Isaiah Helton Named Escambia County’s Newest Emergency Coordinator
November 11, 2023
Escambia Emergency Management has named Isaiah Helton as their newest Emergency Coordinator.
Escambia County Emergency Management is excited to introduce Isaiah Helton as their newest Emergency Coordinator.
Isaiah is no stranger to Emergency Management. He began his time with Escambia County as the very first intern for the newly developed Escambia County Emergency Management intern program in 2022. After completing the program, he was hired as a part-time employee before being promoted to full-time as an Emergency Management Specialist. His dedication, work ethic and performance in his duties led to his current promotion as the newest Emergency Management Coordinator.
“I’m excited to start this new role of Emergency Coordinator,” said Isaiah. “My wife and I love living in Escambia County, and are expecting our first baby. I will do all I can for my community to ensure that Escambia County is ready for any disaster.”
Growing up in a Marine Corps family, Isaiah spent time in Spain, where his family served as Baptist missionaries. Isaiah returned to the United States to attend Pensacola Christian College, where he received his associate’s degree in Criminal Justice and a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Isaiah completed a college internship with Santa Rosa County Emergency Management while attending PCC. He credits this internship as the spark to his interest in Emergency Management.
“Isaiah has proven his dedication to our team through his hard work and perseverance,” said Emergency Manager Travis Tompkins. “I am pleased to announce his promotion and excited by the success of our intern program where Isaiah learned the skills he needed to be successful in Emergency Management.”
Veterans Day Forecast Calls For A Partchy Fog
November 11, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecas:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 59. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 55. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Showers. High near 63. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: Showers. Low around 55. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Sheriff Confirms Gun Discharged During Atmore High School Basketball Game
November 11, 2023
An investigation is continuing after a gun was discharged Thursday night during a high school basketball game in Atmore.
“On November 9, 2023, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Deputies along with Atmore Police officers responded to a report of a weapon being discharged at Escambia County High School inside the gym during a basketball game,” Sheriff Heath Jackson said. “A preliminary investigation led to the determination that a small group of individuals entered the gym area and that one of the young men was concealing a handgun in his waistband. The firearm fell from the suspects pants and hit the ground causing the gun to discharge. Two people in the group later showed up at area hospitals for treatment for what appeared to be wounds from bullet fragments. This is still an ongoing investigation and will be updated in the future as arrests are made.”
“This is an isolated incident and there doesn’t appear to be any intent to shoot or harm anyone that we have discovered,” Jackson continued.
No further details have been released.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
State Approves FPL Rate Decrease
November 10, 2023
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved amended interim storm restoration charges and requests to replenish the storm reserve fund for Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) Interim storm restoration recovery charges include costs associated with named storms and are subject to refund, with interest, pending further review once the total actual costs are known for each utility.
FPL’s storm recovery amount was reduced from $1.5 billion to $1.3 billion for costs associated with Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. PSC-approved charges for a 1,000 kWh residential bill will change from $15.30 to $6.65, effective January 2024 through March 2024. This reflects a monthly decrease of $8.65 and includes replenishing FPL’s storm reserve.
Utilities typically point to a benchmark of residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month. Such FPL customers have been paying $15.30 a month for the storm-related costs, but that number will be reduced to $6.65 in January, according to the commission.
High School Playoff Scoreboard
November 10, 2023
Here are Friday night playoff scores from around the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
Region 1-1R
Region 1-3S
- Escambia – 15, Pine Forest – 7
Region 1-2S
- Penacola Chatolic 41, Suwannee 6
ALABAMA
Drive-By Shooting Reported On North Highway 99 In Bratt
November 10, 2023
A reported drive-by shooting in Bratt Friday afternoon is under investigation.
The victims were on North Highway 99 near Bradberry Road, just south of the state line, when someone in a black vehicle with a spoiler allegedly fired at them, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
There were no injuries reported, and the suspect vehicle fled the area headed in the direction of Old Bratt Road at the state line.
The incident happened about 2:36 p.m.
Additional details were not immediately available.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Area Teams In Playoff Action Friday Night
November 10, 2023
Six North Escambia area teams remain in the Florida High School Athletic Association playoffs Friday night.
FLORIDA
Region 1-1R
Region 1-3S
- No. 5 Escambia at No. 4 PineForest
Region 1-2S
- No. 4 Pensacola at Catholic at No. 5 Suwannee
ALABAMA
- Anniston at T.R. Miller
- Flomaton at Welborn
- W.S. Neal at Randolph County
Century Moving Forward With Gomez’s Recommendation To Hire Town Manager
November 10, 2023
The Town of Century is moving forward with negotiations to hire a town manager.
Howard Brown, Jr., principal of the Local Government Consulting Group of West Palm Beach was one of four that responded to the town’s request for proposals for a town manager months ago.
The town accepted the proposals after newly appointed Century interim Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. told the council that he would need help to properly run the town.
“I know that I am in over my head, but I don’t want the town of Century to suffer due to my lack of experience in this position,” Gomez told his town council a few minutes after he was sworn in in late August.
Howard’s proposal states that he “has served as a City Manager with a national perspective, having successfully managed municipalities across the country.” and “My municipal government experience spans a diverse range of communities, including urban, rural, and suburban areas,”. His experience included village manager in Indiantown, Florida, city manager in Bell, CA, Muscokogee, OK, and of Opa-Locka, FL.
Brown told the council that he is a native of Escambia County, Florida.
Months ago, Gomez asked the town council to consider contracting with consultant Robert Thompson of DeFuniak Springs, who he said was recommended by the Florida League of Cities. However, Thompson later accepted a job in Arkansas.
Gomez introduced Brown during a council meeting Tuesday night, telling the council that it was critical that quick action be taken to bring a town manager on board. He then pushed for Thursday night’s fast special meeting, less than 48 hours later, in order to hire Brown.
Florida’s Sunshine Law states “special meetings should have no less than 24 and preferably at least 72 hours reasonable notice to the public”. Otherwise, “except in the case of emergency or special meetings, notice should be provided at least 7 days prior to the meeting”.
The town was set to post the notice at town hall and on the town’s website.
The Sunshine Law also states, “The use of press releases, faxes, e-mails, and/or phone calls to the local news media is highly effective in providing notice of upcoming meetings.” The town on Wednesday provided NorthEscambia.com with a notice concerning a street closure upcoming on Saturday, but did not provide any notice of the special council meeting.
During Thursday’s special meeting, the council gave no consideration to any of the other applicants.
The council voted to allow Gomez and the town attorney to enter into negotiations with Brown.
Harold Rolin
November 10, 2023
Harold Rolin, age 70 of Poarch, AL passed away on November 9, 2023, in Poarch AL. He was born on April 8, 1953, in Bratt FL, to the late Frank Rolin and Sissy Kelly Rolin of Bratt FL. Mr. Harold was a Dozier operator for over 20 years. He enjoyed spending his free time hunting, fishing, and going to the Wind Creek Casino. He was a member of Poarch Band of Creek Indians. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Mr. Rolin is preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Kat Rolin.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Joyce Rolin of Poarch, AL; sons, Joseph Rolin (Melody Boutwell) of Flomaton, AL , and Jonathon Rolin (Lacie Bundy) of Georgianna, AL ; grandchildren, Christopher Logan Rolin, Mary Jane Rolin, Deanna Rolin, Nathan James Rolin, and Nola Rolin; great grandchild, Derek James Andrews; brothers, Billy Wayne Rolin of Pollard, AL , Jeff Rolin of Poarch, AL, Steve Rolin of Poarch, AL, and Tony Rolin of Pollard-McCall, AL; and sister, Glendale Rolin of Century, FL.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Dry Springs Community Church. Interment will follow at Dry Springs Cemetery in Enon, FL.
Active pallbearers will be Christopher Logan Rolin, Justin Rolin, Jerry Capers, Henry Capers, John Victor, and Bill Stuckey.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 13, 2023, from 10:00AM until 11:00AM at Dry Springs community church in Enon, FL.
Northview Travels To Jay Friday Night In Round One Of Playoffs
November 9, 2023
The Jay Royals will host the Northview Chiefs Friday night in round one of the state 1R-Region 1 playoffs.
The Royals (7-3, 4-1) are the No. 4. seed in the 1R-Region 1 playoffs; the Chiefs (3-6, 1-5) are No. 5. The winner will travel to face No. 1 seed Bozeman in Panama City on November 17.
Kickoff for Friday’s game in Jay is 7 p.m. Tickets will be available on GoFan.
During the regular season, the Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals 41-19 in October.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
