Murzin To Be Interviewed For PSC Job August 28
August 19, 2014
A state panel is expected to nominate candidates for two spots on the Florida Public Service Commission after conducting interviews August 28 in Miami.
The Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council last month chose 16 applicants to interview for the positions, including PSC member Julie Brown and former state Rep. Dave Murzin, R-Pensacola.
The nominations will go to Gov. Rick Scott, who will make the two appointments to four-year terms on the utility-regulatory commission. The current terms of Brown and Commissioner Eduardo Balbis will expire in January. While Brown is seeking reappointment, Balbis decided against applying for another term.
The August 28 meeting will start at 10 a.m. at Miami International Airport Hotel, according to a notice issued Monday.
by The News Service Of Florida
Students Head Back To Class (With Two Photo Galleries)
August 19, 2014
Monday was the first day of school across the area, with tens of thousands of students heading back to class.
We asked NorthEscambia.com readers to submit their back to school photos.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For a second photo gallery, click here.
We apologize, but due to a tremendous response, we were unable to publish all photos, and we are unable to add additional photos to the galleries.
Pictured top: In this “fun” photo, Molino Park Elementary School second grader puts up a first day of school “fight” at her front door Monday morning. Pictured inset: Mia heads off to second grade at Byrneville Elementary School. Pictured below: Benji and Jamie, kindergarten; London, first grade; and Sydney and Jada, Pre-K — all attend Bratt Elementary. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Native Donates Gospel CD To Florida Prison Inmates
August 19, 2014
An Alabama pastor, gospel singer and teacher donated boxes of her new CD to the Florida Department of Corrections Monday morning in Century.
Annette Haston’s “Love Through Time” was donated so that those doing time would remember God’s love for them. Enough copies of the contemporary gospel CD were donated at Century Correctional Institution Monday for every chapel at state prisons, faith-based facilities, re-entry facilities and privately run lockups in the state.
Haston was born and raised in Atmore, the daughter of the late Ernest and Alma Thomas and the youngest child of five. She is a graduate of Escambia County High School in Atmore and a graduate of Alabama State University, Montgomery, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education.
She is co-founder of the Walls of Salvation International Church located in Prichard,and co-pastors alongside her husband, Dr. Julius V. Haston. She is a mother, grandmother and public school teacher.
Tax Offices Collect Hundreds Of Pounds Of Food For Manna
August 19, 2014
Escambia County Tax Collector offices recently concluded a food drive for Manna Food Panties. Tax collector offices in Molino, Marcus Pointe and downtown collected 738 pounds of food for Manna. Pictured top: Jenny and Nicole from the downtown office. Pictured inset: Kathy and Clara from the Molino office. Pictured below: Tonya, Melissa, Kimson, and Janet from the Marcus Pointe office. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Another Area West Nile Case Reported
August 19, 2014
Another human case of the West Nile Virus has been reported — this time in Santa Rosa County.
The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory Monday after receiving a report of a case of West Nile Virus in a Santa Rosa County resident. It is believed the virus was acquired locally, since the individual had not traveled out of the county recently. Officials said there are no other known cases of West Nile Virus in Santa Rosa County.
Last Friday, the Florida Department of Health issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory for Escambia County after receiving notification of a probably case of West Nile Virus in a local resident.
“There is a heightened concern that other Escambia County, Florida, residents and visitors may become ill from being bitten by an infected mosquito,” the department said in a news release.
The health department is reminding residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure to mosquito-borne illnesses
Wahoos Squander Lead Late, Fall 6-5 To Jacksonville
August 19, 2014
The Wahoos took a 5-2 lead into the eighth inning, but Jacksonville scored four times against Blue Wahoos reliever Ben Klimesh (L, 1-1) on their way to a 6-5 win Monday night at the Baseball Ground of Jacksonville.
Pensacola was helped by a 4-for-5 night from Yorman Rodriguez at the plate to take a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh, but the resilient Suns, battling for the top spot of the Southern League South, rallied for a run in the seventh and four in the eighth. Rodriguez hit a mammoth two-run home run in the seventh to cap the Wahoos scoring before Jacksonville rallied.
The comeback spoiled a great spot start from Wahoos right-hander Tim Adleman. After pitching two innings on Saturday, Adleman worked 5.0 shutout innings against the Suns allowing just four hits and adding three strikeouts. He ended up with a no-decision. Klimesh suffered his first loss for the Wahoos allowing the four go-ahead runs in his only inning of work. He walked two and allowed four hits in the eighth.
The Suns got two solid innings in relief from Collin Cargil (W, 4-1). He struck out two and didn’t allow any walks, hits or runs on his way to the win. Nick Wittgren (S, 18) shut the door on Pensacola with a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the save.
The Blue Wahoos have dropped three straight, but continue to try to spoil the Suns postseason hopes on Tuesday night. Gulf Breeze native RHP Ben Lively (1-6, 3.54) will start for Pensacola against Suns LHP Chipper Smith (3-3, 4.02). First pitch is schedule for 5:05 p.m. CT.
Operation Summer Heat: 69 Arrested On Outstanding Warrants
August 18, 2014
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan announced Monday afternoon that 69 people were arrested during “Operation Summer Heat”.
The operation included a warrant sweep that concluded Friday, August 8. The sweep was conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force, which includes deputies from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
A total of 95 mostly felony warrants were served on the 69 individuals during the week-long sweep, according ot Morgan.
Pictured top: Sheriff David Morgan announces the results of “Operation Summer Heat” during a press conference Monday afternoon at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Thomas: It’s Going To Be A Great School Year
August 18, 2014
As about 40,000 students head back to school today in Escambia County, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas says the district is ready for a successful school year.
“I think we are going to have a good year,” Thomas said. “We ended strong last year, and we are going to build strong on those successes.”
In the North Escambia area, students are anticipating the completion of a new school at Ernest Ward Middle. School officials are hopeful that Ernest Ward students can be transitioned into the new building over this year’s Christmas break.
“We may be a just little off from Christmas, but we have a new facility coming this year for those students,” the superintendent said.
Three North Escambia schools were rated as “A” schools by the Florida Department of Education — Byrneville Elementary, Ernest Ward Middle, and Molino Park Elementary — while other schools record grade level increases. And Molino Park Principal Alice Woodward was recently named the county’s principal of the year.
“Student performance has been great,” Thomas said of the North Escambia area. “And student performance will continue to increase. It’s going to be a great year.”
Need To Apply For Free Or Reduced Lunches?
August 18, 2014
Parents can expedite the processing of free or reduced lunch applications in Escambia County by submitted the form online.
For the 2014 – 2015 online free and reduced meal application, click here for a secure form.
The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs as administered by Escambia County School District provides free and reduced priced meals for children unable to pay the full price.
Students from households who receive food stamps and/or Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) and who have a social security number on file at the school may be eligible for direct certification. Students approved by direct certification are not required to have an application on file.
Application forms are sent to all homes with a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced priced meals, parents of students not approved by direct certification must fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available in the front office.
Children from households with incomes of less than or equal to the income criteria may be eligible for either free or reduced priced meals.
Each school and the school system’s Food Services office have copies which are available to the public.
Meal prices are as follows:
Elementary
- Full price breakfast – $1.00
- Reduced price breakfast – 30¢
- Full price lunch – $2.00
- Reduced price lunch – 40¢
Secondary
- Full price breakfast- $1.50
- Reduce price breakfast – 30¢
- Full price lunch – $2.50
- Reduced price lunch – 40¢
Teen Killed In Highway 4 Crash East Of Jay (Updated With Names)
August 18, 2014
UPDATE — A teenager was killed and five people were injured in two-vehicle crash about eight miles east of Jay Sunday night.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 1998 Nissan Frontier pickup struck the rear of a 2002 Dodge Neon drive by 40-year old Renee Russell of Baker on Highway 4 about 320 feet east of Cornelia Lane. A passenger in the Neon, 13-year old Shawn McLaughlin of Baker, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Other passengers in the Dodge Neon, Shannon McLaughlin, age 14 of Flomaton, and Raistlin Bunch, age 14 of Baker, were seriously injured and airlifted to area hospitals; and Kevin McLaughlin, 37 of White, GA, received minor injuries. The driver, Russell, received minor injuries. All occupants were wearing their seat belts.
According to the FHP, Melvin D. Hawthorne of Jay “was an occupant of (the Nissan pickup) at the time of the crash. It is undetermined if he was the driver of (the pickup). Driver information of (the Nissan pickup) is pending further investigation at this time.”
Any charges in the crash are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation, according to FHP.