Escambia County Names Travis Tompkins As New Emergency Manager
May 20, 2022
Travis Tompkins has been named the Escambia County emergency manager.
Tompkins has served with Escambia County Emergency Management since 2017. Throughout his time with the county, he has served as the Situational Awareness Unit leader during Hurricane Michael, the emergency management coordinator during Hurricane Sally, and was responsible for the emergency management response to the distribution of COVID-19.
“I am pleased to introduce Travis Tompkins as Escambia County’s next emergency manager,” said Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. “Travis and our emergency management team have worked hard together throughout several hurricanes and during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am confident in Travis’ abilities to lead this team and look forward to working with him in his new role.”
Before joining Escambia County, Tompkins served in the U.S. Army as a combat medic non-commissioned officer. He also spent over 20 years in the private sector serving in multiple roles for a Fortune 500 company.
“I am honored and humbled to be your new emergency manager,” said Tompkins. “I am a person of faith, and Christians are given two great commandments: love God and love your neighbor. To me, there is no better way to love my neighbor than to serve them and to help all our citizens be prepared for any hazard that affects our community.”
Tompkins is also an active advocate for the homeless community, serving in two non-profit organizations and as a volunteer chaplain for the Florida Department of Children and Families. Tompkins has been married to his wife Jennifer for 29 years, and has two children and one granddaughter.
Dirt Sharks Youth Mountain Bike Club Wrap Up Successful Season (With Gallery)
May 20, 2022
The Gulf Coast Composite Mountain Bike Club, The Dirt Sharks, have wrapped up a successful season.
The Dirt Sharks finished seventh overall at the Alabama State Championship in Anniston out of 23 Division 2 teams.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Dirt Sharks are part of the Alabama Interscholastic Cycling League, which is composed of 34 teams and over 700 student athletes from across Alabama, Southern Mississippi, and the Florida panhandle.
During the season, Ransom Middle School student Eli Forehand won the 8th Grade Boys State Championship; he was the point leader for four out of five races during the season.
Three area athletes were awarded coveted spots in the league’s Varsity category.
Sophomores Avery Strother, Kayla Liles, and Landon Forehand competed against the very best in the league throughout the season. These riders finished the season with top 10 rankings. Avery and Kayla finished ninth and tenth in varsity girls, while Landon finished tenth in varsity boys.
Ransom Middle’s Branden Ruiz finished ninth in the sixth grade boys division.
The 2022 Dirt Sharks consisted of 21 student athletes from grades 6-11 along with the support of 10 coaches. Organizers said the Dirt Sharks culture is one of family centered fun that consists of camping, team dinners, and organized rides for everyone. No cycling experience is required, and racing is not an expectation to join. The certified coaching leadership will teach the fundamental biking skills to the athletes and coaches. Parents are highly encouraged to participate, either as coaches or as volunteers.
For more information, contact club director Brett Liles at gulfcoastcomposite@gmail.com.
Byrneville Elementary To Hold Kindergarten Parent Orientation On Monday
May 20, 2022
Byrneville Elementary School will hold a kindergarten parent orientation meeting on Monday.
Parents can join Byrneville teachers for an informational session explaining what to expect from kindergarten next school year. Tips will also be presented on things to do to help a child be prepared to exceed.
The meeting will take place at 5-6 p.m. Monday at Byrneville Elementary, 1600 Byrneville Road.
Pictured: Byrneville Elementary School 2022 Teacher of the Year Ashley Slade with her kindergarten class. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
May 20, 2022
Jim Allen Elementary School recently named Students of the Month. They are Paisley Black and Jaxon Southern. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NAS Pensacola To Allow Public Access For One Day On June 4
May 19, 2022
After months of planning and coordination, Naval Air Station Pensacola will allow a one-day public access to the installation on Saturday, June 4.
This one-time access was selected for June 4 to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Midway, a pivotal battle of World War II that occurred from June 4 – 7, 1942.
Public access to NAS Pensacola on June 4 will be available from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. through the West Gate only on Blue Angel Parkway. All guests 18 and older must have a valid picture ID such as driver’s license or passport. Access will be available dependent on available parking at the museum and lighthouse. Once parking is full, public access will be halted until more parking becomes available. Temporary traffic control points will be located on base to prevent public access to other areas of the installation.
While on the installation, the public will be able to visit the Pensacola Lighthouse and the National Naval Aviation Museum. Fort Barrancas will not be accessible to the public. Access to Barrancas National Cemetery is always available to anyone with family in the cemetery through the Visitor Control Center at the main gate.
The following restrictions will apply:
- No weapons (firearms/knives) allowed (to include concealed weapon permit holders)
- No backpacks/coolers allowed (diaper bags or medically required bags are acceptable and subject to search)
- No alcoholic beverages allowed
- No drones allowed (countermeasures will be taken)
- Persons with felony convictions are not authorized base access
- All vehicles and visitors are subject to security searches and background checks
NAS Pensacola has been closed to the public since a terrorist attack on December 6, 2019.
Music Suite At Ransom Middle Named For Late Band Director Janie Newbold Walker
May 19, 2022
The music suite at Ransom Middle School has been named the “Janie Newbold Walker Music Suite”.
She was honored this week by the Escambia County School Board, with a board resolution accepted by her husband Chris Walker, son Andrew Walker and mother Kathy Newbold on behalf of her family.
Walker passed away in May 2021 at the age of 47 after complications from surgery.
Walker started her teaching career in the fall of 1997 when she became the band director at UMS Wright Preparatory School in Mobile. While living in Mobile, she played in the Mobile Pops Orchestra.
In the fall of 1999, Walker moved back to Pensacola and became the band director at Ransom Middle School. During her time at Ransom, her symphonic and jazz bands received consistent superior ratings at District Music Performance Assessments, and she had 18 students selected for participation in Florida all state bands. She also served as guest conductor for Middle School Honor Bands in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. She was selected as the Ransom Middle School Teacher of the Year for the 2020-2021 school year.
She was born March 26, 1974, in Pensacola and attended Cordova Park Elementary, Workman Middle School, and Washington High School. Walker and her family were active members of First Baptist Church in Pensacola where she was baptized and married and she served as a Children’s Camp Counselor. She also played the trumpet in the church orchestra.
Following graduation from high school in 1992 with honors, she attended the University of Alabama where she received a Bachelor of Music Education in 1997. While at Alabama she was a member of the Million Dollar Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Quota Brass Quintet and Mu Phi Epsilon. Walker and her future husband, Chris Walker, met at Alabama and they were both members of the Million Dollar Band.
Several of Walker’s former students are in teaching positions at middle school and high school band programs in the Florida Panhandle, and several former students are professional musicians.
Walker began her career with the Escambia County School District in 1999. She service in multiple capacities including Ransom Middle School band director and music department chair, lead middle school band director for the Escambia County Fine Arts Department, and guest conductor for middle school honor bands in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
She was posthumously awarded the Oliver Hobbs Award by the Florida Bandmasters Association. which recognizes FBA members who have consistently done an exceptional job year after year in the position of band director.
Escaped State Work Release Inmate Captured
May 19, 2022
A state work release inmate that escaped from custody May 4 in Escambia County was captured about 6 p.m. Wednesday in Santa Rosa County.
Anthony Ray Barnes was taken into custody on West Lake Road near Milton by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Violent Fugitive Task Force, Criminal Apprehension Team and Narcotics unit.
Barnes was observed fleeing a residence on West Lake Road as deputies were executing a warrant. K-9 units tracked Barnes and he was taken into custody without incident, according to Sgt. Rich Aloy, SRSO public information officer.
Barnes is facing additional charges of escape, property damage, and criminal mischief. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
Barnes has an extensive arrest record with multiple felony charges including battery, drug violations, and burglary. At the time of his escape, he was serving time for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and fleeing and eluding from Santa Rosa County.
On May 4, he was assigned to L30 Traffic Services to hold traffic signs in the area of Mobile Highway and Boulder Street..
He checked in with a Florida Department of Corrections correctional officer at 2:04 p.m. that day. Then at 6:37 p.m. it was discovered Barnes had removed his ankle monitor and left the state’s work-release program. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was asked to assist in the search for Barnes at 9 p.m.
Here’s The Schedule And Video Links For Escambia County Graduations
May 19, 2022
Graduations are scheduled for Friday through Thursday at the Pensacola Bay Center for Escambia County schools.
The schedule and live video links are below.
Friday, May 20
11 a.m. — Escambia Westgate
Tuesday, May 24
9 a.m. — District Extended
Wednesday, May 25
9 a.m. — Pine Forest High
12:15 p.m. — West Florida High
3:15 p.m. — Northview High
6:30 p.m. — Tate High
Thursday, May 26
9 a.m. — Pensacola High
12:15 p.m. — Escambia High
3:15 p.m. — Escambia Virtual, Success Academy, and George Stone
6:30 p.m. — Washington High
Reimagine Event Is Saturday With Free Food, Free Clothes, Free Lunch And Much More
May 19, 2022
An outreach will be held Saturday in Bellview to help those in need.
Reimagine Belview will be held from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Bellview Middle School. There will be free food, free lunch, free diapers, free clothing, bounce houses, free bike giveaways, free haircuts, free laundry detergent, fishing lessons and more.
Bellview Middle School is located at 6201 Mobile Highway.
Pictured: Reimage Cantonment last October at Carver Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fallen Escambia County Deputies Honored (With Gallery)
May 19, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held the annual memorial ceremony Wednesday to honor deputies killed in the line of duty.
The families and friends of those who were remembered gathered to place a rose on the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office memorial.
New K-9’s are now named for fallen officers.
Those honored were:
- Sheriff A. Cary Ellis – January 1, 1923
- Constable Mallory Williams – May 4, 1941
- DS Joseph Elmer Whitworth – April 22, 1954
- Constable WM. “Clint” Rigby – September 4, 1955
- Patrolman Roland Davis, Sr. – September 24, 1955
- DS Len B. Adams – June 16, 1958
- DS Joseph Mallory Gassman – January 30, 1966
- DS Charles Leroy Wilkerson – January 19, 1974
- DS Morley “Buddy” Ray – April 7, 1978
- DS Floyd “Doug” Heist – May 3, 1980
- CPL. Eric Byron Streeter – March 11, 1984
- DS Donald Ray Cook – December 3, 1988
- DS Sgt. Dennis Mathis – July 27, 1989
- Sgt, Roosevelt Walker, Jr. – May 22, 1998
- Lt. George Hura, Jr. – May 4, 2004
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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