Escambia County Public School’s Foundation Selects New Executive Director
September 2, 2019
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation has announced Kristie Kelley will serve as the Foundations’ executive director.
Kelley served on the ECPS Foundation Board for the past seven years and held numerous positions, including Board Chair from 2017-2018. Her support of Escambia County’s public schools began over 22 years ago as a science teacher at Pine Forest High. Even after transitioning to Gulf Power as a chemist, she maintained her connection with the district.
Kelley volunteered to teach “I Love Science” labs to fifth grade students and valued the opportunity to share with students the importance of STEM and encourage them to pursue careers in industry. As a business leader, Kelley continued to engage and support education and training efforts of the district through sponsorship of the Gulf Power Academy and partnership with the Workforce Education department.
“I am so excited about giving back to my community as a native of Pensacola and product of Escambia County public schools myself.” Kelley feels honored to lead the foundation to enhance education and plans to improve public education by raising awareness of the foundation’s mission while increasing donations of time, talent, and financial support for the district’s schools, teachers, and students.
“During my career, I visited schools and saw the dedication of the teachers and the excitement of their students when someone was able to bring additional experiential learning activities into the classroom. This involvement drove my interest in serving on the Foundation’s Board and growing programs such as the Foundation’s annual Grants for Excellence.” The grants program provides funds for either collaborative groups or individual teachers to enhance education at the classroom level.
“I also have two sons attending our local public schools and it’s critical to me that our District is maximizing and growing available resources. I’m proud to serve as the Executive Director of the Foundation, and look forward to working with board members, and fostering collaboration across our community.”
The Foundation’s Board of Directors is comprised of 24 volunteer community leaders and professionals who value education and bring unique perspectives from business, industry, and education. The board strives to increase opportunities and improve outcomes for children in our School District and to ensure that students graduate on time and are college or career ready. Since 1986, over $12.5 million dollars has been raised and distributed help reach these goals.
Charter Review: Who Are The 11 People Tasked With Molding Century’s Future?
September 1, 2019
As Century considers a charter review that would will shape and mold the future of the town’s government for decades to come, 11 local residents have been appointed to serve on a charter review committee.
Ten people submitted their written applications during the legally-noticed period, and the council appointed one additional person to the committee.
The committee will be 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. An official first meeting of the committee has not yet been scheduled.
The members of the charter review committee bring decades of experience, decades of calling Century home and a passion to see a major turnaround that leads to making Century a better place.
Charter Review Committee Members
Shelisa McCall Abraham is a team mentor that has 28 years experience in the financial services industry. She has lived in Century for 11 years. “I was born in Century and I love this town. When I moved back four years ago, I did so with high expectations. After reading the grand jury report, I was disheartened and desperately searched for a way to help ‘my town’. I believe brining my experience and background to this commission is one way I can help.”
Mary H. Bourgeois is a local business owner and was born and raised in Century. She serves at the president of the Century Area Chamber of Commerce and has 40 years of experience in real estate, a rental business, restaurant and retail. She said she could “contribute to the future of the town, increase efficiency and effectiveness of local town government, ensure compliance with Florida statutes, and eliminate potential misinterpretations of the charger to include duties of the mayor, council and town staff.”
Cheryl Boutwell is a retired from the Department of Defense with 30 years progressive human resources and IT experience. She has lived in Century for seven years with her husband Ben, who is a member of the Century Town Council. Cheryl Boutwell also serves as a Byrneville Elementary board member and is treasurer of Century Hope Gardens. “I believe my extensive experience within the military environment, dealing with regulations, policies and procedures could lend itself to charter development.”
Michelle Cunningham is self employed and part owner of a local beauty supply business. She has experience that includes convenience store manager and a computer programmer. She is vice-chair of the Century Hope Garden, and has lived in Century for 25 years. “I would like to be personally involved in the shaping of Century. To be able to assist in the governmental process would be a great honor and a growing experience and I believe I could be of some help in making Century a greater place to live.”
Evelyn Hammond, is a former council member, former mayor and is now retired. She was working for the town during when the first charter was created. She is a lifetime resident. “I feel because of my experience in city government, I would be able to be an asset to this commission.”
Janice M. Jennings is a Century native and has live in Century for seven consecutive years. Now retired, she has served on the board of directors of the Community Action Program and worked in a project management. “As a concerned citizen, I believe that my degree in business management and my masters in organizational management I have experience in resolutions and being able to work as a team member.”
Dynette Lewis worked in accounts payable and payroll positions. She has lived in Century for 51 years. “I would like to serve because I am a citizen of the Century community and I am very passionate about what goes on in Century, I would live to offer my services however possible to make positives change to help Century move toward the future.”
Eunice McKinney is a retired public employee that has lived in Century for 26 years. She spent decades as an operations and management consultant, contract manager and other positions with the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Department of Labor. “I live here and know that I can use my acquired skills and abilities to make a contribution to the problem solving process. I certainly want this town to prosper again. Every resident probably feels the same.”
Delores Wright Miley was born in Century, and she retired in Century in 2009. She worked in banking for 42 years advancing from teller to branch manager. “I love Century. I am not familiar with the old charter, but I am eager to help improve my community and serve.”
Jennifer Read has worked in tech support for 15 years and has lived in Century for 41 years. “I want to see Century continue to succeeds as a town. I have lived here all my life. And I love this town and the people in it.”
Helen Mincy was the 11th person appointed to the committee without submitting an application. As a result, her information was not available.
Hill Removed From Public Integrity And Ethics Committee
September 1, 2019
Republican Rep. Mike Hill, who represents North Escambia, has been stripped from the House Public Integrity & Ethics Committee.
Hill received sharp bipartisan criticism earlier this year after controversial remarks and laughter when asked by a political meeting audience member if he would sponsor legislation for men that have relations with other men. On an audio tape of the exchange, Hill laughs and says, “I wonder how that would go over.”
Hill was condemned by members of both parties and drew comment from Gov Ron DeSantis.
While Hill was removed from the Public Integrity & Ethics Committee, which investigates ethical issues, he remains on the Civil Justice Subcommittee, the Judiciary Committee and the PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee, according to an assignment list released Friday afternoon by House Speaker José Oliva.
Alabama’s New Gas Tax Begins Today
September 1, 2019
The first phase of Alabama’s newest gas tax went into effect Sunday.
The gas tax is an extra 6 cents per gallon, with another 2 cents coming in 2020 and 2021 for a total 10 cent increase.
The increase was earmarked for road and bridge projects by the Alabama legislature. Each penny is expected to translate to $32 million in additonal revenue.
It was the first change in Alabama’s gas tax since 1992.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Community United Fellowship Monday At Carver Park
September 1, 2019
The Cantonment community will come together Monday evening for a “Community United Fellowship” event at Carver Park.
The event begins at 6 p.m. at Carver Park on Webb Street with Elder Robert Gross, Pastor Riley, Pastor John Willlims, Dr. Alandus Long and Pastor Lawrence Robinson.
It will be a time of encouragement, celebration and community fellowship. Attendees are urged to bring a lawn chair.
And on Saturday, September 7 at noon, Neighbor Meeting Neighbor Day will be held at Carver Park.
Both events are sponsored by the Cantonment Improvement Committee and their partners.
Incumbent Clerk Of The Court Pam Childers Prefiles
September 1, 2019
Incumbent Escambia County Clerk of the Court Pam Childrens prefiled Friday as Republican for the 2020 election.
Childers was first elected in 2012, defeating Ernie Lee Magaha who first took office in 1956 and had won 14 straight elections.
Escambia County Woman Dies In Mobile Bayway Crash
September 1, 2019
An Escambia County woman died in a crash involving a contract mail truck Friday on the I-10 Bayway in Baldwin County.
Alabama troopers said 64-year-old Estrelita Tuazon Naranja of Pensacola was eastbound in a 2010 Ford Fusion when it experienced a “disabling event” and came to rest near the inside retaining wall. Naranja activated the emergency flashers and exited the vehicle.
Shortly thereafter, a 2011 International truck driven by 59-year old James Powell of Robertsdale collided with the rear of the Ford. During the crash, Naranja went over the bridge retaining wall and into the Blakeley River area of the Mobile delta. Her body was recovered by Alabama Marine Police.
The truck, which was contracted to carry U.S. Mail, caught fire and was destroyed. Powell was transported to an area hospital.
The crash, included why Naranja’s vehicle was disabled, remains under investigation by Alabama troopers.
Escambia Road Prison Grows Over 40 Tons Of Food For Inmates – Including This 134 LB Watermelon
August 31, 2019
In the last 10 months, the Escambia County Road Prison work camp in Cantonment has produced over 40 tons of fruits, vegetables and fish used to feed inmates and save taxpayer dollars.
The facility has grown over 80,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables in the last 10 months, including a 134 pound watermelon, at the facility on Highway 297A.
Inmates who work at the Road Prison camp also typically produce thousands of pounds of tilapia annually through an aquaculture program that’s been in operation for almost a decade.
Pictured top: Escambia County Road Prison Officers Larry Meacham and Robert Olive with a 134 pound watermelon, just a small part of over 80 tons of food grown at the facility. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Takes State Line Battle Over Northview (With Photo Gallery)
August 31, 2019
It was a game of cross the state line rivals that ended with the defending Alabama 3A state champ Flomaton Hurricanes defeating the Northview Chiefs 34-26 Friday night in Flomaton.
“The saying goes it’s a game of inches; tonight was a game of inches. You can really go back and look at two or three plays that won that game for them,” Northview head coach Derek Marshman said. “We gave up too many plays on special teams, we gave up big plays, we gave up boneheaded mistakes that we shouldn’t give up.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Hurricanes jumped out to a early first quarter seven point lead over the Chiefs before the Chiefs answered with a Trent Peebles touchdown. With a missed kick, the Canes saw their lead cut to 7-6 with 2:01 in the first.
Early in the second, Flomaton cashed in on a run from Da’quan “Money” Johnson. A wayward kick, the it was Flomaton’s ballgame 13-12.
Northview’s Peebles added another touchdown and with a good two point attempt from Jayden Jackson for a 20-13 Northview lead with 22.7 seconds in the half.
In the third, Canes quarterback Zeb Vickery punched it in for a one point contest, 21-20 Flomaton on top. Alex Cash returned Northview punt to the Chiefs’ 3-yard line before Flomaton scored again on a Jate’vius Franklin run with just under three minutes in the third.
Northview regained the lead in the fourth quarter with a 25-yard run from Jackson, Northview on top 26-21.
The Chief were forced to punt, and it went straight into the hands of Cash who returned it to the 3-yard line before being brought down by Northview’s Keaundre Richardson. Franklin ran straight through a big hole in the middle for the TD.
In the end, the Canes topped the Chiefs 34-26.
“We gave up too many plays on special teams, we gave up big plays, we gave up boneheaded mistakes that we shouldn’t give up. We played extremely hard, we worked extremely hard all night,” Marshman said “The kids left it all on the field, both teams left it all on the field so that’s something that they can be proud of and they can continue to work on. We go back and fix the the little things. In the grand scheme of things this is game two; we’ve got a lot of fish to fry down the road.”
Both coaches gave credit to the other team as a very formidable opponent.
“What a game. Northview is a super, super good football team, very physical football team. We knew that all summer going in. The Peebles kid is a heck of a running back; the Jackson kid is a good running back; they got a lot of good running backs. We knew it was going to be a battle, but I think we just persevered and made some plays at the end,” Flomaton head coach Doug Vickery said. “We knew it was going to be a battle, but I think we just persevered and made some plays at the end.”
The Canes take on the Jay Royals next Friday night, an Vickery is confident that his Hurricanes will be read, despite losing a lot of experience from last year’s state title team.
“We lost 11 really good seniors last year and now we have a whole new bunch of kids coming out persevering,” Vickery said. “It’s a long season ahead of us. We’ve got a lot to build on.”
The Chiefs will sit it out with a bye week before hosting the Baker Gators on September 13, and they’ll be using every available moment of that downtime to prepare.
“We are going to continue to get better and I think big things are still ahead of this football team,” Marshman said.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pine Forest Eagles Soar Past Tate (With Photo Gallery)
August 31, 2019
The Pine Forest Eagles soared past Tate 31-7 Friday night.
The Aggies were coming off a 37-0 rout of Pensacola High last Friday night.
The only score of the night from the Aggies came when sophomore quarterback Dalton Biggs found senior Keaton Solmonson in the endzone.
The Aggies (1-1) are on the road with back to back road trips to Tallahassee the next two weeks. — September 6 at Lincoln and September 13 at Leon. The Aggies won’t be back in their house at Pete Gindl Stadium until September 20 when they host the Bulldogs of Crestview.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
