Tate, PHS Students Named National Merit $2,500 Scholarship Winners
May 12, 2021
Students from Tate and Pensacola high school have been named National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners.
Michael R. Dixon from Tate High School, and George T. Prettyman, Amy Anqi Zhang and MaxAnthony D. Mateer from Pensacola High School were local scholarship recipients.
The 2,500 Merit Scholar designees were chosen from a talent pool of some 16,000 outstanding finalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program. The finalists in each state are judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.
Atmore Killer Found Dead In Prison Cell; He Was Convicted Of Strangling Woman, Torching Her Home
May 12, 2021
An Atmore man sentenced to life in prison for a 2013 strangulation death was found dead in his prison cell.
Collis McCaster, now 48, was found unresponsive in his private cell at 8:20 a.m. Sunday at the William Donaldson Correctional Facility in Bessemer, Alabama. He was pronounced deceased at 8:45 a.m.
“At this time there is no evidence of trauma or foul play and an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of the death,” Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates stated in a report obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
McCaster was originally charged with capital murder but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of murder for the death of 60-year old Mildred Jackson Morris.
Firefighters responded a call of smoke coming from Morris’ home at 227 Adams Street in Atmore about 5:20 a.m. on June 8, 2013. Once the fire was contained and firefighters were able to enter the residence, the remains of Morris were found on the living room couch where family members stated she normally slept. Morris was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel.
Fire officials said the fire was contained mostly to the living room of the home.
McCaster was arrested a few hours later. He underwent a polygraph test and confessed to the crime.
Pictured top and below: Collis McCaster was convicted of murdering a woman then torching her home on Adams Street in Atmore in June 2013. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Rips Through Church Outreach Building In Ensley: Pastor Says They Are Preparing To Rebuild
May 11, 2021
Fire destroyed a church building in Ensley Tuesday afternoon.
The fire was in the 9000 block of Chandler Street, behind Crown Church. Flames were seen coming through the roof of the building before firefighters arrived on scene. There was no one inside at the time, and there were no reports of injuries.
The building was the Crown Church Community Outreach Center, according to Pastor Jason Oxendine. The building was used to provide clothing, food and other community needs.
“We are now in prayer and will start preparing to rebuild the outreach center so that we will be able to continue to respond to needs of our community,” Oxendine said.
Reports indicated that lightning may have sparked the fire, but the the exact cause is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Cantonment Wreck
May 11, 2021
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash Tuesday morning on Highway 29 at Morris Avenue in Cantonment.
The injured person was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries that were not considered to be serious. One other person refused medical treatment.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Ensley Walmart Robbed Tuesday Morning
May 11, 2021
The Ensley Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard was robbed Tuesday morning.
A male wearing a white hoodie went to the customer service counter and passed a note stating that it was robbery, according to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Commander Andrew Hobbs.
The suspect did not display a weapon, Hobbs said.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information on the incident to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.
Pictured: This suspect allegedly robbed the Ensley Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard Tuesday morning. Pictured below: The scene outside the store. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge..
Century Man Facing Multiple Felony Narcotics Charges After Traffic Stop
May 11, 2021
A Century man was charged with multiple felony narcotics counts after a traffic stop.
Demontra Johnta Mitchell, 27, was charged with trafficking in oxycodone, possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, two counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, tampering with evidence, distribution of an opium derivative (oxycodone), possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with license suspended habitual offender.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Escape driven by Mitchell in the area of New Warrington Road and Mobile Highway due to a seat belt violation and a partially obscured tag.
During a search of the vehicle, deputies reported finding 13 oxycodone pills, 18.5 grams of marijuana, methamphetamine, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, a digital scale and $700 in cash, according to an arrest report.
Mitchell remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
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.”