High School Fall Sports Delayed; First Day Of Practices Moved To August 17 In Escambia County
July 23, 2020
The Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has delayed the start date for practices for fall high school sports.
The first day of practices has been moved to Monday, August 17 as a result of the first day of school being delayed two week to August 24.
Fall sports played at the high school level which will be impacted include football, volleyball, golf, cross-country, track, swimming and diving. Contest schedules for all fall sports are being adjusted accordingly and information will be released at a later date.
Athletic conditioning may continue following the Escambia County School District guidelines for Safe Return to Athletic Training, utilizing social distancing protocols and proper sanitation measures for training equipment.
“Social distancing protocols will be followed, as well as the proper sanitation steps by district personnel,” Thomas said. “This will be a team effort by all participants.”
Pictured: The first day of 2019 spring practice for the Northview Chiefs on April 22, 2019.. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Second Person Charged With Allegedly Breaking Both Of A Four Month Old Baby Girl’s Legs
July 23, 2020
A second person has been charged with allegedly breaking both of a four-month old baby girl’s legs.
Ashley Anne Mack, age 26 of Red Level, Alabama, was charged with first degree felony aggravated child abuse. She remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $50,000. Dustin Raymond McCurdy, age 27 of Century, was previously charged with first degree felony aggravated child abuse in the case and released on a $100,000 bond.
X-rays showed baby girl had femur fractures on each side of her body. A Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigator told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that the hospital determined the injuries were consistent with child abuse and had possibly been caused by the pulling on the child’s legs.
“The type of fractures this child has sustained is the most specific fracture seen in child abuse, and is the result of violent shearing (pulling),” an arrest report states.
DCF described McCurdy and Mack as illicit drug users, according to arrest reports.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office alleged the fractures occurred during an altercation between McCurdy and Mack.
All Students At 44 Escambia Schools Will Receive Free Lunch, Breakfast This Year
July 23, 2020
Breakfast and lunch will be free for all students, regardless of income, during the upcoming school year at 44 schools in Escambia County.
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program means that parents of the students at these schools are not required to submit an application for the Free and Reduced Meal program at that school. However, siblings attending schools not on the CEP list will need to apply for eligibility.
The free meal schools are selected based upon income levels.
This program has been in place since 2015 in Escambia County and is not related to the current pandemic.
Participating schools are:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
- Bellview
- Bratt
- Brentwood
- Byrneville
- C.A. Weis
- Ensley
- Ferry Pass
- Global Learning Academy
- Holm
- Jim Allen
- Lincoln Park
- Lipscomb
- Longleaf
- McArthur
- Molino Park
- Montclair
- Myrtle Grove
- Navy Point
- Oakcrest
- Pine Meadow
- Pleasant Grove
- Scenic Heights
- O.J. Semmes
- Sherwood
- Warrington
- West Pensacola
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Bellview
- Beulah
- Ernest Ward
- Ferry Pass
- Jim Bailey
- Warrington
- Workman
HIGH SCHOOLS
- Escambia
- Northview
- Pensacola
- Pine Forest
- Washington
OTHER SCHOOLS AND CENTERS
- Camelot
- Capstone
- Escambia Westgate Center
- Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy
- Lakeview Center
- Success Academy
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County, Alabama, COVID-19 Cases Increase By One-Fourth In One Week; Three New Deaths
July 23, 2020
The number of COVID-19 cases in Escambia County, Alabama, are up by one-fourth in the past week.
As of Wednesday night, there were 697 confirmed cases in the county, up 24% from 562 a week ago. There have also been three additional deaths in the past week, brining the county’s total to 15 since the pandemic began.
In the past two weeks, 259 of 1,443 tests have been positive, a rate of 18%, compared to 13.5% statewide.
The latest data from the Escambia County Healthcare Authority shows 335 of the positive tests were from Atmore Community Hospital, and 81 were from D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton.
Pictured: Atmore Community Hospital. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
July 23, 2020
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the period from May 15-May 28 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
(FWC fell behind in issuing reports during the pandemic. An additional update will be posted in the coming days.)
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Cushing and Land were on patrol in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico south of Pensacola in the offshore patrol vessel NW Fincat. They conducted a boarding with multiple people onboard and located eight red snapper and three gray triggerfish. The season is currently closed for both species. The appropriate action was taken reference the violations.
Officers Cushing and Land were on water patrol near Bayou Texar. They observed an individual beach his vessel at the public boat ramp. The operator fell as he stepped out of his vessel, got up, and began staggering to his vehicle in the parking lot. Officer Land stopped the individual before he could leave to drive his vehicle. Standardized Field Sobriety Tasks (SFST) were conducted and the operator was arrested for BUI.
Officers Cushing and Land were on patrol in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico south of Pensacola in the offshore patrol vessel. They conducted a resource inspection on a vessel with multiple people on board and located eight red snapper and three gray triggerfish. The season is currently closed for both species. The appropriate action was taken in reference to the violations.
Officers Cushing, Land, Matechik, Allgood, Graves, and Manning were on patrol in several different vessels, including an unmarked vessel and offshore patrol vessel. They patrolled waters targeting illegal harvest of red snapper and located many vessels and individuals possessing red snapper in closed state waters. They issued 18 citations for possession of red snapper, multiple fishing license citations, interference with a Fish and Wildlife Commission officer, multiple boating citations and 35 warnings.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
While on patrol in the Shorebird Nesting Zone on Navarre Causeway, Officer Wilkenson observed several subjects fishing within the bird nesting area under the bridge. A resource inspection was conducted and revealed two undersized red drum. The subject was issued a notice to appear for the violation.
K9 Handler Officer J. Hutchinson was patrolling at night on state owned land near a boat ramp and observed a truck travelling towards him with its headlights off. A stop revealed the driver did not have a valid driver’s license. The glove compartment contained a loaded pistol and the driver informed Officer Hutchinson there were possible illegal drugs inside of the vehicle. Drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine were in the driver’s pants pocket and a check revealed the passenger was a convicted felon. Two Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Deputies arrived and assisted with the search of the vehicle. The driver was arrested for the drugs, paraphernalia and driving while license suspended. The passenger was arrested for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Both subjects were booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Officer Ramos was on patrol when he observed a man and woman fishing from a public pier. A license and resource inspection were conducted. The non-resident woman didn’t have a fishing license and the man admitted that he pulled someone else’s blue crab trap out of the water, retrieved a pinfish and placed it on a hook as bait. The female was issued a citation for not having a fishing license and the man was issued a criminal notice to appear for removing or taking possession of the contents of another harvester’s blue crab trap.
Community Health Northwest Florida Receives $50,000 COVID-19 Emergency Grant
July 23, 2020
Community Health Northwest Florida recently received $50,000 in emergency grant funding from the medical aid organization Direct Relief, in partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers.
Community Health Northwest Florida was among 518 federally qualified health centers to receive funding through Direct Relief’s $25 million Covid-19 Fund for Community Health, which recognizes the profound effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the finances, services, staff, and patients of community health centers.
Community Health Northwest Florida will utilize the funds to ensure the continued safety of their healthcare workers through acquisition of additional personal protective equipment for front line clinical teams, physical building modifications and additional training for staff. The funds will also enable the health center to continue to provide walk-up and drive-through Covid-19 testing in addition to Covid-19 health education and outreach to the communities they serve, including Cantonment and Century.
“We are grateful for this critical and immediate support as we work to keep our communities safe and healthy during this unprecedented pandemic,” said Chandra Smiley, chief executive officer of Community Health Northwest Florida.
“Access to primary care is what keeps people healthy and out of the hospital, and the frontline work of Community Health Northwest Florida and other nonprofit community health centers across the U.S. is more
critical than ever with the onset of Covid-19,” said Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe. “Direct Relief is doing everything possible to bolster the work and support the staffs at the safety-net health facilities on which so many patients and their families rely for excellent care and trust for advice in this public health emergency.”
Two Men Steal Safe After Throwing A Brick Through The Door Of Century Liquor Store
July 22, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two men that threw a brick through the front door of a Century liquor store and stole the safe.
It happened sometime between about 4 and 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning at the Fusion Fine Wine and Spirits store at 9515 North Century Boulevard, adjacent to the Food Giant.
The ECSO said the safe was taken during the burglary, and surveillance images show the men toting the safe outside.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9650 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 436-STOP.
Traditional, Remote Learning Or Virtual School? Here’s What Escambia Parents Picked
July 22, 2020
Escambia County parents were asked to choose from three options for their child’s education when students return to class in August.
Here’s what parents picked (definitions of each are at the end of the article):
- Traditional learning: 12,463 (34%)
- Remote Learning: 11,559 (31%)
- Virtual School: 3,481 (9%)
- Unknown: 9,753 (26%)
Because twice the number of parents chose the remote learning option, the school district has delayed the start of school by two weeks to better prepare.
RELATED: ESCAMBIA SCHOOLS DELAY START DATE, MANDATE FACE COVERINGS
“The number of students participating in the Remote Learning/Virtual School option means additional training for a number of our current instructors,” Escambia Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said, “pushing the student start date to August 24, 2020 is necessary to provide our educators with the professional development required for quality virtual instruction. This also means students returning to Traditional School can improve social distancing within the classroom and school buses.”
The district is attempting to contact the parents that did not make a choice by the July 20 deadline (listed as “Unknown” above). Parents can also call their child’s school to make a change in their selection.
The three options, in more detail, are:
Traditional -
This model represents a return to the school campus and the classroom where students will interact directly with their teacher(s) and classmates. If an option is not selected in FOCUS for a student, then this will be the default selection. The school day will follow the standard bell times and standard schedule that includes all the core classes and other subject areas. In short, it represents a return to the traditional school environment – with several significant changes involving enhanced health and safety precautions.
Remote Learning -
The remote learning model is designed for families who would like to maintain their connection to their enrolled school, but don’t yet feel comfortable sending their student(s) back to school in August. Students will attend school remotely, following the standard school schedule and bell times. The lessons, assignments and grading will be similar to traditional school.
Virtual School -
The virtual model is ideal for students who wish to have more control over their learning path and pace, and for whom a flexible daily schedule is important. In this learning model, students often work on assignments in a virtual environment during non-traditional hours and maintain contact with their teacher and classmates using web-based class sessions, email, text messages and telephone calls.
Gun Pointed At Vehicle During Road Rage Incident At Highway 29 And Highway 97, ECSO Says
July 22, 2020
A driver allegedly pointed a gun at another vehicle during a road rage incident at Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
Sam Payne, Jr., age 28 of Atmore, was charged with two counts of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with intent to commit a felony and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a report that the driver of a silver Hyundai Sonata with a personalized tag had displayed a firearm during a road rage incident. Payne allegedly pointed the handgun at another vehicle occupied by two people as it was southbound on Highway 97. He followed them south on Highway 29 while flashing his headlights, according to an arrest report. The victim eventually turned into the parking lot of the Raceway on Highway 29 in Cantonment as the suspect continued southbound.
A deputy conducted a traffic stop on Hyundai Sonata with the specialty license plate at the intersection of Highway 29 and Tate School Road. Payne was removed from the vehicle at gunpoint and taken into custody.
Deputies reported finding a .45 caliber Hi-Point pistol on the front passenger seat. It had one round in the chamber and two in the magazine, the report states.. When the deputy removed Payne’s driver’s license from the center console of the vehicle, he located pills that field tested positive for methamphetamine.
The ECSO report states the victims positively identified Payne as the driver that pointed a gun at them.
Payne was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,500 bond.
Board Approves Six Escambia School Superintendent Semi-Finalists; Rejects The Addition Of Seven Others
July 22, 2020
The Escambia County School Board Tuesday night approved the semi-finalists to be the county’s next school superintendent. They systematically rejected all of the additional candidates from the applicant pool that were recommended by two board members, opting to move forward only the six candidates picked by a selection committee.
District 3 member Dr. Laura Edler had six additional candidate suggestions rejected. She unsuccessfully recommended Dr. Wayne Alexander, Adam M. Taylor, Dr. Michelle E. James and Dr. Brian T. Binggeli. Each of those motions by Edler failed due to the lack of a second.
Board Chairman Patty Hightower seconded motions by Edler to add Dr. Raymond L. Bryant, Jr. and Dr. Robert E. Schiller but each was voted down by board members Kevin Adams, Bill Slayton and Paul Fetsko.
On Schiller, Slayton commented, “It was ironic that I had family that was in the area when this gentleman was serving as a superintendent, and it was a bit of mess.”
Hightower made a motion to add Dr. Christopher N. Ruszkowski to the semi-finalist list, but failed due to the lack of a second.
The six semi-finalists moved forward in the selection process are:
Edler voted against the approval of the selection list candidates.
Up next, the semi-finalists will receive a list of questions to answer within a week, and complete background checks will be performed.
