Two Public Input Meetings This Week On Escambia School Superintendent Search
January 6, 2020
The Escambia County School District has two public forums this week for the public to share their input as the school district moves closer to advertising the school superintendent job.
The community forums will be facilitated by the Florida School Boards Association Search Team. All input gathered during the events will be collected and provided to the Escambia County School Board members and will be made available online. School board members will not attend the input sessions.
Upcoming meetings are:
- Jan. 7, 2020 at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria at Beulah Middle School, 6001 W. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola.
- Jan. 9, 2020 at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria at Tate High School, 1771 Tate Road, Cantonment.
Meetings were previously held at the J.E. Hall Center, Blue Angels Elementary School and Pensacola High School.
In 2018, voters approved an appointed, rather than elected, superintendent in Escambia County. The search is being guided by the Florida School Boards Association leading up the selection of a superintendent with a November 24, 2020, start date. The job is set to be advertised beginning April 1, 2020.
Escambia County Public Meeting Schedule
January 6, 2020
Here are this week’s Escambia County public meetings:
Tuesday, January 7
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chamberse
BCC Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
BCC Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Wednesday, January 8
Contractor Competency Board Exam Committee - 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Contractor Competency Board Public Meeting – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Santa Rosa Island Authority – 5 p.m., 1 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach
Thursday, January 9
Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program Education Committee – 3 p.m., 6263 Dogwood Drive, Milton
Gas Prices Rise Due To Middle East Conflict
January 6, 2020
Drivers could see gas prices rise as tensions grow in the Middle East, according to AAA. The situation has already led to higher crude oil prices, which typically raises the cost of producing gasoline.
Florida gas prices climbed an average of seven cents per gallon in the past three days. That increase was set into motion before the US air strikes last week, by crude price hikes that occurred in December.
Florida drivers are currently paying the highest prices for gasoline since early December. The state average of $2.53 is 30 cents per gallon more than this time last year. The reason for this disparity can be found in the price of oil, which is currently $20 per barrel more than it was in January 2019. As a result, gas prices are off to their most expensive start to a new year since 2014.
Escambia County drivers were paying an average of $2.56 per gallon Sunday night, up eight cents from a week ago and 45 cents higher than January 2019. The lowest price Sunday night in North Escambia was a $2.56 at one station in Cantonment.
Once news broke that the US carried out attacks on Iran, crude prices surged nearly $2 per barrel on Friday. An increase of that magnitude can directly trigger a 5 cent hike at the pump, AAA said. The US benchmark for crude (WTI) eventually settled at $63.05 per barrel – the highest daily settlement since May 2019.
“What happens in the Middle East can have a direct impact on Americans’ daily lives, by influencing what they pay at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Many people don’t realize that half of what they pay for every gallon of gasoline is determined by the price of oil. Even though the US is producing oil at a record pace, that oil is bought an sold on the stock market, which is heavily influenced by global supply and demand. Crude prices rise when there’s a threat of war, because of concerns over how the conflict could hamper supply and demand.
“It’s still far too early to know how much of an impact this conflict will have overall on prices at the pump,” Jenkins continued. “We’ll likely have a better idea early this week. Some analysts are anticipating a ‘Manic Monday’ on the stock market, with many financial and physical traders returning from vacation. Either way, volatility should be expected with both oil and gasoline through January, at the very least. If geopolitical tensions continue to escalate, crude prices may rise and drag gasoline along for the ride.”
Cantonment Man Arrested With Heroin And Bogus $100 Bills With Chinese Writing, ECSO Says
January 5, 2020
A Cantonment man allegedly tried to pay for a hotel room with fake $100 bills with Chinese writing on the back and offered information about “big time heroin dealers” after he was caught.
Christopher George Gerth, 33, was charged with defrauding an innkeeper, passing counterfeit currency, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Garden Inn and Suites on Pine Forest Road at I-10 where clerk manager said Gerth attempted to pay for his room with two bogus $100 bills. When the clerk questioned the authenticity of the cash, Gerth snatched it away and walked back to his room, according to an arrest report.
The ECSO said when deputies confronted Gerth at his room, he admitted the counterfeit bills were in his pants pocket, and he was placed under arrest. He also admitted to having a needle with heroin in his back pocket.
“I am a heroin user and there is heroin in the needle,” Gerth said, according to the ECSO report. The liquid in the syringe field tested positive for heroin.
Both of the counterfeit hundreds had the same serial number and had Chinese writing on the back, the ECSO said.
The arrest report notes Gerth stated he wanted to talk to the ECSO Narcotics Unit in reference to “big time heroin dealers that are known to be dealing large amounts of heroin.”
Gerth remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $12,000.
Escambia County Attempted Murder Suspect Now Behind Bars
January 5, 2020
A wanted attempted murder suspect is now in the Escambia County Jail.
Phillip Isaac Bivins, 18, is also charged with using a firearm during the commission of a felony. He’s was booked into the jail on Saturday where he was being held without bond.
The Pensacola Police Department responded to Bayou Boulevard after a vehicle crashed into a ditch Thursday afternoon. They discovered a person in the car had been shot three times on Tryton Circle in the county.
Bivins and the victim got into an argument over how a blunt — a marijuana cigarette — was rolled, according to the ECSO. They decided to go to Tryton Circle to settle the dispute with a fight, but when the victim arrived, Bivins allegedly shot him.
Tate JV Cheerleaders Named Grand Champions At Chipley Tiger Cheer Challenge
January 5, 2020
The JV Tate Aggie cheerleaders brought home first place and the Grand Champion title Saturday from the Tiger Cheer Challenge at Chipley High School. They also won the title of Strongest Stunt Group in a stunt-off.
The Aggie cheerleaders took to the mat with a recently modified routine with changes that included increased difficulty in stunting.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino And Century Libraries Get Crafty: Sign Making, Learn To Loom
January 5, 2020
Patrons of the Molino and Century branch libraries will have the chance to make a wooden sign, and the Molino Branch Library is offering instruction on basic looming techniques.
Sign Making – with STEAM
- Tuesday, Jan. 7, 6 p.m. – Century Branch Library
- Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library
Do you have a favorite saying? Come put it on your own wooden sign. You will design and cut out your saying to make a decorative sign using the Silhouette machines. No prior experience required. Beginners welcome. The library will provide all needed supplies.
Learn to Loom Knit
- Tuesday, Jan. 7, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Tuesday, Jan. 14, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library
Attendees will learn simple loom knitting techniques to create a fun and warm winter hat. All tools and materials will be provided. Space is limited. Contact Molino Branch Library at (850) 435-1760 to register.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
One Injured In Highway 297A Crash
January 5, 2020
One least one person was injured in a two vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 297A at Carmody Hill Road in Cantonment.
The injured was transported by Escambia County EMS with non-life threatening injuries after the 12:45 p.m. wreck. Both vehicles came to rest off the roadway.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
January Is ‘Move Over’ Month In Florida
January 5, 2020
January is Move Over month and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) urges all motorists to move over for emergency and service vehicles stopped along the roadway. Preliminarily in 2019, there were 182 crashes and over 20,000 citations issued for motorists failing to move over. FLHSMV and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) are partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Sheriffs Association and AAA – The Auto Club Group to ensure all law enforcement, first responders, service and utility workers and Road Rangers Arrive Alive in 2020.
“When a crash occurs, law enforcement and first responders are there. When a disabled vehicle needs assistance, Road Rangers or tow truck drivers are there. When power lines need repairs, utility and service workers are there,” said FLHSMV Executive Director, Terry L. Rhodes. “The Move Over Law is in place to protect those who serve all of us on the roadways, giving them a safe space to do their jobs. Move Over, Florida, and help ensure that these public servants come home safely each day.”
When motorists cannot vacate the lane closest to the emergency or service vehicle, they must slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. Failure to yield or move over puts law enforcement officers, emergency first responders and public service workers in danger while they are on the job protecting and serving the citizens and visitors of Florida.
The Move Over Law was added to Florida law in 2002. The statute, which was originally introduced in 1971, requires motorists to move or yield right-of-way to emergency vehicles and in 2014, utility and sanitation vehicles were added to the Move Over Law. The Move Over Law states that drivers must move over as soon as it is safe to do so for any authorized law enforcement, emergency or service vehicles displaying any visible signals while stopped on the roadside, including Road Rangers, sanitation vehicles and tow trucks.
“The simple act of moving over gives law enforcement, emergency first responders and other service vehicles adequate space to do their jobs and can greatly increase safety on Florida’s roadways,” said Colonel Gene Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “The Move Over Law was enacted to help protect public service professionals while they protect Florida’s motorists in one of the most dangerous environments: the side of the roadway.”
To comply with the Move Over Law drivers must:
Multi-Lane Roadway:
- Vacate the lane closest to the stationary emergency vehicle, sanitation vehicle, utility service vehicle, Road Ranger or wrecker and always signal the intention to change lanes.
- Slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit if a driver cannot move over safely.
- Be prepared to allow those who are attempting to move over into the next lane.
Two-Lane Roadway:
- Slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
- Travel at 5 mph if the speed limit is 20 mph or less.
The public is encouraged to report aggressive drivers by dialing *FHP (*347). For more information on the Move Over Law, visit: https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/move-over/.
Bratt Convenience Store Burglary Under Investigation
January 4, 2020
A burglary at a Bratt convenience store is under investigation.
The store clerk arrived at the Crossroads Store shortly before 7 a.m. Saturday to find that someone had broken the glass out of a front door. The exact time of the crime was not known; it happened sometime after closing Friday night.
The burglar took an undisclosed amount of cash, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, from the small country store located at what is known as the “Bratt Crossroads” at the intersection of North Highway 99 and Highway 4.
Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
