Armwood Ends Tate’s State Dreams (With Gallery)
December 5, 2015
During the 2011 and 2012 seasons, the Tate High School Aggies amassed a dismal 1-19 record. During the past three seasons, the Aggies have lost just three games per season, one of which was a final four appearance Friday night against No. 1 ranked Armwood High School. And throughout it all, the Aggie Nation has been there to support their team.
Friday night was no different as countless Aggie fans made the 470 miles trip and packed the stands in Seffner, near Tampa, hoping this would be the year for a state title. But in the end, Armwood topped Tate 53-19 in the state 6A semi-finals.
Just a minute and a half and three plays into the game, Tate’s Monty Brown intercepted a Hawk pass and ran it in 24 yards to give the Aggies an early 7-0 lead.
But it was just downhill from there for the Aggies. Armwood evened it up at 7-7 on their next drive, and the Hawks added another four touchdowns in the second quarter for a 36-7 half time lead.
In the second half, senior Dee Thompson was in for a short touchdown for the Aggies with 6:00 on the clock in the third, and Sawyer Smith found Reginald Payne for a 55-yard touchdown with about a minute in the game. In the end, Armwood topped Tate 53-19.
The Armwood Hawks advance to the state 6A championship game next Saturday afternoon in Orlando against Miami central.
NorthEscambia.com will be publishing additional photo galleries from the game by Monday.
Pictured top: An Armwood player consoles Tate’s Dee Thompson on the field following Armwood’s victory Friday Night. Picture inset and below: Armwood defeated Tate in the state semi-finals Friday night near Tampa. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Escambia Corrections Department Chief Terminated
December 5, 2015
Escambia County Director of Corrections Michael Tidwell was terminated Friday by Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown, with employees under his leadership now reporting to Assistant County Administrator Chip Simmons. Tidwell held the position for 11 months.
There have been six inmate deaths in the Escambia County Jail in the past year.
Escambia County released the following:
On Friday, Dec. 4, County Administrator Jack Brown made the decision to end Michael Tidwell’s duties as Escambia County Director of Corrections. Starting Dec. 4 jail command, community corrections and road prison staff will report directly to Assistant County Administrator Chip Simmons until the search for a new corrections director is complete.
Immediately, Simmons will work to fill an open health services administrator position and the medical unit will be placed back under the control of the jail commander who will now be empowered to make decisions regarding transporting inmates to an outside medical facility with or without medical staff recommendation. Additionally, a list of critically ill patients will be given to the command staff daily, with each shift providing an end of shift report to include updates on every infirmary patient to the jail commander.
At the 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10 Commission Agenda Review Meeting, County Administrator Jack Brown will present a report on the health care system at the jail completed by Alliance Medical Management. In May, Escambia County hired the consultant to conduct an analysis of the current system. Two medical system improvement options were recommended by the group to enhance services and improve operations – to privatize medical and mental health services or continue medical services under an in-house, full-time medical director. Brown is planning to make a recommendation to the board to approve the internal medical director option. This new position would be responsible for clinical policy direction and overall management of the health care program. Other recommendations include establishing an independent monitor position, better determining the financial needs for a successful detained health care program, and rebidding or restructuring the pharmaceutical contract to ensure best pricing. Click here to read the full report which establishes a framework for moving forward with improving jail medical services.
Per county policy, Tidwell was relieved of all duties and given 90 days’ notice. Tidwell started as director on Jan. 26 and was responsible for community corrections, county jail and the road prison. His annual salary was $118,543. He replaced former director Gordon Pike, who retired in November 2014.
Tidwell was selected by a screening committee comprised of Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Eric Haines, Trial Court Administrator Robin Wright and Taylor County Chief Deputy Richard Johnson, who is also a member of the Florida Model Jail Inspections group, Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown and Chip Simmons who at that time was the Pensacola Chief of Police. Tidwell came to the county with more than 30 years’ experience, a Master’s Degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, and jail management and corrections executive certification.
Escambia County Officials Warn Of Door To Door Scam
December 5, 2015
Escambia County officials are warning residents of a door-to-door scam.
The Escambia County Emergency Communications Center has received multiple reports of a man wearing an Escambia County Fire Rescue t-shirt going door-to-door trying to solicit contributions. The complaints that have come from areas near East Nine Mile Road and Guidy Lane.
All funding comes from the Escambia County Board of County Commissioner’s Municipal Services Benefit Unit, and the county does not solicit public funds. Under no circumstances does Escambia County Fire Rescue administer any door-to-door soliciting, according to county officials.
Molino Convicted Sex Offender Arrested
December 5, 2015
A convicted Molino sex offender was arrested for failing to register as required.
Wayne Bolton, 68, was s charged with the felony for failing to report a residence change and sex offender violation for failure to report vacating a permanent residence and booked into the Escambia County Jail.
Bolton was convicted of a lewd lascivious act on a child under 16 in Escambia County and a second count of a lewd lascivious act on a child under 16 in Santa Rosa County in 2000, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records.
FAA Certifies New Aviation Maintenance Program At George Stone
December 5, 2015
The Federal Aviation Administration has certified a new aviation maintenance program at the George Stone Technical Center. The deadline for students to register for the two-year program is January 13. The certification was awarded Friday afternoon during a ceremony at George Stone. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Northview Christmas Variety Show
December 5, 2015
The Northview High School Christmas Variety Show was held Friday night in the school’s theater.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Arrested On Multiple Child Pornography Charges
December 5, 2015
State authorities arrested an Escambia County man Friday on child pornography charges.
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement charged 46-year old Daryll Roger Gooding on 13 counts of possession of child pornography and two counts of promoting child pornography.
Friday, agents served a search warrant at Gooding’s residence on Grainger Avenue and located a computer that was actively downloading child pornography. An initial computer forensic review revealed numerous video files of child pornography on that computer, according to FDLE.
Gooding was booked into the Escambia County Jail on $100,000 bond. The investigation will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 1st Judicial Circuit.
This case was investigated by members of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Pensacola Police Department, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Bristol Park, Devine Farm Subdivisions
December 4, 2015
Effective immediately, the Precautionary Boil Water Notice (PBWN) issued by the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) on Tuesday for the Bristol Park and Devine Farms Subdivisions has been lifted.
Results of two independent bacteriological samples have both returned as clear. Precautionary Boil Water Notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Century Officially Lights Town Christmas Tree (With Gallery)
December 4, 2015
The Century Town Council held a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Thursday night at the Nadine McCaw Park. The Byrneville Elementary School Chorus led Christmas carols during the event. The lights are on nightly in the park, which is located on North Century Boulevard at Hecker Road in Century.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Century Crash
December 4, 2015
There were no serious injuries in two vehicle accident Thursday night in Century.
The accident occurred about 5:45 p.m. on North Century Boulevard and Hecker Road when the driver of a Chevrolet Colorado apparently rear-ended a Buick Century. Everyone involved in the crash refused medical treatment at the scene, according to officials.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
