Escambia County Alabama School System Issues Mask Mandate
August 13, 2021
The Escambia County (Alabama) School System implemented a mask mandate Friday.
The mandate applies to all students in grades 1-12, staff and visitors while inside any school facility. Masks will not be required for outdoor activities such as physical education classes and athletics.
All students, regardless of age or vaccination status, be be required to wear a mask on school buses.
The mask requirement was passed Thursday afternoon by the Escambia County (AL) Board of Education. The mandate will remain in effect through at least September 24 and will be reevaluated.
Jury Finds Robert Howard Guilty In 2017 Murder Of Naomi Jones
August 12, 2021
An Escambia County jury Thursday evening found Robert Howard guilty of the first degree murder of 12-year old Naomi Jones in 2017.
Howard was sentenced to life in prison without any chance of parole.
Prosecutors said Howard kidnapped, murdered and dumped the body of Jones into Eight Mile Creek.
Authorities say Howard was living with his girlfriend in the same apartment complex in which Jones lived in the 1400 block of East Johnson Avenue. She was last seen May 31, 2017, in that apartment complex.
Jones likely died within 24 to 36 hours after her May 31 disappearance, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said at the time. Her body was then later dumped into Eight Mile Creek, some 4-5 miles away, where it was found days later by two men looking for a fishing location.
According to court documents, Howard admitted to being at the apartment complex the day Jones went missing and having contact with her at his apartment. He became extremely angry and committed “a violent act” against Jones causing her death. He then placed her body in the backseat of his Nissan Altima and traveled to multiple locations, including Brewton, AL, before returning to Pensacola and throwing Jones’ body into the creek.
Howard is convicted sex offender. He was convicted in 1999 on two counts of first degree rape to two adult females in Escambia County, Alabama. One of the victims was 19-years old at the time. He served 15 years.
Community Mourns Passing Of NWE Youth Football Coach Greg Gibson
August 12, 2021
The North Escambia community is mourning the loss of youth league football coach Greg Gibson.
Gibson served as president of Northwest Escambia (NWE) Chiefs Football and Cheer since 2013 and had coached most years since 2002.
He passed away early Thursday morning due to COVID-19, leaving behind a wife and his children. And hundreds of other children he loved and influenced in the community.
“Very, very tragic news. The Northwest Escambia community has lost a young man that has been the rock for Northwest Escambia football ever since I’ve been in office,” Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry said during a Thursday morning BOCC Committee of the Whole meeting. “He loved those kids like his own.”
“It’s not an exaggeration to say that without Greg’s dedication and persistence and advocacy on behalf of those young people in that Bradberry Park, Bratt, Byrneville communities, Walnut Hill. Very likely there wouldn’t be a Northwest Escambia football organization.”
“They’re going to be fielding twice the size of the league this year, as they have last few years. And, and that’s in large part due to Greg’s efforts and it’s I was shocked. I was shocked when I heard that this morning and it’s just one of the most tragic things that I’ve heard in a number of years. Just a very, very good guy that did everything for the right reasons,” Barry continued. “Bradberry Park wouldn’t be what it is today without Greg’s help and advocacy.”
“Greg Gibson was a wonderful person, a wonderful coach,” Commissioner Lumon May said. “It’s just a sad day in the youth football world.”
“It’s just a sad day, and it reminds us of how dangerous and how mean COVID and the coronavirus can be,” May said. “It just has to be a worse day nightmare that a little league coach with so much influence would die from COVID.”
Hundreds of tributes and condolences were offered Thursday morning on Facebook. Here are just a few:
“This news has shocked our small town where everyone who lives here loves Greg.”
“Greg Gibson made such a huge impact on so many here in the surrounding areas. Great role model and such a great inspiration. Never seen Greg when he didn’t put all his energy into encouraging, motivating, and uplifting someone in some way. He did everything he did with a smile.”
“Our community is heartbroken this morning.”
“To say that you played a huge part in every player that’s ever played under you is the biggest understatement in this world. I’m absolutely broken to hear this. You did more than just coach a team you made us into who we are.”
“My heart is so incredibly broken this morning. Thank you Greg Gibson for pouring into our kids and this community.”
“Thank you Greg Gibson for the footprints you left in all of my boys’ hearts over the years of not only building ball players but instilling the values of character, discipline, leadership, perseverance, friendship, family and kindness to help them grow into good men. You have truly touched the lives of so many people, and because of your kind, encouraging heart your legacy will live on.”
“We lost a great man, coach, mentor, and friend this morning…We love you Greg and we will deeply miss you.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
First Day of School Went ‘Pretty Well’, Escambia Superintendent Smith Says
August 12, 2021
The last students on school buses were arriving at home late Wednesday afternoon as Escambia Superintendent Tim Smith took a moment to look back at his first, first day of school in Escambia County.
“It went pretty well,” he told NorthEscambia.com as he looked back on a day that started with him visiting bus stops in District 3.
He said the number of students that enrolled were about on par with projections.
“We are right at what we were anticipating, just over 37,000,” Smith said, “and we’ll still get students coming in.”
Transporting those students to and from school was a major concern for the first day due to a bus driver shortage. District staff carefully planned the logistics of changing start and dismissal times at many schools in order to allow drivers to take on more routes. And, overall, the plan seemed to have worked.
“We did have some late buses, although on the first day that’s not highly unusual. Just getting up the routes and really making sure the kids get on the bus and managing that,” Smith said. “But in general, we did pretty well with our buses.”
In addition to the stack of forms that parents need to fill out for each student this week, the superintendent said there are a couple of important things not to overlook.
“Parents can make sure that they’ve had the conversation about whether their students should wear a mask or not. I saw quite a few masks today. So it’s just good for the student to know what their parents expectation is,” he said. The Escambia County School District does not have a mask mandate; masks are a parental option for the students.
“And let’s make sure make sure students are ready to go in a class and paying attention and doing homework and all those good things.”
He also noted that parents must opt in for health services under a new state law.
“We can’t even take a temperature if we don’t have the parent opting in for that; the parents must fill out that form authorizing (health services),” he stated.
“There were a lot of smiles today around campuses and a lot of lot of excitement, so it’s just great to see kids walking onto the campuses,” Smith said.
Pictured top: Escambia County School Superintendent Tim Smith (far left) started the first day of school visiting bus stops in District 3 with school board member Laura Edler (third from left). Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Large Portion Of Nine Mile Road Opens To Four Lanes Of Traffic
August 12, 2021
All four travel lanes are now open on Nine Mile Road between Untreiner Avenue (near Highway 29) to Surrey Drive (west of Pine Forest Road).
The final, friction layer of asphalt for the outside lanes will be paved over the next three weeks during nighttime hours, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. Next, crews will apply the permanent, thermoplastic striping to the roadway.
This part of the the Nine Mile Road improvement project is a $20-million effort to widen the heavily traveled roadway from two to four lanes between Surrey Drive and Untreiner Avenue. Final completion is anticipated in late-September.
Pictured: This photo, taken between Bowman Avenue and Ashland Avenue (facing west) shows the new travel lanes, median, and median turn lanes. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century To Receive Nearly $19K Reimbursement From Escambia County For COVID-19 Expenses
August 12, 2021
The Town of Century will receive a COVID-19 expense reimbursement of nearly $19,000 from Escambia County.
The reimbursement includes $10,049.92 for employee paid COVID-19 leave from July 2020 through December 2020, and $8,731.62 for COVID-19 cleaning and PPE supplies. The total of $18,781.54 will be paid from the $57 million Escambia County received in CARES Act funding.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act payments totaling just over $10 thousand were disbursed to seven employees between July 17 and December 31.
The $8,731.62 for COVID-19 cleaning and PPE supplies included $1,789.91 in cleaning supplies such as gloves, sanitizer and bleach; $5,855.65 to disinfect the town hall building three times after positive employee tests; and $1,086.06 for zoom audio conferencing for town council and related meetings.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: First Day Of School In Escambia County
August 12, 2021
Wednesday was the first day of school in Escambia County.
For a gallery of parent submitted photos, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Catalytic Converter Thefts
August 12, 2021
UPDATE: This suspect has been arrested and released from jail on an $11,000 bond.
Authorities are searching for a man wanted in connection with the thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles in the Pensacola Area.
Westley David Dyal, also known as Westley Ryal, age 31, is is wanted for burglary, grand theft, and criminal mischief.
He may be driving a 2005 silver Dodge Durango pictured below.
Anyone having information Dyal’s whereabouts should call Pensacola Police at (850) 435-1901, or to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Wahoos Hit Five Homers; Trounce Biscuits 7-2
August 12, 2021
On a record setting night in more ways than one, the Blue Wahoos clubbed five home runs against the Biscuits while donning their much-anticipated “Crabzilla” uniforms in their 7-2 win on Wednesday.
The game was meant to be a pitching showcase as Max Meyer (W, 6-1), one of the Marlins top pitching prospects, went head-to-head with Brendan McKay (L, 0-2), a former first-round pick who is working himself back to full strength after tearing his labrum in 2020.
Instead, Meyer shined while McKay struggled.
Pensacola’s starter went six innings and allowed two runs on four hits. What stood out from his performance, however, was his command. The right-hander struck out nine Biscuits while issuing zero walks. It’s the first time in his career he did not issue a walk. His nine strikeouts tie his career high, which he has achieved for the third time this year.
McKay was ambushed in his second rehab outing with Montgomery. The Blue Wahoos smashed three home runs in the bottom of the first, one from Griffin Conine, another from Lazaro Alonso, and a third from Peyton Burdick, which tied Aristides Aquino’s 20 homers back in 2018. Leading 3-0 in the bottom of the third, JJ Bleday crushed his 10th home run of the season to make it 4-0.
Mckay finished his night having allowed four runs (all earned) in 2.2 innings. He finished his outing having thrown 44 pitches (22 strikes).
Pensacola erupted for another big inning in the bottom of the sixth. Jerar Encarnacion led off the frame with a solo home run off Mikey York to make it 5-2. It was Encarnacion’s first since returning to the lineup after sustaining an injury on July 7th and his eighth of the season. After another single from Alonso, Brian Navarreto and Demetrius Sims hit back-to-back RBI doubles to put the Wahoos ahead 7-2.
The bullpen responded admirably after a difficult showing yesterday. Two Wahoo relievers pitched the final three innings in scoreless fashion, including a perfect ninth inning from Dylan Bice to close out the game.
Two Injured In Fire At Adult Assisted Care Facility
August 11, 2021
Two people were injured in a fire Wednesday morning at the Northview Community Center.
Flames and smoke were visible when firefighters arrived at the adult assisted care center at 10050 Hillview Drive, near the University of West Florida. Staff reported everyone had evacuated, and Escambia County Fire Rescue did not find any victims inside the facility during two searches.
Two people were transported to area hospitals suffering from possible smoke inhalation.
“Quick actions by first arriving fire crews as well as a working sprinkler system contained the fire to the room of origin,” ECFR said in a statement. Alarms also functioned inside the single-story, 41-year old wood frame facility. Damage to the building was considered minor.
The State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
