Heath Jackson Sworn In For Second Term As Sheriff In Escambia County, AL
January 15, 2023
Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson took the oath of office Friday for his second term.
Jackson was the first-ever Republican sheriff in the county.
“I can’t thank the citizens of Escambia County enough for allowing me to serve them. I’m proud of the hard work our staff has put forth in moving the sheriff’s office in a positive direction and look forward to that continuing,” Jackson said.
Before his election in 2018, Jackson was a sergeant at the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office and served as the team leader of the agency’s Hostage Negotiations Team.
The T.R. Miller High School graduate’s nearly two decades of law enforcement experience includes service with the Brewton Police Department, the 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force and work with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Alabama. At the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, he also worked in the Narcotics Division, the Robbery/Homicide Division and the Public Information Office.
Pictured: Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson was sworn in for a second term Friday by District Judge Eric Coale at the Escambia County (AL) Courthouse in Brewton. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Teen Karson Brown Earns Eagle Scout Rank
January 15, 2023
Karson Brown of Troop 430 in Molino has achieved Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the boy Scouts.
He received his Eagle Scout badge Saturday afternoon during a ceremony at the Barrineau Park Community Center. The West Florida High School senior’s service project was building five wooden picnic tables that were placed at the playground outside the community center last year.
Brown has also earned 32 merit badges in the Boy Scouts.
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Special Election Dates Proposed For Two Century Council Seats
January 14, 2023
Dates have been proposed for a special election in Century for two town council seats that no one ran for during last year’s elections.
At a meeting on January 2, the sitting council temporarily appointed Shelisa McCall Abraham to Seat 3 and Alicia Johnson to Seat 4. Their positions are temporary until winners are determined in the special election.
The town charter states that the election will be held between 60 and 90 days after the vacancy occurs. The town and Supervisor of Elections David Stafford have now formulated dates for the election.
If there are three or more candidates for any one of the seats, a primary election will be held on Tuesday, March 14. Any necessary runoff and the general election will be held on Tuesday, March 28.
Qualifying will be open from noon February 21 until noon February 24 at the Supervisor of Elections Office or the Century Town Hall on February 22. Any registered voter that lives in the town limits can seek election and pay a $50 qualifying fee.
The election will be certified by the Escambia County Canvassing Board.
The Century Town Council will consider an ordinance to finalize the election details at an upcoming meeting.
Pictured: Shelisa Abraham (center) was sworn in January 2 as an interim member of the Century Town Council, serving until a special election is held. Alicia Johnson, also appointed to the council, will be sworn in on January 17. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Funeral Services Set For Escambia Fire Rescue Lieutenant Terrell Jackson
January 14, 2023
Funeral services are next Saturday, January 21 for Escambia County Fire Rescue Lt. Terrell Jackson, who passed away Monday, January 9 after experiencing a medical emergency.
A celebration of life will take place from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church on North W Street. Burial will follow at Resthaven Gardens Cemetery at 1084 Massachusetts Avenue.
Lt. Jackson, 38, began his career with ECFR as a volunteer firefighter in 2007 with the Ferry Pass Volunteer Fire Department. On July 18, 2013, Jackson became a fulltime firefighter. As a career firefighter, he demonstrated a dedicated work ethic and compassion that led to his promotion to lieutenant on October 2, 2021.
As a lieutenant, Jackson continued to show his dedication and passion for the job as he mentored firefighters and worked as the company officer on several different assignments. He has been described as a “firefighter’s firefighter” and has always led through his actions.
Tate Showband’s Olivia Morehouse Performing With Florida All State Honors Band
January 14, 2023
Olivia Morehouse, a senior member of the Tate High School Showband of the South, was selected to perform with the Florida All State Honors Band at the Florida Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference in Tampa this weekend.
Morehouse was selected by nomination out of hundreds of students who also auditioned/nominated for membership into this ensemble. She is principal trumpet in the Tate High School Wind Ensemble, trumpet soloist in Tate Jazz I, and was a trumpet section leader in the Showband of the South.
“We are very proud of her for this accomplishment and for representing the Tate High School and Tate High School Band at this conference,” said Jakob Wisdom, Tate Showband director of bands.
RELATED: Northview’s Olivia Doyle Selected For Florida All State Honors Band
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Pine Meadow Elementary Teacher Of The Year Is David Vaughn
January 14, 2023
David Vaughn was named the Pine Meadow Elementary School Teacher of the Year. He is a kindergarten teacher.
NorthEscambia.com spotlighting Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area. The county’s overall teacher of the year will be named in late January.
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Newly Rebuilt Ascend Community Park To Reopen Next Week
January 13, 2023
Ascend Community Park is set to reopen with a ribbon cutting next week.
The park has been closed since it was damaged by Hurricane Sally in 2020.
It has now been renovated and equipped with a new playground.
The playground equipment was purchased and professionally installed with funds from the Ascend Cares Foundation and the Ascend Pensacola site. Ascend work teams and Ascend Cares volunteers also helped with cleaning, painting and repairs to the pavilion and restroom facilities at the park in recent months.
“This project has been a true team effort by Ascend employees, Ascend Cares volunteers, and our partners from Turner Industries,” said Asa Cuellar, a senior production manager at Ascend who managed the park renovation project. “The park has been in our community since 2000 and we are all thrilled to see it reopen so children and families can enjoy visiting again.”
The public is invited to attend the ribbon cutting at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, January 18 at 3098 Old Chemstrand Road. Following the ceremony, the park will be open to the public daily from dawn to dusk.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bellview Library Closed All Next Week For Maintenance
January 13, 2023
The Bellview Library, which just opened last September, will be closed next week “for maintenance”.
The library will be closed Tuesday, January 17 through Saturday, January 21 for the work. All library locations are closed Monday, January 16 for the Martin Luther Kings, Jr. Day holiday.
All events and programs for the week have been canceled, except an Arbor Day tree giveaway planned to 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 21 will take place.
During the closure, library return materials may be dropped off in the drop box outside the Bellview Library or returned to any other West Florida Public Libraries location. The Bellview Library will reopen on Monday, January 23.
In making the announcement late Thursday afternoon, county officials did not say what maintenance issue led to the closure.
Escambia County Seeks Volunteer for Planning Board Appointment
January 13, 2023
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an at-large appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board.
At-large members serve a two-year term of office and attend one meeting per month (generally the first Tuesday of the month). Meetings are generally from 8:30 a.m. to no later than noon; however, occasionally may go beyond noon depending upon the agenda. No travel is involved unless the Planning Board members decide to view a particular property for informational purposes. Financial disclosure is required.
Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board to begin serving in January are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Tuesday, January 31. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Rachel Whitmire; 3363 West Park Place; Pensacola, FL 32505; or emailed to rwhitmire@myescambia.com.
The term for this vacancy is February 16, 2023 until February 16, 2025.
All submittals are subject to public records requests.
Michelle Thomas Is Ernest Ward Middle School’s Teacher Of The Year
January 13, 2023
Michelle Thomas was named the Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com spotlighting Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area. The county’s overall teacher of the year will be named in late January.
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