Escambia Schools Look To Hire More Security Officers
March 15, 2023
The Escambia County School District is looking to hire more campus security officers for the next school year in advance of a July class.
“Campus Security Officers are ECPS employees trained by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office whose sole mission is to protect students and staff in our public schools across Escambia County,” said Protection Services Director Kyle Kinser. “All personnel are put through rigorous screening.”
Ideal candidates should have prior law enforcement and/or military experience and must have a passion for working with children, according to the district.
Successful applicants will go through an extensive paid training curriculum with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Selected candidates begin with a starting salary of $33,309 for 10 months of employment. Once the training process has been completed, candidates are eligible for a variety of benefits.
Man Gets Life In Prison For Chemstrand Road Home Invasion, Rape, Kidnapping
March 15, 2023
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison for Chemstrand Road home invasion robbery that led to the kidnapping and rape of the victim.
Billy Ray Smith, Jr., was convicted of burglary of a dwelling with a battery, sexual battery with a deadly weapon, armed kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft auto, theft of a credit card, fraudulent use of a credit card, petit theft, and battery.
On August 19, 2021, Smith entered the victim’s home on Chemstrand Road while she was asleep on the couch, according to prosecutors. He put a gun to her head, threatened her, demanded money, and ransacked her home.
He then put the victim in the trunk of her car and drove to a vacant lot, where he raped her at knifepoint. He then used the victim’s debit card and withdrew money from an ATM in the area, and then stole the victim’s car, and ultimately left the victim duct taped to a chair in her bathroom.
Smith was seen on surveillance video driving the victim’s car, using her debit card, and hiding her property behind a dumpster. Fingerprint evidence linking him was also located.
Annual Spring Fling Youth Summit Is Saturday At Carver Park
March 15, 2023
The Annual Spring Fling Youth Summit will be held Saturday from noon until 3 p.m. at Carver Park in Cantonment.
There will be free prizes, free food, music, arts and crafts, games, guest speakers, educational and career information (grades 5-12), and other activities.
The Spring Fling Youth Summit is sponsored by Ascend Performance Materials, IP, FPL, Phil Hall, PA, and the Escambia County CRA and is hosted by the Cantonment Improvement Committee.
Carver Park is located at 208 Webb Street in Cantonment.
For more information call Mary at (850) 346-2797.
Pictured: Last year’s Spring Fling Youth Summit at Carver Park in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Photos: Jim Allen Elementary Holds Annual Heart Run (With Gallery)
March 15, 2023
Jim Allen Elementary School held their annual Heart Run last week.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Aggie Classic: Tate Wins No-Hitter Against Santa Fe South
March 15, 2023
Three Tate pitchers combined for a no-hitter as the Tate Aggies beat Santa Fe South (OK) 9-0 on day two of the Aggie Classic.
Gabriel Patterson started for Tate, going three innings with no hits, no runs, no walks and striking out eight. Aiden Byrd went for three, striking out five, and Tristin Lynn pitched one with two strikeouts.
Cliften Quiggins and Javin Floyd led at the plate for the Aggies with two hits each.
Tate will play Union (OK) High School at 7 p.m. Wednesday as the Aggie Classic continues.
ECUA Issues Boil Water Notice For Chemstrand Road Area
March 15, 2023
Due to a broken eight-inch water main, ECUA has issued a precautionary boil water notice for a portion of the Chemstrand Road area.
Specifically, the boil water notice includes:
- Chemstrand Rd. (Address Range: 8695-9131)
- Topeka Rd. (Address Range: 207-295)
- Kaylyn Rd. (Address Range: 211-293)
- Lost Oak Dr. (Address Range: 8914-8916)
- Barker St. (Address Range: 205 – 421)
- Crum Ave. (Address Range: 343 – 347)
- Sabrina Dr. (Address Range: 101-126)
- Polo Terrace (Address Range: 120-198)
- Derby Ln. (Address Range: 8803-8843)
The water main was broken by nearby construction activities, according to ECUA.
Residents located in the specified boil water notice area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours and the notice will be rescinded at that time.
ECUA crews have completed the repairs and flushed out the lines. Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Century Looks For $13 Million To Renovate Old CHS Gym, Fix Bridges
March 14, 2023
Century is looking to seek $10 million to renovate an old gym and $3 million for bridge and drainage repairs.
The town is eligible to apply for state funding for the projects.
A $10 million grant award would be used to renovate or rebuild the old Century High School gymnasium for use as a multipurpose facility that could also serve as a hurricane or other disaster shelter. Century High closed over 25 years ago; the 16,500 square foot building was constructed in 1960.
The town will also seek $3 million to replace a failed bridge on Freedom Road that has been closed for three years, and make drainage improvements to two other bridges that suffered embankment erosion during Hurricane Sally.
The funding, if awarded, would be from Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Small Cities Hurricane Sally Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding. through the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program.
The town is currently soliciting public comment on the proposed projects by email to Kristina Wood at kwood@centuryflorida.us or by calling Century Town Hall at (850) 256-3208.The deadline is March 20. At 7 p.m. on March 21, a public hearing will be held at Century Town Hall.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Fleeing From Deputies, No Driver’s License
March 14, 2023
A Cantonment man is facing charges after allegedly failing to stop for deputies.
X’Zavian Mikel Davis, 21, was charged with felony fleeing and eluding from law enforcement and misdemeanor operating a motor vehicle without a license.
According to an arrest report, deputies witnessed Davis failed to completely stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Erress Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue. Deputies attempted a traffic stop, but Davis continued without stopping and accelerated away at a high rate of speed on Montclair Road, the report continues. Deputies called off the traffic stop.
Another deputy reported seeing three people run the vehicle as it later turned into a driveway on Sante Fe Circle, and all were taken into custody.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a vacuum sealed bag containing 272 grams of marijuana was inside the vehicle. Davis was not charged in connection with marijuana.
Davis was released from jail on a $11,000 bond.
ECSO Accepting Applications For Next Sheriff’s Blazer Academy
March 14, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will begin hosting the next Sheriff’s Blazer Academy in May.
The Sheriff’s Blazer Academy will immerse young men ages 13-15 in an environment that will provide mentoring and instruction on many topics such as courtesy, responsibility, empowerment, and respect. Each two-hour session will include roleplaying scenarios designed to develop the interpersonal skills and confidence building necessary for them to become the leaders of tomorrow.
The Academy will provide dinner each night, transportation if needed, dress attire fitted to each student and a graduation ceremony.
The Sheriff’s Blazer Academy will accept 25 students per session, and completed applications should be sent to Delarian Wiggins at dcwiggins@escambiaso.com.
The Sheriff’s Office previously held an academy for young women.
Escambia Unemployment Rates Increases Slightly
March 14, 2023
The Escambia County unemployment increased slightly last month, according to data released Monday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Florida’s unemployment rate of 2.6% remained lower than the national average for the 27th consecutive month, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The area unemployment rate increased to 2.7 percent over the year in January 2023, up 0.2 percentage point from 2.5 percent reported in December 2022. The area labor force increased by 4,740 over the year, a 2.0 percent increase.
The industry gaining the most jobs over the year locally was leisure and hospitality, increasing by 2,300 jobs.
“Florida is number one in net migration, tourism, and new business formations because we have bucked the elites and forged our own path forward towards success,” said DeSantis. “We will continue to prioritize policies that support Florida families as they continue to face persistent inflation and national economic headwinds.”