Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
October 6, 2022
Ransom Middle School recently named their Students of the Month for August. They are Drew Crutchfield and Addyson Estes, both eighth graders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Now What? Century Council Member Has Resigned And No One Is Running For Two Seats
October 6, 2022
Seat 3 on the Century Town Council is now vacant and will remain vacant until the start of a new term in January, at which time the council seat will remain, well, vacant, albeit for just a little while before a temporary appointee is named that might be forced to vacate the seat in a few weeks after an election to fill the vacancy for the next four years.
Confused? So was the town council this week as they tried to sort it all out.
On September 27, Seat 3 councilman Leonard White resigned just hours before a budget meeting, citing time constraints due to his job as correctional officer at the Century Correctional Institution.
That obviously leaves Seat 3, one of five seats on the council, vacant. Because there are less than six months remaining in White’s term, the town’s charter indicates that a replacement can’t be appointed unless the council loses additional members and their quorum.
Seat 3 held by White, Seat 4 currently held by James Smith, Jr., and Seat 5 held by Sandra McMurray Jackson were up for election this year. Jackson was the only candidate to qualify for Seat 5, so she was reelected automatically. No one qualified for Seat 3 or 4.
At their first meeting in January, the council will swear in Jackson and appoint temporary members for Seats 3 and 4. Then, a special election will be held within 60 to 90 days later for two members to finish the remainder of the four year terms.
At this week’s council meeting, current council members Jackson, Luis Gomez, Jr. and Dynette Lewis expressed concerns about making sure they have a quorum of three present at every meeting for the rest of the year in order to conduct town business.
Smith was not present at the meeting where Gomez stated that another council member might resign soon.
“We may have the same thing happen again prior to the end of this year,” Gomez said. ” I mean if you understand what I’m saying that could be, that it’s a possibility that might even happen. You following me?”
When asked if he plans to resign, Gomez quickly said no but alluded to his feelings that Smith might resign.
The council will seek any opinion from the town attorney on the steps that are taking. They are also searching for two people to appoint to the council in January; interested citizens can contact town hall or council members Gomez, Jackson or Lewis.
Pictured top: (L-R) Century council members Sandra McMurray-Jackson, Luis Gomez, Jr., and Dynette Lewis at a meeting this week. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Reward Upped To $15,000 In Fatal Bellview Ballpark Double Shooting
October 6, 2022
A $15,000 reward is now being offered for information that leads to an arrest in last Saturday’s fatal double shooting during youth football at Bellview Ballpark.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is adding $10,000 from an anonymous donor to a $5,000 Crime Stoppers reward.
The ECSO has issued a plea for information from the public, including any videos or photos from the game, both before, during and after the “targeted” shooting. So far, investigators have already received “some “videos and photos.
The shooting happened after an altercation with as many as six other people and the two victims. At least two of the suspects left the ballpark and returned wearing masks. There was an exchange of gunfire, the sheriff said, between the victims and the suspects. Four to six people fled the scene in a vehicle.
The shooting left 22-year old Kaderrick Teamer dead near the football field sidelines, and another man suffering from gunshot wounds.
Anyone with information, photos or videos is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
The Bellview Athletic Park is located just west of Longleaf Elementary School and Pine Forest High School.
Pictured: Escambia County EMS at the scene of a shooting Saturday at the Bellview Ballpark. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.
Sample Ballots Are In The Mail
October 6, 2022
Sample ballots for the November 8 general election are being mailed to Escambia County voters this week. The sample ballot, in both English and Spanish, includes a ballot image, the voter’s polling location and information on the three ways to vote: early, vote-by-mail, and on Election Day. A sample ballot is also available at EscambiaVotes.gov. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Volleyball Receives Academic Award From Marines, Coaches Association
October 6, 2022
The Tate High School Volleyball team recently received an award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association and the United States Marines.
The Aggies, led by Javier Rivera, received the 2022 USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award.
The award has honored teams for 30 years for matching their dedication to volleyball with excellence in the classroom.
For a photo gallery from a Tate volleyball game against Gulf Breeze, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Three Injured In Molino Crash On Highway 29
October 5, 2022
Three people are recovering after a wreck Wednesday morning on Highway 29 in Molino.
All three were transported to area hospital by Escambia County EMS following the 6:50 a.m. crash on Highway 29 at Bet Raines Road, about a half mile south of Highway 97.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the wreck and has not released further information. The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highway 95A Resurfacing Moves To Nights To Avoid Busy Jim Allen Elementary Traffic
October 5, 2022
Work will shift to nights for a resurfacing project on Highway 95A in Cantonment.
Crews will work from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Monday nights paving from just south of Quintette Road south to the Highway 29 intersection. The overnight work is taking place to minimize delays at the Highway 29 intersection and in front of Jim Allen Elementary School, according to Escambia County.
If the weather cooperates, it is anticipated that paving operations will be complete by next Tuesday morning. After the pavement “cures”, crews will return to place thermoplastic striping over the temporary paint stripes.
Work began September 19 on the complete $2.1 million project to resurface Highway 95A from Highway 29 in Molino to the intersection with Highway 29 and Morris Avenue in Cantonment.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Battery, Strangulation Of Family Member
October 5, 2022
A Cantonment man is charged with the battery of a close family member.
Lorenzo McNeal, Jr., 47, was charged with battery and battery by strangulation, both domestic violence related.
McNeal allegedly struck a close relative in the head utilizing his knee and strangling the victim until he was losing his ability to breath, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim and McNeal become involved in a physical altercation over a phone and money that had been stolen. according to an arrest report. The victim suffered multiple abrasions and a hematoma on his head.
McNeal also allegedly used a metal pipe to bust the passenger side windows out of a Dodge Avenger, but the owner of the vehicle did not press charges.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $12,000 bond.
Escambia, AL, Teacher Wins $100,000 From Harbor Freight Tools For Schools
October 5, 2022
Jason Blackwell, a high school industrial maintenance teacher at Escambia Career Readiness Center in Brewton, Alabama, has been named a grand prize winner of the 2022 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, winning $30,000 for himself and $70,000 for his program.
“It means a lo not only to me to but to my school and my community,” he said. “Sometimes we don’t have a lot of home around here, and this is going to bring a whole lot of home and dreams to fruition.
It’s a great feeling to see one of our teachers from the Escambia County Public Schools, get this award,” said Escambia County (AL) School Superintendent Michele McClung. “And we’re very appreciative of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools for seeking out those outstanding teachers and especially in a non-traditional school setting to come to a career readiness center and award a career technical education teacher for their excellence and teaching is outstanding.”
His experience in the skilled trades began when his father, a tradesman, told him, “if you listen to me, I’ll teach you everything I know.” Blackwell did just that, learning and following in his father’s footsteps. But in 2012, Blackwell was in a wreck that changed his life – he could no longer do much of his trade work that required intense physical labor. However, he was soon approached with an opportunity to teach, and he decided he wanted to share with others the knowledge his father had shared with him. With 20 years of experience and certifications across multiple trades, Blackwell has taught several different courses in his nine years in the classroom – all with the same goal to empower and support his students.
Blackwell encourages his students to take ownership of their learning and work collaboratively to solve problems. First-year students partner with more experienced students, and all take on leadership roles throughout the year. There are group competitions within their student-run company, and Blackwell teaches financial and project management, with students in charge of estimating costs, procuring materials, planning the schedule, and performing and evaluating the work.
Blackwell also works to ensure his students have opportunities beyond his program. He partners with community colleges to provide pathways for dual enrollment and last year established a career route into a nationally-recognized, certified apprenticeship program in industrial maintenance. His class also helped create the first competency-based apprenticeship for commercial drivers in Alabama. His program is an example throughout the state, with a 100%pass rate for the class and an 80% pass rate for National Center for Construction Education and Research and Manufacturing Skill Standards Council certifications. His students also have a 70% completion rate from 2-year college. His classes won the SkillsUSA Chapter of Distinction Gold and Silver in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Beyond teaching them technical skills, Blackwell strives to support his students in all their endeavors. In his rural area, many students come from challenging backgrounds. Blackwell attends their sports games and takes them to meet industry partners for breakfast. He connects with each student individually and mentors them across all aspects of life. In Blackwell’s program, they have an opportunity to complete school improvement projects and participate in various community service events after school and on the weekends. He and his students work together to make a positive impact in and out of the classroom.
Blackwell has a bachelor’s degree in Career and Technical Education from Athens State and is currently pursuing a master’s in Education from the University of Alabama. He won the SkillsUSA Alabama High School Advisor of the Year in 2020 and 2021.
Photos courtesy Harbor Freight Tools for Schools for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dozens Receive License, Registration Services In Century On ‘FLOW’ Bus
October 5, 2022
Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office was back in Century on Tuesday.
According to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford, the FLOW unit served 28 customers, including eight with driver’s license transactions and 15 with registration transactions.
The event was a partnership between Lunsford and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse on North Century Boulevard.
The FLOW office in Century on Tuesday was a smaller bus than residents have normally seen; the usual bus was in Fort Myers helping with Hurricane Ian recovery, Lunsford remarked.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.