Northview, Tate And Other Escambia County Sports Teams Earn State Academic Honors
December 17, 2021
Several high school athletic teams in Escambia County excelled not only on the field, but also in the classroom.
The Florida High School Academic Team Champion recognition program honors teamwork not only in competition, but in academics as well. The program recognizes teams in each of the Association’s sanctioned and recognized sports, naming an Academic Team Champion in each classification based on GPA.
Several Northview High School teams were among the top-ranked in their class by GPA:
- Northview football, No. 2 in state in 1A, 3.033 GPA
- Northview girls volleyball, No. 3 in state in 1A, 3.361 GPA
- Northview boys golf, No.4 in the state in 1A, 3.802 GPA
- Northview boys cross country 2A, 3.73 GPA
- Northview girls cross country 2A, 3.069 GPA
- Northview girls golf 1A, 3.625 GPA
Tate High School teams recognized for the their team GPA were:
- Tate girls volleyball 6A, 3.624 GPA
- Tate boys cross country 4A, 3.266 GPA
- Tate girls cross country 4A, 3.405 GPA
- Tate boys golf 3A, 3.066 GPA
- Tate girls golf 3A, 3.433 GPA
Several other Escambia County school had GPAs above 3.0.. Notably, Washington High School’s Boys Cross Country had the best team GPA in Class 3A at 3.849. and the Pensacola High boys golf team was No. 4 in Class 2A with a team GPA of 3.6.75
And The Kingsfield Elementary Teacher Gingerbread Contest Reader Favorite Is…
December 17, 2021
The teachers and staff of Kingsfield Elementary School held a gingerbread contest, and we took votes yesterday on social media for NorthEscambia.com Reader’s Choice Award.
The winner with 253 votes was number nine…a complete scene with a gingerbread house, ice rink and more. The winner gets bragging rights for a year. (Unfortunately, we were not provided the name of the creator.)
Our readers didn’t just vote; they commented on the top entry:
- “Love that you added a fence with decorations. We have had a outdoor fire with our gingerbread houses.”
- “This one is more original but the other ones are great they all did a great job!!”
- “I say this one has the most details and should win!”
Second place with 138 votes in our informal just-for-fun contest was number 3….a gingerbread Starbucks with several extra shots of Christmas trees and gumdrops.
Third place with 112 votes was number 12 with a tropical gingerbread beach scene.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Body Found After Escambia County RV Fire
December 17, 2021
A body was found an RV following a fire Thursday morning in Escambia County.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the RV fire in the 1400 block of “P” Street about 12:50 a.m. Thursday and found the vehicle fully engulfed in flames. A deceased individual was located inside the vehicle, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was notified.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The fire is the eighth red bulb in the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign in Escambia County.
During the month-long Keep the Wreath Green campaign, five-foot wreaths are on display at county fire stations and other locations. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb is replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential homes.
International Paper Emergency Alert System Unintentionally Activated Late Wednesday Night
December 16, 2021
An emergency alert system at International Paper was unintentionally activated in test mode just before 11 p.m. Wednesday, causing concern among many Cantonment area residents.
A spokesperson for International Paper said it was not immediately clear why the test was done that late, but there was no emergency. The system is normally tested at 1 p.m. Wednesdays and as needed for employee training, but not late at night.
Additional tests for employee evacuation drills are planned for Thursday and Friday at 9 a.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
In September, IP began using a new, louder alert system that has both a warning siren and voice capability.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Man Rescued After Becoming Trapped In Trailer Load Of Corn
December 16, 2021
A man was rescued after becoming trapped for about an hour in a semi-trailer loaded with corn late Wednesday afternoon at Eicher Farm in Walnut Hill.
The adult male became trapped from the waist down in the corn about 4:15 p.m. and was unable to free himself.
“Corn is like quicksand,” Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore said after the rescue on Eicher Road off South Highway 29. “Movement can cause a person to sink deeper and deeper.”
For more photos, click or tap here.
The trailer was divided into two giant hoppers — one nearly fully and containing the trapped man, and one empty. Firefighters were able to access the man and avoid sinking in the corn by using backboards and ladders placed across the surface of the corn. A large grain vacuum powered by a tractor and five gallon buckets were used to remove the grain and free the man.
The individual was evaluated by Escambia County EMS but not transported to the hospital.
The Walnut Hill and McDavid fire stations and the Escambia County Fire Rescue Special Operations Team were among those that responded.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Deploys Teams To Support Tornado Response In Kentucky
December 16, 2021
Florida has deployed a nine-person State All-Hazards Incident Management Team to support the tornado response in Kentucky.
“Earlier this week, we made it clear that Florida would not hesitate to support states impacted by the devastating tornado outbreak,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This team is made up of dedicated public servants who are willing to work through the holidays and provide aid to a state in need. I’m proud that we’re able to deploy this team quickly and help impacted areas begin their recovery efforts.”
All-Hazards Incident Management Teams are regional, multi-agency teams comprised of local law enforcement, fire and EMS, public health, emergency management, public works, and other public safety partners with standardized training and field experience in incident command system positions. Teams are trained to support incidents that extend beyond one operational period and are credentialed to serve in different positions.
Recent All-Hazards Incident Management Team deployments include Louisiana in response to Hurricane Ida, Mississippi in response to Hurricanes Marco and Laura, Hawaii in response to a volcanic eruption, and South Carolina in response to flooding.
Pictured: Tornado damage in Mayfield, Kentucky,.
USDA Disaster Assistance For Seven Alabama Counties; Escambia And Santa Rosa In Florida Eligible Too
December 16, 2021
The USDA has designated seven Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas, opening assistance to those counties and adjacent counties in Florida.
The disaster designation is due to excessive rainfall and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ida that occurred beginning August 29, 2021.
Primary eligible counties in Alabama include Escambia and Baldwin, and contiguous county eligibility extends to counties in Florida including Escambia and Santa Rosa.
Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.
To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your a local USDA Service Center, including the Molino Service Center, the Jay Service Center, or the Brewton Service Center.
Cantonment Woman Gets Over 20 Years In Prison For Stabbing Death Of Her Boyfriend
December 16, 2021
A Cantonment woman has been sentenced to over 20 years on state prison for the 2019 murder of her boyfriend.
Jaquoia Xiaxiana Collins was sentenced to 20.5 years for second degree murder with a weapon. She previously entered a plea of no contest to the charge.
She stabbed her boyfriend in the chest outside the Wild Oak Farms Apartments in the 800 block of North Highway 29 shortly before midnight on July 6, 2019. Deputies responded to the apartments at 11:39 p.m. where they found victim Quartez McShane unresponsive on the ground near the driver’s side door of a blue Mitsubishi Gallant parked in the entrance of the apartment complex. He had been stabbed in the center of his chest with a knife. McShane was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was pronounced deceased less than an hour later.
Collins faced a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Former Detectives Will Work To Solve Escambia County Cold Case Homicides
December 16, 2021
Former detectives will work to solve cold cases in Escambia County.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has launched a “Cold Case Symposium” that will concentrate on cold case homicide investigations while enlisting the expertise of retired certified law enforcement detectives in the area.
“We have a number of retired deputies and law enforcement professionals who have offered their expertise in the past,” said Sheriff Chip Simmons. “We look to take advantage the years of experience these veteran law enforcement professionals bring. Just because someone is retired, doesn’t mean they have lost their experience and intuition. We hope that our current cold case investigators combined with volunteer experienced retirees, we can help close these cases and bring closure to the families.”
The symposium will begin in February of 2022 and will focus on six ECSO cold case homicides at a time. A cold case is one where all available leads have been exhausted and probable cause has not been established to make an arrest.
The ECSO is looking for any retired certified law enforcement investigators interested in joining the symposium that have certified law enforcement experience as a former homicide investigator. Qualified investigators interested in joining the two-day symposium should email Colonel David Ingram at doingram@escambiaso.com.
Reminder: Friday Is An Escambia Schools Early Release Day
December 16, 2021
The Escambia County School District has added Friday, December 17 as an early release day.
It’s also the last day of class before the long Christmas break.
All schools will serve breakfast and lunch to students on the early release day. Regular modes of student transportation will be provided.
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