Practices Begin Sept. 7 For Fall Sports In Escambia County, First Games Sept. 18
August 19, 2020
The Escambia County School District will allow practices for fall sports to begin September 7, with the first games as early as September 18.
Tryouts for student athletes will be conducted the week of August 31 through September 4.
School athletic directors are will work together to create game schedules, with as little travel out of the area as possible, said Escambia County School Athletic Director Roger Mayo.
It’s not known yet if schools will take part in the state playoff series or if an small regional conference might be formed.
Mayo said a Panhandle regional conference has been discussed For Escambia, Santa Rosa and other Panhandle counties. The possibility is still in play presently.
“It’s just too early to tell right now,” Mayo said Monday.
Spectators will be allowed at sports in Escambia County, but football game attendance will be limited to allow adequate social distancing.
“Face coverings will be worn in district facilities as directed by staff and instructional leaders,” the Escambia School District said in a statement. If a situation arises whereas a student, member of staff, or a visitor is not wearing, or is incapable of wearing a face covering, such individual may be assisted or guided by appropriate authorities within the district to undertake alternative, reasonable, and accommodating actions to protect self and others.”
Mayo said the face mask requirement will include football stadiums.
Michelle Salzman Beats Mike Hill In GOP Race For House District 1 Seat
August 19, 2020
Michelle Salzman won the Republican nomination for Florida House District 1 over incumbent Rep. Mike Hill.
Salzman will go on to face Democratic nominee Francine Mathis in the November general election.
“I feel humbled and grateful, and I’m hopeful for the future of Northwest Florida,” Salzman told NorthEscambia.com. “This is not my victory; this is a victory of the people.”
Salzman won the GOP nod with 52.48% of the vote to Hill’s 47.52% according to complete, but unofficial results. She had a 1,048 vote advantage.
In her campaign, Salzman highlighted the fact that Hill failed to get any bill that he sponsored passed. And she picked up key endorsements from the National Rifle Association, Florida Medical Association, Florida Professional Firefighters and the Florida Police Benevolent Association. Salzman, an Army veteran, has spent much of the past several years volunteering locally and is the former president of the Escambia County Council of PTAs.
Hill, a local insurance agent, was first elected during a 2013 special election in House District 2. He ran unsuccessfully for state Senate in 2016. In 2018, he ran for House District 1, defeating Rebecca Bydlak after releasing a video recorded at the Confederate monument in downtown Pensacola claiming that he would bring the Donald Trump Hollywood star to Pensacola. That never happened.
Salzman said during the next phase of her campaign, she will be reaching out to voters to see what they want from their representative.
“I look forward to reaching out to all of the voters and finding out what are the priorities I can work on in Tallahassee,” she said.
In the Democratic primary, Mathis won with 68.20% of the vote to Barbara Schott-Shouse’s 31.80%.
Steven Barry Elected To Third Term As Escambia County District 5 Commissioner
August 19, 2020
Incumbent Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry won a third term Tuesday.
“I am both humbled by the support of my friends and neighbors of District 5 and excited about the opportunity to continue my public service for another term. I am proud of many things that have been completed, but I understand there is a lot of work to be done,” Barry said. “We are going to keep paving dirt roads, resurfacing existing roads, and completing drainage projects.”
Barry received 54.72% of the vote. Political newcomer Megan Walters had 27.32%, and former commissioner John Reading received 17.96%. Barry returns to his seat with no Democratic opposition in November.
“The campaign has also highlighted some other major areas of concerns, including but not limited to, improving access to high-speed internet throughout the entire district, enhancing established residential areas, and prudently managing the growth continuing to come to District 5,” Barry told NorthEscambia.com Tuesday night. “I hope to make my constituents proud of my behavior as their elected county commissioner. I take the responsibility I have been given seriously and I am thrilled to start the work of the next four years, beginning tomorrow morning”
“I want to thank my beautiful wife Ellen, my entire family, and all my friends for their work and help with the campaign. With the COVID crisis, this has been a challenging campaign season and I would not have been successful without a tremendous amount of help. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost loved ones during the pandemic,” Barry added. “I also want to thank my opponents for a positive, competitive campaign.”
Barry is an independent Certified Financial Planner, and has operated his small business in District 5 for nearly 20 years.
Escambia County Election Results Roundup
August 19, 2020
Here are complete unofficial results from the Primary Election in Escambia County from NorthEscambia.com.
Santa Rosa County Election Results Roundup
August 19, 2020
Here are results from the Primary Election in Santa Rosa County from NorthEscambia.com.
Brooks, Lewis Headed To November Runoff For Century Council Seat 1
August 19, 2020
Two candidates are headed to a November runoff for Century Town Council Seat 1.
Incumbent Ann Brooks garnered the most votes in the race against two challengers, but Century’s charter requires a candidate to receive one more than 50 percent of the vote in order to be declared the winner.
Brooks received 148 votes (44.85%), followed by Dynette Lewis with 122 (36.97%) and Calvin Kenneth Cottrell, Jr. with 60 (18.18%) of the vote for the non-partisan seat.
Brooks, the current council president, was first elected in 2007. Lewis has 28 years experience in the financial services industry.
Two other Century town races will also be on the November ballot. Political newcomers Shelisa Dorshae McCall and Leonard B. White will face off for Century Town Council Seat 3, and incumbent Mayor Henry Hawkins will face former council member Ben Boutwell in the race for mayor.
Escambia Commission: Lumon May Wins Democratic Nod; Bergosh Returns To Seat
August 19, 2020
Three incumbent Escambia County commissioners were winners in the Tuesday’s election, sending two of them back for another term and one to the November ballot.
In District 1, incumbent Jeff Bergosh had 38.69% percent of the vote to defeat three others for the win. With no November challenger, he will serve an additional term. Jessee Casey received 31.02% of the vote, Jonathan Owens had 22.48% and Jimmie Trotter had 7.8%.
District 3 saw brother take on brother in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Lumon May received 89.01% of the vote, while his brother Rev. LuTimothy May garnered 10.99%. Lumon May, who was endorsed by his mother, will be on the ballot in November. He does not have a Republican challenger, but Jason Laird is qualified as a write-in candidate.
In District 5, Steven Barry defeated two opponents for a third term. Click or tap here for that story.
Longtime ECUA District 5 Board Member Larry Walker Defeated By Newcomer Kevin Stephens
August 19, 2020
Political newcomer Kevin Stephens of Molino defeated longtime Emerald Coast Utility Authority District 5 board member Larry Walker in Tuesday’s election.
Stephens was elected with 59.53% of the vote to Walker’s 40.47%.
Walker served on the ECUA board for nearly three decades – from 1988 to 2000 and 2004 to the present day.
Town Of Flomaton Employees Tests Positive For COVID-19; Most Town Buildings Closed To The Public
August 19, 2020
The Town of Flomaton has closed town facilities to visitors after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
The town in a statement that the employee became ill on August 11 and was sent home on paid leave. The employee received a positive coronavirus test result on Tuesday, August 18.
The town has closed their municipal complex, community center and fire department to visitors. All of the buildings have been cleaned, along with the library. After the exposure, the community center was professionally cleaned.
A drive-thru window is open normal business hours for court or utility payments, which can also be made online.
Mayor Dewey Bondurant has directed the mandatory use of face masks in most circumstances by town employees and volunteers “when two or more persons are present”.
The Alabama Department of Health is expected to do contact tracing and make any needed notifications to persons that may have been exposed to the infected employee.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Passes Away At Age 40
August 18, 2020
A Santa Rosa County deputy has passed away.
Deputy Charles Pugh passed away Tuesday morning at age 40.
“Just say prayers for the family and our agency,” Sheriff Bob Johnson said. He did not specify the cause of death.
Pugh was a Santa Rosa County deputy for five years, serving in the Detention Division. He was also a member of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Honor Guard.
Funeral arrangements are forthcoming.