Northview High Names Students Of The Month
November 23, 2022
Northview High School recently named their Students of the Month for October. They are Stefan Josipovic and Destiny Burt, both sophomores. They are pictured with principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves Sworn In
November 23, 2022
D.C. Reeves was sworn in as the new mayor of Pensacola on Tuesday.
New council members District 2 Charles Bare and District 6 Allison Patton were also sworn in, and District 4 member Jared Moore was sworn in for his second term.
District 7 councilman Delarian Wiggins was elected city council president, and District 3 councilman Casey Jones was elected vice president.
The city council also recognized outgoing Mayor Grover Robinson and outgoing council members Sherri Myers and Ann Hill.
Swearing In Held For Three Escambia School Board Members
November 23, 2022
The Escambia County School board held a swearing in ceremony Tuesday.
Newly elected District 3 member Davis Williams took the oath of office.
District 1 member Kevin Adams and District 2 member Paul Fetsko were both sworn in for another term.
Fetsko was elected board chairman, and Patty Hightower of District 4 was elected as vice chair.
NorthEscambia.com images, click to enlarge.
Escambia Swears In Commissioners, Board Passes Gavel to New Chair
November 23, 2022
The oath of office was administered to two Escambia County commissioners Tuesday, and the gavel was passed to a new chairman and vice chairman.
During the meeting, newly elected District 2 Commissioner Mike Kohler and District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender, who was reelected, took the oath of office for their term through November 2026.
“I am humbled and hope to bring a fresh outlook to the board from my many years of experience in leadership positions during my career in the Navy. Being a registered nurse for the last 31 years, I truly understand the importance of listening. The people of District 2 will have a commissioner that will listen and work diligently for what is fair and right. I intend to make every effort to work with my fellow board members to tackle the many issues facing District 2. ”
“The most pressing issues are the Gulf Beach Highway-Sorrento Road expansion, preserving NAS Pensacola and Corry Station from any mission degradation, a storm water drainage plan, ordinance reform and blight clean up, and finally, begin cleaning up both Bayou Chico and Bayou Grande, both of which have been neglected for many years. I ran on being caring, capable, and committed, but more importantly, assuring the board maintains integrity, honesty and transparency to our citizens is fundamental,” he added.
Bender said, “I am excited and honored to serve Escambia County as the District 4 representative for another four years. I want to thank everyone who supported me, especially my family. I look forward to working hard for another four years as we complete the projects underway and start new ones.”
District 3 Commissioner Lumon May will serve as chairman, and District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will serve as vice chairman for the coming year.
“It remains my highest honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Escambia County. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues as we navigate the opportunities and challenges before us. My commitment to each of you is that I will always do my best to ensure our community is the best place to live, work and play,” May said.
May accepted the chairmanship from District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh.
“I am proud of the work the county has accomplished over this past year, working together with and for the citizens we serve,” Bergosh said. “I remain enthusiastically optimistic about the continued upward trajectory of the county going forward. With a newly constituted board and fantastic leadership throughout the county, starting at the top with our Administrator Wes Moreno and the team he is assembling, I’d like our citizens to know they can expect progress, positive leadership and responsible resource stewardship from their county in the years to come.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Appoints Escambia Man To Florida Judicial Nominating Commission
November 23, 2022
An Escambia County man was appointed Tuesday to Florida’s Judicial Nominating Commission by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Zachary “Zack” Smith is a Legal Fellow with The Heritage Foundation. He received his bachelors, masters, and law degrees from the University of Florida. Smith was appointed for a term ending July 1, 2026.
The Judicial Nominating Commission selects nominees to fill judicial vacancies within the Florida court system.
Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Up 20% This Year, Farm Bureau Says
November 23, 2022
The cost of a classic Thanksgiving feast is up 20% this year, according to the Farm Bureau.
Farm Bureau’s 37th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year’s classic Thanksgiving meal for 10, which is $64.05 or less than $6.50 per person. This is a $10.74 increase from last year’s average of $53.31.
The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey – costs more than last year, at $28.96 for a 16-pound bird. That’s $1.81 per pound, up 21% from last year, due to several factors beyond general inflation. However, the survey was conducted before stores began offering loss leader pricing on frozen turkeys to get shoppers in the door.
The shopping list for Farm Bureau’s informal survey includes turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10 with plenty for leftovers.
In recognition of changes in Thanksgiving dinner traditions, the Farm Bureau price survey also includes ham, Russet potatoes and frozen green beans, in an expanded holiday menu. Adding these foods to the classic Thanksgiving menu increased the overall cost by $17.25, to $81.30. This updated basket of foods also increased in price (up 18%) compared to 2021.
The cost for the classic meal was the most affordable in the South – $58.42, followed by the Northeast – $64.02, Midwest – $64.26 and West – $71.37. The expanded meal (classic meal plus ham, green beans and Russet potatoes) was the most affordable in the South – $74.90, followed by the Midwest – $81.53, Northeast – $82.76 and West – $88.55.
Individual Prices
- 16-pound turkey: $28.96 or $1.81 per pound (up 21%)
- 14-ounce bag of cubed stuffing mix: $3.88 (up 69%)
- 2 frozen pie crusts: $3.68 (up 26%)
- Half pint of whipping cream: $2.24 (up 26%)
- 1 pound of frozen peas: $1.90 (up 23%)
- 1 dozen dinner rolls: $3.73 (up 22%)
- Misc. ingredients to prepare the meal: $4.13 (up 20%)
- 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix: $4.28 (up 18%)
- 1 gallon of whole milk: $3.84 (up 16%)
- 3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $3.96 (up 11%)
- 1-pound veggie tray (carrots & celery): 88 cents (up 8%)
- 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $2.57 (down 14%)
Molino Man Charged With Broomstick Battery On Person Over 65 In ‘Greenhouse’ Dispute
November 22, 2022
A Molino man is accused of hitting his 71-year old neighbor in the face with a broomstick.
Thomas Flournoy Helms, Jr., 68, was charged with first degree felony aggravated battery on a person 65-years of age or older.
Helms became upset over a “greenhouse issue”, and the victim told him it would not be resolved, according to an arrest report. The
He became irate and left the victim’s residence. He later returned “armed with a broomstick and struck her in the face”, the report continues. Her eyeglasses were knocked off her face, and she suffered a minor injury near her eye.
The victim’s father corroborated her statement.
Helms was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond.
‘Sleep With One Eye Open’ – Woman Charged With Making Terroristic Threat
November 22, 2022
An Atmore woman has been charged with making a terroristic threat.
Whitney Hope Hyatt, 31, was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center.
Hyatt allegedly threatened to burn down a residence on Ewing Drive in Atmore with the family members inside.
“She also made several threats and also stated that law enforcement would have a good reason to lock her up this time,” Atmore Police Department Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Officers responded to the residence the following day after Hyatt returned and created a disturbance, he said.
“She continued making threats toward family members and advising them to sleep with one eye open,” McMann stated.
She was then placed under arrest.
Former Santa Rosa Sheriff Lieutenant Gets Federal Prison For Lying To FBI
November 22, 2022
A former Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant was sentenced to federal prison on Monday for lying to the FBI.
Scott Haines will spend one year plus one day in federal prison followed by one year probation.
Haines pleaded guilty in federal court to making material false statements to the FBI during the course of its investigation
In federal court, Haines admitted that he became personally involved in the real property management and finances of an elderly woman in Santa Rosa County and deposited rental payments from tenants of the elderly woman into his own bank account without authority to do so. When confronted by the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Haines made material false statements regarding his involvement with the rental properties, the depositing of rental payments into his personal account, and his knowledge and involvement.
In state court, Haines admitted to his personal misuse of the National Crime Information Center database utilized by law enforcement officers and analysts for official purposes.
Haines was demoted from captain to lieutenant following a 2020 sexual harassment investigation. He retired last year after an internal affairs investigation.
File photo: Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office. Under Florida law, Haines’ mugshot was exempt from release.
Fallen Escambia Fire Chief Dwain Bradshaw Honored At Memorial Service
November 22, 2022
Escambia County Fire Rescue recently honored the late ECFR District Chief Dwain Bradshaw during the Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service at the Florida State Fire College in Ocala. The memorial service is an annual event held to honor firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Bradshaw, 41, lost his life during the early morning hours of November 2019 in the line of duty on scene of a fatal crash on the Muscogee Bridge. He was a volunteer district chief at the Bellview Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, volunteer assistant district chief for the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, and lived a life of public service.
“Participation in this annual event is a tremendous honor to the families of the fallen, and to the institution of our profession,” said ECFR Captain Scott Averill. “I hope that we can continue our ECFR Honor Guard participation in this important event for the foreseeable future.”
ECFR Honor Guard members Averill, Lt. Nick Gradia, Firefighter Dale Dirks and Firefighter Jason Rocco participated in the 2022 Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
