Escambia County Named ‘Best Disability Employer’ Over 21 Other Counties
October 17, 2021
Escambia County has been named the Best Disability Employer in Area 1 from the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Area 1 spans from Pensacola to Live Oak; Escambia County was selected as the recipient out of 21 other counties.
The Escambia County Commission and human resources staff have brought “on the job training” individuals into positions that allow them to learn valuable skills and show how their talents can be utilized for the benefit of all. Those who are hired are staffed throughout Escambia County’s various departments, including planning and building services, human resources, facilities, and public safety.
“We’ve been working with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for many years, so it’s an honor to be recognized with this award” said Human Resources Director Crystal Dadura. “People with all types of abilities need the opportunity to enhance their skill sets, and Escambia County is proud to provide that opportunity for them.”
The Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation’s mission is to help people with disabilities find and maintain employment and enhance their independence. This is accomplished through their vision to become the first place people with disabilities turn when seeking employment and a top resource for employers in need of qualified employees.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alleged Triggerman In Ladarius Clardy Murder Is Now Behind Bars
October 16, 2021
The alleged triggerman in the murder of football standout Ladarius Clardy is now in the Escambia County Jail.
Kobie Lashun Jenkins, Jr. is being held without bond on multiple charges including first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Jenkins, 21, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Friday night after reportedly turning himself in.
Authorities are still searching for Timothy Knight Jr., 20, and Terrell Taquez Parker, 23, are wanted for principal first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and one count of attempted murder.
Amos Dehontiguan Snowden Jr. and his brother Da’Quavion Snowden, Jr. are both charged with first degree principal to murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Both remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Clardy, a former standout Pine Forest High School quarterback, was shot and found dead in a vehicle crash. His vehicle was found with over 50 bullet holes in a ravine at Hollywood Avenue and Fairfield Drive about 1 a.m. on July 1.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Knight or Parker is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620, Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP, or 911.
Crestview Gets Close 7-3 Win Over The Tate Aggies (With Gallery)
October 16, 2021
The Tate Aggies fought hard Friday night but came up short in a 7-3 loss to the Bulldogs in Crestview Friday night.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Crestview (5-3) took a 7-0 lead over the Aggies with a 13-yard run.
In the fourth quarter, Tate sophomore Ward O’Brien handed off to senior Warren Henke for a 24-yard run to the Crestview 8-yard line. On fourth down, Henke got control of a high snap but was stopped at about the 3-yard line.
On a fourth down Crestview punt, Kabron Purifoy blocked it, once again putting the Aggies within reach of the end zone. On third down, it was O’Brien to Diego Dukes, but he was stopped at about the 15-yard line.
O’Brien nailed a 26-yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 8:12 to go in the fourth quarter.
The Tate Aggies (1-7) are off next Friday night before hosting Niceville on October 29.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Newly Hired Escambia Firefighters, Paramedics And Dispatchers To Receive $2,000 Sign-on Bonus
October 16, 2021
Newly hired Escambia County firefighters, paramedics and emergency dispatchers will receive a $2,000 sign-on bonus
“Just like in every county, we’re constantly competing to hire the best personnel,” said Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. “This pay incentive makes us competitive and gives us a better chance to recruit and hire the best possible candidates for Escambia County.”
The bonus was approved this week by the Escambia County Commission as they amended a Recruitment Initiative Pay Policy originally passed in May.
If the new hire does not remain in the position for 12 months, they will be required to reimburse the county on a pro rata basis based up on the number of day remaining in the one year agreement.
Catholic Tops Northview 45-13
October 16, 2021
The 3A Catholic Crusaders defeated the 1A Northview Chiefs Friday night.
After Catholic took a 14-0 lead, Northview’ Jamarkus Jefferson was in from about 3-yards out to make it 14-7.
The Crusaders expanded their lead to 38-7 at the half and then 45-7 by the end of the third.
Jefferson was in the end zone with about four minutes to go in the fourth quarter, as Catholic went on to win it 45-13 in Pensacola.
The Marianna Bulldogs (4-4) will make the long haul to Bratt to face the Northview Chiefs (2-4) next Friday night.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Firefighter That Suffered Heart Attack During Training Exercise Is Now Recovering At Home
October 16, 2021
An Escambia County firefighter that went into cardiac arrest during a training exercise was discharged from the hospital Friday evening.
According to the Escambia County Professional Firefighters union, the firefighter is now resting comfortably at home.
The firefighter was taking part in a search training exercise Monday afternoon at a former shopping center a the corner of Pace Boulevard and Fairfield Drive. Fellow firefighters immediately came to his aid, and he was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
Fog machines were used during the Monday’s training scenarios, but there was no live fire or smoke.
Friday Night Football Finals
October 16, 2021
FLORIDA
- Crestview 7, Tate 3 [Story, photos...]
- Pensacola Catholic 45, Northview 13 [Story...]
- Wakulla 20, West Florida 14
- Pine Forest 49, Milton 20
- Gulf Breeze 21, Washington 16
- Godby 29, Pensacola High 0
- Navarre 41, Pace 34
- Jay (bye week)
- Escambia (bye week)
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 43, Lighthouse Christian 15
- Escambia County (Atmore) 36, W.S. Neal 24
- Hillcrest-Evergreen 21, Flomaton 9
- T.R. Miller (bye week)
NorthEscambia.com photo.
By The Numbers: Escambia Reports 216 New COVID-19 Cases
October 16, 2021
There were 216 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health.
Baptist, Ascension Sacred Heart and West Florida hospitals reported a combined 62 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Friday.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 53,282 (+216)
Positivity rate last week: 6%
Current total hospitalizations: 62
Over age 18 and over hospitalizations: 59
Under age 18 hospitalized: 3
Total deaths reported last 7 days: 38 (CDC data)
Escambia County Vaccinations
People vaccinated: 152,159 (+879)
Total Population of Escambia County Partially Vaccinated: 54.8%
Total Population of Escambia County Fully Vaccinated: 47.1%
*These numbers are the percent of total Escambia County population vaccinated. Not the percentage of hospitalized individuals.
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 32,164 (+179)
Positivity rate last week: 7.0%
People vaccinated: 88,731 (+501)
Partial vaccination rate (age 12+): 55%
Total deaths last 7 days: 13 (CDC data)
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,620,,562 (+19,519)
Case positivity rate: 3.8%
Deaths: 57,859 (+123)
FDOH has moved from daily to weekly reports and removed the COVID-19 dashboard. The state is now releasing a weekly report with local data limited only to number of cases and positivity rate The number of deaths by county or cases by local cities and communities is no longer provided by FDOH.
At Least One Reported Injured In Highway 29 Rollover In Molino
October 15, 2021
At least one person was reportedly injured in a rollover crash Friday afternoon in Molino.
The crash occurred on Highway 29 near Chance Road, between CrossFaith Church and Barnes Feed Store.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further information.
Photo forNorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alger Sullivan Mill Property In Century Cleaned Up For The First Time Since 2016; Old Owner Faces $85K In Fines
October 15, 2021
For the first time since it was ravaged by tornado five years ago, the former Alger Sullivan Lumber Mill property in Century is officially cleaned up.
The 38-acre abandoned industrial site was heavily damaged and was mostly untouched since EF-3 tornado winds of 150 mph on February 15, 2016.
The property was purchased March 1, 2021, by Creighton Sounds, LLC of Pensacola for an industrial project, the nature of which has not yet been announced. But the company has made good on a promise to clean up the property.
Environmental enforcement costs and fines of $50 a day had accumulated against the previous property owners since 2016. Earlier this year, a special magistrate ordered the fines on the property put on hold as of March 1, the date of the property purchase by Creighton Sounds.
Now that Escambia County Code Enforcement has signed off on the cleanup, a final cost order was issued this week by a special magistrate for $85,000. The previous owner, DMT Holdings LLC of Navarre, placed $85,000 in a trust fund at the time of sale to pay the fines.
The principal owner of Creighton Sounds was involved in “Project Fusion” that in November 2020 canceled a pending contract with the Town of Century to purchase the former Helicopter Technology building and about 40 acres in the Century Industrial Park. The company had promised 80 new jobs and a $15.3 million capital investment during their first five years.
“We’re very excited that we’re in Century to help the fine folks of that town to bring jobs and to clean up an area that’s been devastated by a tornado since 2016 that ravished their neighborhood,” Creighton Sounds representative Kipp Anglin told NorthEscambia.com in March, when he appeared before an Escambia County Special Magistrate Robert O. Beasley to ask the county to put code enforcement violation fines on hold.
Creighton Sounds worked over the past few months to salvage about 60,000 square feet of one large building on the property. The structure was stripped to its metal skeleton.
Escambia County received three bids for the demolition and cleanup of the mill in 2017, but bids ranged from $800,000 to $3 million — far in excess of the county’s entire 2017 cleanup budget of $463,425. Property records show the value of the property was $802,189 before the tornado, but the most recent assessment shows what remains was worth $226,535.
Pictured above and below: The former Alger Sullivan Lumber Mill property in Century as seen in 2020. Pictured inset: A 2019 view of the building as seen from an adjacent neighborhood on Front Street. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
