Rachel Weber Named Kingsfield Elementary Teacher Of The Year
October 1, 2019
Rachel Weber has been named the Kingsfield Elementary School Teacher of the Year. She is a third grade teacher. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Charter Review Committee To Hold First Meeting Thursday
October 1, 2019
The Town of Century Charter Review Committee will holds its first meeting on Thursday, but only general housekeeping topics are scheduled to be discussed.
The 11-member committee will learn about the Sunshine Law and public records requirements in advance of future meetings.
The committee is tasked with exploring the town charter – the document that establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The current Century charter has not been updated in almost 40 years.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
New Budget Years Begin For Escambia County, Century
October 1, 2019
Tuesday was the first day of the new budget years for Escambia County and the Town of Century.
Escambia County approved a $493,429,327 budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, up 3.41% or about $1.6 million more than the last fiscal year that ended Monday. The millage rates approved by the board are 6.6165 for the countywide millage rate, .3590 for the Library Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) and .6850 for the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU). The aggregate of these millage rates is 4.32% above the rolled back rate.
The Century Town Council l approved $3.63 million budget for fiscal year 2019-2020, up slightly from $3.43 million during the last fiscal year. The council also approved a millage rate of .9204, which is about 10% greater than the rolled-back rate of .8361.
DeSantis Appoints UWF’s El-Sheikh To Florida Cybersecurity Task Force
October 1, 2019
Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced appointments to the Florida Cybersecurity Task Force, including a University of West Florida cybersecurity director.
Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, of Gulf Breeze, is the director of the Center for Cybersecurity at the University of West Florida (UWF), as well as a professor of computer science. She leads UWF’s efforts as the NSA/DHS National Center of Academic Excellence Regional Resource Center for the Southeast United States and received several grants to enhance cybersecurity education and training for K12, college and non-traditional students. She earned her bachelor’s degree in computer science from American University in Cairo and her master’s degree and doctorate degree in computer science from Michigan State University.
DeSantis also appointed Jeanette Nuñez as chair to the Florida Cybersecurity Task Force, and f Ben Miron, Linda Reid, Jason Raymond, Bernard Kelly, Michael Delgado and Jeffrey Sturman to the Florida Cybersecurity Task Force.
Northview Homecoming Parade Entry Deadline Extended
October 1, 2019
The annual Northview High School Homecoming Parade has been set for Friday, October 4.
The parade will line up at 12:30 p.m. at Bratt Elementary School. It will depart at 1 p.m. and travel to Northview High. Entries are being accepted now; there is no cost to enter. For a printable entry form, click here. The entry deadline has been extended to Wednesday, October 2.
A homecoming meal will available Friday from 10 a.m. until from the football concession stand to support the Tommy Weaver Scholarship Fund. The $7 meal will include a barbecue sandwich, chips, cookie and a drink.. Preorder by calling the school at (850) 461-6000 ext. 302137 or email aeubanks@escambia.k12.fl.us
The Northview Chief’s homecoming game will kickoff at 7 p.m. on October 4 against Walton.
Pictured: Last year’s Northview High School Homecoming Parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Arrest Made In Atmore Ambush Style Murder
September 30, 2019
An arrest has been made in the ambush-style of an Atmore man last Tuesday morning, not far from Escambia County Middle School.
Anthony Jerome English, age 23 of Atmore was taken into custody Monday in Monroeville, Alabama. He is charged with murder for the 2:30 a.m. shooting death of Roderick Watkins, Jr. September 24 on Jimbos Road in Atmore.
“When officers arrived on scene, they found a male subject identified as Roderick Watkins, Jr. laying beside his car. Officers also noticed several bullet shell casings laying next to the car,” Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks told NorthEscambia.com. “Preliminary investigation revealed Mr. Watkins was ambushed.”
He said Watkins was returning home from work when he was shot.
The car was located in the driveway of a home at the end of the road. The back passenger window of the Nissan Altima was shattered with visible bullet holes.
Brook said English was believed to be a lone gunman. No motive for the shooting has been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. English is pictured in a 2018 mugshot.
Missing Woman With Dementia Located
September 30, 2019
UPDATE – THIS MISSING PERSON HAS BEEN LOCATED.
Police are searching for a missing woman that suffers from dementia.
Stephanie Marie Simmons walked away from the Lakeview outpatient facility at 1201 West Hernandez Street about 8:55 a.m. Monday.
Simmons was last seen wearing a red hoodie and tan capri pants. She could also possibly be wearing a multicolored scarf on her head. Simmons last known address is 1810 West Gadsden Street, but she is currently believed to be homeless, according to Police.
Anyone that sees Simmons is asked to contact Pensacola Police at (850) 435-1900.
Refrigerator Sparks House Fire
September 30, 2019
Fire swept through the garage of a home Sunday afternoon, but firefighters were able to save part of the home.
The fire in the 1000 block of Penguin Terrace, just south of Old Chemstrand Road, was reported at 4:02 p.m. Escambia Fire Rescue (ECFR) arrived to find heavy fire in the garage and spreading into the attic.
ECFR said the fire was quickly contained, preventing it from spreading to the rest of the house. Half of home was damaged by fire, and fire crews were able to salvage many of the occupants’ possessions.
Monday, ECFR said the blaze started as an electrical fire from a refrigerator in the garage.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Capital Sexual Battery On Underage Girl
September 30, 2019
A Cantonment man has been charged with the sexual abuse of an underage girl.
Adam Lee Bryant, 37, was charged with capital sexual battery on a victim under 12, capital sexual assault on a victim under 12 by a person in familial custody, and lewd and lascivious molestation on a victim under 12.
Bryant allegedly inappropriately touched and had sexual contact with a female family member under the age of 12. He called an adult female and confessed that he had inappropriate contact with the girl over a three year period and said he was ready to turn himself in and face his punishment, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. The exact relationship between the adult female responsible for the child and Bryant was redacted from the report.
Bryant is a truck driver who would be away from home for long periods of time. When not on the road, he would sometimes be home alone with the girl because she is homeschooled, the arrest report states.
If convicted as charged, Bryant faces up to life in prison.
Florida’s New Handheld Cellphone Ban Now In Effect
September 30, 2019
A new law went into effect Tuesday in Florida banning the use of handheld wireless phone while driving in a designated school crossing, school zone, or active work zone area. Work zone would include construction areas like Highway 29 or Nine Mile Road.
Officers will issue warnings until January 1. In 2020, violators could be charged with a moving violation, which includes a base $60 fine (not including court costs or other fees) and three points on their driver license.
Another new texting and driving law went into effect back on July 1, but only warnings will be issued until January 1. That bill changed current enforcement of the ban from a secondary offense to a primary offense – enabling law enforcement officers to stop a vehicle solely for texting while driving.