Escambia Schools Name Principal, Assistant Principal Of Year
November 20, 2021
The Escambia County School District has name its principal and assistant principal of the year.
West Pensacola Elementary School Principal Christine Baker (pictured above) was named ECSD Principal of the Year. Because there is a large autistic student population at West Pensacola, Baker can often be found in autism classrooms, as well as teaching in general education classrooms, when substitutes are not available.
Pine Forest High School Assistant Principal Latasha Jordan was named ECSD Assistant Principal of the Year. Under her leadership, PFHS’s graduation rate has reached an all-time high of 87.6%. Although she would never take credit, her efforts in leading the curriculum efforts at PFHS have been unparalleled, according to the district.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Night High School Playoff Scores – Seasons End For Local Teams Except Pine Forest
November 20, 2021
Here is tonight’s North Escambia area high school football playoff schedule:
FLORIDA
1A Regional Semifinal
- Baker 46, Northvew 35 [Story, photos...]
5A Regional Semifinal
- Baker County 13, West Florida 10
6A Regional Semifinal
- Pine Forest 32, Riverside 12
- Pine Forest will host Mosley next Friday night
ALABAMA
AHSAA 3A Quarterfinals
- Montgomery Academy 28, T.R. Miller 0
AISA Class AA State Championship
- Autauga 52, Escambia Academy 35
Pictured: Northview’s Jamarkus Jefferson gains yardage against Baker Friday night in Baker. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Time Is Running Out To Donate In The Annual Peanut Butter Challenge
November 20, 2021
Time is running out to donate in the Peanut Butter Challenge in Escambia County help families in need, and along the way promote peanuts.
The Peanut Butter Challenge, UF/IFAS Extension’s annual jar collection for local food pantries, first launched in the Florida Panhandle in 2012. It has since launched statewide, giving counties the chance to compete for most jars of peanut butter donated. The challenge serves a way to feed hungry families ahead of the holidays and also promotes peanuts grown in Florida.
Unopened jars of peanut butter can be donated at the following locations through Wednesday, November 24:
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 7979 North Ninth Avenue
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
- Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
- Pensacola City Hall, 222 West Main Street,
- Holy Spirit Catholic, 10650 Gulf Beach Highway
- Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, 13360 Innerarity Point Road,
- Pensacola Beach Visitors Information, 7 Casino Beach Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach
“We are always impressed and touched by the communities’ grassroots support for this program,” said Libbie Johnson, agricultural agent for UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County and co-organizer of the challenge since its inception. “The peanut industry is a great contributor to our state, but this event also shows how the nutritious food it produces can help our fellow community members who may be struggling.”
In addition to the community donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and Florida Peanut Federation (FPF) have partnered with the project for years. These organizations are based in the northwest and northeast peanut-producing regions of the state and will again contribute to the totals distributed to food pantries in those regions.
In the 2020 Peanut Butter Challenge, the first year the event was conducted statewide, participating UF/IFAS Extension county offices received over 27,000 total pounds of peanut butter.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Was Allegedly Drunk While Firing Sawed-off Shotgun In Neighborhood
November 19, 2021
A Cantonment man was allegedly under the influence while firing a sawed-off shotgun in a local neighborhood.
Christopher Daniel Dailey, 30, was charged with use of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol and possession of a short barreled shotgun. He was released on a $5,500 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrived to find Dailey standing on a neighbor’s porch on Well Line Road.
“I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person and slurred speech,” a deputy wrote in his report. Dailey told deputies he had consumed eight tall boy beers and two liquor drinks.
Dailey stated that he had discharged a shotgun at two aggressive pit bulls in his yard. A spent shell casing was found in the backyard.
Deputies located a Savage Arms Stevens Model 940E 12-gauge shotgun on Dailey’s refrigerator and an unspent shotgun shell on the kitchen counter, the report states. The barrel of the shotgun was 14.5 inches, less than the legal 18 inches.
Go Chiefs, Go! Community Pep Rally Held For Northview Chiefs, NWE Chiefs
November 19, 2021
Hundreds of people turned out Thursday night for a community Chiefs pep rally for the Northview Chiefs and the Northwest Escambia Chiefs.
The pep rally at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill was for the Northview Chiefs as they travel to Baker Friday night for the regional semifinals and the NWE Chiefs as they work to bring home an Escambia River Conference league championship in all four age divisions Saturday in Andalusia. The NWE cheerleaders will also be competing in the ERC cheer championships.
“I’d like to have each and every person from this community at Baker Friday night,” Northview head football coach Wes Summerford told the crowd, “and make Baker’s stadium our stadium. I can tell you our players have worked extremely hard, and we are as prepared as ever to bring back that big dream over Baker Friday night. I told them to look forward to round number three.”
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fallen Escambia Fire Chief Dwain Bradshaw’s Name Added To Florida Memorial
November 19, 2021
Fallen Escambia County Assistant District Chief Dwain Bradshaw was honored Thursday at the Florida Fallen Fallen Firefighter Memorial at the Florida State Fire College in Ocala.
Bradshaw was recognized as a line of duty death on November 6, 2019, from a motor vehicle accident.
Bradshaw, 41, lost his life during the early morning hours of November 2019 in the line of duty on scene of a fatal crash on the Muscogee Bridge. He was a volunteer district chief at the Bellview Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, volunteer assistant district chief for the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, and lived a life of public service.
Bradshaw was also a Department of Defense firefighter at Naval Air Station Pensacola, an U.S. Army veteran, a member of the Mississippi Air National Guard and a former police officer in Bay Minette.
Members of Escambia County Fire Rescue and ECFR Honor Guard represented the department during the ceremony in Ocala.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Signs Bills Preventing Vaccine Mandates For Businesses, Schools In Florida
November 19, 2021
Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation that he says will protect Floridians from losing their jobs due to COVID-19 vaccine mandates and protect parents’ rights to make healthcare decisions for students.
The bills were passed this week during a special session of the Florida Legislature and were effective upon the governor’s signature.
Now effective in Florida:
- Private Employer COVID-19 vaccine mandates are prohibited.
- Employees can choose from numerous exemptions, including but not limited to, health or religious concerns; pregnancy or anticipated future pregnancy; and past recovery from COVID-19.
- Employees can choose to opt for periodic testing or PPE as an exemption.
- Employers must cover the costs of testing and PPE exemptions for employees.
- Employers who violate these employee health protections will be fined.
- Small businesses (99 employees or less) will face $10,000 per employee violation.
- Medium and big businesses will face $50,000 per employee violation.
- Government entities may not require COVID-19 vaccinations of anyone, including employees.
- Educational institutions may not require students to be COVID-19 vaccinated.
- School districts may not have school face mask policies.
- School districts may not quarantine healthy students.
- Students and parents may sue violating school districts and recover costs and attorney’s fees.
“I told Floridians that we would protect their jobs and today we made that the law,” DeSantis said. “Nobody should lose their job due to heavy-handed COVID mandates and we had a responsibility to protect the livelihoods of the people of Florida. I’m thankful to the Florida Legislature for joining me in standing up for freedom.”
Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis signs legislation against vaccine mandates in the state Thursday in Brandon, Florida. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Brewton Sweeps Two From Ernest Ward Middle Basketball (With Gallery)
November 19, 2021
The Brewton Middle School Tigers swept two from the Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles Thursday night in Walnut Hill.
In girls action, BMS won 42-20, and the Brewton boys defeated the Eagles 54-12.
Boys game photo gallery, click or tap here.
Girls game photo gallery, click or tap here.
After the Thanksgiving break, the EWMS boys will travel to Pollard McCall at 5:30 p.m. on November 29. Both the Ernest Ward boys and girls will be in action at home against Flomaton beginning at 5:30 p.m. on November 30.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Faith-Based Pregnancy Resource Center Opens In Century
November 18, 2021
A new faith-based pregnancy resource center is now open in Century.
The Life Options Clinic provides pregnancy support, resources, and information for women and their families free of charge to anyone. The center is located in a county-owned building at 511 Church Street.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“Who we are, and what we do, is help families. That is what we do,” Life Options Clinic Executive Director Cindy Roberts said before a ribbon cutting Wednesday. .”We want to strengthen the family. We want to encourage the families so that they can come in.”
“We are a faith-based pro-life organization that everything that we present is done in love and grace and kindness, never judgment, or condemnation,” Roberts (pictured left) continued. “We are not here to force a girl to change her mind. We are here to inform her, and she’s going to make whatever choice she has to make. But if they choose to keep their baby, we come along beside them and walk with them on that journey.”
The Life Options Clinic offers pregnancy tests and ultrasounds (currently at their Milton locations but coming soon to Century). They make referrals for medical care, adoption information, housing, education, job searches and financial aid. The clinic also holds classes on topics including prenatal, nutrition, child safety, parenting, financial planning, other life skills and Bible students.
Clients that take part in the classes earn “baby bucks” that can be used in the clinic’s in-house baby store for baby and maternity clothing, toys, diapers, baby furniture and more. Baby formula and food are available without the use of “baby bucks”.
All of the Life Options Clinic services are free of charge and confidential, Roberts said.
The non-profit volunteer organization is donor supported, receiving support from numerous churches, community organizations and businesses. In addition to financial donations, the Life Options Clinic accepts donations of baby diapers and new or gently used clothing through size 2T.
The Life Options Clinic in Century is open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. For more information, call (850) 904-3344.
Escambia County entered into a three-year lease with Life Options Clinic for the Church Street Property at $1 per year. There is an option to renew for two additional two-year terms. Life Options must pay for routine maintenance and utilities; Escambia County will take care of major repairs to the building and systems such as HVAC, plumbing and electrical.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia School Employees Soon To Receive $1,000 For Pandemic Work – Except Teachers And Principals
November 18, 2021
Current Escambia County School District employees that worked during the last school year will soon receive an extra $1,000 — except for classroom teachers and principals.
Teachers and principals in the Florida previously received a $1,000 bonus from the state for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, the Escambia County School Board has approved $1,000 for other administrative, professional, instructional and educational support personnel that worked during the 2020-2021 school year, as long as they are still employed by the district.
“The School Board Members and I are so appreciative of the hard work and dedication exhibited by district employees during this most difficult of times. This is one of the ways we can communicate to everyone their commitment has not gone unnoticed, and we are grateful for their perseverance,” Superintendent Tim Smith stated. “It is our goal for the District to issue these payments before the close of the 2021 calendar year.”
To receive the $1,000 initiative payment, employees must have been actively employed on or before June 2, 2021, and be currently employed at the time payment is made.