Cross Country Results: Northview, Flomaton, Ernest Ward (With Gallery)
October 4, 2017
Results from a cross country meet held Tuesday afternoon at Northview High School are below.
For a photo gallery of most finishers, click here.
Boys Team Placement:
Northview High School 1st Place
Flomaton High School 2nd Place
Ernest Ward 3rd Place
Girls Team Placement:
Ernest Ward 1 st Place
(No girls team was fielded by Flomaton or Northview. Two Northview athletes ran as individuals.)
Boys Individual Times:
1. Kevin Meeks/Flomaton 19:03
2. Tanner Levins/Northview 19:14
3. Oscar Rodriguez/Northview 21:06
4. Logan Doremus/Northview 22:46
5. Samm Bradley/Northview 23:00
Girls Individual Times:
1. Kara Santorelli/Ernest Ward 23:16
2. Emily Levins/Ernest Ward 32:10
3. Aurora McCann/Northview 33:16
4. Anna Bryants/Ernest Ward 34:41
5. Adrianne Shanks/Ernest Ward 35:04
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Releases Names, Details In Serious Hwy 97 Crash
October 3, 2017
Five people were seriously injured in a two vehicle, near head-on collision Sunday night just north of Walnut Hill. Their names and crash details were released Tuesday afternoon by the Florida Highway Patrol.
According to the FHP, 38-year old Travis J. English of Pensacola was southbound about 8 p.m. on Highway 97 near Ficklin Road in a 2006 Hyundai Sonata when he crossed the center line in a no passing zone. Now traveling southbound in the northbound lane, English was in the path of a northbound 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 driven by 35-year old Tyler D. Respress of Atmore.
Both drivers took evasive actions toward the shoulder of the road, according to the FHP, causing the vehicles to collide. The pickup came to rest partially on Highway 97, while the Sonata came to rest in the ditch.
English and his passengers were trapped in the Hyundai, with firefighters using the Jaws of Life to remove the vehicle roof oin order to free them. English and backseat passenger Gabreal McDowell, age 23 of Pensacola, were transported to Pensacola hospitals in serious condition. Front seat passenger Athena McBride, age 39 of Cantonment, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition.
Respress and passenger Ashley Respress, 34, were transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.
Any charges in the accident are pending the outcome of an ongoing Florida Highway Patrol investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Classic El Camino Crash In Bratt
October 3, 2017
An elderly driver received only minor injuries when he crashed a classic Chevrolet ElCamino into a tree Tuesday morning in Bratt.
The driver lost control while southbound on Highway 99 near Cecil’s Road, crossed the center line, left the roadway and struck a brick mailbox. He then cross back over the highway, left the roadway again and struck a tree about 7:35 a.m.
He was treated on the scene by Escambia County EMS and not transported to the hospital.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Highway 168 Bridge Reopens After Emergency Repairs
October 3, 2017
A North Escambia bridge reopened Tuesday morning after emergency repairs were completed.
The bridge over Reedy Creek on Highway 168 near Wawbeek Road was closed for repairs on May 18 after Escambia County received notice from the Florida Department of Transportation that the bridge had failed an inspection and was deemed structurally deficient.
The bridge is located northeast of Bratt, about seven miles west of Century.
Pictured: The bridge over Reedy Creek on Highway 168 was reopened Tuesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bonus Gallery: Northview Cheerleaders, Band, NJROTC
October 3, 2017
For a bonus gallery with the Northview band, cheerleaders, NJROTC and spirit line from last Friday night, click here.
For football game action photos and story, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Contractor Granted Time Extensions For Molino Road Bridge Completion
October 3, 2017
When Molino Road was closed for replacement of the bridge over Penasula Creek, just east of Sunshine Hill Road, the construction contact called for the project to be complete by September 25. But the contractor has been granted multiple time extensions by the Florida Department of Transportation, NorthEscambia.com has learned.
Contractor F&W Construction Company started the project on January 3 under a contract that gave the company 265 days for completion.
The Florida Department of Transportation has granted F&W 30 additional days due to weather and eight additional holiday days to complete the project. That would make the required completion date November 1.
But according to Tanya Branton, spokesperson for FDOT, there are two pending time extensions. One is for 14 days due to additional piling that was required and another nine days due to Hurricane Irma. If those requested extensions are granted, the anticipated final acceptance date will be November 24 for a total of 326 contract days.
The old wood piling supported bridge was constructed in 1958 had reached a level of deterioration to warrant replacement and was next on the list of the FDOT’s Five-Year Work Plan. The project is being funded and the construction work is being performed under contract with the Florida Department of Transportation. After completion of the structure, Escambia County will be responsible for the maintenance of the bridge.
To date, the bridge project is only $1,617 over original budget, with an adjusted current contract amount of $1,129,920.01.
Pictured: The current status of construction on the Molino Road bridge over Penasula Creek. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Faces Up To Life For Drug Trafficking
October 3, 2017
An Escambia County man faces up to life in prison after a drug conviction.
Ozell Pressley, Sr. was convicted by an Escambia County jury of one count of trafficking in cocaine (28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams), 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 into 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 Sale, manufacture, or delivery, 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.
Circuit Judge Edward Nickinson scheduled sentencing for October 27.
Ozell Pressley, Sr. qualifies as a habitual felony offender. He faces a maximum sentence of up to life in prison on the count of trafficking in cocaine.
Several North Escambia Schools Name ‘Five Star Schools’
October 3, 2017
Several Escambia County Schools have been named Five Star Schools.
To be selected a Five Star School, a school must submit a portfolio that demonstrates they have: a strong community/business partnership program; strong family involvement including an active PTA , booster program or the like, including educational opportunities and support to families; strong volunteer program; encourage and support student community service; and, have an active school advisory council.
This year’s Five Star Schools are: Jim Allen Elementary, Bellview Elementary, Beulah Elementary, Blue Angels Elementary, Hellen Caro Elementary , N.B. Cook Elementary of the Arts, Cordova Park Elementary, Ferry Pass Elementary, R.C. Lipscomb Elementary, L.D. McArthur Elementary, Molino Park Elementary, Pleasant Grove Elementary, Scenic Heights Elementary and A.K. Suter Elementary.
Century To Offer $100 Lot For New Urgent Care, Adult Dental Clinic
October 3, 2017
The Town of Century has voted to sell a 2.18 acre lot in their industrial park to Escambia County Community Clinics (ECC) for a local expansion.
The town will offer the lot, located directly adjacent to Lakeview Center on Industrial Boulevard , to ECC for $100. The town has in the past sold similar lots in the Industrial Park to the Council on Aging and Escambia County for EMS Post 50 for $100 each.
ECC wants to build a new facility on the property to provide adult dental services and an urgent care facility. The non-profit community health care provider currently offers adult primary care, children’s pediatrics and children’s dental facilities on Church Street in Century.
According to information provided to the Century Town Council Monday night, ECC will meet later this month with the Health Facilities Authority to discuss a possible grant application to fund the construction of the new building in the Century Industrial Park.
“The new facility will be contingent upon funding, and that could be a long process,” Ann Papadelias of Escambia Community Clinics said Tuesday.
Pictured: An exam room in Escambia Community Clinic’s pediatric dental clinic on Church Street in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia, Santa Rosa K-9 Deputies Place In National Patrol Dog Competition
October 3, 2017
Five Escambia and Santa Rosa K-9 deputies earned accolades during this year’s United States Police Canine Association National Patrol Dog Competition hosted last week by the Foley Police Department.
The National Trials showcased 82 K9 teams considered the “best of the best” from across the country including Iowa, Minnesota, and New York. The week-long trials tested the skills and training of each canine and handler team in the areas of obedience, agility, suspect search, article search and criminal apprehension. In addition to competing against one another for the title of Top Patrol Dog, each team also tested for their coveted national certification from the USPCA.
Local deputies receiving awards were:
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Jonathan Rogers / K9 Axel – 10th place overall, 1st place (perfect score) Suspect Search, 9th place Total Search
Deputy Joseph Marcum / K9 Benga – 3rd place Region Team
Lt. Jason Potts / K9 Onyx – 3rd place Region Team
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Clay Smith / K9 Dozer – 14th place overall, 1st place (perfect score) Obedience, 2nd place Region Team
Deputy Jeffery Perkins / K9 Rogue – 4th place Evidence Search, 6th place Obedience, 2nd place Region Team
Photos by Mary Land/Rogue K9 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
