Northview’s Makayla Golson Signs With Millsaps College
December 5, 2023
Northview High School’s Makayla Golson signed Monday to play softball at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vice President Of Escambia (Ala.) School Board Charged With Revealing Grand Jury Secrets
December 4, 2023
Another member of the Escambia County (Alabama) School Board has been charged with revealing grand jury secrets.
District 4 Board Member Cynthia A. Jackson, age 72, who was elected board vice president just last week, was arrested midday Monday on a charge related to revealing grand jury secrets, according to jail records.
Last week, an Escambia County, Alabama School Board member, who is a weekly newspaper owner and publisher, and one of her reporters were officially been indicted by a grand jury.
Atmore News Publisher Sherry Digmon, 72, and Don Fletcher, 69, were each indicted by an Escambia County Grand Jury on charges of “revealing evidence of the grand jury”.
Both were set to appear in court Monday for a preliminary hearing, but that hearing was canceled after the indictment was returned. They are no longer eligible for a preliminary hearing after being indicted.
Digmon is co-owner and publisher of The Atmore News which reported October 25 that the local district attorney was investigating COVID funds paid to school system employees. The paper also revealed that Digmon’s phone and that the phone of another school board member had been seized under a search warrant. Both had recently voted against renewing an employment contract with Superintendent of Education Michele McClung.
Jim Allen’s Melissa Parker Named School District Stellar Employee Of The Month
December 4, 2023
Jim Allen Elementary School’s Melissa Parker was the Escambia County Public Schools Stellar Employee for the month for November.
When Jim Allen’s media specialist retired, Parker willingly took on additional responsibilities and assisted in all aspects of the library, ensuring a seamless transition for the new media specialist. She worked diligently alongside the new specialist to swiftly restore the functionality of the library.
“Parker demonstrates exceptional qualities as an employee. She starts her day by warmly welcoming students as they arrive on campus, always addressing them by name. Throughout the day, Melissa excels in her role at the library, working collaboratively with the media specialist to guide students in finding the right books and discussing their current reading choices,”the district said.
“Melissa’s unwavering optimism in the face of change serves as a valuable lesson for others. She takes pride in being an integral part of the Jim Allen community and actively participates in after-hours events. Ms. Parker’s unwavering dedication to supporting and motivating students and teachers drives her to exceed expectations at Jim Allen,” a district statement continued.
Multiple Injuries Reported In Highway 29, Highway 97 Intersection Crash
December 4, 2023
Multiple injuries were reported in a crash midday Sunday at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
The three-vehicle crash involving a pickup truck and two SUVs was reported about 11:47 a.m., and at least two Escambia County EMS ambulances responded.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further details.
Photos by Kevin Enfinger for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Library Is Now Open On Mondays
December 4, 2023
The Century Library is now open on Mondays.
The library is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
“Opening our Century location on Mondays is a step forward in ensuring that we are best serving the communities in the north end of Escambia County. We look forward to bringing new programming and events to the Century Library six days a week,” said Todd J. Humble, director of West Florida Public Libraries.
The Century Library hosts Family Story Time every Wednesday from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m. in addition to other programming and events.
The library is located at 991 North Century Boulevard, next to the town hall. A 24-hour book return is also available at the rear of the building.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fatal Shooting Suspect Arrested
December 4, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in connection with a fatal shooting Saturday night.
Isiah Jamal Collie, 24, was wanted for a deadly shooting after 10 p.m. in the 3400-block of Tarragona Street. The shooting investigation is continuing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 850-433-STOP or the ECSO at 850-436-9620.
Partly Sunny Skies Return With Highs Near 70 Monday
December 4, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 55. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Breezy.
Mailing A Package For Christmas? Here Are The Post Office Deadlines
December 4, 2023
The U.S. Postal Service is providing 2023 holiday shipping and mailing deadlines. The information below covers domestic, international and military shipping destinations to allow for the timely delivery of cards, letters and packages by Dec. 25th.
The Postal Service has announced it will not have a peak, or demand, surcharge this holiday season, offering increased predictability in pricing for customers. The Postal Service offers simple, upfront pricing year-round with no additional fees for residential area delivery, for Saturday delivery, no fuel surcharges and no volume minimums.
2023 USPS Holiday Shipping and Mailing Deadlines
Within the Lower 48 (excludes Alaska and Hawaii)
USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16
First-Class Mail (including greeting cards) — Dec. 16
Priority Mail — Dec. 18
Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20
Alaska
USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16
First-Class Mail — Dec. 16
Priority Mail — Dec. 18
Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20
Hawaii
USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16
First-Class Mail — Dec. 16
Priority Mail — Dec. 16
Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20
Air/Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO), Diplomatic Post Office (DPO)
USPS Ground Advantage — Nov. 6
First-Class Mail — Dec. 9
Priority Mail — Dec. 9
Priority Mail Express Military Service — Dec. 15*
Pictured: The Cantonment Post Office. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Inch Upward, Local Average Below $3
December 4, 2023
Florida gas prices are declining again after an abrupt increase last week. After setting a new 2023 low of $3.01 per gallon last Monday, the state average jumped to $3.17 by Thursday.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Florida was at $3.14.
In Escambia County, drivers were paying an average of $2.98 Sunday nigt. A North Escambia low of $2.89 could be found on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices were as low as $2.63 on East Nine Mile Road.
“Florida gas prices seem to be moving down again almost as quickly as they shot up,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “There isn’t any clear explanation for last week’s sudden increase, as oil and gasoline futures logged their sixth consecutive weekly loss. Regardless, drivers in many cities are beginning to find gas prices close to the same levels where they were last week.
Pedestrian Critical After Highway 29 Hit And Run Saturday Night
December 3, 2023
A pedestrian is in critical condition after a hit and run on Highway 29 in Escambia County Saturday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said an unknown vehicle was traveling south on Highway 29 in the area of Jacquelyn Way, south of Brent Lane ,about 7:34 p.m.when it struck a 56-year old Pensacola man that was within the travel lanes before fleeing the scene
The pedestrian was transported to an area hospital.
Anyone with information is asked to call *FHP.