Brenda J. Tomas
July 22, 2021
Brenda J. Tomas, 71 of Atmore, AL. passed away July 16, 2021 in Pensacola, FL. She was bornin Atmore, AL. on July 27, 1949 to the late Alton and Gladys Lucas Johnson. Mrs. Tomas had a Master’s Degree in education and had worked for the Escambia County Alabama School System.
She was a talented pianist and an active member of Presley Street Baptist Church where she enjoyed playing piano. She is preceded in death by her parents and a brother Melvin “Bo” Johnson.
She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years Kenneth Tomas of Atmore, AL; her son Marcus and wife Melissa Tomas of Greenwood, S.C. and three grandchildren Blain, Caiden and Braxton all of Greenwood, S.C.
A memorial service will held Monday, July 19, 2021 at 11 AM at Presley Street Baptist Church with Pastor Joseph T. Simpson and Bro. Doug Frost officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Presley Street Baptist Church or Covenant Hospice at West Florida Hospital.
Escambia Schools Adjust Start And Dismissal Times Due To Bus Driver Shortage
July 21, 2021
The Escambia County School district has adjusted the start and dismissal times for several schools due to a shortage of bus drivers. In heavily populated areas, bus routes have also been increased for some drivers.
The largest adjustment times are approximately 35 minutes, with other schools having smaller adjustments of 15 minutes or less.
The district said school principals have made automated phone calls to families to alert them about bus routes along with school day start and dismissal times.
Deputy Superintendent Shenna Payne told NorthEscambia.com that a complete list of changes was not yet available.
“We are still doing some fine tuning. When that is complete, I will certainly share,” Payne said Wednesday morning.
The following District 5 schools or their respective PTAs have already provided the following information online:
Bratt Elementary
- 7:10 a.m. – First bell
- 7:35 a.m. – Tardy bell
- 1:50 p.m. – Dismissal
Jim Allen Elementary
- 7:27 – Unload buses and car riders/breakfast begins. Students may not be dropped off before 7:15
- 7:40 – Breakfast closes
- 7:50 – School begins/tardy bell
- 2:10 – Dismissal
- 7:10 a.m. – Drop off begins
- 7:35 a.m. – Tardy bell
- 1:50 p.m. – Dismissal
- 7:20 a.m. -Car riders, breakfast line
- 7:50 a.m. – Start time
- 2:10 p.m. – Dismissal time
Start and dismissal times have not been announced for other North Escambia area schools.
Driver Crashes Into Marked FHP Unit With Lights Flashing On I-10
July 21, 2021
A driver crashed into a marked Florida Highway Patrol with emergency lights activated Wednesday morning on the interstate in Escambia County.
According to FHP, the 25-year old Milton man was traveling northbound on the I-110 ramp to westbound I-10 approaching the scene of another traffic crash. FHP said the man passed a Road Ranger vehicle marking a closed lane, entered the lane and crashed into the FHP patrol unit.
There were no injuries reported.
Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck By Pickup
July 21, 2021
\A pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle Tuesday night in Escambia County.
The unknown age male pedestrian attempted to cross North Pace Boulevard near West Lakeview Avenue about 9:50 p.m. He stepped into the path of a Ford pickup drive by a 56-year old Lake Placid, Florida, man, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He was transported to Baptist Hospital where he later passed away.
No names were release by FHP.
A Toaster, Cookies, Salt And Pepper From Amazon: Century Council Member Questions Town’s Online Purchases
July 21, 2021
Why can’t the Town of Century make more purchases locally, rather than ordering online from Amazon?
That’s a question council member Dynette Lewis has posed at their last two meetings.
The monthly bill lists for the town list about $2,450 in purchases from Amazon.com, including salt and pepper in a month.
“It’s ridiculous that we are ordering salt and pepper from Amazon,” Lewis said. “Somebody can take the time to go to the Dollar General store to purchase some of this stuff that is on this list.”
One month’s Amazon purchases have include some office supplies that may not be readily available in Century, but also several items that are sold in the town. Purchases have included: air freshener, muffins, Nestle Pure Life water, toner, cookies, a toaster, a $100 air fryer oven, file folders, copy paper, ink cartridges, other office supplies, toilet paper, a vacuum cleaner, and a can opener.
Mayor Ben Boutwell said the town will look at making purchases from local business when practical.
Pictured: Century council member Dynette Lewis at a recent council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Teen Injured In Crash With Log Truck On Highway 29
July 21, 2021
A teen was injured in a collision with a log truck early Wednesday morning on Highway 29 near Muscogee Road.
Reports indicated that a 17-year old female suffered injuries that were not considered serious. She was transported to an area hospital for evaluation following the crash shortly after 1 a.m.
The crash temporarily closed one southbound lane of Highway 29.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Beulah Motorcyclist Charged With Fleeing From Deputies
July 21, 2021
A motorcyclist from Beulah is facing a felony charge after allegedly fleeing from an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy while traveling the wrong way on Pine Forest Road.
Broc Everett Ellis, 33, was charged with felony fleeing and eluding with wanton disregard for persons or property, resisting arrest without violence, operating a motorcycle without a motorcycle endorsement, and possession of marijuana.
The deputy observed a motorcycle pass another vehicle in an unsafe manner on Pine Forest Road near Sharon Lane. The deputy turned around and activated his emergency lights.
“I observed the operator, later identified as Broc Ellis, look back at me where he then accelerated into oncoming traffic,” the deputy wrote in his report. The deputy turned off his emergency lights and backed off due to Ellis traveling northbound in the southbound lane.
Ellis turned into the Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot where he struggled to get the motorcycle back on two wheels before proceeding down a dirt road in the area of Floral Tree Gardens, the report continues. His motorcycle was spotted at the woodline near Southern Self Storage on Pine Forest Road. Ellis ignored verbal commands to stop and fled on foot through the woods, the report states. Duncan’ Donuts employees pointed Ellis out to the deputy as he ran back toward the Walmart Neighborhood Market. The deputy caught up, and tackled Ellis.
Under the seat of Ellis’ motorcycle, deputies reported finding a plastic bag containing marijuana.
Ellis was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $12,000 bond.
Slight Chance Of Evening Showers
July 21, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 10pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Escambia Health Department Updates COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Hours
July 21, 2021
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) is updating walk-in hours for their COVID-19 vaccine clinic located at 1295 West Fairfield Drive in Pensacola effective Thursday, July 22, 2021.
Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Same-day appointments can be made by calling (850) 595-6554. Questions can be directed to FDOH-Escambia’s COVID-19 phone line at (850) 595-6500 option 6.
Escambia Search And Rescue Holding 60th Anniversary Open House Saturday
July 21, 2021
Escambia Search and Rescue will hold a 60 anniversary celebration and open house this Saturday.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 9350 Nims Lane (north of East Nine Mile Road, behind Dollar General and Vannoy’s Tires).
An awards ceremony will be held at 11 a.m.
The public is invited to attend.