Florida Forest Service Hosting Women’s Land Management Event
September 12, 2024
The Florida Forest Service is partnering with the Florida Women Landowners Association and other organizations to host a women’s land management educational event October 21 as part of Working Forest Week.
“Forests Worked by Women, Work!” will be hosted on the Estes property in between Walnut Hill and Barrineau Park.
The Forest Service said land ownership by women is growing. According to the National Woodland Owners Survey women ownership is now more than 25%. Studies show, women think differently about the land they own than men do and often have different objectives for their land, different ways of achieving those objectives and different styles of learning about land management.
The event will be from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will give women the opportunity to learn about herbicide application, finances, chainsaw safety and maintenance, and resources available from agencies and nonprofits. Registration is limited. Click here to register and fore more information. Tickets are free.
For more information on the event, please contact Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin at (850) 587-5237 or email Cathy.Hardin@FDACS.gov.
Florida Forests Week was created in 2015 in partnership with the Florida Forestry Association and annually celebrates the benefits of actively managed forests.
Man Killed When Struck By Two Vehicles On Highway 29
September 12, 2024
A man was killed when he was struck by two vehicles Wednesday night on Highway 29.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the incident occurred around 10:40 p.m. on Highway 29 near West 9 1/2 Mile Road. An unknown age man was crossing the roadway when he was struck by two northbound vehicles. FHP said he was wearing dark clothing, and with no lighting in the area, the drivers could not see him in the rain.
The first vehicle, a pickup truck driven by a 71-year-old Molino man, collided with the pedestrian, who has not yet been identified. A second vehicle, a car driven by a 62-year-old Cantonment woman, then struck the man. Both drivers were uninjured.
The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Further details have not been released.
No Injuries In Minor Crash Involving School Bus On Highway 29
September 12, 2024
There were no injuries reported in a crash between a car and a school bus Wednesday afternoon in Cantonment.
The driver of a Mercedes sedan apparently reared ended Escambia County Public Schools bus 27-21 that was transporting students home from Tate High School.
The crash happened about 3:30 p.m. on Highway 29 just south of Muscogee Road, near International Paper.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Take Stock in Children Announces 40 New Students Selected for Scholarship Program
September 12, 2024
Take Stock in Children of Escambia County recently welcomed 40 new scholars at the annual Take Stock Kickoff Dinner.
There are now 166 students in grades 7-12 in Escambia County’s program. Students will receive a college scholarship upon high school graduation as long as they maintain good grades, attendance and citizenship, remain crime and drug free, and meet weekly with a volunteer community mentor.
Take Stock in Children is a statewide non-profit organization operating locally under the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation. Take Stock provides “scholarships, mentors & hope” to deserving young people selected at the end of their 6th or 7th grade year through a need-based application process.
Scholarship donations from local foundations, organizations, businesses, and individuals are matched dollar-for-dollar when scholarships are purchased from Florida Prepaid College Foundation each year and are held until students graduate from high school.
The new students were selected from the following schools:
- Bailey Middle – Catalia Molina, Emma Willits
- Bellview Middle – Daniel Finley
- Beulah Middle – Crystal Gutierrez, Azaleah Ramos
- Brown Barge Middle – Jade Bardoo, Ameria Jordan, Faith Lawson, Janiyah Roberson
- Dixon School of Art & Science – Helen Cummings, Naomi Cummings, Amaya Hooper, Zalayvia Jones
- Ernest Ward Middle – Amanuel Dubose Jr., Logan McClurg, Nevaeh Tidd
- Ferry Pass Middle – Jordan Bain, Thomas Bain, Harmony Farrington, William Jemison, Sophia Palmer, Sariyah Washington
- Florida Virtual School – Kydriah Badilishamwalimu
- Montessori School – Reed Erb
- Ransom Middle – Kaylynn Grzejka, Desiree Hicks, Abbie Huynh, Khale Moorer
- Warrington Prep – Billy Dorsey, Dumarian Hawkins, Logan Kerr, Christian Rivera Jr., Tevin Robinson, James Smith, Arhianna Watts-Riley, Ja’Nae White
- Workman Middle – Journey English, Harmoni Epps, Mahayla Epps, Trinity Marvray
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Golf: Tate And Northview Girls And Boys This Week
September 12, 2024
BOYS GOLF
The Tate and Northview high school boys golf teams placed in the top ten at the Byron Nathan Classic held this week at the Stonebrook Golf Club in Pace.
Pace took first place with a team score of 292, followed by Tate in fourth with 311 and Northview in ninth with 335.
Tate was led by a solid performance from Baylor Touchstone and Jacob Drysdale, who tied for fifth place with scores of 74 each. Ben Robinson finished 22nd with an 80, while Parker Hassel and Landon Ray rounded out the top five for Tate with scores of 83 and 90, respectively.
Northview’s Jack Boutwell placed 12th with a score of 76, followed by Luke Godwin in 22nd with an 80. Miles Smith at 88, Kelan Jurey with 91, and Jackson Bridges at 95 completed the scoring for Northview, finishing 55th, 62nd, and 70th, respectively.
GIRLS GOLF
Tate High School
The Tate High School girls golf team dominated this week against Jay and Milton at The Tanglewood Golf & Country Club in Milton.
The Aggies showcased their exceptional talent, posting a team score of 184 to easily outdistance their opponents. Jay finished second with 229, while Milton placed third with 231.
Tate’s dominance was further highlighted by their complete sweep of the top five individual spots. Talia Smith led the way with a score of 40, followed by Jordan Smith (46), Kara Wine (47), Paige Raiter (50), and Kinzlee Biggs (51). Alessa Lloyd also contributed to Tate’s success, tying for fifth place with a score of 51. Destiny Owen rounded out the top six for Tate with a score of 61.
For Jay, Presley Hawthorne led the team with a score of 52, followed by Kaitlyn Cooley, Layla McCullough, and Kinzie Nevels, who all tied for 10th place with scores of 59. Natalie Hendricks finished 17th with a score of 62.
Northview High School
The Northview High School girls golf team had a third-place finish at The Club at Hidden Creek in Navarre recently.
Pensacola Catholic dominated the tournament with a team score of 174, while Navarre finished second with 191. Northview’s total of 236 placed them third overall.
Leading the way for Northview was junior Anna Kunkel, who delivered a stellar performance, earning second place individually with a score of 41. Bailey Burkett and Payton Daw also contributed significantly to the team’s success, finishing ninth and 11th, respectively, with scores of 59 and 67.
Kaylee Long, Amberly Dunn, and Presley Amos rounded out Northview’s top six, placing 12th, 15th, and 16th with scores of 69, 75, and 77.
Blue Wahoos Postponed By Hurricane Francine
September 12, 2024
Wednesday’s game between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Montgomery Biscuits has been postponed due to rain and the ongoing threat of Hurricane Francine.
The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday, September 12. Two seven-inning games will be played, with game one beginning at 4:00 p.m. and game two beginning approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Gates open at 3:30, and fans with tickets to Thursday’s game are granted access to both games.
Fans planning to attend Wednesday’s postponed game can exchange their tickets for a future 2024 regular season home game of equal or lesser value at the Blue Wahoos Stadium ticket office. As stated on tickets, no refunds will be given.
Escambia County Fire Rescue Honors 9/11 Victims with Stair Climb
September 11, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue members joined others in a poignant tribute to the fallen heroes of the September 11th attacks.
The 11th Annual 9/11 Stair Climb took place Wednesday morning in Navarre Beach, where firefighters from across the region donned full gear and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to climb 11 floors 10 times, symbolizing the 110 floors of the Twin Towers.
ECFR firefighters participated in the grueling event to honor the first responders who lost their lives on that fateful day. The climb is a physically demanding challenge that requires both strength and endurance, mirroring the tasks faced by firefighters on 9/11.
The 9/11 Stair Climb is a nationwide event that brings together firefighters, law enforcement officers, and community members to remember the victims of the attacks and to support the families of those who were lost.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hundreds of Families Receive Food Assistance in Cantonment (With Gallery)
September 11, 2024
Light rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of those in need or the dedicated volunteers at a special food distribution held Tuesday afternoon at Carver Park. The event, held in partnership with the Cantonment Improvement Committee and Feeding the Gulf Coast, aimed to address food insecurity in the community.
September is Hunger Action Month, a national campaign raising awareness of the ongoing hunger crisis. Winn-Dixie hosted nine food distributions across its five-state service area, providing thousands of families with access to nutritious food.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Over 500 bags of groceries were distributed at the Cantonment event, offering much-needed assistance to local residents. Following the successful distribution, Winn-Dixie presented Feeding the Gulf Coast with a generous $10,000 check. The contribution will support the organization’s ongoing efforts to alleviate hunger in Escambia County and neighboring communities.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Firefighter Charged With Felony Child Abuse
September 11, 2024
A now-suspended Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighter has been charged with felony child abuse for an incident unrelated to his job.
Zackary Adam Polk, 33, was charged with felony child abuse without great bodily harm. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
On August 21, Polk committed child abuse in a domestic violence situation by striking the child with the back of his left hand, causing him to fall to the ground, according to an arrest report. The report states Polk continued to strike the child five more times, causing an injury to his elbow.
Polk’s ex-wife alleged that Polk had been abusing the male child and, and another child had unknowingly recorded a video of the incident with her tablet.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the video shows the female child hit the male child with her left arm before Polk approached and struck the victim with the back of his left hand. The child raised his arms to protect his face, at which point Polk advanced towards the boy and pushed him out of the camera view, the report continues.
“I heard (the victim) crying and screaming, and I heard what appeared to be Zackary Polk hit (the victim) five more times,” the deputy wrote about the conclusion of the video in the arrest report.
The ECSO was provided with photos that allegedly showed bruising on the child’s torso, neck and shins, and a busted lip.
Polk was taken into custody without incident at the West Pensacola Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue on W Street. Officials say he has been suspended from ECFR pending the outcome of the case.
Polk told deputies that he did not recall an incident on August 21, and denied striking the child, the report states.
Editor’s note: Polk’s jail mugshot was exempt from release by Florida law.
Pictured: ECFR firefighter Zackary Polk rests following a July 2017 fire at a mattress business on West Fairfield Drive. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Lady Chiefs Fall To Jay (With Photo Gallery)
September 11, 2024
The Jay Lady Royals defeated the Northview Lady Chiefs Tuesday in Bratt.
Jay took the four-set victory by scores of 25-17, 30-28, 25-21, and 25-17.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The second set was a thrilling nail-biter as Northview and Jay went back and forth, fighting fiercely for every point on a scoring run that went from 23-23 to a final win for Jay of 30-28.
On Thursday, Northview will host the Hoboes of Laurel Hill at 5 p.m., and Jay will host Rocky Bayou Christian at 6 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
