Escambia County Beef Cattle & Forage Bootcamp Is Coming To Molino
February 20, 2022
The fourth annual Escambia County Beef Cattle & Forage Bootcamp will be held Saturday, March 5 at the Escambia County 4-H Center in Molino.
The bootcamp is a hands-on learning opportunity for producers involved with cattle or forage management. State and local professionals will be available to discuss current research and production strategies.
This year, the Northwest Florida Cattlemen’s Association will be partnering with UF/IFAS Extension to promote education relating to beef and forage best practices. Presenters will provide up-to-date information on cattle reproduction, nutrition, and management along with information focusing on increasing forage productivity.
To register, click or tap here.
Schedule for the event:
- 8:30 a.m. Registration
- 9:00 a.m. Welcome/Introductions
- 9:15 a.m. Rotation Breakouts (30-45 min ea.):
- Cattle reproduction technologies and techniques Utilizing techniques in AI, pregnancy detection & estrous sync. Dr. Angela Gonella-
- Using cool-season forages as cover crop and grazing.” Winter annual forage plots and grazing strategies. Dr. Jose Dubeux
- Balancing rations with variable hay quality Evaluation of productive beef cattle rations using varying levels of hay quality. Dr. Nicolas DiLorenzo
- 11:30 a.m. Lunchtime topics (lunch provided by NWFL Cattlemen’s Assoc.)
- Market Trends
- Updated Policy Changes
- 12:00 p.m. NWFL Cattlemen’s Assoc. Business Meeting
The event is open to all.
County Seeks Volunteers for Contractor Competency Board
February 20, 2022
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to serve on the Escambia County Contractor Competency Board (CCB). Four applicants will be appointed for service beginning in May 2022.
The duties of the CCB include accepting contractor applications, administering contractor examinations, and issuing and recording Certificates of Competency and renewals; making an annual report; investigating complaints against contractors; and presiding over contractor disciplinary proceedings. CCB members serve a three-year term and meet the first Wednesday morning of every month for approximately two hours. Members receive $50 per meeting as compensation for their services.
CCB members are appointed from certain representative segments of citizens and professions, including contractors, design professionals, business persons, and lay persons. The Board of County Commissioners is currently seeking the following for membership on the CCB:
Two Division I Contractors
Two Division II Contractors
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the CCB are asked to submit a resume and cover letter to Jennifer Hampton, Director’s Aide, Building Services Department, 3363 West Park Place, Pensacola, Florida, 32505 or jahampton@myescambia.com by the close of business on Friday, March 4, 2022.
Dirty SUV Leads To Arrest Of Cantonment Man On Weapons Charges
February 19, 2022
A dirty SUV landed a Cantonment man in the Escambia County Jail on weapons charges.
Charlie Glenn Odom, 23, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon without a license and dealing in stolen property.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy was patrolling the area of I-10 and Pine Forest Road when he spotted an older model Chevrolet Tahoe covered in dirt, making the vehicle’s tag partially unreadable. The deputy followed the vehicle to the parking lot of a convenience store in the 7000 block of Pine Forest Road.
As the driver approached, the deputy reported that he could smell marijuana and searched the vehicle based with probable cause. Under the driver’s seat, he located a “readily accessible” 9mm firearm with nine full metal jacket rounds loaded in the magazine. According to an arrest report, the firearm was reported stolen in July 2021.
Odom was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $12,500 bond.
Funeral Held For Longtime Century Firefighter J.B. Johnson
February 19, 2022
Funeral services were held Friday for a longtime Century firefighter.
J.B. Johnson, Jr., passed away Tuesday at age 65.
Johnson was a firefighter for over 20 years for the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue. He also worked for over three decades as a high angle confined space rescuer for Georgia Pacific.
“He had a heart for the lost and wanted for all to come and personally know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He loved serving others and making a difference in his community,” according to his obituary.
J.B. Johnson is survived by Trudie Johnson, his wife of more than 45 years, son Jeff Johnson (Becky Hadley); daughter Sarah LeMesurier, son-in-law Desmond LeMesurier, daughter-in-the-Lord Tammy Jackson (Danny Jackson), and numerous other relatives, friends and colleagues.
Funeral services were held at Petty Eastside Chapel in Atmore with burial following at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery/Crary Cemetery near Century.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Pictured: Funeral services were held Friday afternoon for longtime Century firefighter J.B. Johnson, Jr. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
These Are The State Road Construction Spots To Watch Out For Next Week
February 19, 2022
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
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 20 through Saturday, Feb. 25. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter the following temporary intermittent lane closures:
- Inside lane closures between Q and A streets as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- Outside intermittent lane closures will occur at various locations along West Cervantes, between Dominguez and A Streets, to allow crews to construct Americans with Disabilities Act compliant sidewalk ramps and traffic pole foundations.
- Sorrento Road (State Road (S.R.) 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road (C.R.) 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Feb. 21 through Friday, Feb. 25, as crews place a watermain.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- The Ninth Avenue travel lanes over Carpenters Creek are now shifted to the southbound portion of the bridge, one lane in each direction. The traffic shift will allow crews to construct the northbound side of the bridge.
- Airport Boulevard (S.R. 750) Maintenance from West of Palafox Street to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 21 as crews perform concrete operations.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 20 through Saturday, Feb. 26. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median, safety, and drainage upgrades, resurfacing S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge, extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard, and new signage and pavement markings.
- U.S. 90 Simpson River Bridge Project: Motorists can expect intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 21 through Friday, Feb. 25 as crews perform paving operations for the temporary road widening.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – The eastbound lane will remain reduced to one lane at the C.R. 191 Overpass Bridge (Exit 26) until work associated with bridge approach construction is complete. Motorists can also expect intermittent lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 21 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 90 (Caroline Street) Routine Utility Maintenance at Avalon Boulevard – Eastbound traffic may encounter turn lane closure at Avalon Boulevard intersection from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23 through Saturday, Feb. 26, as crews perform utility work.
- U.S. 90 (Caroline Street) Routine Utility Maintenance from Avalon Boulevard to the Race Way – Eastbound traffic may encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23 through Monday, Feb. 28 as crews perform utility work.
- U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance at East Milton Road Intersection – Westbound traffic can expect turn lane closure at East Milton Road intersection from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24 through Monday, Feb. 28, as crews perform utility work.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
New Weekly COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County Fall By About Two-Thirds
February 19, 2022
The number of new COVID-19 cases in Escambia County fell by about two-thirds over the past week, as compared to previous weeks.
There were 542 new COVID-19 cases and 19 deaths reported over the last week in Escambia County, according to the Florida Department of Health and the CDC. There were 1,541 cases and 29 deaths reported during the previous week..
Here is the latest data from FDOH and the CDC:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 77,254 (+542)
Positivity rate last week: 14.77%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 171.84
People vaccinated: 170,251 (+188)
Full vaccination rate (age 5+): 58.4%
New hospital admissions: 123
Current hospitalizations (as of Friday): 120
Total deaths reported last 7 days: 19
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 47,901 (+440)
Positivity rate last week: 16.28%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 237.1
People vaccinated: 98,836 (+91)
Full vaccination rate (age 5+): 56%
New hospital admissions: 17
Total deaths last 7 days: 15
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 5,775,171 (+42,473)
Case positivity rate: 8.2%
Case Rate per 100k: 193.3
Deaths: 68,902 (+161)
Data sources: CDC, Florida Department of Health, Escambia County
Escambia County Seeks Volunteers For Disability Awareness Committee
February 19, 2022
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking county residents interested in volunteering for an appointment to the Escambia County Disability Awareness Committee, which was established by the board in 2013.
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the committee are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by the close of business Friday, August 5. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Jose Gochez, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, FL 32502, or emailed to BoardApply@myescambia.com.
Resumes submitted for consideration are subject to public records requests and are included in Escambia County Commission meeting information, including the agenda and official meeting minutes.
The purpose of the committee is to make recommendations to the board of county commissioners regarding issues relating to the disabled community and any other issues requested by the board. The committee is composed of seven voting members, and all members of the committee must be electors of Escambia County. Each commissioner on the board of county commissioners appoints one member to the committee, and each member serves concurrently with his or her appointing commissioner’s term. The board collectively appoints two at-large members, who each serve a four-year term.
There are four meetings scheduled each year on the third Wednesday of the month. Meetings begin at 3 p.m. and typically last until 5 p.m. Special meetings may be scheduled if needed. There is no travel required.
Molino Man Just Out Of Prison Accused Of Punching Friend, Threatening To Shoot Him
February 18, 2022
A Molino man recently released from prison is back behind bars, accused of punching a friend and threatening to kill him.
Trevor Hayes Ross, 22, was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, felony battery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and grand theft of a firearm.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed disturbance call about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday to find the victim bleeding from his face and complaining of two chipped teeth. A deputy observed a semi automatic firearm on top of a car with blood on it, more blood inside and outside the vehicle, and blood on the ground.
The victim told deputies that he and Ross had been friends for several years, and Ross contacted him for a ride to a family member for money.
The victim stated that “suddenly and unexpectedly he was sucker punched” by Ross in the mouth, and it almost knocked him unconscious, an arrest report stated. He said Ross then pushed the gun into his right temple and pressed the trigger. He stated there was no round in the chamber, but he “firmly realized Ross was trying to kill him,” the report continues.
The victim said a fight ensued, and he was able to take the gun and was prepared to shoot Ross. Ross ran into a heavily wooded area. Deputies conducted an extensive K-9 search but were unable to locate Ross at the time.
Ross was later booked into the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $165,000.
Ross was previously convicted of aggravated battery on a child and robbery. He was released from prison in December 2021, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
School District, Teacher’s Union Reach Salary Agreement
February 18, 2022
The school district and teacher’s union have reached a wage agreement.
The Escambia County School District (ECSD) and the Escambia Educators Association (EEA) reached the agreement to improve salaries for teachers for the 2021-2022 school year.
After the agreement is ratified by instructional personnel and approved by the school board, teachers should expect to receive the following salary improvements:
Teachers on the Performance Pay Schedule:
- A $600 increase to all levels. This will raise the new Level 1 salary from $43,500 to $44,100.
- For those who received an evaluation in the 2020-2021 year, personnel will receive an additional $600 for an “Effective” rating and $800 for a “Highly Effective” rating.
Teachers on a Grandfather Pay Schedule:
- Longevity supplement of $1,000 to all personnel on this schedule that received at least an “Effective” rating in the ‘20-21 school year.
- A performance payment of $200 for an “Effective” rating and $400 for “Highly Effective” in the 2020-2021 school year.
Under this agreement, a “highly effective” teacher will receive a $1,400 raise regardless of their salary schedule.
The ECSD Instructional unit is currently split into two salary groups as per direction by Florida Legislature. There are approximately 1500 teachers on the “Performance Pay” schedule and approximately 910 teachers on the “Grandfather” salary schedule. Any personnel hired after 2014 is automatically placed on the Performance Pay schedule. Teachers on the Grandfather salary schedule have the freedom to move to the Performance Pay schedule if they so choose.
To further reward teachers with high qualifications, the agreement also includes:
An additional $300 supplement to any instructor with a Reading Endorsement or Master’s in Reading
A general 10% improvement to the Advanced Degree instructional supplement schedule
To teachers that have lost planning time due to a lack of substitute teachers, the agreement includes a one-time payment of $275 to all instructional personnel that were employed on or before January 3, 2022, and maintain continuous employment through the last day of school. This class coverage payment is expected to be distributed at the end of the school year.
Once ratified and approved by the school board, the salary schedules will be retroactive to July 1, 2021, for all employees and retirees.
Escambia Man Convicted Of Shooting Another Man In The Face
February 18, 2022
An Escambia County man has be convicted of shooting another man in the face in 2019.
Jamal Eric Boyer was convicted of attempted second degree murder by an Escambia County jury.
On June 3, 2019, Jamal Boyer discharged four rounds from a .40 caliber semi-automatic firearm out of the passenger side of a black Nissan at another motor vehicle on Navy Boulevard near the intersection with Pace Boulevard. One of the shots went through the windshield to strike the victim in the face. The bullet travelled through the victim’s front teeth and tongue to become lodged in the back of his throat. He was seated in the passenger seat of the vehicle looking at his cell phone when he was struck. The victim survived after the bullet was surgically removed.
Boyer had been released from prison six weeks before the shooting. For that reason, prosecutors are seeking an enhanced sentence when Boyer is sentenced March 14 before Circuit
Court Judge John Simon.