Wrong Way Driver Crashes Into Semi On I-10
November 1, 2017
A crash involving a wrong-way vehicle on I-10 left an Escambia County woman in critical condition early Wednesday morning.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 27-year old Chasidy Nichole Peace was traveling west in the eastbound lanes of I-10 for several miles when she collided with a semi-truck and trailer driven by 53-year old Mario Juan Vazquez Olive of Hileah, FL. Troopers said she drove under the trailer being pulled by Olive, causing semi and trailer to flip.
Troopers said Peace reportedly drove the wrong way on I-10 from Davis Highway to Mile Marker 3 near Beulah where the 4:01 a.m. accident occurred.
Peace was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Olive was not injured.
Any charges against Peace are pending the outcome of the FHP investigation.
Possible Routes For Beulah Beltway Reduced To Three
October 31, 2017
A Beulah Beltway Alternative Corridor Evaluation Public Meeting was held Monday night at Hillcrest Baptist Church.
The public had an opportunity to review the latest plans for the project, including the reduction of the number of possible northern routes. The 11 mile, four-lane Beulah Beltway will serve to connect Nine Mile Road in Beulah to Highway 29 somewhere in the area from south of West Quintette Road to Barrineau Park Road. The highway will also have a new exit on I-10.
There’s no funding available yet for the northern potion of the project, which has seen the number of possible routes drop to three. At their next meeting on Thursday, the Escambia County Commission is set to consider cutting the number of possible northern routes to just one or two.
The interchange and southern segment are expected to begin construction in 2023. Without a funding source, there is no estimated time frame for the northern segment.
Click here for a full-page pdf map of route options.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Schools Announce Their Teachers Of The Year
October 31, 2017
Teachers of the Year have been named at each school in the Escambia County School District.
Each teacher on the list has been selected by their peers and they represent ingenuity, dedication, compassion, organization, and so many other traits shared by teachers in their schools. They teach subject areas and how to use technology, but they also teach life skills and employability skills such as teamwork, time management, and social responsibility.
Each has been honored by their school and they will be honored at the District level at the Golden Apple Awards set for Jan. 26, 2018. Sponsored by the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation is a special night when each of these outstanding educators will receive their Golden Apple. The top five will receive special recognition and the overall Teacher of the Year will be announced.
Several North Escambia area Teachers of the Year have already featured with a front page photo on NorthEscambia.com, and we will continue to feature them over the coming days.
The Escambia County School District’s Teachers of the Year are:
Alternative Education — Mercedes Musto
Jim Allen Elementary — Cheryl Massey
Jim C. Bailey Middle — Bobby White
Bellview Elementary — Katie Trier
Bellview Middle — Paulette Brown
Beulah Academy of Science — Rodney Story
Beulah Elementary — Suzanne Hollingsworth
Blue Angels Elementary — Donna C. McKay
Bratt Elementary — Kim Ryan
Brentwood Elementary — Mrs. Scotti Mason
Brown-Barge Middle — David Mellor
Byrneville Elementary — James McDaniel
Camelot Academy — Barbara Belvin
Hellen Caro Elementary — Amy Blamires
N. B. Cook Elementary — Kim Anthony
Cordova Park Elementary — Julios Dewberry
Ensley Elementary — Myra L. Palmer
Escambia High — Keitha Jenkins Brown
Escambia Westgate — Barbara McGill
Ferry Pass Elementary — Nikki Cole
Ferry Pass Middle — Dustin Brenton
Global Learning Academy — Clarence Myles, Jr.
Reinhardt Holm Elementary — Tonya Gron
Lakeview School — Sherry King
Lincoln Park Primary — Jamila Richardson
R. C. Lipscomb Elementary — Patti Payne
Longleaf Elementary — Rena Croker
L. D. McArthur Elementary — Elizabeth Benoit
McMillan Pre-K — Lillian Welch
Molino Park Elementary — Shana Brown
Montclair Elementary School — Catherine Gritsavage
Myrtle Grove Elementary — Angela Carver
Navy Point Elementary — Dawn Paulus
Northview High — Megan Carroll
Oakcrest Elementary — Lori Martin
Pensacola High — Thelma Mullin
Pine Forest High — Jeffrey Lance
Pine Meadow Elementary — Vanessa Taylor
Pleasant Grove Elementary — Alison Schultheis (Sarah)
Ransom Middle — James Jackson
Scenic Heights Elementary — Melissa Thompson
O. J. Semmes Elementary — Cole Harper
Sherwood Elementary — Alexis Quick
George Stone Technical Center — Susan Shockley
A. K. Suter Elementary — Susan Anderson
J. M. Tate High — Alton “Dale” Gilmore
Title 1 — Wendy Ellis
Ernest Ward Middle — Jennifer Luker
Warrington Elementary — Keri Buck
Warrington Middle — Anne Laurenzi
Booker T. Washington High — Carla Ross
C. A. Weis Elementary — Jennifer Kemp
West Florida High — Shawn Walker
West Pensacola Elementary — Tereasa Newton
W. J. Woodham Middle — William Broome
J. H. Workman Middle School — Milagros Sessions
Escambia Charter, Jacqueline Harris Prep. Academy and Pensacola Beach Elementary did not submit names for the list.
Dedication Held For Sheriff Wendell Hall Highway
October 31, 2017
A portion of Highway 90 from Chumuckla Highway to Woodbine Road in Pace was designated as the “Sheriff Wendall Hall Highway” during a ceremony Monday to honor former Sheriff Wendell Hall.
The designation was passed by the Senate and House of Representatives and signed into law by Governor Rick Scott at the request of Senator Doug Broxson and Representative Jayer Williamson.
Born in Atmore, Hall attended Ernest Ward High School in Walnut Hill before continuing his education at Pensacola State College and Troy State.
Sheriff Hall was elected in 2000 and is the first Sheriff in Santa Rosa County to have been elected and re-elected to four terms. Since his tenure, his office was readily accessible to the community, and he was well known for his “Open Door” policy for all. He strived to ensure excellence, accountability and integrity in the management and conduct of Sheriff Office programs and policies.
Sheriff Hall is also very involved in the community through volunteer service with the Santa Rosa Kids House, United Way of Santa Rosa, Florida Sheriff’s Association, Vets to VA Clinic, Think of NW Florida, and the WW II Veterans to Washington DC Committee.
A highway designation is a rare honor reserved for those Floridians who give extraordinary service to the state. A designation requires an act of the Legislature and approval by the Governor.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Back to School Tax Holiday Pitched For 2018
October 31, 2017
Sales taxes would be lifted for two weekends before the start of the 2018 school year on clothes, school supplies and personal computers, under a measure filed Monday in the Senate.
The back-to-school sales tax “holiday” proposal (SB 686) by Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, would allow shoppers to avoid paying sales taxes for 10 days in late July and early August on clothes and shoes costing up to $100 per item, school supplies that cost $15 or less, and personal computers and related accessories priced at $1,000 or less.
This August, the state offered a three-day tax holiday, with taxes not collected on clothes and shoes costing up to $60 per item and personal computers priced at $750 or less. This year’s tax break included school supplies at the $15 mark.
The state has offered back-to-school tax holidays most years since 1998.
The House does not currently have a version of Perry’s bill, which is filed for the legislative session starting in January. If Perry’s bill is approved, the tax holiday would last from July 27 through August 5.
by The News Service of Florida
Escambia Man Sentenced To 30 Years On Drug And Gun Charges
October 31, 2017
Circuit Judge Edward P. Nickinson sentenced Ozell Pressley, Sr. as a habitual felony offender to 30 years in state prison with a three year minimum mandatory and a $50,000 fine.
Pressley was convicted by an Escambia County jury of one count of trafficking in cocaine (28 grams but less than 200), one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of controlled substance (less than 20 grams of cannabis).
On November 03, 2016, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigators served a search warrant at a known drug house located in the 2300 block of West Bobe Street. An investigation in to Pressley began after information was received that Pressley was distributing crack cocaine from the West Bobe Street house.
Pressley, a co-defendant and three other adults were located in the home, along with more than 30 grams of crack cocaine, cannabis and a loaded firearm. Pressley is a convicted felon and has an extensive criminal history, including five prior charges of the sell, manufacture, deliver, three prior charges of possession of controlled substance, resisting an officer with violence, attempting to flee and elude, felony battery, possession of marijuana (over 20 grams), improper exhibition of a firearm and aggravated battery.
Tate Baseball Holds Annual Costume Game
October 31, 2017
Tate Baseball held their annual costume game Monday night. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Search And Rescue Open House This Saturday
October 31, 2017
Escambia Search and Rescue will hold an open house Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
ESAR’s open house will take place at 9530 Nims Lane (behind Vannoy’s Tires and the Dollar General on Nine Mile).
There will be a display of gear and equipment, demonstrations of different search and rescue tools and techniques. The citizens of Escambia County are welcome to come out to see what this 100 percent volunteer, 100 percent donation and grant funded organization does.
Information on how to become a member of Escambia Search and Rescue will also be provided. Light refreshments will be served, and attendees will receive a green light bulb while supplies last to commemorate Veterans’ Day on the following weekend.
Northview NJROTC Places At Milton Drill Meet
October 31, 2017
The Northview High School NJROTC competed against seven schools and place fourth overall during a Navy JROTC drill meet this past weekend at Milton High School. Northview’s NJROTC placed second in Personnel Inspection and third in Armed Exhibition Drill. In individual awards, Oscar Rodriguez placed fifth in Individual Drill competition from among over 200 cadets.
Two Injured In Predawn Molino Wreck
October 30, 2017
Two people were injured in a predawn two vehicle crash Monday in Molino.
The two pickup crash was reported just before 5;30 a.m. at the intersection of Molino Road and Highway 95A. Both drivers were transported by Escambia County EMS to West Florida Hospital.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Molino, Cantonment and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the accident.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
