Northview’s Heather Knowles Signs Softball Scholarship With Coastal Alabama
January 27, 2021
Northview High School senior Heather Knowles has signed a full softball scholarship with Coastal Alabama Community College in Brewton. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Council Moving Meetings To Larger Facility
January 27, 2021
Century Town Council meetings for the remainder of 2021 have been moved from the town hall to a community center for more social distancing space and to allow for more public participation.
“Because of COVID, the meetings have been moved from town hall, a smaller venue, to the community center to allow more elbow room,” Mayor Ben Boutwell said. “People don’t have to feel as anxious; they can feel more at peace if they come to our meetings.”
The council meetings will be held at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4, rather than in the small council chambers at town hall. Meetings are generally held on the first and third Mondays, but there are adjustments for Independence Day and Labor Day. The schedule was not adjusted for Presidents Day on February 15. Only one meeting is traditionally held in December.
A bill list review will be held at 6:45 p.m. to be followed by a regular council meeting at 7 p.m. on the following dates:
- February 1 and 15
- March 1 and 15
- April 5 and 19
- May 3 and 17
- June 7 and 21
- July 6 and 19
- August 2 and 16
- September 7 and 20
- October 4 and 18
- November 1 and 15
- December 20
Pictured: The Century Town Council’s first meeting of January was held at the community center on West Highway 4. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Four Teens Charged In Fatal Shooting Described As ‘Drug Rip Off’
January 26, 2021
Four teenagers — ages 14, 15 and two 17-year olds have been charged for the Friday night murder of a 61-year old Escambia County man in what the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office described as a “drug rip off ending in homicide.”
Those charged are:
- Javarius Cordell Henderson, 14, capital murder
- Jesse L’Amos Snowden, 15, capital murder and attempted homicide
- Cedric Antonio Young Jr., 17, capital murder, attempted homicide, escape and resisting without violence
- Calvin Barnard Williams, 17, homicide
The shooting occurred Friday night in the 900-block of Massachusetts Avenue.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office found a truck that had crashed into a power pole. Samuel Thomley was found deceased from an apparent gunshot wound inside the truck. A second gunshot victim was located and was taken to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Based on their preliminary investigation, ECSO Major Crime Unit investigators believe this incident was drug related.
“Sadly, this is another example of the type of drug related violence we battle here in Escambia County. These four arrests were made thanks to the hard work and dedication of the ECSO Investigators, who have spent tireless hours on this case,” said Sheriff Chip Simmons.
Quintette Road Railroad Crossing To Be Closed Wednesday; Pauline And Chemstrand On Monday
January 26, 2021
The railroad crossing on Quintette Road will be closed beginning Wednesday, and the crossings on Chemstrand Road and on Pauline Street will close next week, according to Escambia County officials.
With no quick detour, the Quintette Road closure will impact a large number of people in both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The closest detour route is using Highway 90 across the Escambia River, about 30 miles from one side of the crossing to the other. Detouring across the river on the Highway 4 bridge through Century is some 60 miles.
CSX is conducting a crosstie replacement, and each crossing will be closed from two to three days. Work may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Traffic Shifted On Nine Mile Road At Highway 29 Overpass
January 26, 2021
There is a new traffic configuration on Nine Mile Road on both sides of the Highway 29 overpass.
The Nine Mile Road east and westbound lanes have been shifted to the inside of the roadway between Untreiner Avenue and North Palafox Street. That provides room to construct the new lanes on the outside of the roadway.
This new traffic configuration is expected to remain in place through the spring.
The work is part of the $49 million construction project to widen Highway 29 from four to six travel lanes and improve the Highway 29 and Nine Mile Road interchange. Work on Highway 29 is slated for completion this summer.
Pictured: The new traffic patterns on Nine Mile Road to the east of the Highway 29 overpass (above) and to the west (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF To Distribute $10 Million In Funding To Businesses Creating Jobs In Northwest Florida
January 26, 2021
The University of West Florida is accepting applications for the Industry Resilience and Diversification Fund, a regional economic development program with the goal to distribute $10 million in funding to businesses seeking to create jobs in Northwest Florida.
“UWF is honored to manage this program and the distribution of State of Florida economic development funds to companies that are investing in the region’s continuing financial growth,” said Dr. Matthew Schwartz, assistant vice president of research administration. “The IRDF program highlights the University’s continuing role in the region’s economic development and recovery from both natural disasters and financial hardships tied to the COVID pandemic.”
In the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the State Legislature established the $30 million program, formerly named the Industry Recruitment, Retention & Expansion Fund Grant Program. Approximately $10 million in funding remains for the program, which focuses on research and development, commercialization of research, economic diversification and job creation. Eligible industries include green technology, life sciences, information technology, aviation and aerospace, homeland security, financial and professional services, defense and manufacturing.
UWF Research Administration and Engagement is coordinating and overseeing the program by working with regional economic development offices. The eligible counties for funding include Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla and Walton. Businesses that commit to creating jobs in one or more of the eight counties are eligible for the funds. The project cap per award is $2 million. Other requirements for recipients include a commitment to capital investment, minimum creation of 10 new jobs and a return on investment of at least $1.50 for every dollar funded.
“There are definitely companies out there interested in pivoting and doing what they haven’t done before to create jobs, diversify the regional economy and make the regional economy more resilient,” said Dr. Donovan Chau, director of research engagement. “Sometimes when there is a crisis or some kind of tragedy, there’s an opportunity for growth, and more than ever what our regional community needs is funds for economic development.”
Previous funding helped companies expand or relocate to Northwest Florida. Those recipients included Navy Federal Credit Union for the creation of 9,144 jobs by 2030 and spurring over $700 million in new capital construction, ST Aerospace for 500 jobs and partial funding for a hangar facility at Pensacola International Airport, and International Paper for the addition of 436 jobs.
For more information about the Industry Resilience and Diversification Fund, visit uwf.edu/irdf.
Pensacon Rescheduled For Late May, Face Masks Required
January 26, 2021
Pensacon has rescheduled its 2021 pop culture convention for May 21-23.
Attendees will be required to wear face coverings while on all Pensacon grounds and within all Pensacon venues, outside of designated, distanced eating spaces. Among other precautions, hand-sanitizing stations will be set up throughout the convention, and social distancing policies, including seating/capacity limitations at some venues, will be employed.
For those who have already purchased tickets for the original February dates, tickets have already rolled over to the new dates, and no further action is needed. For those who are unable to attend in May, unused tickets will be rolled over to Pensacon 2022, which is expected to return to the convention’s usual February time frame.
Tickets are available at pensacon.com. Weekend passes, which include admission for all three days of the convention, are $80. Single-day tickets are available at a cost of $35 for Friday, May 21; $45 for Saturday, May 22; and $40 for Sunday, May 23. VIP Experience weekend passes are $155, and include early admission to the Pensacola Bay Center, preferred seating at panel venues, front-of-line privileges for celebrity autographs and photo ops, and exclusive T-shirt, space-available parking and other perks. Additional taxes and fees apply to all tickets.
Pictured: “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” star Jason David Frank (left), one of the featured celebrity guests for this year’s Pensacon, and CEO Mike Ensley announced the new dates for the pop culture convention. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
That COVID-19 Vaccine Phone Number You Saw On TV? It’s Not Valid In Escambia County. Here’s The Local Plan.
January 26, 2021
That COVID-19 vaccine registration number you may have seen on the local TV news is not valid for Escambia County, the local health department said Monday.
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) currently does not have a COVID-19 vaccination automated scheduling system or call center. Phone numbers published are unique to each county; the number that aired over the weekend on local TV stations is only for some residents of south Florida.
When an automated scheduling system becomes available in Escambia County, more information will be published.
The health department in Escambia County is continuing to work through a list of individuals age 65 and older that previously completed a COVID-19 vaccine online interest form. Registration via the form has since closed.
During the week of January 18, 2021, FDOH-Escambia administered a total of 410 COVID-19 vaccines and distributed approximately 2,450 doses of vaccine through community partners. Those vaccine locations included Molino, Century and Pensacola.
As of Monday, 22,751 Escambia County residents have been vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccines will be distributed as follows this week in Escambia County:
- Ascension Sacred Heart: 600 doses
- Baptist Health Care: 600 doses
- Community Health Northwest Florida: 800 doses
- FDOH-Escambia: 500 doses
- West Florida Hospital: Assessing distribution
FDOH-Escambia and partner organizations are in the process of contacting these individuals to schedule appointments. Please do not contact the providers directly for these appointments.
Jay Second, Northview Third In District Girls Weightlifting Meet
January 26, 2021
Here are results from the District 1-1A weightlifting meet.
- Baker
- Jay
- Northview
- South Walton
- West Florida
- Freeport
The following Northview and Jay athletes qualified for the regional meet:
101 Pound Class
- Holley Gilley, Northview
- Chloe Criswell, Northview
- Heather Flowers, Jay
119 Pound Class
- Alex Pabo, Jay
- Lily Land, Jay
129 Pound Class
- Kaitlyn Fretwell, Jay
- Brianna Dunsford, Jay
139 Pound Class
- Christa Sanders, Jay
- Bentley Glover, Jay
154 Pound Class
- Landry Cato, Jay
- Aaliyah Goolsby, Jay
- Taylor McMinn, Northview
169 Pound Class
- Carlyn Watson, Jay
- Naudia Carach, Northview
- Audrey Geotter, Northview
- Brianna Hart, Jay
183 Pound Class
- Jada Lawry, Jay
- Leah Woods, Northview
- Madison Mathis, Jay
199 Pound Class
- Kelson Cook, Jay
Unlimited Pound Class
- Maggie Amerson, Northview
- Joselynn Helton, Northview
Pictured: Athletes that placed in the 1A District Weightlifting meeting. Pictured next to bottom: Northview High School team members. Pictured bottom: Jay High School team members. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four Finalists Named For Escambia County Fire Chief As Selection Nears
January 25, 2021
Four finalists to be the next Escambia County Fire Rescue chief will take part in one-on-one meetings with county officials this week.
The four will meet individually with Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley and the department directors in Public Safety.
“If there is a candidate that really stands out, hopefully it will be a March start date for that person,” county spokesperson Laura Coale said. She said Gilley will make the final decision on a new fire chief, and it will not require the approval of the Escambia County Commission.
Christopher Hatch is the only local candidate on the final four list.
The finalists for Escambia Fire Rescue chief are, in alphabetical order:
- William Beaty, Jr. has served as the fire chief at the Garden City Fire Department in Kansas since December 2019. He previously worked as the program coordinator at Lincoln Land Community College (Springfield, Illinois) from 2007 to 2019. He also worked with the Springfield (Illinois) Fire Department from 1996, to 2019, leaving as a captain.
- Roger Burton served in the Ohio Air National Guard from 2010 until 2020, retiring as installation fire chief.
- Clinton Cooke served with the South Monroe County Fire Department in Conroe, Texas, from 2009 to 2020 when he departed as Assistant Fire Chief. On his application he stated he reason for leaving as “agreement between the fire chief and I. Will discuss further in interview”.
- Christopher Hatch has worked with the NAS Pensacola Fire Department since 1986. He was a supervisory firefighter from 1986 to 2005 and has served as assistant fire chief of operations since 2005. He has also volunteered for Escambia Fire Rescue since 1982, serving in positions ranging from volunteer firefighter to assistant district chief and district chief. He is currently district chief of the Bellview Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and serves as president of the Escambia County Volunteer Firefighters Association.
There were 60 people that applied to be the next fire chief.
The job has been open for well over a year. The county’s last fire chief, Rusty Nail, was hired in April 2018 and submitted his resignation about a year later.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.