Man Sentenced Gets 30 Years For Exposing Himself To Kids Inside Davis Hwy. Business
September 13, 2024
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 30 years is state prison and labeled as a sexual predator for exposing himself to two children at a Davis Highway business earlier this year.
Christopher Scott Steele, now 45, was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge John Simon. Steele pleaded guilty to two counts of lewd or lascivious exhibition in the presence of a victim under age 16.
Prosecutors said Steele was inside BJs Wholesale Club when he exposed his genitals to two minor children in a lewd manner. He was arrested a short time later by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“Steele was convicted of a sex related offense in 2003 in the State of Alabama. After moving to Florida, this defendant has been in and out of state prison over the last twenty years for failure to follow sex offender registration laws. Steele has shown a blatant disregard for the laws of this State and this sentence will help protect the community and children in the future,” Carrie Gilmer, prosecuting attorney, said in a statement.
Jim Allen First Graders Learn About 9/11 (Photo Gallery)
September 12, 2024
“There were lots of heroes on 9-11. Everyone showed love. I can show love be being kind to others. I can help other.”
That’s what one student in Ms. Smith’s class wrote about 9/11 in a class project on Wednesday.
The students discussed the importance of bravery, love for our country, and showing compassion, and how they can embody these values as first graders.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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.
