NorthEscambia.com Publisher Named One Of Escambia County’s Most Influential People
April 13, 2023
The Pensacola Independent News has released their 2023 Inweekly Power List — their ranking of the most powerful and influential people in Escambia County.
Only one person that works primarily in the North Escambia area was named to the list — NorthEscambia.com publisher William Reynolds for the 11th consecutive year.
David Bear tops this year’s list.
To view this year’s Inweekly Power List edition, click here.
Pictured: David Bear was at the top of the 2023 Inweekly Power List. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Kaden Odom Signs To Play Baseball At Northwest Florida State College
April 13, 2023
Northview High School senior Kaden Odom signed Wednesday to play baseball for the Northwest Florida State College Raiders.
“I’d like to thank God for giving me the ability, surrounding me with great people to push me to get where I am now and for giving me the opportunity to play the sport I love at the next level,” Odom said.
Odom finished his junior year with a batting average of .429 with 33 hits and 16 RBIs. He also led the Chiefs with 16 stolen bases.
Odom was also the quarterback of the state runner-up Northview Chiefs football team and had at least two D2 football offers.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos, Shuckers Postponed By Rain
April 13, 2023
Wednesday’s game between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Biloxi Shuckers was postponed due to rain at MGM Park.
The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday.
Jay Man Tried To Crash Into Woman’s Car In Century With Her Kids Inside, ECSO Says
April 12, 2023
A Jay man was arrested after allegedly trying multiple times in Century to crash his vehicle into a woman’s vehicle with her children inside.
Bodie Lee Gibson, 30, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and three counts of child neglect, all domestic violence related felonies.
The victim was at Whataburger on North Century Boulevard to drop off three children with a friend when Gibson arrived and asked to buy food for the children. While Gibson was giving food to the children in the car, he told the victim that he was taking the children, according to an arrest report. The victim refused to allow him to take the the children due to him having no license and appearing intoxicated, she said.
She drove her vehicle around Whataburger and Gibson drove at her from the opposite direction, coming at her head-on, and then blocking the exit, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said. She drove to a nearby gas station when she reported he tried to hit her vehicle again. He then followed her closely on Highway 29 before turning off toward Jay, the report states.
Deputies said witnesses corroborated the allegations.
Escambia Schools Honor Career Academies, Students
April 12, 2023
The Escambia County Schools recently recognized career academies, schools and students of the year.
The winners included:
- Middle School Student of the Year: Jayden Williams, Vet Assisting Academy, Beulah Middle School (Teachers are Charlotte Trudeau and Leanne Jenkins)
- Middle School Career Academy Teacher of the Year: Libby Sears, Digital Discoveries Academy, Ransom Middle School
- Middle School Career Academy of the Year: Digital Discoveries Academy, Ferry Pass Middle School (Teachers are Allison Cameron, Bridgette Egly, Kolby Jernigan, and Tonya Jackson-Hall)
- High School Career Academy Student of the Year: Tydun Joy, Health Sciences Academy, Booker T. Washington High School (Teacher is Nancy Barger)
- High School Career Academy Scholar: Erich Amerson, Graphic Arts Academy, Northview High School (Teachers are Megan Carroll and Robert Myrick)
- High School Career Academy Student Intern of the Year: Lindsay Samojedny, Biomedical Sciences Academy, West Florida High School (Teacher is Jessica Rutherford, DCT Coordinator is Katherine Brand)
- High School Career Academy Teacher of the Year: Tom Connors, COX Telecommunications Academy West Florida High School
- High School Career Academy of the Year: Culinary Arts Academy, Northview High School (Teacher is Ashley Salter)
For more photos, click or tap here.
“We are so fortunate in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties to have such active and robust career academies in our high schools and middle schools,” said ECPS Workforce Education Director Steven Harrell. “It is an honor to be a part of this enterprise. We are truly preparing our students for success after graduation.”
Pictured: Teacher Ashley Salter accepted the High School Career Academy of the Year award for the Northview High School Culinary Arts Academy. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Mayor Dewey Bondurant Resigns
April 12, 2023
Longtime Flomaton Mayor Dewey Bondurant resigned from office Tuesday afternoon.
Bondurant cited medical advice as the reason for his resignation, which was effective immediately.
Mayor pro tem and council member Jim Johnson will temporarily serve as mayor. The council will then fill the vacancy with a council member or any other resident. In the event they do not within 60 days, each existing council member will submit a name to the governor for appointment. If the governor fails to make an appointment from the submitted names within 90 days, the probate judge will call a special election.
Bondurant was elected to a fifth term in 2020.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
T.R. Miller Slides Past Northview Varsity And JV (With Gallery)
April 12, 2023
T.R. Miller 3, Northview 2
The T.R. Miller Tigers slipped past Northview 3-2 Tuesday night in Bratt.
Cason Burkett went six innings, allowing three hits and three runs while striking out seven. Jamarkus Jefferson threw one inning in relief, striking out one.
Josh Landis led the Chiefs at the plate, going 2-3. Burkett, Jefferson, and Kaden Odom each added a hit for Northview.
Next up, Northview will host Chipley at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
T.R. Miller 3, Northview 0 (JV)
T.R. Miller defeated Northview 3-0 in junior varsity action Tuesday afternoon.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Brodie Rhodes opened on the mound for Northview, giving up three hits and four runs in four innings while striking out nine. Jayden White closed with two innings, surrendering one hit and striking out four.
Bryant Mason and Luke Chavers had one hit apiece for the Chiefs.
Pictured: Northview Chiefs JV takes on T.R. Miller Tuesday afternoon in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Escambia, Florida, Residents Charged With Drug Trafficking In Atmore
April 12, 2023
Two Escambia County, Florida, residents have been charged with drug trafficking in Atmore.
Jovante Sacorria Ducree (pictured left), 30, and Artavian Marquis Jenkins, 34, were both charged with drug trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana second degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia. They were booked in the Escambia County (Alabama) Detention Center.
Their arrests came after an Atmore police officer made a traffic stop for running a red light. The office reported detecting a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle When the vehicle was searched, Amore Police said they discovered 47.2 grams of a white rock substance that field tested positive for crack cocaine, 0.5 grams of a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine. eight grams of a green leafy substance that tested positive for marijuana, and a digital scale.
Both remained jailed without bond.
Alabama Woman Dies In Head-on Crash With Semi Driven By Atmore Man
April 12, 2023
An Alabama woman died in a crash with a semi truck driven by an Atmore man Tuesday morning.
Monica Gail McCall, 30, was fatally injured when her Toyota RAV4 collided head-on with a Peterbilt semi driven by 67-year old Dewey Levi Bethea, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
McCall was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash on Alabama Highway 84, about 15 miles west of Evergreen in Conecuh County.
Alabama troopers are continuing their investigation.
Baker Tops Northview; Niceville Gets Past Tate
April 12, 2023
Baker 7, Northview 6
The Baker Gators defeated Northview 7-6 Tuesday night in Baker.
Aubrey Stuckey opened for Northview, allowing seven hits and six runs in four innings with five strikeouts. Jamison Gilman went for three and two-thirds innings
Stuckey had a dinger in the second inning, one of two hits for the night. Chloe Ragsdale, Mary-Clayton Dawson, Rylee Brooks, Makayla Golson and Allison Flowers also each had two hits for Northview.
Northview will host Gulf Breeze Thursday at 6 p.m.
Niceville 8, Tate 6
The Tate Lady Aggies fell on the road to Niceville 8-6 Tuesday.
K Balagbagan went four innings in the circle for Tate, allowing five hits and seven runs with three strikeouts. J Smith went for two, surrendering three hits and one run.
Latner led the Aggies at bat, going 2-3. Balagbagan, B Campbell, A Laird and T Showalter added one hit each.
On Thursday, Tate will travel to Crestview.
Pictured: Aubrey Stuckey for the Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com file photo.