Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward Won’t Seek Third Term
March 21, 2018
Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward announced Wednesday that he would not seek a third term as mayor in 2018 and released the following statement:
Serving as Pensacola’s mayor for the past seven years has been the greatest honor and privilege of my life. I’ve been humbled to lead our city during a truly transformational time and to advocate for Pensacola across the state, throughout the nation, and around the world. My love for this city, for its people, for its families and neighborhoods, knows no bounds.
But I have always believed that the best leaders are not career politicians but citizen servants. True leaders know when to step aside and make way for new voices and new ideas. After reflecting and praying with my family, I have decided not to seek a third term as mayor of Pensacola.
I am proud beyond measure of the remarkable progress our city has made during my time in office. Nearly all of the “20 Solutions” I campaigned on in 2010 have been completed or are in progress. Together, we have watched our downtown undergo a renaissance and become the thriving heart of our region. We’ve worked to create a business-friendly culture and have attracted companies like ST Engineering, Southwest Airlines, UPS, and more. We’ve made our streets safer than ever, with the first murder-free year in nearly three decades last year. And we’ve built invaluable relationships in Tallahassee and Washington that have allowed us to bring a fair share of our tax dollars back here to Pensacola.
Every one of our success has been a team effort, and I want to thank the city council, our great city employees, our business community, my friends, and supporters for everything they’ve done to help make Pensacola the thriving, vibrant city we’ve become. I will leave this job humbled and grateful for the opportunity to have served each of you.
Most of all, I want to thank my wife An, my son Aiden, my parents, and the rest of my family for the sacrifices they have made while allowing me to serve our city. Nothing I have done would have been possible without their love and support.
Each and every day, I have approached this job with one goal: to do the best job I can for the people of this city. For the next nine months, I will continue to do exactly that as I explore ways to best serve the people of Pensacola in the years to come. I am more excited than ever about what the future holds for our city. Together, we have laid a solid foundation for the promise that lies ahead. Pensacola is a city with the wind at its back and our potential is limitless.
Nine Mile Walgreens Robbery Suspect Id’d As Kentucky Officer-Involved Shooting Suspect
March 21, 2018
Update: The suspect in a Nine Mile Walgreens robbery Wednesday morning has been identified as 32-year old David P. or Davis Vaughn, who is also wanted in connection with an officer-involved shooting in Boone County, Kentucky.
A Kentucky deputy fired at Vaughn on Monday because he feared he was about to be run over. The incident started when two deputies responded to a suspicious person complaint at a gas station where Vaughn was allegedly shooting up heroin. Deputies reported difficulty in handcuffing him due to his physical sizes, at which time he placed his vehicle in drive and a deputy fired four shots out of fear for his well-being. The vehicle was later found abandoned.
In Kentucky, Vaughn is wanted for a probation violation, along with aggravated burglary, fleeing or evading police, two counts of assault, two-counts of wanton endangerment, theft, heroin possession and tampering with physical evidence.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Vaughn is considered dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call 911.
Previous story:
Deputies are searching for a man that robbed a Walgreens at gunpoint this morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the man walked into the Walgreens on Nine Mile Road at Pine Forest Road about 8:15 this morning and pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded pills. He fled the store in a maroon Nissan Rogue (pictured below).
Anyone with information on the holdup is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Images courtesy Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Hosts District Special Olympics (With Photo Gallery)
March 21, 2018
The 21st Annual Escambia County School District’s Special Olympics Spring Games were held Tuesday at Tate High School with over 500 student athletes from 24 schools. Over 500 Tate student volunteers assisted as “buddies” and event workers.
The event began with Special Olympic athletes running with the Special Olympics Torch around the track. There was also an Olympic Village with plenty of fun and games, and even a petting zoo, for the athletes to enjoy after they completed their track and field events.
Athletes received the traditional gold, silver and bronze medals for top finishes.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Cell Tower, New Doughnut Shop May Be Coming To Century
March 21, 2018
A new cell tower and a new doughnut shop may be coming to Century.
The Century Town Council has given a preliminary non-binding nod for a new Verizon tower to be located at the town’s sewage treatment plant off Jefferson Avenue. A company representing Verizon requested the preliminary approval for a 180-foot tall tower.
Verizon is seeking a 25 year lease for an area about 80 x 80 feet, and the company will pay the town $9,600 per year if the deal is finalized. Town officials said they also want to explore a possible discount on their Verizon service.
The town has also received a development application for a doughnut shop at 8321 North Century Boulevard. The business, “Sunrise Donut”, would be located in the former location of a Chinese restaurant.
Both the cell tower and the doughnut shop are in the application or pre-application stages and must continue with the permitting process before becoming a reality.
Pictured: A development application has been received to open a new doughnut shop in this former Chinese restaurant in Century. File photo.
Photos: One Injured In Beulah Traffic Crash
March 21, 2018
At least one person was injured in a two vehicle wreck late Tuesday afternoon on Mobile Highway at at Beulah Road. Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Dortch Road Bridge In Bratt Opens To Traffic
March 21, 2018
A new bridge on Dortch Road in Bratt is now open to traffic.
The bridge over Beaver Dam Creek features a new concrete structure with 10-foot travel lanes, two-foot shoulders and a solid concrete barrier railing. It replaces a wooden-support bridge that was built in 1965.
It was closed for construction in July 2017.
Photos by/for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Group Makes Plans To ‘Reimagine Century’ In May
March 21, 2018
A Reimagine Century volunteer meeting was held Tuesday night in Century (pictured top). Reimagine Century will be held Saturday, May 5 and will include a food and clothing giveaway, health screenings, live music, free lunch and much more. Another planning meeting has been scheduled for 7 p.m. on April 19 at the community center on West Highway 4 in Century. Pictured below: Linda English from Doers of the Word Ministry explains the event. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
West Florida Jaguar Cheerleaders Recognized For Second Place State Finish
March 21, 2018
The West Florida High School Jaguar cheerleaders were recognized Tuesday night by the Escambia County School Board for their runner-up finish in the recent Florida High School Athletic Association state cheerleading finals. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
School Board Funds Armed Security For All Escambia Schools
March 21, 2018
Tuesday night, the Escambia County School Board formally approved funding for school resource officers and armed private security in all traditional schools in the county.
The board voted 5-0 to hire off-duty Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies and Pensacola Police officers and 5-0 to hire Securitas to place armed security in ever traditional school in the county. Costs for the remainder of the school year are estimated at $171,000 for the law enforcment officers and $132,000 for Securitas.
The board votes affirmed a plan introduced last week by Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. Implementation of the plan started on Monday.
To learn more, click here for a previous NorthEscambia.com story.
Tuesday Aggie Classic Scores
March 21, 2018
Five teams remain undefeated after two days of play in the 25th Aggie Classic, including the host Tate Aggies.
Here are scores from Tuesday:
- Tate 10, Bartlesville 9
- Mustang 8, Coosa Valley 0
- West Florida 11, McAlester 0
- Apopka 12, Moore 4
- Union 8, Choctaw 2
- McAlester 4, Choctaw 3
- Piedmont 10, Christ Presbyterian 8
- Mairanna 9, Carl Albert 3
- Cascia Hall 9, Morgan Academy 5
- Mustang 13, Goodpasture 3
- Bentonville 13, Washington 3
Wednesday’s Schedule:
Escambia High
March 21
4 p.m. Bartlesville, OK vs. Morgan Academy, AL
7 p.m. Carl Albert, OK vs. Morgan Academy AL
Choctaw High
March 21
4 p.m. Cascia Hall, OK vs. Coosa Valley, AL
7 p.m. Choctaw vs. Washington, OK
Navarre High
March 21
4 p.m. Christ Presbyterian, TN vs. Marianna
7 p.m. Apopka vs. Mustang, OK
Tate High
March 21
4 p.m. Bentonville, Ark. vs. McAlester, OK
7 p.m. Piedmont, OK vs. Tate
West Florida
March 21
4 p.m. Union, OK vs. West Florida
7 p.m. Goodpasture, TN vs. Moore, OK