Winners Announced In 67th Youth Art Focus (With Photos, Virtual Tour)
February 11, 2021
Winners have been announced from the 67th Youth Art Focus for the Escambia County School District with the Pensacola Museum of Art is now available.
Since 1954, Youth Art Focus has created an opportunity to expose students to the fine art world in a professional museum environment while giving the public a chance to experience and appreciate the accomplishments of Escambia County’s fine art education programs.
(Tip: To skip ahead to the student art in the virtual video tour, go to 27:55 in the video on the page linked above.)
Escambia County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Continue Downward Trend
February 11, 2021
The number of Escambia County COVID-19 daily hospitalizations is continuing to fall.
There were 152 people currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Escambia County on Wednesday.
“COVID-19 hospitalizations between the three local hospital systems are starting to slowly go down, but we still want to get back to the 50-75 range,” Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said. “It’s important that we continue to work together to bring these numbers down for our community and for our hospitals. Please be vigilant and take preventative actions, including wearing a mask, social distancing and washing your hands often.”
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County and are provided daily by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital. The daily numbers are not cumulative.
Data source: Escambia County, City of Pensacola. Graphics: City of Pensacola, Escambia County.
Pensacola, Biloxi VA Facilities Offering COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments
February 10, 2021
The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System’s (GCVHCS) Joint Ambulatory Care Center (JACC) in Pensacola and Biloxi Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Biloxi are scheduled to host drive-thru COVID-19 vaccinations on February 13.
Veterans interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccination during the appointment-only Pensacola and Biloxi VA facility events are encouraged to register by calling 1-800-296-8872.
\Using the mass vaccination model used by numerous public health organizations, both the Pensacola and Biloxi facilities will offer COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment only from 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. based on availability, according to Dr. M. Christopher Saslo, the GCVHCS associate director for patient care services and nurse executive.
“This effort will help to boost the number of vaccines being delivered to our Veteran population with the support of the VA Network Office and VA Central Office efforts,” he said. “With more than 75,000 registered Veterans throughout the Gulf Coast, it is vital to maximize these efforts in order to minimize risk to our Veterans at risk for exposure.”
Saslo added that GCVHCS COVID-19 vaccination prioritization falls in line with CDC recommendations and VA guidelines, which include Veterans over the age of 65, Veterans in residential behavioral health facilities, caregiver support recipients, Veterans with spinal cord issues and Veterans in long-term care facilities.
He also said that other high-risk populations that are being added as deemed available through vaccine delivery.
FWC Charges Cantonment Man With Deer Hunting Out Of Season On Someone Else’s Land
February 10, 2021
A Cantonment man has been charged with a long list of offenses after allegedly hunting deer out of season while trespassing on someone else’s land.
Brandon Lee Cobb, 31, was charged with three counts of felony armed trespassing on private property, three counts of possession of an antlerless deer in a closed season, three counts of willful wanton waste of wildlife, and one count of being over the daily bag limit of deer. He was also given numerous citations for offenses including no hunting license, no deer permit, no hunter safety card, failure to complete a harvest report and littering. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $14,500 bond.
Cobb was driving around concrete barricades with a large “No Trespassing” sign and entering two private parcels in Cantonment and property owned by Escambia County in order to hunt out of season, according to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC).
FWC officers said they located Cobb on one of the private parcels with three dead deer in the bed of his truck, an arrest report states. The truck was parked near a tree stand, and a .30-30 rifle was in the front seat along with two dogs. Officers determined that the deer had been killed about 20 hours earlier and were spoiled. Cobb told officers he was looking for a fourth deer he had shot.
Cobb claimed he had permission of the landowner to hunt on the property, but the person he named is deceased, the report states. The actual landowner told FWC he not given Cobb permission to hunt on the property.
The exact location of the properties was not provided in the FWC report.
Navy Federal Announces Leadership Changes
February 10, 2021
Navy Federal Credit Union has announced that Captain Keith Hoskins (USN Retired), has been named to the role of executive vice president, branch operations and Kara Cardona has been selected to serve as the new leader of Greater Pensacola Operations. Hoskins served as lead executive for Greater Pensacola Operations since April 2019.
“Keith Hoskins has been a tremendous leader for Greater Pensacola Operations,” said Debbie Calder, chief operating officer for Navy Federal. “Between that experience and his 27 years of service in the U.S. Navy, Keith truly understands our members. I’m confident he will help our growing branch team meet the evolving needs of our members around the world.”
Hoskins takes the helm of the branch team from RADM Dietrich Kuhlmann (USN Retired) who was named chief real estate lending officer. Prior to joining Navy Federal, Hoskins was the western district manager for Gulf Power Company. His transition from military service came after 27 distinguished years in the U.S. Navy where he retired as commanding officer for Naval Air Station Pensacola, providing leadership and oversight to over 25,000 military and civilian personnel. In this role, Hoskins received the Chief’s Installation Excellence Award in 2015. He also served as a F-18 pilot on the Blue Angels flight demonstration team.
“One thing I have learned in my time so far with Navy Federal is this team, no matter where you serve in the credit union, has an unwavering commitment to be there for our members, each other, and our communities,” said Hoskins. “I am proud to be part of it, and look forward to leading our branch team.”
Cardona has been with the credit union for over 21 years, the last three years serving as the number two for Greater Pensacola Operations, Navy Federal’s largest operations site employing more than 8,400 people. Navy Federal is on track to reach its commitment of employing 10,000 people in the Escambia County community by 2026. Prior to her current role, Cardona served as vice president for the credit union’s branch operations.
“Kara’s commitment to our members, team members and the Pensacola community is outstanding,” said Calder. “I’ve always been impressed with her relentless focus on our members while continuing to improve the work experience for our team members.”
In addition to her senior executive role at Navy Federal, Kara also serves as vice chair on the board of directors for Baptist Health Care Inc. and as secretary on the board of directors for First Place Partners Economic Development Organization. She is also a member of IMPACT 100 Pensacola and serves as a big sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. Kara holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College in interdisciplinary studies, with a minor in business, and is an alumnus of Navy Federal’s Executive Education program at Darden School of Business, University of Virginia.
“The opportunity to lead our Pensacola team is a great honor,” said Cardona. “I look forward to continuing to help our employees enjoy a world-class work environment so they can continue their exceptional service to our members while also strengthening our partnerships across the local community.”
Tate Soccer Wins District Championship For The First Time In Over A Decade
February 10, 2021
The Tate High School mens soccer team won the District 1-6A championship Tuesday night 1-0 over Niceville. It’s the first time Tate has claimed a men’s district soccer championship since 2010.
Regular play ended scoreless, and after two 10-minute over halfs it was still 0-0. The game then when into penalty kick overtimes with the Aggies coming out with the win.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Town Of Century Hiring For Multiple Positions
February 10, 2021
The Town of Century is hiring for multiple positions.
Available positions include:
- Wastewater and Water Operators, and trainees. Minimum starting salary of $15 per hour for licensed operators and $13 per hour for trainees.
- Service Worker I. Maintenance of roadways, right of ways, drainage systems, streets signs and building. Pay is based upon work history and experience.
- Citizens Services Clerk. Will interact with citizens concerning municipal operations including water, sewer, natural gas and solid waste. Pay is based upon work history and experience.
For more information, click or tap here.
The application deadline is 2 p.m. on February 18.
Check Out A ‘Blind Date With A Book’ From The Molino Branch Library For Valentine’s Day
February 10, 2021
As Valentine’s Day approaches, how about a blind date with a book from the Molino Branch Library?
It’s a chance to read something new and fresh.
Blind Date with a Book is pretty simple. Books are covered to obscure the author and titles. They are labeled with a few keywords to help make the perfect blind date match.
- Beach Read. Romance. Secrecy.
- Regency Romance. London. Historical Fiction. In Love With…
- New York City Library. Photographer. Romance. Autumn.
- Aliens. Cats. Funny.
Those are just a few of the blind date books available at the Molino Branch Library.
Storms Bring Ping Pong Ball Size Hail, Power Outages; And Here’s How Much It Rained
February 9, 2021
Hail was reported across the North Escambia area early Tuesday morning as storms moved through. There were also numerous power outages.
A NorthEscambia.com reader sent us this photo of hail that fell on Howell Road off Highway 97 in Walnut Hill about 3:10 a.m. Meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Mobile said the hail pictured is up to ping pong ball size, about 1.5 inches.
The ping pong ball size hail did damage an outdoor light, barn light, a horse trailer and vehicles on Howell Road.
NorthEscambia.com received reports of hail across the area — from Walnut Hill, Bratt, Century, Jay (confirmed quarter size), McDavid, Atmore, Flomaton, Pollard and more.
During the 12 a.m. hour, about 3,300 Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers lost power due the prolific lightning. That’s about 30% of all EREC customers. All but a handful had power restored within about an hour.
The weather station at Northview High School in Bratt recorded 1.7 inches of rain. Other rain totals as of 8:30 a.m. Tuesday were:
University of West Florida 1.36 inches
Washington High School 0.76 inches
West Florida High School 0.72 inches
Tate High School 0.61 inches
Escambia High School 0.44 inches
Pensacola High School 0.38 inches
Pine Forest High School (gauge was not working)
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Adult, Child Rescued From Overnight House Fire Near Flomaton
February 9, 2021
Two people were rescued from a house fire early Tuesday morning near Flomaton.
The fire in the 1000 block of Twin Bridges Road was reported about 3:30 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find fire on the first floor of the home.
An adult and child had been sleeping upstairs and were alerted by an alarm system. They were unable to go downstairs due to smoke and fire, and smoke had forced them outside onto the back deck of the second story.
“They were out there but the smoke was so bad it was hard for them to breathe,” Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton said. Firefighters were quickly able to get them down and to safety.
Stanton said a lightning strike to a hot water heater was to blame for the fire.
The Flomaton, Friendship and Lambeth fire departments, with help from the Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, were among those that responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
