King Aero Donates Demo Jet Engine to George Stone Aviation Program
March 1, 2025
Students at George Stone Technical College’s aviation program will now get a hands-on look at how jet engines operate, thanks to a specially-designed demo engine donated by Pensacola company King Aero,
King Aero and GSTC have been working together for years to strengthen the pipeline of aviation mechanics in the area. The aviation maintenance program, which began development in 2014 and held its first class in 2017, continues to grow under the leadership of instructor Bill Davis.
Davis, an Air Force veteran with 35 years of experience in engine maintenance for the Hurricane Hunters, said the partnership with King Aero provides valuable real-world learning opportunities for his students.
“In class, when you start talking about how air moves or the physics of air movement, and talking about how it moves through each stage of this engine, it’s hard to for students to visualize what I’m describing,” Davis said. “I can explain it to them on the board all day long, but they can’t really grasp it until they can physically put their hands on it. With this demo engine, I’ll be able to show them a real example that they get their hands on — it gives them a whole different perspective.”
The demo engine was the brainchild of GSTC Aviation Program graduates and current King Aero employees Sean Rader and Will Keethler.
“It was a lot of work but feels good to give back to the school that got me to where I’m at in the first place,” said Rader. “Just being able to be a part of helping their program grow is very fulfilling.”
Scores: Wins For Northview Baseball; Tate Baseball And Softball Fall
March 1, 2025
Here are North Escambia Friday night scores:
BASEBALL
Northview 10, Pensacola Christian 0
The Northview Chiefs shut out Pensacola Christian 10-0 Friday night in Pensacola.
Jayden White earned the win on the mound for the Chiefs, allowing one hit and no runs in five innings, walking three and striking out eight. Grayden Sheffield thew one scoreless inning in relief, walking one and striking out two.
Brady Smith went 2-2 at bat. Cole Davis, Kelen Jury, and Braynt Mason each had two RBIs.
Up next, Northview will be at Flomaton on Tuesday ahead of a Thursday game at Jay.
Northview 13, Pensacola Christian 0
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs easily shut out Pensacola Christian 13-0 Friday night.
The Northview win was earned by Christian Roberts who gave p no hits and no runs in three innings while recording seven strikeouts and walking one. Taylor Curtis pitched two no-run innings in relief while getting five strikeouts and walking one.
Kobi Fiorenti, Sawyer Gilmore, and Christian Roberts each had two hits. Kobi Fiorenti, Will Gilmore, Esten Odom, and Christian Roberts hand one RBI each. The JV chiefs stole 15 bases during the game against PCA.
Fort Walton Beach 11, Tate 8
Friday night, the Tates Aggies fell 11-8 on the road to Fort Walton Beach.
Kaleb Posta and Evan Taylor had two RBIs for Tate., and Nathan Ozuna was 2-4.
Tate will be at home Tuesday night against Milton.
SOFTBALL
West Florida 8, Tate 7
The Tate Lady Aggies slipped 8-7 to the West Florida Jags Friday night.
Kinzlee Biggs led at bat for the Lady Aggies with two RBIs as she went 1-2. Peyton Womack went 3-5, and Jordyn Banks were 2-4.
Tate will host Escambia on Tuesday.
Learn To Play The Dulcimer At The Molino Library
March 1, 2025
You can learn to play the dulcimer at the Molino Library.
The “Fundamentals of Dulcimer” class will be held from 1-2 p.m. on March 3, 17, and 31. The class is free, and no experience or materials are required. Dulcimers are provided for the class.
Pictured: A 2019 dulcimer class at the Molino Library. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Salzman Files Bill To Enhance Online Safety For Minors
February 28, 2025
Rep Michelle Salzman has filed a bill she says will strengthen protections for children and teenagers on social media platforms.
House Bill 743, titled “Social Media Use by Minors,” would require social media platforms to disable end-to-end encryption or other data encryption features that restrict the accessibility of messages for accounts held by minors under 16-years-old.
Salzman’s bill would also enable parents or legal guardians to view all messages sent and received by their minor children on these platforms and allow law enforcement to access messages relevant to felony criminal investigations involving minors.
The Escambia County Republican’s social media bill would also maintain existing requirements for social media platforms to terminate accounts of users under 14-years-old and to obtain parental consent for users aged 14 and 15.
“This legislation is a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to protect Florida’s youth from the potential dangers lurking in the digital world,” Salzman said. “By addressing message encryption, we’re empowering parents and law enforcement with the tools they need to ensure our children’s safety online.”
She said her bill builds upon an existing law that went in effect January 1 that bans social media accounts for Florida Children under 14 and requires parental permission for minors aged 14 or15.
Salzman said the proposed bill addressing growing concerns include Mental health issues linked to social media use, especially among young girls; the threat of online predators exploiting these platforms to communicate with minors; the need for increased parental oversight of children’s online activities; and concerns about harmful content hosted on social media platforms.
“As legislators, it’s our responsibility to adapt our laws to the rapidly changing digital landscape,” Salzman added. “HB 743 is part of a national trend to address the perceived harms to minors on social media services, and Florida continues to lead the way in protecting our youth.”
If the bill is passed and signed by the governor, it will take effect on July 1.
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.
