Florida Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century
March 28, 2023
The 2023 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning and continued through Pensacola.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line Monday morning. Runners from Century Correctional Institution carried the torch from south on Highway 29 from the state line to the Century Chamber of Commerce with an escort from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. An additional leg of the torch run Monday traveled from south with the ECSO, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other agencies taking part.
Statewide, the participating chiefs, officers, sheriffs, deputies, agents and cadets from virtually every branch of federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement, represent a total of over 300 different agencies. Funds are generated through the sale of the popular Torch Run T-shirts and hats, and through various local fundraising events.
Pictured: The 2023 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics started at the Florida/Alabama state line in Century and continued south in Escambia County. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Signs Bill Expanding Florida School Choice Program
March 28, 2023
In Miami Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill (HB) 1, which expands available school choice options for all students in Florida by eliminating financial eligibility restrictions and the current enrollment cap.
“Florida is number one when it comes to education freedom and education choice, and today’s bill signing represents the largest expansion of education choice in the history of these United States. When you combine private scholarships, charter schools, and district choice programs, Florida already has 1.3 million students attending a school of their choosing,” said DeSantis. “These programs have been instrumental in elevating student achievement over the past twenty years. I am grateful to the Florida Legislature, Speaker Renner, and President Passidomo for prioritizing this legislation and presenting it to me at the beginning of this year’s legislative session.”
HB 1 eliminates the current financial eligibility restrictions and allows any student who is eligible to enroll in K-12 to participate in available school choice options. The bill also continues to prioritize awards to students with household incomes that do not exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty level while incorporating a second priority to award scholarships to students who live in households with incomes between 185 percent of the federal poverty level and 400 percent of the federal poverty level. HB 1 also increases the annual scholarship adjustment for the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities from one percent to three percent to address high demand and wait lists.
“This is a monumental day in Florida history,” said Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “Thanks to Governor DeSantis and the legislature, we continue to be the undisputed leader in school choice. Florida will always make good on our promise to ensure every single child has access to a world- class education.”
The bill also eliminates the current enrollment cap and the exemptions to the maximum number of students who can participate in FES-EO. For students who are not full-time enrolled in public or private school or who are not Home Education Program students, there will be a cap of 20,000 new scholarships for the 2023-2024 school year and a cap of 40,000 new scholarships for every year after that.
Additionally, this legislation requires the Office of K-12 School Choice to develop an online portal that enables parents to choose the best educational options for their student. The bill also eliminates the restrictive requirement that students must complete at least one credit through a virtual course to graduate.
The bill also allows the general education requirement to be waived for teachers who have had three years in the classroom if they have been rated ‘effective’ or ‘highly effective’ for three consecutive years. The bill also expands the length of a temporary teaching certificate from three years to five years.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Public Comment Solicited On Solar Powered Bus Shelters, Sidewalks For Palafox
March 28, 2023
Escambia County has prioritized three projects to apply for available grant funding.
The projects are:
- ECAT solar-powered bus shelters with ADA upgrades
- Palafox Street sidewalks from Highway 29 to Nine Mile Road
- Regional sidewalk and drainage projects:
- Jackson Street sidewalks and drainage from 57th Avenue to New Warrington Road
- “W” Street sidewalks from Airport Boulevard to Highway 29
- Hollywood Avenue sidewalks and drainage from Massachusetts Avenue to Fairfield Drive
The grants are part of the Rebuild Florida Hurricane Sally Hometown Revitalization Program. Led by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Office of Long-Term Resiliency, the program is designed to support the recovery of economic activity in commercial areas of Hurricane Sally-impacted towns and cities by facilitating the return and recovery of businesses, jobs, and provision of goods and services to the community.
The public comment period on the projects is open through April 12. Send comments to sallyrecoverygrant@myescambia.com.
Atmore Police: Pensacola Man Charged After Drugs, Fake Money, Car Chase, Shots Fired Incident
March 28, 2023
A Pensacola man is facing charges in Alabama on drug charges after what Atmore Police described as incident involving fake money for drugs, a car chase and shots fired.
Charles Robinson Anthony, 26, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia charges filed by the Atmore Police Department.
Sunday, Atmore Police responded to a reported shots fired incident in the area of Highway 21 and Poarch Road, near the Wind Creek Casino. In an area parking lot, a deputy from the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office spotted one of the vehicles described by a witness as being involved in the incident. When the deputy approached the driver, later identified as Robinson, he ran from the scene but was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit, according to Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann.
“Officers interviewed Robinson and were able to determine through statements and evidence that Robinson attempted to sell narcotics to suspects in a second vehicle who attempted to pay Robinson with fake currency with “Motion Picture Only” stamped on the fake currency,” McMann Said. “The second vehicle sped away and Robinson began pursuing the vehicle. During the pursuit, one of the occupants of the vehicle shot at Robinson striking his vehicle at least one time.”
Police said the occupants of the second vehicle were not located.
“The incident is still under investigation and additional charges are forthcoming,” McMann added.
Northview Drops Monday Night Game To West Florida (With Gallery)
March 28, 2023
West Florida 11, Northview 5
The Northview Chiefs took an early lead but couldn’t hang on Monday night as they lost to West Florida 11-5.
The Chiefs took a 2-0 lead on a Josh Landis double in the bottom of the first inning before West Florida tied it up in the top of the third. The Jaguars jumped ahead with five runs in the fifth.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Tyler Shaw went for six innings for Northview, giving up six hits and seven runs while striking out eight. Kayden Odom pitches two-thirds of the final inning, allowing no hits and no runs while striking out one. Landis tossed one-third of an inning, giving up two hits and four runs.
Landis was 4-4 at the plate for the Chiefs. Northview also had one hit each from Shaw, Luke Bridges, Rustin Pope, Jamarkus Jefferson, Wyatt Scruggs and Cason Burkett.
On Tuesday, the Chiefs will host the Washington Wildcats at 7:00.
Northview 8, West Florida 2 (JV)
Also Monday, the Northview Chiefs junior varsity team beat the West Florida High Jaguars JV team 8-2.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries On School Bus Rear-Ended By Pickup Truck In Cantonment
March 27, 2023
There were no injuries reported on an Escambia County school bus rear-ended Monday afternoon on Highway 297A in Cantonment.
The crash happened about 1:50 p.m. on Highway 297A at Pemberton Lane. A pickup truck crashed into the rear of bus 31-17, causing significant damage to the front of the truck and damage to the rear bumper of the bus.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further information.
This was the second significant crash in Cantonment during the past week involving an Escambia County school bus. On March 21, a bus driver pulled into the path of a car driven at a high rate of speed on Highway 29 at Archer Road, FHP said. None of the students on the bus was injured, and the driver of the car suffered minor injuries.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Softball’s Strike Out Cancer Game Is Friday
March 27, 2023
The Tate Aggies 13th Annual Strike Out For Cancer softball game will be this Friday. Last year, the event raised $31,000 for the local chapter of the American Cancer Society.
The Aggies will host the West Florida Lady Jags; the junior varsity game will be at 5 p.m. and the varsity game will follow at 7 p.m.
Admission is by donation. Fish dinners will be $15, and egg rolls will be $2 or three for $5. Other concessions will be available.
Pictured: The 2022 Strike Out Cancer event raised $31,000 for the American Cancer Society. NorthEscambia.com file photos by Stephani Pyron and others, click to enlarge.
Just One Century Candidate Responds To Our Questions Before Tuesday Special Election
March 27, 2023
NorthEscambia.com submitted a questionnaire to each of the four candidates seeking two seats on the Century Town Council.
Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Century Town Hall.
The questionnaire was created as a secure Google Form. Each candidate received the exact same questions in the same order, and they were warned that responses would not be spell checked or edited. A link to the questionnaire was texted to the cell phone listed by each candidate with the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections. Additionally, a link to the response form, an advance copy of the questions and detailed instructions were emailed to the email address each candidate listed on Supervisor of Elections forms. They were given a deadline of just over seven days to complete and submit their responses. This was a free service offered equally to each candidate.
Only one candidate, Alicia Johnson, submitted a response; three did not submit a response or make any contact with NorthEscambia.com regarding the questionnaire.
Here is the response. Click the linked candidate name to continue:
Century Town Council, Seat 3
- Shelisa McCall (no response received)
- Evelyn Webber (no response received)
Century Town Council, Seat 4
- Alicia Johnson (click for responses)
- Eddie Hammond (no response received)
George Stone Technical College Top 10 In State Industry Certifications
March 27, 2023
George Stone Technical College ninth in Florida for industry certifications earned by students, according to the school district.
GSTC students earned 330 industry-recognized certifications across a multitude of industries and disciplines. The certifications ranked GSTC and the Escambia County Public Schools ninth out of 67 counties for the most certifications earned among technical colleges and centers throughout the state of Florida.
“I’m extremely proud of the accomplishments of our students and the efforts of our teachers. These certifications are a result of their hard work and commitment to their craft,” said GSTC Principal TJ Rollins.
Atmore Man Charged With Fleeing From Florida Deputies
March 27, 2023
An Atmore man is facing a felony charged after allegedly fleeing from Florida deputies on Pensacola Beach.
Stanley Maliek Griffin, 25, was charged with fleeing and eluding law enforcement with lights and siren activated.
While patrolling the area of Via De Luna Drive and Avenida 14, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy reported that when he got behind a black Chevrolet Impala, it made an abrupt u-turn and began traveling west on Via De Luna before coming to a complete stop in the left lane of travel. The deputy’s blue lights and siren were not activated at the time.
The deputy turned on blue lights and siren, at which time Griffin drove away at about 30 mph before stopping just over a mile away at the Hampton Inn, according to an arrest report.
Deputies reported three open 12-ounce Big Wave Golden Ale beer bottles and one 750 ml Sunshine Bliss Grape Vine Wine bottle in plain view inside the vehicle.
In addition to the fleeing and eluding arrest, Griffin was also cited with possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle and for stopping on a highway.
Griffin was released on a $2,500 bond.