Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
February 12, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School named their December students and employee of the month.
They are:
- 6th Grade: Haley Miller
- 7th Grade: Dillan Seamans
- 8th Grade: Bailey Yuhasz
- Employee of the Month: Amanda Bailey
Pictured (L-R) Amanda Bailey, Haley Miller, Dillan Seamans, Bailey Yuhasz., and Principal Tyvanna Boulanger.
Applications Now Open For 2025 Summer Youth Employment Program
February 12, 2025
Escambia County’s Neighborhood and Human Services Department is now accepting applications for the 2025 Summer Youth Employment Program. The program is open to Escambia County youth ages 16-24 interested in an opportunity to receive paid work experience this summer.
Online applications are available now at MyEscambia.com/youthemployment until Monday, March 10 at 3 p.m. Physical applications are not available. Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
Qualified youth who are accepted into ECSYEP will be able to work up to 30 hours a week, with positions available in various county departments along with the Escambia County School District, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector’s Office and Supervisor of Elections Office. Participants will also receive job readiness training prior to job placement as well as post-employment briefings.
Last summer, over 200 youth participated in the program, working in county departments including Engineering, Public Safety, Escambia County Area Transit, West Florida Public Libraries and more.
Limited positions are available. Requirements for the program are as follows:
- Must submit complete application packet by prescribed deadline.
- Must be a resident of Escambia County, FL, at the time of application and for the duration of program participation.
- Must complete up-front job readiness preparatory training classes.
- Must complete post-employment debriefing sessions.
- Must not have any felony convictions.
- If enrolled in school, must submit enrollment verification.
- Must be between the age of 16 years old and 24 years old at the time of enrollment.
- Must show proof of identify (state-issued driver’s license or state ID card).
- Must show proof of address.
- Must meet hiring criteria of the temporary employment agency.
- Must submit completed application with all supporting required documentation to be considered.
- Must attend the end of the Summer Youth Program Award Ceremony.
For additional information, call Neighborhood and Human Services at (850) 595-3927 or (850) 595-1620.
ECSO Basic Recruit Academy Recognized By State
February 12, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Basic Recruit Academy recently received a “Perfect Audit” for the 2023 / 2024 year. This Meritorious Award was presented by Florida Department of Law Enforcement Bureau Chief Glen Hopkins and FDLE Director Chad Brown at the Criminal Justice and Standards quarterly commission meeting held in Orlando.
The ECSO was one of 11 training academies out of 48 in Florida that were recognized for a “Perfect Audit”. This award means that ECSO Basic Recruit Academy has been recognized by the State of Florida as being one of the top academies in Florida, going beyond minimum standards set by FDLE.
In February 2023, under the direction of Sheriff Chip W. Simmons, the CJSTC approved the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to administer their own in-house Basic Recruit Academy. Since then, three academy classes have graduated, and the fourth academy class will graduate in May.
Academy Staff: Lieutenant Drew Kilgen, Sergeant Brittany Tate, Deputy 1st Class Timothy Graves, Deputy Aaron Myers, Deputy Timothy Cole and Curriculum Coordinator Leilani Powell.
Northview Chiefs Fall To South Walton In Season Opener (With Gallery)
February 12, 2025
The 1A Northview Chiefs fell 17-0 in their season opener Tuesday night, to South Walton, last year’s 4A state runner-up.
The Seahawks, with roster that boosts several major league prospects that drew a small crowd of scouts to Bratt Tuesday night, took an early 5-0 lead in the first and never looked back.
Grayden Sheffield led the Chiefs with one hit in two at bats.
Jayden White opened on the mound for Northview, giving up three hits and 10 runs, four of which were earned, in two innings, striking out none while walking five. Dane King pitched one and a third innings, including through a moderate rain shower, giving up two hits and seven runs while waking four and striking out one. Brayt Mason closed two-thirds of an inning, surrendering one hit and striking out two.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs played through moderate rain showers as they host the South Walton Seahawks Tuesday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Six Hour Armed Standoff In Atmore Ends With Hostage Freed, Suspect In Custody
February 11, 2025
A domestic violence call escalated into a six-hour armed standoff on Monday night in Atmore, ending with the suspect in custody and the victim safely rescued.
At about 5:45 p.m., Atmore Police Department officers responded to a domestic violence complaint at 103 Brown Street. As the first officer arrived, the suspect, later identified as 46-year-old Francis Blount stepped outside and fired 8 to 9 e rounds at the officer, who took cover and was not injured. Blount then barricaded himself inside the residence, holding his girlfriend hostage, according to APD Sgt. Darrell McMann.
For additional photos, click here.
The Atmore Police Department activated its special response team and called for assistance from multiple agencies, including the Baldwin County SWAT team, hostage negotiators with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), and state troopers. The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Police Department, and Poarch Tribal Police also helped secure the perimeter.
Hostage negotiators were able to successfully negotiate the release of the hostage at approximately 9:25 p.m. McMann said she was not seriously injured and was treated at the staging area by Medstar EMS.
After the hostage was released, negotiators continued speaking with Blount by cellphone, utilizing family members to assist. Around 11:40 p.m., SWAT officers deployed tear gas, prompting Blount to surrender without further incident.
Blount was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Detention Center. He faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, first-degree kidnapping, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and third-degree domestic violence harassment.
Photos by Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance and WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Candidates Qualify For Century Council Seat, Zero For Mayor
February 11, 2025
Three candidates qualified Monday to seek an open seat of the Century town council. but no one qualified to run for mayor.
Seat 4 on the council was left open in early January when Alicia Johnson was appointed interim mayor after Luis Gomez, Jr., resigned for health reasons.
- John Bass
- Kathryn Fleming
- Lizbeth “Sparkie” Harrison
Qualifying will continue through noon Wednesday at the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, in Pensacola.
To qualify for the council seat, a candidate must be a registered voter in the Town of Century and pay an election assessment of 1% of the $3,715 annual salary, equal to $37.15, plus a $12.85 file fee for a total qualifying fee of $50.
To qualify for mayor, a candidate must have been a registered voter in the Town of Century for at least six months and pay an election assessment of 1% of the $10,132 annual salary, equal to $101.32 plus a $25 filing fee for a total qualifying fee of $126.32.
Unlike many other local offices, there is no option to qualify by petition.
The special primary election for the Town of Century will be held on Tuesday, March 18, and the special general election will be held on April 29.
Pictured top: (L-R) Century council candidates John Bass (submitted photo), and Kathryn Fleming and Lizbeth “Sparkie” Harrison (NorthEscambia.com photos).
Escambia Health Department Offering Free or Low-Cost Breast Cancer Screenings
February 11, 2025
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (DOH-Escambia) will host the 3D Mobile Mammography bus to provide free or low-cost mammograms to women in the community.
The mammograms will be available on Thursday, February 20 at the Health and Hop Clinic, 1718 East Olive Road in Pensacola.
Eligibility for Free Mammogram Screenings
Must meet each of the four criteria below:
1 Females ages 50-60
–(females ages 40-49 with a parent, sister, brother, or child that’s had breast cancer)
2. Have a household income that is less than or equal to 200% of the poverty level
3. Have no health insurance to cover the cost of a clinical breast exam, mammogram, or pap smear
4. Primary residence is in Florida
To see if you qualify for these screenings, call (850) 316-2706.
Veterans Outreach Events Planned In Byrneville, Davisville, Molino
February 11, 2025
The Escambia County Veterans Services Office will hold three public meetings in North Escambia to give veterans a chance to discuss benefits with an accredited veterans services officer.
Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. No appointment is required.
Meetings will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates at community centers in North Escambia:
- Friday, February 14: Byrneville Community Center, 1707 Highway 4A in Byrneville
- Friday, March 14: Davisville Community Center, 10200 Highway 97 in Davisville
- Wednesday, April 9: Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A in Molino.
Escambia County Veterans Services Office staff members will be available to help with topics including reviewing VA benefits, filing a VA claim, and reevaluating VA disability.
For more information, contact the Veterans Services Office at (850) 595-2409 or email VSO@myescambia.com. Learn more about Escambia County’s Veterans Services Office at MyEscambia.com/veterans-services.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Tate Lady Aggies Beat Escambia (With Gallery)
February 11, 2025
The Tate Lady Aggies defeated the Escambia Gators 15-0 in their preseason opener Monday night at Tate.
Kara Win went 3-3 for the Aggies with a double in the fourth, triple in the third and a single in the second inning. Jordan Smith was 2-2 at the plate. Tate also had one hit each from Peyton Womack, Aubree Jordan, Lacy Wilson, Amburleigh Laird, Madison Smilie, Kylie Mitchell, and MyKamia Padgett.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Jordan Smith earned the win in the circle for the Lady Aggies, allowing one hit and no runs in two innings while striking out six and walking none. Mykamia Padgett threw two innings of shutout ball for Tate in relief. She gave up no hits, striking out four and walking none.
The Lady Aggies will host West Florida at 6:30 Thursday in another preseason game.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Issued For Ernie Road, In The 4000 Block Of Hwy 196
February 10, 2025
**The boil water notice has been lifted.**
Molino Utilities has issued a precautionary boil water notice following the repair of broken water main.
The notice is in effect until further notice for Molino Utilities customers on all of Ernie Road and customers between 4025 Highway 196 and 4460 Highway 196
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For any additional information, contact the utility at (850) 587-5538.
This story will be updated with the boil water notice is lifted.