Tate High Agriscience Students Address Escambia School Board During CTE Month
February 13, 2022
During February, Escambia County is celebrating Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month.
The school board adopted a resolution declaring February as CTE Month, opening the door for a month-long spotlight on District CTE programs, students, and teachers.
Students from the Tate High School Agriscience Academy shared some of the great things happening in their program last week with the Escambia County School Board during a special workshop.
“Ag has been and integral part of Tate High School, ever since there was a Tate High School,” District 5 member Bill Slayton said.
ECSD CTE programs are responsible for preparing individuals for occupations important to the county’s economic development. Additionally, CTE programs prepare students who are looking to enter the workforce with career exploration, employability skills and work experiences.
CTE programs introduce students to real-life skills like resume writing, interviewing, public speaking and working collaboratively. They also offer hands-on activities through immersive environments in the classroom. Students learn by doing.
“This designation is meant to highlight the incredible contributions that Career and Technical Education makes to the lives of our students,” said ECSD Director of Workforce Education Steven Harrell. “The efforts of all CTE teachers ensure that competitive and skilled workers are ready, willing, and capable of performing in high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand career fields.”
Across the District last year, ECSD students at the secondary and postsecondary levels earned over 6,000 industry certifications. Each of these certifications represents an employment skill set imparted to a student.
Pictured above: (L-R) Tate High School Agricultural Educator and FFA Advisor Austin Courson, students Dawson Guy, Jaxson Stafford, Sarah Alexander and Darby Phillips address the Escambia County School Board. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Damages Large Metal Building In Walnut Hill
February 13, 2022
Fire damaged a large metal building in Walnut Hill Saturday afternoon.
The fire on Smith Lane, just west of Kansas Road, was reported about 2:30 p.m. Smoke from the 2,100 square foot building was visible for miles.
Firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire under control. There were no injuries reported.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire. Other nearby structures and a residence were not damaged.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid, Century and Molino stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department, Atmore Fire Department and Pace Fire Rescue were initially dispatched to the fire. Several of those units were canceled before arrival.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Aggravated Stalking, Trespassing
February 12, 2022
A Cantonment man is facing multiple charges after allegedly following a man that had a protection order against him.
Allen Parker Jefferson, 32, was charged with aggravated stalking, violation of a protection order, driving with a suspended license second or subsequent offense, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage and trespassing after warning.
The victim has a protection order against Jefferson. The victim was eastbound on Creighton Road when he noticed Jefferson following him, according to an arrest report. The victim’s vehicle and Jefferson’s pickup truck collided, the report states, before driving away. The victim turned into Walmart to make contact with the Pensacola Police Department officer with Jefferson following close behind.
A Pensacola Police officer was working extra duty at the Walmart on Creighton Road and observed Jefferson drive away.
A video provided by the victim allegedly showed Jefferson exiting his vehicle and approaching the victim as he remained seated in his vehicle.
Jefferson has previously been trespass warned from the Walmart property.
Jefferson was released on an $8,000 bond.
These Are Next Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Spots
February 12, 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. 13 through Saturday, Feb. 19. 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 lanes at various locations along West Cervantes for 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. 14 through Friday, Feb. 18, 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 expected to be shifted to the southbound portion of the bridge no earlier than Tuesday, Feb. 15. One lane in each direction will remain open. 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. 14 as crews perform concrete operations.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) Turn Lane Constriction North of East 10 Mile Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent northbound inside lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 14 through Friday, Feb. 18 as crews perform paving operations.
Santa Rosa County
- S.R. 87 City of Milton Mardi Gras Parade – The road will be temporarily closed between Raymond Hobbs and Elva streets from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12 for the Milton Mardi Gras Parade.
- 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. 13 through Saturday, Feb. 19. 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. 14 through Friday, Feb. 18 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 County Road 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. 14 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance at Woodbine Road Intersection – Westbound Motorists will encounter turn lane closures at Woodbine Road from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 14 through Friday, Feb. 18 as crews replace utility poles and overhead lines. The merge lane on Woodbine Road at U.S. 90 westbound to Pensacola will also be closed intermittently during nighttime hours as crews perform utility maintenance operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Farm Auction Is Saturday, February 26
February 12, 2022
The 47th Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction will be held Saturday, February 26, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The auction includes not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques and more.
The sale takes place at the Walnut Hill Community Center, 7850 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School. The deadline for adding lots is 8:00 the morning of the auction.
This is an open, no reserve sale. Ten percent of the price will be assessed to the buyer for all lots sold, with a $500 maximum. There is a $5 minimum fee per lot, and sellers must be present to “no sale” a lot. Settlement must be made the day of the sale with cash, check, cashier’s check or credit card. All sellers will be paid by a check in the mail.
For more information or consignments, call (850) 294-0395 or (850) 380-9973.
Hall Returns To Escambia County As Finance Director
February 12, 2022
Stephan Hall has returned to Escambia County as finance director in the Office of Management and Budget.
Hall was most recently the budget manager for the City of Pensacola where had worked since May 2020.
Hall has over 19 years of experience in local government, starting his career with Escambia County as a budget analyst in 2002.
Five years later, he was promoted to budget manager, then interim finance director 10 years after that. Hall was responsible for the overall financial health of the Escambia County government. He oversaw the financial management of over 41 separate funds totaling approximately $850 million and increased total available reserves from 8% to over 12% within a six-year timeline. He has in-depth knowledge of county expenditures, including discretionary spending and the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds.
“I started my career in finance with Escambia County, and I’m happy to see it come full circle,” Hall stated. “There really is nowhere else like Escambia County. I’m fortunate to live and work here. I’m looking forward to returning to the county’s management and budget office and hitting the ground running. It’s going to be a great year.”
Escambia County Records 1,541 Additional COVID-19 Cases
February 12, 2022
There were 1,541 new COVID-19 cases and 29 deaths reported over the last week in Escambia County, according to the Florida Department of Health and the CDC. There were 1,805 cases and no deaths reported during the previous week..
Here is the latest data from FDOH and the CDC:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 76,707 (+1,541)
Positivity rate last week: 21.8%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 471.1
People vaccinated: 169,968 (+206)
Full vaccination rate (age 5+): 55%
New hospital admissions: 196
Current hospitalizations (as of Friday): 154
Total deaths reported last 7 days: 29
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 47,464 (+1,450)
Positivity rate last week: 28.7%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 775.4
People vaccinated: 98,709 (+141)
Full vaccination rate (age 5+): 56%
New hospital admissions: 35
Total deaths last 7 days: <10
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 5,732,798 (+103,022)
Case positivity rate: 14.3%
Case Rate per 100k:603.5
Deaths: 67,572 (+195)
Data sources: CDC, Florida Department of Health, Escambia County
Atmore Man Charged With Shooting His Brother In Money Dispute
February 11, 2022
An Atmore man was charged with shooting his brother during a dispute over money Thursday night.
Aquarius Dejan Taylor, 21, was charged with first degree assault following the incident about 9:30 p.m. at the Atmore Garden Apartments on East Laurel Street.
According to Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks, Taylor allegedly shot his brother, identified as 24-year old Ladarus Quamane Smith of Brewton, once with handgun.
Smith was transported by private vehicle to nearby Atmore Community Hospital and then airlifted to a Mobile hospital. His injuries were not considered to be life threatening, Brook said.
Taylor was arrested at the scene and booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton without bond.
Escambia BOCC Moves Toward First Development On OLF-8 In Beulah
February 11, 2022
The Escambia County Commission took a major step forward Thursday in the development of the OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road in Beulah.
The commission declared 84.47 acres of the property as surplus (indicated by hatch marks in the graphic above), allowing the county to sell it for a “town center” with mixed-use commercial, high-density residential and more — essentially jumpstarting development on the project.
Commissioner Steven Barry said, receiving support from other commissioners, he would entertain any unsolicited offers for the entire 500 plus acres.
“Let’s stick the for sale sign in the ground and divest it,” Barry said. “Let’s see what the private sector has to offer out there.”
“I’d be all ears,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said.
He said commissioners could make decisions based upon not just current offers, but the future benefits and taxable value of development offers.
The commission unanimously approved a motion to declare the 84.47 acres as surplus and name the board and as the selection committee to review offers.
Flood Warning Continues For Escambia River Through Sunday
February 11, 2022
A flood warning for the Escambia River continues through Sunday morning.
Minor flooding is forecast.
Thursday night the stage was 17.9 feet.
The river is expected to rise to a crest of 18.1 feet early Friday afternoon. It will then begin to fall, falling below flood stage of 17 feet on Sunday.
At 17 feet, there is considerable flooding of lowlands.