Update: Boil Water Notice Lifted For Farm Hill Utilities In Cantonment
February 14, 2022
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED MONDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 14.
Farm Hill Utilities has issued a boil water notice from all customers from the intersection of South Highway 97 and West Kingsfield Road south to Highway 297 and all side roads.
The precautionary boil water notice is due to a water main break in the area.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
Cantonment Rotary Club Presents Culinary Scholarships
February 14, 2022
The Cantonment Rotary Club recently presented culinary endowed scholarships to two students at Pensacola State College.
The scholarships were awarded to Luther E. Scott III and Abbigail Kellogg.
These were just two of the 15-20 scholarships provided to PSC students each year by the Cantonment Rotary Club.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Cheerleaders Compete At Nationals; JV Squad Takes Sixth In The Nation
February 14, 2022
The Tate junior varsity squad placed sixth in the nation in the JV Non-Tumbling Game Day division.
The state champion Tate varsity cheerleaders competed four times over the weekend in the Traditional Small Varsity D1 Division, and they finished 13 out of 108 teams from across the United States.
Pictured: The junior varsity (above) and varsity (below) Tate High School cheerleaders at national competition. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Overturns Multiple Times Into Tate High School Parking Lot
February 13, 2022
A vehicle flipped multiple times into a parking lot at Tate High School Sunday morning.
The adult male was apparently westbound on Tate School Road when he failed to turn onto Tate Road and crashed through a fence.
The driver was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries not considered to be life threatening.
Officials said he was not a student at the school. However, there were students on campus shortly after the incident for scheduled ACT testing.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
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NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Ordinance Would Require County Employees To Quit Before Running For County Commission
February 13, 2022
Escambia County is moving toward an ordinance that would require county employees to resign before running for the county commission.
The commission backed away from previous discussion of an ordinance that would require a resignation to run for any political office and settled on just candidates for the five commission seats.
“It would seem like the real potential negative effect is when it is our seats,” Commissioner Steven Barry said in a recent meeting.
“You can do whatever you want, you have free speech. You can say whatever you want, but there’s consequences,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said. “If you are really that passionate about it, quit and run.”
Bergosh has stated that he was not responsible for bringing a potential resign to run ordinance up for discussion. Two years ago, Johnathon Owens, who was an aide to District 2 Commissioner Doug Underhill, ran against incumbent Bergosh for the District 1 seat. Bergosh won with 38.71% of the vote. Owens finished third in the primary with 22.48% behind Jesse Casey with 31.01%
The commission voted 3-1 to schedule a public hearing on a resign to run for commission ordinance. Underhill cast the dissenting vote, while Commissioner Lumon May was off the dais and did note vote.
“The seats of power are equally open to the very rich and powerful, as well as the commoner,” Underhill said. “Anything that limits or in some way curtails who runs for public office is not in my opinion in the best interest of the citizens.
The ordinance, if approved, would apply to employees of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, but not the commissioners themselves as they don’t work for the BOCC.
Ernest Ward Middle Gym Getting An Updated Look
February 13, 2022
The gymnasium at Ernest Ward Middle School is getting an updated look.
The gym is being painted gray with a blue trim on the outside. The inside is also being painted, and there will be new lockers and a coat of paint in the locker rooms.
The 19,000 square foot EWMS gym has been blue since it opened in 1978. New paint was discussed during the construction of the new school building, which opened in February 2015, but the gym was never painted.
And stay tuned…if all goes as planned, there will be another aesthetic improvement coming to the front of the 44-year old building this summer.
Pictured above below: The Ernest Ward Middle School gymnasium, as seen on Saturday, is being painted. Pictured bottom: The building has been blue since it opened in 1978. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
February 13, 2022
Byrneville Elementary School has named their Students of the Month for January. They are:
- Kindergarten: Samuel Mino and Cason Fowler
- 1st Grade: Braxton Wilson and Khloie Garrett
- 2nd Grade: Adri’Yanna Elliott and Tatum Godwin
- 3rd Grade: Charley Cooley and Duece Simmons
- 4th Grade: Taylin Boyington and Madison Brazwell
- 5th Grade: Ta’Kayvia Jackson and Gabriella Moretz
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Agriscience Students Address Escambia School Board During CTE Month
February 13, 2022
During February, Escambia County is celebrating Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month.
The school board adopted a resolution declaring February as CTE Month, opening the door for a month-long spotlight on District CTE programs, students, and teachers.
Students from the Tate High School Agriscience Academy shared some of the great things happening in their program last week with the Escambia County School Board during a special workshop.
“Ag has been and integral part of Tate High School, ever since there was a Tate High School,” District 5 member Bill Slayton said.
ECSD CTE programs are responsible for preparing individuals for occupations important to the county’s economic development. Additionally, CTE programs prepare students who are looking to enter the workforce with career exploration, employability skills and work experiences.
CTE programs introduce students to real-life skills like resume writing, interviewing, public speaking and working collaboratively. They also offer hands-on activities through immersive environments in the classroom. Students learn by doing.
“This designation is meant to highlight the incredible contributions that Career and Technical Education makes to the lives of our students,” said ECSD Director of Workforce Education Steven Harrell. “The efforts of all CTE teachers ensure that competitive and skilled workers are ready, willing, and capable of performing in high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand career fields.”
Across the District last year, ECSD students at the secondary and postsecondary levels earned over 6,000 industry certifications. Each of these certifications represents an employment skill set imparted to a student.
Pictured above: (L-R) Tate High School Agricultural Educator and FFA Advisor Austin Courson, students Dawson Guy, Jaxson Stafford, Sarah Alexander and Darby Phillips address the Escambia County School Board. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Damages Large Metal Building In Walnut Hill
February 13, 2022
Fire damaged a large metal building in Walnut Hill Saturday afternoon.
The fire on Smith Lane, just west of Kansas Road, was reported about 2:30 p.m. Smoke from the 2,100 square foot building was visible for miles.
Firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire under control. There were no injuries reported.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire. Other nearby structures and a residence were not damaged.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid, Century and Molino stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department, Atmore Fire Department and Pace Fire Rescue were initially dispatched to the fire. Several of those units were canceled before arrival.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Aggravated Stalking, Trespassing
February 12, 2022
A Cantonment man is facing multiple charges after allegedly following a man that had a protection order against him.
Allen Parker Jefferson, 32, was charged with aggravated stalking, violation of a protection order, driving with a suspended license second or subsequent offense, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage and trespassing after warning.
The victim has a protection order against Jefferson. The victim was eastbound on Creighton Road when he noticed Jefferson following him, according to an arrest report. The victim’s vehicle and Jefferson’s pickup truck collided, the report states, before driving away. The victim turned into Walmart to make contact with the Pensacola Police Department officer with Jefferson following close behind.
A Pensacola Police officer was working extra duty at the Walmart on Creighton Road and observed Jefferson drive away.
A video provided by the victim allegedly showed Jefferson exiting his vehicle and approaching the victim as he remained seated in his vehicle.
Jefferson has previously been trespass warned from the Walmart property.
Jefferson was released on an $8,000 bond.