Triumph Board Approves $14.5 Million UWF Grant
October 6, 2019
The University of West Florida is further positioned to find and fill critical gaps in Northwest Florida’s high-tech workforce through a newly approved Triumph Gulf Coast grant. Triumph’s board of directors unanimously approved the grant agreement on Friday to address shortages in additive and advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity.
“This project is a result of a majestic effort on behalf of the UWF team and the Triumph staff,” said UWF President Martha D. Saunders. “The vision for the future is to be the leading destination for education, research, workforce development and training. This is great news and we look forward to moving this project forward on behalf of Triumph Gulf Coast and the Northwest Florida region.”
Triumph, the nonprofit corporation organized to administer funds recovered by the state for economic damages that resulted from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, awarded $14.5 million toward the University of West Florida Project 10[X]. UWF is committing $22.95 million, the remaining cost of the estimated $37.45 million project. The project received provisional approval subject to negotiating a term sheet and legal contract.
Through the UWF Center for Cybersecurity, the Sea3D Additive Manufacturing Laboratory and the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering, UWF will offer industry certifications that align with the Florida Career and Professional Education Act. UWF plans to produce more than 3,000 certifications in these areas over the five-year project timeframe.
“Industry certifications are recognizable, transferable skills that will continue benefiting the prosperity pipeline for many years to come,” Saunders said. “This project will produce some of the nation’s most talented and elite professionals who are highly skilled, credentialed and ready to work.”
UWF serves as the Centers of Academic Excellence Regional Resource Center for the Southeast U.S., as designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. Through its Center for Cybersecurity, the University partners with federal, state and local agencies, as well as private-sector companies.
Surprise Storm Hits Bratt, Downs Trees And Power Lines, Wreaks Havoc At Northview Homecoming
October 5, 2019
A surprise thunderstorm in Bratt Friday evening brought high winds and lightning that caused minor damage, downed trees and power lines and wreaked havoc with homecoming and football at Northview High School.
The Northview stadium was evacuated twice due to lightning, and two power failures due to downed trees plunged the campus and surrounding communities into darkness.
Schools officials abruptly ended outdoor homecoming court activities just after 6 p.m. as lightning popped nearby, moving everyone into the school gym to try again. A short time later, the power went out, leaving homecoming activities and a crowded gym in the dark for about an hour. Fans and players were rushed out of the stadium again at halftime due to lightning. The power was cut off during halftime for emergency repairs on nearby Pine Barren Road, leaving the stadium in the dark and significantly delaying the game.
Homecoming floats parked in the stadium were flattened by high winds during the storm.
Trees were reported down in multiple locations around the Bratt area, and some minor damage to at least one home was reported.
Pictured above: The Northview stadium in the dark at halftime Friday night, except for emergency lighting provided by fire trucks and an ambulance. Pictured below: Homecoming activities moved into the school gym due to lightning, but the power went out for about an hour. Pictured next below: Storm clouds approach the stadium during the start of homecoming activities, with lightning forcing the NJROTC and homecoming court to run for cover. Pictured bottom: Homecoming floats in the stadium were flattened by high winds. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cloe Smith Named NHS Homecoming Queen
October 5, 2019
Cloe Smith was named Northview High School’s 2019 homecoming queen Friday night.
Pictured below are Freshman Maid McKenna Simmons, Sophomore Maid Payton Gilchrist, First Runner-up Raleigh Woodfin, Queen Cloe Smith, Second Runner-up Karlee Criswell, and Junior Maid Franki Daw.
Pictured above is Northview High 2019 Homecoming Queen Cloe Smith.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Health Officials Rescind Alert For Escambia Surface Waters
October 5, 2019
The all clear has been given for surface waters in Escambia County.
In response to recent water testing conducted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) is rescinding the Health Alert for the potential presence of cyanotoxins in surface waters of Escambia County.
DEP results showed no detection levels of the cyanotoxin called Microcystin in Eleven Mile Creek downstream of the Mobile Highway Bridge. Cyanotoxins are toxins that can be produced by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).
A health alert had been issued for the county’s surface waters last week for the potential presence of cyanotoxins.
Northview Beats Walton In Game Plagued By Lightning, Power Failures
October 5, 2019
Electricity was in the air Friday night as the Northview Chiefs beat Walton 52-30. And the electricity part was a serious deal that led to the evacuation of the stadium twice and two delays due to power failures.
Pregame homecoming festivities came to an abrupt stop due to nearby lightning, and everyone was moved to the school gym. But the power went out during a thunderstorm, causing the game go get off to a late start.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Walton was on the board first with a 3-0 lead on a 25-yard field goal before Northview’s Trent Peebles was into the endzone to put the Chiefs on top 6-3. Toss in a 39-yard touchdown run from Jayden Jackson, and the Chiefs were up 13-3.
With 4:56 to go in the half, Jackson was in on a 5-yard run, giving the Chiefs a comfortable 19-3 lead. Jackson added a third touchdown with 16 second in the half. With a good 2-point conversion from Peebles, and your Chiefs were top on top with 16 seconds to go in the half.
More thunder and lighting led to another weather delay at halftime. The stadium was once again evacuated, and the power went out a second time so the power company could remove a tree tied up in a nearby line. After the school was plunged into darkness a second time Walton and Northview bands and cheerleaders headed to the house for the night, but the football teams a few fans stuck it out to play a little football after power was restored.
Walton opened the third quarter with a kickoff fumble recovery to cut Northview’s lead to 27-10. With 9:27 to go in the third, Walton closed the gap to 27-17.
By the time the fourth quarter got underway at 10:30 p.m. Northview was up 46-23 on the way to a 52-30 win as the game finally ended at 11 p.m.
The Chiefs improved to 4-2 with the win and will travel to South Walton next Friday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Convicted On Federal Child Exploitation Charge
October 5, 2019
An Escambia County man has been convicted on federal child exploitation charges.
After a two-day trial, a federal jury convicted Brennon Kyle Holley, 41, of attempted enticement of a minor. Holley came to the attention of law enforcement after he placed a Craigslistadvertisement seeking sex that said “age, relationship doesn’t matter.”
A law enforcement officer posing as a 13-year-old Panama City girl named “Rhea” responded to the ad, and Holley then engaged in sexually explicit phone and text conversations with Rhea. He also sent sexually explicit photographs in an attempt to entice and persuade her to engage in sexual activity with him.
After four days of communication, and believing Rhea’s parents were out of town, Holley “convinced” the girl to let him come to her house when he got off work in Pensacola in order to engage in sexual activity. Holley began the trip, but never arrived because his car broke down near Fort Walton Beach.
Holley faces a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life imprisonment. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 13.
Tate Drops District Matchup With Navarre
October 5, 2019
The Navarre Raiders defeated the Tate Aggies 10-0 Friday night in a District 1-7A matchup at Pete Gindl Stadium.
The Raiders took a 7-0 lead in the first and added a 35-yard field goal to make it 10-0 at the half.
With the loss, the Aggies fall to 1-5, 0-4 in the district.
The Tate Aggies will hit the road to Niceville next Friday night before homecoming against Washington on October 18.
Photos by Jennifer Repine for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Finals
October 5, 2019
Here are Friday night football finals from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
Northview 52 Walton 30 [Story, photos...]
Navarre 10, Tate, 0 [Story, photos...]
Niceville 35, West Florida 14
Jay 49, Lighthouse 14
Escambia 48, Pace 7
Pensacola Catholic 47, Autauga Academy 27
Washington 33, Milton 14
Gulf Breeze 35, Fort Walton Beach 12
Pine Forest: OPEN
Pensacola High: OPEN
ALABAMA
Escambia County 21, Clarke County 15
Bessemer Academy 31, Escambia Academy 17
Bayside Academy 30, Flomaton 26
Mobile Christian 33, T.R. Miller 15
W.S. Neal 51, Monroe County 12
Missing Molino Man Found Safe
October 5, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday morning that a missing Molino Man was found safe and is back home with family.
PREVIOUS STORY:
Billy Cofield, 76, was last seen around 5:15 p.m. Saturday on Omega Drive in Molino. He was wearing a navy blue t-shirt, blue pajama pants and brown house slippers.
Anyone that knows anything about his whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately.
FHP: One Dump Truck Driver At Fault In Six Vehicle Highway 29 Crash
October 4, 2019
Three people were injured in a crash involving six vehicles on Highway 29 Friday morning at Highway 29 and Kingsfield Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the entire incident was caused by 43-year old Hosie Mickles of Pensacola in Caterpillar dump truck when he failed to avoid a rear-end collision with a stopped Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 33-year old Candace Cotton of Pace. The Tahoe was pushed forward into a Toyota Camry driven by 38-year old John Caballero. The Camry was pushed into a Dodge Journey driven 67-year old Sandra Bunch of Pensacola.
After the initial impact with the Chevrolet Tahoe, Mickles’ Caterpillar dump truck traveled into the outside lane and collided with a Ford Explorer driven by 28-year old Carolyn Fitzpatrick of Cantonment before striking a Kenwood dump truck driven by 48-year old William Mercer of Milton.
Mickles, Cotton and Caballero was transported Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. Bunch, Fitzpatrick and Mercer were not injured.
Mickles, who was operating the Caterpillar dump truck, was cited by the FHP for careless driving.
Highway 29 northbound was blocked by the crash for a period of time following the 10:30 a.m. crash. Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Photos by Tracee Neese and Kristi Barbour for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
