School Year Starts With Only Nine Escambia District Armed Campus Security Officers
August 13, 2019
The school year Monday started with fewer members of the Escambia County School District’s armed campus security officers (CSOs) than had been anticipated, but every school in the county had armed security on campus Monday, according to Superintendent Malcolm Thomas
Thomas said 18 people took part in the first CSO class, but only nine were certified before school started. Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputies and Pensacola Police Officers made up the difference on Monday to cover all campuses. The school district had expected to have 20 new CSOs ready for the first day of school.
“I was a little surprised. We lost some (that did not qualify) on the firing range, but several were out in the active shooter simulations. You have to engage; you can’t freeze,” Thomas said. “They are expected to engage. That’s really what they are hired for.”
Several of those hired were retired military or had previous law enforcement experience. “They are not afraid to charge,” Thomas said.
Another 14 CSO candidates begin training this week, and the superintendent said he hopes 10 or more of those are certified. Ultimately, he wants a force of about 35 campus security officers.
Applications are processed through the Escambia County School District, but the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for training to include a background screening, psychological evaluation and polygraph test. Applicants are required to successfully complete 150 hours (approximately 2 months) of training. Participants are paid during the training. Those selected will have a starting salary at $30,600, plus benefits, for a 10 month position.
Funding for ongoing salaries of the CSOs will come from dedicated “Safe Schools Categorical” funding which is separate from instructional or teacher salary funding. The district will not hire more CSOs than it can afford under this separate funding mechanism, and the district will not be arming teachers.
Otherwise, the first day of school was generally smooth in Escambia County, Thomas said. “We ended strong last year, and we look to sustain that level and build on it this year.”
“Attendance was good, and students and teachers were in good spirits. Busses were generally one time, but several car rider lines were long.”
“It’s been a pretty good first day of school,” Thomas said.
Pictured: The first day of school on Monday at Byrneville Elementary School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Roads, Bridges And Speed Limits: Barry Holds Walnut Hill Town Hall
August 13, 2019
About three dozen people attended a town hall meeting late Monday afternoon with Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry at the Walnut Hill Community Center.
Topics of discussion during the open forum included roads, bridges, parks and speed limits.
Barry said a replacement bridge on Bratt Road over Canoe Creek is about 90 percent complete and is expected to wrap up by the end of September, and a new bridge on Hanks Road is about 35 percent complete. Both are located on county roads but are Florida Department of Transportation projects.
Bratt resident Steve Hanks inquired about the status of a dirt road paving project for Ashcraft Road. Barry said engineering plans should be completed by the end of the year, with the project put out to bid in early 2020.
Local resident Ernestine Hudson (pictured inset) expressed concerns about the speed limit that varies from 45 to 55 mph on Highway 164. She told Barry she would like to see the entire road at 55 mph.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Hunter Safety Courses Offered In Escambia, Santa Rosa Counties
August 13, 2019
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety internet-completion courses in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in August. Hunter safety courses are designed to help students become safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters and learn about conservation.
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The locations and times are:
Escambia County
Aug. 22 (6 to 10 p.m.) & Aug. 31 (7 to 10 a.m)
Langley Bell 4-H Center
3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment
Santa Rosa County
Aug. 15 (6 to 10 p.m.) & Aug. 31 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Avalon Middle School
5445 King Arthur’s Way in Milton
Aug. 21 (6 to 10 p.m.) & Aug. 31 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane in Jay
Aug. 28 (6 to 10 p.m.) & Aug. 31 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Santa Rosa County Extension Services
6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton
Century Man Wanted For Vehicle Theft
August 13, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for Michael Alexander Dubose of Century on an outstanding warrant.
Dubose is wanted for grand theft of a motor vehicle, according to the ECSO. He has a total bond of $10,000.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Crime Stoppers callers can remain anonymous and can be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000.
Nine Mile, Pine Forest Intersection To Be Paved Wednesday Night
August 13, 2019
Paving of the Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest intersection has been scheduled for Wednesday night and Thursday morning, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Drivers will encounter minor delays at the intersection from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday.
Crews will stop traffic at interval times for workers to pave through the intersection. Traffic control officers will be on site to direct traffic through the intersection.
Hill Files Bill To Roll Back Parkland Gun Restrictions
August 13, 2019
Rep. Mike Hill has filed a bill to repeal several gun law changes and red flag provisions that were passed after the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
The provisions Hill seeks to repeal include the prohibition of mentally ill persons buying guns, the ban on bump stock devices, the increase from 18 to 21 as the minimum age to purchase rifles and a three-day waiting period. Last year, Hill filed a similar bill, but it went nowhere and was not heard in committee.
The red flag laws allow law enforcement agencies to seize firearms from individuals that may pose a danger to themselves or the people around them.
The 2020 legislative session in Florida begins in January.
Pensacola City Councilman Wingate Passes Away
August 13, 2019
Pensacola City Councilman Gerald Wingate has died.
Wingate, who was battling cancer, passed away overnight.
The District 5 councilman served as council president from 2017-2018 and vice president from 2016-2017.
Wingate was a Pensacola native, and he served as officer in the U.S. Army for 25 years. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, Pensacola Junior College and the University of West Florida. He is survived by his wife and five children.
Byrne Planning To Introduce Alternative To High Tolls On $2.1 Billion I-10 Bridge Project
August 12, 2019
Congressman Bradley Byrne said Monday afternoon that he’s opposed to the high tolls proposed for a new Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway.
The Alabama Department of Transportation has proposed a $6 one-way toll or a $90 monthly pass for unlimited trips across the planned $2.1 billion bridge.
During a town hall meeting in Atmore Monday afternoon, Byrne announced he will “introduce something soon” to present to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey that will offer an alternative to the high tolls. He said he is working at the federal, state and local levels to determine what might be feasible to lower or eliminate the tolls and decrease the overall price of the bridge project. Right now, he said, the toll is simply “too much”.
“Finding the money to pay for this project – the biggest infrastructure project in our state’s history – was never going to be easy,” Ivey wrote in an op-ed piece released Friday. “Be assured, we will continue to look to Washington for additional help that can make this project a reality.”
She announced that elected leader from local, state and federal offices will be given an opportunity to submit their ideas at a public meeting on October 7 in Montgomery.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Heavy Damages Two Story Home Near Jay
August 12, 2019
Fire heavily damaged a two story home just southwest of Jay early Monday morning.
The fire in the 4000 block of Curt Lane was report about 4:45 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire coming from the structure.
There was no word of any injuries, and the cause of the fire was under investigation. The Jay, Allentown, Munson, Berrydale, Whiting Field, Century and Flomaton fire departments responded to the blaze.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Resurfaces 3 Miles Of North Pine Barren Road At No Extra Cost To Taxpayers
August 12, 2019
Escambia County has resurfaced about three miles of North Pine Barren Road at no extra cost to taxpayers.
The roadway was resurfaced from West Highway 4 to Christian Home Drive — a stretch of road that was riddled with potholes and crumbling asphalt. It’s a frequent route for McDavid and Molino students on their way to Northview High School.
But how did it not cost taxpayers?
Escambia County’s Cooper Saunders, project manager, explained.
After the county bid the recent resurfacing of North Highway 99, the Florida Department of Transportation replaced a bridge and paved the approaches. That left the county with an excess paid for quantity of asphalt and time that transferred to the North Pine Barren Road project.
“The funds were allocated for a project that was in District 5, so we looked at Pine Barren Road because it was a priority,” Saunders said. “And the contactor agreed to the idea.”
“Only through the hard work of Escambia County staff and the cooperation of our contractor, are we able to utilize remaining funds from the Highway 99 improvements and pave nearly three miles of Pine Barren Road,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “Specifically, I would like to thank Cooper Saunders, project manager, and our partners from Panhandle Paving & Grading for directly bettering the quality of life for more of our citizens in the community.”
Pictured: Looking north (above) and south (below) on Pine Barren Road from Bratt Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
