Gaetz Announces Florida’s First District Congressional Art Competition Winners
June 7, 2020
Congressman Matt Gaetz has announced the winners of this year’s Congressional Art Competition. Students from across the First Congressional District of Florida submitted artwork for the competition pertaining to the theme “Scenes of Northwest Florida.”
Each spring, a nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored by members of the U.S. House of Representatives. High school students from across Florida’s First Congressional District submitted their artwork for the competition, and a panel of local art professionals judged the pieces. The first-place winner’s artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, and the exhibit in Washington will also include artwork from participating districts across the country.
The winners of the 2020 Congressional Art Competition were:
1st Place: Gabriella Lanza, South Walton High School, “Ocean Layer”
2nd Place: Rhianna Cooley, Pensacola Catholic High School, “The Great Sea Witch”
3rd Place: Brooke Rorer, Pace High School, “Dimitri the Pensacola Fisherman”
Runner Up Winners:
1st Runner Up: Mary Claire Brown, South Walton High School, “Sunrise Trees”
2nd Runner Up: Jamie Harrison, Jay High School, “Equestrian Elegance”
3rd Runner Up: Rayne Henry, Gulf Breeze High School, “Thank You For Your Service”
Pictured top: “Ocean Layer” by Gabriella Lanza of South Walton High School, winner of Florida’s First District Congressional Art Competition. Pictured below: “Equestrian Elegance” by Jamie Harrison of Jay High School, second runner-up in the competition. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola: The Future Home Of U.S. Space Command?
June 7, 2020
Pensacola is already the Cradle of Naval Aviation. So why not the home of U.S. Space Command?
U.S. Space Command is currently based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but the Department of Defense is seeking a permanent home.
Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson has submitted letter expressing Pensacola’s interest in becoming the command’s home. Pensacola meets the minimum criteria as announced to date for possible selection.
The Department of the Air Force is providing communities who meet the screening criteria an opportunity to nominate themselves as potential candidate locations by following the process outlined in a letter from the Department of the Air Force to the nation’s governors which includes a nomination form and screening and evaluation criteria.
A preferred U.S. Space Command headquarters location is expected to be selected in early 2021. It is expected to take about six years to construct the necessary facilities.
Pictured: Downtown Pensacola, with an added U.S. Space Command logo. NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Program Provides Free Books, Activities To Help Local Kids Ages 4-5 Learn To Read
June 7, 2020
Every Child a Reader in Escambia (ECARE) is launching a new summer program for families of four and five year old children who are just learning to read.
Participating families will receive free books, activities and support over the summer to enhance their child’s kindergarten readiness. All participants will be entered to win a $50 gift card.
Sign up online by clicking or tapping here or by texting “READ” to 833-636-0537.
Florida Shutdown: Leisure, Hospitality Industries Lost The Most Jobs Locally. Here’s How Other Industries Fared.
June 7, 2020
The unemployment rate in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties jumped to 12% in April, 9.1% higher than the region’s year ago rate of 2.9%.
As expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Florida’s state at home orders, the leisure and hospitality industries were the hardest hit, losing 5,300 jobs. That was followed by 2,500 jobs lost in retail trade industries.
The chart above detail job losses over the past year by sector in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Escambia Courts Resume In Person Hearings This Week; Civil Cases Reset (With Schedule)
June 7, 2020
The First Judicial Circuit has set staggered hearing times for plea day this week and has reset small claim hearings.
The courts are moving to resume certain limited in-person hearings, appearance times will be staggered to allow for proper social distancing. Out-of-custody individuals with county court criminal hearings scheduled before Judge Kerra Smith (Division 2) on Tuesday, June 9 in Escambia County at the M.C. Blanchard Building should report according to the following schedule:
Those with scheduled hearings should report to the courthouse at least 15 minutes prior to their hearing times to allow for adequate screening. All persons entering the courthouse will undergo a temperature check and will be asked COVID-19 screening questions. A face covering is required at all times while in the court facility.
Small Claims Pre-Trial Conferences set for Wednesday, June 10 Have Been Reset
All small claims cases in Escambia County are presently being conducted by video conference or teleconference. Those persons with a small claims pre-trial conference previously scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, should not appear in person at the M.C. Blanchard Building. The parties have been sent a reset summons with information regarding appearing by Zoom. For questions regarding new dates, call (850) 595-4173 or (850) 595-4424.
File photo.
Vehicle Drives Through Pensacola Protesters; Man Carried Across Pensacola Bay Bridge On SUV’s Hood
June 6, 2020
A vehicle drove through a group of protesters in downtown Pensacola Saturday afternoon, carrying one man on its hood across the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
A group of protesters had walked the short distance from the Graffiti Bridge on 17th Avenue to Bayfront Parkway, locking arms and temporarily blocking access to the Pensacola Bay Bridge. The Ford Flex drove at a slow speed through the group, with one protester jumping onto the hood of vehicle.
The driver continued slowly, with the man on the hood, three miles across the Pensacola Bay Bridge where the vehicle was stopped by Gulf Breeze Police.
The man was transported by ambulance to a hospital, but there was no word on severity of any injuries.
After about 20 minutes, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson arrived to speak to the group, and they left the roadway a short time later.
Police are continuing their investigation.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Charges Upgraded To Attempted Murder Against Cantonment Man For Gas Station Shooting
June 6, 2020
A Cantonment man is now facing an attempted murder charge for allegedly opening fire at a Pine Forest Road gas station last month.
William David Nicholson II, 27, is being held in the Escambia County Jail on charges that include attempted murder, firing a weapon in the public, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He appeared in court Friday on the upgraded charge, and a judge set his bond at $200,000.
On May 10, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call at a gas station located in the 8600 block of Pine Forest Road at I-10. Nicholson was identified as the man that fired two shots at the victim after he allegedly cut Nicholson off in traffic.
The ECSO said Nicholson fired one shot into the victim’s driver’s side window and fired the other shot into the structure surrounding the gas pumps. The victim suffered a non-life threatening injury to the head and was taken to a local hospital.
Phase 2: Bars, Movie Theaters Now Open; New Rules For Stores And Gyms; Gatherings Up To 50 People
June 6, 2020
Phase 2 of Florida’s reopening began on Friday. Here’s what changed:
Bars and pubs can operate at 50% capacity inside and full capacity outside with appropriate social distancing, DeSantis said Wednesday morning. Patrons can only be served if they are seated; they can’t be standing or walking around. Restaurants can now offer bar seating with appropriate social distancing.
Entertainment businesses, including movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys and arcades, may operate at 50% capacity with appropriate social distancing and sanitation protocols.
Gyms and stores can return to full capacity with social distancing.
Personal services businesses, including tattoo parlors, acupuncture establishments, tanning salons and massage establishments may operate while adhering to guidance from the Florida Department of Health.
Gatherings can now be up to 50 people.
Escambia Man Claims $2 Million Florida Lottery Prize
June 6, 2020
An Escambia County man has claimed a $2 million Mega Millions prize from the Florida Lottery.
Sam Moore’s ticket for the April 24 drawing matched all five of the white ball numbers, but did not match the Mega Ball.
Moore, 36, purchased his winning ticket at Murphy USA in front of the Walmart Supercenter on Mobile Highway. The retailer will receive a $5,000 bonus commission for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.
Atmore Receives ‘Main Street Alabama’ Designation
June 6, 2020
Atmore has received a “Main Street Alabama” designation.
“Main Street works 100% of the time if the community is willing to work,” said Main Street Alabama State Coordinator Mary Helmer. “Atmore impressed upon the selection committee that they had the work ethic to become a successful Main Street program that will bring jobs, dollars, and people back to the district.”
Atmore went thought a five month application process with through partnerships with community organizations, including the demonstration of the city’s commitment and proven track recording including the ongoing renovation of the Strand Theatre.
Main Street Alabama will begin work immediately in Atmore to provide board development, goal setting, work planning, market study with economic development strategies, targeted design assistance, and training related to downtown development.
Main Street Alabama is a private non-profit and state coordinating program of Main Street America. The 40-yea old National Main Street Four Point Approach is a model that focuses work in four areas – organization, design, promotion and economic vitality with strategies unique to the community and based on market-based outcome.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
