Escambia County Graduation Rate Falls While State Increases
January 16, 2023
Graduation rates in Escambia County have fallen, while rising across the state, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Education.
Late Friday afternoon, DOE announced that Florida’s 2021-22 high school graduation rate was 87.3%, an increase of 0.4 percentage points over the 2018-19 pre-pandemic school year.
Escambia County’s 2021-22 high school graduation rate was 78.4%, a decrease of 6.4% points compared to the 2018-19 pre-pandemic school year, and down from 87% from 2020-21.
‘”Comparing 2018-2019 to 2021-2022 represents a true ‘apples to apples’ comparison, as the 2018-19 school year was the last year prior to 2021-22 that Florida’s statewide, standardized assessment requirements for graduation were in place without exemption waivers,” DOE noted.
In Escambia County, West Florida High had the highest graduation rate for 2021-22 at 98%, followed by Northview High at 86% and Tate High at 85.9%.
Here are the 2021-22 for high schools in Escambia County:
- West Florida High — 98 %
- Northview High — 86 %
- Tate High — 85.9 %
- Escambia Westgate — 85.7 %
- Washington High — 80.3 %
- Pensacola High — 79.2 %
- Pine Forest High — 76.6 %
- Escambia High — 72.8 %
- Success Academy — 61.5 %
Pictured: Northview High School Class of 2022 Valedictorian Hunter Borelli addresses his fellow graduates. Northview had the second highest graduation rate in Escambia County at 86% in 2022. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Lipscomb Elementary’s Teacher Of The Year Is Holly Griffin
January 16, 2023
Holly Griffin is the Lipscomb Elementary School Teacher of the Year. She is a fifth grade teacher.
NorthEscambia.com spotlighting Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area. The county’s overall teacher of the year will be named in late January.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Woman Dies After Medical Episode, Crashing Into Tree, FHP Says
January 16, 2023
A 65-year old Escambia County woman is dead after crashing into a pole Sunday, and troopers say she may have experienced a medical problem prior to the crash.
It happened about 10:30 a.m. at the Admiral Mobile Home Park on Lillian Highway.
“It is believed the 65-year-old female driver of a Kia Forte, from Pensacola, suffered a medical episode prior to crashing her vehicle into a pole, resulting in minor damage,” the Florida Highway Patrol said. “The driver was transported to an area hospital where she was pronounced deceased.”
The investigation is continuing.
2023 Farm Day Returns To Atmore On February 8
January 16, 2023
Row crop farmers are invited to the 2023 Farm Day in Atmore on February 8.
Registration for the program presented by UF/IFAS Extension and Alabama Cooperative Extension begins at 8 a.m. at Grace Fellowship.
Speakers include:
- Dr. Scott Graham: Managing Cotton Insects in 2023
- Dr. Steve Brown: Cotton Agronomic Considerations
- Dr. Hardeep Singh: Cotton Fertility
- Dr. Ian Small: Areolate Mildew: Current Status & Management Options
- Dr. Steve Li: Emerging Cotton Weeds
For more information, contact Libbie Johnson or Madelyn Godwin.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
These Are The Road Constructions Spots That Might Slow You Down This Week
January 16, 2023
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Garden Street (U.S. 98) Pensacola Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade – Motorists will encounter a road closure between A Street and Tarragona Street Monday, Jan. 16 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Martin Luther King Day Parade.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The middle car parking lot at the Escambia County I-10 Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, is temporarily closed for construction. The front car parking lot and truck parking area remain open. As work progresses, sections of the sidewalk will continue to be closed to allow crews to upgrade the sidewalks and curbs to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Directional signage will be in place to guide pedestrians while the sidewalks are under construction.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Jan. 15 through Saturday, Jan. 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Sunday, Jan. 15 through Thursday, Jan. 19 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will allow crews to perform paving operations as well as sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Jan. 15 through Thursday, Jan. 19 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298), from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures from U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Jan. 16 through Friday, Jan. 20 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for drainage improvements and erosion control operations.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) from North of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers may encounter intermittent alternating lane closures from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night as crews place construction signage near the roadway.
- Saufley Field Road (S.R. 296), from the Naval Air Station Entrance to west of Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) - Work has been completed to improve pedestrian safety and mobility along Saufley Field Road, from the Pensacola Naval Air Station entrance to west of Mobile Highway. Crews upgraded and replaced sidewalks to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), improved drainage, and made enhancements to signing and pavement markings
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90, from West of Avalon Boulevard to East of Stewart Street – Work will begin Monday, January 16 on a $7.5 million project to resurface a 2.5-mile segment of U.S. 90. The project also includes curb and sidewalk improvements constructed to comply with ADA requirements, traffic signalization upgrades, and placement of new signs and pavement markings. During construction, drivers may encounter temporary traffic shifts and intermittent lane closures between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. seven days a week. The project is estimated for completion in spring 2024
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Jan. 15 through Saturday, Jan. 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- The median crossover at the intersection of Bayshore Road and U.S. 98 will be closed to perform necessary road widening activities. This closure will be in effect for approximately seven days beginning Sunday, Jan. 15.
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, Jan. 15, through Friday, Jan. 20, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
- Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians be advised that construction crews will be actively working during Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Two People Injured In Cantonment Rollover Crash Involving Two Vans
January 15, 2023
Two people were injured in a crash involving two vans on Highway 29 in Cantonment on Saturday.
The vans crash on Highway 29 in front of the Grocery Advantage, just north of the Cantonment Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.
The crash involved a commercial Nissan NV200 cargo van and a Dodge Grand Caravan minivan that overturned. The Caravan came to rest on its side in a median crossover.
Both occupants of the Caravan were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries that were considered serious but not life-threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Cantonment Station of ECFR and the Escambia Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Fire Rescue, Forest Service Battle Brush Fires Saturday
January 15, 2023
Firefighters battled several brush and small outside fires Saturday in the North Escambia area.
On Highway 29 near Cedartree Lane, a fire that appeared to have started on the shoulder of the road spread into a nearby wooded area. The Florida Forest Services responded, along with Escambia County Fire Rescue.
Firefighters also responded to a reported vegetation fire on Neal Road and another on North Highway 99 in Bratt.
Pictured: A brush fire on Highway 29 near Cedartree Lane Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Beulah Elementary Teacher Of The Year Is Sara Smith
January 15, 2023
Sara Smith was named the Beulah Elementary School Teacher of the Year. She is a fifth grade teacher.
NorthEscambia.com spotlighting Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area. The county’s overall teacher of the year will be named in late January.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Heath Jackson Sworn In For Second Term As Sheriff In Escambia County, AL
January 15, 2023
Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson took the oath of office Friday for his second term.
Jackson was the first-ever Republican sheriff in the county.
“I can’t thank the citizens of Escambia County enough for allowing me to serve them. I’m proud of the hard work our staff has put forth in moving the sheriff’s office in a positive direction and look forward to that continuing,” Jackson said.
Before his election in 2018, Jackson was a sergeant at the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office and served as the team leader of the agency’s Hostage Negotiations Team.
The T.R. Miller High School graduate’s nearly two decades of law enforcement experience includes service with the Brewton Police Department, the 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force and work with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Alabama. At the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, he also worked in the Narcotics Division, the Robbery/Homicide Division and the Public Information Office.
Pictured: Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson was sworn in for a second term Friday by District Judge Eric Coale at the Escambia County (AL) Courthouse in Brewton. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Teen Karson Brown Earns Eagle Scout Rank
January 15, 2023
Karson Brown of Troop 430 in Molino has achieved Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the boy Scouts.
He received his Eagle Scout badge Saturday afternoon during a ceremony at the Barrineau Park Community Center. The West Florida High School senior’s service project was building five wooden picnic tables that were placed at the playground outside the community center last year.
Brown has also earned 32 merit badges in the Boy Scouts.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
