Escambia Officials Say Social Media Threat Against School Is Not Credible
May 5, 2023
The Escambia County school district says a threat circulating on social media is not credible.
The message made a threat to “shoot up the school” Friday morning at 7:40 as the bell rings or during the school day and “everyone must DIE”. The message also threatened that it would “make history as the top school slaughter”. And it also suggested the presence of a bomb at the school. However, the message does not indicate any school or location; it only contains generalities.
A photograph of the message on a phone showed a send time of May 4 at 8:09 a.m.. The photo was further altered on social media questioning if the message might be related to Northview High School or other local schools.
The school system and law enforcement determined that the threat was not credible, and the message was circulating statewide.
“District administration and law enforcement have worked together to make sure this was not a credible threat to our schools, students, and staff,” Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith said in a call-out to parents. “In communication, with the Florida State Department of Education, we were also made aware that this same social media threat was made in several districts across the State of Florida.”
“We went to assure the public that the safety of our students and staff is always our first priority.”
Smith encouraged parents to monitor their student’s social media accounts, and he encouraged students to report any suspicious or dangerous online activity.
Could 24/7 Paid Fire Crews Be Coming To Molino And Beulah?
May 5, 2023
Career fighters could be coming 24/7 to the Molino and Beulah fire stations as a complement to current volunteer crews, but if funding is approved it could take well over a year to implement the plan, according to Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore.
Gilmore said he’s making a funding request for the four-firefighter crews for the upcoming budget year, but that’s all preliminary at this point. If the request makes it all the way through budget meetings and were to be approved by the Escambia County Commission in September, certified fighters would have to be hired or cadets trained — a process that could take 18 months or more.
Both Molino and Beulah would become what is known as combination departments –volunteers would still respond to calls alongside the paid crews. Fire stations currently also respond to neighboring areas to assist.
A new fire station is already a done deal for Beulah. A groundbreaking was held a year ago for the nearly $8.5 million “Bradshaw-McNair Fire Station” on the site of the old Beulah Fire Station. It will be named in honor of Chief Dwain S. Bradshaw who died in the line of duty in November 2019, and Chief Steve McNair who dedicated over 50 years to fire service in Beulah and helped rebuild the current station after fire destroyed the original fire station in 1977.
Pictured top: The Molino Fire Station. Pictured below: Groundbreaking in May 2022 for new Bradshaw-McNair Fire Station in Beulah. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sheriff Names New Chief Deputy, Makes Several Other Promotions
May 5, 2023
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons made several promotions Thursday, including a new chief deputy.
Andy Hobbs is the new ECSO chief deputy of administration, joining Chief Deputy Tommi Lyter who is responsible for day-to-day operations.
Simmons also made the following additional promotions.
- Jeremy Small — commander
- Phillip Folmar — captain
- Mike Ward — captain
- Jayson Barnes — lieutenant
- Brandon Beech — lieutenant
- Drew Kilgen — lieutenant
- Ryan Robinson — lieutenant
- Joey Scapecchi — sergeant
- Lacey Oden — forensic manager
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Burkett Throws Complete Game Shutout As Northview Shuts Out Jay For District Title (Gallery)
May 5, 2023
Cason Burkett threw a complete game shutout as the Northview Chiefs claimed the 1A District 1 title 2-0 over Jay Thursday night in Jay.
Burkett went seven innings, allowing no runs and seven hits while walking one and striking out nine.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Justin Smarr went four and two-thirds innings for Jay, giving up two runs and four hits while recording five strikeouts.
Rustin Pope went 2-2 to lead Northview at bat. Kaden Odom, Josh Landis, and Ethan Collier add one hit each.
Freddy Carnley was 2-2 for the Royals, and Ayden Sowers went 2-3.
Both teams head into the regionals next week.
Photos Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance, Ashley Rhodes and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Defending 1A State Champs Jay Defeats Northview For District Title (With Gallery)
May 5, 2023
The defending 1A state champion Jay Royals defeated Northview 13-3 Thursday night to claim the 1A District 1 Softball title.
The Royals took an early 6-0 lead in the first before added four more runs in the second. After a scoreless third, the Chiefs mounted a comeback attempt with three runs in top of the fourth, but Jay answered with three more runs of their own.
For a photo gallery, click to enlarge.
Jenna Toups went for five in the circle for Jay, giving up five hits and three runs while striking out four and walking three.
Emma Gilmore led off in for Northview, allowing three runs. Aubrey Stuckey pitched the final four, surrendering seven hits and 10 runs while striking out two and walking six.
At the plate, Kaylee Gilbreath led the Royals going 3-3, and Brooklyn Sorrels went 2-3. Caitlyn Gavin, Carleigh Baker and Ella Nelson each had one hit.
Chloe Ragsdale went 2-2 for the Chiefs. Gilmore and Allison Flowers added one hit each
Both teams move into regionals next week.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pace Slips Past Tate For 6A District Title
May 5, 2023
The Pace Patriots claimed the 6A District 1 championship 7-6 Thursday night in Pace.
The Aggies held a 6-3 lead headed into the bottom of the seventh. Pace tied it up at 6-6, and the winning run was forced in when a Pace batter was hit by a pitch.
Clifton Quiggins and Drew Reaves had two hits each for the Aggies. Brayden Touchstone, Ethan McAnally, James Davis and Madox Land each added one hit.
File photo.
Johnston Leads Blue Wahoos To Eighth Win In A Row
May 5, 2023
Troy Johnston had his bat cooled to begin this week against the Mississippi Braves.
He made up for it Thursday on a Pensacola Mullets night that tied a piece of franchise history.
Johnston blasted his fifth homer of the season in the third inning, then produced the go-ahead runs in the seventh as Pensacola beat the M-Braves 6-3 for their eighth consecutive win. It delighted a crowd of 4,578 at Blue Wahoos Stadium and matched the longest winning streak in club history, which was first set in 2017, then again in 2018.
A chance at the record awaits on a Friday night with Blue Wahoos taking on another name change as the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok in participation with the Copa de la Diversión initiative in Minor League Baseball.
Last week, Johnson tied the team record for single-game production with a two-homer, six-RBI game in a win against Montgomery.
After going 1-for-8 in the first two games of this series — hitless in seven prior plate trips — Johnston returned to his clutch-hitting ways. He came up with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh. He laced a 3-1 fastball pitch into right center for a two-run single to provide a 4-3 lead.
That pivotal moment was followed by Dane Myers’ sacrifice fly to score José Devers. Joe Rizzo then hit an RBI single to score Johnston.
The four-run rally was a big lift for Blue Wahoos starter Patrick Monteverde, named earlier Thursday as the Southern League Pitcher of the Month. He retired 16 of the first 18 batters he faced before the only dent in his six outings this season.
He gave out a one-out single, then consecutive walks to load the bases. The M-Braves Landon Stevens followed with a two-run single for the lead and ended Monteverde’s night.
But the Blue Wahoos bullpen was again flawless with relievers Austin Roberts (W, 2-0), Brady Puckett and Sean Reynolds (S, 3) combining for 3.1 scoreless innings, one hit, four strikeouts, no walks. Roberts got his second win.
Jose Devers manufactured the Blue Wahoos’ first run with his pop fly double, then went third on a wild pitch and utilized his speed to score on a second wild pitch.
The fourth game of the series is Friday at 6:35 p.m. with Pensacola’s M.D. Johnson (0-1, 4.00) going against AJ Smith-Shawyer (0-0).
written by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Suspicious Package At Escambia County Courthouse Cleared, Building Reopened
May 4, 2023
The Escambia County Courthouse was closed temporarily Thursday morning due to a suspicious package. The all-clear was give about 8:13 a.m and the building reopened.
The package was located outside the courthouse as deputies were opening the building. It was believed that the package was dropped off by an individual, ECSO said.
The ECSO, Florida’s Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives, and other agencies responded. The investigation is continuing.
One Injured In Highway 29, Highway 97 Crash Involving Kia, Semi
May 4, 2023
One person was injured in a crash involving a Kia and a semi-truck Thursday morning at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
The victim’s injuries were not considered to be life-threatening in the wreck about 7:30 a.m.
Bot the Kia and the semi were disabled by the crash, blocking the intersection and causing traffic problems.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released details on how the crash occurred.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Expected To Approve Lease With New Manufacturer In Town’s Industial Park
May 4, 2023
The Century Town Council is expected to approve a lease during a special meeting next week with a new manufacturer I in a town-owned industrial park building.
In January, the 50-year old foreign company agreed to lease a building in the Century Industrial Park for their first domestic manufacturing and warehouse distribution facility serving the oil and gas industry in what is commonly known as the Helicopter Technology Building.
Officials had hoped they could begin warehouse operations by the end of February with manufacturing to follow.
According to the town and Floridawest, the company’s commitment to the lease was delayed by, among other things, their work to establish their legal entity in the U.S.
The company has agreed to pay the appraised value of the building — $7.833.33 a month, totaling $188,000 the first two years. The lease will continue for five years with a 3% annual increase beginning in the third year. The company will accept the building “as-is” and pay all utilities, maintenance, insurance and taxes. They are expected to create five jobs at startup with more to come in the first year with an average salary of $46,570 — the average wage in the Pensacola metro.
The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is the economic development organization for Escambia County. Most details about the new company and their plans remain confidential during discussions, as is allowed and is standard in economic development in Florida.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
