Florida’s Graduation Rate Increases To 88%; Escambia County At 80.5%
January 23, 2024
Monday, theFlorida Department of Education announced that the state’s 2022–23 high school graduation rate climbed to 88 percent, while Escambia County’s was several points lower at 80.5%, up from 78.4% in 2021-2022.
Florida’s graduation rate was an increase of 0.7 percentage points over the previous school year and a 1.1 percentage point increase over the pre-pandemic graduation rate in 2018–19.
The 2022–23 high school graduation rate also represents the highest rate ever, with the exception of the pandemic school years 2019–20 and 2020–21, in which graduating classes were exempt from statewide, standardized assessment requirements stipulated in state law.
Escambia County graduation rates were as follows:
- Tate High School — 91.3%
- Northview High — 90.3%
- Pensacola High School — 78.1%
- Escambia High School — 84%
- Pine Forest High School — 80.9%
- Escambia Westgate School — 93.8%
- Washington High — 86.9%
- West Florida High — 98.4%
“Florida’s graduation rate continues to climb because our educators place a sole focus on academics in the classroom,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Whether Florida students choose a four-year university or non-traditional post-secondary learning, they will have built a strong foundation to set them up for success.”
NorthEscambia.com images, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Hosting Literacy Week Family Night (And There’s Pizza)
January 23, 2024
Ernest Ward Middle School will celebrate Literacy Week with a Family night on Thurday, January 25 from 5:30 until 7 p.m.
Families are encouraged to attend as the school shares building blocks to student success. Families will rotate through literacy stations and receive student data. Take-home packages will be available.
Pizza will be served.
Tacky Tourists: Celebrating Literacy Week At Jim Allen Elementary
January 23, 2024
Escambia County Schools are celebrating literacy this week with a variety of activities and dress-up day. At Jim Allen Elemenatry School Monday, “tacky tourists” were everywhere as students dressed up. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Fire Destroys Mobile Home In Bratt
January 22, 2024
Fire destroyed a doublewide mobile home in Bratt Monday night.
The fire was reported about 7:10 p.m. in the 9400 block of Bratt Road, just west of Travis M. Nelson Park.
The home was fully involved in fire when the first firefighters arrived on scene.
There were no injuries immediately reported.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century In The Midst of $30 Million In Grant Funded Projects
January 22, 2024
The Town of Century is currently in the midst of nearly $30 million in projects funded by grants.
The largest grant, just over $10 million, will be used to demolish the old Century High School gym on Hecker Road and build a shelter that can double as a multi-purpose facility. There is funding to replace the failed Freedom Road bridge that has been closed for years, and several projects related to potable water and wastewater.
Most of the projects are in the early stages, and most have not seen much physical work begin, accoriding to a document distributed to the town council
Last October, Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. addressed members of the Escambia County Legislative Delegation – Sen. Doug Broxson, State Rep. Alex Andrade and State Rep. Michelle Salzman, but he did not ask for any additional state funding.
Broxson suggested at the time that Century might eventually give up its charter and let Escambia County take over.
“We know you are in tough circumstances. I would hope that at some point if things continue where it’s a challenge to meet your budget, that you would consider de-chartering Century so you could come under the umbrella of Escambia County and let them take their resources and help you with some of your major problems. I’ve watched it, “I know you’ve tried, but we really need a bigger hand to help you get to where you need to be,” the state senator said.
“Your tax base is very low, and your needs are very great,” Broxson told Gomez.
In-progress grant projects include:
Miscellaneous Wastewater Improvements – Phase I $1,042,036.99 CDBG,DEO and Escambia County
Lift station start-up at Industrial Park and some final electrical work is all that remains. Completion date 1-30- 2024.
Miscellaneous Wastewater Improvements – Phase II $8,862,336.00 FDEP
$21,305.00 spent to date, $8,841,031.00 remaining — Targeting bidding the project in the first quarter of 2024. will bill as two separate projects – WWTP work and lift Station work.
Well Rehabilitation (Well No. 1, 2, & 3) $468,453.00 State Legislature via FDEP
$77,226.25 spent to date, $77,226.25 — Permits submitted, bid opening planned for mid- January
Water Meter and Service Replacement $1,301,892.00 State Legislature via FDEP
$21,250.00 spent to date, $1,280,642 — Design underway, targeting bidding second quarter of 2024 as two projects, service line replacement and meter replacement
Carver Community Center and Century Ag Building $3,255,000 CDBG
Grant was to renovate the Carver Community Center and Century Ag Building. However, no work is being completed on the Century Community Center.
Freedom Road Bridge $1,297,000 State Legislature via FDOT
Grant received October 30, 2023. Survey and Geotechnical Investigation are underway. Wetland flagging has been completed.
Well #3 Replacement at Prison $626,000 State Legislature via FDEP
Survey and preliminary design completed.
Freedom Road Bridge, Jefferson Avenue Culvert, & Alger Road Bridge $2,869,637.00 CDBG Hurricane Sally Funds
Administrative and engineering consultants have been selected and contracts are being prepared. Once the state approves the contracts, work will begin.
Gym/Hurricane Shelter $10,022,500 CDBG Hurricane Sally Funds
Administrative and engineering consultants have been selected and contracts are being prepared. Once the state approves the contracts, work will begin.
Notes: CDGB = Community Development Block Grant. FDEP = Florida Department of Environmental Protection. FDOT=Florida Department of Transportation. DEO= Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
60 Lot Subdivision Planned For 14.5 Acres On West Roberts Road
January 22, 2024
A new 60-lot subdivision named “Makaira West’ is planned for West Roberts Road in Cantonment.
The 60 lots would be located on 14.5 acres between Twisted Oak Drive and Camellia Drive.
The project is currently before the Escambia County Development Review committee. It is set for a public meeting on Wednesday, January 24 at 1 p.m. at the Escambia County Central Complex Building at 363 West Park Place.
New National Chain ‘Dutch Bros’ Coffee Shop Proposed For West Nine Mile Road
January 22, 2024
An initial application filed with the Escambia County Development Review Committee shows a new drive-thru coffee shop on an outparcel in front of the Home Depot on Nine Mile Road.
If approved, the Dutch Bros coffee shop will be a 950 square foot building on 0.79 acres at 523 West Nine Mile Road, at the corner of West Nine Road and Untriner Avenue, according to the application.
Dutch Brothers is a publicly held drive-through coffee chain headquartered in Oregon.There are currently about 670 franchise locations, most in the western United States.
The plans are currently in an initial application status with the Escambia County Development Review Committee and were last set for staff internal review.
Gov. Ron DeSantis Suspends Presidential Bid; Endorses Trump
January 22, 2024
Ron DeSantis dropped out of the presidential race on Sunday while endorsing Donald Trump.
In a video released Sunday on social media, the Republican candidate suspended his campaign, after a distant second place finish in Iowa, an expected even more distant third place in the New Hampshire.
“Now, following our second place finish in Iowa, we’ve prayed and deliberated on the way forward. If there was anything I could do to produce a favorable outcome, more campaign stops, more interviews, I would do it. But I can’t ask our supporters to volunteer their time and donate their resources if we don’t have a clear path to victory accordingly. I am today suspending my campaign,’ he said.
The exit of DeSantis makes the GOP contest a two-person race between Nikki Haley and Trump.
“Now, it’s clear to me that a majority of Republican primary voters want to give Donald Trump another chance. They watched his presidency get stymied by relentless resistance and they see Democrats using lawfare to this day to attack him.”
“While I’ve had disagreements with Donald Trump, such as on the coronavirus pandemic and his elevation of Anthony Fauci, Trump is superior to the current incumbent Joe Biden,” DeSantis said.
“With a few days left until President Donald J. Trump’s victory in New Hampshire, we are honored by the endorsement from Gov. Ron DeSantis and so many other former presidential candidates. It is now time for all Republicans to rally behind President Trump to defeat Crooked Joe Biden and end his disastrous presidency,” Trump’s campaign said in a statement before taking aim at the last viable GOP candidate in the race.
“Nikki Haley is the candidate of the globalists and Democrats who will do everything to stop the America First movement. From higher taxes, to decimating Social Security and Medicare, and to open borders, she represents the views of Democrats more than the views of Republicans.
“I signed a pledge to support the Republican nominee and I will honor that pledge. He has my endorsement because we can’t go back to the old Republican Guard of yesteryear: A repackaged form of warmed over corporatism that Nikki Haley represents. The days of putting Americans last of kowtowing to large corporations of caving to woke ideology are over.”
Escambia County Residents Can Receive A Free Tree
January 22, 2024
Update: At last report, this event was “sold out” and no trees were available.
Escambia County residents have the opportunity to pick up one free 3-gallon tree during a UF/IFAS Escambia Extension event on Saturday, February 3 at Ashton Brosnaham Park.
You are able to reserve your one tree per family by:
- Watching a Tree Planting Basics video on Eventbrite.
- Choosing one tree species.
- Registering your one choice with your contact information.
- Your registration will be your ticket to pick up the tree.
Trees available on a first come first served basis include Eagleston Holly, and Tensaw Dahon Holly.
The video, tree selection guide, and registration are all available on Eventbrite by clicking here.
On Average, Florida Gas Prices Are At The Lowest In A Month
January 22, 2024
Florida’s average gas price is below $3 a gallon for the first time this year. The state average was $2.99 per gallon on Sunday. That’s the lowest daily average price since December 20th.
“The state average has plummeted more than 16 cents in the past two weeks,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Plunging temps across the country contributes to lower fuel demand, which normally leads to excess fuel supplies and lower prices. More than 70% of filling stations now have gas prices below $3 a gallon.”
The least expensive metro market in Florida is Pensacola at an average of $2.92. A low of $2.65 a gallon was available Sunday at a station on West Nine Mile Road. In North Escambia, at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment was at $2.85 Sunday afternoon.
“The state average has plummeted more than 16 cents in the past two weeks,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Plunging temps across the country contributes to lower fuel demand, which normally leads to excess fuel supplies and lower prices. More than 70% of filling stations now have gas prices below $3 a gallon.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.