Woman Gets 20 Years For Killing Teen In 2019
March 2, 2022
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the shooting death of a 16-year old in 2019.
Kristian Ard, 20, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of a child; possession of cocaine with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver; possession of tetrahydrocannabinol with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver; possession of cannabis with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver; three counts of tampering with evidence; possession of drug paraphernalia; contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a child; false report to law enforcement; and possession of alcohol by a person under 21.
On December 18, 2019, Ard shot a 16-year old on Grace Drive, just off Guidy Lane. The victim was later pronounced brain dead, taken of a ventilator and ultimately died.
During the investigation, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office located the firearm that was used to shoot the victim in the Ard’s purse, as well as the spent shell casing from the shooting hidden in the bottom of her cigarette pack. Law enforcement also located cocaine, marijuana, THC cartridges, ammunition, counterfeit currency, alcohol, and drug paraphernalia in her vehicle. In addition, Ard provided false information to law enforcement throughout the investigation.
“The defendant’s actions in this incident and throughout the investigation show that she is a danger to the community,” Assistant State Attorney Jessica Etherton stated during sentencing.
Bratt Elementary Literacy Night Promotes Reading Fun
March 2, 2022
Bratt Elementary School held a Family Literacy Night Tuesday evening.
Principal Amy McCrory welcomed families into the cafeteria where they were served a light dinner. A presentation of Dr. Seuss’, The Cat in the Hat, was given by Elisabeth Ward, Mandi Carter, and Pam Trice.
Families were then directed to the multi-purpose room where every student received a free book and game from their teacher. Parents received a copy of their child’s most recent test data.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Students and families also had the chance for fun pictures in a photo booth.
The event was organized by Shonna Gilmore, Bratt Elementary School media specialist.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Girls Tennis Tops West Florida; Boys Play To Tie
March 2, 2022
The Tate High School girls tennis team took a 7-0 win over West Florida High School Tuesday.
Girls #1 Kingsley Cline stays undefeated for the season.
The Aggies boys ended with a 3-3 tie with West Florida.
Up next, Aggies tennis will travel to Gulf Breeze on Friday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
STARBASE Pensacola Opens To Escambia County Students
March 2, 2022
A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday to official open STARBASE Pensacola at the National Flight Academy onboard NAS Pensacola.
STARBASE is a Department of Defense program that allows fifth grade students from Title I schools in Escambia County to have a place to learn STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) related topics.
Students from Brentwood Elementary School were the first class to arrive Tuesday.
The STARBASE Pensacola director and instructors worked with Escambia County School District to develop a customized curriculum from a large offering of peer-reviewed learning opportunities in each STEM area such as Newton’s Laws and Bernoulli’s principle, robotics, coding, rocketry and 3D printing. Students will also be introduced to Computer Aided Design (CAD) to design space stations, all-terrain vehicles, and submersibles.
Additional programs will also be available at STARBASE Pensacola for students not at Title I schools outside of the traditional school schedule, such as during the summer. Additional details will be released on those programs.
Tate Takes Two From West Florida, Northview Splits With Milton; Tate Softball Over Escambia
March 2, 2022
Tate 14, West Florida 3
The Tate High School Aggies beat the West Florida Jaguars 14-3.
The Aggies sealed the win with eight runs in the fifth inning.
Josiah Glodfelter earned the win for the Aggies, going four innings with no runs on one hit and striking out nine. Tucker Griffin thew one inning in relief.
Clif Quiggins, Jackson Penon and Frankie Randall led the Aggies at the plate with three hits each.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate 18, West Florida 9 (JV)
Northview 13, Milton 0
Milton 14, Northview 2 (JV)
SOFTBALL
Tate 15, Escambia 2
Pictured: Tate High Aggies defeated West Florida 14-3 Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Laura Glodfelter, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Battle Brush Fire Threatening Cantonment Neighborhood
March 1, 2022
Firefighters battled a brush fire threatening a Cantonment neighborhood Tuesday afternoon.
The brush fire was burning on Madrid Road south of Muscogee Road in an area that backs up to a subdivision on Twin Pine Circle.
Firefighters prevented the fire from crossing into the subdivision, and no structure damage was reported. The fire was initially estimated at about 1.5 acres, according to the Florida Forest Service.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Battle House Fire, Brush Fire And Aid Vehicle Wreck Victims In Cottage Hill
March 1, 2022
Firefighters battled a house fire, extinguished a brush fire and aided victims in a vehicle crash on Highway 95A in Cottage Hill midday Tuesday.
Escambia County Fire Rescue said a trash fire spread to a yard and before sparking the house fire on Highway 95A at McKenzie Road. The fire also extended into a wooded area behind the home.
There were no injuries, but firefighters did rescue a dog from the home and reunite it with its family. Escambia Fire Rescue said the home was not a total loss but would be inhabitable with extensive repairs.
The Florida Forest Service and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Just before the house fire, Escambia Fire Rescue responded to an unrelated two vehicle rear-end type crash also on Highway 95A at McKenzie Road, almost directly in front of the home. There were no serious injuries reported, and the Florida Highway Patrol investigated.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Man Critically Injured In Highway 29 Wreck Near Bogia
March 1, 2022
A 47-year old Pensacola man was critically injured in a single vehicle crash Tuesday morning near Bogia.
The man’s vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree about 8:30 a.m. along northbound Highway 29 about a half mile north of Bogia Road. The Florida Highway Patrol said he failed to negotiate a slight curve.
The man was airlifted by ShandsCair helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital were he was listed in “very critical” condition, according to FHP.
There were no passengers in the vehicle.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHSAA Switching Football Classes To Metro, Suburban And Rural; Moving from RPI To MaxPreps Rankings
March 1, 2022
The Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted Monday to revamp high school football in the state, dividing member schools into Metro, Suburban and Rural classification and creating nine state championships.
The metro classification will include the eight Florida counties with the highest population — Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange, Duval, Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Seminole.
Most teams in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will fit into the new Suburban classification, while smaller and rural teams like Northview, Jay and Central will be in the Rural class.
A more specific breakdown will be released at a later date.
In the Metro and Suburban classes, for 4A-2A there will be four regions and 16 districts with district play required. District champs will advance, along with the next four at-large in the region.
In 1A for all classes, including Rural, there will be four regions and no districts. The top six in each district will advance to the playoffs.
The new classifications will be in place for at least the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Another big change will come in playoff rankings. Football will move away from the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) rankings that were implemented in 2019. The FHSAA Power Rankings, handled by MaxPreps, will instead decide playoffs.
Here are how the classifications will break down:
Metro Classification
(only those eight large counties listed above)
- 4A: 2356+ (64 schools)
- 3A: 1675-2355 (64 schools)
- 2A: 601-1674 (64 schools)
- 1A: 600 and below (36 schools)
Suburban Classification
- 4A: 1893+ (68 schools)
- 3A: 1443-1892 (68 schools)
- 2A: 601-1442 (68 schools)
- 1A: 600 and below (30 schools)
Rural Classification
- 1A: 600 and below (33 schools)
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Second Suspect Charged With Theft Of Items From Barn Valued At $8,000
March 1, 2022
A second suspect has been charged in connection with the alleged theft of items from a barn near Century.
Cody Eugene McNeal, age 23 of Atmore, was charged with felony burglary of an unoccupied structure and felony grand theft. Kelsey Alanna Taylor, 25, was arrested about a week and half ago on the same charges. She was described as McNeal’s girlfriend by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Taylor and McNeal allegedly took a 54-inch Grasshopper zero turn mower, air compressor, shop fan and a string trimmer from an Escambia County barn. The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that at no time did anyone have permission to remove items valued at $8,000 from the barn.
Taylor and the second suspect told deputies that they were given permission to remove items from the barn to replace items they already had stored in the barn that were damaged by water. Both admitted to taking the fan, string trimmer and air compressor with permission, but denied that they removed the lawnmower, according to an arrest report. At last report, the mower had not been recovered.
The air compressor and shop fan were sold for $200, the report states.
McNeil and Taylor were both released on $10,000 bonds.
Taylor was arrested in Escambia County, Alabama, and later extradited to Florida to face the charges against her. She was later released from the Escambia County (FL) jail on a $10,000 bond.
