Florida Forest Service Expects To Begin Filling Krul Lake Today
May 11, 2021
Here’s an update to a story we brought you three weeks ago.
In April, Florida Forest Service officials told NorthEscambia.com then that it would be about two weeks before repair would be complete on Krul Lake in the Blackwater State Forest. The project took a little longer than anticipated to complete, but water will soon be back in the lake.
If all goes as planned, the Forest Service plans to close the floodgate at Krul Lake Tuesday afternoon. It would normally take the lake about a week to fill, but it could be sooner depending on how much rain falls the next couple of days.
Krul Lake is filled from springs located on the north end of the lake and is popular summer swimming area. The Krul Recreation area, located about a half mile east of Munson, also features restrooms and showers, hiking trails, a gristmill, a suspension bridge over Sweetwater Creek, and a picnic area.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Selects 2021-2022 Officer Team
May 11, 2021
The Northview High School FFA has selected their officer team for the upcoming school year.
Northview FFA 2021-2022 officers are:
- President: Audrey Goetter
- Vice President: Briar Weaver
- Secretary: Paige Gibbs
- Sentinel: Cody Pugh
- Treasurer: Judson Lee
- Reporter: Ryan Andrews
- Parliamentarian: John Beczkowski
- Photographer: Samantha Kimmons
“We are excited to start a new year with this phenomenal officer team. Despite the challenges of this year, these students have gone above and beyond to participate and make every event we participated in a success. I am confident that each of these students has a bright future ahead and look forward to seeing them accomplish many great things,” said Brandon Korinchak, Northview agriscience teacher.
Pictured: (front L-R) Samantha Kimmons, Audrey Goetter, Paige Gibbs, (back row) Judson Lee, John Beczkowski, Ryan Andrews, Briar Weaver, and Cody Pugh. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Get A Vaccine At One Of Three Upcoming Blue Wahoos Games
May 11, 2021
You can watch a Wahoos game and get a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time at two upcoming games.
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos, in partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, will offer free COVID-19 vaccines to fans at their games on Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16. Johnson & Johnson single-shot vaccines will be available to medically-eligible fans ages 18 and up and will be administered by Department of Health nurses.
“We’re so excited for the opportunity to work together with the Florida Department of Health to offer vaccines to our fans,” team president Jonathan Griffith said. “Helping get Pensacola vaccinated meets our mission as an organization to improve the quality of life in our community. I’m so excited about this chance that I’ve committed to get vaccinated myself on the dugout during the 7th inning stretch while singing Take Me Out To The Ballpark!”
No appointments will be necessary for fans attending the games. 500 vaccine doses will be available at the ballpark in first-come, first serve fashion.
“This collaboration with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos is not only a great opportunity to increase vaccinations in our community but also a model of the vital role that partnerships play in our public health system,” Marie Mott, health officer and administrator for FDOH-Escambia, said. “The COVID-19 vaccine is an important tool to stop the spread of COVID-19, and I encourage all eligible persons to get vaccinated.”
Council On Aging Senior Dining Sites To Reopen After More Than A Year
May 11, 2021
The Council on Aging of West Florida will soon reopen senior dining sites will reopen next week for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
The Council on Aging congregate meal program sites will reopen May 17 to elders 60 and over on Monday, May 17. The sites closed March 16, 2020. due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, meals have been available at these sites via a Monday through Friday grab-and-go platform, but now the locations will reopen to 100 percent occupancy so older adults can resume daytime activities.
For those who can and enjoy getting out for lunch, the Senior Dining Program is a neighborhood-based program which offers older citizens the opportunity to share their lunch with others their age. Hot nutritious balanced meals are served to active senior adults at several locations throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Meals are prepared fresh daily and contain one-third of the required daily allowance (RDA) for adults and comply with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Guidelines. In addition, participants have an opportunity to join in arts and crafts projects, play games and socialize. Serving times and location hours vary by site.
The sites will open as of May 17 will be:
Century Senior Center
6025 Industrial Boulevard
Century, FL 32535
(850) 256-1012
Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Chumuckla Community Center
2355 Highway 182 West, Chumuckla, FL 32566
(850) 994-8811
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane, Jay, FL 32565
(850) 675-0810
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Tuesday through Thursday
Bayview Senior Center
2000 E Lloyd St.
Pensacola, FL 32503
(850) 432-1475
Hours: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:30 AM
Monday through Friday
Cobb Center
601 E. Mallory
Pensacola, FL 32503
(850) 436-5192
Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Westwood Homes
4400 Westover Ave.
Pensacola, FL 32506
(850) 292-9868
Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Serving Time: 11:15 AM
Monday through Friday
Bagdad Community Center
6860 Pooley St., Bagdad, FL 32530
(850) 983-4500
Hours: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Christ United Methodist Church
5983 Dogwood Street, Milton, FL 32570
(850) 983-4590
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
E.H. Pullum Senior Center
8476 Gordon Goodin Lane. Navarre, FL 32566
(850) 936-1644
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:15 AM
Monday through Thursday Only
Missing from the list are the sites in Cantonment and Beulah.
Josh Newby, marketing director for the Council on Aging, said the Cantonment site needs building repairs, and the Beulah site is too small to allow for property social distancing.
he decision to reopen comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lifted all coronavirus limitations based on emergency executive order, and local municipalities have followed suit. As vaccination rates continue to increase, COVID hospitalizations remain trending downward, and average infection age drops steadily, Council on Aging’s management and board have made the decision to allow seniors to recongregate.
“For decades, we have been preaching the importance of socialization and companionship for our community’s elderly,” said John B. Clark, Council on Aging president and CEO. “It’s good for your mind, your soul and your body. Of course, we had to reverse course during COVID as that physical safety became most pressing, but now we feel that our area is in a safe place to return these elders to a communal setting where they can support and enrich each other and grow together.”
Jay’s Jillian Thornton Wins State 1A High Jump Title
May 10, 2021
Jay High School’s Jillian Thornton took first place in the state in high jump at the FHSAA 1A track and field meet in Jacksonville.
She came in at 5-foot, 1.75-inches to take state. The senior joins just two other Royals that were track and field state champions in the past three decades.
Teresa Dobson, a current Jay track coach, took first place in the 3200 meter run and set a new state and school record in 1991, and Crystal Creamer Kelly was state champion in shot put in 1998.
Thornton was coached by Caleb Copeland for Jay.
Also at the 1A meet last Friday, Jay’s Isaac Black placed eighth and Landry Cato placed 11th in pole vault.
Pictured top: Jay High School’s Jillian Thornton won the Florida 1A High Jump Championship Friday the University of North Florida Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville. Pictured below: Thornton with Jay coach Teresa Dobson, who won the 3200 meter state championship in 1991 and set a state record. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Aggravated Assault Against Son; Dad Says He Shot At A Squirrel
May 10, 2021
A Cantonment man was charged with one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill in an incident with his adult son.
William Jason Cook, 44, was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,000 bond.
The victim told Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies that he was in his room asleep with his girlfriend when Cook kicked his door open and screamed at him before going outside. The victim then heard a gunshot outside his window, according to an arrest report, before Cook began “wiggling his window air conditioner” and hitting the window.
The son told deputies that he was in fear for his life and believed his was going to be shot by Cook.
Arriving deputies found a loaded shotgun with seven shells in the woods and a spent shotgun shell in the front yard.
Cook told deputies he woke up and noticed his gate was damaged and believed that someone broke into his property. Cook said he went to his son’s room to alert him of the situation before going outside with his shotgun to investigate.
“William Jason Cook stated while he was in the front yard, he saw a squirrel and he shot his shotgun at the squirrel,” the arrest report states, before going deep into the woods to see if anyone was there. Cook stated that there was no argument with his son.
Deputies noted in their report that no one involved in the incident was under the influence at the time.
Tate High’s Logan Tyree Signs With UWF Soccer
May 10, 2021
Tate High School’s Logan Tyree has signed to play soccer for the University of West Florida.
Tyree was a four-year varsity starter for the Aggies. He played on the Gulf Coast Texans club team, as well as the Pensacola FC NPSL team.
Mom Watches Escambia Firefighter Son Save A Life During Mother’s Day Brunch
May 10, 2021
An Escambia County firefighter made his mom extra proud during Mother’s Day brunch Sunday.
“So it’s not everyday that a mom gets to watch one of her children save someone’s life,” Madeline Willis wrote in a social media post. “But that happened to me today. What an amazing Mother’s day!”
Willis is in Pensacola visiting with her son Jacob Hoskins, an Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighter assigned to the Ensley Fire Station.
They were at a McGuire’s for Mother’s Day brunch when a woman began to choke. Hoskins jumped into action, and saved the woman’s life.
“So saving people’s lives is something he does on a daily basis…but for me to observe this humble son of mine do his ‘job’ was an experience I’ll never forget,” Willis said. “So proud!”
Pictured: Madeline Willis (front left) watched her firefighter son Jacob Hoskins (middle right) save a choking victim during Mother’s Day lunch on Sunday. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Jump A Dime; Pipeline Shutdown Threatens Another Increase
May 10, 2021
Florida gas prices increased 10 cents last week, in response to the crude oil and gasoline futures price gains, according to AAA.
The state average is now $2.88 per gallon; three cents less than the highest price so far this year.
In North Escambia, a low of $2.76 could be found Saturday night at station on Highway 29. A handful of stations in Pensacola were a few cents less.
Now there’s a threat of even higher prices as the country’s largest pipeline – for refined products like gasoline – has been shut down since Friday, due to a cyber attack. The Colonial Pipeline carries gasoline and diesel from refineries in Texas, supplying states with fuel across the southeastern US and up the eastern seaboard to the New York harbor.
“The longer the pipeline is down, the greater the threat of rising gas prices,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “If operations are restored on Monday, drivers may see very little to no impact at the pump. A lengthy downtime, like a week, would be a different story. Sunday night, gasoline futures prices were up less than a nickel.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Wahoos Drop Game To The Braves, Bring Series Win Back To Pensacola
May 10, 2021
Pensacola dropped the finale of their first series of the year in a 6-2 game shortened by rain.
Home runs were the story once again for the M-Braves as they scored five of their six runs via the long ball on Mother’s Day. C.J. Alexander hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first off Wahoos starter Will Stewart (L, 0-1) to put the M-Braves up 3-0.
Jerar Encarnacion had a quick response when he led off the second inning with a spectacular solo home run that landed in the parking lot well beyond the left field bullpen.
However, it was Mississippi who homered again, and this time Jacob Pearson hit a two-run shot off Stewart in the bottom of the fourth, pushing the M-Braves lead to 5-1. They would add another run in the sixth, and after the Wahoos scored in the seventh to make it a 6-2 game, the skies opened up and the game was called due to a heavy downpour.
RHP Matt Withrow made his first start for the M-Braves in almost four years, dating back to May 21, 2017 against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. He pitched four innings, and allowed just the one run on two hits while striking out two.
Pensacola leaves Mississippi with its first series win in hand as they prepare for back-to-back homesteads, the first beginning on Tuesday, May 11th against the Birmingham Barons.
by Chris Garagiola, Pensacola Blue Wahoos