Mobile’s McClung Named Escambia (AL) School Superintendent
July 31, 2021
Michele M. McClung has been named the new superintendent of the Escambia County (AL) School System.
The board selected McClung over Gary Glass, a Monroe County (AL) principal, on a 4-3 vote. The board then took another unanimous vote that they would consider their vote for McClung as unanimous.
McClung is currently the Mobile County Public School’s director of teaching, learning and assessment. She has served in that role since 2018 and is responsible for overseeing curriculum, creating quarterly assessments, and preparing students for mandated state assessments. She also oversees planning, budgeting, conducting and keeping records of professional development for over 4,000 teachers, as well as administrators and staff.
She is a 30-year educator and a Leadership Mobile Class of 2020 graduate and was previously the principal at Dawes Intermediate School from 2009-18, which opened under her leadership and earned a National Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School of Excellence award. She is a frequent presenter at national conferences and a trainer, consultant or committee member for a variety of educational organizations.
She is expected to take over as Escambia County (AL) superintendent in late August after an employment contract is negotiated. McClung replaces retiring Superintendent John Knott.
Robert “Bob” Rueb
July 31, 2021
Robert “Bob” Rueb passed away July 23, 2021, in Pensacola, FL. He was born January 6, 1933, in New York, and spent his childhood in Orange, New Jersey. He joined the Air Force at the age of 17 and spent most of his Air Force career as a member of The Air Force Band of the West, playing the saxophone for 21 years. He had the distinction of playing for President Kennedy. Bob had a 37 year career with the Postal Service.
Bob is preceded in death by his mother, Helen O’Donnell Rueb; father, Henry Ferdinand Rueb and wife, Faye L. Rueb.
Bob is survived by his daughter, Laura Rueb Paige; son, Robert D. Rueb; son, Randall D. Rueb; many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Visitation will be Sunday, August 1, 2021, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, August 2, 2021, at St. Jude Thaddeus Church, at 12:00 PM. Reverend Father George Thekku will be Celebrant. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS, Pensacola, FL.
Pallbearers will be Dan Paige, Robert Rueb, Randall Rueb, Don Shepherd, Luke Gandy and Claudio Moreira. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Pooser, Mark Ard and Stony Brock.
Century Chamber Asks Town for $25K; Council President Questions If Chamber Is Even Worthwhile
July 30, 2021
The Century Town Council began budget talks Thursday evening, receiving a funding request from the local chamber of commerce that prompted the council president to question if they are even worthwhile.
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce asked the town to budget $25,000 for three maintenance projects at the chamber building, which is owned by the town. The chamber requested $8,000 for metal roof repairs, $6,000 to replace existing gutters with “commercial style/grade” gutters, and $11,000 to replace the existing HVAC system and add an air filtration system.
But Council President Luis Gomez responded by questioning the value of the chamber to the town.
“I’ve been on this council almost five years, and the chamber has never actually done anything for the town of Century or contributed anything to the town of Century,” he said.
“You know the chamber is supposed to recruit business to the area. I don’t know of one,” Gomez continued, saying that if the chamber has attended a meeting during his tenures, it was for “some side show”.
“If we were to approve any of these things, we would have to do it for ourselves. We’ve got to go out and get bids, not just take that,” councilman James Smith said, referring to the chamber’s written estimates for work on the town-owned building.
The council took no formal actions Thursday on any budget items. They will hold at least two more budget workshops before presenting a final budget in early September
Pictured: Century Town Council President Luis Gomez (left) listens as council member Sandra McMurray-Jackson discusses the upcoming town budget Thursday evening. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Excessive Heat Warning In Effect Today; Heat Index Around 115 Degrees
July 30, 2021
There is an excessive heat warning in effect for Friday, with the heat index to climb to dangerous levels around 115 degrees. The actual air temperature is forecast to be near 100 degrees.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 113. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 111. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 90. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 86. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Health Department Warns Of Excessive Heat Dangers
July 30, 2021
A excessive heat warning for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida for Friday. period of hot temperatures is expected with heat indices near 115 degrees. Hot temperature and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Officials say it is important to remember to stay hydrated and protected against heat-related illness and the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
For the latest forecast, click or tap here.
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) is encouraging residents and visitors to practice sun safety during extreme heat conditions. Heat-related illness and deaths from extreme heat conditions are preventable. Heat stress can range from mild to severe. Milder conditions, like heat rash and heat exhaustion, are the most common, while the most serious heat-related illness is heat stroke. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if medical treatment is not provided.
Individuals most vulnerable to heat-related illness are older adults, people with a chronic medical condition, those who work or exercise outdoors, and infants and children, but anyone subjected to high temperatures for an extended period of time can overheat.
Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, no matter how short the time period. Temperatures in vehicles heat up quickly, especially during the summer, and can become deadly in a matter of minutes.
Know the warning signs of heat-related illness:
- Extremely high body temperature (above 103°F);
- Weakness, dizziness, or fainting;
- Unusually elevated heart rate;
- Fast and shallow breathing;
- Nausea or vomiting;
- Muscle cramps.
Protect yourself with these helpful tips:
- Drink plenty of water; avoid sugary and alcoholic beverages;
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing;
- Stay in air-conditioned buildings;
- Limit outdoor activity, especially in the afternoon during the hottest part of the day;
- Take cool showers or baths;
- Check your local news for heat warnings and safety tips.
Avoiding sunburn helps prevent both heat illness and skin cancer.
Sunburned and damaged skin does not release excess body heat as effectively as healthy skin. The sun’s UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes, so it is important to protect your skin whenever you are outdoors. Since damage from exposure to UV rays builds up over time, sun protection should start at an early age, and skin should be protected all year. UV ray exposure is the most common cause of skin cancer and, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Sunburn and skin cancer risks can be reduced by following sun safety strategies that work.
Follow these simple tips to prevent sunburn:
- Seek shade, especially during 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun is the strongest;
- Wear sunglasses with UV protection, a hat, and sunscreen;
- Apply broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15;
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating;
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Frontier Airlines Announces $29 Nonstop Flights from Pensacola to Orlando
July 30, 2021
Low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines announced this week expanded service at Pensacola International Airport that now includes a nonstop flight to Orlando
This new route, scheduled to begin on November 1, 2021, will operate three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
“This added service from Frontier Airlines is exciting to see and further amplifies the growth we are seeing at our airport while improving upon our intra-Florida marketplace,” said Airport Director Matt Coughlin.
To celebrate the new service, Frontier is offering introductory fares starting at $29. Tickets must be purchased before Aug. 2, 2021 to receive the introductory rates. Frontier Airlines also offers nonstop flights to Denver and Chicago from Pensacola.
“Pensacola International Airport continues to thrive, despite the challenges faced by the travel industry globally since 2020,” Mayor Grover Robinson said. “I am excited to offer even more nonstop flights to Pensacola residents and visitors through Frontier Airlines, and I look forward to seeing continued growth and success at Pensacola International Airport.”
Molino Man Identified As Truck Theft Suspect By His ‘Distinct’ Facial Tattoos
July 30, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was able to identify a Molino man as a truck theft suspect by his “distinct” tattoos.
Nicholas Bronson Pierce, 35, was charged with felony grand theft of a motor vehicle.
The victim alleged he let a friend known as “Brandon Jensen” use his 1997 Ford F250 for a couple of hours on June 23, but the friend never returned the truck after repeated requests. By June 30, the victim was in jail for 30 days and unable to continue to ask for the return of the truck or to file a police report.
Once the victim was out of jail, he reported the truck stolen and provided a Facebook page for “Brandon Jensen”, but deputies were unable to find a match for that name. But deputies were able to determine that the man pictured on the Facebook page was in fact Pierce due to his distinctive facial tattoos.
Pierce remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $5,000.
M-Braves Hand Wahoos Seventh Straight Defeat With 5-1 Loss
July 30, 2021
For the third night in a row, Pensacola saw an early lead evaporate at the Blue Wahoos fell 5-1 to the M-Braves on Thursday night.
Pensacola starter Zach McCambley (L, 0-3) allowed four runs—including a pair of homers—in 4.2 innings of work. The 22-year-old struck out five while only walking two in his second career start at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Pensacola took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Lazaro Alonso led off the frame with a solo home run. For Alonso, it was his first home run since May 28th against the Biloxi Shuckers.
After that Mississippi scored five unanswered. Immediately after the Alonso homer, Greyson Jenista homered in the top of the third to tie the game. The M-Braves tooka 2-1 lead later in that inning after Braden Shewmake doubled home Jalen Miller with two outs in the frame. The visitors added three more runs, including a pair of homers late, bringing the total of home runs allowed this series up to 13 in three games.
Mississippi’s starter, Freddy Tarnok (W, 1-0), struck out 12 Wahoos across five innings of work. Outside of the home run, Tarnok only allowed two other hits while walking only two for his first career Double-A win. Pensacola batters struck out 20 times on Thursday, which is the highest strikeout total this season in a single game. The Wahoos are also mired in their worst losing streak of the season, having lost seven straight games dating back to July 22nd.
The series continues Friday when RHP Jeff Lindgren toes the rubber (3-6, 4.76). Opposing Lindgren will be RHP Spencer Strider (1-4, 6.65).
Small Plane Crashes In Front Of Blue Angels Elementary School
July 29, 2021
A small plane crashed in front of Blue Angels Elementary School on Dog Track Road in Pensacola Thursday afternoon.
The plane went down directly in front of the school and burst into flames.
Three people that were on the aircraft were injured. They were identified as a teacher at Blue Angels Elementary School, her husband and a juvenile, but their names have not been released.
There were no injuries reported on the ground and no damage to the school or any other structures.
The single engine plane was a civilian aircraft and not military. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
Exclusive photo for NorthEscambia.com shows the scene moments after the crash as civilians rush to check on the pilot and any passengers on the aircraft, click to enlarge.
Pensacola State College Reinstates Mask Mandate For All Students, Faculty And Visitors
July 29, 2021
ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, PSC ANNOUNCED THIS MASK MANDATE IS RESCINDED. MORE DETAILS, CLICK HERE.
Pensacola State College will reinstate a mandatory indoor mask policy on Monday August 2 due to rising COVID-19 infections.
The policy applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated students, faculty, employees and visitors.
PSC President Ed Meadows made the announcement soon after the CDC issued guidelines recommending that fully vaccinated people should wear a mask in public indoor settings if they are in areas of substantial or high transmission rates. The CDC was already recommending that those who are unvaccinated should wear a mask indoors.
Last week, 14 people at Pensacola State College — 11 students and three employees — tested positive for COVID, the highest weekly total since the first week of February, according to the college.
“I urge all of those who are still unvaccinated to get vaccinated in order to protect yourself and those around you from being infected or required to be quarantined,” Meadows said.