Northview High Names Students Of The Month
February 27, 2023
Northview High School recently named their Students of the Month for January. They are Wyatt Scruggs and Meleina McGavran. They are pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Move A Little Bit Lower
February 27, 2023
Florida gas prices are moving lower again after a modest increase last week. The state average increased 4 cents per gallon early last week. However, those gains were mostly erased by the weekend.
Florida drivers are again paying $3.30 per gallon. That’s a half-cent less than the average price a week ago, and 28 cents less than this year’s high.
The average in Escambia County was $3.18. Sunday night, a low of $3.11 was at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment. Pensacola prices were as low as $2.94 at the warehouse clubs and a Nine Mile Road station.
“The slight jump at the pump last week was likely a delayed response to an oil price hike that occurred two weeks earlier,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The good news for motorists is that the arrow is once again pointing lower. Wholesale gasoline prices have declined a total of 15 cents during the past two weeks. Which should allow the state average to drift lower again this week.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Children’s Trust Funded ‘YouthFirst Century’ Introduced In Historic Church
February 26, 2023
“Home economics, ya’ll!”
Standing in the 126-year old Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church in Century Saturday, Dr. Jessica Griffen introduced her plan to educate area children for an evolving future.
The Escambia County Children’s Trust (ECT) recently awarded Griffen’s non-profit, The Urban Development Center, a $397,556 grant for the first year of a program called “YouthFirst Century”. The after-school and summer program will focus on everything from technology skills and workforce readiness to the more practical side of life with “Mental Health Mondays”, CPR certification, and, yes, home economics.
The programs will serve children ages 11-18 from Bratt Elementary, Byrneville Elementary, Ernest Ward Middle and Northview high schools.
“We want you to hear it from my mouth; that’s why I’m here,” Griffen told about three dozen people gathered in the historic church. “We need your help so we can have a successful program.”
“It takes a village. That adage is real,” she said. “I can’t be the only one. You can’t be the only one.”
“Our best way to prepare them (youth) is not wait until they get our age to try to prepare them,” said “Our best way to prepare them is to catch them while they are young so that when they get of age they can teach the ones coming behind them. So I believe, I believe God has sent us somebody, amen, from The Urban Development League who is the front runner and orchestrator, amen, of YouthFirst Century.”
Of the 19 grants totalling $5.1 million, YouthFirst Century was the fourth-highest scoring program.
A kick off day for YouthFirst Century is being planned for March.
For more photos’, click or tap here.
Pictured: The Urban Development League’s Dr. Jessica Griffen introduces YouthFirst Century to a group at the Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church in Century Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
One Person Dead After Attack By Three Pit Bulls In Escambia County, ESCO Says
February 26, 2023
One person died after being attacked by three pit bulls Friday night in Escambia County
It happened about 10:15 p.m. in the 400 block of Norris Avenue, off Massachusetts Avenue.
“A witness observed a male being attacked by three pit bulls. The witness managed to scare the dogs away and immediately called 911,” the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “Unfortunately, due to the victim’s injuries sustained in the attack, he later died.”
Escambia County Animal Control was unable to locate the dogs Friday night. They returned with deputies at 8 a.m. Saturday.
“One pit bull was observed and attempted to avoid capture. The animal was still very aggressive and was shot by a deputy. The animal was captured and is receiving medical treatment,” ECSO said Saturday.
A second pit bull was later located and captured. At last report, the third dog had not been located.
The name of the victim was not released.
Byrneville Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
February 26, 2023
Byrneville Elementary School recently named their Students of the Month for January.
They are:
- Kindergarten: Liam Steadham and Gregory Williams
- 1st Grade: Baylee Gafford
- 2nd Grade: Blake Mathis and William Maxwell
- 3rd Grade: Connor Levins and Kaylee Marshall (not pictured)
- 4th Grade: Kayson Cooley and Michael Williams
- 5th Grade: Trusten Brown and Alydia Sutton
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sold! Hundreds Attend 48th Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Farm Auction (With Photo Gallery)
February 26, 2023
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club held their 48th annual auction Saturday in Walnut Hill with crowds bidding on farm equipment and hundreds of other items.
All proceeds from the auction benefit the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club’s community service projects in the Walnut Hill area. The auction is held each year on the last Saturday of February.
The auction included not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques and more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club farm equipment auction Saturday in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Contractor Continues Survey Work For North Escambia Fiber Internet Buildout
February 26, 2023
A contractor is continuing a survey across the area ahead of a North Escambia fiber internet buildout.
Last month, the Escambia County Commission selected member-owned Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC) with their partner firm Conexon Connect to provide high speed broadband in the area.
EREC contractor ICON Utility Services is currently surveying the utility pole network across the EREC footprint for future fiber optic network installation.
According to EREC, residents may see the ICON surveyors for the next several weeks in cars, on four-wheelers, or on foot.
The Connect, powered by Escambia River Electric Cooperative, network will span approximately 600 miles of fiber network in Escambia County reaching over 4,000 electric member locations. The first customers are expected to have service later this year..
Pictured: A contractor surveys a utility pole at the Travis Nelson Park in Bratt on Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Extension Offering ‘Basics Of Canning’ Class
February 26, 2023
Escambia County Extension will offer a class this month on the Basics of Canning on Saturday, March 25.
Participants can learn how to properly preserve fruits and vegetables.
The program will take place from 9-11 a.m. at the Extension office at 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Register online and buy tickets in advance at Eventbrite for $17.85 (includes $2.85 fee) while available seats remain. The registration deadline is March 22. Call (850) 475-5230.
Escambia School Board To Consider Return To Elected Superintendent; Voters Would Make Final Decision
February 25, 2023
The question of whether the Escambia County school superintendent should be elected or appointed may be back headed back to the ballot.]
In 2018, Escambia County voters narrowly approved a ballot referendum for an appointed superintendent, with 50.36 voting yes and 49.64 percent voting now. This was the sixth time voters had considered the idea of an appointed superintendent in the county; all of the other attempts failed.
The term of then superintendent Malcolm Thomas ended in 2020, and Dr. Tim Smith was appointed as the new school district boss.
Now, District 1 member Kevin Adams intends to present a resolution to the school board on March 21 that, if approved, will officially request a referendum to switch superintendent back to an elected job. The Escambia County Commission would then have to pass a resolution asking the legislature to place the question on the ballot during the presidential preference primary on March 19, 2024.
Adams made a campaign promise to present referendums to the board for a vote when citizens ask.
“I think it is a good time for the citizens to look at where we are at and decide if we need to go back to an elected superintendent.,” he said. “And let them choose.”
Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, who represents the same District 1 as Adams, said he would vote for placing the referendum on the ballot if it reaches the commission, but he does not necessarily support an elected superintendent.
“I believe the BCC will put this forward as we should,” Bergosh wrote on his blog. “Although I am not necessarily supportive of the Elected Superintendent model—I believe if the school board votes for it to be added to the ballot, the citizens have the right to once again vote on it.
Smith, the current appointed superintendent, told the school board this week that he does not support a return to an elected superintendent.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to go back to an elected superintendent,” Smith said. “I think it needs to be give a chance.”
He cited a declining graduation rate across the state and a labor shortage that have plagued the school district during his administration.
“This is not an easy school district. There are many, many challenges,” he said, citing hard work by schools toward the “herculean task” of trying to close the achievement gap.
“We’ve got the complaining down. We are really good as a community with the complaining; we’ve got it. But I don’t hear people talking about ‘what am I going to do’,” as he praised teachers and staff for their hard work.
“I just hope, somehow, some way, the easy out to kick the superintendent to the curb is not out answer. I think we are better than that,” Smith said. “It’s going to take time…It’s not easy work.”
Former Middle School Art Teacher Facing Additional Charges In Student Sexual Assault Case
February 25, 2023
A now former Beulah Middle School art teacher is facing additional charges after his arrest in early February on child sex charges involving a student.
Winston Hezekiah Foster, 61, was originally charged with sexual assault, lewd or lascivious behavior on a victim age 12 to 16, and a sexual offense against a student by an authority figure. He was released on a $60,000 bond shortly after his February 2 arrest.
Foster was arrested Friday afternoon on two new counts of sexual battery on a victim age 16 or 17. He was released on a $40,000 bond 14 minutes after being booked into the Escambia County Jail. The new charges, according to the State Attorney’s Office, are related to the original case.
In December, the State Attorney’s Office received a complaint from the victim who alleged Foster, her former middle school art teacher, had a sexual relationship with her from October of 2017 when she was 15-years old until September 2019 when she was 17-years old. She said Foster was her art teacher for sixth, seventh and eighth grade while she attended Woodham Middle School.
She told investigators that it was not uncommon for art students to come visit Foster before school. She said Foster “started to be more forward with her and make comments that she thought were ‘weird’ for him to say,” according to an arrest warrant, before inviting her to do things outside of school. She said he invited her for sushi, and they went back to his house to eat. She said he kissed her, but that was it. In 2017, he allegedly took her to see a movie in about October 2017 before taking her to his house and having sex, the warrant obtained by NorthEscambia.com states.
“During the summer months, when Foster was off and his wife was at work, he would pick her up from her home and take her back to his house,” according to the warrant. The victim also alleged they had sex in a supply closet in his classroom at Woodham Middle School in 2017 and then at Beulah Middle School in 2018 and 2019. She also stated they had “virtual sex” through an app while Foster was in Houston visiting his very ill daughter.
According to district documents, Foster was an art teacher at Beulah Middle School and previously at Woodham Middle School.
According to Escambia County Public Schools, Foster was no longer an employee as of February 2.
Foster’s mugshot was not made available by the Escambia County Jail, which cited a Florida statute (F.S.S 119.071) that typically protects law enforcement and first responder mugshots and those of their families from public release. The jail did not cite the specific exemption claimed by Foster. Foster is pictured above from his arrest warrant (left) and after winning an art educator award while he was at Beulah Middle School.