Bratt Elementary School Celebrates November Leaders Of The Month
November 29, 2023
Bratt Elementary School November Leaders of the Month enjoyed story time and a pizza party Tuesday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Pet Pantry at Escambia Animal Shelter Helps Feed Pets In Need
November 28, 2023
If she has to choose between feeding her four dogs and two cats or feeding herself, Escambia County resident Miriam Grant will always choose her pets.
“They’re my babies, and I’ll give up my food before I let them go hungry,” said Grant, who is on a fixed income each month. “They’re my life.”
Thanks to a new partnership between local nonprofit Jo Jo’s Paws and Escambia County Animal Welfare, hopefully that’s a choice Grant won’t have to make in the future.
Jo Jo’s Paws recently relocated their pet pantry program to the Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center on Fairfield Drive, providing free cat and dog food to residents in need, along with a variety of essential pet items and resources.
Grant visited the pantry for the first time this month to get food and treats for her dogs and cats, after hearing about it from her friend Ann Walker. Walker also lives on a very limited disability income, so Jo Jo’s Paws has helped her several times with keeping her two dogs fed.
“It’s been incredibly helpful,” Walker said.
Jo Jo’s Paws Director and Founder Patti Roberts said they aim to provide judgment-free assistance to those who need a little help ensuring their pets don’t go hungry – whether it’s due to homelessness, living on a fixed income, or just some unexpected financial difficulties.
“Our main goal is to help people not have to make that choice of whether they’re going to eat or are their pets going to eat,” said Roberts, who manages the pantry with her friend Linda Signer. “Maybe their paycheck is a little tight, or maybe they just need some support or someone to talk to.”
The pet pantry is open to Escambia County residents with a valid driver’s license, although Roberts said exceptions can sometimes be made depending on the circumstances and number of available donations. The pantry is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Escambia County Animal Welfare Director John Robinson said he’s excited about the partnership with Jo Jo’s Paws, which ultimately helps keep pets out of the shelter by providing much-needed resources to owners who are struggling to care for their pets.
“Through this partnership, we can help provide citizens with a way to keep their animals instead of surrendering them to the shelter or having to give them away because of difficult circumstances,” Robinson said. “This will help keep pets in their homes or with their families, which in most cases is the best place for them to be.”
Jo Jo’s Paws previously operated their pantry in another location on Fairfield Drive until the building was sold, moving into Escambia County Animal Welfare about a month ago. Since April 2023, Jo Jo’s Paws has distributed more than 8,300 pounds of pet food to individuals in need, including 894 pounds of pet food distributed in just the first half of November.
Escambia County Animal Welfare provides the pantry space to Jo Jo’s Paws free of charge, and Robinson said he hopes to continue growing the partnership to help as many pets as possible. Roberts agreed.
“It’s been really great, and I feel that with the partnership, there’s a lot we can do,” Roberts said. “It may not happen fast, but I believe that over time, there are a lot of things we can help the community with – whether it’s low-cost vaccinations, low-cost spay/neuter, or other assistance programs.”
Jo Jo’s Paws is donation-driven, so Roberts said they are always appreciative of anyone willing to donate and help them assist even more people and pets.
“We want to keep pets out of the shelter and help the community – let them know there’s someone who’s there for them, empathizes with them and is there to help them through their situation,” Roberts said. “And with the county partnership, I believe we’ll be able to help a lot of people in the community.”
The most-needed items for Jo Jo’s Paws are cat and dog food (wet or dry), cat and dog treats, and 1-gallon or larger resealable plastic storage bags. Jo Jo’s Paws will gladly accept any pet items, including pet jackets or clothing, pet beds, blankets, collars and leashes, and kitty litter.
Donations can be dropped off at Escambia County Animal Welfare, located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive, during normal business hours: Monday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Sunday).
For questions about donations or assistance through Jo Jo’s Paws, please contact Jo Jo’s Paws at (850) 760-7876 or jojospaws2021@gmail.com.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
11 Purple Star Schools Named For Outstanding Support of Military Families
November 28, 2023
Eleven additional Escambia County Public Schools have been recognized by the Florida Department of Education as Purple Star Schools of Distinction.
The purpose of the Purple Star School of Distinction Designation is to recognize schools that support the unique needs of military families, help military-connected students navigate critical challenges and provide resources for military-connected students when transitioning to a new school environment. The program was established by the Florida Legislature (House Bill 429) and signed into law in June 2021.
The most recent schools to achieve this honor include:
- Bellview Elementary School
- Beulah Elementary School
- Booker T. Washington High School
- Brown-Barge Middle School
- Ernest Ward Middle School
- Hellen Caro Elementary School
- J. H. Workman Middle School
- J. M. Tate High School
- Lipscomb Elementary School
- Pine Forest High School
- Pleasant Grove Elementary
There are now 20 Escambia County schools recognized as a Purple Star School of Distinction including nine (9) earning the distinction last school year.
- Bailey Middle
- Beulah Academy of Science
- Blue Angels Elementary
- Escambia High School
- Global Learning Academy
- Jim Allen Elementary
- N.B. Cook Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- West Florida High School
“It was a privilege to guide the schools through the application process as the district’s military point of contact,” said Monica Willis, military Liaison for the Escambia County Public Schools. “There are amazing things happening in our schools to support military families on a daily basis.”
Tate High School Names Students of the Month for October
November 28, 2023
Tate High School has named their Students of the Month for October. They are Tin Tran and Aneesa Gallegos. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Toddler Was In The Car As Cantonment Woman Was Shot, ECSO Says
November 28, 2023
There have been no arrests announced in the shooting of a woman who was in a car with a toddler Sunday night in, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says it appears the shooting was not random.
The incident occurred about 8:25 p.m. in the area of Sheppard and Lincoln streets, a few blocks west of Carver Park. The woman was reportedly in a parked Nissan Altima along with an adult male and a toddler.
The woman was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital where she was listed in critical condition.
Escambia Sheriff Chip Simmons said investigators believe the intended target was the adult male driver of the car, not the woman or child. The ECSO said the shooting could be retaliation possibly for a shooting of three people in the same area earlier this year. Sunday night’s shooting occurred at the same residence.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 850-433-STOP or the ECSO at 850-436-9620.
Freeze Warning For Tuesday Night
November 28, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 57. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. High near 73. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 71. East wind around 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.
Cantonment Rotary Distributes 1,000 Water Safety Books To Kindergarten Students
November 28, 2023
The Cantonment Rotary Club distributed the water safety book “Josh the Otter” to about 1,000 kindergarten students in District 5 plus Ensley Elementary School. Coloring books were distributed with each book.
The book teaches the children about water safety when swimming.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers Kicking Off December With Two Home Games
November 27, 2023
The Ice Flyers are back at the Hangar after closing out the November schedule with a pair of road games. On Friday, the team played an uncharacteristic game against the Bulls, losing 8-1. On Sunday, the team bounced back with a 1-0 win against the Macon Mayhem with goaltender Stephen Mundinger getting another shut-out win under his belt.
The Ice Flyers sit at 2nd in the league standings with the visiting Peoria Rivermen (3rd) making a trip down for the weekend series.
Here’s a look at the team’s schedule for this week:
MONDAY – REST DAY
TUESDAY – TRAINING
WEDNESDAY – TRAINING
THURSDAY – TRAINING
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1 – TEDDY BEAR TOSS NIGHT
Peoria vs. Ice Flyers at 7:05 p.m. CT
Toss! Those! Bears! Join the Ice Flyers for their annual Teddy Bear Toss Night. Fans are encouraged to bring teddy bears and other stuffed animals to the game and throw them onto the ice after the first Ice Flyers goal is scored. All items collected will be donated to local non-profit organizations just in time for the holidays.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 – RALLY FOUNDATION NIGHT
Peoria vs. Ice Flyers at 7:05 p.m. CT
Help the Ice Flyers end childhood cancer in support of Rally Gulf Coast with a night dedicated to fundraising and awarenes
Winning Fantasy 5 Ticket Worth Over $100,000 Sold In Davisville
November 27, 2023
Someone is over $100,000 richer today after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket in Davisville.
The ticket sold at the State Line Gift Shop next to the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97 was the only winning ticket in the Sunday evening drawing and is worth $$104,191.62.
The Sunday evening winning numbers were 4-7-16-25-34.
Tate High Alumni Group Donates To Local Food Pantry
November 27, 2023
The Tate High School Alumni group recently made a donation to the community food pantry ministry at the Back to the Rack Thrift Store to benefit local families at Thanksgiving. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.