Don Christian, III, Named Escambia County 2023 Employee of the Year
December 11, 2023
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners has recognized Don Christian, III, as the December Employee of the Month and the 2023 Employee of the Year. Christian, the Traffic Program Manager for the Engineering Department’s Transportation and Traffic Operations Division, has been employed with Escambia County since April 2007.
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have been selected to receive the not only the Employee of the Month but the Employee of the Year awards,” said Christian. “I am so honored to have my work recognized this way. I would like to thank my family, friends and coworkers for their love and support. This accomplishment is not something that I did alone. I hope that this recognition of my work can serve as an inspiration to others to whatever their career may be. Remember – if my work can make a difference, so can yours. I will continue my efforts to provide to my best ability and look forward to many years to come. I am humbled and appreciative.”
As Traffic Program Manager, Christian leads a team that responds to citizen inquiries and researches different measures, including establishing new sidewalks and speed tables on county-maintained roadways that contribute to the traffic calming program. Their work minimizes unsafe behaviors, leading to increased pedestrian safety. Among his many accomplishments, Don has ensured the installation of 35 miles of sidewalks throughout Escambia County since stepping into the role.
Christian frequently aids with establishing ADA-compliant sidewalks in county infrastructure projects, from identifying specific locations to funding. Recently, Don identified several miles of new sidewalks to work with the ongoing resurfacing and sewer expansion projects in the Brownsville community and secured funding from the Community Redevelopment Agency to complete the project.
“We are thrilled to recognize Don for his accomplishments and dedication to the Engineering Department and our county residents,” said Joy Blackmon, P.E., Director of Engineering and County Engineer. “He regularly demonstrates proactive and prompt communication, a positive attitude, attentiveness, and professionalism when speaking with citizens. His problem solving ability and willingness to go above and beyond for citizens is a tremendous asset to the county. He is a community role model and leader, and his hard work will have long-lasting, positive impacts on Escambia County.”
East Quinette Road Resurfacing Project Begins Monday In Escambia County; Expect Possible Delays
December 10, 2023
A resurfacing project on East Quintette Road is set to begin Monday.
The Escambia County Engineering Department will resurface East Quintette Road from Highway 95A to the Santa Rosa County line.
Traffic will be reduced to a single lane through the construction zone. Traffic delays are possible due to increased traffic volume, and motorists are encouraged to seek an alternate route.
The project is expected to be completed by January 2024, weather permitting.
Molino Christmas Parade Returns (With Photo Gallery)
December 10, 2023
After an absence of several years, the Molino Christmas Parade returned for 2023. Hundreds of people lined Crabtree Church Road to see dozens of units in the parade.
Proceeds from parade entry fees will be used to help a local family in need this Christmas season.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos by Meridith Lynn Caum, Lindsey Cook, Barbara Hollingsworth and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Crowds Attend Annual Beulah Bash (With Photo Gallery)
December 10, 2023
Thousands of people attended the annual Beulah Bash hosted by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church – Beulah Saturday at the Escambia County Equestrian Center.
The event featured plenty of craft vendors, food from local food trucks, a judged car show with custom and classic cars, and plenty of entertainment for all ages including kids crafts, inflatables, and even some snow.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos by Brianna Seckinger, Athena Kemp, Tracee Neese and others for NorthEscambia.com.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Area Residents Have Over $66 Million Unclaimed With The State. How About You?
December 10, 2023
Escambia County arrea residents have over $66 million in unclaimed money and property available from the state.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis has launched the the Holiday Money Hunt and is encouraging Floridians to spread the word and search to see if you or your business has Unclaimed Property that has been unknown or lost and ready to recover.
CFO Patronis is on a mission to celebrate the holidays and return every last cent back to its rightful owners. Since CFO Patronis took office in 2017, more than $2.2 billion in unclaimed property has been returned to Florida citizens.
“I am excited to kick off the Holiday Money Hunt this holiday season and spread the word about unclaimed property in Florida. During the holidays, everyone can use a little extra cash, and an unexpected check from the State of Florida may help make things a little brighter this year. I am going to be working throughout this month and next to get the word out about Unclaimed Property and I hope you take advantage of this great opportunity. One in five Floridians has unclaimed property just waiting to be claimed and it only takes a few minutes to search now by visiting FLTreasureHunt.gov.”,” Patronis said.
Northview, Tate FFA Members Attend Leadership Training
December 10, 2023
Tate and Northview FFA students spent Saturday learning to lead. Both attended the FFA National High School Leadership Conference in Haines City, Florida.
They learned about chapter leadership development, and how to develop action plans for their chapters.
Pictured top: Tate High FFA members. Pictured below; Northview High FFA members Saturday at leadership training in Haines City, Florida. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Clearing And Cooling On A Windy Sunday
December 10, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a slight chance of showers. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a temperature falling to around 54 by 5pm. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 33. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 58.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
The Top Five Star Parts Of The Ice Flyers Early Season
December 10, 2023
By Bill Vilona Ice Flyers Correspondent
The Ice Flyers are now two months into their season. Time to take some quick stock.
When the team returns late Saturday from Illinois, after back-to-back games Friday and Saturday against the Quad City Storm, the Ice Flyers will have completed nearly one-third of their schedule.
It’s been a special start, so far, beginning with an unbeaten home record (8-0), current second-place position in the SPHL standings and crowd support.
Here are five elements that have stood out.
HOME PERFECTION
You can’t surpass unbeaten, right? At 8-0 at the Pensacola Bay Center, the Ice Flyers have won games with crowd-pleasing dramatics, including multiple wins after trailing in the first period. This team has always found an extra gear at the right time on home ice.
It is something that coach Gary Graham repeatedly discussed in media interviews and during the preseason gathering with Ice Flyers fans on the importance of playing well at home.
The team is between a 21-day gap this month between home games. Here is how Graham reflected after last Saturday’s big win against Peoria.
“We are confident in this building, but we don’t even talk about that stuff around here,” he said. “We haven’t talked about the standings. I honestly told the guys this first third of the season we are just trying get our identity.
“Trying to get guys going, trying to figure out who is going to be playing with who and what works. I like where we’re at with our depth and most importantly it’s the character.. of the group. That is the fun thing to watch.”
ATTENDANCE, COMMUNITY IMPACT
The Ice Flyers have attracted 38,897 fans for their first eight home games. That’s the most in the league, just ahead of the Huntsville Havoc. Their 4,862 per-game average is the third-best in the league, but already ahead of last year’s surge of attendance numbers.
Equally important, the Ice Flyers have spent quality time off-ice with supporters in a variety of charitable projects and other fun events like bowling with fans last Sunday.
“That is one of the reasons I wanted to come back (to coach),” Graham said. “I have seen what (Ice Flyers owner) Greg (Harris) has done over the last 10 years. When I interviewed for the job, I did some research on the team.
“(To) lead the league in attendance and lead the league in charitable donations… and when you see a team do that, it is something I can get on board with because I like to do stuff with my own personal business back home in the community (Fort Wayne, Indiana).
“When I ask guys to do that stuff, immediately guys raise their hand to volunteer. We recruited a good group of guys who want to get out do that stuff in the community and obviously that is something Greg really cares about.”
CAPTAIN’S HELP
Center Garrett Milan is playing in the same big impact way as he’s done throughout his Ice Flyers career. One difference, however, that Graham has liked is how teammates have been more immediate in rushing to his defense when trouble ensues on the ice and pushing and shoving begins.
“He’s a little pit bull. That is what I like about him,” Graham said. “He’s got jam. When I watched the film on last year’s season, I just saw this number 10 and he’s buzzing around and all of a sudden he has three guys on him.
“And I talked to the guys a lot during the summer when I was recruiting them and I said, ‘Hey, we can’t leave our captain in these isolated situations with three guys around him. We have to get in there like a wolfpack and back him up.’
“I think our identity has been that this year with guys like (Sean) Gulka and Malik (Johnson) and others who have been willing to take that side of things, where our skill guys don’t have to worry about that stuff as much.”
MULTIPLE PRODUCTION
The Ice Flyers went into the weekend with three of the league’s top five scorers. Milan leads the way with 6 goals and 12 assists (18 points) – second most points in the league, followed by newcomer Brett Mecrones (11 goals, 6 assists) at No. 4 and veteran Ivan Bondarenko (3 goals, 14 assists), who is No. 5 in scoring.
“We just have a lot of good guys in the room, lot of guys knowing their role and playing their role really well to the T,” said winger Dallas Comeau. “We have a good group, we have a very skilled and top-of-the-league group. And I think when we come together like we did (Saturday) we can take the league on.”
BOUNCE BACK
In their 16 games so far, the Ice Flyers have not lost back-to-back games. The most significant part the sequence occurred after an 8-1 loss at Birmingham – the worst margin of defeat – on Nov. 24 was followed by a 1-0 win at Macon on Nov. 26.
“Any time your group can show resiliency, that’s important,” Graham said. “Every game is part of the process the whole season. Getting them to just believe and trust each other is big.
“We are a team that is still learning. That starts with me and on down. I think the more cool and calm we present ourselves, myself being leader and on down, we handle adversity better. Just trying to ride those highs or lows and make sure it stays more even keel.”
Northview Earns First Win Of The Season 46-47 Over Elberta; Tate Tops Navarre
December 9, 2023
Tate 65, Navarre 62
The Tate High Aggies boys basketball team beat Navarre on the road 65-62 Friday night.
The Aggies will be at Pine Forest on Monday, December 11.
Northview 47, Elberta 46
The Northview High School boys basketball team earned their first win of the season 47-46 Friday night on the road at Elberta.
Leading scorer Luke Diamond had 11 points for the Chiefs, Jacob Spence added nine. Also for Northview, Jarret Bodiford and Austin Minchew added five each, while Austin Dunsford contributed six. Rhett Madden had two for NHS.
Northview will host the Jay Royals next Tuesday, December 12.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Snow, Santa And Gifts For All: Christmas Parade At Escambia Westgate
December 9, 2023
Every child received a gift during the annual Christmas parade Friday at Escambia Westgate School.
The gifts were thanks to the employee-supported non-profit Ascend Cares, and the gifts were delivered by the Grinch and Santa Claus.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
