Circuit Court Officials Provide Update On Security Breach
October 10, 2023
The investigation is continuing into an “information technology security event” that impacted court in the First Judicial Circuit.
“We responded quickly, shut down our systems to mitigate risk to sensitive information, and began a thorough investigation of the attack, including coordinating with law enforcement agencies and external cybersecurity experts,” Trial Court Administrator Kasey Watson said Monday. “As a result of the incident, certain applications used by the courts have been affected.”
She said the extent of the breach remains under investigation.
In the meantime, court hearings are continuing as scheduled through the cooperation of the Clerks of Court, the Office of the State Attorney, the Office of the Public Defender, and the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, along with other partner agencies.
Office court records and data were not impacted because they are maintained by the clerks of the court in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties.
It is unknown at this time whether any personal information contained in court records has been exposed.
Chief Judge John L. Miller stated, “The security of personal data is our priority. We will continue to provide the citizens of our Circuit with the timely resolution of the matters brought before our courts.”
Dog Rescued After Being Trapped In Old Cellar Under Molino Home
October 10, 2023
A 65 pound dog stuck beneath a 100-year old house in Molino was recently rescued by Escambia County Animal Welfare.
A Molino resident could hear a dog in distress under the home and called for help.
Animal Welfare responded and found Chopper trapped about six-feet deep in what was a cellar under the house.
He was rescued unharmed within minutes and reunited with his family. Animal Welfare learned that he had been missing for three days without food or water.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
National School Lunch Week: Have Your Say In Choosing Menus For Next Semester
October 10, 2023
It’s National School Lunch Week, and the Escambia County School District is asking for input into menus for next semester.
Surveys are available the links below, divided by grade level.
Pre-K: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8ST7WML
Elementary School: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XTWMJW8
Middle School: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8SG8ZKX
High School: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8SHZWVF
Pictured: A school lunch served last week at Tate High School with oven fried chicken and biscuit with sides of turnip greens, mashed potatoes and fresh fruit. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Teachers Of The Year Announced
October 10, 2023
The nominees for Escambia County Teacher of the Year were announced Monday.
NorthEscambia.com will feature many of the North Escambia nominees in individual stories in the coming weeks.
One of them will named the Escambia County overall Teacher of the year in late January from a list of five finalists.
They nominees representing their respective schools are:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
- Jim Allen Elementary — Mary Holley-Lewis
- Bellview Elementary — Angelyn (Angie) Baggett
- Beulah Elementary — Miranda Freauff
- Blue Angels Elementary — Courtney Acosta
- Bratt Elementary — Genia Bashore
- Brentwood Elementary — Hollie Frazee
- Hellen Caro Elementary — Tara Papillion
- N. B. Cook Elementary — Tammy Creel
- Cordova Park Elementary — Rebecca Calloway
- Ensley Elementary — Yohana Lopez
- Ferry Pass Elementary — Mary Goolsby
- Global Learning Academy — Ariana Helvie
- Holm Elementary — Charisse Tarter
- Kingsfield Elementary School — Jennifer Smith
- Lincoln Park Elementary — Loretta Richardson
- Lipscomb Elementary — Rionna Wages
- Longleaf Elementary — Terri Herrington
- McArthur Elementary — Lisa Thomas
- Molino Park Elementary — Candice Blackburn
- Montclair Elementary — Yaneickia Hayes
- Myrtle Grove Elementary — Christine Kozik
- Navy Point Elementary — Emerald Barton
- Oakcrest Elementary — Sara Rabb
- Pine Meadow Elementary — Cassi Mcgee
- Pleasant Grove Elementary — Dyana Blackmon
- Scenic Heights Elementary — Dana Milton
- O.J. Semmes Elementary — Spencer Mullet
- Sherwood Elementary — Vanessa Carrasco
- A. K. Suter Elementary — Alicia Hassell
- Warrington Elementary — Scott Wright
- C. A. Weis Elementary — Priteyja Olige Brannon
- West Pensacola Elementary — Lisa Mcvey
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Bailey Middle School — Roberta Wetzel
- Bellview Middle — Naomi Stewart
- Beulah Middle — Gearlene Mccorvey Johnson
- Brown Barge Middle — Jessica Lenhart
- Ernest Ward Middle — Glenda Bell
- Ferry Pass Middle — Stephen Daniel Hall
- Ransom Middle — Angela Rose
- Workman Middle — Bruce Wenger
HIGH SCHOOLS
- Escambia High School — Timothy Deloge
- Northview High School — Megan Carroll
- Pensacola High School — Amelia Murphy
- Pine Forest High School — Whitney Meadows
- Tate High School — Christine (Christy) Mills
- Washington High School — Juanita Bordelon
- West Florida High School — Lisa Torres
OTHER SCHOOLS/CENTERS
- Alternative Education — Steve Mclaughlin
- Beulah Academy of Science — Allison Eubanks
- Capstone Academy — Michelle Roberts
- Achieve Academy — Harrietta Hall
- Success Academy — Karyn Blacker
- Escambia Virtual — Chet Truett
- Escambia Westgate — Rosanna Newman
- ESE — Barbara Cole
- Hope Horizon — Tammyjo Dublin
- George Stone Technical College — Bobbie Latzer
Application Deadline Extended For Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Christmas Assistance
October 10, 2023
The application deadline has been extended for the Salvation Army’s 2023 Angel Tree Christmas Assistance program.
Applications will now be accepted online at www.saangeltree.org through Friday, October 13.
In person applications will be taken with an appointment at The Salvation Army, 1501 North Q Street. Appointments must be scheduled by call (850) 432-1501; walk ups will not be accepted.
For requirements, eligibility and other details, click or tap here for more information (pdf).
Firefighters Battle Brush Fire That Threatened Two Homes In Bratt
October 9, 2023
Firefighters battled a brush fire in Bratt Monday afternoon that threatened at least two homes.
The fire was reported just after 2 p.m. in the 3000 block of West Highway — between C.W. Caraway Road and the closed bridge over Canoe Creek. The fire consumed about four acres as firefighters worked for over an hour to contain it.
All of the structures were saved; none were damaged by the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Walnut Hill, Century and McDavid stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department were dispatched, along with the Florida Forest Service. The Forest Service used a bulldozer to place a containment line around the area.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Accused Of Battery Of His Mother During Burglary
October 9, 2023
A Century man is accused of the battery of his mother during a burglary related to a custody dispute, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Joshua Davon Tyus, 26, was charged with battery on a person 65 years of age or older, burglary with assault or battery, criminal mischief with property damage, and battery.
Tyus allegedly went to his mother’s home on Highway 4A, kicked the door open and struck his mother multiple times with a closed fist, according to an arrest report. Deputies said another woman in the home attempted to intervene, but Tyus pushed the 73-year old disabled woman to the ground.
The incident stemmed from a custody dispute involving multiple children that were in the home, according to an arrest report.
According to the ECSO, the incident was captured on cellphone video.
Tyus remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond after his bond was revoked in a previous case, according to jail records.
This Is Who Claimed A $22K Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In Beulah
October 9, 2023
We now know who had a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket sold in Beulah.
The ticket sold at the SP Food Mart at West Nine Mile Road and Bridlewood Road was one of six winning tickets in the Wednesday evening drawing and was worth $22,614.39.
According to the Florida Lottery, the cash option on the winning ticket was claimed by Robert Kenneth Sapp of Robertsdale. The five other winning tickets were sold in Orlando, Palm Harbor, Fort Pierce, Port Saint Lucie and Miami.
The Wednesday evening winning numbers were 7-11-17-21-25.
It was the third winning Fantasy 5 ticket sold at the retailer this year. A Robertsdale woman won $18,317.59 in August, and a $36,427.41 winning ticket sold there February 6 expired without being claimed.
Photo Gallery: Tate Homecoming Court
October 9, 2023
The Tate Aggies celebrated a Glo-Co homecoming Friday night with a 58-41 win over West Florida.
Lexi Nelson was crowned homecoming queen. First runner-up to the queen was Taylor Bree Fitzgerald, and second runner-up was Synoma Perea.
For a homecoming court photo gallery, click here.
For a homecoming parade gallery, click here.
For a gallery with alumni cheerleaders, cheerleaders, fans and more, click here.
For a game action story and photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Commission Cancels COW Meeting Again
October 9, 2023
The Escambia County Commission has canceled the Thursday, October 12 planned Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting.
The COW is a workshop type meeting held for commission discussion, but no votes are taken.
Canceling the meeting has been the norm this year.
The BOCC will hold their regular meeting on Thursday, October 19 at 9 a.m.