Sheriff’s Office Teen Explorers Receive Awards
December 9, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Explorers Post 117 recently held their annual Christmas and award banquet.
Numerous awards were presented, including Explorer of the Year to Morgan Smith and Crista Pope of Molino.
The Explorers program, for members age 13-21, works to educate and involve young people in law enforcement operations whether or not they choose to enter a career in law enforcement. Members gain a working knowledge of police work and have the opportunity to serve their community.
Explorers receive training in patrol procedure, first aid, honor guard, criminal law, crime prevention, finger-printing, arrest techniques, drug abuse prevention, firearms safety, crime scene techniques and more.
For more information on the Explorers program, call (850) 436-9496.
Numerous awards were presented during the recent banquet, including Explorer of the year to Morgan Smith and Crista Pope of Molino.
Awards presented at the recent banquet were:
Promotions
1st Lieutenant – Luis Mendoza
Lieutenant – Quinton Watts
Sergeant – Mi’kalah Newsome
Corporal-Karen Rodriguez
Corporal – Vivian Odom
Community Service Award
Allya Eggleton
Crista Pope
Elliot Williams
Karen Rodiquez
Luis Mendoza
Mi’kalah Newsome
Morgan Smith
Quinton Watts
Richard Greene
Most Improved Award
Kyle Mcarthur
Vivian Odom
Explorer Of The Year Award
Crista Pope
Morgan Smith
Tenure Award
Aliya Eggelton
Crista Pope
Luis Mendoza
Mi’kalah Newsome
Karen Rodriguez
Morgan Smith
Quinton Watts
Vivian Odom
Perfect Attendance Award
Karen Rodriquez
Kyle Mcarthur
Crime Prevention Award
Luis Mendoza
Mi’kalah Newsome
Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 117. Pictured inset: Deputy Robert Greene with Explorer Richard Green. Pictured below: The annual Explorer Christmas party and awards banquet. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Green Industries Best Management Practice Workshop Scheduled
December 9, 2013
As part of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program, University of Florida IFAS Extension will host a Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMP) Workshop, teaching environmentally safe landscaping practices that help conserve and protect Florida’s ground and surface waters.
The Workshop will be held on Wednesday, December 11, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment.
Florida Statute 482.1562 states that all commercial fertilizer applicators must have a license from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) by January 1, 2014. To get this license, each Green Industry worker must be trained in the GI-BMPs and receive a certificate of completion from UF/IFAS and Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The workshop includes lunch and four pesticide Continuing Education Units at a cost of $30. To register online, visit http://bit.ly/1g3drsJ.
For more information, please contact Carrie Stevenson, Escambia County Extension at (850) 475-5230 or ctsteven@ufl.edu.
Molino’s Joseph Snow Is Named Escambia Employee Of The Year
December 8, 2013
Joseph C. Snow of Molino has been name Escambia County’s Employee of the Year.
Snow, a road corrections officer with the Road Prison Division of the Corrections Department, began his employment with the county in 1997. He was previously selected as am Employee of the Month.
“Thank the Lord,” Snow told the Escambia County Commissioner after receiving his hnor and recognizing his superiors. “And I’ve got a whole Road Prison here behind me. They inspire. I’d just like to say thank you to all of you.”
As a corrections officer, Snow and the inmates under his control are assigned to support and assist with the grounds keeping at numerous county office buildings and assist with special county events.
Snow was honored with a county proclamation and a $500 bonus.
Pictured top: Corrections Officer Joe Snow (center, with frame photo)
Deepwater Horizon Funding Includes Millions For Escambia County
December 8, 2013
Florida is in line for $88 million in restoration projects along the state’s oil spill-affected Gulf Coast. The money was the latest proposed by the trustees for the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment as part of a $627 million draft plan announced Friday for the Gulf Coast states.
Five Escambia County specific projects and four regional projects impacting the county are on the list, totaling a potential $45 million investment.
Escambia County specific projects include:
- Big Lagoon State Park Boat Ramp Improvement Project – $1,483,990
- Bob Sikes Pier, Parking and Trail Restoration Project – $1,023,990
- Florida Gulf Coast Marine Fisheries Hatchery/Enhancement Center Project – $18,793,500
- Perdido Key Dune Restoration Project – $611,234
- Perdido Key State Park Beach Boardwalk Improvement Project – $588,500
Regional projects impacting Escambia County include:
- Florida Artificial Reef Creation and Restoration Project – $11,463,587
- Florida Oyster Cultch Placement Project – $5,370,596
- Florida Seagrass Recovery Project – $2,691,867
- Scallop Enhancement for Increased Recreational Fishing Opportunity in the Florida Panhandle Project – $2,890,250
Before any of the proposed projects are finalized the projects will go through a 60-day public comment period that runs through February 4. Included in the comment period are two public meetings in Florida; one in Pensacola on Tuesday, January 28, and Wednesday, January 29, in Panama City.
“The Deepwater Horizon spill was a defining moment for Escambia County and we are still working to restore our critical ecosystems,” said Grover C. Robinson, IV, District 4 Commissioner and Gulf Coast Consortium Chairman. “We could not have done this without the joint efforts of the federal government, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Governor Rick Scott.”
Fire Destroys Atmore Motel
December 8, 2013
Fire destroyed the Southland Motel on Highway 31 in Atmore Saturday afternoon.
The fire raced quickly from room to room through the attic of the concrete block building. It was not immediately known how many guests were staying at the motel. About dozen people gathered outside said they were now homeless because they called the motel their home.
Fire departments from Atmore, Flomaton, Poarch, Nokomis and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia (FL) Fire Rescue worked for hours to bring the fire under control.
There were no injuries reported, and there was cause of the fire was not immediately known.
By 2:45 Sunday morning, the fire had reignited, and the building was reported to be fully involved. The Atmore, Poarch, Nokomis and Walnut Hill fire departments returned to battle the blaze once again.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
District 5 Comm. Barry Town Hall Meeting Monday
December 8, 2013
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will hold a town meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Plainview Baptist Church at 1101 West Nine Mile Road.
For more information, contact Barry’s office at (850) 595-4950.
Pictured top: Escambia County Public Works Director Wes Moreno (left) listens to District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry speak during a town hall meeting last August in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Grad Gardipee Completes Basic Military Training
December 8, 2013
Air Force Airman Jonathan T. Gardipee graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Gardipee is the son of Rhonda Gardipee of Cantonment.
He is a 2012 graduate of Tate High School, Cantonment.
Photos: Molino Holds Annual Christmas Parade
December 8, 2013
The annual Molino Christmas Parade was held Saturday morning on Crabtree Church Road. After the parade, Santa Claus met with lots of good boys and girls at the Molino Ballpark.
Sponsored by the Molino Recreation Association, proceeds from the parade are used to benefit needy children in the Molino area during the Christmas season.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The annual Molino Christmas Parade Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wreck Cuts Power For Part of Cantonment
December 7, 2013
A single vehicle wreck cut power for a portion of Cantonment Saturday morning.
The accident happened on Highway 95A between Eden Lane and Morris Avenue about 9:15 p.m. Power lines were downed and a pole broken in the accident. One person was transported to a local hospital; their condition was not known.
Highway 95A was closed from Highway 29/Morris Avenue north to Neal Road as a result of the accident. Gulf Power estimated that over 200 customers lost power as a result of the accident.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Escambia
December 7, 2013
The Northview Chiefs beat the Escambia Gators 69-59 Friday night in varsity high school basketball.
Scoring for the Chiefs were: Neino Robinson 28; Tony McAroy 17; Cameron Newsome 11; Jeffery Taylor 1; Nick Lambert 5; Eric Williams 7.
The Chiefs will travel to Jay next Thursday. JV Girls play at 3:30, JV Boys at 4:45; Varsity Girls at 6:00 and Varsity Boys at 7:15.