Ernest Ward Middle National Junior Honor Society Inducts New Members
April 13, 2019
New members were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society during a candlelight ceremony Friday at Ernest Ward Middle School.
The NJHS is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle school students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character.
New National Junior Honor Society members at Ernest Ward are:
Raegan Abbott
Sarah Bailey
Haydn Baker
Kyle Blanton
Kelsey Boykin
Nate Caston
JaMiracle Culpepper
Riley Dawson
Presley Dortch
Harley Edmonson
Zykuria Fountain
Emilie Funck
Caden Garrett
Skielah Gaskey
Kaylie Glick
Maggie Godwin
Makayla Golson
Berklee Hall
Kaylee Hamilton
Leah Hetrick
Saniyah Hixon
Ja’Niya Hooks
Meredith Johnston
Allyson Jones
Shelby Kent
Joshua Lashley
James Lee
Leila Mason
Alyse McKillion
Jaquez Moorer
Mariyah Pettway
Chloe Ragsdale
Tyler Riggs
Isabella Sanders
Wyatt Scruggs
Payton Stoner
Lavon Taylor
Bentley Van Pelt
Skyler Williams
Carley Woodfin
They joined current members:
Drew Albritton
Erich Amerson
Leah Anderson
Ryan Andrews
Cheveyo Bingham
Luke Bridges
Karson Brown
Na’Khya Brown
Landon Chavers
Michael Cody
Ethan Collier
Ryan Dove
Kameron Enfinger
Lexi Evans
Logan Faith
Caitlyn Gibson
Emma Gilmore
Cross Goslee
Bradley Hamilton
Kohle Harigel
Cayla Houston
Johnnie Howell
Ruthie Huskie
Kayla Johnson
Trent Knighten
Emily Lambeth
Emily Levins
Kennedy Long
Sarah Long
Houston Lowry
Megan McGhee
Elianna Morales
Alyssa Moya
Kaden Odom
Drake Allen Oriskell
Cameron Partrick
Chase Pugh
Wyatt Ramsey
Madison Rowinsky
Leila Sanders
McKenna Simmons
Arquavlan Smith
Vivyan Smith
Jessica Stabler
Cole Stewart
Aubrey Stuckey
Clay Wilson
Alexia Yeater
Blake Yoder
Tate, Pace Split Friday Night
April 13, 2019
Pace 6, Tate 2
The Pace Patriots defeated the Tate Aggies 6-2 Friday night to split their regular season games 2-2.
Tied 2-2 after seven innings, the Patriots plated four runs in the top of the eighth to put the game out of the reach of Tate.
For Tate: Chase Tolbert 1-3, R; Jadon Fryman 1-2, R; Trevor Norton 1-2.
The Aggies are back in action next week against Choctaw and Navarre.
Tate 6, Pace 2 (JV)
The JV Tate Aggies completed their sweep of Pace by the score of 6-2 Friday. On Thursday, the JV Aggies beat Pace 7-6.
Photos by Crystal Tolbert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Shut Out Jacksonville
April 13, 2019
Devin Smeltzer’s first start of the year in Mobile was going to be hard to top. After taking a perfect game into the 5th inning on the road and striking out 9 in Pensacola’s 5-0 win over Mobile on April 6th, the bar was high for his first home start of 2019 on Friday evening.
Consider the bar raised.
Smeltzer shined in his Blue Wahoos Stadium debut, working into the ninth in shutout fashion. He exited with one out in the game’s final inning to a rousing ovation from the Pensacola crowd, having thrown 8.1 scoreless innings without allowing a run on just three hits while striking out eight. Reliever Cody Stashak recorded the final two outs to earn his first save of the year and preserve Pensacola’s 2-0 victory, their third straight over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
With tonight’s win, Smeltzer now holds a ridiculous stat line on the season: two wins, 14.0 innings pitched, just five hits allowed, and 17 strikeouts.
The Blue Wahoos, who have scored first in all eight games this season, continued their trend of taking an early lead. Jordan Gore led off the home half of the first with a single, just as he did last night, and came around to score following a Luis Arraez single and an RBI groundout by Taylor Grzelakowski.
In the second, Jimmy Kerrigan was hit by a pitch, stole second, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on an infield single by Tanner English. The hit was English’s first with Pensacola after being activated from the injured list earlier today. English also made a large impact in the field, making a pair of diving catches in center field.
With the 2-0, Smeltzer cruised, scattering three hits and needing just 85 pitches to work into the ninth. Stashak needed just seven pitches to record the games final out, sending the fans home happy in the fastest Wahoos game of the year: one hour and 57 minutes.
The win improves Pensacola’s record to 6-2 on the season, best in the Southern League. Jacksonville falls to 3-5 with the loss. The two team’s will continue their five-game set at Blue Wahoos Stadium Saturday.
Rollover Wreck Injures One, Cuts Power For Hundreds In Molino
April 12, 2019
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover accident involving a utility pole in Molino Friday afternoon.
The accident happened in the 400 block of Molino Road near the Molino Post Office about 4 p.m. The vehicle came to rest on its side. The driver was transported to an area hospital.
About 300 Gulf Power customers lost power as a result of the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Two Teens Charged In Alleged Sexual Battery At Pine Forest High School
April 12, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has concluded their investigation into an alleged sexual battery of a 15-year old at Pine Forest High School on April 9.
“The investigation revealed that no force was proven in the incident,” the ECSO stated Friday afternoon.
The two alleged assailants are age 16 and 17. Due to their ages, the ECSO said charges of lewd and lascivious behavior is being brought.
The investigation was conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit, in conjunction with the State Attorney’s Office.
Escambia County Fire Insurance Rating Improves, Will Likely Mean Savings For Property Owners
April 12, 2019
An improved rating for the Escambia Fire Rescue will likely translate into an insurance cost savings for many Escambia County Residents.
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating for Escambia County has improved from a 5/5x to 4/4X, putting Escambia County in the top 30% of fire departments nationwide. The rating is countywide, regardless if the property is urban or rural.
Structures that are within five miles of a fire station (full-time or volunteer) and within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant have now have an ISO 4 rating, while structures within five miles of a fire station but more than 1,000 feet from a fire hydrant are rated at 4X. Properties located more than five miles from a fire station are rated an ISO 10, which is a class assigned to distant properties anywhere in the country, not just in Escambia County.
The five-mile criteria can also apply to Escambia County residents located within five miles of an out of county fire station that would be dispatched to their property under a mutual aid agreement, such as residents in Escambia County, FL, that are within five miles of the nearest Atmore fire station.
ISO is an independent party that provides, among other things, risk assessment information to insurance companies. For fire protection, ISO assigns fire ratings to a community between 1 and 10; 10 being the worst rating and 1 being the best fire protection coverage.
The program rates different elements of local fire protection. These include water supply, communications/dispatch effectiveness, and the operations of the fire department. Home and business property insurance premiums are partially based on program ratings.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Six Candidates In The Running For Escambia County Administrator
April 12, 2019
There are six names on list of candidates to be interviewed for the Escambia County administrator position. They are:
- Craig Coffey from Flagler Beach, FL. County administrator in Flagler County from 2007-2019, has 20 years experience as a city/county manager with extensive Florida county government experience and 11 years additional local government experience.
- Patrick Thompson from Woodbury, MN. County administrator in St. Croix County, WI. Over 36 years local government experience.
- David Strahl from O’Fallon, MO. County administrator in City of O’Fallon, MO. 30 plus years local government administration experience, none in county government.
- Christopher Martin from Gulf Breeze. He served as the commanding officer of Pensacola Naval Air Station and spent 27 years in the Navy.
- Janice Gilley from Molino. She has held the position of vice president of External Affairs at the University of West Florida for 10 years. She served one year as the national policy director for the Foundation for Excellence in Education, one year as deputy chief of staff for the Florida House of Representatives and served as policy director and deputy policy director for year in the Executive Office of the Governor in Florida. She served as an Escambia County commissioner from 2002-2004.
- Cedric Alexander from Pensacola. He has 13 years government experience including deputy chief in the Office of the Mayor in Rochester, NY, public safety director in Dekalb County, GA, and a federal security director for the Department of Homeland Security.
Coffey, Thompson and Strahl were on a list compiled by the Florida Association of County Managers, hired by the county for $5,000 to create a short list from the 120 plus applicants
Michael Renshaw from Winder, Georgia, was the third name on the original list but pulled his name from consideration on Thursday after watching a BOCC Committee of the Whole meeting. In an email he said:
“I had an opportunity to view the live meeting of the Committee of the Whole this morning (April 11) pertaining to the County Administrator selection process. Please withdraw my name from any further consideration in this process. I wish you well in your future endeavors, and please extend my thanks to the members of FACM. If possible please advise your local media of my decision to withdraw as soon as possible, and confirm your receipt of this email.”
Renshaw was a county administrator in Barrow County, Georgia with nine years local government administration experience.
On Thursday, commissioners added Martin, Gilley and Alexander to the list. If they add any more candidates, they should be named by April 16.
The commission plans to interview candidates on April 29. Commissioners will meet individually with candidates one-on-one before conducting interviews in a public meeting.
Kenneth Griffin from Williamsburg, Virginia, was an alternate on the original list and withdrew his name after he accepted another position. He is a consultant and principal engineer at a private firm with five years experience as an assistant county administrator in Hillsborough County, FL.
Three Earthquakes Rattle The Area On Thursday
April 12, 2019
Three earthquakes struck Thursday in the North Escambia area, making eight earthquakes in the area in just over a month.
The US Geological Survey says a magnitude 2.6 earthquake struck at 10:51 p.m. near Upper Creek Road south of Sardine Road in Escambia County, AL, or about nine miles northwest of Century.
A 2.8 earthquake occurred at 3:11 p.m. a short distance away near Little Escambia Creek in Escambia County, AL. And another quake, a 2.5 magnitude, occurred in about the same area at 11:33 a.m.
NorthEscambia.com received multiple reports of shaking from the Flomaton, Pollard and Century areas.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the North Escambia area sits on the Bahamas Fracture Seismic Zone (the BSZ). Several earthquakes have occurred along this zone in recent years, but most are too weak to be felt by residents. A significant earthquake is not considered likely in the area.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Work Zone Awareness Week: Bill Will Rename Part Of Highway 29 For Worker Killed In McDavid
April 12, 2019
It is National Work Zone Awareness Week as a bill continues makes its way through the Florida Legislature to rename a portion of Highway 29 after a worker struck and killed last year.
“When traveling through an active work zone, drivers are entering the ‘office’ of those working on the project and must be focused and eliminate all distractions,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault. “From moving equipment to directing traffic, there is a lot of activity in these areas, and motorists need to be mindful. Safe work zones are a top priority for the Department, and we will be working with our law enforcement partners to ensure a safe environment.”
A bill introduced by Sen. Doug Broxson would designate Highway 29 between Cox Road and Sigler Road as “Maceo Perkins Parkway”.
Maceo A. Perkins, 41, was with a group of workers employed by Broad Spectrum working on Highway 29 near Siglar Road. Just after noon on April 6, 2018, he was hit by a vehicle driven by 60-year old Sharon Odom of Century. The Florida Highway Patrol said Odom’s 2006 Ford Mustang traveled off the roadway onto the west shoulder, colliding with Perkins and the workers’ unoccupied Dodge Ram truck.. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Odom passed away at her Century home four days after the crash.
Recent statistics from the National Highway Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) show (from 2016 to 2017) a two percent increase in total work zone fatalities and increase from 668 to 710 total work zone crashes. Those startling statistics further demonstrate the importance of spreading awareness of work zone safety and participating in NWZAW to spread the message that we all play a role in getting roadway workers home safely.
“We know that everyone wants to get home to their families, pets and personal lives at the end of the day, and our FDOT workers and contractors are no different.” said FDOT District 1 Secretary LK Nandam, P.E. “Please slow down and use extra caution when driving through a work zone so that everyone gets home safely.” Whether you work in an office or on nation’s roadways, everyone deserves to get home safely.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Mira Awards Honor Escambia’s Most Creative High School Seniors
April 12, 2019
Escambia County’s most creative high school seniors were honored Thursday night during the 2018 Mira Creative Arts Awards Banquet.
Mira Creative Arts Awards recipients were nominated for the award by their high school teachers and received commemorative engraved medallions and Congressional recognition.
Recipients of the 2019 Mira Creative Arts Award are listed below a photograph from each school:
Tate High School
Cecilia Bleam — Band
Lauren Brown — Orchestra
Amber Covalt — Theatre
Christopher Helt — Theatre
Rilee Hempfling — Choral Music
Riley Middleton — Journalism/Yearbook
Mia O’Hara Studio — Art 2D
Brooklynn McCoy — Ceramics/Pottery
James Shufelt — Choral Music
Nic Talley — Band
Northview High School
Shelby Bashore — Drama
Gabrielle Kline — Graphic Arts
Maxwell Odom — Drums
Zachary Prosser — Creative Writing
Delaney Reynolds — Yearbook
Charles Ian Williamson — Visual Arts
West Florida High School
David Berthod-Perez — MultiMedia
Sophia Blouin Visual — Fine Arts
Paul Jesse Bumann — Orchestra
Isabel Cauley Visual — Fine Arts
Jackilyn “Cheyenn” Coates — Band
Raelin Domingue — Orchestra
Isabella Gardner — Theatre/Directing
Summer Holland — Journalism/Photography
Jordan Randall — Journalism/Graphic Design
Madison Wood — Journalistic Writing
Pine Forest High School
Wyatt Gill — HBA Green Construction
Adam Hardwick — Wagner Culinary Arts
Glenda Javier — Design Services
Jeana Lawry — Chorus
Gavin McCollum — Band
Marianellie Ortiz — Journalism
Ashlynn Rhodes — Orchestra
Jason Wells — TV Production
Skylar Wilson — Visual Arts
Escambia High School
Laramie Cupp — Sculpture
Keosha Davis — Drawing
Wesley Delware — Strings
Braden Guillory — Jazz
Alyssa Norman — Band
Kearsten Rice — Dance/Colorguard
Bailee Robbins Schumacher — Theatre/Dance/Chorus
Margaret Smartt — Drama/Photography
Kaitlyn Speegle — Chorus
Sara Wooden — Sculpture
Pensacola High School
Andre Archer — Yearbook
Ahna Cecil — Journalism
Liam Chau — Orchestra
Lucy Hu — Instrumental Music
Mia Hughes-Keanon — Instrumental Music
Natalaie Maul — Theatre
Cameron Michles — Theatre
Andrew Penton — Instrumental Music
Kendall Uslan — Theatre
Ifasade White — Choir
Booker T. Washington High School
Adin Kind Josef Ballard — Orchestra
Brooke Gardner — Visual Arts
Olivia Johnson — Theatre
Kody Kimberl — Band
Ola Lewis Choral — Music
Madeline Markham — Band
Hannah Grace Sepe — Visual Arts
Caleb Simmons — Choral Music
Benjamin Spears — Theatre
Devin Thomas — Orchestra
NorthEscambia.com photos.