Get Free Reblended Paint From Escambia County On Thursdays
January 11, 2023
Escambia County offers free reblended paint in five gallon buckets.
The paint is available every Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Perdido Landfill. It is offered to the public for free in exchange for a new five gallon bucket with a lid (available at local hardware stores). Available colors may include beige, black, blue, brown, green, gray, orange, pink, purple, red, yellow and white.
Citizens can also dispose of up to 20 gallons of latex and oil-based paint at a time at the landfill at no charge. Latex paint is screened twice, reblended and put into new five-gallon buckets.
Call (850) 937-2160 for additional information and color availability.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School’s Teacher Of The Year Is Chris Norris
January 11, 2023
Chris Norris was named the Ransom Middle School Teacher of the Year. He teaches science.
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.
Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Emond Passes Away At 104
January 10, 2023
Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment has passed away at age 104.
Last May, Emond broke his own world record when he led the Pensacola Civic Band in the seventh annual Pensacola Memorial Day Concert at the Community Maritime Park amphitheater.
He held the Guinness World Record as “World’s Oldest Conductor” for leading the U.S. Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note in Glenn Miller’s iconic “In the Mood” at the American Veteran Center’s “America Valor: A Salute to our Heroes”. He set the previous record at age 103 last November in Washington, D.C.
“I’m so happy that I’m still able to do this. It was my life’s work conducting, so once or twice a year when I get a chance, it’s always good,” Emond said. “I’m real happy I still have the physical strength to do this.”
Originally from Rhode Island, Emond enlisted in the Navy in 1938 as a musician. He played the French horn for the ship’s band and even got to perform at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York before he was assigned to the USS Emond, CWO4 USN (RET.), spent his naval career as a musician and band director. He was on the stern of the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) getting ready to play morning “Colors” on his French horn when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Emond then walked to the conductor’s stand, picked up the baton and proceeded to direct the band in “Stars and Stripes”.
After seven years of playing horn, he became a Navy bandleader, retiring in 1968.
He remained a music man; sometimes leading the music at Gonzalez Methodist and performing with the Pensacola Civic Band.
Escambia Fire Rescue Lieutenant Terrell Jackson, 38, Passes Away
January 10, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue is mourning the passing of Lt. Terrell Jackson. He passed away after experiencing a medical emergency on Monday. He was 38-years old.
Lt. Jackson 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.
“Lt. Jackson has been a long-time member of the ECFR family and not only served his community but also served his country,” said Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “I pray that his family, friends, and brother and sister firefighters can find peace in knowing his legacy and memory will live on.”
“Lt. Jackson was the truest definition of a public servant as a Navy veteran and a firefighter,” said Fire Chief Jason Catrambone. “His life was one of a servant to all around him. He will be remembered and missed.”
Escambia County Fire Rescue is asking everyone to keep his family and the fire department family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
No Serious Injuries When Highway 97 Driver Crashes Head-on Into Tree
January 10, 2023
There were no serious injuries in a rollover crash Monday afternoon on Highway 97 near Davisville.
The driver was northbound on Highway 97 when she lost control about 3:30 p.m. near Highway 4. Her vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree head-on, and overturned onto its side.
She was transported by Atmore Ambulance to West Florida Hospital in Pensacola with minor injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
The Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Updated: Man Wanted After Allegedly Fleeing From High Speed Chase
January 10, 2023
Authorities are looking for a local man following a high speed chase Sunday afternoon.
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office said 34-year old George Logan Tollison led their deputies on a high speed pursuit from Alabama into Escambia County, Florida, on Sunday, but he managed to get away.
“During the pursuit, Tollison had no regard for the safety of the public nor the deputies,” BCSO said.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office later received a tip that Tollison was driving a red Ford F150 pickup truck, and that he had outstanding warrants from Baldwin County, Alabama. According to ECSO, deputies located Tollison outside the truck on Schaag Road. He jumped into the truck and fled, with deputies giving chase toward Highway 196.
“He was driving at an extremely high rate of speed and weaving in and out of traffic,” ECSO spokesperson Morgan Lewis said. Deputies called off the chase in the interest of public safety.
Lewis said an arrest warrant for fleeing and eluding has been issued for Tollison in Escambia County, and he is wanted on a probation violation and grand theft. Baldwin County has warrants for Tollison on attempting to elude charges.
BCSO said Tollison is known to frequent Molino, Clear Springs in Baldwin County and the Peterman area in Monroe County, Alabama.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620, Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office at (251) 937-0202, or their local law enforcement agency.
Suspect George Logan Tollison is pictured in a late 2020 mugshot.
Pamela Trice Named Bratt Elementary School’s Teacher Of The Year
January 10, 2023
Pamela Trice was named the Bratt Elementary School Teacher of the Year. She teaches first grade.
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.
Established Foreign Manufacturing Company Set To Visit Century This Week To Discuss Building Lease
January 10, 2023
A 50-year old foreign company with established American customers is expected to visit Century this week in advance of negotiating a lease on a town-owned building in the industrial park.
We first reported last week about the company that is looking to set up their first domestic manufacturing and warehouse distribution facility serving the oil and gas industry.
Company officials will be in Century this week to meet individually with each town council member and look at any potential upgrades to the 40,000 square foot building. The town re-acquired the industrial building at public auction for less than $1 out of pocket back in August 2009, following the town’s foreclosure judgment against the now defunct Helicopter Technology company. The building has sat empty since then.
According to the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance, the company plans to hire five people initially, with a goal of 10 employees by the end of the year with an average salary of $46,570 — the average wage in the Pensacola area. The company hopes to begin warehouse operations by the end of February with a forthcoming expansion into manufacturing.
Last week, the town council voted 3-1 to allow the mayor to negotiate a lease, subject to final council approval. The company is offering a lease amount equal to a recent appraisal — $94,000 annually or $7,833 monthly — with the company paying for insurance, taxes and maintenance with a minimum five-year term.
Council President Luis Gomez, Jr. voted and spoke out against the idea, saying the number of jobs was “nothing for the town of Century”, saying the town should not negotiate with “somebody who comes in here under the cover of night” and “under the cover of a backroom deal negotiated by somebody else”.
The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is the economic development organization for Escambia County. Most details about the new company and their plans remain confidential during discussions, as is allowed and is standard in economic development in Florida.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
FPL Donates $10K To Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
January 10, 2023
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment has received a $10,000 donation from Florida Power & Light through its charitable arm, NextEra Energy Foundation.
The donation will be used to promote environmental education to students and teachers in the Escambia County Public Schools. This includes elementary students, teacher training, clubs such as FFA, Science Honor Society, and others.
The funds from this donation will allow the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center to build new standards-based curriculum, enhance current standards-based programs, identify and remove invasive plants, provide habitat restoration, as well as improve current exhibits.
Through participation in these programs, students will explore the environment, come to understand environmental issues, and engage in problem solving, which will ultimately help them to develop a better understanding of environmental issues.
Buffalo Rock To Bring Up To 400 New Jobs To Santa Rosa County
January 10, 2023
Iconic beverage company Buffalo Rock will purchase 47 acres to build a new distribution facility at Santa Rosa County’s Northwest Florida Industrial Park @I-10.
The project is expected to bring 350-400 new jobs to the area – 150-200 that will be created here, and 200 that will be relocated here from other areas.
Buffalo Rock is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama where 85% of its products are manufactured. The company sells more than a billion containers of product each year.
“This is a very exciting time for our team, and a testament to our longstanding commitment to the region,” said Buffalo Rock Regional Vice President – Gulf Region John Isbell. “The retail landscape is growing, and this investment will position us to better meet demand. Additionally, our employee-partners will experience a first-class workplace with modern amenities. We recognize their positive experience is vital in best serving our customers, and the environment in which they work plays a significant role.”
“I’m excited to see that Buffalo Rock is making such a big investment in Santa Rosa County,” said Colten Wright, chairman of the Santa Rosa County Commission, who leads the board’s economic development efforts. “They will be the anchor and flagship company of our I-10 Industrial Park. Buffalo Rock bringing nearly 400 employees at wages higher than our area average, means they believe in Santa Rosa County and understand all that we have to offer. They will likely be the first of many companies flocking to our area.”
Groundbreaking on the project is expected in May 2023.