Escambia Schools Announce Friday, Dec. 20 Will Be A Half-Day For Students
December 15, 2024
Escambia County Public Schools has announced that Friday, December 20 will be a half-day for students as Christmas break begins.
“We will be implementing a half-day schedule on Friday, December 20,” said ECPS Superintendent Keith Leonard. “We hope all of our students, staff and their families can get some much-deserved rest and relaxation and we look forward to seeing everyone after the new year.”
On all half days, schools will serve lunch and regular transportation will be provided. For more information or questions about your school’s specific release time, please contact the school.
Teachers return to work on Monday, January 6, 2025, and students return on Tuesday, January 7.
Over 27,000 Wreaths Placed At Barrancas Cemetery During Wreaths Across America Program
December 15, 2024
Over 27,000 wreaths were placed Saturday at Barrancas National Cemetery at NAS Pensacola as part of the national Wreaths Across America initiative.
Youth-centric organizations, religious groups and citizens across the country volunteer to place wreaths on the gravesites of individuals interred at national cemeteries across the nation, including the 100 acres at Barrancas.
For centuries, fresh evergreens have been used to symbolize honor and a living tribute renewed annually. Wreaths Across America believes the tradition represents a living memorial that honors veterans, active-duty military, and their families. When volunteers say the name of a veteran aloud while placing a wreath, it ensures they live on in our hearts and memories and are always remembered.
Pictured: Wreaths were placed Saturday morning at Barrancas National Cemetery, including at the grave of Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan “J.R.” Spears of Molino (top and first below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commission Tables Discussion Of Policy Governing Their Internet Communications
December 15, 2024
The Escambia County Commission was set to discuss a technology policy Thursday night that would govern commissioners’ use of internet communications.
During a meeting that continued into early morning, the commission tabled any discussion just before adjourning at 12:15 a.m. Friday.
The draft policy was being brought to the board at the request of Commissioner Mike Kohler.
A previous technology policy for commissioners was rescinded by the board in May 2019.
“The purpose of this policy is to establish rules for how the County Commissioners communicate about County business in order to promote public trust, maintain the reputation and goodwill of Escambia County government, and ensure compliance with Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law and the Public Records Act,” the new draft policy states. The BOCC will discuss the policy at their meeting on Thursday.
If the draft policy is approved, commissioners won’t be able to have a social media presence, a blog, or similar communications for county business. County business would be limited to email.
Commissioners would be allowed to post a comment or response on a third party website or social media account, unless it is is response to another commissioner, as long as they forward a copy of hte comment to a county-maintained email account.
The use of text messaging or other instant communication would be “discouraged”, regardless of ownership of the device, and encouraging to disable text or other instant messaging on a county-owned devices. If they do use text or other messaging, they would be required to forward a copy of the communication to a county-maintained email account or otherwise retain copies in order to comply with Sunshine Law.
Commissioners would not use private email accounts to conduct county business, forwarding any such emails received from their personal email to a county email. Likewise, they would not use county email for personal business.
During a board meeting, commissioners would not be allowed to use cell phones, computers or other device to transmit any message or email during a board meeting, regardless of who owns the device. They could sue a device for personal emergencies, wbut would be required to leave the board chamber or room where a meeting was being held.
Photo Gallery: Hundreds Attend Flomaton Christmas Parade
December 15, 2024
Hundreds of people lined the streets for the annual Flomaton Christmas Parade Saturday morning.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
The parade featured dozens of entrées from the Flomaton area and North Escambia, the Flomaton Highway School band, area fire departments, church floats and, of course, Santa Claus.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
SEC Soccer Tourney Remaining In Escambia County Through 2026 And Perhaps Beyond
December 14, 2024
The SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament will remain in Escambia COunty through 2026, with a possible extension to 2029, following a successful partnership since 2022, according to Pensacola Sports.
This year’s tournament at Ashton Brosnaham Park off 10 Mile Road, which saw Texas win its first SEC title, drew increased attendance compared to 2023.
Escambia County’s Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park features 13 full-size soccer fields and a stadium complex with modern locker rooms across its 103 acres. This facility, combined with Pensacola’s beaches and hospitality, has established the city as a premier destination for collegiate soccer, Pensacola Sports said.
“Pensacola has provided an outstanding experience for our teams and SEC soccer fans,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. Similarly, Pensacola Sports President Ray Palmer expressed enthusiasm about the extension, noting their commitment to enhancing the tournament experience each year.
“Each year, we strive to enhance the tournament experience for everyone involved, and this extension shows the confidence the SEC has in Pensacola as a host city,” said Palmer. “We’re looking forward to welcoming the teams and their supporters back through 2026 and possibly beyond.”
For soccer championship action photos, click here.
For Fan Fest photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Without Headlight On Seriously Injured In Tate Road Crash
December 14, 2024
A motorcyclist without his headlight on was charged after crashing into a vehicle Friday night on Tate Road.
The motorcyclist, a 23-year-old male, was traveling north on Tate Road about 7:20 p.m. with no headlight in a dark, unlit area, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. as a sedan was traveling south and Tate Road and made a turn onto Pompano Road. The motorcycle collided with the side of the sedan and overturned.
The driver of the motorcycle was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with serious, but not non-life threatening injuries. Five teens in the sedan were not injured.
The driver of the motorcycle was cited by FHP for driving with a suspended license, no registration, and no headlights.
Escambia Man Sexually Abuse Girl For Years, ECSO Says
December 14, 2024
An Escambia County man is charged with the sexual abuse of a girl in custody over a period several years, beginning when she was 5-year-old.
Joseph Leduc was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of sexual battery by person of familial/custodial authority of victim under 12 and two counts of sexual battery by person of familial/custodial authority of victim between 12 and 17. He remained jailed without bond.
The sexual abuse started in February 2006 when the 5-year-old girl started living with LeDuc, according to an arrest report. She told authorities that sexual abuse continued until she was 10 and stopped for a few years. She said the abuse started again when she was 12 or 13-years-old and continued until she was 17.
The victim tried to stop the abuse, but Leduc became manipulative by threatening to kill himself, the report states.
With investigators in the room, the victim called Leduc with Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigators in the room. She confronted Leduc about the alleged abuse during a call that lasted for more than an hour.
The ECSO filed charged due to “statements made in the presence of law enforcement during the controlled phone call’, according to the report.
Tri-City Children’s Choir Holds Christmas Concert (With Photo Gallery)
December 14, 2024
The Tri-City Children’s Choir held their annual Christmas Concert Friday night at the First Pentecostal Century Campus.
The choir, under the direction of Holly Driver, is an outreach program of the Pensacola Children’s Choir.
The group performed Christmas songs including “Jesus, Infant Holy”, “Christmas Time Is Here”, and “Angels Among Us.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Choir members are:Alianah Benson
- Lydia Bondurant
- Nevaeh Cain
- Charleigh Grace Caylor
- Isabella Coy
- Sophia Davis
- Grayson Freeman
- Tripp Odom
- Harper Pace
- Thomas Powell
- Holin Saucer
- Skyla Pace
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Working After Midnight, Escambia BOCC Postpones Action On OLF-8 Sale
December 13, 2024
After meetings that started at 9 a.m. Thursday and ended after midnight, the Escambia County Commission did not take any action on the latest multi-million dollar offers for the county-owned OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road.
The day began with three offers on the table ranging from $30 to $42.5 million for the entirety of the 540-acre parcel.
After a morning agenda review meeting and an evening meeting that started at 4:30 p.m., the discussion at midnight evolved into different, conflicting motions that eventually died without a second or were withdrew.
Commissioner Steven Barry made a motion that did not receive a second to enter into negotiations with TRI-W Associates, while Commissioner Steve Stroberger made a motion to negotiate with Fred Hemmer and Rob Ahrens of Beulah Town Center LLC. Stroberger’s motion did not come to a vote and was withdrawn.
“I don’t like to vote at the midnight hour for something that significant,” Commissioner Lumon May said just before midnight. “You want me to make this decision at midnight when we have been at this for about 15 hours.”
“I want to take a breather,” May said in the meeting, which adjourned at 12:15 a.m. Friday.
“It’s a task that I feel is almost impossible,” County Attorney Alison Rogers said about negotiating with potential buys without definite parameters like price, following a master plan, and terms.
The commission will continue their OLF-8 discussions in January.
Below: The OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Jones Promoted To Mill Manager At International Paper
December 13, 2024
Travis Jones has been promoted to mill manager of International Paper’s Pensacola Containerboard Mill in Cantonment In his new position, Jones will assume overall responsibility for safety, people engagement, commercial and operational excellence and community stewardship at the Pensacola Mill.
Most recently, Jones has been the operations manager and the maintenance and engineering manager at the Pensacola Mill. Jones joined International Paper in 2005 in global technology and has held a variety of roles of increasing responsibility at the Pensacola and Rome, Georgia mills.
“Having been part of this team for some time, I am deeply connected to our team at the Pensacola Mill,” Jones said. “This new role is an exciting opportunity, and I look forward to contributing to our continued success and growth.”
In a related move, Pensacola Mill Manager Hunter Morris has been promoted to director of manufacturing, containerboard. In his new leadership role, Morris will have oversight of five containerboard mills. Morris and his family will be relocating to the Memphis, Tennessee, area.