Elected Or Appointed School Superintendent? Referendum Approved By School Board
February 20, 2025
The Escambia County School Board has voted to support sending the question of elected or appointed school superintendent back to voters.
The board vote 3-2 this week to place a referendum on the general election ballot in November 2028. The referendum was introduced by District 5 member Tom Harrell at a February 13 school board workshop, with Harrell, Kevin Adams and Paul Fesko voting in favor. Board members Carissa Bergosh and David Williams opposed.
The referendum will next go the Escambia County Commission to approved adding it to the ballot in November 2028.
In 2018, Escambia County voters narrowly approved a ballot referendum for an appointed superintendent, with 50.36 voting yes and 49.64 percent voting now. This was the sixth time voters had considered the idea of an appointed superintendent in the county; all of the other attempts failed.
“I feel very strongly about this,” Harrell, who campaigned on a return to an elected superintendent, said at the workshop. “The county, I think, feels very strongly. There’s never anything wrong with letting the people decide. When you have a democracy, it’s all about people making decisions.”
“Deep down in my heart, having been here in this district for 60 years, that’s what the people of this district want,” Harrell added. “It’s the right time; it’s the right thing to do.”
Atmore Man Charged With Three Counts Attempted Murder For November Shooting
February 20, 2025
A second suspect has now been arrested in connection with a November 29, 20224, incident in Atmore where shots were fired into a vehicle.
Atmore Police initially apprehended a 15-year-old juvenile, identified by a victim at the scene, shortly after the incident. Further investigation led officers to 24-year-old Brayvuan York, age 21 of Atmore, who was taken into custody this week.
York faces three counts attempted murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle. He was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center.
Darrell McMann, public information officer for the Atmore Police Department, said the juvenile was also linked to multiple other incidents
Clear, Cold With A Low In The 20s Tonight
February 20, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 24. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 49. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Calm wind.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Calm wind.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 46.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
My Life Depends On It: Retired Sheriff’s Deputy Finds Kidney Donor To Save His Life
February 20, 2025
A retired Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy’s prayers for a kidney donor have been answered.
We first told you about Rudy Brown in June 2024 as he humbly asked for help to find a kidney.
Now, he has a donor. That story led to Doyle Carpenter finding out that he is the perfect match for Rudy. The transplant is now set for May 12.
“I’m more than excited,” Rudy told NorthEscambia.com on Wednesday. “It’s like I’m still dreaming; I have to pinch myself to make sure it’s real.”
Rudy joined the ECSO in December 1989 and spent 24 years on patrol in Escambia County. He retired due to his medical condition in 2013 and underwent a liver transplant in 2018.
“I pretty much bled out two times on the table,” he said. “It nearly killed me.”
The required anti-rejection medications caused his kidneys to fail just over year later. He’s in final stages of kidney failure and has been on the transplant list since October 2020, but his number never came up as he stayed on dialysis.
A donor like Carpenter was his only option to live.
Through what’s called the directed donor program, Carpenter’s donation can actually save two lives — Rudy will receive one of his kidneys, and the next person on the transplant will receive any kidney that may have been destined for Rudy.
“My life depends on it,” he said.
Northview FFA Celebrates National FFA Week With Appreciation Breakfast
February 20, 2025
It’s National FFA week, and the Northview High School FFA celebrated with an appreciation breakfast Wednesday morning.
FFA officers and members prepared a homestyle breakfast for teachers, staff and invited guests that support the FFA program. Northview’s FFA program has been recognized as one of the top chapters in both the state and the nation
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Reclassifies Assistant As Deputy Town Clerk, Discusses Salaries
February 20, 2025
The Town of Century has reclassified employee Mallory Walker’s position from administrative assistant to deputy town clerk in a split vote.
Council member Henry Cunningham voted against the move, which was recommended by interim Mayor Alicia Johnson. Johnson said it was important to cross-train employees to be ready if a position opens. She noted that Walker had essentially performed the duties of town clerk for months after the departure of Town Clerk Leslie Howington in April 2024.
Johnson proposed a $5 hourly increase for Walker, from her current $14.39, which Council President Dynette Lewis called “aggressive.”
The council ultimately settled on $18 an hour after reviewing the salaries of other deputy town clerks in the area.
Johnson said the town needs to increase wages and move employees away from near-minimum wage salaries. Florida’s minimum wage is currently $13 an hour, and some Century employees earn just $14.16.
“I’d like to remind everyone that our valued employees can go to McDonald’s and make the same amount of money flipping hamburgers. I think that’s inappropriate,” the interim mayor said, adding that the town risks losing employees to other municipalities offering higher salaries.
Pictured: Mallory Walker, a Century administrative assistant at the time, performs town clerk duties by taking minutes during a September 2024 town council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
February 20, 2025
Tate High School recently named their January Students of the Month. They are January- Levi Reed and Ellen Rigby. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gonzalez Utilities Issues Boil Water Notice For Some Areas West Of Highway 29
February 19, 2025
UPDATE: This boil water notice was lifted Friday morning, February 21.
A boil water notice will be in effect for some customers of Gonzalez Utilities following a water main break Wednesday morning.
Outages impacted the west side of Highway 29, including:
- Grand Oaks
- Silver Glen
- Tate Road
- Cardinal Creek
- and surrounding areas in that vicinity.
At 11 a.m. Wednesday, Gonzalez Utilities said they were working to restore water as soon as possible, and a boil water notice will be in effect.
Residents located in the specified boil water notice area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated, and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
Suspect Charged With Murder Of Man Found Shot And Lying In On McDavid’s Main Street
February 19, 2025
A 25-year-old man has been charged with murder after a Tuesday night McDavid shooting victim died.
Antonio Marshone DeSoto of McDavid was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond about 4:30 Wednesday morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the two had met for a marijuana deal.
The victim, a 34-year old Pensacola man, was found lying in Main Street directly in front of the McDavid Post Office about 8:40 p.m. Tuesday. He was just a few feet away from the driver’s door of a Chevrolet SUV that remained in the roadway.
The victim, who was suffering from two gunshot wounds, was transported by Escambia County EMS to the nearby McDavid Fire Station before being airlifted by Medstar AirCare helicopter to a Pensacola hospital where he later died. His identity has not been released.
DeSoto reportedly fled the scene in another vehicle toward nearby Highway 164. That’s where Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 units and drones searched, later taking DeSoto into custody outside a home in the 100 block of Highway 164, just west of Highway 29 and Driver Road, about a half mile from the shooting scene.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High Principal’s Secretary Jackie Barth Named District Employee Of The Month
February 19, 2025
Tate High School principal’s secretary Jackie Barth was recognized by the Escambia County School Board Tuesday night as the Stellar Employee for the month of February 2025.
“She consistently demonstrates the qualities of an exemplary employee, making her an essential member of the Tate High School community. Ms. Barth is widely recognized for her kindness, patience, and steadfast professionalism. She engages with students, staff, and parents with a friendly demeanor and authentic warmth. Regardless of the day’s demands, she remains calm and composed, ensuring that every task is completed efficiently and effectively,” Superintendent Keith Leonard said, reading a district proclamation.
“Her remarkable ability to manage multiple responsibilities is commendable. She frequently exceeds her role by supporting various areas of the office, whether it involves stepping in for the front office during the absence of the School Secretary or providing assistance in the finance office when a School Finance Specialist is unavailable. Ms. Barth takes ownership of her responsibilities and exhibits exceptional initiative, always ready to assist wherever needed.
“Her dedication, adaptability, and attention to detail contribute significantly to the smooth operation of the office. She fosters an environment where everyone feels supported, and her contributions are greatly appreciated.
“Jackie Barth is stellar because of her excellent work ethic and dedication to the staff and students throughout the Escambia County Public Schools. She contributes to the healthy culture that supports high performing teachers, leaders and staff. It is for these reasons, and so many others, that she has been selected as our stellar employee of the month,” Leonard concluded.
“Giving back to the community is very important to me,” Barth said. “At Tate, we are a strong family.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
