Celebrating A ‘Groovy’ National School Lunch Week (With Gallery)
October 14, 2022
Friday is the final day of National School Lunch Week celebrations in the Escambia County School District.
Students have enjoyed lunch specials that included “The Bomb Burgers”, “Flower Power Broccoli”, “Slammin’ Chicken”, “Tie Dye Smoothies” and “Peace Out Pineapple” during the “groovy” celebration.
For a photo gallery, click here for a look inside the school lunch programs at Bratt Elementary, Kingsfield Elementary, McArthur Elementary School, Molino Park Elementary, Ernest Ward Middle School, and Northview High School.
Daily school lunch menus are available online at ecsd-fl.nutrislice.com.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Charged After Running Into Traffic, Hitting Deputy In The Head
October 13, 2022
A Century man is accused of struggling against deputies, hitting one of the in the head, after he walked into traffic.
Arthur Walker, Jr., 51 was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence, both felonies.
The incident began when the Century Food Mart reported a retail theft and a responding deputy recognized Walker due to past encounters. The store did not wish to file charges, but did want him told not to return.
A deputy located Walker at North Century Boulevard and East Highway 4, wearing the same clothing as in the video. According to an arrest report, Walker was acting erratically and appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance as he was yelling at traffic and making a motion with his hips.
Walker ignored the deputy and walked into traffic on Century Boulevard, ignoring commands to leave the roadway. A deputy activated his emergency lights as Walker walked or ran in the middle of a lane toward oncoming traffic, the report states. When deputies attempted to take him into custody, he took a fighting stance, resisted and punched a deputy on the side of his face, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He also grabbed the deputy’s duty belt, firearm and taser, at which time he was taken to the ground. He continued to resist.
After being placed into handcuffs, Walker became unresponsive but was still breathing. Escambia County EMS responded and transported him to a local hospital.
Walker had a heavy smell of alcohol and had four knives on his person, deputies said.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $10,000.
Verizon Constructs New Tower On Highway 97 In Dogwood Park
October 13, 2022
A new Verizon Wireless tower has been constructed on Highway 97 in Dogwood Park, about halfway between Walnut Hill and Molino, according to county records.
The 139-foot tall monopole tower is located in the 3700 block of Highway 97. The tower and an 80 x 80 foot fenced area with raised and canopied platform for wireless equipment.
Verizon has not confirmed a target date for the tower to be completed and placed into service.
A similar Verizon project went before the Escambia County Development Review Committee back in 2015 but was never constructed. A new development application was filed and approved in 2020.
A development order was also issued for a Verizon tower on Wilma Road in June 2021, but to date there has been no sign of construction at that site.
Pictured: A new Verizon wireless tower on Highway 97 in Dogwood park. In the top photo, an AT&T tower can be seen in the background about one mile to the north. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Visit Century And Molino Libraries, Camp Fire For Fire Prevention Week
October 13, 2022
Escambia County Fire Rescue visited West Florida Public Libraries locations across the county and the Camp Fire daycare during Fire Prevention Week.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue visited the Molino Branch Library on Wednesday, and the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue visited the Century Branch Library on Wednesday and the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center on Tuesday.
Children enjoyed story time with a firefighter and had a chance to tour Molino’s Engine 18 and Century’s Engine 5.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to to enlarge.
Active Shooter Training Friday At Juvenile Justice Center
October 13, 2022
Active shooter training will take place on Friday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Theodore Bruno Juvenile Justice Center on Saint Mary Avenue (just south of the old jail).
The First Judicial Circuit, in conjunction with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, will conduct the event to evaluate how court leadership, agency staff, and law enforcement agencies respond to an active shooter scenario within the facility, and is part of a continuing effort to both ensure a safe forum for the resolution of legal disputes and protect employees and the public.
Perimeter streets will not be closed, but members of the public should be aware that traffic on the surrounding streets may be affected for the duration of the exercise. The public may conduct regular court business from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; however, the facility will be closed to the public at 11 a.m. Signs will be clearly posted to inform of any temporary road closures and additional important information.
The following agencies will participate:
First Judicial Circuit
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Escambia County Clerk of Court
Office of the Public Defender
Office of the State Attorney
Office of Criminal Conflict and Regional Counsel
Guardian ad Litem
Department of Children and Families Children’s Legal Services
Department of Juvenile Justice
Dynamic Security
Families First Network
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners Administration
Escambia County Fire, EMS, and Corrections
City of Pensacola Police Department, Fire, and EMS
Photo Gallery: Tate Dig Pink Volleyball
October 13, 2022
The Washington Wildcats defeated the Tate Aggies Tuesday night in a “Dig Pink” game to support the Side-Out Foundation and their metastatic breast cancer research.
Washington won 3-1 over Tate, 25-20, 19-25, 26-24, 25-19.
The Tate Aggies (11-13, 2-4) will round out the regular season at Escambia on Thursday, and Washington (14-7, 4-0) will be at Pace.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The Bible Is Latest Challenged Book In Escambia Schools; Superintendent Says It’s Educational And Allowed
October 12, 2022
The latest challenged book in Escambia County schools is the Bible, but district officials said that restrictions wwere lifted today without a formal review because the Bible is legally approved as educational material in Florida.
Late last month, we told you about a Northview High School teacher that called for the immediate removal of over 115 books from school libraries until they can be reviewed because she said they are inappropriate in schools, mostly due to sexual language and graphic drawings that she believes actually violate Florida’s obscenity laws.
The number of challenged books in the district stood at 128 as of Tuesday with the addition of the Bible after a request for reconsideration was filed by Sarah Holland. The form filed by Holland does not identify her further.
According to Holland in her written challenge, the Bible “promotes sexism, sex, violence, genocide, slavery, rape and beastilaity. Includes examples of eating childre. Causes Religious Trauma Syndrome.”
She said the purpose of the Bible is to “indoctrinate children in Christianity” and noted that she had read the Bible “throughout my life”.
“The Bible is allowed in schools and has a place in education according to Florida statutes,” Escambia County School Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith told NorthEscambia.com late Tuesday afternoon.
A Florida statute entitled “Permitting study of the Bible and religion; requiring a moment of silence” states in part “The district school board may install in the public schools in the district a secular program of education including, but not limited to, an objective study of the Bible and of religion.”
“The Escambia County Public Schools will not move forward with the reconsideration of the Bible as a library or instructional resource, and will immediately return all copies to the general collections in district libraries,” the district said Wednesday morning.
Bill Slayton, Escambia County School Board District 5 member, said on Tuesday, “The Bible is a textbook protected by state law. Please allow the staff to explore and find a good solution to this. It’s (the restriction is) going to be removed.”
An October 9 email obtained by NorthEscambia.com from district Coordinator of Media Services Michelle White instructed media specialists to place the status of the Bible and 10 other newly challenged titles to “restricted”. It also instructed teachers to place their classroom copies into their school library’s restricted area by the end of day on October 13.
On September 30, Smith announced the implementation of a “Restricted Section” in school libraries. Books in question will be housed in the section, and parents will be able to opt-in their students to have access to the restricted book as they are being reviewed.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Robbery, Battery Of Her Girlfriend
October 12, 2022
A Cantonment woman is facing robbery and battery charges for stealing keys and a remote control from her girlfriend.
Tangie Mae Celestine, 32, was charged with felony robbery and misdemeanor battery.
Celestine forcefully took a keychain that contained a car key, other miscellaneous keys and an Amazon Fire TV Stick remote, according to an arrest report. The victim was not injured, but she did break an acrylic fingernail during the struggle over the keychain, according to deputies.
The incident was captured on video at the Executive Inn on Pensacola Boulevard.
Celestine was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,500 bond.
Escambia Florida Deputies Conduct Active Shooter Training For Escambia Alabama Schools
October 12, 2022
The Escambia County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office conducted an active shooter training Tuesday for teachers and school staff in Escambia County in Alabama.
Escambia County (Alabama) Sheriff Heath Jackson said they “put on a training like no other”.
“I’m proud to say our teachers and school staff are top notch. Big thanks to Sheriff Chip Simmons for his support and for always being our partner in serving our communities,” Jackson said.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mosquito Borne Illness Alert Issued After Confirmed Santa Rosa West Nile Case
October 12, 2022
The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County has issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory.
“A human case of West Nile Virus has been confirmed and there is a heightened concern additional residents will become ill,” according to the health department.
DOH-Santa Rosa reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure.
To protect yourself from mosquitoes, the health department said toremember to “Drain and Cover”:
Drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.
- Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected.
- Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.
- Empty and clean birdbaths and pet’s water bowls at least once or twice a week.
- Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that do not accumulate water.
- Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
Cover skin with clothing or repellent.
- Clothing - Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long-sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
- Repellent - Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.
- Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, and IR3535 are effective.
- Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.
- Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.
Tips on Repellent Use
- Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before you apply a repellent. Some repellents are not suitable for children.
- Products with concentrations of up to 30 percent DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) are generally recommended. Other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved repellents contain picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or IR3535. These products are generally available at local pharmacies. Look for active ingredients to be listed on the product label.
- Apply insect repellent to exposed skin, or onto clothing, but not under clothing.
- In protecting children, read label instructions to be sure the repellent is age appropriate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under the age of three years. DEET is not recommended on children younger than two months old.
- Avoid applying repellents to the hands of children. Adults should apply repellent first to their own hands and then transfer it to the child’s skin and clothing.
- If additional protection is necessary, apply a permethrin repellent directly to your clothing. Again, always follow the manufacturer’s directions.