Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Team Tops National Competition
October 27, 2014
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 team has been named one of the very best in the country.
The ECSO team won first place in the four-man team competition at the United States Police Canine Association Police Dog Trials this past week in Wilson, NC. Team members are Mark Smith with his K-9 Jeck, Wayne Gulsby with his K-9 Caleb Carlos Lizarraga and his K-9 Saban, and Jason Land with his K-9 Edo. Lizarraga is employed by the Foley Police Department, but trains with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pensacola Police K-9 Handler Bruce Harris and his partner Enio finished third overall in the competition.
There were 104 K-9 teams from 15 states that took part in the event. They also had the top obedience score and were in the top five in criminal apprehension.
Pictured top: Mark Smith, Wayne Gulsby, Carlos Lizarraga, and Jason Land with their award. Pictured below: (L-R) Land with K-9 Edo, Gulsby with K-9 Caleb and Smith with K-9 Jeck during the national police trials in Wilson, NC. Pictured bottom: K-9 Edo. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Emergency Road Work Begins Today On A Portion Of Nine Mile
October 27, 2014
Emergency repairs are scheduled this week on Nine Mile Road between the Escambia River Bridge and Scenic Highway.
Crews will begin constructing the temporary diversion to maintain and shift traffic as they complete the necessary repair work. Drivers can expect nighttime lane restrictions, narrowed travel lanes and a reduced speed limit daily from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Wednesday.
Traffic will be shift to the temporary diversion on Thursday as crews begin repairs to the westbound outside right lane and shoulder. Drivers will experience narrowed lanes and a reduced speed limited for approximately one month. Motorists are reminded to use caution and to obey the posted speed limit when traveling through the work zone.
Planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be re-scheduled.
Elderly Cantonment Couple Injured In Hospital Pond Wreck
October 27, 2014
An elderly Cantonment couple received minor injuries in an accident that left their vehicle in a hospital pond Sunday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 90-year old John J. Durnil made a left turn from the West Florida Hospital driveway onto University Parkway about 10:20 p.m. He continued to make the left hand turn in his 2010 Mazda car until he circled back onto the curb, then onto the shoulder of University Parkway and into trees, bushes and eventually a pond near the hospital’s emergency room. The vehicle came rest in just a few feet of water.
Durnil and his passenger, 86-year old Ruth Durnil, also of Cantonment, were transported into the West Florida emergency room with minor injuries.
Charges in the crash are pending investigation, the FHP said.
Northview To Host Junior, Senior Parent Info Night Tuesday
October 27, 2014
Northview High School will hold a Junior/Senior Parent Info Night Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. in the school.
Students and parents can receive information regarding graduation requirements, Bright Futures eligibility, NCAA/NAIA athletic eligibility, scholarships, and financial aid.
Northview will also host two additional parent/student nights this year:
College/Career Fair, November 13, 6-7 p.m.
- Receive information and speak to representatives from local colleges and businesses about job opportunities for high school graduates.
Seniors – Bright Futures Application Night, December 2 5-7 p.m.
- Seniors can receive assistance in completing the Florida Student Financial Aid application, which is required for Bright Futures eligibility. Computers will be available with assistance from counseling staff to submit the Bright Futures application.
Escambia Elections: 8,337 Ballots Cast During First Week Of Early Voting
October 27, 2014
Week one of early voting ended Sunday with 8.337 votes cast in Escambia County. Week two of early voting continues through Saturday.
During the first week of early voting, 485 ballots were cast in Molino, and 1,310 were cast in Cantonment.
Early voting continues at seven locations until Saturday November 1:
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Escambia County Extension Service, 3740 Stefani Road, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Avenue, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Bellview/Saufley Early Vote Site, 4607 Saufley Field Road, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Spooky Trail Offers Students A Thrilling Literacy Adventure
October 27, 2014
Escambia Westgate teachers, staff and many volunteers created a Spooky Trail last week for the students of Escambia Westgate, and McArthur Elementary School’s Special Education students, as a fun way to teach literacy. The mile-long trail through the woods behind the schools was decorated with giant eyeballs, witch’s hats, monsters, spider webs and skeletons. Stations along the way featured a magician, a team of storytellers, a monster sing-along, and even a fortune teller.
University of West Florida Honor students volunteered along with students from Booker T. Washington High School’s Jayettes and NJROTC students from Tate High School. Many of the student volunteers are already planning to be back in January for the Winter Trail.
Hannah Mizell, UWF Honor student, said the day was extra special for her because she has autism. “I feel sort of a connection to the kids. I kind of know what they are going through. I come from a small town where this would never happen.”
“Westgate is my favorite organization the honor students volunteer with,” explained Megan Adams, co-chair of the Honors Program Service Committee. “We take the students to three service projects a month. They will be back to help this spring with the Arbor Day trail and with Westgate’s prom.”
“Madam Ziree,” the Spooky Trail’s resident Fortune Teller (AKA Mrs. Desiree Rowe, Speech and Language Pathologist) said that last year she read a story to the children about a fortune teller. “This year I decided to play the part. The teachers gave me tips about their students such as their favorite foods, the name of their pet, or who plays on the Miracle League. Their eyes got big when Madam Ziree knew something special about them.”
Overseeing the day’s events were Judge Lacey Collier and Joe Denmon. It would be hard to find two men prouder of Escambia Westgate and what is done there for the children and teens they teach. Denmon discovered Escambia Westgate years ago when he was helping his sister transport some of the students. “The story is that one day I drove that bus out here, got off the bus and never left.”
Collier is especially proud of the Center’s Snoezelen Facility, a project that has his name on it. “He has taken us into his heart,” explains Susie Watson, curriculum coordinator for Escambia Westgate.
This was the fourth year for the Spooky Trail and everyone agreed that the credit goes to Catherine Born, who was on the trail at dawn putting up decorations and setting up for the volunteers. But she won’t take the credit, she quickly boasts about everyone who helped, the art teacher, the music teacher, the volunteers, etc. She is especially thankful for the Ascend volunteers who were out on the October 10, 2014, United Way Day of Caring to clear the pathways and lay out fresh mulch.
Pictured top: University of West Florida Honors program students created their own costumes and put on skits based on children’s books. This skit explained why the Old Lady Swallowed Some Leaves (a Halloween spoof of the Old Lady Who Swallowed the Fly). Pictured top inset: Charlotte Tucker, High School ESE Reading teacher at Escambia Westgate,helps students experience green slime and slimey eyeballs. Pictured bottom inset: Beau Bromall brings magic to the Spooky Trail. Pictured below: “Madam Ziree” played by Desiree Rowe helps a student look into her “crystal ball” to see his fortune. Pictured bottom: Judge Lacey Collier and Joe Denmon take a break to visit along The Spooky Trail. Photos by Kim Stefansson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward FFA Fair Booth Wins Blue Ribbon
October 27, 2014
The Ernest Ward Middle School FFA won a blue ribbon with their booth this year at the Pensacola Interstate Fair. Photos by Jennifer Woodfin for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Football District Standings, Schedules
October 27, 2014
Here is a look at local high school football district standings, scores from last week, and Friday night’s schedule for Florida schools:
Scott, Crist Committees Funnel Big Bucks To Parties
October 27, 2014
Political committees that play key roles in the campaigns of Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist are continuing to pour millions of dollars into the state Republican and Democratic parties.
Finance reports filed Friday show that a committee known as “Charlie Crist for Florida” sent $3.5 million to the Florida Democratic Party last week. Similarly, the Scott-supporting “Let’s Get to Work” political committee contributed $2.1 million to the Republican Party of Florida. Those contributions follow a pattern of the committees bringing in large chunks of money from contributors and passing it along to the parties, which can use it for such expenses as get-out-the vote efforts.
The Crist committee raised $1,264,700 from October 11 to October 17, bringing its overall total to $26,715,356, according to the newly filed reports. It spent $3,888,153 during the week-long period and had spent an overall total of $24,673,158 as of October 17.
Let’s Get to Work, meanwhile, received $1,585,000 during the reporting period, bringing its overall contribution total to $43,309,277. Almost all of the money received during the week-long period — $1.5 million — came from the Republican Governors Association. Let’s Get to Work spent $2,696,662 during the period and reported an overall expenditure total of $42,663,592.
by The News Service of Florida
Century Holds Surplus Auction To Prep Building For Hopeful Future Tenant
October 26, 2014
The Town of Century earned a little cash today while cleaning up an available industrial building in the name of economic development.
Most of the items sold were items left behind by the prior tenant of the former Helicopter Technology building in the town’s industrial park. The town was anxious to get rid of the items to get the building “show ready” in the hopes of landing a new industry.
The items were grouped into several lots – couches and chairs, a marble slab, office desks and chairs, plastic tanks, shelving and wooden tables. About 20 lots sold by sealed bid for $1,075.10 total. A group of industrial shelving sold for $450, while other groups sold for much less like assorted furniture sold for $100 and a lot of mostly outdated computer of office equipment sold for $35. All of the items were recently declared surplus property by the Century Town Council.
The town purchased the industrial building at public auction for less than $1 out of pocket back in August 2009, following the town’s foreclosure judgment against the now defunct Helicopter Technology company. The surplus sale is being held to clean out the building and increase its marketability as the town seeks a new tenant and new jobs.
Century – Heart and Soul: This was part of our continuing series on NorthEscambia.com featuring Century.
Pictured above and below: Some of the item lots sold Saturday morning by sealed by at the former Helicopter Technology building in the Century Industrial Park. Pictured inset: The sealed bids are opened and tabulated. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
