Northview High Students Receive Required CPR Training
January 16, 2025
Juniors at Northview high school received required hand-on CRP and AED training Wednesday, led by cardiologist Dr. Bevin Weeks from Nemours Children’s Health.
Florida statute requires students in 9th and 11th grade to participate in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training.
Students gathered in the gym to learn how to properly perform chest compressions on CPR manikins. According to the American Heart Association, immediate CPR can double or triple the chances of survival after cardiac arrest. With more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occurring outside of a hospital setting each year, bystander intervention plays a crucial role in patient outcome.
By the end of the school year, more than 2,000 students across seven Escambia County high schools will have received training on how to effectively administer CPR, as well as instruction on how to use automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
George Stone Technical College Names Student Of The Month
January 16, 2025
George Stone Technical College recently named their Student of the Month for November. He is William Stanhope who is learning pipe welding in an advance welding class.
“He has proven that he has a desire to be the best of the best in this profession and for that he deserves to be the student of the month,” the college said.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Coast Kid’s House Hosting Abuse Recovery Group
January 16, 2025
Gulf Coast Kid’s House is hosting another 12-week therapy series – Adult Sexual Abuse Recovery Group.
Every Tuesday beginning January 28th from 5:30-7:15 p.m., the group will come together to heal unresolved trauma from childhood led by several highly skilled licensed therapists. This group is free to the community with childcare provided.
To register for the group, contact Margot Dutel, LCSW at counselor@gckh.org. Space is limited.
Tate High Beta Club Shines At State Convention
January 16, 2025
Tate High School’s National Beta Club chapter attended the National Beta’s state convention last weekend in Orlando.
With an outstanding performance, Gabby Handy (pictured below) won first place in the Solo Vocals competition. She earned a “Golden Ticket” to the National Convention in June 2025. The Beta Club members enjoyed participating in the convention scavenger hunt and won third place.
“It was an exciting and successful weekend for the chapter,” said Tate Beta sponsor Stacye Litton.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Meets Lead And Copper Water Standards, State Reduces Monitoring Requirements
January 15, 2025
In 2022, Century failed to test drinking water for lead and copper for an entire year as required by the state.
Fast forward to the present. Now, the town has stepped up its monitoring efforts, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is allowing reduced monitoring requirements for lead and copper.
The town applied for and received the reduced monitoring requirement after not exceeding acceptable parameters for the previous two monitoring periods, according to Interim Mayor Alicia Johnson. That means the town will monitor for lead and copper every three years rather than twice per year under an FDEP rule.
“This saves the town money on lab fees and personnel cost, as lead copper sampling it is quite expensive and time-consuming,” Johnson said. “It is a positive for our water system because it demonstrates that our water quality parameters set forth by FDEP are being met.”
Florida Ag Commissioner Launches Concealed Weapons License Replacement Services In Escambia County
January 15, 2025
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced on Tuesday the launch of concealed weapon license replacement services at Tax Collector Offices in Escambia and 36 other counties across Florida. These expanded services are a result of legislation proposed by Commissioner Wilton Simpson during the 2024 Legislative Session. Senate Bill 1084, signed into law in 2024, expands the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) collaboration with local Tax Collectors to further streamline concealed weapon license services.
“We are committed to ensuring that Floridians have access to convenient, efficient, and secure concealed weapon license services,” said Simpson. “By expanding the services available at local Tax Collectors, we are strengthening our dedication to customer service while upholding the rights of law-abiding citizens.”
Since 2014, and as a result of legislation proposed by Commissioner Simpson when serving in the Florida Senate, Florida tax cpllectors have provided essential services to concealed weapon license holders, including initial applications, fingerprinting, and renewals. The addition of replacement services will further simplify the process for Floridians, allowing them to access all major concealed weapon license services locally.
Santa Rosa Country is not offering concealed weapon license replacement services are: Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Jackson, Lafayette, Lake, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okaloosa, Osceola, Pasco, Polk, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Union, Volusia, Walton, and Washington.
Century Correctional Institution Is Reaccredited
January 15, 2025
The Century Correctional Institution is among seven correctional institutions in Florida to be reaccredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA) during the organization’s annual conference in Orlando.
The standards created and refined by the ACA represent fundamental practices that ensure staff and inmate safety and security, enhance staff morale, improve record maintenance and data management capabilities, and improve the function of the facility and agency at all levels.
Over the last year, ACA audit teams from across the country visited Century along with the Florida Women’s Reception Center, Reception and Medical Center, Santa Rosa, Lancaster, Marion and Suwannee correctional institutions to conduct comprehensive on-site audits of all aspects of prison operations. Each of these institutions were 100 percent compliant with mandatory standards.
“Each year, our staff consistently strive for excellence and maintain our position as a national leader in correctional practices. I take great pride in their daily dedication, which has earned us recognition for reaccreditation at these institutions,” said Florida Department of Corrections Deputy Secretary Richard Comerford. “Achieving ACA accreditation is a key opportunity to highlight our hard work, strengthen our foundation, and reaffirm our commitment to public safety. I want to express my gratitude to our leaders across the state who remain steadfast in their commitment to our essential mission.
NorthEscambia.com (above) and submitted (below) photos, click to enlarge.
Reminder: Driver’s License, Tag, Tax Collector Services Thursday In Century
January 15, 2025
Driver’s license and other tax collector services will be available in Century on Thursday.
The Escambia County Tax Collector will be at the:
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century on Thursday, January 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration, receive a parking placard, transfer a title, pay property taxes, and apply for a business tax receipt. Written and driving tests are not available from the MILO unit.
The Billy G. Courthouse is at 7500 North Century Boulevard.
Pictured: The Escambia Tax Collector’s MILO at the Walnut Hill Community Center. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
DeSantis, Ivey Order Flags Raised For Trump Inauguration, Putting Jimmy Carter Mourning In Hold
January 15, 2025
The governors of Florida and Alabama have ordered flags raised to full staff on Monday as Donald Trump is sworn in for a second term as president, putting the mourning period for President Jimmy Carter on hold.
“On this unique occasion where we simultaneously celebrate the service of an incoming President and commend the service of a former President, our nation’s flag will be prominently displayed at full staff to honor the tradition of our founding fathers and the sacrifices made by those who have served to ensure the torch of liberty continues to burn strong,” reads the memo from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“Federal law, as cited in 4 U.S.C. §6, enumerates times and occasions for display of the U.S flag, including Inauguration Day, January 20,” Ivey reasoned in her memo. ” Accordingly, flags at state buildings in Alabama should be raised to full staff on Monday, January 20, 2025, to honor the inauguration of the new president.”
President Joe Biden ordered flags to half-staff for 30 days from the death of former President Jimmy Carter.
But U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on social media Tuesday that flags will be at full staff Monday for Inauguration Day.
“On Jan. 20, the flags at the Capitol will fly at full staff to celebrate our country coming together behind the inauguration of our 47th President, Donald Trump. The flags will be lowered back to half-staff the following day to continue honoring President Jimmy Carter,” Johnson wrote on X.
In addition to Florida and Alabama, Republican governors in Iowa, Texas and Tennessee also issued flag orders on Tuesday.
In each state, flags will return to half-staff on Tuesday, January 21, as the 30-day mourning period for Carter continues.
EREC Selects Seven Students 2025 Tallahassee Youth Tour
January 14, 2025
Escambia River Electric Cooperative has selected seven area high school students to attend the 2025 Youth Tour in Tallahassee on February 12 and 13.
During their two days in Tallahassee, the students will get an up close and personal look at state government in action.
The students are:
- Olivia Doyle, Northview High School
- Kaylee Oswald, Northview High School
- Major Rowell, Jay High School
- Brea Lyle, Jay High School
- Jayme George, Central School
- Aurora Godwin, Central School
- Gabriella Magdaleno, Central School
After the trip, two of the students, one from Escambia County and one from Santa Rosa County, will be chosen for the annual EREC tour to Washington, DC.
Pictured above: (top row, L-R) Olivia Doyle, Northview High School; Kaylee Oswald, Northview High School; Jayme George, Central School, (second row) Aurora Godwin, Central School; Gabriella Magdaleno, Central School; Brea Lyle, Jay High School; and (bottom) Major Rowell, Jay High School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.