Bratt Elementary Celebrates Reading With Superhero Party
May 21, 2019
Monday, Bratt Elementary School held a superhero themed Accelerated Reader party for students that met their reading goals for the year.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Seeks Appointee Housing Finance Authority
May 21, 2019
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority. Appointees serve without compensation. Escambia residents interested in serving on the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by 5 p.m. Monday, June 17. Resumes should be submitted to Shamara Jernigan, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, FL 32502 or BoardApply@myescambia.com.
Resumes submitted to a BCC agenda for consideration will become part of the official meeting minutes and are subject to public records requests.
The Escambia County Housing Finance Authority was established in accordance with Florida law. The authority’s duties are to assist in eliminating shortages of adequate housing, stop reoccurrence of slum conditions and stimulate employment and commerce. Knowledge in the area of labor, finance or commerce required. Authority members serve a four-year term of office. Financial disclosure is required.
Requirements:
- The authority’s regular meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month and typically last between one to two hours (i.e. 24 hours annually). Board members are also required to attend special meetings that are occasionally called on an “as needed” basis in connection with proposed multi- and single-family financings.
- Board members must review various documents (official statements, trust statements, loan agreements, etc.) prior to each monthly meeting. Preparation time generally ranges from one hour for a normal meeting, to four to six hours if there is a substantial item on the agenda.
- Board members are also required to be available for any bond issue closings that occur during the year and to also make time during the month to consult with the executive director (and/or be available to sign documents, checks, etc.) as needed in connection with routine authority business.
- Board members are also strongly encouraged to participate in various educational workshops and conferences sponsored by the National and Florida Associations of Local Housing Finance Authorities (approximately two a year) in an effort to stay abreast of emerging trends and changes to all the various laws and regulations in the housing finance and municipal finance industries (such as their due diligence responsibilities before approving a bond issue, SEC/MSRB regulations, disclosure responsibilities, etc.) that impact the authority’s mission of providing safe, decent and affordable housing.
Man Found Shot To Death In Escambia County
May 20, 2019
A man was found shot to death in Escambia County early Monday morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call about 3:33 a.m. in the 7500 block of Cobb Lane.
When they arrived at the scene, they found 29-year old McQuell Jeremiah Spellman deceased from a gunshot wound inside the home.
Further details have not been released. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Toddler Nearly Drowns In Cantonment Pool
May 20, 2019
A toddler nearly drowned in a Cantonment pool Sunday afternoon, according to an Escambia County spokesperson.
Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to a near drowning in the 2000 block of Sandicrest Drive. A toddler was found in a pool about 1:30 p.m. He was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital.
His condition and further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
County Renews Contract For Lake Stone Caretaker
May 20, 2019
The Escambia County Commission is extending their caretaker agreement for the Lake Stone Campground near Century.
Dennis Keith Cole will continue to manage the facility for another year, until May 31, 2020. He will be paid $11,400 in 12 equal monthly installments of $950 with housing and utilities provided. Cole was first named Lake Stone caretaker in June 2013.
Lake Stone Campground is a 100-acre campground and boat ramp facility located at 801 West Highway 4. The campground has 77 campsites for everything from big RV rigs to tents. Lake Stone is the Escambia County’s only facility located on a freshwater lake. The facilities include a boat ramp , indoor public use pavilion, a playground, showers, restrooms, a fishing pier, security lights, electrical and water hookups, a sewage dump station, picnic areas and the lake.
The Lake Stone pavilion or campsites can be reserved by calling the Lake Stone campground manager at (850) 256-5555 or Escambia County Parks and Recreation at (850) 475-5220.
Since the inception of the Lake Stone Campground, the County has entered into an agreement for on-site caretaker/management services at the facility.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Trend Downward Another Week
May 20, 2019
Florida gas prices are declining as 2.3 million Floridians prepare for a Memorial Day weekend getaway, according to AAA.
“If gas prices continue following their current downward trend, drivers could find holiday gas prices that are 30 cents less than last year,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “A 30-cent discount would mean Memorial Day drivers will spend $4.50 less on a full tank compared to last year. However, there’s still a chance that gas prices reverse course. In addition to an anticipated surge in demand, oil and wholesale gasoline prices inched higher last week, which could directly result in a 3-5 cent increase at the pump.”
Florida gas prices are averaging $2.64 per gallon – the lowest daily average price since March. The state average is 7 cents less than a week ago, 11 cents less than last month, and nearly 20 cents less than this time last year. Several stations were below $2.50 in Escambia County.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $2.61, down from from $2.65 a week ago and $2.69 one month ago.
Pictured: Gas was $2.49 a gallon this weekend in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Whataburger Chain Could Be For Sale
May 20, 2019
Whataburger, the Texas-based fast food chain, could be for sale. They’ve hired investment and banking giant Morgan Stanley to assist is a possible sale or other options.
“Our company is growing and is always attractive to investors, and we’ve brought in Morgan Stanley to help us explore our options,” the company said in a statement to the San Antonio Business Journal. “We have always evaluated the opportunities that can accelerate growth and maintain the success of our brand, and we will continue to do so in the future.”
Reports indicate the chain could be worth over $6 billion.
Whataburger has more than 820 locations in 10 states with sales of more than $2 billion annually.
Pictured: The Whataburger restaurant on North Century Boulevard in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Gandy Family Trust Scholarships Awarded To Three Students
May 20, 2019
Three local Bill Gandy Family Trust scholarship winners have been announced.
Gandy Memorial Scholarship winners are Lexxi Baggett, daughter of Garry and Vicki Baggett; and McKayla McConathy, daughter of Gene and Sharon Findley. Both graduating Northview High School seniors earned cash scholarships for their community service, documented volunteer hours, and academic scholastic record.
The Solon Lee Gandy Scholarship recipient is Jay Jackson, son of Stephanie Myrick and Jason Jackson. Jay is a Flomaton High School graduate whose academic and athletic history stood out among the other applicants. His scholarship will follow him to the college of his choice.
This marked the 11th year of Gandy Family Trust scholarship awards given with funds raised through donations and various family fundraisers. A total of 29 high school scholarships have been awarded thus far, ranging from $250 to $1,000 each.
Pictured top: McKayla McConathy, Lexxi Baggett and Jay Jackson.
Cantonment Rotary Recognizes Teachers Of The Year From North Escambia
May 20, 2019
The members of the Cantonment Rotary Club recently treated the Teachers of the year from Escambia County District schools north of Nine Mile Road to lunch at St. Luke United Methodist Church. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Davis Drives Walk-Off Single To Give Wahoos Win In Extras
May 20, 2019
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos snapped their three-game losing streak to Mobile with a 4-3 extra innings win on Sunday afternoon at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Jaylin Davis drove in the winning run in the 10th, pulling a ground ball single through the left side to score Joe Cronin from third with the winning run.
Brusdar Graterol, the top pitching prospect in the Minnesota Twins system, started on the mound for Pensacola, entering today’s game with a 3-0 record and 0.59 ERA in the month of May. The righty showed off his impressive fastball early, hitting 102 miles per hour on the radar gun with his first pitch of the game, but struggled with his control early. After walking the first two batters of the game and allowing a single to the third, he worked out of a bases loaded jam, allowing just a single run on a sacrifice fly by Brendon Sanger.
After the first inning run, Graterol settled in, finishing the outing with a line of 5.0 innings pitched, six hits and two runs allow, two walks, and seven strikeouts.
Top prospect Alex Kirilloff single-handedly pushed a run across for Pensacola in the second. He led off the inning with a double to left then stole third and came home to score when the catcher’s throw sailed into the outfield.
After Mobile strung a pair of doubles together for a run in the third, Travis Blankenhorn drilled a two-run shot to right to give the Blue Wahoos a 3-2 lead. The home run was Blankenhorn’s sixth since joining the Blue Wahoos on April 26th, tied for most in the Southern League.
Alex Phillips entered in relief of Graterol in the sixth and threw a scoreless inning, eventually. After Phillips allowed a one-out double followed by a walk, Wahoos manager Ramon Borrego came to the mound to make a pitching change. However, before he signaled for a change, he was ejected by the home plate umpire after a short conversation. Hitting Coach Steve Singleton then came to the mound after Borrego had exited the field and attempted to make the pitching change. However, he was rebuffed by the umpiring crew, as a mound visit had already been charged to Borrego and consecutive visits without a pitch being thrown are not allowed.
Forced to stay in the game for another pitch, Phillips promptly induced a double play ball to end the inning on his next offering home.
Tom Hackimer entered in the seventh and tossed a 1-2-3 inning.
Ryan Mason followed in the eighth and allowed the tying run to score on a single by Brandon Marsh, stolen base, and double by Jhoan Urena. After allowing the run, Mason proceeded to finish the eighth and throw a scoreless ninth and tenth inning.
In the bottom of the tenth, Mark Contreras dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move pace-of-play Joe Cronin to third, and Jaylin Davis followed with a game-winning RBI single through the left side.
The win snaps a three-game losing streak for the Wahoos, tied for their longest such streak of the season. With the win, Pensacola improves to 27-17 on the season while Mobile falls to 18-25. The two teams will finish their five-game set Monday.
