Thomas Mack “Tommy” Nelson
December 15, 2022
Mr. Thomas Mack “Tommy” Nelson, age 80, passed away Thursday, December 8, 2022 in a Century, Florida health care facility.
Mr. Nelson was born in Pensacola, FL and was a lifelong resident of the Brewton area. He worked as a machinist for Container Corp. for 34 years. He was a member of Catawba Springs Baptist Church. Mr. Nelson was preceded in death by his parents, Mack & Isabel Nelson; two brothers, Daniel Nelson and Red Nelson; and a sister, Elizabeth Sue Horton.
He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Mrs. Katie Hoomes Nelson of Brewton; three daughters, Tammy (Duane) Riley of Brewton, Jolinda (Jonathan) Southworth of Pell City, and Robin (Ronnie) Rydzowski of Satsuma; a brother, Anthony Dewitt (Yong) Nelson of Huntsville; a sister, Ruby Jean Davis of Cantonment; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Riley, Jackson Riley, Jessica Southworth, Samantha Southworth, Thomas Southworth, Joseph Rydzowski, and Emma Rydzowski.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. at Catawba Springs Baptist Church with Bro. Jeff Edwards officiating. Interment will follow in Catawba Springs Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until service time at 10:00 A.M. at Catawba Springs Baptist Church.
Pallbearers: Jonathan Riley, Jackson Riley, Thomas Southworth, Joseph Rydzowski, Mike Wilcox, and Darrell Arrant.
Honorary Pallbearers: Men’s Fellowship of Catawba Springs.
Ransom Middle Placed On Restricted Status For Brief Time
December 14, 2022
Ransom Middle School was placed on a restricted status early Wednesday afternoon as emergency workers responded to a medical emergency.
Escambia County Fire and EMS were dispatched to the school about 12:40 p.m.
A “student experienced a health issue and was transported by EMS to the hospital,” Cody Strother, Escambia County Public Schools spokesperson, said.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that they assisted EMS with a medical situation, and there was no threat.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
After School Activities, Sports Canceled In Escambia And Santa Rosa For Today
December 14, 2022
The Escambia County Public Schools, Santa Rosa County Schools and Escambia County (AL) Schools have all canceled after school activities today.
All three districts have canceled all practices, games, and extracurricular activities after school today due to the threat of severe weather.
All activities for Thursday afternoon and evening are expected to continue.
Severe Weather Threat Upgraded To Rare 4 Of 5 Level
December 14, 2022
A portion of the North Escambia area has been upgraded to a rare 4 out of 5 (moderate) risk for severe weather into tonight.
Storms will be capable of producing strong (EF2 or greater) long-track tornadoes that can travel for miles, damaging winds up to 70 mph, and some large hail.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 74. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 48. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 52. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 56.
Cantonment Man Facing Drug Charges After Reportedly Passing Out In His Truck At Thrift Store
December 14, 2022
A Cantonment man was arrested on drug charges after deputies received a report that he was passed out in his vehicle at a thrift store.
Jeremiah Lee Hunter, 35, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (methamphetamine), and possession of marijuana less than 20 grams.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Teen Challenge Super Thrift Store on Nine Mile Road just before midnight Monday after receiving a report of a male passed out behind the wheel of a white pickup truck. Deputies looked inside the truck and saw a large cloud of smoke and pipe.
Hunter woke up when a deputy knocked on the truck’s passenger window, according to an arrest report. The deputy noted in his report that there was a strong odor or marijuana when Hunter opened the driver’s door.
Inside the truck, the ECSO said they found 18 grams of marijuana and a white crystal-like substance which tested positive for methamphetamine.
Hunter claimed to have a current medical marijuana card, but the card in his possession expired in August 2021, the report states.
Hunter remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $7,000.
Tri-City Children’s Choir Christmas Concert Is Thursday Night
December 14, 2022
The Tri-City Children’s Choir will hold their Christmas concert this Thursday night.
The free concert will be at 6:30 p.m. at The Sanctuary on North Century Boulevard (next to Bondurants). Doors will open at 6:15 p.m.
Pictured: The Tri-City Children’s Choir performed several songs at the Century tree lighting on December 2. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Fire Lieutenant Recognized As Florida Professional Firefighter Of The Year
December 14, 2022
Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis has recognized Lt. Nick Gradia of Escambia County Fire Rescue as Florida Professional Firefighter of the Year. Gradia is a 2003 graduate of Northview High School. Pictured: Sen. Doug Broxson, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis, and Rep. Michelle Salzman. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Names Top 5 Teacher Of The Year Finalists
December 14, 2022
The Escambia County School District has named their top five finalists for Teacher of the Year.
In alphabetical order, they are:
- Anna Harageones — A.K. Suter Elementary
- Gary Horne — Washington High School
- Melanie Johnson — Kingsfield Elementary School
- Angela McFarland — West Florida High School
- Allison Roberts — Success Academy
“Our teachers persevere in their instructional efforts against incredible odds. They prepare each student for the future – as they are the future. The district is fortunate to have extremely hard-working and dedicated instructors in every school throughout the county,” Superintendent Tim Smith said. “These top five educators exemplify the very best in the district. We hope you will join us in congratulating these outstanding educators.”
The winner will be announced in late January.
FHP Donates Food To Ronald McDonald House After ‘Stuff The Charger’
December 14, 2022
The Florida Highway Patrol made a donation of about 250 pounds of nonperishable food items to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida on Tuesday. The food was collected during FHP’s annual “Stuff the Charger” campaign. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free Child ID Kits Going To All Escambia County Kindergarten Students
December 14, 2022
Free child ID kits will be distributed to every kindergarten student in the Escambia County Public Schools.
Parents of kindergarten students will receive a call out from their child’s school, informing them of the date the kit will be distributed. Parents who do not want a kit may contact their student’s teacher or the school administration to make that request.
“Child ID kits are a great, low-tech tool that helps parents record and safely store important identification information about their children. Parents keep total control of the kits and, should an emergency arise, they can quickly present it to law enforcement,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “As a mother, I truly hope no parent ever needs to utilize the kit—but should a child go missing, it could prove vital in helping law enforcement and the public in their search.”
Child ID kits make it easier for parents to collect identifying information by easily recording the physical characteristics, photographs, fingerprints and DNA of their children on identification cards that are kept at home by the parent or guardian if ever needed, the school district said.
The kits are being distributed by the ECPS in cooperation with Attorney General Ashley Moody, the National Child ID Program, Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks, the Florida Sheriffs Association, and representatives from the Department of Education, Florida Association of District School Superintendents, and Florida Association of School Resource Officers.