Escambia Fire Rescue Takes Part In Annual Volunteer Firefighter Weekend
September 21, 2021
Three Escambia Fire Rescue volunteer firefighters took part in the 16th Annual Northwest Florida Volunteer Firefighter Weekend.
The volunteer firefighter training event featured hands-on training opportunities including vehicle extrication, wild land operations, USAR, medical training, and more. There were also workshops, seminars and live burn training at the event at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville.
Cheyann Smith from the Beulah Fire Station, along with Nathan Thomas and William Tharp from the Ferry Pass Station, took part in the training event on their way to becoming certified volunteer firefighters.
“It’s imperative for volunteer firefighters to train and become certified,” said Michael Aaron, Escambia Fire Rescue assistant volunteer fire chief. “This allows them to become functional on the fire ground and help the overall mission of the organization. This training also gives the taxpayers the best service possible as a combination fire department.”
Eglin Air Force Base career firefighter Reed Moss, also a volunteer firefighter at Station 2-Beulah.
Beulah volunteer Reed Moss also took part in the weekend. In addition to being an Escambia volunteer, he works a career firefighter for Eglin Air Force Base.
Pictured top: Volunteer firefighters (from left) Cheyann Smith, Beulah; Nathan Thomas and William Tharp, Ferry Pass; and Eglin AFB career firefighter Reed Moss, who is also volunteer from Beulah. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia COVID-19 Hospitalizations Fall Below 200 For First Time Since July
September 21, 2021
On Monday, Escambia COVID-19 hospitalization fell below 200 for the first time since July 30.
There were 184 COVID-19 patients in the hospital Monday, three of those under age 18.
Two weeks ago, there were 344 hospitalizations. There were 284 one week ago, and 330 the week before that. The hospitalizations aggregate date reported by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, West Florida Hospital and Baptist Hospital.
Century Approves Leases For Non-Profit, Church At $1 Per Month; Town Will Repair A/C
September 21, 2021
The Century Town Council voted Monday night to repair or replace heating and cooling units and move forward with $1 per month leases for a church and a nonprofit at what is known as the Century Business Center on Pond Street.
Leases were prepared for approval for an building (pictured below) at for Northwest Florida Community Outreach (NWFCO) and for a room (pictured above) at the center for Wesley Chapel CME Church.
Under the terms of both leases, HVAC and other maintenance would be the responsibly of the tenant, not the town, due to the low rent. Ratifying the leases was postponed earlier this month after the potential tenants notified the council that the HVAC systems did not work properly.
A tentative evaluation found that some of the units may need to be replaced if repairs are not feasible considering the age of the equipment. If reasonable repairs can be made, the town will use their general fund. If more expensive replacements are required, they will use local option sales tax funds.
Monday night, the Century Council voted 3-0 to approve a five year lease for the Northwest Florida Community Outreach and a two-year lease for Wesley Chapel. Both will pay for any future upkeep and their monthly utility bills.
NWFCO is a nonprofit that has held several food giveaways and other public benefit events over the last year in Century.
Wesley Chapel CME Church has held church services at the Business Center for several years, but without a lease. The church’s Jefferson Street location was heavily damaged — shifted off its foundation — by the February 2016 tornado that ripped through Century. The remains of the building were reduced to rubble after an arsonist set fire to it in October 2016.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Runners Association Donates $5,458 To Northview High Track
September 21, 2021
The Northview High School track team has received a large donation from the Pensacola Runners Association.
The $5,458 donation will be used to purchase a new high jump pit that has been needed for years, according to coach Douglas Godwin.
“I would like to say thank you, on behalf of our track program and Northview High School, to the Pensacola Runners Association because it is programs like theirs that help out high school athletic teams when there is a need,” Godwin said. “We would not have been able to purchase a brand new high jump pit without their help.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 30 Years For Manslaughter
September 21, 2021
Corey Reuben Bates has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison for manslaughter with a weapon.
On February 13, 2021, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a stabbing on Esperanto Drive. The victim had been residing with the Bates’ grandfather and mother.
He was told could no longer stay at the residence due to his continued use of controlled substances. After the grandfather heard what sounded like an argument outside of the residence on the back porch, the victim entered the house bleeding from his chest and stated that “Corey” had stabbed him. The victim died a short time later due to the injury.
After law enforcement located Bates, he eventually admitted that he had stabbed the victim after the two had an argument.
Assistant State Attorney Jeremiah Monahan stated, “what was taken away from the victim’s family they will never get back—his life.”
Police Search Area Near Bratt For Body Of Murdered Pensacola Woman
September 20, 2021
Authorities searched a wooded area near Bratt Monday afternoon for the body of a Pensacola murder victim.
Giles Curt Jones, 38, was charged with first degree murder for the death of 40-year old Latonya Antionette Baxter. She was reported missing by her daughter on September 12, the day after his vehicle was confirmed to be in Century.
Acting on a tip from the public, officers from the Pensacola Police Department, assisted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, were on 4-wheelers and on foot to search areas along Highway 168 east of Pine Barren Road, a little less than two miles from Northview High School.
NorthEscambia.com was on the only media there as the area was searched for the body. Nothing was found.
For more exclusive photos, click or tap here.
Pensacola Police spokesman Mike Wood said the department is asking anyone with trail or game cameras in the North Escambia area to check them for anything suspicious, especially during the day on September 11.
A picture of an obviously deceased Baxter was found on Jones’ phone, according to Pensacola Police. The photo was taken at 1:54 on Saturday, September 11. About noon that day, Jones’ 2009 Nissan Maxima with Florida tag #45BAFU was captured on camera northbound on Highway 29 in Century. The vehicle headed back south on Highway 29 through Century about 3 p.m.
The body has not been located, and Wood told NorthEscambia.com shortly after Jones’ arrest that authorities believe the body may be somewhere in the Century area or just across the state line in Alabama.
Police said Baxter shared her home in Pensacola with her daughter, and her roommate Jones. Investigators located blood in Baxter’s bedroom and other locations on the property. Blood was also found in Jones’ vehicle, according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1901 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
For more exclusive photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
International Paper Tests New Emergency Alert System
September 20, 2021
International Paper in Cantonment tested new emergency alert system on Monday.
The new, louder system has both a warning siren and voice capability, according to spokesperson Whitney Fike.
A system test is planned for 1 p.m. each Wednesday. People in the area will hear a “this is a test” type announcement and warning siren.
We’ll more information in a future story here on NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
If 4th Graders Wrote Their Own Constitution, What Would It Say? (Hint: There’s Food And Naps)
September 20, 2021
If kids could write their own classroom constitution what would it say?
The Byrneville Elementary School fourth graders of Room 43 celebrated Constitution Day last Friday by writing their own “Classroom Constitution”.
It started with great virtues like being fair, being kind, and working hard to the very best of their abilities.
And then there were a few perfect world clauses…the right to eat whenever they want, naps everyday at 1:30 (well, except for music days), free time and free talk time (freedom of speech, you know).
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Arrr Matey! Century Library Celebrates Talk Like A Pirate Day
September 20, 2021
The Century Branch Library celebration National Talk Like a Pirate Day on Saturday.
Children were able to create their own pirate crafts and practice using their pirate vocabulary. (And no one had to walk the plank.)
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Hires New Facilities Management Director
September 20, 2021
Escambia County has hired Rob Hogan as the director of facilities management.
Hogan’s first day on the job will be September 28. He brings more than 24 years of management experience and more than 20 years of progressive facility management and construction experience. Hogan most recently has served as the director of facilities and interim director of purchasing for Union County College in Cranford, New Jersey, since 2016.
“I am really excited by the possibilities presented with this opportunity and serving the Escambia County community,” said Hogan. “Having been life-long residents of New Jersey, Kath and I are looking forward to relocating to the sunny gulf coast of Florida.”
The Facilities Management Department is responsible for the maintenance, repair and security of county-owned and leased buildings, along with utilities, capital lease management, space needs planning and oversight of capital improvement and renovation projects at all county facilities. Its divisions include Custodial Services, Design & Construction Administration Team, Maintenance, and Utilities.
Hogan earned an MBA and a bachelor’s in science degree in business management from Rowan University as well as associate in science degrees in chemistry, hazardous materials management, and chemical engineering from Gloucester County College. He also earned the following certifications: Facilities Management Professional from International Facilities Management Association, Educational Facilities Manager and Educational Transportation Supervisor from Rutgers University/NJ Department of Education, FEMA-LS363 Multi-hazard Emergency Planning for Higher Education.