Ransom Middle Extends Shoe Drive To Help Train Service Dogs For Veterans
February 15, 2019
Ransom Middle School has extended the deadline for their shoe drive benefiting Healing Paws for Warriors to rescue shelter dogs and train them to become service dogs for veterans.
Since NorthEscambia.com first told you about the shoe drive last week, the 35 students that started Kicks for a Cause have surpassed 200 pairs collected so far, over twice their original goal.
“We’re just trying to get as many shoes as possible,” explained Chris Briske, eighth grade student at Ransom. Briske and his classmates are shocked at the amount of support they have received.
“It’s awesome that people in the community are helping out,” said seventh grader Synoma Perea. “Just today, our custodian brought three huge boxes of new shoes from a shoe store. I thought that was awesome that people in the community are helping out.”
Kicks for a Cause is a shoe drive created by librarian Crystal Roberts and her student book club members for Acts of Kindness Week. Healing Paws will receive $10 for every 25 pairs of donated shoes, helping the organization with the $5,000 cost to train a service dog.
The donated shoes will also be used to help needy people in 24 Third World countries.
Collection bins are located in the Ransom Middle School front office and library through February 19.
Spring Ball Registration Extended At Cantonment, Continues In Century
February 15, 2019
Spring ball registration has been extended through Saturday at the for the Cantonment Youth Sports Association, and registration will continue through March 2 in Century.
Cantonment Ballpark
Registration at the Cantonment Ballpark been extended for T-ball, softball and baseball for all ages. Registration will be at the ballpark from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 16. . Registration is $80 and includes the team uniform jersey. For more information, email cantonmentsports@gmail.com. First practice will be Tuesday, February 19, and Opening Day is set for Saturday, March 30.
Century Little League
Century Little League registration for 2019 is continuing. The cost is $70 for the first child, $65 each additional through March 2.
Register online here, or in person registration will be held February 16 and March 2 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Showalter Park press box.
All fees are due at the time of registration. Credit and debit cards are accepted online. In person registration is cash or check only.
Note: Registration has closed from Northwest Escambia and Molino.
State Honors School Victims On ‘Solemn Day’
February 15, 2019
Outside the Florida Capitol, a bell tolled 17 times Thursday morning in somber recognition of the one-year anniversary of the state’s deadliest school shooting.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and his wife, Casey, led a moment of silence for the victims of last year’s massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School before traveling to the Parkland school to commemorate what the governor called “one of the worst days that we’ve had in the history of Florida.”
DeSantis and the First Lady were joined in the Capitol courtyard by Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, Attorney General Ashley Moody, state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, House Speaker José Oliva, Senate President Bill Galvano and numerous legislators.
A short time later inside the Capitol, lawmakers held a moment of silence at 10:17 a.m. That also was when more than 1,000 schools across the state held a moment of silence, though the shooting happened about 2 p.m. on Feb. 14, 2018.
Later in the day, DeSantis attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Broward County high school and an evening prayer vigil in Parkland, one of numerous vigils being held throughout the state.
“On this solemn day, our state mourns the lives of the 17 souls lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School one year ago. Since that tragic day, the Parkland community has demonstrated tremendous courage and resiliency, reminding us just how strong and united Floridians can be in the face of such devastating loss,” DeSantis said in a statement. “We will never forget the heroes who risked and sacrificed their lives to protect others, nor the actions taken that day by first responders. Casey and I continue to keep the families and loved ones of the innocents who were lost in our prayers as we honor their memory today in a moment of silence.”
Andrew Pollack, whose daughter, Meadow, was among the 14 students who were slain, joined DeSantis at the Capitol bell-ringing ceremony. Also killed were three faculty members.
For the grieving father, Thursday wasn’t different from any other day since the unthinkable happened.
“This is everyday life, for every parent who loses a kid like I did. We live it every single day. For today to be any different, it’s not. Every day is the same pain, from when you wake up until when you go to sleep,” Pollack told reporters.
Pollack, a close political ally of DeSantis, has been a fierce critic of suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel and Broward County school officials, including Superintendent Robert Runcie, over their handling of the shooting incident and school safety.
“I fight for most Americans, who just want their kids safe in school. I am going to keep fighting until we get it,” he said.
Throughout the day, Florida political leaders and elected officials issued statements of condolence or memorial in recognition of the Parkland victims.
Introducing a resolution to honor their memory, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, who was Florida’s governor at the time of the shooting, began his remarks by reading aloud the names of the 17 people who were killed.
“One year ago today, these 17 souls were taken from us in a brutal act of violence. They were sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. They were students and athletes and musicians and teachers. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about that day and the amazing people that were snuffed out by the deranged actions of a mad man. Over the course of the last year, I’ve spent countless hours with the families of the victims. Unfortunately, I wish we never had to meet like this,” Scott said.
The mass shooting sparked a national movement, led by students at the high school who quickly become international celebrities with appearances at the White House and state capitals and on television newscasts. The student-organized “March for Our Lives” movement drew thousands of supporters as the teens channeled their anger, fear and frustration into voter-registration drives and demands for stricter gun laws.
The attack on the school in an affluent Broward County suburb also angered parents, after investigations revealed failures by local, state and federal officials to intervene with confessed killer Nikolas Cruz before he opened fire on his former school. Cruz had a long and troubled history of interactions with educators, law enforcement and social services.
In response to the shooting, the Republican-controlled Legislature hurriedly passed a sweeping law addressing mental health, gun sales and school-safety measures. A statewide commission, created in the law, recently released a 458-page report detailing the events surrounding the attack and recommended a series of enhancements to the law and other changes aimed at making schools safer.
Since taking office last month, DeSantis has responded with a series of high-profile actions, including suspending Israel, accusing the sheriff of “incompetence” and “neglect of duty.” Israel is appealing the suspension.
On the eve of the one-year anniversary, the governor requested a statewide grand jury to probe whether school districts are complying with mandated safety measures. He also ordered the Department of Education to conduct an audit of school districts’ alternative discipline programs. And DeSantis gave sheriffs more time to request money for the school “guardian” program, which allows certain school personnel to be armed.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Man Murdered Thursday In Escambia County
February 14, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a murder Thursday in Escambia County.
Deputies were called to the 2100 block of Spink Lane, off North 9th Avenue, at 11:11 a.m. where they made contact with a male victim who appeared to have been severely beaten. The victim told deputies what had taken place inside his residence, but that information has not been disclosed.
The victim was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators believe the pictured vehicle may be connected to the crime.
The man’s name has not been released as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Fatal Nine Mile Road Hit And Run Victim Identified
February 14, 2019
The Florida Highway Patrol has identified a man killed in a hit and run crash early Wednesday morning on Nine Mile Road.
The FHP said 37-year old Charles Q. Davis of Pensacola was crossing Nine Mile Road near Plainfield Avenue when he struck by a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 42-year old James Alan Champitto. Davis was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“Champitto left the scene without leaving any information as required by law. Investigators received information regarding the location of the vehicle and owner who then identified the driver to investigators,” according to FHP Lt. Eddie Elmore. The information led to Champitto’s arrest later in the morning.
Champitto was charged with leaving the scene of a traffic crash with a fatality and two counts of driving with a suspended license with a fatality. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Pictured: Hit and run suspect James Alan Champitto.
Two Injured In Highway 29 Head-on Collision
February 14, 2019
Two people were injured in a head-on collision in Cantonment late Thursday morning.
The crash occurred at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road. Two were transported to area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Following the crash, the traffic light at the intersection was operating in flash mode. A crosswalk signal was destroyed.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. Escambia County EMS and the Cantonment Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
CSX Proposes Solution To Keep Trains From Blocking Cottage Hill Neighborhood
February 14, 2019
CSX has proposed a plan to keep their stopped trains from completely blocking the Cottage Hill area east of Highway 95A.
The plan, according to Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry, will benefit residents in the area from McKenzie Road to Eden Lane.
For trains under 10,000 feet, CSX trains that stop to service a Cantonment customer will be pulled far enough south that they will not block the neighborhood. That’s because the McKenzie Road crossing will remain open, Barry said. A stopped train over 10,000 feet will initially block the neighborhood, but CSX will break the train at Eden Lane as soon as possible.
“From McKenzie Road to Eden, when they are all blocked, there is no way out,” he said. “That’s also something that didn’t used to exist. Trains didn’t used to be two miles long; now they can be. So it’s something new.”
Barry said CSX and the county are still working on a solution for Greenberry Drive, Countri Lane and surrounding area. “We are still trying to find solutions for folks that are locked by those crossings.”
In late January, Barry and Florida Sen. Doug Broxson met with CSX and International Paper to discuss trains blocking local roads for extended periods of time.
The first step included real time communication between Escambia County and the railroad. There are documented incidents where fire trucks and EMS units were unable to respond to medical emergencies in blocked neighborhoods due to stopped trains.
As previously announced, CSX and railroad officials are also working decrease the amount of time Highway 29 is blocked by trains at International Paper.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 14, 2019
Happy Valentine’s Day! Pictured are sailors aboard NAS Pensacola offering Valentine wishes. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Congressman Matt Gaetz To Hold ‘Open Gaetz Day’ Events In Century And Jay
February 14, 2019
Congressman Matt Gaetz will hold an “Open Gaetz Day” in Jay and Century on Thursday, February 21.
The day will conclude with a 6 p.m. public town hall at the Linda Carden Community Center at 5259 Booker Lane in Jay.
Earlier in the day, he will visit Jay High School, a legislative luncheon in Jay with invited local officials, the Terrace at Ivy Acres Assisted Living Community in Jay, Century Town Hall for a round table with city and chamber officials, Escambia River Electric Cooperative and the Jay Oil Field. Those events are listed by Gaetz as open only to involved parties and the media; however, the Town of Century has issued a public notice for their meeting.
Pictured: Congressman Matt Gaetz during an “Open Gaetz Day” event last year at the Walnut Hill Ruritan Building. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Arbor Day, Tornado Remembrance Tree Giveaway Friday In Century
February 14, 2019
An Arbor Day Celebration and Tornado Remembrance will be held in Century on Friday. Free live oak, dogwood and maple trees will be available beginning at 10 a.m. while supplies last. A tree planting ceremony will also be held. The event will be held at the Century Ag Building on West Highway 4. Pictured: Last year’s tree giveaway in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. 