Molino Park, Six Other Escambia Schools Named Florida Schools of Excellence
April 2, 2024
Molino Park Elementary School and six other Escambia County public schools have been named Schools of Excellence by Florida State Chancellor of Education Paul Burns.
The Escambia County schools awarded this designation were:
- Molino Park Elementary School
- West Florida High School of Advanced Technology
- N.B. Cook Elementary School
- Cordova Park Elementary School
- A.K. Suter Elementary School
- Pensacola Beach Elementary School
- Brown Barge Middle School
“We are excited to celebrate these schools’ outstanding success,” said ECPS Superintendent of Schools Keith Leonard. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, students, parents, and community stakeholders. Our district is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our students, their families, and this community.”
Florida statute requires the State Board of Education to designate a school as a School of Excellence if the school’s percentage of possible points earned in its school grade calculation is in the 80th percentile or higher for schools comprised of the same grade groupings (elementary, middle, high and combination) for at least two of the last three school years.
Statewide, 783 schools received the designation.
Free Mississippi State, Florida, LSU Women’s Soccer Games Saturday At Ashton Brosnaham
April 2, 2024
This Saturday, the women’s teams from three top ranked Southeastern Conference schools will compete in the Western Gate Soccer Showdown at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park, and admission is free.
The inaugural Western Gate Collegiate Soccer Showdown will feature 45-minute matchups between the Florida Gators, Mississippi State Bulldogs, and LSU Tigers, and autograph sessions will be held throughout the day with all the teams.
The game and autograph session times are below.
Parents Line Up Before Sunrise For Escambia School VPK Registration
April 2, 2024
Dozens of parents lined up before sunrise Monday to register their children for voluntary pre-K in Escambia County.
The Escambia County School District offers free full-day pre-k programs for students living in Title One attendance areas. In North Escambia (ECSD District 5), VPK is offered at Bratt, Jim Allen and Molino Park elementary schools.
Nearly one dozen parents were in line at Molino Park Elementary School just after 6 a.m. We are told about 50 parents were in line by about 7 a.m., and all program slots at Molino Park were filled.
For more on the Escambia County Public School VPK program, click here.
Photos by Ryann Summerford, Felicia Norris, and Tracy Gaines for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Extends $450 Million Toll Relief For Second Year
April 2, 2024
Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a second consecutive year of the state’s Toll Relief Program, which will cut the toll rates of frequent commuters in half by applying a toll credit from April 2024 to March 2025.
Launched last year, drivers utilizing Florida-based toll transponders (including SunPass and other Florida-based transponders) and having 35 or more qualifying toll transactions monthly will receive a 50 percent credit to their account.
In the Northwest FLorida, the program applies to the Garcon Point Bridge, Bob Sikes Bridge, Spence Parkway, and Mid-Bay Bridge. For a map of toll roads and bridges included statewide, click here.
“I am pleased to have secured an additional $450 million for toll relief in Florida that will alleviate costs on our commuting families,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida is committed to good fiscal governance, and I am committed to returning our surpluses back to the taxpayers in the form of tax breaks and toll savings.”
In 2023, the Toll Relief Program delivered $500 million in substantial savings to over 1.2 million commuters, equating to an approximate savings of $400 per individual. Florida drivers can expect another year of toll savings from April 2024 to March 2025.
Blacksher Bulldogs Defeat Northview 12-2 (With Gallery)
April 2, 2024
The Northview Chiefs fell 12-2 in six innings to the J.U.Blacksher Bulldogs of Uriah, Alabama, Monday afternoon in Bratt.
Click here for a photo gallery.
Jayden White took the loss for the Chiefs, giving up seven hits and nine runs in five innings, striking out two and walking four. Harrison pitched one inning in relief, giving up one hit and three runs while walking two and striking out none.
Grayden Sheffield went 1-2 at bat for Northview with one RBI; Wyatt Scruggs was 1-3 wine on RBI. Kelan Jurey, Jayden White and Dand King each had one hit.
Next, the Chiefs (6-8) will host Jay at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Jay (5-6) is coming off a Monday 10-9 win over T.R. Miller.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bond Set For Poarch Woman Charged With Bay Minette Murder
April 2, 2024
Bond has been set for a Poarch woman charged with murder in connection with a fatal stabbing Friday morning in Baldwin county.
Cassandra Marie Malden, 30, was booked into the Baldwin County Jail. Her bond is now set at $125,000.
The Bay Minette Police Department responded to a Daphne Road residence behind the former Standard Furniture factory about 9:30 a.m. Friday. Upon arrival, they located an adult male dead from an apparent stabbing.
BPD said the suspect was cooperating with investigators. Further details were not released.
Blue Wahoos Implement Metal Detectors, Other Screening For This Season
April 2, 2024
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos have announced new enhanced safety measures at Blue Wahoos Stadium ahead of the 2024 season as part of their continued effort to improve fan experience and remain aligned with Major League Baseball’s facility operating standards.
Beginning on Tuesday, April 2 for their exhibition game against the Mexican League’s Sultanes de Monterrey, the Blue Wahoos will install metal detection and screening systems around the stadium’s main entrances. At the ballpark’s primary home plate entrance, the Wahoos have installed three automatic screening systems. The wire-free, high-convenience systems are currently used by eight different Major League Baseball clubs, including the Blue Wahoos’ MLB affiliate Miami Marlins. At stadium group entrances, the Blue Wahoos have installed two CEIA USA Metal Detection and Security Screening systems. The installed systems are part of a near-$100,000 investment by Blue Wahoos owners Quint and Rishy Studer to improve and prioritize fan and player safety.
“This move is consistent with our goal of making fans feel safe,” said owner Quint Studer. “Some years back, we expanded ballpark netting to the foul poles at a time when few teams were doing it. Over and over again, as foul balls that could have injured a fan were stopped by netting, that decision proved to be the right one. Prevention of harm is the key. Taking the lead from the Marlins and other MLB clubs in placing the most up-to-date detection system makes sense. We don’t ever want to be in the position of ‘we wish we had.’ This also supports the talented security staff, police officers and emergency personnel who are on site at every game.”
The Blue Wahoos remain wholly committed to fan and player safety as a top priority and are confident the new measures will ensure that Blue Wahoos fans and players can enjoy a fun, safe, and firearm-free experience.
The Blue Wahoos will host the Mexican League’s Sultanes de Monterrey in an exhibition series April 2 and 3, with Opening Day of the 2024 Southern League season coming Friday, April 5 at home against the Mississippi Braves. S
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Founded in 2012, they have won Southern League Championships in 2017 and 2022. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for people in their community, and to make Pensacola the best place to live in the world.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
$236 Million, 6-Year Major Project Beginning To Totally Rebuild Entire I-10, Highway 29 Interchange
April 1, 2024
A major $236 million Florida Department of Transportation reconstruction project is beginning to completely rebuild the I-10 and Highway 29 interchange.
It will include construction of all-new I-10 travel lanes and about a dozen bridges over six years.
For a complete graphical look at project details, click here.
FDOT said 62,000 commuters travel through the corridor daily.
The project includes the following shown on the map above (the numbers correspond to the map, click to enlarge):
- Construction of six new main lanes on I-10 through the center of the interchange, requiring six new bridges.
- Five existing I-10 bridges will be converted, and one new bridge will be constructed for ramps.
- Remove the I-10 loop ramp from I-10 to northbound Highway 29.
- Construct extended two-lane ramps east of the interchange.
- Replace the existing North Palafox and CSX bridges to accommodate widening of I-10.
- Modify the Highway 29 at Dairy Road intersection to allow eastbound and westbound traffic to I-10 from Diamond Dairy.
- Construct stormwater ponds (shown in blue on the map above).
The first steps of planning the massive project started in November 2005. The anticipated completion is the summer of 2030.
Noise walls will be constructed along I-10 to separate the roadway from the Hope Manor, Oak Forest/Lost Creek, Robins Ridge and Willow Tree Acres neighborhoods.
During the six-years of construction, nighttime single lane closures will occur on I-10 and Highway 29 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. At least one travel lane will be open at all times. During construction, drivers on I-10 and Highway 29 will periodically encounter temporary detours and lane shifts. Traffic pacing operations will also be used to slow I-10 traffic between Nine Mile Road and Scenic Highway between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., Monday through Thursday. The pacing operations will be used instead of full I-10 closures.
The I-10 speed limit will be reduced from the current 60 mph to 50 mph.
FDOT just recently completed a $6.3 million project to resurface Highway 29 from Brent Lane to north of I-10, upgrade traffic signals and make Americans With Disability Act improvements.
For a complete graphical look at project details, click here.
FDOT will hold a hybrid public meeting from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. on April 4 at the Marie Young Wedgewood Community Center at 6405 Wagner Road in Pensacola.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
All Escambia River Recreation Sites Have Reopened
April 1, 2024
The Northwest Florida Water Management District has reopened all recreation sites in the Escambia River Water Management Area that had been closed due to flooding.
The Bluff Springs, Cotton Lake, and Williams Lake sites are now open.
Recreation sites have reopened after a temporary closure due to flooding on the Escambia River. NorthEscambia.com file phot, click to enlarge.
Child Injured In Jay House Fire
April 1, 2024
A child was injured in a weekend house fire in Jay, according to the Jay Fire Department.
The fire was reported about 4 a.m. Saturday on Scott Street, just north of Highway 4.
The Jay, Berrydale and Allentown Stations of Santa Rosa County, the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Lifeguard EMS and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded.
Firefighters arrived to find the home fully involved, and the home was a total loss.
The occupants were able to escape the fire, but one child was injured and transported by EMS to the hospital.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.