Ernest Ward Middle School Horse Judging Team Places 10th In The State
February 21, 2025
The Ernest Ward Middle School FFA horse judging team recently placed 10th overall in the state during a competition in Tampa.
Individual team members placed as follows in the state:
- Harleigh Grace Parsons – 25th
- Neveah Tidd – 32nd
- Noah Luker – 72nd
- Emma Hassebrock – 90th
Team members are Noah Luker, Harleigh Grace Parsons, Emma Hassebrock, Neveah Tidd, and Brylynn McGhee.
On the preliminary test and state qualifier in December, the team placed first in the state with Emma Hassebrock placing second in Florida with her individual score.
Autumn Williams and Olivia Meacham have coached the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA horse judging team for two years.
Pictured are Olivia Meacham (coach), Harleigh Grace Parsons, Neveah Tidd, Brylynn McGhee, Emma Hassebrock, Noah Luker, and Autumn Williams (coach). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Salzman Files Bill To Lower Firearm Purchasing Age To 18
February 21, 2025
Rep. Michelle Salzman has filed a bill to lower the legal age to purchase a rifles and long guns in Florida from 21 to 18.
“The ability to purchase and utilize a firearm is your constitutional right, and reinstating those rights is the right thing to do for Floridians,” Salzman said. “We must stop infringing on the
constitutional rights of law-abiding adults who are old enough to serve in our military and make other significant life decisions.”
HB 759 would repeal the age restriction implemented in 2018, which raised the minimum age for purchasing rifles and long guns from 18 to 21. Rep. Salzman argues that this current law unfairly restricts the Second Amendment rights of responsible young adults.
Salzman emphasized that her bill does not change other existing firearm regulations or background check requirements; she said it simply allows young adults to exercise their constitutional rights fully.
ECSO Hosts Coffee With A Cop At The Parking Latte
February 21, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held “Coffee With A Cop” Thursday morning at The Parking Latte on Highway 29.
Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office’s work in the community. It is a great way for Escambia County deputies and community members to come together, build relationships, and, of course, drink coffee.
Click here for a photo gallery.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Foundation and sponsors provided free coffee during the event. Organizers said the event was a huge success.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Softball Beats Crestview; Tate Baseball Bests Washington
February 21, 2025
SOFTBALL
Tate 17, Crestview 3
The weather was freezing cold, but the bats were hot as the Tate Lady Aggies powered past Crestview 17-3 in a rule-ruled four inning game Thursday night.
Mykamia Padget drove in five runs on three hits for the Lady Aggies, including a homer to left field. Taylor Robinson had a solo home run to center field.
Peyton Womack and Blakely Campbell both went 2-4 for Tate.
Jordan Smith earned the win for Tate, allowing three hits and one run in four innings while striking out two and recording no walks. Padgett tossed one inning, allowing two hits and two runs with one strikeout and three walks.
Up next, the Lady Aggies will travel to Gulf Breeze on Friday night.
BASEBALL
Tate 11, Washington 1 (Varsity)
With a six-run fourth inning, the Tate Aggies beat Washington 11-1 on a cold Thursday night.
Kaleb Posta earned the win on the mound for Tate. He gave up four hits and one run in five innings while striking out four and walking none. Bryton McLellan had one non-run inning for the Aggies.
Posta went 2-4 at the plate, leading the Aggies with three RBIs. Nathan Conners was 2-3.
Tate 12, Washington 1 (JV)
The Tate junior varsity bested Washington 12-1 Thursday night .
Cooper Halfacre started for Tate, giving up no hits and one unearned run in three innings while striking out five and a walking two.
Brody White went 2-3 for Tate, leading at the plate with three RBIs.
MILO Brings Tax Collector Services To North Escambia
February 21, 2025
Dozens of people took advantage of the chance to do business with the Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office during a one-day event in Century on Thursday.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services from Tax Collector Scott Lunsford. From driver’s license renewals and replacements to titles and registrations, MILO can handle most vehicle-related services except written and driving taxes. The portable office also includes property tax, business tax receipt and other tax collector services.
Tuesday, MILO was inside the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century, helping residents with 18 title or registration transactions and 10 driver’s licenses.
MILO is usually in North Escambia about once a month. Dates and times are announced in advance on NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector’s MILO in the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century on Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Highway 97 Crash Claims One Woman’s Life, Injures Two Others
February 20, 2025
A single vehicle crash on Highway 97 claimed at least one life on Wednesday afternoon.
A southbound vehicle left the roadway and struck a pine tree. The Florida Highway Patrol said the driver, a 79-year-old woman, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her passengers, women ages 78 and 75, were airlifted in critical condition by LifeFlight and AirCare helicopters to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. All three were from Pensacola, FHP said.
The crash occurred just before 4 p.m. on Highway 97 between Tungoil Road and Hendricks Lane. The roadway was closed for hours following the wreck.
Witnesses told troopers that they felt like the driver may have suffered a medical emergency, but FHP did confirm that a medical condition caused the crash.
NorthEsambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Elected Or Appointed School Superintendent? Referendum Approved By School Board
February 20, 2025
The Escambia County School Board has voted to support sending the question of elected or appointed school superintendent back to voters.
The board vote 3-2 this week to place a referendum on the general election ballot in November 2028. The referendum was introduced by District 5 member Tom Harrell at a February 13 school board workshop, with Harrell, Kevin Adams and Paul Fesko voting in favor. Board members Carissa Bergosh and David Williams opposed.
The referendum will next go the Escambia County Commission to approved adding it to the ballot in November 2028.
In 2018, Escambia County voters narrowly approved a ballot referendum for an appointed superintendent, with 50.36 voting yes and 49.64 percent voting now. This was the sixth time voters had considered the idea of an appointed superintendent in the county; all of the other attempts failed.
“I feel very strongly about this,” Harrell, who campaigned on a return to an elected superintendent, said at the workshop. “The county, I think, feels very strongly. There’s never anything wrong with letting the people decide. When you have a democracy, it’s all about people making decisions.”
“Deep down in my heart, having been here in this district for 60 years, that’s what the people of this district want,” Harrell added. “It’s the right time; it’s the right thing to do.”
Atmore Man Charged With Three Counts Attempted Murder For November Shooting
February 20, 2025
A second suspect has now been arrested in connection with a November 29, 20224, incident in Atmore where shots were fired into a vehicle.
Atmore Police initially apprehended a 15-year-old juvenile, identified by a victim at the scene, shortly after the incident. Further investigation led officers to 24-year-old Brayvuan York, age 21 of Atmore, who was taken into custody this week.
York faces three counts attempted murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle. He was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center.
Darrell McMann, public information officer for the Atmore Police Department, said the juvenile was also linked to multiple other incidents
My Life Depends On It: Retired Sheriff’s Deputy Finds Kidney Donor To Save His Life
February 20, 2025
A retired Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy’s prayers for a kidney donor have been answered.
We first told you about Rudy Brown in June 2024 as he humbly asked for help to find a kidney.
Now, he has a donor. That story led to Doyle Carpenter finding out that he is the perfect match for Rudy. The transplant is now set for May 12.
“I’m more than excited,” Rudy told NorthEscambia.com on Wednesday. “It’s like I’m still dreaming; I have to pinch myself to make sure it’s real.”
Rudy joined the ECSO in December 1989 and spent 24 years on patrol in Escambia County. He retired due to his medical condition in 2013 and underwent a liver transplant in 2018.
“I pretty much bled out two times on the table,” he said. “It nearly killed me.”
The required anti-rejection medications caused his kidneys to fail just over year later. He’s in final stages of kidney failure and has been on the transplant list since October 2020, but his number never came up as he stayed on dialysis.
A donor like Carpenter was his only option to live.
Through what’s called the directed donor program, Carpenter’s donation can actually save two lives — Rudy will receive one of his kidneys, and the next person on the transplant will receive any kidney that may have been destined for Rudy.
“My life depends on it,” he said.
Northview FFA Celebrates National FFA Week With Appreciation Breakfast
February 20, 2025
It’s National FFA week, and the Northview High School FFA celebrated with an appreciation breakfast Wednesday morning.
FFA officers and members prepared a homestyle breakfast for teachers, staff and invited guests that support the FFA program. Northview’s FFA program has been recognized as one of the top chapters in both the state and the nation
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
