Amelia Patricia Solomon
April 10, 2025
Mrs. Amelia Patricia Solomon, age 86, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, surrounded by the love and warmth of her family in Pensacola, Florida. She was a lifelong resident of Walnut Hill, Florida. Her life was a tapestry woven with kindness, laughter, and the enduring bonds of family and friendship. She attended Annie Jones Methodist Church.
She loved to read and found joy in cooking delicious meals, especially baking cakes, pies, and delightful desserts that brought smiles to her family. Evenings were often spent watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, challenging herself and enjoying the thrill of the game. Attending church offered her a sense of community, and she cherished spending time with her family and grandchildren, creating lasting memories together. Shopping was another favorite pastime, whether finding special gifts or simply indulging in a little retail therapy. Over the years, she enjoyed traveling to California and other lovely destinations, adding wonderful experiences to her life. She also took delight in sending Christmas and birthday cards, keeping her loved ones close, no matter the distance.
Preceded in death by her parents, John Dewey and Lucy Serina Vaughan; husband, Preston Solomon; two brothers, John Henry Vaughan and Dewey Vaughan; sister, Loretta Cox; granddaughter, Mattie Elizabeth Solomon.
She is survived by one daughter, Amelia Solomon (Randy) Frahm of Rockwood, TN; two sons, John Preston (Stephanie) Solomon of Walnut Hill, FL and Joseph Michael (Denise) Solomon of Markham, TX; and five grandchildren, Tabitha Frahm Carter (Jasen) Jordan “Luci” Frahm, JP (Dera) Solomon, Levi (Alyssa) Solomon and Makenna (Jacob) Krenek; three great-grandchildren, Harrison, Eli and Weslie; honorary grandchild, Roy Garza’.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Petty Funeral Homes with Bruce Godwin officiating.
Visitation will be held Friday, April 11, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. at Petty Funeral Homes.
Pallbearers will be JP Solomon, Levi Solomon, Jordan “Luci” Frahm, Jacob Krenek, Makenna Krenek and Tabitha Frahm Carter
Burial will follow at Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, Atmore, Alabama is in charge of all arrangements.
‘A Lifesaver’: Ribbon Cut On Inmate-Built Tiny Home At Century Prison
April 9, 2025
“A lifesaver” — that’s how one inmate described the tiny home construction program at Century Correctional Institution during a ribbon cutting event Tuesday morning.
Just under a year ago, a groundbreaking ceremony was held inside the prison on Tedder Road for the program, the first of its kind in the state. The program is operated under the watchful eye of the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) by PRIDE Enterprises — PRIDE stands for Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises. PRIDE is a not-for-profit corporation created by the Florida Legislature in 1981. It receives no state appropriations.
Tuesday, a ribbon was cut to officially mark the completion of the program’s first tiny home, which PRIDE donated back to Century CI. It will be used for staff housing adjacent to the prison for a correctional officer. Future builds will be sold as affordable housing.
In the program, inmates gain experience, complete classroom courses and gain industry certifications they can leverage to find employment once they are released.
One of the program’s first inmate participants was Robert Bassett, Jr. of Cantonment. Now 48, he is serving a six-year, three-month and nine-day sentence for battery and aggravated stalking convictions. He is scheduled to be released two days before Thanksgiving.
He joined the tiny home class in October 2023 when the PRIDE facility was nothing more than an open field within the confines of the prison fence.
“I’m proud. I’m proud,” he said about seeing the ribbon cutting for the program’s first complete tiny home. “It was dirt. We had problems, and we got through it together. I’ve grown a lot.”
Bassett said he believes the tiny house program will lead him towards success when he is released in November.
“The housing market is pretty bad right now. They are deporting everybody. There’s got to be some work for me somewhere.” He hopes to find a job in finishing because he likes sheetrock and painting.
The best part of the program to Bassett?
“The escape. The reality of being perfect is because we’re out here 10 hours a day. That’s 10 hours a day I’m not in there watching somebody getting stabbed, watching somebody smoke dope, do something crazy. It’s been a lifesaver, really.”
Former state senator Doug Broxson, who was instrumental in establishing the program in Century CI, said the program will be a lifesaver for inmates rejoining society after their release.
“They will be full-fledged citizens working in our community,” Broxson said of the inmates in the program, many of whom will soon be released in the coming weeks and months.
Dignitaries who attended Tuesday morning’s ribbon cutting inside Century CI including Broxson, FDC Secretary Ricky Dixon, former Century CI warden and current FDC Deputy Secretary Richard Comerford, PRIDE President Blake Crown, and PRIDE Board of Directors Chair James Reeves.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny, Near 70 This Afternoon
April 9, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 49. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 48. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 45. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 52.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Flooding Road Closure Updates
April 9, 2025
Here is the latest on flooding road closures in North Escambia.
River Annex Road and Nokomis Road were added to the closure list on Tuesday, while Arthur Brown Road reopened.
REOPENED
- Arthur Brown at Brushy Creek — REOPENED
- Arthur Brown at Freedom Springs Branch — REOPENED
- O.C. Phillips Road at Brushy Creek — REOPENED (possible rough approach)
- Pineville Road at Brushy Creek — REOPENED (possible rough approach)
CLOSED
- NEW — Rockaway Creek bridge over Rocky Branch
- Nokomis Road between Albritton & Tullis — detour in place
- River Annex Road off Muscogee
- Pine Forest Road (Walnut Hill) — North of Arthur Brown (collapse)
- Barrineau Park Road bridge over Perdido River into Alabama
Pictured above: River Annex Road off Muscogee Road. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Veterans Outreach Event Today In Molino
April 9, 2025
The Escambia County Veterans Services Office will host an event today in Molino to give veterans a chance to discuss benefits with an accredited veterans services officer.
Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. No appointment is required.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A in Molino.
Escambia County Veterans Services Office staff members will be available to help with topics including reviewing VA benefits, filing a VA claim, and reevaluating VA disability.
For more information, contact the Veterans Services Office at (850) 595-2409 or email VSO@myescambia.com. Learn more about Escambia County’s Veterans Services Office at MyEscambia.com/veterans-services.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Cantonment Man Arrested on Multiple Drug and Firearm Charges After Search Warrant
April 9, 2025
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies executed a search warrant at a home on Kathleen Avenue recently, leading to the arrest of a Cantonment man on drug and firearm charges.
Joseph Ryan Koone was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver, and possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
The search warrant was part of an ongoing narcotics investigation, according to the ECSO.
An arrest report states a search of the property revealed a quantity of drugs and firearms, including:
- 359.5 grams of marijuana
- $5,940 in United States Currency
- Multiple firearms, including shotguns and a 9mm handgun, along with ammunition
- THC vape pens and cartridges, THC hash oil, and various drug paraphernalia.
Koone reportedly told deputies that he lives at the residence, sharing it with his girlfriend and her son, and contributes to the household expenses. He claimed to work at a mobile phone repair shop and sell sneakers.
He admitted to possessing and selling THC cartridges, and knowledge of the firearms found in the house, according to his arrest report. Koone also told deputies that he found the marijuana.
According to the ECSO, Koone is a four-time convicted felon.
Koone was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $32,500 bond.
Tate Girls Tennis Beats Pace 6-1
April 9, 2025
The Tate Aggies girls tennis team earned a 6-1 senior night win over Pace on Tuesday. Next up, the Aggies will be at Choctaw on Wednesday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Softball Beats Gulf Breeze, Baseball Slips To TRM
April 9, 2025
SOFTBALL
Northview 7, Gulf Breeze 4
The Northview Lady Chiefs beat the Gulf Breeze Dolphins 7-4 in Gulf Breeze Tuesday night.
Jamison Gilman pitched six and one-third innings for the Chiefs, surrendering eight hits and four runs in six and one-third innings while walking four and striking out three. Mikayla McAnally faced five batters in relief over two-thirds of an inning, allowing two hits while striking out two and walking one.
Bailey Burkette led NHS with three RBIs as she went 1-2. Mikayla McAnally, Daviona Randolph, and Avery Stuckey recorded two hits each for the Chiefs.
Northview will continue a three game road series Thursday at West Florida.
BASEBALL
T.R. Miller 3, Northview 2
The T.R. Miller Tigers slipped past the Northview Chiefs on Tuesday night in Brewton.
Jackson Bridges was on the mound for five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits while walking two and striking out seven. Braynt Mason pitched a one-hit inning with no runs, strikeouts or walks.
Jase Portwood led Northview with two RBIs as he went 1-3. Cole Davis, Dane King, Jase Portwood, and Grayden Sheffield each had one hit for the Chief.
Up next, Northview will host Baker in a district game Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Mack’s Homer Leads Wahoos To Win And Record-Tying Season Start
April 9, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Mack had a couple of hard-hit outs in his first two games to start this season. Fate changed his way Tuesday.
Mack blasted a two-run homer—part of a three-hit, three-RBI night—then got a birds-eye view behind the plate of reliever Josh Ekness’ clutch relief as the Blue Wahoos held on for a 5-4 victory against the Montgomery Biscuits, going 4-0 to start 2025 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The game began a six-game series between the teams. The win enabled the Blue Wahoos to tie their best start in franchise history, matching the 2021 team, which was their first season as a Miami Marlins affiliate. They can set a record Wednesday in the second game of the series.
On the first “Doggone Tuesday,” where fans could bring their beloved dogs and tickets were all one price with a meal included, Mack provided another look at why he’s viewed as a rising talent. His two-run homer in the third inning gave the Blue Wahoos a lead they kept.
In addition to his homer, Mack doubled home another run, singled, scored two runs, and threw out a runner trying to steal. He also helped Ekness dial up brilliance as the Blue Wahoos’ closer.
The Biscuits cut a 5-1 deficit to a one-run game in the eighth inning. Blue Wahoos reliever Orlando Ortiz-Mayr struggled with location, yielding three hits and two walks after retiring the first batter.
Ekness entered with two on and one out. He struck out the first batter he faced, then got a deep flyout to end the inning. In the ninth, he struck out the side to end the game and record his first save.
This game also featured a memorable moment for Cody Morissette. A former multi-sport athlete and talented hockey player, Morissette scored three beers with one home run shot.
His line-drive rocket in the fourth inning sailed beyond the right field wall. The ball landed at a table of fans, part of a group outing A
The people were fine. The drinks were replaced. And Morissette had his first homer of the season to give the Blue Wahoos a 3-1 lead.
Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios worked four innings, giving up a run on four hits with three strikeouts.
In the third inning, Jared Serna led off and reached on a throwing error. Mack then blasted a fastball out of the ballpark. He came into the game with one hit in his first seven at-bats. Mack followed with a double that scored Serna in the seventh. Nathan Martorella then singled home Mack.
Shane Sasaki was robbed of a potential home run in the fourth inning when Biscuits centerfielder Colton Ledbetter leaped above the wall to snare the ball with his glove.
Jacob Miller will be the Blue Wahoos’ starter on Wednesday in the second game of the series.
GAME NOTABLES
- Blue Wahoos corporate sales executive Andie Masten and group sales executive Jessica Voigt together performed the National Anthem.
- Rachel Balkovec, the Marlins director of player development, watched Tuesday’s game from the Blue Wahoos dugout.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
WHEN: Wednesday thru Sunday
River Annex Road In Cantonment Closed Due To Perdido River Floodwaters
April 8, 2025
River Annex Road off Muscogee Road in Cantonment has been closed by rising water from the nearby Perdido River. According to the National Weather Service, the Perdido River is near crest and is expected to begin slowly falling by tonight. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.