Driver’s License Clinic To Assist Participants In Restoring Driving Privileges
January 8, 2022
The First Judicial Circuit will host a Driver’s License Clinic on Friday, March 25 to assist individuals whose licenses have been revoked, suspended, or cancelled.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building. Due to COVID-19, it is possible that restricted access to the courthouse could resume and impact the clinic. If changes do occur, notification and instructions will be sent to all registered participants prior to the clinic.
Registration will begin on January 14 at 9 a.m., and is open to the first 150 registered participants. To register, go to https://escambiacountydriverslicenseclinic2022.eventbrite.com.
Participants should closely monitor the email address provided at registration, as email will be the primary form of communication between participants and the clinic staff. Additional information may also be requested by email. Failure to provide requested information may result in cancelled registration.
Individuals who registered for previous clinics and failed to appear will be placed on the waiting list until all eligible participants have had an opportunity to register. Walk-ins will not be able to participate.
Staff from the Florida Department of Revenue, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Escambia County Clerk of Court, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Office of the State Attorney, and the Office of the Public Defender, along with judges and court staff, will work together to assist registrants and provide individualized information relevant to each participant’s personal circumstances. The goal of the clinic is to provide “one-stop shopping” for citizens to interact with the appropriate state agencies and/or the court so they can determine how to regain their driving privileges. The clinic will not be able to assist individuals with licenses revoked, suspended, or cancelled due to out-of-state matters. Additionally, the clinic will not address pending criminal charges.
Driver’s licenses may be suspended for a variety of reasons, including failure to pay traffic tickets or child support, accumulation of too many points on one’s driving record, or designation as a habitual traffic offender. Licenses may also be revoked as a consequence of entering a plea to certain crimes, such as driving under the influence or certain drug-related offenses.
EREC Accepting Applications From High School Seniors For Annual Scholarships
January 8, 2022
Escambia River Electric Cooperative will award scholarships to graduating seniors in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties whose parent or guardian is a member of the cooperative. Two $4,000 scholarships – awarded in honor of former director Herman D. Johnson – will be offered. Students must show proof of enrollment and maintain a grade-point average of 2.5 to continue to receive the funds each year.
For scholarship applications, seniors should check with their high school guidance counselors; contact EREC’s Marketing and Communications (850) 675-4521 or (800) 235-3848; or go online at www.erec.com. The deadline to submit applications is March 1. Winners will be announced at EREC’s Annual Meeting on April 30.
In the past, capital credits issued by EREC that were unclaimed had to be turned over to the state. Legislation now allows such funds to be deposited into a qualified educational charity fund. The EREC membership voted to use these funds in the form of scholarships for graduating seniors in EREC’s service area.
“Delivering safe, reliable, and affordable power is our top priority, but we are also invested in our communities,” says Ryan Campbell, CEO of EREC. “For more than 24 years EREC has had the opportunity to provide these scholarships to deserving seniors in our local high schools.”
Pictured above: 2021 EREC scholarship winners Libby Pugh (left) from Northview High School and Andrea Moorer from Central High School. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Homicide Suspect Dies Days After Hanging Himself In The County Jail
January 7, 2022
The man accused of the homicide of an elderly Cantonment woman died Thursday night after hanging himself earlier this week in the Escambia County Jail.
Friday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the death of 24-year old Lukas Mackenzie Snelson. He was being held on charges of second degree homicide, grand theft of a motor vehicle and resisting arrest.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death. The jail is operated by Escambia County, not the Sheriff’s Office.
On December 30, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the end of Candy Lane in Cantonment for a death investigation. The victim was found deceased, seated in a recliner with two dog leashes wrapped around her neck, according to an arrest report obtained Monday. Her name and exact cause of death have not been released, but neighbors identified her as Snelson’s grandmother.
It was determined her 2018 Hyundai SUV was missing from the driveway. A family member told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigators that they were in contact with Snelson, who was claiming that he was currently with the victim in her vehicle, the report states. The family knew his claim was false because she was found deceased inside her home.
ECOS investigators located the vehicle and observed Snelson entering and exiting the vehicle in the parking lot of the Talecris Plasma Center at the intersection of Barrancas Avenue and Kincaid Street. Snelson was detained after a brief struggle in which he tried to pull away and run.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Woman Charged With Rape, Sodomy Of Missing Juvenile
January 7, 2022
A Flomaton woman is accused of the alleged rape of a juvenile in a child custody case.
Paisley Lanet Gantt, 21, was arrested without incident Thursday on charges of rape second degree, sodomy second degree and interference with child custody, according to the Flomaton Police Department.
A juvenile age 12-16 was reported missing on Thursday, and that child was located by Flomaton Police within two hours, according to Chief Charles Thompson. That investigation led to the charges against Gantt.
Further details were not released.
Gantt was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton without bond.
Escambia County Graduation Rate Moves Upward. Here’s How Each County High School Did.
January 7, 2022
Escambia County graduation rates inched up for the last school year, but remained below the state average, according to a Florida Department of Education report.
The report showed a half percent point increase in Escambia County, while the state average was up just 0.1%.
The Class of 2021 graduation rate in Escambia County was 87%, continuing steady gains from 76.1% in 2016. The state graduation rate for 2021 was 90.1%.
Escambia Virtual, West Florida, Pine Forest, Pensacola, Northview and Tate high schools all had graduation rates above the district average.
The 2021 graduation rate for each Escambia County public school or special center was as follows:
- Escambia Virtual — 100%
- West Florida High — 98.6%
- Pine Forest High — 91.2%
- Pensacola High — 90.8%
- Northview HIgh — 90.6%
- Tate High School — 89.8%
- District Average — 87%
- Washington High — 85.4%
- Escambia High — 82.6%
- Escambia Westgate — 76.9%
- Success Academy — 72.2%
- Camelot Academy — 21.1%
“Our hard-working students and our entire district team have shown great resilience in navigating these unprecedented times,” Escambia County School District Superintendent Timothy Smith said. “The increases in district graduation rates over the last two years serve as an example and a reminder of their hard work and dedication. I am both thankful for and amazed at their efforts.”
New Beulah Fire Station Groundbreaking May Happen As Soon As May
January 7, 2022
Escambia County hopes to break ground on the new Beulah Fire Station in May, according to an update from District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh.
“The glacially slow process of building the new fire station in Beulah has consumed the first five full years of my time on the Board of County Commissioners,” Bergosh wrote on his blog. “But we’re finally on the brink of moving this project forward.”
After a three-year process to acquire the property, funding is in place for construction directly behind the current fire station.
The Development Review Committee process, Building Inspections review and starting to advertise for bids is expected to be completed by March 8, with bids opened by April 8. With bid approval by the BOCC in April, a May groundbreaking can be scheduled.
If everything goes as planned, the new Beulah Fire Station will be completed by June 30, 2023.
A paid fire crew has staffed the current Beulah Fire Station since October 2021 from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Volunteers cover responses at other times.
Pictured: The current Beulah Fire Station. File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Charged With December Shooting Death
January 7, 2022
An Escambia County man was arrested Thursday night and charged with the murder of a 21-year old man last week on Louisiana Drive.
Anthony Tyrone Brock, 30, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of homicide, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and firing a weapon in public or on residential property.
The victim, Quandarious Smith, was found with multiple gunshot wounds December 28 in the 100 block of Louisiana Drive. He was transported to an area hospital and later pronounced deceased.
Brock is being held without bond.
Escambia Health Department Resumes COVID-19 Testing
January 7, 2022
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has resumed drive-thru COVID-19 testing for all persons with or without symptoms.
Testing will be available as follows:
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 3330 West Park Place in Pensacola (across the street from FDOH-Escambia Fairfield)
- Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Marie K Young Wedgewood Community Center, 6405 Wagner Road in Pensacola
- Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3330 West Park Place in Pensacola (across the street from FDOH-Escambia Fairfield)
All tests are drive-thru with no appointment needed. Bring a valid form of identification. This is PCR testing with results available within 48 hours.
FDOH-Escambia continues to offer COVID-19 rapid testing to persons experiencing symptoms or those who have been exposed to someone with known COVID-19. An appointment is required. Call (850) 595-6500 option 6 to schedule an appointment. Rapid testing with results available within 30 minutes. Questions can be directed to FDOH-Escambia’s COVID-19 phone line at 850-595-6500 option 6.
Click or tap image to enlarge.
Jessica Varner Named Molino Park Elementary School Teacher Of The Year
January 7, 2022
Jessica Varner was selected as the Molino Park Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Varner is a first grade teacher at Molino Park. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
American Airlines Adding New Nonstop Between Pensacola And Boston
January 7, 2022
American Airlines is launching a new nonstop flight between Pensacola and Boston.
Service between Logan International Airport and Pensacola International Airport begins in June 2022, part of the Northeast Alliance between American Airlines and JetBlue, Logan Airport’s largest carrier.
Passengers on this weekly flight will take off aboard an American Eagle Embraer 175 regional jet. Flights will be on Saturdays and depart Boston at 9 a.m. (EST) and arrive in Pensacola at 11:30 a.m. (CST). Flights depart Pensacola at noon (CST) and arrive in Boston at 4 p.m. (EST).
“We are more than pleased to be a part of the Northeast Alliance expansion,” Airport Director Matt Coughlin said. “Boston, in particular, will expand our reach into the northeast thus giving our community new avenues to visit New England.”