Cantonment Company Awarded $78 Million Contract To Renovate Biloxi VA Center
December 10, 2024
A Cantonment company has been awarded an almost $78 million contract for a renovation project at the Biloxi VA Center.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Construction and Facilities Management awarded the $77,988,247 contract to ESA South to renovate Building 1 at the Biloxi VA Medical Center.
“The Biloxi Building 1 Renovation is more than just a construction project; it’s a commitment to enhancing the quality of care for our veterans along the Gulf Coast. This renovation will provide state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring that those who have served our country receive the best possible care and support,” ESA South said in a statement. “We are honored to have this opportunity to serve our veterans and look forward to delivering a project that will make a lasting impact on their lives.”
Over the past 25 years, ESA South has grown from a small firm doing local construction to a competitive design-build firm with a strong foothold in the federal sector with a wide array of military and federal projects, according to the company’s website.
McDavid Woman Arrested On Drug Charges After Throwing Food At McDonalds, Police Say
December 10, 2024
A McDavid woman was arrested on multiple drug charges after allegedly throwing food at vehicles at an Atmore McDonalds.
Shivoyer English, 43, was charged with disorderly conduct, possession of a controlled substance, promoting prison contraband second degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Atmore Police Department responded to the McDonald’s on South Main Street after receiving a report of a disorderly person throwing food at vehicles.
“English was agitated and was yelling and cursing,” Sgt. Darrell McMann said. “The officers were unable to calm English down and placed her under arrest for disorderly conduct.”
English was transported to the Atmore Municipal Jail. During the booking process, officers discovered over 20 grams of synthetic cannabis (spice) in her possession and items used to ingest narcotics, APD said. English was later booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
Dedria’s Gift Makes Christmas Donation For Century Nursing Home Residents
December 10, 2024
Dedria’s Gift made a Christmas gift for the residents of the Century Health & Rehabilitation Center again this year thanks to a donation from St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Century.
Dedria’s Gift honors the memory of Dedria Robinson who was killed 2005 in an automobile accident at age 11. The group annually provides school supplies for hundreds of children in the Century area.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Update: Atmore Double Homicide Victims Named As Investigation Continues
December 9, 2024
The Atmore Police Department have named the victims as their investigation continues into a Sunday night double homicide.
At about 8:15 p.m., Atmore Police responded to a vacant residence in the 100 block of Ashley Street to find two people that had been shot multiple times while sitting in a vehicle.
The victims have been identified as 25-year-old Juwan McNeal and 27-year-old Joe Jones, Jr.
“They both passed away from their injuries,” Atmore Police Department Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Police have not named a suspect or released any possible motive.
Related: Atmore Man Charged With Friday Night Murder
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia Commissioners To Consider Policy Governing Their Internet Communications
December 9, 2024
The Escambia County Commission is set to discuss a technology policy this week that would govern commissioners’ use of internet communications. The draft policy is being brought the board at the request of Commissioner Mike Kohler.
A previous technology policy for commissioners was rescinded by the board in May 2019.
“The purpose of this policy is to establish rules for how the County Commissioners communicate about County business in order to promote public trust, maintain the reputation and goodwill of Escambia County government, and ensure compliance with Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law and the Public Records Act,” the new draft policy states. The BOCC will discuss the policy at their meeting on Thursday.
If the draft policy is approved, commissioners won’t be able to have a social media presence, a blog, or similar communications for county business. County business would be limited to email.
Commissioners would be allowed to post a comment or response on a third party website or social media account, unless it is is response to another commissioner, as long as they forward a copy of hte comment to a county-maintained email account.
The use of text messaging or other instant communication would be “discouraged”, regardless of ownership of the device, and encouraging to disable text or other instant messaging on a county-owned devices. If they do use text or other messaging, they would be required to forward a copy of the communication to a county-maintained email account or otherwise retain copies in order to comply with Sunshine Law.
Commissioners would not use private email accounts to conduct county business, forwarding any such emails received from their personal email to a county email. Likewise, they would not use county email for personal business.
During a board meeting, commissioners would not be allowed to use cell phones, computers or other device to transmit any message or email during a board meeting, regardless of who owns the device. They could sue a device for personal emergencies, wbut would be required to leave the board chamber or room where a meeting was being held.
International Paper Awards $57,000 In Grants To Local Nonprofits
December 9, 2024
International Paper’s Pensacola Mill has awarded $57,000 in International Paper Foundation grants to 18 local organizations.
“Through these grants, we aim to drive positive change, investing not just in projects but in the overall well-being of our community,” said Whitney Fike, regional communications manager. “These funds are crucial in supporting community-driven initiatives that tackle hunger, promote health and wellness, enhance children’s education, and provide disaster relief assistance.”
Local community organizations and their projects awarded grants for 2024 were:
- Autism Pensacola, Kids for Camp
- Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE), EscaReady: Disaster Preparedness Essentials Program
- Council on Aging of West Florida, Student Butterfly Kits
- Escambia County Public Schools Foundation, Tools for Teachers
- ReadyKids!, Ready Readers and Pages of Possibilities
- Harvest Community Outreach, Food for the Holiday
- Independence for the Blind, Classroom iPads
- Jim Allen Elementary, Reaching Reluctant Readers
- Manna Food Bank, Healthy Kids Initiative
- Ministry Village at Olive, Tender Hearts Caring Hands storage unit cooling
- Northwest Florida Community Outreach, Replenish for the Finish
- Pace Center for Girls, IP Reach Girls
- Pensacola Little Theatre, Spring into Art: Connecting Theatre and Community
- Pensacola MESS Hall, Illuminate: Light
- Sacred Heart Foundation, Maternal Health Bags
- Tate High School AJROTC, Physical Training/Mega Ball/Drill Team:
- Valerie’s House, IP Month of Caring
- Whistleblowers of America, Be A Giraffe Education Pilot Project
IP said the grants demonstrate the company’s commitment to education, hunger, health and wellness, disaster relief and initiatives that improve our planet.
Grants were determined after careful committee review with local team members. Recommendations are subsequently reviewed by the International Paper Foundation’s grants committee, which then must be confirmed and ratified by the foundation’s board of trustees.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
I-10 Traffic Shift Near Highway 29 Interchange Expected This Week
December 9, 2024
A previously planned traffic shift for I-10 was delayed last week by weather, but the Florida Department of Transportation says the change is now expected to take place this week.
This week, I-10 eastbound travel lanes will be shifted toward the median area of the roadway, from mile markers 8 to 10, near the Highway 29 interchange (Exit 10). The traffic shift will be a multiyear effort and allows crews to build a new alignment for I-10 at Highway 29.
The Florida Department of Transportation said the speed limit is reduced to 50 mph through the work zone, and nighttime temporary single-lane closures may occur on I-10 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. At least one travel lane will remain open at all times.
This work is part of a $236 million construction project designed to improve safety and capacity for the 62,000 drivers who travel the I-10 at Highway 29 interchange daily. The project is anticipated for completion in 2030.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia County Receives Three New Offers For OLF-8 Property On Nine Mile Road
December 9, 2024
Escambia County has received three new offers for the OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road.
Ryan Bell and Beulah Ranch, LLC have submitted a $30 million offer for the entire 540 acres.
Fred Hemmer and Rob Ahrens of Beulah Town Center LLC have offered $42.5 million. Beulah Town Center previously made an offer of $25 million for 290 acres, but their new offer is for the entirety of the property.
Chad Henderson and TRI-W Associates are seeking an option to purchase the entire parcel for $40 million.
The Escambia County Commission is expected to discuss the latest offers during a meeting later this week.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
These Are Escambia County’s Top 5 Teacher Of The Year Finalists
December 9, 2024
Escambia County Public Schools has released the names of the top five finalists for ECPS Teacher of the Year.
The five finalists are as follows, listed in alphabetical order:
- Brooke Ferrarra – Beulah Elementary
- Stacey Hammer– Ransom Middle
- LeAnne Jenkins — Beulah Middle
- Kristin Maum – J.M. Tate High School
- Kelly Reed — Global Learning Academy
“We are proud to honor these outstanding educators,” Superintendent Keith Leonard said. “They are a great representation of all of our employees, and we would like to take time to thank them, as well as all of our employees, for all of the hard work and dedication they demonstrate for our students each and every day.”
The overall Teacher of the Year for Escambia County Public Schools will be announced in late January at a special event honoring all of the nominees.
Atmore Man Charged With Friday Night Murder
December 9, 2024
An Atmore man has been charged in connection with a shooting death of a local man Friday night.
Gelonté Giles, 31, was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center for attempted murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied building.
Giles allegedly shot 32-year-old Rakeem Phillips just before 11 p.m. Friday at the Point Escambia Apartments. The victim was transported to Atmore Community Hospital before being airlifted to a trauma center where he later passed away.
The investigation revealed that Giles and Phillips were involved in an altercation when Giles produced a firearm and fired between three to five rounds striking Phillips multiple times,” Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Related: Atmore Police Investigating Sunday Night Double Homicide