Grace Fellowship Offering Upward Sports Flag Football And Cheerleading Program
January 18, 2022
Grace Fellowship in Atmore will be hosting an Upward Sports flag football and cheerleading league, and an early bird registration rate is available through this week.
This spring, they will offer flag football and cheerleading for grades K-6. Practices will be held on Thursday afternoons and evenings from March 24-May 12, and games will be played on Saturday mornings April 9-May 14.
“This is not in competition with anyone else but simply an alternative to allow kids to have something to do that isn’t revolving around a screen,” said Youth Pastor Jonathan McMath from Grace Fellowship. “Our hope is that through this program kids can break down barriers and build up relationships with one another while also learning basic skills in sports.”
The early bird registration cost is $89 until January 22, then increasing to $99. The deadline to register is February 5. The cost includes uniforms and other necessities.
To register, click or tap here. For more information, call (251) 368-4463.
Man Revived With Narcan, Charged With DUI And Child Neglect After Highway 29 Crash
January 17, 2022
A Pensacola man was charged with several felony offenses after a trooper used Narcan to revive him after a traffic crash on Highway 29 atKingsfield Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol charged 39-year old William Hawthorne with driving under the influence with property damage, child neglect, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
A trooper arrived at a wreck about 11 a.m. Saturday to find Hawthorne to be unconscious behind the wheel, turning blue in the back and with agonal breath, FHP said. The trooper administered Narcan, with Hawthorne responding quickly, regaining consciousness.
A 6-year old girl was in the vehicle with Hawthorne at the time of the crash, according to a crash report.
FHP said a white Ford pickup was stopped southbound on Highway 29 at Kingsfield, waiting for a green light. Hawthorne was traveling south on Highway 29 and collided with the trailer hitch on the pickup, troopers said.
The driver of the pickup, a 77-year old Pensacola man, was not injuried.
Escambia Commission Considers Search Firm To Find Next Permanent County Administrator
January 17, 2022
The Escambia County Commission in is expected to move forward this week with hiring a search firm to find the county’s next administrator.
After the commission terminated Janice Gilley from the position in June 2021, deputy administrator Wes Moreno was named interim and had remained in the position. Commissioners decided in July 2021 not to hurry in finding a permanent replacement.
The county has now advertised for a search firm to assist with the recruitment of a permanent county administrator, and five proposals were received. One of those proposals was tossed because it was addressed to a county other than Escambia.
A committee reviewed the remaining four proposals and recommended Gov HR USA to be the most responsive.
On Tuesday, the commission will vote on their $22,500 proposal, along with an extra $10,000 for the search firm, consultant travel, additional advertisements and other related costs.
The Illinois company, according to their proposal, has conducted over 250 top manager level recruitments such as county administrators and city managers. The firm offered a timeline recommendation that has a new Escambia County administrator named within 14 weeks.
If Escambia County hires the GovHR recommended candidate and that person leaves within the first 12 months, Gov HR will conduct another recruitment at cost.
EREC Crews Help Restore Power After Carolinas Winter Storm
January 17, 2022
Crews from Escambia River Electric Cooperative headed to the snowy Carolinas over the weekend to help restore power following a winter storm.
With up to about 5-inches of snow of the ground Sunday, they worked to restore power to Broad River Electric Cooperative members. On Monday, they were set to assist members of Newberry Electric Cooperative in Newberry, South Carolina.
Photos courtesy EREC for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Murderer Accused Of Assaulting Multiple Century Correctional Officers
January 17, 2022
An inmate at Century Correctional Institution has been accused of assaulting corrections officers during two different incident.
According to the Florida Department of Corrections, inmate Kunta Porter assaulted officers by striking them in the face. About a month later, FDC says Porter assaulted an officer by throwing a book which struck them in the face, and he also spat on them.
In both incidents, the FDC said staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued.
Porter, 44, is serving six life sentences for murder, robbery and kidnapping in a Pinellas County case.
This Was Our Favorite Florida Sunday Snow Picture
January 17, 2022
Lots of readers shared snow pictures with NorthEscambia.com on Sunday, but this was our favorite.
In the photo, the chilly early skies are blue after a passing snow shower left a white dusting in the pines and the ground at a barn west of Walnut Hill. Much of northern half of Escambia County had snow Sunday morning, but this was one of the few areas where there was any accumulation on the ground.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Developer Seeks Zoning Change For 376 Acres In Molino For Residential ‘Estates’
January 16, 2022
A developer is proposing a large scale zoning change for 376 acres in Molino for the potential development of residential “estates”.
The acreage, all currently wooded and undeveloped, is on five parcels along or near either Gibson Road or Crabtree Church Road in Molino. The parcels are owned by Thomas Henry of Thomas Homes in Cantonment.
“The current growth in the area suggests that an additional area of low-density residential development would be in the general direction of development of the surroundings,” the application states. “The infrastructure is in place to support such a pattern of development. The approval of the proposed future land use will expand the residential area and will provide necessary dwellings to accommodate the future projected population.”
The current agricultural zoning on the property is agriculture, which allows for a maximum residential density of one dwelling unit on each 20 acres. Henry is proposing a future land use change to agricultural residential, which would allow a maximum of one residence per four acres.
The application states that site design is ongoing, but Henry envisions a “sprawling rural residential development comprised of large multi-acre single-family detached estates”. Application documents state there is sufficient infrastructure in place, including road capacity and utilities, to support the residences.
Some of the property is wetlands, which may limit development. Documents state that a majority of the property is not “prime soil” for agriculture, as defined by the USDA.
Before any future development, site plan reviews will be required for all proposals to ensure compatibility with the surrounding area.
The Escambia County Planning Board will hold a hearing on the zoning and future land use changes on Tuesday, February 1 at the Escambia County Central Office Complex at 3363 West Park Street.
Pictured top: Zoning changes are being proposed for the parcels in red. Pictured below: Public notice signs. NorthEscambia.com graphic/photo. Click to enlarge.
Fire Burns Inside ECUA Recycling Center; Facility Not Damaged
January 16, 2022
Fire burned inside ECUA’s recycling facility at the Perdido Landfill Saturday night, but it won’t impact recycling operations.
Smoke was reported from the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) about 7:25 p.m. Escambia Fire Rescue discovered the fire in a roll off compactor located at the end of the processing line inside the facility. The compactor was partially extinguished and moved outside the 53,000 square foot facility before the fire was out.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and there were no injuries.
“There was no damage to the facility and no impact to recycling collections. All remain on their normal schedule,” Nathalie Bowers, ECUA public information officer, said.
In July 2021, the ECUA recycling facility was damaged by fire and water, requiring significant cleanup and repairs. For about three months, the facility remained closed. During the downtime, ECUA collected residential recycling materials, but most everything was sent to the landfill.
Pictured: A compactor smokes after being moved outside the ECUA Materials Recycling Facility Saturday night at the Perdido Landfill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Trahan And Repine Compete In All America Classic In Orlando
January 16, 2022
Tate High School seniors Noah Trahan and Zane Repine played in the 2022 All America Classic game Saturday in Orlando.
The annual game, played at Camping World Stadium, showcases top high school players from across the county to college scouts while honoring those that have served in the armed forces or as first responders.
Trahan and Repine were members of the American team, which defeated the National team 28-27.
Pictured: Tate High School’s Zane Repine #52 and Noa Trahan #55 took part in the All America Classic game Saturday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Family Says Missing, Endangered Man Has Been Found Alive
January 16, 2022
UPDATE: Family members tell NorthEscambia.com that a missing, endangered man last see over a week ago was found alive Sunday morning.
Further details are not yet known.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 48-year Damon Douglas Gill is considered missing and endangered. He was last seen leaving the 7800 block of Lakeside Oaks Drive (near Beulah Road) on Friday, January 7.
His vehicle, a black 2021 Toyota Highlander, was later recovered on Northpointe Boulevard, but there was no sign off Gill.
Family members had planned a community search for 9 a.m. Sunday, but instead are rejoicing that he was located.