The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree; Escambia Sailor Reenlisted By His Father
March 18, 2022
“I was a freshman in high school when I realized that I wanted to serve my country,” said Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary Melvin, from Escambia County, assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) media department. “We had just moved to Washington state when my father had commissioned in the Navy as a chaplain and was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). I knew I wanted to have a career that I could look back at and be proud of.”
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Melvin, Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30’s wing chaplain, based at Naval Air Station North Island, California, reenlisted his eldest son Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary Melvin, on Ford’s flight deck March 9, 2022.
“It was never a question of if I should serve, but rather, when I should serve,” said Zachary. “I knew that I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my father and his father before him. I look forward to continuing that service.”
Zachary said he was not sure what branch he wanted to join and wanted to wait until he finished college to make the decision.
“I realized that the Navy was going to be the best direction for me,” said Zachary. “I began speaking with a recruiter towards the end of my senior year at Pensacola Christian College where I ended up getting my degree in theology.”
Zachary Melvin reported to the Ford in May of 2019. Since reporting, he has participated in many ship milestones, including post-shakedown availability, post-delivery test and trials, carrier qualifications, independent steaming events, Full Ship Shock Trials and a Planned Incremental Availability. Zachary said that he sees himself making a career out of the Navy and has been influenced heavily by his father’s drive and discipline.
“’He has definitely motivated me to push through various obstacles and challenges in life,” said Zachary. “It helps that he has been where I am now and I know that I would not be where I am today without his leadership. I am so inspired by my father’s dedication to our family. He has always been there for me and my siblings alike.”
Eric said that Zachary is well spoken, principled and compassionate. Saying that he has always been a leader at home.
“Zach is a man of strong character,” said Eric. “I believe his empathy for the underdog story has stemmed from having a younger brother with Down syndrome. Without Zach’s leadership and care for his siblings, it would have been difficult to make it through multiple hospital visits and near-death situations with his brother. Our family dynamic would have suffered greatly without him.”
Zachary said that his favorite thing about serving on the Ford has been working with junior Sailors. Seeing them go through some of the same struggles that he endured when he first arrived onboard.
“I have been given the opportunity to have a positive, direct impact on the lives of my junior Sailors,” said Zachary. “Coming from being in various leadership roles in college to being an E-3 on an aircraft carrier has been humbling. Learning to be a good follower has prepared me for being a good leader.”
In the Melvin household military service has been a family tradition going as far back as the civil war. Zachary Melvin’s grandfathers and step-grandfather all served in Vietnam, Chief Quartermaster Robert Melvin (USN Ret.), Ronald Kirkbride (USMC Ret.) and David Curtis (US Army Ret.)
“Military life has been a family tradition for our family for over sixty-five years,” said Eric. “I raised all of my children to love our country and the Navy as a whole. Zach was exposed to Navy life for most of his childhood. I would frequently wake the children up in the morning by proclaiming ‘reveille, reveille, up all hands, heave up and trice out!”’
Eric Melvin began his military career as a machinist mate (nuclear) on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in April 1989.
“I was serving on the Roosevelt as a nuke when Zach was born,” said Eric. “The ship was scheduled to get underway on January 21, 1995. With the help of the ship’s chaplain, I was able to stay behind on leave to be at his birth. He was born two days later. With our family’s Naval heritage, I knew there was a strong chance that Zach would follow in my footsteps. I am very proud that he has chosen to become a U.S. Navy Sailor.”
Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Riley McDowell.
U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Angel Thuy Jaskuloski for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Teachable ‘Operation’ – Byrneville Elementary Students Perform Surgeries
March 18, 2022
Students at Byrneville Elementary School performed surgery last week as they studied the human body in science.
In the “Room 41 Surgical Center’, students wore full surgical gear and called each other “doctor” as they were tasked with several surgeries. The organs were created out of playdough and the tools were toothpicks, but students were able to learn and have fun doing it.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Startup Hopes To Provide Non-Emergency Medical Transportation In North Escambia
March 17, 2022
A startup business plans to offer non-emergency medical and other transportation services in portions of the North Escambia area.
Metro Rapid Transport plans to operate 18 hours a day, six days a week, according to their business plan and be based in the “northern Pensacola area”.
According to state, Metro Rapid Transportation, LLC has a principal address is 10251 Highway 97 in Walnut Hill, a building (pictured page bottom) that’s been used in the past for the Davisville Country Store, other retail businesses and a restaurant.
This week, owner Trina James-Tanner approached the Century Town Council seeking a 1,000 square foot office space and a place to securely park vehicles at the town-owned Century Business Center on Pond Street. She told the council she had hoped to be in the space by early April.
No dollar amounts were discussed at the council meeting. The council voted to have their attorney create a lease at an agreeable rent. The council could consider the agreement as soon as their next meeting, which is set for April 5.
Proposed rates for the service are $2.50 “in town” or $5 round trip. For “out of town” trips, it will be $45 for the first 30 miles ($90 round tip) plus 20 cents per additional mile, according to the company’s undated business plan submitted to the town.
Metro Transit estimates nearly $4.2 million is needed to establish and maintain the service for three years. The plan states they have been able to generate about $8,000 in home equity from the owner, they are applying for state funding, and they are working to establish a line of credit at Navy Federal Credit Union.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Disc Golf, Dog Park Added At Santa Maria Plaza/Farm Hill Park
March 17, 2022
Escambia County Parks and Recreation has added two new disc golf practice goals and a dog park area at the Santa Maria Plaza/Farm Hill Park.
The three acre park also has a ballfield, playground, paved walking track and a covered picnic area.
Santa Maria Plaza/Farm Hill Park is located 199 Madrid Road, about a half mile north of Muscogee Road.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Property Tax Reminder Bills Are In The Mail
March 17, 2022
Property tax reminder bills began to arrive in mailboxes across Escambia County on Wednesday, according to Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
If you have not yet paid your 2021 taxes, you can avoid interest and penalties by paying before April 1.
“If you have already paid your property taxes but received a reminder notice, it is possible that your payment was received after we began the process of creating the bills,” according to Lunsford.
To check the status of your payment, or pay online, visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
Northview, Tate Release Football Schedules. And Yes, The Coaching Brothers Will Face Off.
March 17, 2022
The Northview Chiefs and the Tate Aggies have announced their 2022 football schedules. And, yes, the coaching brothers will face off.
It’s the first season for Rhett Summerford as the new head football coach for the Aggies. Rhett’s brother Wes is the current head football coach at Northview.
And it will be brother versus brother on September 9 when the Tate Aggies host the Northview Chiefs.
Complete schedules for both teams are below.
NorthEscambia.com photos/graphics, click to enlarge.
Tate Beats Noble, Oklahoma, In Aggie Classic Play
March 17, 2022
In the Tate Aggie Classic Wednesday, the Tate High School Aggies defeated Noble, Oklahoma, 8-6.
Earlier at Tate High, Noble defeated Second Baptist of Houston, Texas, 13-5.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Laura Glodfelter, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Shed Fire Not Far From McDavid Fire Station
March 17, 2022
Escambia County Fire Rescue quickly extinguished a shed fire Wednesday night in McDavid.
The fire was reported about 7:40 p.m. in the 700 block of North Century Boulevard, about a half mile north of the McDavid Fire Station.
The fire was knocked down in just moments. There were no injuries reported and no word on the cause of the fire. No damage was reported to a nearby home.
The McDavid, Century, Walnut Hill, and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department were dispatched. Many of those units were canceled before arrival.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia Motorcyclist, 51, Killed In Gulf Beach Highway Crash
March 16, 2022
A 51-year old Escambia County man was killed in a motorcycle crash Wednesday afternoon on Gulf Beach Highway.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the motorcyclist was headed north on Gulf Beach Highway when he traveled off the roadway onto the right shoulder about 3:30 p.m.
Troopers said he was ejected from the motorcycle and pronounced deceased on scene. The rider was wearing a helmet, according to FHP.
There were no other vehicles involved.
File photo.
Escambia School Board Considers Rule To Make It Illegal To Have A Gun In A Vehicle On A Campus
March 16, 2022
The Escambia County School Board is considering an emergency rule that will make it illegal to have a weapon in a vehicle on a school campus.
Right now, Florida law says it’s technically legal for anyone 18 or older to have a lawfully concealed firearm in their vehicle.
The school district currently has rules against a weapon in a vehicle on a campus, but a violation only leads to school disciplinary action. Without a waiver in place, as mentioned in the statute above, law enforcement does not have the ability to make an arrest for breaking the law.
Next week, the Escambia County School Board will consider an emergency rule to waive the exception, making it illegal for anyone to have a firearm or other weapon in their vehicle. If approved at their Tuesday meeting, the emergency rule will be in place for up to 90 days while the district works on a permanent rule following a formal rulemaking and advertising process. (The complete rule, as proposed, is below.)
The school board is taking action after a rifle was found inside a vehicle on the Tate High School campus last month.
An AR-15 rifle along with four magazines and 34 rounds of ammunition were found February 15 inside an 18-year old student’s truck while it was parked on campus, and the student was suspended. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said it was determined in consultation with the State Attorney’s Office that no law was broken because the school district had not ever approved a waiver like the emergency rule currently under consideration.
The student and a 16-year old were later charged with felony grand theft of a firearm after the weapon was reported as stolen.
Proposed Emergency Rule:
NorthEscambia.com photos.