Former Aggie Ronnie Douglas Named New Head Coach At Milton
December 20, 2024
Former Tate Aggies football head coach Ronnie Douglas has been named the new head coach for the Milton Panthers.
“With a proven track record of revitalizing struggling football programs, Coach Douglas is poised to bring a new era of success to Milton High School,” the school said Thursday.
Douglas has resigned from Tate in 2015 and after two seasons as head football coach to spend more time on his carwash business. He led the Aggies on two trips to the playoffs in his two seasons with a 8-3 record in his first season and a 9-3 record in his second season. The back-to-back play off appearances were the first for the Tate Aggies since the 1976 and 1977 seasons. Before Douglas, the Aggies won a four total games during three seasons.
He took over the Pine Forest High School football program in 2020 before resigning in 2022. He was 28-8 over three seasons at Pine Forest.
“Coach Douglas arrives with a wealth of experience, having previously turned around multiple underperforming teams into competitive powerhouses,” Milton High said in a press release. “His strategic vision, dedication to player development, and commitment to building winning cultures make him an exceptional choice for Milton High School. With a focus on strong fundamentals, teamwork, and community engagement, Coach Douglas is set to inspire both players and fans alike. We are excited to welcome Coach Ronnie Douglas to the Panther family. His impressive history of transforming football programs is exactly what we need as we look to elevate our program to new heights. We believe that Coach Douglas will not only drive our athletes to excel on the field but also help them grow as individuals off the field.”
Milton High was 0-10 this past season and is a combined 6-24 since 2022.
FloridaHighSchoolFootball.com also named Douglas as the All-Panhandle Coach of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia EMS CORE Program Marks 200th Opioid Recovery Patient
December 20, 2024
Escambia County EMS has reach a milestone in in its Coordinated Opioid Recovery Effort program. The CORE program has successfully assisted its 200th patient in its mission to combat the opioid crisis and provide comprehensive care to individuals battling opioid addiction.
CORE is a state-funded addiction recovery program that expanded to Escambia County in late 2022, with the county accepting its first CORE patient in February 2023.
Since its inception, the CORE program has worked to offer personalized, non-judgmental support to individuals suffering from opioid use disorder. This program focuses on providing immediate medical care, counseling, and long-term recovery support to help patients through the recovery process.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the 200th patient milestone, which represents the dedication and compassion of our EMS team and the resilience of the individuals we serve,” said Joey Kerman, Supervisor of Escambia County EMS CORE program. “This accomplishment highlights the success of our Coordinated Opioid Recovery Effort, and we are committed to continuing this vital work to ensure that those struggling with addiction receive the support they need to reclaim their lives.”
The CORE program combines EMS response with community resources, including addiction counseling, mental health support, and recovery services, to give patients the tools and services they need to overcome addiction. By intervening at critical moments and connecting individuals with resources, CORE aims to help to break the cycle of addiction and offers a pathway to recovery.
“I’m incredibly proud of our CORE team for reaching this milestone and continuing to help so many individuals in our community who are struggling with opioid addiction,” Escambia County EMS Chief Chris Watts said. “The opioid crisis is impacting our community and many others across the nation, but through this program, lives are truly being changed for the better in Escambia County.”
The CORE program is made possible by community partnerships including Community Health Northwest Florida and Lakeview Center.
“We believe in the power of community, and CORE is not just about emergency response, but also about providing long-term care and support,” Kerman said. “This milestone of 200 patients helped reflects the collective efforts of our EMS team, local partners, and the community as a whole.”
For more information about the CORE program, please MyEscambia.com/CORE, or contact CORE at (850) 477-HELP or (850) 377-4965.
Here’s Your Sign: Century Approves New $35,000 Electronic Message Center
December 19, 2024
The Town of Century is purchasing a new $35,000 sign to be placed outside the town hall and library.
The town council voted this week to approve the purchase from Plastic Arts Signs in Pensacola for the new sign, which includes an electronic message center. According to an agenda item by Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr., the sign will “enhance community visibility and branding” with a more modern design than the town’s current brick and non-functioning electronic sign. The existing brick sign will be removed.
Gomez said the town has been in discussions with the West Florida Public Libraries, a system owned and operated by Escambia County, about potential cost sharing for the sign. The county nor the library system have yet approved any funding for the project.
Century received a second quote on the project from Built Rite Signs for $68,000.
In the town council’s agenda pack, council members received the conceptual image below. However, the agenda nor Gomez were clear which company provided the design image.
Early last month, the town spent over $11,000 for parking lot sealant, striping and parking lot signage (such as handicap signs, not the roadside marquee sign) replacement.
The parking lot project and the sign will be funded with American Rescue Plan funds.
Pictured top: Signage outside the Century Town Hall and Escambia County’s library as seen Tuesday night. The electronic sign has not functioned in a long time. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Students Collect 14,540 Pounds Of Food For Manna
December 19, 2024
Escambia County Public Schools collected 14,540 pounds of food — the equivalent of 16,837 meals — for Manna Food Pantries.
The food was collected during the district’s holiday food drive to feed neighbors in need in the winter months, when donations tend to slow.
Escambia County Public Schools, through donations of food and funds over the years, has provided more than 190,000 meals for neighbors in need.
Pictured: Students at Jim Allen Elementary school contributed a pallet of food to the Escambia County Public Schools 14,540 pounds of food for Manna Food Pantries. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Active Duty Marine Charged With Murder Of Missing Escambia County Woman
December 19, 2024
An active duty U.S. Marine has been charged with murdering a woman missing from Escambia County whose body was found Wednesday in Mobile, Alabama.
Willie Richard Ellington, a 20-year old active duty marine serving on NAS Pensacola is charged with first degree murder and possession of child pornography. He was arrested in Opelika, Alabama.
Last Saturday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a missing person, 26-year-old Tshey Ronaie Bennett, who was last seen December 13 in the 300 block of Plantation Road. Due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding her disappearance, investigators have been working the case as a potential homicide.
Bennett’s body was located Wednesday in a pond located in an abandoned neighborhood in Mobile.
Throughout the investigation, it was determined that Tshey Bennett was working as an escort and had met the suspect at the Sweet Dreams Inn at the time of her disappearance,” the ECSO said.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
December 19, 2024
Northview High School recently named their Students of the Month for November. They are Maggie Stewart and Nicholas Kahalley, pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas Toy Giveaway Friday In Cantonment
December 19, 2024
A Christmas toy giveaway will be held Friday in Cantonment.
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will host the event beginning at 3 p.m. at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street for children in kindergarten to seventh grade while supplies last. Children must be present to receive a toy.
The giveaway is sponsored by Justified Incarcerated Ministries.
Girl, 12, Killed In Multi-Vehicle Crash On Quintette Road In Pace
December 18, 2024
A 12-year-old girl was killed in a four-vehicle crash Wednesday morning on Quintette Road in Pace.
The crash happened about 10:35 a.m. on Quintette Road at Tunnel Road in Pace, just east of Five Points. The crash involved a log truck, propane delivery truck, and two passenger vehicles, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
According to the FHP report, the crash claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl who was a passenger in a SUV driven by a 50-year-old woman. The report lists both as being from Nauvoo, Alabama. The woman suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital. The log truck driver, a 47-year-old Bay Minette man, was also seriously injured.
The driver of the propane delivery truck and the second SUV were not injured.
Troopers said none of the propane tanks were damaged.
FHP Traffic Homicide and FHP Commercial Vehicle units are continuing their investigation. So far, troopers have not said how the crash happened.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Hires City Treasurer From Michigan As Their New Town Clerk
December 18, 2024
The Century Town Council voted Tuesday night to hire a Michigan resident as town clerk.
The position has been vacant since Leslie Howington took a leave of absence in mid-April before resigning in May for medical reasons. In September, Century voted to hire the current town clerk of Flomaton, but she later changed her mind and withdrew from consideration.
Jennifer Tien of Allegan, Michigan, is currently the treasurer of the City of the Village of Douglas in Douglas, Michigan, a town of 1,411 with annual budget revenues of $3.6 million. Century, by comparison, has 1,758 residents with annual budget of $10.6 million, of which $5.8 million is front grants.
Tien was hired as the City of the Village of Douglas treasurer in June 2024 at an annual salary of $74,000 with a starting day in July, according to Douglas city council minutes.
Tuesday night, the Century Town Council voted 5-0 to hire Tien at an annual starting salary of $86,000 with three weeks annual vacation. The council did not consider any relocation expenses. The vote authorizes Mayor Luis Gomez. Jr. to finalize the hiring process with Tien.
Tien sat quietly in the council chamber, unannounced by Gomez until after the vote.
“I spoke with Ms. Tien; she’s in the building,” Gomez said. “I told her upon approval of the council, I would give her a minute to address herself, and any other questions of concerns that you may have.” No council member asked any direct questions, other than asking Tien if she would like to speak; she did not address the council.
“I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work in Century. I am confident that my skills in administration, customer service, and records management align well with the requirements of the clerk’s office and working along side the other departments in the town,” Tien wrote in a cover letter to the Town of Century on November 26.
Who is Jennifer Tien?
According to her resume, Tien’s work history includes:
- July 2024- Present, Treasurer/Finance Director, City of the Village of Douglas, Ml
- August 2020 to June 2024 – Election Coordinator/Deputy Clerk, Allegan County Clerk’s Office, Allegan Ml
- July 2016 to August 2020 – Deputy County Clerk Vital Records, Allegan County Clerk’s Office, Allegan Ml
- May 2007 to August 2015 – Owner – Licensed Insurance Agent, All American Insurance & Financial Services, Crestview FL
- February 1998-May 2007 – Licensed Insurance Agent, Kyes Agency & Bartz Rumery Agency, Allegan Ml
- January 1997- January 1998 – Customer Service Representative, AIITel Telephone Company, Little Rock AR
- June 1991- January 1997 – Administrative Assistant/Payroll Administrator, City of Plainwell, Plainwell Ml
Her resume states she obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration, at Spring Arbor (MI) College in 1994. No town clerk certifications or training are listed. Howington, Century’s previous clerk, was a certified municipal clerk with a bachelor degree in public administration and an associate degree in paralegal studies.
Pictured: Century Mayor Louis Gomez, Jr. congratulates Jennifer Tien of Michigan after the Century Town Council voted to hire her Tuesday night. Pictured inset: Tien said quietly in the audience prior to the council’s vote. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Update: Suspect Shot By Escambia Deputies Now Charged With Attempted Homicide
December 18, 2024
A suspect was shot by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies Tuesday night., and he is now jailed on charges that include attempted homicide.
Darrion Kanye Finley, 20, was charged with attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding with lights and siren, possession of a firearm by convicted felon, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, and deadly missiles (shooting into a vehicle). He was booked into the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning without bond.
Just before 10 p.m. Tuesday, deputies attempted a traffic stop on a reported stolen vehicle at Aquamarine Avenue and Kentucky Drive.
“The suspect fled, initiating a pursuit that was eventually terminated using a PIT maneuver,” ECSO said in a statement Monday night. “After being stopped, the suspect, armed with a handgun, fired shots toward deputies from within the vehicle and after exiting the vehicle with the handgun. The deputies then returned fire, striking the suspect.”
Finleyt was transported to an area hospital and later released. No deputies were injured.
Per protocol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the officer-involved shooting.