students Mikayla Salvadora, Jayden Williams and Harrison Vernier addressed the board.
“Without agriculture, these things would not be possible,” Salvadora said after asking board members if they had consumed meat or vegetables Monday, or if they were wearing clothes. “Everything we have, everything we consume, starts on a farm.”
Williams, who is the first Beulah Middle student to pass the program’s industry certification test this year, explained that the program looks to share important values with students. For instance, produce grown in the program becomes a bit of a life lesson after it is harvested.
“Giving away our produce, we promote compassion and healthier eating options. But when not giving away that food, we give it to our students who have grown it and let them cook it so they get to taste what they have grown,” Williams said.
“Technology within agriculture changes every single day,” academy student Vernier told the board. “With our growing population, the need for improvement is crucial. We use technology in our classroom on a daily basis and constantly talk about the every-changing technology in the agriculture industry.”
“We are blessed to have such a dynamic program in classrooms at Beulah Middle,” Superintendent Tim Smith said.
All three students said they hope to continue their agricultural education after high school.
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Northview’s Luke Bridges Signs To Play Football At Millsaps College
March 21, 2023
Monday, Northview High School senior Luke Bridges signed to play football at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.
According to NHS head football coach Wes Summerford, Bridges recorded 353 career tackles on defense for the Chiefs, including 19 tackles for a loss. On offense, he scored 19 touchdowns and averaging “a stunning 24 yards every time he touched the football”.
Bridges took a moment to thank his family during the signing ceremony.
“My dad taught me how to love the game and what it meant to be a football player on and off the field…and my mom for being my biggest supporter…and then my little brother for being by my said through it all,” he said. Bridges also thanked his teammates and coaches.
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Northview Students, Community Mourn 18-Year Old Killed In Highway 29 Wrong-Way Crash
March 20, 2023
Northview High School students and the North Escambia community are mourning the death of NHS senior Kara Santorelli.
Santorelli, 18, was killed in a head-on crash early last Friday morning on Highway 29.
Extra counselors were at Northview Monday to assist staff and students with the tragic situation.
“Today, with sad hearts, we welcome back our students after spring break. We are deeply sorry for the tragic loss of our senior Kara Santorelli. We hold tight to beautiful memories that she had left with us. Her beautiful smile and kind spirit will continue to be in the hearts of her friends and classmates,” NHS said in a statement. “We also extend our condolences to her family, praying that they find comfort and strength in the midst of their grief.”
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a white Chevrolet sedan was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Highway 29 just south of Quintette Road at 12:41 a.m.
A burgundy Nissan SUV driven by Santorelli was northbound at the time, and the vehicles collided head-on.
The Chevrolet sedan caught fire with the driver still inside. Troopers said the sedan driver has not yet been identified.
Both drivers were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Pictured: Kara Santorelli was a senior member of the Northview High School homecoming court last fall. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Man Charged With Attacking Relative With A Bat In Cantonment
March 20, 2023
A Flomaton man has been charged with allegedly attacking a relative with a baseball bat at a home in Cantonment.
Richard Kevin Morris, 54, was charged with felony burglary with a battery and aggravated battery. The incident occurred February 7, with his arrest coming late last week.
Morris allegedly struck a relative in the back of his head with a bat. The relative was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital as a “Level 1 trauma alert”, following the attack, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
The victim told deputies that he remembered Morris swinging a blue bat at his face just before he lost consciousness. The victim’s parents arrived home to find him passed out, the report states.
Morris remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $65,000.
Public Comment Period Ends Today For Hurricane Sally Infrastructure Grant Projects
March 20, 2023
A public comment period closes today on Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program projects. The program is designed to fund fund infrastructure restoration and hardening projects in communities impacted by Hurricane Sally.
The Escambia County Commission has selected five project to prioritize:
- Energy-efficient Escambia County Transit Center and solar-powered bus shelters with ADA upgrades
- Upgrades to the Pensacola Bay Center
- Indoor multi-use facility at Ashton Brosnaham Park
- Beach Haven stormwater and septic-to-sewer project
- 11 stormwater projects in Escambia County:
- Carver Park Phase 2
- Brickyard Road
- Woodrun Bridge Replacement
- Pensacola High School Drainage Improvements
- Oakfield Estates/Palafox Street
- Monroe Avenue
- Gulf Beach Highway Pipe Replacement
- Vista Park
- Muldoon Road Drainage Improvements
- Bayou Grande Villas
- Olive Road Street and Drainage
The comment period is open until March 20. Public comments can be email to sallyrecoverygrant@myescambia.com.
ECUA Reports 1,000+ Gallon Sewage Spill On Hamilton Crossing Drive
March 20, 2023
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority reported a sewage spill over 1,000 gallons Sunday just north of East Kingsfield Road.
The sanitary sewer overflow at 2026 Hamilton Crossing Drive was due to a broken 4-inch PVC force main. The spill was over 1000 gallons and did enter a storm drain. ECUA said samples have been requested to determine if the flow did reach a body of water.
10,000 Pound Food Giveaway Tuesday Afternoon In Cantonment
March 20, 2023
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will hold a drive-thru 10,000 pound food giveaway Tuesday afternoon, March 21 at Carver Park on Webb Street.
The food distribution will begin at 3 p.m. and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. People should line up their vehicles, single file on Webb Street facing north; food will be loaded into vehicles. Identification is required.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Northview High Names Students Of The Month
March 20, 2023
Northview High School recently named their Students of the Month for February. They are Marabelle Hamilton and Heath Parker. They are pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Up Over The Last Week, But AAA Says A Decline Is Likely
March 20, 2023
Florida gas prices jumped 15 cents per gallon last week, but relief may soon be on the way. On Sunday, the state average for regular unleaded was $3.46 per gallon. That’s 12 cents less than this year’s high of $3.58 per gallon.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was over a quarter lower at $3.20. A low of $3.13 was available Sunday night at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices were as low as $3 at a station on East Nine Mile Road.
“There were significant losses in the oil market last week which should enable gas prices to move lower again,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The failure of two U.S. banks raised concerns of a global recession that could eventually hamper fuel demand.”
The U.S. price of oil dropped 13% last week, for a total loss of 17% over two weeks. Friday’s settlement of $66.74 per barrel was the lowest since December 2021. Interestingly, the gasoline market did not take quite as big of a hit, likely because strong springtime demand coupled with refinery maintenance season and the switch to summer gasoline is serving as somewhat of a buoy. Regardless, gasoline futures dropped 24 cents through the past two weeks, which is an indicator that pump prices should move lower, unless fundamentals rebound this week.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Public Hearing Tuesday On $13 Million To Renovate Old Century High Gym, Fix Town Bridges
March 19, 2023
Century will hold a public hearing this week as they consider applying for grants of $10 million to renovate an old gym and $3 million for bridge and drainage repairs.
A $10 million grant award would be used to renovate or rebuild the old Century High School gymnasium for use as a multipurpose facility that could also serve as a hurricane or other disaster shelter. Century High closed over 25 years ago; the 16,500 square foot building was constructed in 1960.
The town will also seek $3 million to replace a failed bridge on Freedom Road that has been closed for three years, and make drainage improvements to two other bridges that suffered embankment erosion during Hurricane Sally.
The funding, if awarded, would be from Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Small Cities Hurricane Sally Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding. through the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program.
The town is currently soliciting public comment on the proposed projects by email to Kristina Wood at kwood@centuryflorida.us or by calling Century Town Hall at (850) 256-3208.The deadline is Monday. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, a public hearing will be held at Century Town Hall.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
