For The 11th Year, Navy Federal Recognized As Fortune 100 Best Company To Work For
May 10, 2022
For the 11th straight year, Navy Federal Credit Union has been named one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For by Great Place to Work and Fortune, remaining the only credit union to be recognized on this annual list. With over 8,000 employees at its Greater Pensacola Operations, Navy Federal also remains the largest private sector employer in Northwest Florida.
“Our team members are what make up Navy Federal’s award-winning culture,” said Kara Cardona, executive vice president of Greater Pensacola & Contact Center Operations at Navy Federal Credit Union. “Whether it’s guiding a member on the frontline or executing on big ideas that improve our employee experience, they always fulfill the mission and so it’s only right we take care of them with that same commitment.”
Rankings are based on company data and confidential employee feedback from surveys that assess how well the company is creating a great employee experience that cuts across race, gender, age, disability status, or any aspect of who employees are or what their role is.
Navy Federal was No. 76 on the list. Fortune also noted that:
- 96% of employees consider the employee benefits offered to be special and unique.
- 95% of Navy Federal employees are proud to tell others where they work.
- 94% of employees feel good about the ways Navy Federal contributes to the community.
- 91% of employees feel treated as an equal employee, regardless of position level.
“We’re proud of our team and their dedication to outstanding service,” said Britton Bloch, vice president of talent acquisition strategy and recruiting of Navy Federal. “We believe when employees feel valued and taken care of well, they experience more joy at work and are highly engaged in serving our members and our mission.”
In addition to the Fortune 100 selection, Navy Federal is regularly recognized for its quality work environment that allows employees to develop professionally through various offered trainings while prioritizing our members and our mission. The credit union ranked #7 among large organizations on IDG’s Insider Pro and Computerworld 2021 Best Plac
2022 Escambia County Disaster Guide Now Available For Download
May 10, 2022
The 2022 Escambia County Disaster Guide is now available for digital download and will soon be available in print.
The guide includes need-to-know local information on hurricanes and other hazards including flooding, tornadoes, extreme temperatures, fires, terrorism, pandemics, earthquakes, nuclear explosions and more.
To download the guide (pdf, 54 MB), click or tap here.
Century Courthouse Getting New Roof, Repairs For $311,710
May 10, 2022
The Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse is getting a new roof and repairs.
The Escambia County Commission recently approved a $311,710 contract with Centennial Roofing for the project. There was one other vendor submittal for the project from E. Cornell Malone Corporation, but the company did not submit required documentation at the time the bids were received, according to the county.
The base bid of $231,420 will remove the existing built-up roof and replace it with a new TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin membrane) roof, as well as make minor interior repairs. Another $35,290 will replace the fascia metal and gutters around the building, and another $45,000 will repair a sagging beam between the two outer columns on a porch.
The building houses offices for the Escambia County Clerk of the Court, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and a small courtroom.
The structure at 7500 North Century Boulevard is concrete masonry and brick veneer. It will built in 1976 and was renovated and expanded in 1997. The original structure is 2,750 square feet with the expansion adding an additional 2,120 square feet plus attached carport, for a total roof area of approximately 6,910 square feet.
Pictured: The Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Acetylene Tank Catches Fire In Construction Area At Tate High School
May 9, 2022
Firefighters responded to Tate High School Monday afternoon for a reported acetylene tank fire.
The tank for an acetylene torch caught fire in the construction zone for the new Agriscience Building in front of the Fryman Gym.
“Since we cannot turn off the tank (due) to the burned-off valve, we’re waiting for the fire to burn out,” Escambia County Fire Rescue spokesperson Davis Wood said just after 3 p.m. “We have two units and a battalion chief standing by monitoring the situation.”
The fire was reported to be extinguished just before 4 p.m.
There were no structures threatened and no injuries reported. Everyone was evacuated from the immediate area.
Common construction uses for an acetylene torch include heating, cutting and welding.
Pictured: An acetylene tank fire Monday afternoon at Tate High School. Firefighters were unable to turn off the tank because the valve burned off before they were called. But they were able to remove a second tank (pictured below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Teens Charged After Vehicle Stolen During Armed Robbery Is Wrecked In Cantonment Yard
May 9, 2022
Two teens have been arrested for an armed robbery Saturday afternoon in Brownsville that ended with the car wrecked in the front yard of a home on Highway 297A in Cantonment.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1200 block of Z Street about 2:10 p.m. after a woman reported she was being robbed in front of her home at gunpoint.
Investigators said surveillance video from outside the home showed the incident as Zacharias Jackson-Holley and Shawn Albert, both aged 17, took the victim’s wallet and phone while displaying what appeared to be an “AR-style” rifle . The suspects then took her 2020 Dodge Charger out of her driveway.
The ECSO later received reports of the Dodge Charger being driven recklessly in the area of Pine Forest Road and Highway 297A.
Responding deputies arrived shortly after the stolen vehicle hit a tree and flipped into the yard of a home on Highway 297A and Sandicrest Lane, near the Heritage Baptist Church. Southard said deputies had not pursued the vehicle prior to the crash.
Albert was found lying next to the upside-down stolen Dodge Charger, according to deputies, and the gun was also found. It was determined to be a BB gun.
For more photos, click or tap here.
The suspects were taken into custody and then transported to area hospitals for their injuries.
Jackson-Holley, who was previously adjudicated as an adult was charged with armed carjacking and criminal mischief. Albert was charged with sudden snatching, armed carjacking and criminal mischief. The sheriff’s office is recommending Albert to be tried as an adult.
Jackson-Holley (pictured) remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday afternoon with bond set at $105,000. Information on Albert’s status was not available.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the vehicle crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Investigators Charge Two After Disabled Elderly Man’s IRS Check Is Stolen
May 9, 2022
State investigators have charged two women after the theft of a local disabled elderly man’s $5,142.19 check from the IRS.
Kayla Shyanne Macks, age 33 of Walnut Hill, was charged with felony exploitation of an elderly adult, uttering a forged instrument and grand theft. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,500 bond.
Kayla Ann Otto, age 18 of Century, was charged with uttering a forged instrument. She was released from the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
The victim told a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) investigator that he was hospitalized and on a ventilator due to COVID-19 when the check arrived. He said he was dependent on the check and had no other income while hospitalized.
FDACS said Macks stole the check, and Otto deposited it into her credit union in Pace.
The relationship between Macks, Otto and the victim was not evident from a highly redacted arrest report.
Pictured: Kayla Shyanne Macks (left) and Kayla Ann Otto (right).
Expect Lanes Closures Tuesday On Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge
May 9, 2022
Drivers can expect possible delays on the Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge between Century and Jay on Tuesday.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, motorists will encounter intermittent east and westbound inside lane closures from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
Pictured: The eastbound approach from Century to the Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Over 400 Escambia Students Take Part In ‘Battle Of The Books’ (With List Of Winners)
May 9, 2022
Over 400 students on 83 teams from 36 schools took part in a virtual Escambia County Battle of the Books competition recently.
Participating students read up to 15 titles from this competition year’s Sunshine State Young Readers book lists. Teams met before, after, and during school with their coaches to discuss the books’ themes, characters, settings, and main events. The competition included four rounds of ten questions each, culminating with a final Lightning Round to break ties for first, second or third place.
Third Grade
- 1st Place: Beulah Elementary, Team A. Coach: Dana Sharp. Students: London Farrior, Emma Nguyen, Olivia Nunn, Luke Wiggins, and Ally Wilson
- 2nd Place: A. K. Suter Elementary. Coach: Paula Stillman. Students: Tenley Brannen, Chance Evans, Rowen Gosse, Emory Henry, and Ella Hill.
- 3rd Place: Pleasant Grove Elementary. Coaches: Kristi Suarez, Kaylin Roy, Dyana Blackmon, and Juliel Simons. Students: Maycee Forbes, Sadie Sharaway, and McKenna Shedd.
Fourth Grade
- 1st Place: Bratt Elementary, Team A. Coaches: Shonna Gilmore, Sherri Carter, and Mandi Carter. Students: Zoe Jantz, Rylan Johnson, Brennan Keenan, Brylynn McGhee, and Dillan Stuart.
- 2nd Place: Cordova Park Elementary, Team A. Coaches: Darcy Morgan-Roy and Mary McDaniels. Students: Ava Florence, Quinn McKern, Corinne Saenz, Berkeley Shumpert, and Lauren Tarnosky.
- 3rd Place: Ferry Pass Elementary. Coach: Heather Horn. Students: Elizabeth Castleberry, Jaedyn Hill, Joslin Lee Wilson, and Jacob Sepe.
Fifth Grade
- 1st Place: Cordova Park Elementary, Team B. Coach: Julie Glucroft. Students: Caroline Broussard, Max Harrison, Miral Shaheen, and Aaliyah Smith.
- 2nd Place: Cordova Park Elementary, Team A. Coach: Julie Glucroft. Students: Mason Barrow, Sophia Callaway, Olivia King, and Myles Wilson.
- 3rd Place: McArthur Elementary. Coach: Jennifer Beal. Students: Adyssen King, Hadley Krantz, Christopher Peralta, Kemar Wilkie, and Aubi Wilkins.
Middle School – 6th-8th Grades
- 1st Place: Bellview Middle, Team 3. Coaches: Leigh Shannon and Michelle Lingo. Students: Jacob Glass, Olivia Moore, and Melody Nguyen.
- 2nd Place: Beulah Middle, Team 1. Coach: Hazel McCormack. Students: Colin Duarte, Tamia Smith, Cheyenne Taft, and David Thompson.
- 3rd Place: Bellview Middle, Team 1. Coaches: Leigh Shannon and Michelle Lingo. Students: Isabella Le, Milan Nguyen, and Deriona Ross.
High School – 9th-12th Grades
- 1st Place: Booker T. Washington High. Coach: Patricia Ervin. Students: Amiya Boyd, Anwyn Butler, Tychianna Coleman, Skyler Dellisanti, and Carmen Mayorga.
- 2nd Place: Pine Forest High. Coach: Lori Miller. Students: Lucian Brown, Cricket (Elizabeth) Kurland, Gianna Penaloza-Jones, and Casey Wooten
Pictured: Battle of the Books teams from Beulah, Bratt, Byrneville and Jim Allen elementary schools. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Students Create Winning EREC Meeting Posters
May 9, 2022
Fifth graders at Byrneville Elementary School took part in a poster contest to promote Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s Annual Meeting.
The winning students received a cash award, and their posters were displayed at the meeting.
Pictured above (L-R) are first place winner Ethan Carter, second place winners Jacob Bolen and Dylen McCaw, a poster by third place winner Oliva Levins (not pictured) and EREC CEO Ryan Campbell. Pictured below: Carter’s winning poster. Photo (above) for, and photo (below) by NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Rebound
May 9, 2022
Florida gas prices rebounded over the weekend, returning to the highest price in over a month.
Sunday’s state average was $4.20 per gallon, an increase of two cents from a week ago.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $4.11, putting Pensacola at the lowest metro price average in the state.
The lowest price to be found Sunday night in North Escambia was $3.99 at three stations in Cantonment. In Pensacola, prices were as low as $3.95.
“There were some noteworthy gains in both oil and gasoline futures last week, which could result in additional gains in prices at the pump this week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Oil prices rose last week after the European Union announced plans to phase out their use of Russian oil by the end of the year. And yet, the oil price gains paled in comparison to what happened with gasoline. Gasoline futures soared to a new record high last week. The increase is blamed on a combination of steady weekly declines in gasoline supplies, and expectations that summer fuel demand will far outpace what we saw last year.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.