ECUA Elects Benson As Chair, Stephens As Vice Chair
November 19, 2022
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority held its organizational board meeting this week.
District 2 member Lois Benson was reelected as board chair, and District 5 member Kevin Stephens was reelected as vice chair.
Vicki Campbell of District 1 was reelected as chair of the ECUA Citizens’ Advisory Committee CAC, and Larry Williams, Sr., was reelected as vice-chair.
The board also reappointed members of the CAC as follows:
- Mr. Carl Punyko – District 1
- Dean Kirschner – District 2
- Louis Brown, III – District 3
- Larry Walker, Ph.D. – District 4
- David Gaines – District 5
- Imelda Cromartie – at large
- Louise Ritz, at large
The ECUA board also set meetings for the 2023 calendar for the typical 3 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Pictured: ECUA board attorney Robert Beasley (center), administers the oath of office to Lois Benson (right) as member Kevin Stephens (left) looks on. NorthEscambia.com image, click to enlarge.
You Saw The Blue Angels Air Show. But Did You Hear This Korean War Vet’s Once Top Secret Story?
November 19, 2022
Over 210,000 people attend last weekend’s Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show at NAS Pensacola this past weekend.
And last Saturday, the crowds heard the story of an American hero that was only recently declassified.
NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Terry Shashaty had the privilege of hosting Capt. (ret.) Royce Williams for the show. And his once top secret story was shared with the crowd.
Williams’ solo dogfight with seven Soviet pilots during the Korean War was a classified military secret for decades.
For 30 minutes, he was the lone American in a dogfight with several Russian Migs.
He was assigned to a Carrier Air Group aboard the USS Oriskany off the extreme northern coast of North Korea on November 18, 1952.
Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor in July 2022.
“To me and everyone who learns his story, Royce Williams is more than the Navy’s Top Gun pilot for all time,” said Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) at the time. “His courage under fire and service to our country in a time of war should be an inspiration for all Americans. While Royce seeks neither fame nor recognition, those of us who know him and know what he did won’t give up until our mission to honor him is a success.”
According to the Military Officers Association of America”
“On that day in 1952, Williams’ team of F9F-5 Panthers had just conducted an airstrike on the Hoeryong industrial complex near the Korea-Soviet Union border when Williams and his wingman, Dave Rowlands, were surprisingly engaged by seven enemy MiGs. Rowlands pursued one of the MiGs out of formation, leaving Williams to deal with the other six.
“As the MiGs buzzed by him, Williams was able to shoot down the trail plane before entering in a high stakes cat-and-mouse game in blizzard-like conditions. The end result of a 35-minute dogfight: four downed MiGs, one damaged MiG, and Williams’ badly beat up Panther.
“With 263 bullet holes and limited ability to steer, Williams was able to limp back to USS Oriskany.”
After the ordeal, he was awarded the Silver Star and received credit for downing one plane and damaging another, as the complete events of the day were classified for five decades.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas In Century: Parade, Movie Night, Tree Lighting
November 19, 2022
Mark your calendars for a “Hometown Christmas” in Century.
A tree lighting ceremony with caroling will be held Friday, December 2 at 5 p.m. at Nadine McCaw Park on North Century Boulevard. Refreshments will follow across the street at the Century Chamber of Commerce.
A Christmas parade will roll at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 9. It will be followed by the movie “The Grinch” and food from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at Anthony Pleasant Park.
For a parade entry form, click or tap here. The entry deadline is Friday, December 2.
Playoffs: Northview Wins; Pine Forest, Escambia, West Florida, Catholic All Fall
November 19, 2022
Here are Friday night playoff football scores from across the North Escambia area:
1R
- Northview 34, Holmes County 26 [Details, photos...]
- Chipley 39, Baker 20
- Next week: Chipley at Northview
2S
- Florida High 18, Pensacola Catholic 14
- Suwannee 17, West Florida 14
3S
- Choctawhatchee 30, Pine Forest 29
- Columbia 17. Escambia 15
ALABAMA
- There were no Escambia County, Alabama, teams remaining in the Alabama playoffs.
One Killed, One Injured In Accident At Oil Company Facility Near Century
November 18, 2022
One person was killed and another suffered a non-life threatening injury in a reported explosion Friday afternoon near Century.
Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore told NorthEscambia.com that it happened at an oil company facility in an isolated area about a mile off Fannie Road south of the Florida-Alabama state line.
Gilmore confirmed that one person suffered a fatal injury, and one person was being transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
“There was never any danger to the public,” Gilmore said.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that their deputies were on scene and assisting in the investigation.
Additional details have not been released.
Century Man Accused Of Attacking His Former Girlfriend, Cutting Her Face
November 18, 2022
A Century man is accused of attacking his ex-girlfriend at her apartment.
Caesar Martinez, Jr., 43, was charged with aggravated battery, battery by strangulation, armed burglary of an occupied dwelling, and criminal mischief.
Martinez allegedly went to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment, knocked on the door and entered without permission when she answered the door. He grabbed her by the neck, threw her to the ground, began cutting her face with a razor blade or knife, and stomped on her phone, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. She was treated on scene by Escambia County EMS.
Martinez told deputies that he was at his home at the time of the incident and accused the victim of lying, the report states.
The woman’s young daughter reportedly witnessed the incident, and the Department of Children and Families was notified.
Martinez was released from Escambia County Jail on a $10,500 bond.
Tate Baseball’s Kelly And McAnally Sign With Coastal Alabama East
November 18, 2022
Tate High School’s Cade Kelly and Ethan McAnally signed Thursday afternoon with the Warhawks of Coastal Alabama Community College East in Brewton to continue their baseball and academic careers.
The Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida provided a red-tailed hawk in lieu of a Warhawk mascot for the signing event.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis: State Offices Will Be Closed Three Extra Days For The Holidays
November 18, 2022
State employees with get three extra days off this holiday season.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that state offices will be closed on November 23, December 23 and December 30 in addition to regular office closures during the holidays.
“Our state employees have worked hard throughout the year, especially over the past few months responding to Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Closing state offices on November 23rd, December 23rd and December 30th will provide state employees with some much-deserved time with their families to enjoy the holiday season. The First Lady and I are thankful for the dedication our state employees have demonstrated to helping the people of Florida.”
Jay’s Caitlyn Gavin Inks Softball Scholarship With USA Jaguars
November 18, 2022
Jay High School’s Caitlyn Gavin signed a softball scholarship Thursday with the University of South Alabama.
A member of the varsity team since seventh grade, Gavin signs with the Jags after lettering for the Jay Lady Royals. As a junior, Gavin batted .372, recording 32 hits, 23 runs scored and 17 RBI. Of her 32 hits, 10 went for extra bases that season, including seven doubles and a pair of home runs. She led Jay to Class 1A state championship in 2022 – program’s first-ever softball state title – as the Royals finished with a 22-5 record.
Gavin batted .423 in 29 games during the 2021 season where she helped Jay to a 24-6 record. She drove in 39 with 33 hits and scored 33 runs, while also registering 12 home runs and four doubles. She was 5-for-5 with 6 RBI against Gulf Breeze and also drove in five in a postseason game against Holmes County.
“We love the way Caitlyn plays the game,” said Becky Clark, USA softball head coach. “She commits to all of the little things that add up to big moments. As a middle infielder, she has the tools to make all of the plays up the middle and in the hole. She loves the game and shows up to play every day. Offensively, she will work gap-to-gap with the ability to drive the ball out of the park as well. I am excited to see her growth and production once she gets in our system on a consistent basis.”
Escambia County Seeks Applicants for the Children’s Services Council
November 18, 2022
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking applications from county residents to serve on the Children’s Services Council (CSC).
In November 2020, 61% of participating voters in Escambia County supported the creation of the Children Services Council to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes of up to a maximum of 0.5 mil. The Children’s Trust of Escambia County will provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventative, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
The CSC is responsible for assessing the needs of the children in the county and developing a strategic plan for addressing unmet needs, which must then be submitted to the Board. The CSC, like the county, must also go through the process of adopting a millage rate and budget in accordance with Florida’s Truth In Millage (TRIM) Act, and the CSC must submit an annual report to the Board as required by Florida law.
Applications are available online at MyEscambia.com or in person at the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, located at 221 Palafox Place, 4th floor. The application consists of several parts: an Escambia County CSC application, a questionnaire for Gubernatorial Appointments and an optional resume. Both applications must be completed and submitted together to be considered for an appointment. The deadline to apply is December 12, 2022, by 5 p.m.
To be considered for the CSC, Florida Statute criteria include the requirement that nominees have been residents of Escambia County for the previous 24-month period and are willing to submit an annual Statement of Financial Interests Form. Florida Statutes also require that gubernatorial appointments are representative of the demographic diversity of the county’s population.
The Board of County Commissioners will nominate six applicants to be submitted to the Governor for review and potential appointment. Following the Board’s selection, the County Administrator will then send a letter to the Governor and the Governor’s Appointments Office with the list of six nominees to be considered for appointment to the CSC. All of candidates will be notified of their nomination. In accordance with Florida Statutes, the Governor then has 45 days to make a selection or request a new list of candidates.