Molino Home Damaged By Fire Sparked By Electrical Issue
January 25, 2022
Fire damaged a home in Molino Tuesday afterno0n.
The fire was reported about 3 p.m. in the 4000 block of Schaag Road, just north of Highway 196. It appeared the fire was contained to only part of the brick home.
The occupants were able get out of the house without any injuries The fire was quickly contained, and the origin was traced to an electrical issue inside a bedroom wall.
The Molino, Cantonment, Ensley, McDavid, Beulah and Bellview Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded, along with Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Pickup Truck Overturns Into Molino Creek; Driver Uninjured
January 25, 2022
A driver escaped injury when their pickup truck overturned off a bridge in to a creek Tuesday afternoon in Molino.
The driver lost control on a dirt portion of Cedartown Road southwest of Jahaza Road about 12:30 p.m. The truck came to rest on its side in Wilder Branch, next to a small bridge. The driver was reportedly able to crawl out of the truck.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Should Escambia County Employees Be Required To Resign To Run For Political Office?
January 25, 2022
Should Escambia County employees be required to resign to run for political office?
The county commission will consider an ordinance next month that might require employees to quit before filing as a candidate for any office.
It is not an unusual idea. Commissioner Robert Bender said during a recent meeting that state employees and employees of other counties are currently required to resign to run.
“If that’s the goal, then you want to have an ordinance that says anyone that is collecting pay from the Board of County Commissioners, for example, would not be able to run for elected office, including contract employees, anywhere on the work chart,” County Attorney Alison Rogers told commissioners.
Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said employees that become candidates can apply to get their job back, but there would be no automatic pass.
“If I decide that I’m going to run for mayor, and I resign this seat,” Commissioner Lumon May said. “If I don’t win mayor, I don’t come back to District 3 (commissioner). We are just out.”
“There’s risk in rewards. If you want to quit your job and run, quit your job and run,” May said, saying would not support any ordinance that would allow the person to return automatically to their job after their campaign.
Rogers said current law prohibits any county employee from, essentially, campaigning on the taxpayer’s dime.
“It is a crime for your employees to use their public time to do campaign activities,” Rogers said. “You need to be on leave. You are not supposed to be on county time, county computer, county phone…it is a crime. We do try to monitor this the best that we can.”
“I don’t have a problem with anyone running. But I will say this. The employer has a say,” Bergosh said.
Bergosh noted 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%
Rogers is expected to bring a resign to run ordinance back to the commission for further discussion and a possible vote in February. The ordinance would apply to any county employee that runs for any political office, not just the county commission.
Under state law, elected officials in Florida must resign in order to seek another elected office.
Groundbreaking Held For New $5.37 Million Tate High Agriscience Building
January 25, 2022
A groundbreaking ceremony was held recently for a new $5.37 million Agriscience Building at Tate High School.
The new 16,524 square foot building is under construction at the previous location of tennis courts just outside the Fryman Gym. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2022.
In August, the Escambia County School Board awarded the $5,370,000 project to low bidder Emerald Coast Constructors of Pensacola. There were six other bids submitted, ranging up to just over $6.3 million. The construction is being paid for by half cent sales tax funds.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cat Country 98.7, Morning Show Nominated For Top ACM Awards
January 25, 2022
Cat Country 98.7 has been nominated by the Academy of Country Music Small Market Station of the Year.
It’s the 11th nomination in the last 16 years for the locally owned country radio station; the station won the national honor in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2020.
Local personality Brent Lane and The Cat Pack Morning show gas also been nominated for ACM Small Market Radio Personality of the Year. Lane previously received the honor in 2009. Brent & Mel and The Cat Pak Morning Show are “Live & Local” from 5-10 a.m. weekdays.
““I’m so proud of this team and what they do for Pensacola. They are passionate about our community and about country music. This is a great honor to be considered amongst some incredible stations in the nation!,” said Dave Hoxeng, owner of CatCounty 98.7 and NewsRadio 92.3.
The 57th annual ACM Awards Show is set for Monday, March 7 in Las Vegas and will be live streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Reminder: Wednesday Is An Escambia Schools Early Release Day
January 25, 2022
Wednesday, January 26 is an early release day for the Escambia County School District
All schools will serve breakfast and lunch to students on the early release day. Regular modes of student transportation will be provided.
Early release days provide teachers and staff regular opportunities for professional development.
Wednesday is the last early release day scheduled for the school year.
For more information, contact your child’s school.
One Injured In Cantonment Crash
January 25, 2022
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash late Monday afternoon in Cantonment.
The crash occurred about 4:50 p.m. on Highway 29 near Woodland Street. One person was transported by Escambia County EMS with injuries that were not considered serious.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed On Highway 29 Near Van Pelt
January 24, 2022
A pedestrian was struck and killed Sunday night on Highway 29.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 20-year old woman in a car was traveling southbound in the inside lane of Highway 29 near Van Pelt Lane and the Motel 6.
She failed to see a pedestrian walking across the southbound lanes of Highway 29.
The pedestrian, who has not yet been identified, was struck and killed about 8 p.m.
FHP is continuing their investigation.
File photo.
Man Charged With Escambia County Weekend Shooting
January 24, 2022
One person has been charged in connection with a weekend shooting in Escambia County.
The victim went to a local hospital Sunday afternoon with a gunshot wound that was not considered life threatening. He told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies that he had been shot on South 1st Avenue in Warrington Saturday afternoon.
Kyle Leamon Smith, 27, was charged with aggravated battery, possession of weapon by a convicted felon and grand theft. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail Sunday evening with bond set at $37,500.
Bratt ‘Donut Boy’ Donates Hand Sanitizer Worth $150K To School District, Law Enforcement, Churches, Others
January 24, 2022
Bratt’s Donut Boy recently made a huge hand sanitizer donation to the Escambia County School District, law enforcement and others in the North Escambia area.
The Donut Boy first gained notoriety after being featured on NorthEscambia.com in 2016 as a superhero that’s on a mission to thank law enforcement officers personally with doughnuts.
Tyler Carach and his mother Sheena, who is a former police officer, created the nonprofit “I DONUT need a reason to THANK a cop” program after an encounter with Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies at Gilley’s Store in Bratt during the summer of 2016. He asked if he could use some of his own money to buy doughnuts for the officers, purchasing four packs of chocolate doughnuts to share with the deputies. And that was the start of his quest, which has led him to all 50 states, doughnuts in hand, in support of law enforcement.
Carach donated about 23,000 bottles of hand sanitizer to the school district, valued at nearly $93,000, to be distributed as needed to students, teachers and staff.
Carach donated another 1,560 bottles to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He also donated 20 cases each to Ernest Ward Middle School, Bratt Elementary School, Escambia Academy, Atmore First Assembly AFA, Library Baptist Church, Walnut Hill Baptist, First Baptist Church of Bratt, Empowerment Temple, Flomaton Elementary School, and Flomaton High School. Donations also went to other groups including Atmore Ambulance, Atmore Police, Flomaton Police, Atmore Fire Department, Atmore Community Hospital, and Unity Baptist Church Atmore. Those donations were worth nearly $60,000.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
