Byrneville Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
February 16, 2023
Byrneville Elementary School recently named their Students of the Month for December.
They are:
- Kindergarten: Deylan Burt and Annalee Faulk
- 1st Grade: Kipton Little (Not pictured)
- 2nd Grade: Emrey Fowler and Paislee Cash
- 3rd Grade: Tatum Godwin and Cayson Henry-Hadley
- 4th Grade: Charlee Flowers and Zaylee Baker (not pictured)
- 5th Grade: Nevaeh Tidd and Kyle Lowery
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Norma Parkes Ramsey
February 16, 2023
Norma Parkes Ramsey, 88, of Molino, Florida, passed away Monday, February 13, 2023. She was born July 12, 1934, in Wilmington, Delaware to Francis Lee Parkes and Dora Pauline Detwiler Parkes. She graduated from the University of Delaware in 1955 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught at Faulk Road in Wilmington, Delaware, Brentwood Elementary and Ransom Middle School for a total of 19 years.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William A. Ramsey; parents, Francis Lee Parkes and Dora Pauline Detwiler Parkes.
She is survived by her children, Elizabeth Ramsey (Christopher) Granelli, William Alex (Alisa) Ramsey Jr.; grandchildren, Michael Granelli, John Granelli; sister, Nancy Parkes (Laurence) Waren.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Covenant Care Inpatient Hospice @ Sacred Heart Hospital or a food bank or animal shelter of your choice.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Mary Jane Comalander Wiggins Hall
February 16, 2023
Mrs. Mary Jane Comalander Wiggins Hall, 69 years of age, passed away, Monday, February 13, 2023, in Gulf Breeze, FL; with her family at her bedside. She has resided most of her life in McDavid, FL. She retired with many years of service as a cafeteria manager with the school.
Mrs. Hall enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved to cook and feed everyone and enjoyed watching “The Cooking Shows”. She also enjoyed gardening, growing herbs and vegetables. She really enjoyed going fishing and traveling when she was able.
She is preceded in death by her parents, James Dove (Beulah Lee) Comalander, husbands, Henry Sylvester Wiggins, William Jerry “Happy” Wiggins, her siblings, Darriel Comalander, Georgia Prescott, David Comalander, Chris Comalander, and Reagan Comalander.
She is survived by her loving husband of 14 years, William Dempsy Hall, of Bratt, FL; two sons, Brian Steven Wiggins, of Bratt, FL; Eric Thomas (Danette) Wiggins, of McDavid, FL; one daughter, Angela Gail (Kevin) Knowles, of Flomaton, AL; one step-son, Stephan Hall, of Pensacola, FL; five brothers, James (Elizabeth) Comalander, of McDavid, FL; Larry (Hazel) Comalander, of McDavid, FL; Jerry (Bobbie) Comalander, of Dothan, AL; Lamar (Patsy) Comalander, Florala, AL; Allen Comalander, of Uriah, AL; two sisters, Eleanor Stuckey, of Century, FL; Melba (Buster) Townson, of Byrneville, FL; ten grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, many other precious family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Andy Boutwell officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 17, 2023, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Zachary Knowles, Alston Wiggins, Allen Comalander, Scotty Wiggins, Javan Thompson, and Aydin Odom.
Alma Hall Taylor
February 16, 2023
Alma Hall Taylor, age 60, a native and resident of Bay Minette, AL, died Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at Mobile Infirmary. She is survived by her spouse Stephanie Holland, her mother, Juliana Hall, sister, Kay Hall (Joe Hopson) Corley, sister-in-law, Rose Busby Hall; her son, Will Plato, step-daughters: Kim Holland and Kelly Holland and six grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her father E. J. “Tiny” Hall, her brother Cecil “Skeet” Hall and her step-son J. B. Holland.
Alma loved her work at Pizza Hut in Bay Minette, throwing darts, her dogs and cats and being outside. Alma could often be found picking up sticks, trimming bushes and maintaining the flower beds in her yard and her mom’s yard. Alma was also a huge die-hard Alabama football fan.
There will be a memorial service for Alma, Saturday, March 4, 2023, visitation at 1:00 p.m. and service at 2:00 p.m. at Norris Funeral Home in Bay Minette, AL.
Reports: DOJ Won’t Charge Rep. Matt Gaetz In Sex Trafficking Investigation
February 15, 2023
The Justice Department will not pursue any charges against Congressman Matt Gaetz in a federal sex-trafficking investigation, multiple national news organizations reported Wednesday afternoon.
“The Department of Justice has confirmed to Congressman Gaetz’s attorneys that their investigation has concluded and that he will not be charged with any crimes,” Gaetz’s office told Fox News.
Reports first surfaced in 2021 that Gaetz was being investigated into whether Gaetz and a 17-year girl had a sexual relationship. Gaetz has maintained his innocence.
Pictured: Rep Matt Gaetz during a campaign kickoff event at the Walnut Hill Baptist Church in April 2022. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Children’s Trust Awards $5.1 Million For 19 Programs, Only Two In District 5
February 15, 2023
The Escambia County Children’s Trust (ECT) on Tuesday awarded $5,104,482 in grants to 19 service providers for out-of-school time programming.
Two will have service locations in the North Escambia area, totaling $612,601 in Escambia County’s District 5.
The North Escambia area programs are:
- The Urban Development Center and their program “YouthFirst Century” plans to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period. The program will be held at three locations within the Century town limits. $397,556 for the first year.
- Central Gulf Coast Freedom Schools and their program “Expanding Summer School” plans to serve 500 children ages5-14 over a three-year period. The program will take place at the University of West Florida campus. $215,045 for the first year.
RELATED: Children’s Trust Funds ‘YouthFirst Century’ Ed Program; Town To Front $61K To Jumpstart
Just over half of the proposed service locations (52.6%) are in the Pensacola city limits.
According to the ECT, funding “will enable grantees to offer low-income and underserved families a range of high-quality out-of-school time programs that meet a demonstrated need for positive youth development during the critical afterschool hours, summer breaks, and other times when school is not in session”.
In November 2020, Escambia County voters approved the formation of the Children’s Trust to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes, enabling the trust to provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventive, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
The programs approved Tuesday by the Escambia Children’s Trust were:
- Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast — $874,878
- Children’s Home Society — $244,672
- Dixon School of Arts and Sciences — $260,000
- Urban Development Center — $397,556
- Valerie’s House Pensacola — $105,215
- Omega Lamplighters — $107,460
- Central Gulf Coast Freedom Schools — $215,045
- Covenant Care — $201,095
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus — $96,201
- Pensacola Little Theatre — $144,681
- CMB Visions Unlimited — $293,184
- Epps Christian Center — $254,800
- Pensacola MESS Hall — $85,648
- City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation — $540,041
- Chain Reaction — $195,580
- Children’s Theater Company — $196,189
- SALT Ministry (Sisters Anointed to Lead Together) — $11,489
- YMCA of NW Florida — $581,748
- James B. Washington Education & Sports — $295,000
Programs not funded included:
- Escambia County Neighborhood Human Services (two programs)
- Milk and Honey Outreach Ministries
- Hope Through Education
- Escambia County Public Schools Foundation
- Community Uplift
- National Aviation Museum Foundation (National Flight Academy)
- The Salvation Army of Pensacola
- Young Achievers Preschool
- Rotary Youth Camp of North Florida
- New World Believers and Healthy Opportunities and Options Promoting Success Programs
- Whiz Kids Academy
- Bamboo Learning
- My Little Explorers Learning Academy
- Youths Left Behind Corps
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Cantonment Man Charged With Child Abuse, Aggravated Assault
February 15, 2023
A Cantonment man was charged with child abuse in a domestic violence incident.
Michael Anthony Campbell, 38, was charged with felony child abuse, aggravated assault domestic violence, and battery domestic violence.
Campbell and the adult victim became involved in an argument over ending a dating relationship, and Campbell grabbed a “large butcher knife”, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. As the adult victim and the child attempted to leave, Campbell punched the child in the face causing them to fall off a porch and hit his head, the report continues.
The child was taken to the emergency room suffering a possible concussion, according to the ECSO.
Campbell was released from the Escambia County Jail Thursday night on a $22,500 bond
Warm Wednesday, High In The Mid 70s; Rain For Thursday
February 15, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: A chance of showers before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Some of the storms could be severe. Cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between midnight and 3am, then a chance of showers after 3am. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 48. South wind around 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 56. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Washington’s Birthday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.
ESCO Recovers Multiple Stolen Items On Bowman Avenue
February 15, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office recovered multiple stolen items Tuesday afternoon on Bowman Avenue in the Ensley area.
Items recovered included ATVs, lawnmowers, power equipment and more.
The ECSO said charges and arrests are expected in the case, but provided no other details.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Children’s Trust Funds ‘YouthFirst Century’ Ed Program; Town To Front $61K To Jumpstart
February 15, 2023
The Escambia County Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded $5,104,482 in grants to 19 service providers during a meeting Tuesday morning, including nearly $400,000 to a program focusing specifically on the Century area. The Town of Century will advance over $61,000 to jumpstart the program.
The Urban Development Center (UDC), a Pensacola non-profit, will receive $397,556 for the first year of a program called “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. Of the 19 awards by ECT, it was the fourth-highest scoring program.
RELATED: Escambia Children’s Trust Awards $5.1 Million For 19 Programs, Only Two In District 5
According to the UDC proposal, Century is “often referred to as ‘the forgotten city’, by its residents” and the town’s children and youth children and youth “presently attend Bratt Elementary School, Byrne Elementary School, Earnest Ward Middle School and Northview High School”, according the proposal. (Editor’s note: The quoted incorrect spellings are those of UDC in their application; the correct spellings are Byrneville Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle.)
UDC stated that there are “no community activity center or facilities” for children and youth and no computer lab in the town.
In their application to ECT, UDC acknowledged that they did not have the cash on hand to operate under a cost reimbursement model.
ECT voted in early December not to advance any funding to providers. Multiple providers, in addition to UDC, based their programs on other funding or sponsorships from corporations, non-profits and other groups.
The Town of Century will front $61,925 to The Urban Development Center to purchase items like computers and workbooks. The 500 workbooks at $52.75 per workbook will be purchased from UDC for $26,375. UDC will reimburse the town after they receive the ECT funding, but no specific deadline was established.
The town originally approved fronting $58,775, but that amount was increased during a January 17 meeting. A NorthEscambia.com public records request has not been fulfilled for the documentation presented to the council by UDC on January 17.
“We have received your request and will respond as quickly as possible,” Town Clerk Leslie Howington wrote in an email on January 18.
UDC’s proposed budget, as presented to ECT is below.
According to UDC application, the program will utilize:
- Transportation for students will be provided by local startup Metro Rapid Transportation.
- The town-owned Century Business Center at 150 East Pond Street will host Century’s first computer lab. Other program locations will be the town’s Century Ag Building (community center) on Highway 4 and the “Century Public Center” at 7921 North Century Boulevard. According to Escambia County property records, the “Century Public Center”, located just south of the library, is owned by Century Town Council President Luis Gomez, Jr., who told the council he is donating the use of his building.
- The program will make classes available for 40 weeks from 2-6 p.m., Monday through Friday both in-person and virtually with more than 30 courses. It will shift into a camp-based program in the summer months.
RELATED: Escambia Children’s Trust Awards $5.1 Million For 19 Programs, Only Two In District 5
Pictured top and inset: Dr. Jessica A. Griffen, CEO of The Urban Development Center, addresses the Century Town Council at two different meetings. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Notes on the UDC budget above, per the application: JetFuel is a Century based technology entrepreneurial business operated by Calvin Cottrell. Tutor4You is a tutoring service with “Mr. Sanders”. Reality Check Counseling is Susan Dawson, a licensed mental health counselor. Favored Hearts is owned by Cordella Allen, a clinical nurse, that will provide CPR certifications.