Escambia Schools Plan To ‘Unplug’ Next Friday
February 28, 2025
Escambia County Public Schools will observe ‘National Day of Unplugging’ across all campuses on next Friday, March 7.
In order to draw attention to the serious mental and social harm addiction to technology causes for our youth in the United States, ECPS will take a day to ‘unplug’ and focus on intentional personal interaction. Schools are encouraged to promote activities which bring students together, without technology.
“It’s a small step, but an important one,” said ECPS Superintendent of Schools Keith Leonard. “Actually, this idea came from our Student Advisory Council, who collectively saw reliance on technology as a real problem at their schools. We are proud they recognized this and wanted to do something about it.”
Northview Lady Chiefs Top The Tate Aggies 6-1 (With Gallery)
February 28, 2025
The 1A Northview Lady Chiefs defeated the 6A Tate Aggies 6-1 Thursday night in Cantonment.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Avery Stuckey led the Chiefs at the plate with a double scoring three runs in the top of the sixth. Mikayla McAnally, Bailey Burkette, and Kylee Langham each recorded two hits for NHS.
Jamison Gilman earned the win for Northvale, giving up three hits and one run in four innings while walking none and striking out two. Mikayla McAnally stepping into the circle for three innings of shutout ball in relief for the Chiefs.
Blakely Campbell, Amburleigh Laird, Kara Wine, and Peyton Womack had one hit each for Tate. Laird had one RBI on a double in the bottom of the first.
Womack took the loss for the Aggies, giving up six runs (three earned) in five hits over two innings while walking three and striking out none. Jordan Smith led in the circle for Tate, surrendering four hits and no runs in five innings, walking one and striking out one.
The Lady Aggies will travel to West Florida Friday night, while the Lady Chiefs will have their turn with West Florida next Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward FFA Presents ‘Golden Cow Dung Award’ To Summer Waters
February 28, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School teachers assistant Summer Waters received the annual “Golden Cow Dung Award” from members of the Ernest Ward FFA recently. The award features a large piece of cow dung, painted a golden color and mounted on a board painted in school colors.
Waters received the award during as a “thank you” for supporting FFA.
(Cow dung, in case you didn’t know for sure, is what you are probably thinking it is. It’s that natural byproduct that cows drop in the field. The award is 100% real dung spray painted a golden color. The golden dung piece is actually the original award piece created and painted in 2009 with an occasional paint touch up.)
Nancy Gindl-Perry was the first “Golden Cow Dung Award” recipient in 2009.
Other recipients have included:
- Kathy Ellis – 2010
- Lindsey Kelley – 2011
- Kenneth Hicks – 2012
- Betty Coon – 2013
- Barbara Ryals – 2014
- Laura Chavers – 2016
- Virkeisha Palmer – 2017
- Sherri Stallworth – 2018
- Phyllis Malone – 2019
- Tyvanna Boulanger – 2021
- Robin McCall – 2022
- Dawn Inman – 2024
Photo for NorthEsambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Shuts Out Atmore; Tate Beats Crestview
February 28, 2025
Northview 12, Escambia County (Atmore) 0
The Northview Chiefs beat the visiting Escambia County High School Blue Devils of Atmore 12-0 Thursday night. All 12 runs came in the first inning.
Starter Jase Portwood earned the win for Northview, giving up one hit and no runs in three innings while walking one and striking out six. Jackson Bridges threw two scoreless innings in relief for NHS, striking out six.
Portwood led the Chiefs at bat with two RBIs. Brady Smith had two hits, while Kelan Jury and Braynt Mayson each had one.
Dallas Owen was 1-1 to lead ECHS at the plate. Jamarrion Hooks took the loss for the Blue Devils, allowing four hits and 12 runs in one-third of an inning while waking three and striking out none. Jamarion Robinson was on the mound for three and two-thirds innings, allowing no hits and no runs while walking four and striking out nine.
Friday night, Northview will travel to Pensacola Christian Academy.
Tate 4, Crestview 3
The Tate Aggies beat the Bulldogs of Crestview 4-3 Thursday night in Crestview.
Zane Warrington gave up four hits and three runs in a complete game seven innings, walking one and striking out eight to earn the win for the Aggies.
Nathan Ozuna led the Aggies at bat with two RBIs as he went 1-4. Kaleb Posta went 2-3. Connor Dethlefs, Kaden Posta, Taite Davis, Griffin Cook and Nathan Connors each added one it for the Aggies.
Tate will travel to Fort Walton Beach Friday night to face the Vikings.
Tate 14, Crestview 4 (JV)
The junior varsity Tate Aggies beat Crestview 14-4 on Thursday.
Starter Cooper Halfacre surrendered one hit and no runs while walking one and striking out two over two innings. Kannon Ham and Mason Bryant both pitched relief.
Aydan Nigam, Kannon Ham, and Beau Bryant each had two RBIs for Tate.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
CSX Reopens Mystic Springs Railroad Crossing
February 28, 2025
CSX on Thursday completed a two-day project to upgrade their railroad crossing on Mystic Springs Road near McDavid.
The closure blocked the only way in and out for a few residences along Mystic Springs, Gunner and Worley Roads, along with campgrounds and the Mystic Springs Boat Ramp.
Midday Thursday, the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue assisted by wetting down the hot asphalt so that the crossing could open faster.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ransom Varsity, Beulah Academy JV Claim County Middle School Volleyball Championships
February 28, 2025
The Ransom Middle School Tigers Beat Workman Middle School. in three set to win the varsity Escambia County Middle School volleyball championship Thursday night at Tate High School.
Beulah Academy of Science defeated the Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles to claim the county JV championship in two sets.
For action photos from both matchups, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Cantonment Crash
February 27, 2025
There were no injuries in a Cantonment crash that slowed traffic Thursday afternoon.
The three-vehicle crash happened shortly before 2 p.m. at Highway 29 and Well Line Road. All occupants refused transport to the hospital by Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released the cause of the crash. The Cantonment Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.
Reader submitted photo by Melody Johnson, click to enlarge.
Grand Opening Date Set For Nine Mile Aldi Store
February 27, 2025
A ribbon cutting has been set for the new Aldi store at 312 East Nine Mile Road.
Aldi will cut the ribbon on Thursday, March 13 at 9:30 a.m. — 30 minutes before opening time. Customers will be allowed to enter the store immediately following the ceremony. The store will also have giveaways and other grand opening perks.
Aldi will be open for shopping on Wednesday, March 12 for a sneak peak.
In March 2024, the Germany-based Aldi completed the purchase of all Winn Dixie stores, recently selling about 170 Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s locations back to Southeastern Grocers.
The former Nine Mile road Winn-Dixie store closed for renovations in late September.
Aldi said earlier this month that expects to open 225 new stores in the U.S. during 2025, partly by converting some of the Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s locations.
Escambia County Corrections Department Receives State’s Highest Level Of Accreditation
February 27, 2025
The Escambia County Corrections Department has been awarded the Excelsior Status, the most prestigious achievement in Florida accreditation, for the third consecutive time by the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission.
The Escambia County Corrections Department has been an accredited agency for over 20 years, having obtained its initial certification in October 2003. Accreditation is a voluntary independent review process that demonstrates the agency’s commitment to complying with FCAC’s 261 accreditation standards.
Excelsior Status is the FCAC’s highest form of recognition for continued excellence in the field of corrections accreditation. To achieve Excelsior status, a Florida agency must have achieved initial accredited status and then achieve five successful re-accreditation assessments without conditions. Assessments are conducted at three-year intervals; therefore, the Excelsior process takes approximately 15 years for an agency to acquire.
“Maintaining the high standards of accreditation is an accomplishment in itself,” Escambia County Corrections Chief William R. Powell said. “However, the dedication and devotion that staff demonstrate in upholding these high standards are what truly matters. Congratulations to all Escambia County Corrections staff in this achievement. It could not be accomplished without everyone’s commitment to excellence.”
Appeals Court Overturns State Ethics Commission Finding Against Doug Underhill
February 27, 2025
Florida’s First District Court of Appeal on Wednesday overturned Florida Commission on Ethics decisions that former Escambia County District 2 Commissioner Doug Underhill be removed from office after allegations that he misused his office and that he owned $35,000 in penalties for alleged ethics violations.
In 2022, the Ethics Commission found that Underhill misused his position by publicly sharing or publishing confidential transcripts, including minutes from Escambia County Commission shade meetings. A $10,000 fine was imposed for this offense. The Commission also recommended a fine of $6,250 for each of four ethics violations for soliciting donations from a county vendor or lobbyist, and gift disclosure laws involving a GoFundMe page seek donations towards his personal legal expenses.
The appeals court found that the commission “erred” in the interpretation of the law, and “the ordinary meaning of that subsection—set out above—compelled a different result for Underhill.”
“A GoFundMe page is not a mass send out to thousands of recipients or even to one specific recipient. There was no evidence presented that Underhill sent it directly to anyone. In fact, the Commission’s interpretation of ’soliciting’ would have the effect of prohibiting any public officer or employee from posting a passive GoFundMe page. And a public officer or employee who posts a GoFundMe page will likely never know whether a prohibited donor has even visited the site,” the court found.