Volunteers Provide Improved Mobility For Century College Student
October 13, 2019
Hope Womack of Century is confined to a wheelchair and until recently had no safe way to come and go from her home.
Hope is a 22-year old business management major at Pensacola State. She has spina bifida, and she needed a wheelchair ramp.
And thanks to the Civitans and an innovative Escambia County program, she has is enjoying a new ramp and improved mobility
On Friday, October 4, Pensacola Civitan Club members worked about three hours to remove a small deck and steps from the side of the home on Front Street. Club members worked on the ramp with help from landlord Barney Jones. Hope’s mom, Josephine, provided sandwiches and drinks for the crew.
They were back hard at work by 8:30 Saturday morning, and about four hours later Hope was trying out the ramp for the first time. And mom Josephine provided burgers and hot dogs.
“She was so excited,” said Cindy Barrington of the Pensacola Civitan Club. “This ramp will allow her to get in and out of her home safely.”
Escambia County provided materials at a cost of $951 plus about $21 in nails. The labor was provided by the Civitans and friends.
Under the program, the county provides funding for supplies and materials in partnership with not for profit agencies who install the ramps using volunteers. In addition to the Pensacola Civitans, Council of Aging of West Florida, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, and Ray of Hope of Northwest Florida also volunteer in the county program.
Homeowners interested in applying for assistance may contact the Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division at (850) 595-0022 or ned@myescambia.com.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Slight Chance Of Sunday Showers
October 13, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Columbus Day: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Monday Night: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.
Reminder: No School Monday In Escambia County
October 13, 2019
There is no school on Monday, October 14 for students in Escambia County, Florida.
It’s Columbus Day, but that’s not the reason. It’s a scheduled teacher work day.
Florida Prisons Seek $90 Million To Fix ‘Critically Low’ Staffing, Reduce Shift Length
October 13, 2019
The Florida Department of Corrections is seeking an extra $90 million next year to fix “critically low” staffing levels at facilities statewide.
The department is asking for $60.6 million for targeted retention incentives and $29 million to cut daily shifts from 12 hours to 8.5 for corrections officers.
“Staffing at the department has reached critically low level, and many of the staff currently employed are extremely inexperienced,” the department said in legislative budget request. Florida recently reduced the minimum age fort corrections officers to 18 instead of the previous 19 years of age.
The agency says their goals for the upcoming legislative session are to reduce staff attrition and vacancy rates; reduce inmate violence, addiction, idleness and recidivism; curb rising health care costs; and address aging infrastructure including facilities, fleet and information technology.
Pictured: Inside the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photo.
More Info Released On Jay Gas Station Robbery
October 13, 2019
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office has released additional details on a gas station robbery Friday night in Jay.
The robbery occurred at the Exprezit! Exxon Station in the 3800 block of Highway 4 near Calfee Street.
Two men, believed to be unarmed, jumped over the counter and stole from the register before fleeing in a SUV. Both were wearing masks.
No additional description was available, and at last report there had been no arrests.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call Crimestoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free Cybersecurity Awareness Seminar Tuesday At Molino Library
October 13, 2019
A Cybersecurity Awareness for Everyone seminar will be offered Tuesday afternoon at the Molino Branch Library from 1-5 p.m.
The seminar offered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Pensacola Regional Operations Center broadly covers the entire range of cybersecurity issues. Topics include malicious software, social engineering, antivirus software, firewalls, passwords, email threats, frauds, and wired and wireless networks.
The free seminar is three hours of instruction followed by question and answer session.
Deborah Melton Named Escambia Westgate Teacher Of The Year
October 13, 2019
Deborah Melton has been named the teacher of the year at Escambia Westgate School. Outside the classroom, Melton coordinates and decorates for Westgate’s prom and works to provide students with the same experiences as their disabled peers. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here’s Your Chance To Tour Florida’s Tree Farm Of The Year In McDavid
October 13, 2019
You have the chance to visit and tour the 2019 Florida Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year in McDavid.
The Russell Brothers farm on Highway 164 will be officially recognized during a program and tour that begins at 9 a.m. on October 25.
The Russell Brothers Farm near McDavid has been named the 2019 Florida Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year. Register for the free tour by calling the Florida Forestry Association at (850) 222-5646 before October 18. The farm is located at 2210 Russell Road, just off Highway 168 near North Highway 99.
For an earlier NorthEscambia.com story about the tree farm, click here.
Molino Park Elementary Holds Fall Carnival (With Photo Gallery)
October 13, 2019
The event featured a variety of carnival games, carnival food including popcorn and bake-off goodies, food vendors and a live auction.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Paul Edward Jackson
October 13, 2019
Paul Edward Jackson was born and raised in Pensacola FL, on November 10, 1935, to Alberta Dudley and Paul Jackson. He is an alumnus of Booker T. Washington High School and attended Bethune Cookman College. He attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI where he received his certification in cytotechnology. To this he added 26 years of service to the Department of Navy as the first African American cytotechnologist.
Throughout Paul’s life, his love for music, singing, playing the saxophone and ministry were his passions. Paul joined his deep and rich baritone voice with choral groups through high school, college and was a member of the male choral group in Pensacola for many years.
Reverend Paul E. Jackson accepted the call of God to carry the gospel to all who would hear in 1982. His life charge was that for as many that will listen and hear, would receive Jesus Christ as their savior. From the moment of surrendering his life to Christ, he gave his life in servitude to the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In life, Paul united in marriage to the love of his life, Bernice Bernadette Williams in 1961. To that union, five children were born. To carry on the Jackson legacy are five children, Marcus (Sharon) Jackson; Paula Jackson; Melissa Jackson; Albreeda Jackson; Kimberly (Peter) Jackson-Stevens. Next generations of legacy holders are five grandchildren, Devin (Justin) Pierce; Christopher (LaChaundra) Jackson; Marcus Jackson, Jr; Marsalis Jackson; Avianna Stevens. Beholding the future and beyond are five great-grandchildren, Danessa Pierce, Justina Pierce, Chance Jackson, Jonathan Pierce and Cherish Jackson. He also leaves one god-daughter, Brenda (Glen) Nusbaum-McFarlin; god-sister: Myra Robinson and Rhonda Watkins; sister, Ernestine (Arnold) Tucker; and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.
Preceding his transition in life are, Henry and Pinkie Dudley (grandparents), James and Alberta Riggs (stepfather and mother); Paul Jackson (father), Ernest Riggs (brother), Benjamin Dudley (uncle), and in 2009, Bernice Bernadette Jackson, loving and devoted wife of 48 years.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, at Resthaven Memorial Gardens.
The repast will be held at Bethel A.M.E., 511 Woodland Drive, Pensacola, FL, following.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.