ECUA Board Elects Chair, Vice Chair For Upcoming Year
November 15, 2023
The ECUA held its 2023-2024 organizational board meeting for Tuesday Officers were unanimously elected among the members to fill the positions of board chairman and vice-chair. Lois Benson, District Two, was re-elected to serve as Board Chair and Kevin Stephens, District 5 was re-elected to the vice-chairmanship. Also, by unanimous vote, Vicki Campbell, District One, was reelected to the chairmanship of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) and Larry Williams, Sr., was reelected to serve as the CAC Vice-Chair.
The Board then appointed the following citizens to serve on the CAC:
- Ronald Rivera – District One
- Dean Kirschner – District Two
- Louis Brown, III – District Three
- Larry Walker, Ph.D. – District Four
- David Gaines – District Five
- Imelda Cromartie – At Large
- Louise Ritz – At Large
Tate Senior Seth Ray Named National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student
November 15, 2023
Tate High School senior Seth Ray has been named a Commended student in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program, Principal Laura Touchstone announced Tuesday.
A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®), which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to this scholastically talented senior.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2024 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2024 competition by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
“I am immensely proud to see Seth’s hard work and dedication acknowledged at the national level, “Touchstone said. “This prestigious recognition is a testament to his outstanding intellectual abilities, tireless work ethic, and commitment to academic excellence. The National Merit Scholarship Program is highly competitive, and this achievement reflects Seth’s exceptional performance on the PSAT/NMSQT. This accomplishment is not only a reflection of Seth’s abilities but also a credit to the supportive and enriching academic environment fostered here at Tate High School.”
Photo for NorthEscamia.com, click to enlarge.
Five People Injured In Chemstrand Road Crash
November 14, 2023
Five people are recovering following a wreck Monday night at the intersection of Chemstrand Road and Crooked Oak Drive.
Two vehicles were involved in a crash with one vehicle crashing into a ravine. Two passengers were extricated from a pickup truck while an additional 20 minutes was required to extricate the passengers from the vehicle in the ravine. Five patients were transported to area hospitals.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
Photos for NOrthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With The Aggravated Assault Of His Wife
November 14, 2023
A Cantonment mans is accused of the aggravated assault of his wife
Cedric Gray, 25, allegedly hit his wife in the face, causing injuries, and pointed a loaded firearm at the victim’s head.
He was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and misdemeanor battery
The victim had invited Gray over to dinner and woke up to Gray striking her in the face, according to an arrest report, while accusing her of having an affair with other guys before pulling a small pink or purple firearm from his pocket, the report continues.
Gray remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $26,500.
Free Thanksgiving Meal Distribution This Saturday In Beulah
November 14, 2023
Rep. Michelle Salzman and Beulah Church in partnership with Farm Share and other community partners are sponsoring a 30,000 pound Food Distribution and Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway on Saturday, November 18, starting at 7:30 AM while supplies last at the Beulah Church.
The food distribution will help those who may be struggling and going through a hard time to supplement their family Thansgiving. There will be full Thanksgiving meals for the first 300 families.
Salzman, Farm Share, Commissioner Steven Barry, Congressman Matt Gaetz, Kevin Stephens, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Ascend Cares, The Butcher Shoppe, International Paper, Florida Power and Light, Beulah Church, Escambia County Council PTA, Aaron Erskine, State Farm Tyler Kercher, Escambia County Council PTA, Thompson Trucking, & other community partners are joining in the effort.
Beulah Church is located at 7561 Mobile Hwy.
Vehicles may line up no earlier than 7 a.m., and there will be a designated area for walk-ups.
Century Correctonal Inmate Assaults Officer, FDC Says
November 14, 2023
A Century Correctional Institution inmate assaulted a correctional officer recently, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Norris Hudson assaulted an officer assaulted by pushing their arms. Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued.
Hudson was serving a five-year sentence out of Lee County for theft and burglary.
Patricia Ann Garrett,
November 14, 2023
Mrs. Patricia Ann Garrett, age 80, passed away, Monday, November 13, 2023, in Atmore AL. A native of Bury St. Edmonds, England and a resident of Atmore the last 60 years. She was a sitter for many years.
Mrs. Garrett enjoyed traveling with her family and baby sitting her grandchildren. She enjoyed sitting around reading, knitting, crocheting and watching soap operas. She got a lot of enjoyment out of doing arts, crafts and along with pottery.
Mrs. Garrett is preceded in death by her parents, William Thomas (Joyce Winifred Edwards) Garrett, husband Elvin “Bobby” Garrett, and two sisters, Wendy and Sylvia Devers.
She is survived by her three daughters, Tracy (Jerry Wayne) Stuckey, of McDavid, FL; Ann (Shawn) Jones, of Perdido, AL; Belinda (Shawn) Barnhill, of Bethlehem, PA; three brothers, Billy Devers, of England, Bobby Devers, of England, Richard Devers, of England, Dorothy Devers, of England, Maureen Watson, of England, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, November 17, 2023 at 3:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Visitation will be held Friday, November 17, 2023 from 2:00 PM until service time at 3:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. Atmore, Alabama is in charge of all arrangements.
10,000 Pound Food Giveaway Tuesday Afternoon In Cantonment
November 13, 2023
Cantonment Improvement Committee will hold a 10,000 pound drive-thru food giveaway Tuesday afternoon, November 14 at Carver Park on Webb Street.
A traditional third Tuesday distribution will not happen on Tuesday, November 21.
The food distribution will begin at 3 p.m. and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. People should line up their vehicles, single file on Webb Street facing north; food will be loaded into vehicles. Identification is required.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Rain Likely Through Wednesday
November 13, 2023
Tuesday through Thursday looks soggy with widespread 2 to 4 inches of rain possible with locally heavier amounts. The heaviest rain will likely fall along the coast with less rain further inland.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Showers. High near 58. Breezy, with a northeast wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: Showers. Low around 51. Breezy, with an east wind around 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Wednesday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Windy, with an east wind 20 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Breezy, with a northeast wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
West Florida HS Teacher Charged With Shooting Wife, Brother-in-law While In Tennessee For Wedding
November 13, 2023
A now-suspended West Florida High School English teacher is charged with shooting his wife and brother-in-law this past weekend in Tennessee.
Cody Wiggins, 29, is charged with two counts of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, aggravated domestic assault, and tampering with evidence. He was being held in the Williamson County, Tennessee Jail on a $3.5 million bond.
The incident happened about 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin, Tennessee. Police responded to the hotel after receiving a call about an active shooter. They found the two gunshot victims who were transported to local hospitals; an update on their conditions was not provided. Local police said Wiggins had fled the area, but they found him a short distance away in a subdivision with a semi-automatic handgun.
Franklin Police haven’t said what led to the shooting. However, they said Wiggins and the victims were attending a wedding in that city.
The Escambia County School District said Wiggins has been suspended from his position while the investigation continues.