Briana McCreary Named Escambia County’s Teacher Of The Year
January 30, 2021
Escambia County’s Teacher of the Year is Briana McCreary.
McCreary has been a teacher since 2013 and currently teaches third grade at Montclair Elementary School.
As a life-long learner, McCreary uses her knowledge to be a better teacher.
“During my studies and research into the school-wide performance, I identified a trend in the school FSA performance in which the percentage of proficient female students was 82% lower than the percentage of proficient male students in mathematics,” wrote McCreary in her application for Teacher of the Year. “This sparked my interest in creating an afterschool program, ‘She Counts’, which would increase the interest and skill level in mathematics for female students within the testing grades. Through this program the students are conducting novel studies of females who have advanced in math or science, participating in S.T.E.M. projects, and being tutored on essential math skills.”
McCreary has also been working to develop her leadership skills by mentoring new teachers and student interns and by leading the incorporation of new learning tools such as Thinking Maps within her school. She also worked to help teachers across the district with their social studies lesson planning.
“I reconstructed the 2nd grade social studies curriculum maps for the school district. In building the new color maps I integrated the social studies curriculum into the reading curriculum, embedded lesson plans, correlated stories and online learning tools which matched social studies topics,” she said.
“We are so thankful for the incredible job that you do, the learning that your boys and girls experience, the dedication that you give everyday, everything that you put into your students and the success that you have as you lead your students,” Superintendent Timothy Smith said.
“This superpower teachers possess allows us to look at each of our students and see the potential they have. It’s a mix between being able to see the future and X-ray vision. For instance it may come in the form of seeing a child who is argumentative and talking back, but we don’t see a troubled child, we see a defense attorney. Our role as educators is to identify that potential they have and then place a mirror in front of them to be able to recognize it for themselves.”
As the Escambia County School District’s Teacher of the Year, McCreary will now represent Escambia County at the state level where she will have opportunities to network with Florida’s top teachers and compete for possible selection as Florida’s Teacher of the Year. That top teacher in the state will be announced this summer.
Pictured: The Escambia County School District’s Teacher of the Year Briana McCreary.
FDOH Reports Five More COVID-19 Deaths, Another 186 Cases In Escambia County
January 30, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
The Florida Department of Health reported five more COVID-19 deaths and 186 additional coronavirus cases in Escambia County on Friday.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 30,381 (+186)
Non-Florida residents: 3,159
Recovered: 23,068*
Total deaths: 518 (+5)
Long-term care facility deaths : 224
Current hospitalizations: 185 (-15)
Number of tests reported last day: 2,251
Percent positive reported last day: 10.6%
Percent positive reported last week: 17.5%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 22,524 (+250)
Cantonment: 2,762 (+22)
Century: 1,117
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 417 (+6)
McDavid: 181 (+3)
Bellview: 51 (+2)
Walnut Hill: 47
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 12 (+1)
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 15,249 (+71)
Non-Florida residents: 189
Total deaths: 209
Long-term care facility deaths: 65
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 678*
Number of tests reported last day: 271
Percent positive reported last day: 21.0%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 7,368 (+41)
Navarre: 3,055 (+10)
Gulf Breeze: 2,834 (+13)
Pace: 1,211 (+5)
Jay: 473 (+1)
Bagdad: 31
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,698,570
Florida residents: 1,667,442
Deaths: 26,254
Hospitalizations: 71,864*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Deputies Respond To Report Of Student With Gun At Ransom Middle; Nothing Found
January 29, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Ransom Middle School this afternoon after receiving a report of a student possibly armed with a firearm.
Numerous deputies responded and cleared the building, ECSO Cmdr. Andrew Hobbs said about 12:25 p.m. He said no weapon was found.
“It was determined not to be good information,” Hobbs said.
Ransom Middle was on lockdown during the incident. Nearby Kingsfield Elementary School was also placed on a precautionary lockdown.
File photo.
Florida Launches Website, Local Phone Numbers To Register For COVID-19 Vaccine
January 29, 2021
Florida has announced the launch of a statewide preregistration system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for individuals 65 and older and front line health care workers.
Individuals can preregister for vaccine appointments and be notified when appointments are available in their area by visiting myvaccine.fl.gov.
Additionally, as part of the statewide registration system, each county has a designated phone number that individuals can call and preregister if they do not have Internet access. In Escambia County, call (866) 201-1025. In Santa Rosa County, call (850) 201-7110.
The website will allow individuals who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to be proactively contacted when vaccine appointments are available at state-supported vaccination sites. On the site, residents can select their county and submit their contact information. Once appointments are available, individuals will be contacted by phone call, text or email and will be assisted in scheduling an appointment.
Vaccine supply remains limited and appointments may not be available for several weeks in some counties, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Whether a resident calls by phone or visits myvaccine.fl.gov, their place in line will be reserved reliably using Sharecare software.
Those eligible for the vaccine at this time in Florida are:
- Long-term care facility residents and staff;
- Persons 65 years of age and older; and
- Health care personnel with direct patient contact.
Hospital providers, however, also may vaccinate persons who they deem to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.
Highway 97 Driver Hits Deer, Power Pole
January 29, 2021
A driver reportedly hit a deer before crashing into a power pole Friday morning near Molino.
It happened about 5:40 a.m. on Highway 97 near Pilgrim Trail.
The driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to Atmore Community Hospital.
The crash cut power to about 265 Gulf Power customers.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County’s New $142 Million Correctional Facility Is Almost Complete. Here’s A Photo Tour.
January 29, 2021
The new $142 million Escambia County Correctional Facility is set to open in the spring, replacing the Central Booking and Detention Center that was destroyed by an explosion in 2014.
On Thursday, select media members, including NorthEscambia.com, were allowed inside the 304,067 square foot, four story structure.
It is expected to be substantially completed in next month, with a final completion and the first inmates housed by April.
There are 15 housing units, know as “pods” for the inmates. Four dorms are centered around a central multipurpose room that includes a station for corrections officers.
“We have the officer in direct contact with the inmate,” said Escambia County Corrections Lt. Jason Walker. “It allows the inmate to create a professional relationship with the staff. The staff can then help them through their process of being incarcerated.”
Inmates will spend their time inside the pods, with services such as medical treatment, food and video visitation coming to them. There are televisions in the multipurpose rooms, and there access to an attached recreation area with a basketball goal. The rec area has high windows that open to the outside to allow in natural light and fresh air.
“Inmates have the opportunity to go outside and get some fresh air,” said Walker.
The facility has a complete infirmary to provide medical care.
“This was pretty much design to be a mini hospital so that we can handle patients that have direct medical needs,” Walker added.
There is a separate wing for juveniles that will not have contact with adult prisoners.
“They’ll have everything they’ll need, medical, schools, programs, all the recreation, in one wing,” Walker said. “It’s separate so they won’t even intermingle with adults.”
The new Escambia County Correctional Facility will not replace the current jail, which was constructed in the 1980s. The two buildings are connected by an enclosed corridor. Inmates will be divided between the two buildings based up on their security classification. Main services such as food and laundry will be in the new building.
Escambia County Corrections is now hiring correctional officers, detention assistants and medical professionals for the new facility. For more information on how to apply, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Jayden Jackson Commits To Holmes Community College
January 29, 2021
Northview High School’s all-time career leading rusher Jayden Jackson has committed to play football for Holmes Community College.
Jackson had 5,084 yards for the Chiefs. Last season, he averaged 249.3 rushing yards per game, ranking him No. 8 in the nation, according to Max Preps. His 2,224 rushing yards was second in Florida.
“After long and frustrating months due to COVID and the unlimited transfers and seniors getting an extra year I have made a decision to go JUCO and pursue my football dreams,” Jackson said.
Holmes Community College’s main campus is in Goodman, Mississippi.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Quintette Road Railroad Crossing Has Reopened; Chemstrand, Pauline Closing Next Week
January 29, 2021
CSX completed work on their Quintette Road crossing by Thursday night, and the crossing was reopened to traffic, according to Escambia County officials.
The crossings on Chemstrand Road (just south of Old Chemstrand Road) and on Pauline Street will close next week, according to Escambia County officials. The exact dates and times for the closures have not yet been announced.
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.
Pictured: Work on the Quintette Road crossing Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Killed In Pensacola Wreck
January 29, 2021
A Cantonment man was killed in a three vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Pensacola.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 41-year old man was traveling west on Beverly Parkway near Rock Island Place about 4:30 p.m. when his vehicle crossed into path of an oncoming vehicle.
The man was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital were he was pronounced deceased.
The 73-year old driver of the second vehicle and her 14-year old passenger suffered only minor injuries. Her vehicle was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by a 51-year old man who also received only minor injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
File photo.
Sunny With A Friday High Nearing 60 Degrees
January 29, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 52. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70.