Cantonment Skid-Steer Accident Claims Life Of Young Child
October 11, 2022
The tragic death of a young child in Cantonment Sunday night remains under investigation.
The child was pronounced deceased at the scene following the incident about 8 p.m. Sunday on Balboa Road, about a block from the Santa Maria Plaza/Farm Hill Park.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the incident involved a skid-steer loader.
Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Century Man Caught On Trail Cameras At Hunting Camp Burglary, ECSO Says
October 11, 2022
A Century man was caught on trail camera photos at a hunting camp burglary scene, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Lawrence Scott Hamilton, 37, was charged with felony grand theft and misdemeanor criminal mischief with property damage.
Hamilton allegedly pried a locked window open on a hunt camp house in a wooded area near Salters Lake Road and the CSX railroad. That’s where he took a 3500 watt generator, two climbing tree stands, a Carbon Express crossbow and four boxes of .22 caliber ammunition, according to an arrest report. The property was valued at a total of $1,700.
The victim provided the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office with trail camera photos showing the suspect and his vehicle. A deputy “immediately recognized the vehicle as belonging to Larry Hamilton, and…indicated that the photo of the suspect closely resembled Hamilton,” the report states.
Deputies went to Hamilton’s residence on Hilltop Road where they found the vehicle with a freshly painted push bar, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Hamilton was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $26,000 bond.
Cat Country’s Cat Pak Morning Show Wins CMA Small Market Personality Of The Year
October 11, 2022
The Cat Pak Morning Show with Brent and Mel (Brent Lane and Mel McCrae) is the winner of County Music Association (CMA) Small Market Personality of the Year.
This was the fifth nomination for the Cat Pak Morning Show since it debuted in 2004, but it was their first win.
“I’m proud of the commitment to our communities our team members bring to the job every day and happy Brent and Mel are recognized on a national level,” said Mary Hoxeng, owner and general manager of Cat Country 98.7.
Brent and Mel from the Cat Pak Morning show will receive the CMA award on November 9 at the 56th Annual CMA Awards. The show will air live from Nashville on ABC, locally on WEAR 3.
Entries for Broadcast Personality of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings, community involvement and biographical information.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia And Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Offices, Pensacola Police Return From Helping With Ian Recovery
October 11, 2022
The team of local law enforcement officers that helped clean up and restore areas after Hurricane Ian has returned home.
The team was composed of officers from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department and Gulf Breeze Police Department.
Taking part were: Colonel Jeremy Small (ECSO), Lt. Mike Hoyland (ECSO), Lt. Patrick Crossley (ECSO), Lt. Phillip Folmar (ECSO), Lt. Kevin Biggs (ECSO), Sgt. Vince Odenbrett (ECSO), Sgt. David Brown (ECSO), Sgt. Jacob Holloway (ECSO), Deputy Ken Holyfield (ECSO), Deputy Justin Fountain (ECSO), Deputy Jorge Haitt (ECSO), Deputy Larry Richardson (ECSO), K-9 Eso (ECSO), Deputy Eric Alvarez (ECSO), Deputy Anthony Silva (ECSO), Deputy Bert Powell (ECSO), Deputy Thomas Hyler (ECSO), Deputy Mickey Swaboda (ECSO), Deputy Jalen Atkins (ECSO), Deputy Jason Donnelly (ECSO), Jack Reid (ECSO), Jake Lucas (ECSO), John Dosh (ECSO), Chad Mauldin (ECSO), Officer Blaine Welers (GPD), Officer Ben Cunningham (GPD), Lt. Chad Willhite (PPD), Sgt. Danny Harnett (PPD), Det. Kyle Skipper (PPD), Det. Charles Restifo (PPD), Det. John Cramer (PPD), Officer Drew Glass (PPD), Officer Kenneth McMahon (PPD), and Officer Kesley Isenberg (PPD).
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Names Students Of The Month
October 11, 2022
Northview High School has named their Students of the Month for September. They are freshman Jackson Simmons and sophomore Maggie Scott. They are pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Father, Son Seriously Injured In ATV Crash Near Escambia County Park
October 11, 2022
A father and son were seriously injured in an ATV crash Monday night at an Escambia County park.
The 33-year old man and his 11-year old son were riding the Polaris 900 RZR in a field behind the Lewis Powell Athletic Park on Rolling Hills Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the adult male driver struck a large wooden pole in the grass head-on.
The ATV began to roll and both occupants were ejected. They were transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
The Annual Peanut Butter Challenge Is Accepting Donations Now
October 11, 2022
There’s still time to donate in the Peanut Butter Challenge in Escambia County to help families in need.
The Peanut Butter Challenge, UF/IFAS Extension’s annual jar collection for local food pantries, first launched in the Florida Panhandle in 2012. It has since launched statewide, giving counties the chance to compete for most jars of peanut butter donated. The challenge serves a way to feed hungry families ahead of the holidays and also promotes peanuts grown in Florida.
Unopened, unexpired jars of peanut butter can be donated at the following locations through October 31:
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
- Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
- Holy Spirit Catholic, 10650 Gulf Beach Highway
In addition to the community donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and Florida Peanut Federation (FPF) have partnered with the project for years. These organizations are based in the northwest and northeast peanut-producing regions of the state and will again contribute to the totals distributed to food pantries in those regions.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Inmates Accused Of Assaulting Century Correctional Institution Officers
October 11, 2022
Two Century Correctional Institution inmates assault correctional officers in separate incidents recently, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Wendell Clarke (pictured left) assaulted an officer. He is serving a five year sentence from Citrus County for obstructing a firefighter and throwing bodily fluids at correctional staff.
Inmate Israel Adorno-Ocasio also assaulted an officer. He is serving a life sentence out of Orange County for two first degree murder counts from Orange County.
“All assaults are investigated, and disciplinary action is imposed in accordance with policy,” FDC said in both instances. “”Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued.”
Escambia County Public Schools Foundation Awards $78,458 To 32 School Projects
October 10, 2022
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation has awarded Grants for Excellence totaling $78,458 to 32 local school projects.
Tate High School was awarded four grants, more than any other school in the district.
Instructional coach Kristin Maum was awarded $4,932 to purchase iPads and Apple Pencils for the Tate High School math department. She is thrilled that her grant was chosen because now “math teachers can easily model how to solve math problems while also moving around their room to check on individual students. They’ll be able to ensure that each and every student in their classroom understands what they are doing and they’ll be able to quickly adjust their instruction based on students’ needs.”
Reading teacher Carla Urquhart was awarded $2,000 to purchase flexible seating options for her students. “This will have a positive impact on the students who have ADHD, Autism, and other individualized needs often seen in the Intensive Reading Classroom. Most students need to fidget or move in order to focus on tasks such as listening, reading, or writing. The opportunity for flexible seating helps the student to determine which seat works best for them and allows them to get the most out of their time in the classroom,” she said.
Theater teacher Lauren Williams was awarded $1,961 to purchase digital media equipment for both her English Language Arts classes and her drama classes. She is so excited to use the grant cross-curricularly: “iPads, tripods, and green screen equipment will allow my students to film play trailers to promote our mainstage shows. It will also help theater students learn about film acting and short films. Students in my English classes can record things such as persuasive commercials to learn about rhetoric.”
Fine Arts teacher Elerene Walters was awarded $2,000 to purchase high quality cameras and printers for her art classes. This will allow students to practice real-world skills: “Students will learn how to scan and print artwork and how to print digital art and photography. These are skills that will help them get jobs at online companies like Shutterfly and Minted. This project will even help students who want to pursue a career in art because they will be able to create a portfolio for College Board, art scholarships, Gallery Nights, and as a professional artist.”
The grants are intended to support innovation in the classroom and enhance the quality of education for students.
Here is the complete list of Grants for Excellence recipients for the 2022-2023 school year:
High Impact Grant Recipients
- Briana Leatherwood — Warrington Middle School
- Matthew MacGregor — West Florida High School
- Kristin Maum — J.M. Tate High School
- Wayne Menges — L.D. McArthur Elementary School
- Molly O’Connor — Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
- Jared Stanley — Hope Horizon
- Erin Steinmetz — Booker T. Washington High School
- Patricia Swanz-Reiners — N.B. Cook Elementary School
- Miranda Williams — Cordova Park Elementary School
Teacher Opportunity Grant Recipients
- Adam Bretschneider — Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
- Elizabeth Brown — Ransom Middle School
- Liberty Davis — R.C. Lipscomb Elementary School
- Catheryn Grantham — Escambia High School
- Barbara Guarino — Pine Meadow Elementary School
- Tally Hawthorne — R.C. Lipscomb Elementary School
- Jacquelyn Johnston — Byrneville Elementary
- Andrea Lowery — Hellen Caro Elementary School
- April Matteis — West Florida High School Department
- Erica Minchew — Kingsfield Elementary School
- Rachel Odom — L.D. McArthur Elementary School
- Elizabeth Shaw — L.D. McArthur Elementary School
- Bernadette Smith — Global Learning Academy
- Cindy Speed — Ransom Middle School
- Rachel Stallworth — Ferry Pass Middle School
- Stefany Tompkins — Booker T. Washington High School
- Mary Beth Tubbs — Kingsfield Elementary School
- Carla Urquhart — J.M. Tate High School
- Bradley Vinson — West Pensacola Elementary School
- Elerene Walters — J.M. Tate High School
- Lauren Williams — J.M. Tate High School
- Erica Zink — Pleasant Grove Elementary School
- Candice Zolnoski — C.A. Weis Elementary School
Grants for Excellence are funded by the Escambia County Public School Foundation and matching grant funds from the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program. Grants are available for teachers of students in grades K-12.
High Impact Grants were funded between $2,000 and $5,000. Teacher Opportunity Grants were funded from $500 to $2,000.
Pictured: Escambia County Public Schools Foundation Grants for Excellence were awarded to four Tate High School teachers. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Voter Registration Deadline Is Tuesday
October 10, 2022
The voter registration deadline for the November general election is Tuesday, October 11.
The Supervisor of Elections office will remain open until 7 p.m. on October 11 for voters wishing to register to vote or update their record. Florida law mandates that registration books close 29 days before an election. New registrations must be completed and received or postmarked no later than October 11 for the November 8 election. Address changes within Florida can be made after the books close. If you are unsure of your registration status, visit EscambiaVotes.gov and click “Am I Registered?” to verify your status, or call the Supervisor of Elections office.
Escambia County citizens have several ways to register to vote or update their record:
Online: Simply go to EscambiaVotes.gov to register to vote, or to update or change your current registration, including your address or party affiliation. It’s a quick and secure way to make sure you are ready to vote.
In Person: You can register at the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola, at any Florida Driver’s License Office, public library, and several other governmental offices and public assistance centers. Registration forms are also available to pick up at many locations countywide. For a complete list of locations throughout Escambia County, visit EscambiaVotes.gov or call or e-mail the Elections Office.
By Mail: Visit EscambiaVotes.gov and complete, print, and sign the online application. Be sure to include a valid Florida Driver’s License or Florida ID number, or if you have neither, the last 4 digits of your social security number in the appropriate space. Completed applications must be received or postmarked no later than October 11. Mail to: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, PO Box 12601, Pensacola, FL 32591-2601, or take the completed application to the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola. To have a form mailed to you, call (850) 595-3900 or e-mail the Elections Office at soe@escambiavotes.gov.
Vote-By-Mail Requests Still Being Accepted
For voters who wish to cast a ballot by mail, requests are being accepted until 5 p.m. on October 29