George Stone Students Fabricate Unique Christmas Tree
December 25, 2024
Welding students at George Stone Technical College fabricated the most unique of Christmas trees.
The daytime and evening welding classes worked together to make a metal Christmas tree.
For over 55 years, George Stone Technical College has been preparing individuals for rewarding careers and providing local businesses with a highly skilled workforce. The Escambia County School District provides over 25 career and technical eduation programs.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
House Ethics Releases Scathing Report On Matt Gaetz
December 24, 2024
The House Ethics Committee has released their report on Matt Gaetz following a yearslong investigation that Gaetz was involved in a range of illegal conduct. He has repeatedly and vehemently denied the allegations.
The Committee conclude that Gaetz “violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress”.
The allegations against the former Congressional representative included that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl, which in Florida would be a felony.
“There is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz engaged in sexual activity with a 17-year-old girl,” the Committee found. “The Committee received credible testimony from VictimA herself, as well as multiple individuals corroborating the allegation.” The Committee found that there was no reason to doubt the alleged victim’s credibility. Gaetz denied the allegation but refused to testify under oath.
The reported found that between 2017 and 2020, Gaetz paid women to have sex with him, including the underage girl in 2017, during his first term in the House.
The report included the following charged the Committee said summarizes payments made by Gaetz to women and Joel Greenberg, a one-time friend of Gaetz that is now service an 11-year prison sentenced after pleading guilty in 2022 to sex trafficking.
Last week, Gaetz wrote in a post on X that was fully exonerated by the Department of Justice.
“In my single days, I often sent funds to women I dated – even some I never dated but who asked. I dated several of these women for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court – which is why no such claim was ever made in court.”
To read the full report, click here.
Photos: Christmas Activities At Jim Allen Elementary
December 24, 2024
During December, the students at Jim Allen Elementary School celebrated the Christmas season with a variety of activities.
There was Polar Express Science in Ms. Rudd’s class, Grinch Day, Elf hats, Polar Express pajama day and more
For a big photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here’s The Christmas Closure And Trash Schedule You Need To Know
December 24, 2024
Escambia County
In observance of Christmas, Escambia County offices will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 25:
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners (all departments)
West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
Escambia County Property Appraiser
Escambia County Tax Collector
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
Escambia County Extension Office
Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Waste Services Administration and Perdido Landfill
Escambia County Area Transit Administration
The Perdido Landfill will close at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Regular hours will resume Thursday, Dec. 26.
ECUA
Residential and commercial for Christmas – Wednesday, Dec. 25: Collection will be made on Thursday, Dec. 26. Thursday’s collections will be on Friday, and Friday’s collections will be on Saturday. ECUA offices will be closed on December 24 and 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday.
ECAT Bus Schedule
ECAT buses will run a modified schedule Tuesday, Dec. 24. The last bus will depart from ECAT at 5:30 p.m., and commuter route 60 will depart at 6 p.m. Service will not run Wednesday, Dec. 25. Regular service will resume Thursday, Dec. 26. The UWF Express Trolley will resume service Saturday, Jan. 4, and the campus trolleys will resume service Monday, Jan. 6.
Century
The Century Town Hall will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 25. The regular Wednesday trash pick up will be delayed to Thursday, Dec. 26.
Pictured: Palafox Place on a rainy December day. Photo by Kathy Boyle for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Letters To Santa From Byrneville Elementary Third Graders
December 24, 2024
NorthEscambia.com asked second and third grade students at Byrneville Elementary School to write letters to Santa. The letters have already been forwarded to Santa to make sure he knows all their special wishes.
Today, we are publishing letters from Diane deJarnette and Julie Luker’s third grade classes.
For all of the third grade letters, click here.
For Monday’s post with the second grade letters, click here.
Cause Of ‘Major’ Fire At Ascend Remains Under Investigation
December 23, 2024
A large column of thick, dark smoke could be seen for miles Sunday evening from when what was described by local officials as a “major” fire broke out at Ascend Performance Materials in Gonzalez, according to local officials.
Multiple Escambia County Fire Rescue units responded to the plant on Old Chemstrand Road to assist Ascend’s staff firefighters, according to Davis Wood, Escambia County Fire Rescue public information office
Wood said no evacuations were ordered, and there was no immediate danger to surrounding neighborhoods.
“A fire was reported in one of our operating units,” Osama Khalifa, director of corporate communications and government affairs told NorthEsambia.com Sunday evening. “Our on-site fire department responded to the scene. Additionally, we called the Escambia County Fire Rescue for assistance responding. The fire was contained and no injuries were reported. All Ascend personnel have been safely accounted for.”
Khalifa said there was no immediate threat to the nearby community. He said the company was still working to determine the cause of the fire.
Additional information obtained by NorthEscambia.com indicated that the fire was in a multi-story building. After the fire was declared to be out, ECFR cews have remained on scene for follow-up and clean-up operations.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Letters To Santa From Byrneville Elementary Second Graders
December 23, 2024
NorthEscambia.com asked second and third grade students at Byrneville Elementary School to write letters to Santa. The letters have already been forwarded to Santa to make sure he knows all their special wishes.
Today, we are publishing letters from Hope Linton’s and Susan Moorhead’s second grade classes. We will publish the third grade letter on Tuesday.
For all the second grade letters, click here.
The wishes included: Xbox, a big doll house (and dolls), a drone with cameras, paint and craft supplies, teddy bears, Legos, bikes and more.
NorthEscambia.com, images, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Mobile Home Being Used For Storage Near McDavid
December 23, 2024
Fire destroyed a mobile home being for storage Sunday afternoon near McDavid.
The fire in the 200 block of Cox Road, just west of Highway 29, was reported just before 4 p.m.
Escambia County Fire Rescue was able to keep the fire from spreading to a nearby occupied home. There were no injuries, and no immediate word on the cause the fire.
The McDavid, Century, Cantonment and Walnut Hill stations of ECFR were dispatched to the fire.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Photos: Gingerbread House Day At Lipscomb Elementary
December 23, 2024
Students at Lipscomb Elementary School recently took part in Gingerbread House Day.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Students put their creativity to the test, building the most colorful and festive gingerbread houses that they could imagine. From icing-covered rooftops to candy cane fences, every house was a masterpiece
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Band And Chorus Perform At Winter Concert
December 23, 2024
The Ernest Ward Middle School band and chorus recently presented their winter concert. Both the chorus and band performed a selection of Christmas favorites for a large crowd. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
