Tate’s Christian Neptune Signs With Division 1 USF
December 5, 2024
Tate High School senior Christian Neptune signed with Division 1 University of South Florida on Early National Signing Day Wednesday.
Neptune inked with the Bulls, over other offers that include Georgia Tech, Stanford and Louisville.
During a signing ceremony on Wednesday afternoon at Tate High, Neptune signed with Division I USF. He chose the Bulls over three other major offers from Stanford, Georgia Tech, and Louisville.
Out for the early part of his senior season with an injury, Neptune scored seven touchdowns in six games with 560 yards.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Beulah Academy, Tate FFA Members Place At Florida State Forestry Contest
December 5, 2024
Beulah Academy and Tate High School FFA members placed in the Florida State Forestry Contest this week.
Beulah FFA placed third for compass and pacing, and ninth in the state overall among middle schools. Team members and their individual rantings were:
- Becca DeCoux — 12th
- Luci Graham — 26th
- Addyson Creighton — 32nd
- Braxton Williams — 36th
Tate FFA placed ninth at the high school level. Individual Tate scores were:
- Parker White — 21st
- Luke Graham — 25th
- Estella Perea — 27th
- Lily McArthur — 34th
Pictured: The Beulah Academy FFA at the Florida State Forestry Contest this week. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s KJ Crow Signs To Play Tennis For Coastal Alabama
December 5, 2024
Tate High School Tennis Aggie Katie-John Crow has signed with the Coastal Alabama Coyotes (Bay Minette).
Crow is a four year player for the Aggies. In 2023 as the #1 player, KJ led the Aggies to a 12-2 regular season record and the 2023 District Runner-up trophy. She is also a Tate Hall of Fame member who boasts a 4.08 GPA while enrolled in multiple AP and honors courses. She is also a member of the student council.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice LIfted For East Pond Street In Century
December 4, 2024
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE HAS BEEN LIFTED.
A boil water notice has been issued for Town of Century Water System customers on East Pond Street following a six-inch water main break Tuesday at Jefferson and East Pond streets.
As a precaution, the town advises that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immunocompromised individuals, infants, or the elderly.
A loss in system pressure could cause back siphonage of contaminants, such as e. coli bacteria, into the water system. water containing E. coli bacteria can be considered safe for drinking and cooking after vigorously boiling the water. Disease symptoms caused by these bacteria may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and possibly jaundice, and any associated headache and fatigue. EPA has set an enforceable drinking water standard for e. coli to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects. Under this standard all drinking water must be free of these bacteria.
The water system is currently collecting samples to determine if the presence of E. coli bacteria exists within the water system. This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
Century Ups Mayor’s Spending Limit By 4,900% As Resident Questions Amount
December 4, 2024
The Century Town Council voted Tuesday night to increase the mayor’s spending limit by 4,900% as a local resident questioned the amount.
Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr., as well as previous mayors, had a spending limit of $200 before the vote.
During the November general election, Century voters approved a charter amendment to allow the town council to develop policies and procedures for purchasing, bidding, contracts, and related practices. That includes new spending limits for the mayor.
Tuesday night, the council’s vote approved an ordinance to set the mayor’s spending limit at $10,000, except in an emergency. In an emergency, the mayor can spend more than $10,000, but the town council must ratify the purchase at their next regular meeting.
Resident Michelle Cunningham, who served on the Century Charter Review Committee, questioned the $10,000 spending limits because the citizen advisory committee had recommended a limit of $5,000. The council scrapped the charter committee’s recommendations and placed their own amendments on the November ballot.
The ordinance that was approved also included a policy requiring two signatures on all checks – generally the mayor, acting mayor, council president and either the town clerk or deputy clerk. A town check will not be valid without the signature of one authorized elected official and one authorized administrative officer or designated replacement for financial oversight.
Also on Tuesday night, interim town manager Howard Brown also discussed the need for two new positions, a town administrator, and a financial services director. The council took no formal action; Brown will bring recommendations and information back to a future council meeting.
Gomez was not present at the meeting and was said to be on vacation.
Pictured top: Century interim town manager Howard Brown brought a mayoral spending limit increase to the Century Town Council Tuesday night. Pictured inset: Century resident Michelle Cunningham questioned the amount of the spending limit. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Teen Charged In Shooting At Large Chumuckla Bonfire Gathering
December 4, 2024
A suspect has been charged in connection with a shooting last Friday at a large gathering in a field near Chumuckla.
Terez Naikeem Toyens, 18, was charged with felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported disturbance on Friday near the 1900 block of Sid Hayes Road in Chumuckla. Deputies arrived at an open field where a large gathering, estimated to include approximately 150 young adults and adolescents, had taken place around a bonfire earlier in the evening.
When deputies arrived, only a few witnesses remained on the scene. Those individuals reported that an argument among a group at the gathering had escalated, culminating in gunfire. A 20-year-old male was struck in the abdomen by one of the shots. Deputies provided immediate care to the victim while awaiting EMS, which transported him to a local hospital for further treatment.
While en route to the scene, a responding deputy’s patrol car was struck by a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control, causing a collision with the deputy’s patrol vehicle. Following the crash, three occupants of the suspect vehicle fled on foot. Through witness interviews, deputies and detectives identified one of the fleeing individuals as Toyens, the alleged shooter.
The victim is expected to fully recover, according to SRSO.
Two Escambia County Fires Add Two Red Bulbs To Fire Safety Wreath
December 4, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue placed the first two red bulbs on the wreath in 2024 following residential structure fires on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
The first fire was at 8:30 p.m. Monday in the 7500 block of Pontiac Drive. Flames were showing when firefighters arrived, and the home was a total loss. ECFR rescue determined the first was caused by improper fireplace venting.
At 1:56 a.m. Tuesday, fire destroyed a mobile home in the 5400 block of Wales Avenue (pictured above). The cause is still under investigation.
There were no injuries in either fire.
The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the City of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign. Five-foot wreaths are on display at locations that included 21 county fire stations. Each time firefighters respond to a residential or commercial structure fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential and commercial buildings.
Jubilee Church To Host 50,000 Pound Food Distribution Saturday
December 4, 2024
Jubilee Church will host a 50,000 pound drive-thru food distribution Saturday. The church is located at 5910 North W Street.
“Our church knows that this time of year creates financial strain on families. With food prices soaring and money being spent on Christmas, we are honored to give back to those in need in our local community,” said Lead Pastor Tim Fox of Jubilee Church.
Families will pick up their food between 9 a.m. and noon (or while supplies last) while staying in their cars. The drive-thru will be in the parking lot of the church. For more information, call (850) 474-9484.
File photo.
UWF Professor Awarded $420K Grant To Fund Alzheimer’s Research
December 4, 2024
Dr. Rodney Guttmann, a biology professor in UWF’s Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering, has been awarded his second major National Institute of Health R15 grant, marking a significant milestone in his ongoing research on early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.
The three-year, $420,000 renewal grant awarded earlier this fall brings the total funding to $860,000 over six years, allowing Guttmann and students to continue cutting-edge research into blood-based biomarkers for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. His research aims to identify specific biomarkers that signal the onset of the disease, potentially enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses that could lead to better patient outcomes.
“This ongoing project reinforces the University of West Florida’s commitment to advancing biomedical research and providing students with unique educational opportunities that prepare them for future careers in science and medicine,” Guttmann said.
This grant supports hands-on research experiences for undergraduate students, offering them the opportunity to engage in world-class scientific investigation in Guttmann’s lab. The experience has launched students into prestigious doctoral programs and made them competitive in their careers.
“In Dr. Guttmann’s lab I discovered my passion for research and grew exponentially as a scientist,” said Allie Linkous ’24, a post-baccalaureate researcher at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. “I switched career paths and gathered the skills to move towards my future career as a research scientist. I gained exposure to a variety of techniques and projects. My time with Dr. Guttmann shaped me into the scientist I am today and prepared me for future opportunities.”
Guttmann’s ongoing work on blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease, a major focus for NIH and global researchers, addresses the urgent need to identify individuals at risk earlier in the disease process. Early detection is critical for the development of effective interventions and treatments to prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Finals Scores: Tate And Northview Basketball, Soccer
December 4, 2024
Here are high school scores from Monday and Tuesday for both basketball and soccer:
BASKETBALL
- Boys
- Tate 60, West Florida 48
- Northview 46, L.E.A.D. Academy 45 (Monday)
- Girls
- Escambia 55, Northview 28
- Milton 47, Tate 14 (Monday)
SOCCER
- Boys
- Washington 8, Tate 0
- Girls
- Tate 7, West Florida 0 (Monday)