Rotary Academic All-Stars Named
May 10, 2019
The Atmore Rotary Club recognized 146 area high school students as Academic All-Stars Thursday night.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year, with at least one A for each grading period.
Those who have maintained this status from the 9th through the 12th grades, were honored as Four-Year Academic All-Stars and received a scholarship. The program excludes Northview students that are full-time dual enrolled.
Those honored as Atmore Rotary Club Academic All Stars were:
(Four-Year Academic All-Stars are denoted with an asterisk.)
Northview High School
9th Grade
Anna Faith Adams
John Blake Bashore
Lakyn Makenna Bodiford
Hunter Shane Borelli
Nevaeh Skye Brown
Tereasia Siamone Burt
Shelby Nicole Cotita
Olivia Elizabeth Crews
Miyhanna Patrice Davidson
Weslyn Elizabeth Dunn
Kaitlin Hope Gafford
Jason Zane Gurganus
Grayson Elizabeth James
Ethan Riley Kilburn
Taylor Lynn Levins
Kileigh Rai Lundy
Taylor Elaine McMinn
Logan Christopher Misenar
Makayla Shana Ramsey
Benjamin Charles Rowinsky
Sarah Jane Sconiers
Mia Rain Starns
10th Grade
Maggie Lauren Amerson
Hailie Marie Anderson
Naudia Briana-Nicole Carach
Staci Brianna Colter
Sophia Danielle Cotita
Savannah Corrinn Doremus
Alexis Madison Fleming
Amber Marie Gilman
Leia Madison Grantham
Hailey Nicole Harigel
Hannah Elizabeth Hughes
Rylee Evan Huskey
Maille Viola Kilcrease
Heather Lashea Knowles
Bryce Garrett Korinchak
David Allen Lamb
Abigail Lynn Levins
Meredith McKinley McGhee
Mary Paige Nassar
Abigail Elise Nelson
Libby Shay Pugh
Jalexis Sy’Rai Robinson
Michael Jerome Sanders
Madelin Michael Sheedy
Emily Grace Stabler
Summer Marie Waters
Autumn Hope Williams
William Lane Wilson
11th Grade
Addison Claire Albritton
William Milton Beach
Emily Grace Boutwell
Kelley Elizabeth Bradley
Keaton Adam Brown
Logan Alexander Brown
Lacie Elizabeth Carter
Karlee’ Nicole Criswell
Jason Nikijha Fayard
Jordan Skylar Godwin
Ragan Nicole Lassiter
Ansleigh Marie Maholovich
Kayla Marie McKillion
Kelli Shania Merchant
Charleigh Elaine Parham
Brianna Elizabeth Pugh
Kinzie Brooke Rackard
Samantha Lynn Sasser
Cloe Madison Smith
Savannah Nicole Steadham
Elana Marie Ward
Chunqi Yang
12th Grade
Austin Joshua Adams
Justin Alan Cruce
Rebecca Nicole Dunn
Dalton Dewayne Hamilton *
Keegun Patrick Johnston
Seth Hammac Killam *
Gabrielle Faith Nicole Kline
Margaret Alexander Lane
Aubree Grace Love
Jessie Hayden McCall
Lance Taylor McLaughlin
Olivia Grace Porter
Madison Alyssa Sherouse
Travis Lee Sutton
Aaliyah Raquel Tucker
Atmore Christian School
9th Grade
Caeden Battles
10th Grade
Micah Mast
Emma Overstreet
Megan Wilson
11th Grade
Lylia Albritton
Jace Weber
12th Grade
Kyle Hostetler *
Escambia Academy
9th Grade
Brady Howell
Christopher Long
10th Grade
Daughtry McGhee
Avery Mims
Disha Patel
11th Grade
Chase Bell
Anna Ruth Smith
Gaines Tanner
12th Grade
Kaile Gumapac
Lexie Hollinger *
Mary Thompson Lancaster *
Kiah Parker
Sara Rolin
Emma Caroline Sasser
Escambia County High School
9th Grade
Taniyah Etheridge
TyQueria Evans
Zakiyyah Ford
Racquel Knight
Vanaja McCants
Rachel Redmond
Aniyah Stots
Sheldon Williams
Jykeria Wilson
10th Grade
Destiny Brown
Nadija Graves
Jamarcus Leslie
Breanna McGowan
Madison Simmons
Mia Simmons
11th Grade
Jada Johnson
Kayley Johnson
Divyaben Patel
Amber Phillips
Joshua Richardson
Kylee Stancil
Brenna Watson
Ladarious Wilson
12th Grade
Khalil Askew
Cortez Finklea
Deondre Freeman
Darrica James
Christiara Jones *
Anaya Montgomery
Darriona Nichols
Latrice Pryear
Jasmine Rivers
Johnika Roberts *
Mardaizah Salter
Arianna Silar
Olivia Simmons *
Adonis Williams *
Luerensley Williams
None Of Rep. Mike Hill’s Bills Pass The Florida House
May 10, 2019
None of the bills sponsored by State Rep. Mike Hill passed the Florida House this session.
Hill, who represents North Escambia, sponsored nine bills.
A tobacco products bill would have prohibited the sale of flavored tobacco products, including products used in e-cigarettes, in retail location unless people under 18 where not allowed in the buildings. The bill was reported unfavorable by Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee.
Hill’s firearms bill was withdrawn prior to introduction. It would have repealed all of the gun control measures that were passed after the Marjory Douglas Stoneman High School massacre.
Seven other bills by Hill were indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration – including bills prohibiting abortions if a fetal heartbeat was detected, requiring the notification of parents in advance of classes that would include sex education, and protecting war memorials and monuments, including Civil War monuments.
A bill that would have provided $4.1 million to pave parking lots and roads at Pensacola State College also failed.
Century Correctional Officer Assaulted By Inmate
May 10, 2019
A correctional officer was recently assaulted at Century Correctional Institution, according to information just released by the Florida Department of Corrections.
Last week, inmate Ricardo Glasco assaulted an officer. according to the FDC. At about 10:10 p.m., Glasco became combative and staff responded appropriately. While the inmate was being subdued, he tackled an officer to the ground. Medical staff examined the officer and noted injuries.
The FDC said Glasco will receive a disciplinary report for the assault.
Glasco remains at Century CI serving an 11 year sentence for numerous drug and weapon convictions in 2012 from Brevard County.
Ombudsman Presents Public Safety Report To Escambia Commission
May 9, 2019
An ombudsman report into Escambia County Public Safety was presented to the Escambia County Commission Thursday morning.
Janice Kilgore began work on the report on April 17 and interviewed over 50 people including public safety employees, county administration and volunteer fire chiefs.
Her findings dealt mostly with issues like funding and staffing and did not include the state investigation into possible wrongdoings with Escambia EMS since that inquiry has not concluded.
Kilgore said the union vote of no confidence on now-resigned public safety director Mike Weaver was because Weaver was not adequately representing the department to the county and its citizens.
“No just one person caused this problem, and no just one person can fix this problem,” she said.
Kilgore said 8 to 10-year old policies and a lack of funding are major talking points that need to be addressed.
Her report said the county needs to improve coordination between fire and EMS divisions, use the workforce more effectively and improve training. There has been no medical training since October 2018, a public safety fire training facility is needed and training needs to be more skills based and hands on.
Kilgore’s report also found a multi-year vehicle replacement program is needed, EMS coverage in North Escambia needs to be improved and the department’s public image needs addressing.
Commissioners said many of the issues will need to be addressed during the preparation of the county’s next budget.
Interim County Administrator Amy Lovoy appointed Kilgore as an ombudsman after Weaver’s resignation. She worked for the county for 36 years, moving from a clerk for the Santa Rosa Island Authority to county Emergency Preparedness head. She was named Public Safety director when the position was created in 1997.
Coughlin Named Acting County Administrator Until July 1
May 9, 2019
The Escambia County Commission has voted to appoint Matt Coughlin as acting county administrator for a few weeks.
Interim County Administrator Amy Lovoy departs today, May 9, and Janice Gilley won’t begin as the new administrator until July 1.
Coughlin, who had already submitted his resignation, has agreed to change his departure date and serve as the acting administrator until July 1.
In his resignation letter, Coughlin thanked former County Administrator Jack Brown, Interim Administrator Amy Lovoy, County Attorney Alison Rogers and department directors before writing “Regrettably, today in Escambia County there is neither the ability or willingness to rise to the occasion and lead together. Rather, those with the capability to help reverse this downward progression have resorted to tribalism. Its effects are pervasive and wide ranging. Unfortunately, along the way, our mission has become a failure and our citizens have become the casualty.”
In addition to Coughlin and Lovoy, Public Safety Director Mike Weaver, Fire Chief Rusty Nail and Human Resources Director Erik Kleinert have all resigned in recent weeks.
Century Man Charged With Mistreating Nine Dogs
May 9, 2019
A Century man is facing multiple animal cruelty charges.
Melvin Manuel, 34, was charged with nine counts of unlawful confinement or abandonment of animals.
Escambia County Animal Control responded to his residence on Hilltop Road where they found nine dogs being kept improperly on chains and in pens filled with feces and urine, according their report. All of the available water on the property was filled with algae and non-potable.
The dogs had fresh wounds and scars and were unlicensed and unvaccinated, according to court documents.
The ribs and spines of two dogs were visible from a distance, and a puppy was in a pen filled with feces and urine, animal control reported.
All of the dogs were seized and taken to the Escambia County Animal Shelter.
Century Man Charged With Battery Of His Mother And Grandmother
May 9, 2019
A Century man has been charged with the alleged battery of his mother and his 79-year old grandmother.
Emanuel Rabun Bethea, 33, was charged with felony battery of a person 65-years of age or older and misdemeanor battery.
The victim told deputies Bethea grabbed her by her face and twisted it, according to arrest report. She said she and Bethea were arguing when he grabbed her, and then shove his mother when she attempted to intervene. The grandmother stated to deputies that she believed Bethea was using drugs again, the report states.
Bethea, according to his arrest report, told deputies that he did not batter either person, and they suffer from mental issues.
Bethea was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,500 bond.
Escambia County Holds Hurricane Prep Exercise
May 9, 2019
Escambia County took part in a statewide hurricane exercise Wednesday, practicing Florida’s emergency plans and procedures for a potential hurricane making landfall in the state in preparation for the upcoming Atlantic Hurricane Season. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Signs Bill To Arm Teachers; Escambia Hiring Armed Security Officers Instead
May 9, 2019
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that would allow Florida school districts to arm teachers.
The measure is an extension of the guardian program that created after the Parkland massacre in 2018. Some employees, but not teachers, were allowed to carry guns on school property after receiving proper training.
The new law signed Wednesday will allow classroom teachers to also carry weapons but only with approval by local school boards.
Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has said he has no intent to arm teachers. Instead, the Escambia County School District is hiring its own force of campus security officers (CSO) to protect elementary school beginning with the next school years. Middle and high schools will continue to have school resource officers, which are Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
“The district will be working with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to ensure high quality individuals with the appropriate skills, temperament and abilities are selected,” Thomas said when the program was announced.
The CSOs will have no law enforcement authority, except to the extent necessary to prevent or abate an active assailant incident”, according to the district. The district has tried using off-duty law enforcement officers in elementary schools this school year, but that has proved difficult to provide full coverage.
“We are hoping retired military and retired law enforcement officers, who have maintained their weapons’ permits and skills, will see this opportunity as a new way to continue to serve our community and protect our students,” said Thomas.
Funding for ongoing salary 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.
The CSOs will not be placed charter schools such as Byrneville Elementary School or the Beulah Academy of Science at the district’s expense. However, the CSOs will be made available to charter schools if they choose to pay for them.
Campus Security Officers will be required to also complete the fingerprinting and drug screening requirement that ECSD requires of all school district employees prior to being placed in a school. Those selected will have a starting salary at $30,600, plus benefits, for a 10 month position.
Highway 29 Lane Restrictions Planned From 9 1/2 Mile To I-10
May 9, 2019
Northbound Highway 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 mile Road may have intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday, May 9 through Saturday, May 11 as crews prepare to shift traffic to the newly constructed northbound lanes. This will allow crews to begin new construction of the future southbound roadway.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.