Byrneville Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
February 16, 2023
Byrneville Elementary School recently named their Students of the Month for December.
They are:
- Kindergarten: Deylan Burt and Annalee Faulk
- 1st Grade: Kipton Little (Not pictured)
- 2nd Grade: Emrey Fowler and Paislee Cash
- 3rd Grade: Tatum Godwin and Cayson Henry-Hadley
- 4th Grade: Charlee Flowers and Zaylee Baker (not pictured)
- 5th Grade: Nevaeh Tidd and Kyle Lowery
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Reports: DOJ Won’t Charge Rep. Matt Gaetz In Sex Trafficking Investigation
February 15, 2023
The Justice Department will not pursue any charges against Congressman Matt Gaetz in a federal sex-trafficking investigation, multiple national news organizations reported Wednesday afternoon.
“The Department of Justice has confirmed to Congressman Gaetz’s attorneys that their investigation has concluded and that he will not be charged with any crimes,” Gaetz’s office told Fox News.
Reports first surfaced in 2021 that Gaetz was being investigated into whether Gaetz and a 17-year girl had a sexual relationship. Gaetz has maintained his innocence.
Pictured: Rep Matt Gaetz during a campaign kickoff event at the Walnut Hill Baptist Church in April 2022. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Children’s Trust Awards $5.1 Million For 19 Programs, Only Two In District 5
February 15, 2023
The Escambia County Children’s Trust (ECT) on Tuesday awarded $5,104,482 in grants to 19 service providers for out-of-school time programming.
Two will have service locations in the North Escambia area, totaling $612,601 in Escambia County’s District 5.
The North Escambia area programs are:
- The Urban Development Center and their program “YouthFirst Century” plans to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period. The program will be held at three locations within the Century town limits. $397,556 for the first year.
- Central Gulf Coast Freedom Schools and their program “Expanding Summer School” plans to serve 500 children ages5-14 over a three-year period. The program will take place at the University of West Florida campus. $215,045 for the first year.
RELATED: Children’s Trust Funds ‘YouthFirst Century’ Ed Program; Town To Front $61K To Jumpstart
Just over half of the proposed service locations (52.6%) are in the Pensacola city limits.
According to the ECT, funding “will enable grantees to offer low-income and underserved families a range of high-quality out-of-school time programs that meet a demonstrated need for positive youth development during the critical afterschool hours, summer breaks, and other times when school is not in session”.
In November 2020, Escambia County voters approved the formation of the Children’s Trust to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes, enabling the trust to provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventive, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
The programs approved Tuesday by the Escambia Children’s Trust were:
- Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast — $874,878
- Children’s Home Society — $244,672
- Dixon School of Arts and Sciences — $260,000
- Urban Development Center — $397,556
- Valerie’s House Pensacola — $105,215
- Omega Lamplighters — $107,460
- Central Gulf Coast Freedom Schools — $215,045
- Covenant Care — $201,095
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus — $96,201
- Pensacola Little Theatre — $144,681
- CMB Visions Unlimited — $293,184
- Epps Christian Center — $254,800
- Pensacola MESS Hall — $85,648
- City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation — $540,041
- Chain Reaction — $195,580
- Children’s Theater Company — $196,189
- SALT Ministry (Sisters Anointed to Lead Together) — $11,489
- YMCA of NW Florida — $581,748
- James B. Washington Education & Sports — $295,000
Programs not funded included:
- Escambia County Neighborhood Human Services (two programs)
- Milk and Honey Outreach Ministries
- Hope Through Education
- Escambia County Public Schools Foundation
- Community Uplift
- National Aviation Museum Foundation (National Flight Academy)
- The Salvation Army of Pensacola
- Young Achievers Preschool
- Rotary Youth Camp of North Florida
- New World Believers and Healthy Opportunities and Options Promoting Success Programs
- Whiz Kids Academy
- Bamboo Learning
- My Little Explorers Learning Academy
- Youths Left Behind Corps
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Cantonment Man Charged With Child Abuse, Aggravated Assault
February 15, 2023
A Cantonment man was charged with child abuse in a domestic violence incident.
Michael Anthony Campbell, 38, was charged with felony child abuse, aggravated assault domestic violence, and battery domestic violence.
Campbell and the adult victim became involved in an argument over ending a dating relationship, and Campbell grabbed a “large butcher knife”, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. As the adult victim and the child attempted to leave, Campbell punched the child in the face causing them to fall off a porch and hit his head, the report continues.
The child was taken to the emergency room suffering a possible concussion, according to the ECSO.
Campbell was released from the Escambia County Jail Thursday night on a $22,500 bond
ESCO Recovers Multiple Stolen Items On Bowman Avenue
February 15, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office recovered multiple stolen items Tuesday afternoon on Bowman Avenue in the Ensley area.
Items recovered included ATVs, lawnmowers, power equipment and more.
The ECSO said charges and arrests are expected in the case, but provided no other details.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Children’s Trust Funds ‘YouthFirst Century’ Ed Program; Town To Front $61K To Jumpstart
February 15, 2023
The Escambia County Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded $5,104,482 in grants to 19 service providers during a meeting Tuesday morning, including nearly $400,000 to a program focusing specifically on the Century area. The Town of Century will advance over $61,000 to jumpstart the program.
The Urban Development Center (UDC), a Pensacola non-profit, will receive $397,556 for the first year of a program called “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. Of the 19 awards by ECT, it was the fourth-highest scoring program.
RELATED: Escambia Children’s Trust Awards $5.1 Million For 19 Programs, Only Two In District 5
According to the UDC proposal, Century is “often referred to as ‘the forgotten city’, by its residents” and the town’s children and youth children and youth “presently attend Bratt Elementary School, Byrne Elementary School, Earnest Ward Middle School and Northview High School”, according the proposal. (Editor’s note: The quoted incorrect spellings are those of UDC in their application; the correct spellings are Byrneville Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle.)
UDC stated that there are “no community activity center or facilities” for children and youth and no computer lab in the town.
In their application to ECT, UDC acknowledged that they did not have the cash on hand to operate under a cost reimbursement model.
ECT voted in early December not to advance any funding to providers. Multiple providers, in addition to UDC, based their programs on other funding or sponsorships from corporations, non-profits and other groups.
The Town of Century will front $61,925 to The Urban Development Center to purchase items like computers and workbooks. The 500 workbooks at $52.75 per workbook will be purchased from UDC for $26,375. UDC will reimburse the town after they receive the ECT funding, but no specific deadline was established.
The town originally approved fronting $58,775, but that amount was increased during a January 17 meeting. A NorthEscambia.com public records request has not been fulfilled for the documentation presented to the council by UDC on January 17.
“We have received your request and will respond as quickly as possible,” Town Clerk Leslie Howington wrote in an email on January 18.
UDC’s proposed budget, as presented to ECT is below.
According to UDC application, the program will utilize:
- Transportation for students will be provided by local startup Metro Rapid Transportation.
- The town-owned Century Business Center at 150 East Pond Street will host Century’s first computer lab. Other program locations will be the town’s Century Ag Building (community center) on Highway 4 and the “Century Public Center” at 7921 North Century Boulevard. According to Escambia County property records, the “Century Public Center”, located just south of the library, is owned by Century Town Council President Luis Gomez, Jr., who told the council he is donating the use of his building.
- The program will make classes available for 40 weeks from 2-6 p.m., Monday through Friday both in-person and virtually with more than 30 courses. It will shift into a camp-based program in the summer months.
RELATED: Escambia Children’s Trust Awards $5.1 Million For 19 Programs, Only Two In District 5
Pictured top and inset: Dr. Jessica A. Griffen, CEO of The Urban Development Center, addresses the Century Town Council at two different meetings. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Notes on the UDC budget above, per the application: JetFuel is a Century based technology entrepreneurial business operated by Calvin Cottrell. Tutor4You is a tutoring service with “Mr. Sanders”. Reality Check Counseling is Susan Dawson, a licensed mental health counselor. Favored Hearts is owned by Cordella Allen, a clinical nurse, that will provide CPR certifications.
Beulah Elementary Heart Challenge Raises $7,800 And Counting
February 15, 2023
Beulah Elementary School families have raised over $7,800 in the Kids Heart Challenge, and it continues through Friday.
The Kids Heart Challenge is a fun and exciting event where students learn about their heart while helping others by raising money for the American Heart Association.
Donations can be made through February 17 here or in the Kids Heart Challenge app from the Google Play Store or the Apple Store.
Beulah Elementary student also made paper hearts to dedicate their fundraising event to family members that have had a heart attack, heart disease or stroke.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wednesday Was The 7th Anniversary Of EF-3 Tornado That Ravaged Century (With Galleries)
February 15, 2023
Wednesday marked the seventh anniversary of an EF-3 tornado that ripped through Century.
The tornado first touched down southwest of Lambert Bridge Road southwest of McDavid at 3:32 p.m. on February 15, 2016. The first EF-2 intensity damage was on Holland Road where a workshop was destroyed. As it moved into Century, the tornado reached peak intensity with widespread EF-2 damage with isolated EF-3 level damage that destroyed numerous homes and businesses, according to the National Weather Service.
The tornado continued to track across the state line into Alabama with EF-2 damage on Old Fannie Road east of Flomaton. The tornado continued toward Pollard, AL, where it weakened and lifted at 3:55 p.m.
The EF-3 tornado was on the ground 16.5 miles with a path up to 300 yards wide.
The photos on this page and in the first gallery below were taken just by NorthEscambia.com just minutes after the tornado touchdown in Century. In the top photo seen around the world, neighbors and first responders came together to rescue a woman that was trapped in her overturned mobile home.
For a photo gallery from February 15, 2015, click here.
For a photo gallery featuring the Century UMC, click here.
For an additional damage photo gallery, click here.
For a photo gallery from Gov. Rick Scott’s visit to Century, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Anti-terrorism Exercises Continue This Week At Local Navy Bases
February 15, 2023
An annual anti-terrorism force protection exercise continues through Friday at area Navy bases.
Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola and NAS Whiting Field are taking part.
Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2023 is conducted at all Navy installations in the continental U.S. The exercise, which is not a response to any specific threat, is designed to enhance the readiness of Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability among the commands, other services and agency partners.
Measures have been taken to minimize disruptions within local communities and to normal base
operations, but there may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic around bases or delays in base access. Area residents may also see or hear security activities associated with the exercise.
Advanced coordination has taken place with local law enforcement and first responders.
Both Spans Of The Pensacola Bay Bridge Now Open
February 14, 2023
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) opened the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) span of the Pensacola Bay Bridge on U.S. 98 to vehicular traffic about 11:30 Monday night.
The two spans of the bridge are now temporarily accommodating two east and two westbound travel lanes, but upon final completion of the project each structure will support three lanes of traffic in each direction, along with inside and outside shoulders, and 10-foot-wide multiuse paths for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The multiuse path on the eastbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) bridge remains open, but the westbound path will remain closed until completed.
While there is now traffic on both spans of the bridge, multiple miscellaneous tasks remain to complete the project. These include work on the U.S. 98 tie-ins and median areas, the wayside park in Gulf Breeze, bridge painting, and other final items. Completion of the project is currently estimated for this summer.
With a construction cost of approximately $440-million, the Pensacola Bay Bridge replacement project is the largest transportation initiative in Northwest Florida history. More than 55,000 drivers travel the bridge daily between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze. The modern, six-lane structure replaces a four-lane bridge that opened in 1960.
Pictured: Traffic flows over both spans of the Pensacola Bay Bridge about 11:30 Monday night. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.