Tate High, Beulah Middle And Ransom Middle Take Top Honors At FFA Forestry Event
October 20, 2021
The FFA District Forestry Career Development Event was hosted by the Florida Forest Service recently at Blackwater River State Forest.
Tate High School’s Synoma Perea took the top individual spot in the high school level as she and her teammates (Tate A) took home the top spot in the team competition. Tate B took second and Poplar Springs (Graceville) High placed third.
Tate “A” team members were Synoma Perea, Isabella Owens, Laynee Hubbell, and Jiana Dortch. Tate “B” team second place members were Kristen Gibbs, Ryan Grace, Piper Pfeuffer Ferguson and McKenzie Gray.
In the middle school competition, Abby Vernier from Beulah Middle School took top honors while Beulah A took top team honors, Ransom Middle B second and Beulah B third.
First place Beulah “A” members were Abby Vernier, Lawson Theisen, Ian Stinnett and JR Zeravsky. Second place Ransom “B” members were Samantha Storey, Carly Helmig, Parker White and Christopher Williams-McFarlain. Third place Beulah “B’ members were Gabriel Flores, Colin Shelton, Isabell Flores and Jazlynn Evans.
For the complete results from all teams and competitors, click here (pdf).
Seven high schools and three middle schools brought a total of 17 teams to participate in the competition, for a total of 87 students and agriculture teachers.
The contests allow students to test their knowledge and skills in various aspects of forestry and compete against students from other schools within their FFA District, with the winning schools advancing to state.
The event consisted of a forestry general knowledge exam and other stations where the students were tested on tree identification (dendrology), forestry equipment identification, forest disorders and timber cruising.
The competition promotes and facilitates the education of skills used in forest management and can serve as a great foundation to prepare students for a college forestry program and further enable them to pursue a career in forestry.
Florida Forest Service personnel and education professionals served as judges and graders and assisted with the day’s activities.
County Seeking Applications for Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
October 20, 2021
The Board of County Commissioners is soliciting applications for persons interested to serve as representative to the Escambia-Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) for the term Jan. 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2024. The committee was established per F.S. 420.9076 for the purpose of reviewing affordable housing incentives available within the county and to make recommendations concerning those incentives to the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Pensacola City Council. The committee will also help in the development of the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program.
The Board is seeking to fill seven slots with citizens actively involved from he following categories:
- residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing.
- banking or mortgage banking industry in connection with affordable housing.
- representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing.
- advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing.
- for-profit provider of affordable housing.
- not-for-profit provider of affordable housing.
- real estate professional in connection with affordable housing.
- local planning agency pursuant to Florida Statutes, Sec. 163.3174.
- resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments.
- represents employers within the jurisdiction.
- represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan.
The AHAC must have at least eight and no more than 11 members representing at least six categories identified in the statute.
The committee will meet monthly during review and development of the affordable housing incentives and the new LHAP and at least quarterly thereafter. Members will serve three-year terms. Positions will be recommended to the board for approval in December.
Citizens interested in serving should complete an application available online here, or request a form via email at NED@myescambia.com. Completed applications should be forwarded to:
Escambia County Neighborhood & Human Services Department
Neighborhood Enterprise Division/AHAC
Attn: Timothy H. Evans
221 Palafox Place, Suite 200
Pensacola, FL. 32502.
All applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Nov.10, 2021 for consideration.
Firefighters Battle Equipment Fire, Small Wildfire In Molino Swamp
October 19, 2021
The Florida Forest Service was working to extinguish a small wildfire in a Molino swamp late Tuesday morning.
Escambia Fire Rescue was dispatched about 8:30 a.m. to a logging equipment fire in the area of Crabtree Church Road and South Highway 99.
The equipment was located well off the road in a swamp, and the fire spread into the surrounding area. The Florida Forest Service responded with one tractor in order to contain the small wildfire, which was estimated at about one-quarter of an acre. A second tractor was on standby just in case the first tractor became stuck in the swamp.
‘It was in a very, very wet swamp, and it was hard to make any progress,” Florida Forest Service spokesman Joe Zwierzchowski said.
He said a Forest Service helicopter “happened to be in the area on training exercises”. The helicopter, equipped with a water bucket, began dumping water on the equipment shortly after 11 a.m.
Residents in the area told NorthEscambia.com the helicopter was seen taking water from a pond off Gibson Road.
There were no structures near the fire and no injuries reported.
Cantonment Man Charged With Home Invasion Robbery, Leading Deputies On High Speed Pursuit
October 19, 2021
A Cantonment man is charged with a domestic violence related home invasion robbery and leading deputies on a high speed pursuit.
Cameron Alexander Ross, 26, was charged with home invasion robbery, aggravated battery, criminal mischief, and fleeing and eluding from law enforcement.
The victim told deputies that Ross kicked in her front door Monday, struck her with a closed fist in the face and stomach, and stole her cellphone, according to an arrest report. She said he fled when he heard police sirens coming toward the residence.
An arriving Escambia County Sherriff’s Office lieutenant observed Ross driving away from the residence, and another deputy attempted a traffic stop. Ross fled at a high rate of speed. He was pursued by multiple deputies until a PIT maneuver was performed on Ross’ vehicle in the 1100 block of North 9th Avenue. Ross fled on foot but was quickly detained by deputies, the report states.
Ross was transported to Baptist Hospital where he was treated and released for injuries he sustained during the collision resulting from the PIT maneuver.
On September 27, Ross was served with an injunction that advises he may not come within 500 feet of the residence. He was also charged with violating that injunction.
Ross was booked into the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning and was held without bond.
Price Tag Estimated At $3 Million For Elevated Walkway Over Nine Mile Road At Beulah Middle
October 19, 2021
Local leaders announced in August their plan to work together to seek funding for a walkway over Nine Mile Road at Beulah Middle School, and now we have a preliminary idea how much that will cost.
Rep. Michelle Salzman, Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh and Escambia County School Board Member Kevin Adams plan to seek funding for the design and construction of the elevated walkway. According to Bergosh, the price tag has been estimated by county staff to be about $3 million.
The District 1 commissioner said the elevated walkway will not only be a safety improvement for the school, but also the surrounding community. Along with expanded sidewalk construction on the north and south side of Nine Mile Road near the school, the project will allow for increased pedestrian access and connectivity in the growing community.
“I want Beulah to be a walkable community,” Bergosh said Monday. He will commit up to $500,000 in D1 Local Option Sales Tax funding over the next few years for sidewalk construction that will be complimented by the walkway.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program Available For Escambia County Residents
October 19, 2021
Escambia County residents struggling to pay rent and utilities due to COVID-19 can apply for help from the Escambia County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
The application portal is now open and available clicking or tapping here. Call (850) 403-6044 to make an appointment for in-person assistance, or see a list of libraries below.
Emergency rental assistance may be provided to eligible low-income Escambia County residents and families who:
- Have been financially impacted by COVID-19;
- Have total household income at or below 80% Area Median Income;
- Are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
- Have not received any other rental assistance for the requested months
Both the renter and the landlord must submit an application through the portal. Reimbursement will be paid directly to the landlord or utility provider. View eligibility requirements and see if you qualify here.
The program can cover up to 12 months of overdue or late rent and utility bills for households in Escambia County. Additional details for rental assistance for landlords and renters can be found at MyEscambia.com/erap.
Escambia County has received the following allocations:
- $9,611,771 from the Consolidated Appropriations Act
- $7,605,344 from the American Rescue Plan
Escambia County ERAP Policies and Procedures are in alignment with the U.S Treasury Department’s guidelines (full policies and procedures).
Email ERAP@myescambia.zendesk.com or call (850) 403-6044 with any questions.
Citizens may use the computers at the following public libraries to complete their application:
- Century Branch Library – 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
- Molino Branch Library – 6450-A Hwy. 95A, Molino
- Tryon Branch Library – 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library – 5740 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola
- Pensacola Library – 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Southwest Branch Library – 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library – 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
Woman Went After Ex-boyfriend With Machete And Pickaxe, Broke His TV And Bit Him, ECSO Says
October 19, 2021
A Molino woman is facing multiple felony charges for allegedly hitting her ex-boyfriend with a machete, stealing several of his belongings, damaging his big screen television and biting him.
Lisa Marie Boyington, 37, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, grand theft, criminal mischief and battery.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed disturbance in the 4300 block of Crary Road near Century. The victim stated that Boyington arrived at his residence and accused him of sleeping with other women.
She then struck him in the hand with a machete, put her hands on his neck causing an injury, and swung a pickaxe and sling blade in his direction, according to an arrest report. However, the victim stated he was not in fear for his safety at the time.
Boyington also allegedly damaged his $700 QLED 55-inch curved television and knocked over his coffee table. She was also accused of stealing a $475 Harley Davidson motorcycle jacket, black leather chaps valued at $260, night vision binoculars worth $479 and a double-headed ax, the report continues.
The victim also said he was at a friend’s house in Molino about 2 a.m. the same day when Boyington arrived there and got mad because his friend’s wife was in her nightgown. An argument ensued, and which time Boyington bit him on the chest, according to the report.
Deputies noted the victim suffered a small cut on his hand, had red marks on his neck and a wound on his chest. Deputies found a sling blade and pickaxe on top of a shed at the victim’s Crary Road residence, and a cut mark in the hood of his lawn mower allegedly caused by the machete.
K-9 units from the Escambia County Road Prison, Century Correctional Institution and from the Department of Corrections in Santa Rosa County responded but were unable to locate Boyington.
An arrest report noted that deputies responded to the residence just over two months ago when Boyington allegedly committed aggravated assault on the same victim. She fled before a K-9 search.
Boyington remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday without bond.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
October 19, 2021
Northview High School has named Students of the Month for September. They are Noah Kimrell and Anastasia Bryan. They are pictured with Principal Mike Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Honors Robert Tims For 33 Years Of Dedicated Service
October 19, 2021
The Town of Century honored longtime employee Robert Tims Monday night with a service award.
Tims was honored “for 33 years of dedicated service”. He first went to work for Century in August 1988.
Pictured: Century Mayor Ben Boutwell (right) presents a service award to Robert Tims honoring him for 33 years of employment with the town. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Dadura Promoted To Escambia County Human Resources Director
October 19, 2021
Escambia County has promoted Crystal Dadura to the human resources director position.
She is responsible for the county’s human resources policies, and she also services as the county ethics officer and ADA coorindinator.
Dadura became human resources manager on February 1, and assumed the role of interim department director on July 8. Her promotion to human resources director took effect October 6 and was recently approved by the Escambia County Commission.
“Crystal is an excellent fit for the director position. She has been phenomenal in this role in working with our staff, the union negotiations and creating a rapport with other department directors. I’m excited that she has accepted this role and look forward to continuing to work with her,” said Interim County Administrator Wes Moreno.