Special Election Dates Proposed For Two Century Council Seats
January 14, 2023
Dates have been proposed for a special election in Century for two town council seats that no one ran for during last year’s elections.
At a meeting on January 2, the sitting council temporarily appointed Shelisa McCall Abraham to Seat 3 and Alicia Johnson to Seat 4. Their positions are temporary until winners are determined in the special election.
The town charter states that the election will be held between 60 and 90 days after the vacancy occurs. The town and Supervisor of Elections David Stafford have now formulated dates for the election.
If there are three or more candidates for any one of the seats, a primary election will be held on Tuesday, March 14. Any necessary runoff and the general election will be held on Tuesday, March 28.
Qualifying will be open from noon February 21 until noon February 24 at the Supervisor of Elections Office or the Century Town Hall on February 22. Any registered voter that lives in the town limits can seek election and pay a $50 qualifying fee.
The election will be certified by the Escambia County Canvassing Board.
The Century Town Council will consider an ordinance to finalize the election details at an upcoming meeting.
Pictured: Shelisa Abraham (center) was sworn in January 2 as an interim member of the Century Town Council, serving until a special election is held. Alicia Johnson, also appointed to the council, will be sworn in on January 17. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Funeral Services Set For Escambia Fire Rescue Lieutenant Terrell Jackson
January 14, 2023
Funeral services are next Saturday, January 21 for Escambia County Fire Rescue Lt. Terrell Jackson, who passed away Monday, January 9 after experiencing a medical emergency.
A celebration of life will take place from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church on North W Street. Burial will follow at Resthaven Gardens Cemetery at 1084 Massachusetts Avenue.
Lt. Jackson, 38, began his career with ECFR as a volunteer firefighter in 2007 with the Ferry Pass Volunteer Fire Department. On July 18, 2013, Jackson became a fulltime firefighter. As a career firefighter, he demonstrated a dedicated work ethic and compassion that led to his promotion to lieutenant on October 2, 2021.
As a lieutenant, Jackson continued to show his dedication and passion for the job as he mentored firefighters and worked as the company officer on several different assignments. He has been described as a “firefighter’s firefighter” and has always led through his actions.
Tate Showband’s Olivia Morehouse Performing With Florida All State Honors Band
January 14, 2023
Olivia Morehouse, a senior member of the Tate High School Showband of the South, was selected to perform with the Florida All State Honors Band at the Florida Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference in Tampa this weekend.
Morehouse was selected by nomination out of hundreds of students who also auditioned/nominated for membership into this ensemble. She is principal trumpet in the Tate High School Wind Ensemble, trumpet soloist in Tate Jazz I, and was a trumpet section leader in the Showband of the South.
“We are very proud of her for this accomplishment and for representing the Tate High School and Tate High School Band at this conference,” said Jakob Wisdom, Tate Showband director of bands.
RELATED: Northview’s Olivia Doyle Selected For Florida All State Honors Band
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Pine Meadow Elementary Teacher Of The Year Is David Vaughn
January 14, 2023
David Vaughn was named the Pine Meadow Elementary School Teacher of the Year. He is a kindergarten 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.
Newly Rebuilt Ascend Community Park To Reopen Next Week
January 13, 2023
Ascend Community Park is set to reopen with a ribbon cutting next week.
The park has been closed since it was damaged by Hurricane Sally in 2020.
It has now been renovated and equipped with a new playground.
The playground equipment was purchased and professionally installed with funds from the Ascend Cares Foundation and the Ascend Pensacola site. Ascend work teams and Ascend Cares volunteers also helped with cleaning, painting and repairs to the pavilion and restroom facilities at the park in recent months.
“This project has been a true team effort by Ascend employees, Ascend Cares volunteers, and our partners from Turner Industries,” said Asa Cuellar, a senior production manager at Ascend who managed the park renovation project. “The park has been in our community since 2000 and we are all thrilled to see it reopen so children and families can enjoy visiting again.”
The public is invited to attend the ribbon cutting at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, January 18 at 3098 Old Chemstrand Road. Following the ceremony, the park will be open to the public daily from dawn to dusk.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bellview Library Closed All Next Week For Maintenance
January 13, 2023
The Bellview Library, which just opened last September, will be closed next week “for maintenance”.
The library will be closed Tuesday, January 17 through Saturday, January 21 for the work. All library locations are closed Monday, January 16 for the Martin Luther Kings, Jr. Day holiday.
All events and programs for the week have been canceled, except an Arbor Day tree giveaway planned to 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 21 will take place.
During the closure, library return materials may be dropped off in the drop box outside the Bellview Library or returned to any other West Florida Public Libraries location. The Bellview Library will reopen on Monday, January 23.
In making the announcement late Thursday afternoon, county officials did not say what maintenance issue led to the closure.
Escambia County Seeks Volunteer for Planning Board Appointment
January 13, 2023
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an at-large appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board.
At-large members serve a two-year term of office and attend one meeting per month (generally the first Tuesday of the month). Meetings are generally from 8:30 a.m. to no later than noon; however, occasionally may go beyond noon depending upon the agenda. No travel is involved unless the Planning Board members decide to view a particular property for informational purposes. Financial disclosure is required.
Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board to begin serving in January are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Tuesday, January 31. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Rachel Whitmire; 3363 West Park Place; Pensacola, FL 32505; or emailed to rwhitmire@myescambia.com.
The term for this vacancy is February 16, 2023 until February 16, 2025.
All submittals are subject to public records requests.
Michelle Thomas Is Ernest Ward Middle School’s Teacher Of The Year
January 13, 2023
Michelle Thomas was named the Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher of the Year.
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.
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Ball Registrations Open For NWE, Century And Molino
January 13, 2023
Ball registrations are underway for Northwest Escambia, Century and Molino.
Century Baseball Association
Registration for the Century Baseball Association is underway online for wee ball, t-ball, softball and baseball. An in-person registration will be held this Saturday, January 14. More info: Facebook.
Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park
Registration ends January 20 for Northwest Escambia t-ball, softball and baseball. Some age groups have a waitlist, but the league will attempt to form a new team with the required players and coaches.
Register online here. More info: Facebook.
Molino Recreation
Registration is now open for the Molino Recreation Association at Don Sutton Park for the 2023 baseball and t-ball seasons.
To register, click or tap here.
Registration is open for softball (except 12U), baseball and t-ball on a first come, first available basis. Softball registration closed January 10.
The baseball draft is January 24-27 and practice begins January 30. Opening day is March 4 and games end on May 5. More info: Facebook.
Escambia Again Selects EREC For North Escambia Fiber Internet
January 12, 2023
The Escambia County Commission has once again selected Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC) with their partner firm Conexon Connect to provide high speed fiber internet to North Escambia.
The county originally accepted proposals to provide fiber to homes north of 10 Mile Road and approved entering into a memorandum of understanding with Escambia River Electric Cooperative in late November. Cox Communications retained a law firm and filed a formal protest against the award.
Escambia County regrouped, deciding to resolicit bids, narrowing the area serviced to north of Muscogee Road. Cox declined to bid in the second round, saying the new area was too far away from their existing fiber network in Cantonment.
Two companies submitted proposals and were heard by the commission Thursday morning: IBT PCS and Conexon Connect in partnership with EREC.
The commission voted 4-1, with commissioner Mike Kohler voting no, to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with EREC.
Commissioner Steven Barry said EREC, a member-owned electric cooperative, had the clear competitive advantage because they already have infrastructure in place. For any other company, the construction cost would be significantly higher with a 5-10 year buildout, he said, to get fiber to all of the homes.
IBT proposed nearly 110 miles of underground fiber, but using wireless technology to reach about 2,000 homes. EREC proposed almost 600 miles of fiber, including 175 miles underground, with fiber serving every home and business, over 4,000 of them, in their territory, “for considerably less county contribution,” Barry said.
Escambia County has committed $10 million of American Rescue Plan federal dollars toward the project north of Muscogee Road with the company owning and operating the network. Another $12 million is committed to a second phase south of Muscogee Road. The funds are aimed at providing broadband internet to unserved, and underserved, residents.
In both phases, fiber connections to county facilities will be provided.
EREC plan to offer symmetrical speeds from 100 Mbps to 2 Gig at a price ranging from $49.95 to $99.95 per month.
NorthEscambia.com will continue to cover North Escambia area broadband issues.
Pictured: Escambia River Electric Cooperative CEO Ryan Campbell addresses the Escambia County Commission on Thursday. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.