West Florida Public Library’s Genealogy Collection Has Moved
December 17, 2022
The West Florida Public Library’s Genealogy Library collection has moved.
The entire collection has been relocated from the Pensacola State College campus to the WFPL’s Main Library at 239 Spring Street in Pensacola.
“We are grateful to Pensacola State College for their partnership and to everyone who has enjoyed the Genealogy Library’s collection over the years,” said Todd Humble, Director of Library Services for West Florida Public Libraries. “The collection will be at home at the Pensacola Library. We welcome anyone who is interested in genealogy and local history to come by and make use of this community resource.”
Tate, Washington High Students Named Sunshine State Scholars
December 16, 2022
Students from Tate and Washington high schools have been named Escambia County Sunshine State Scholars for 2023.
They are Synoma Perea from Tate High School and Ge’Khiya Brown from Booker T. Washington High School.
Each year, each of Florida’s school districts selects their top 11th grade students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM).
The scholars and their parents will travel to Orlando in April for a program designed to bring together scholars from around the state, connect them with employers that specialize in the STEM fields, and create a networking opportunity between the scholars and schools from Florida’s College and State University System.
The two-day program honors each scholar for their significant academic accomplishments and celebrates the potential they represent for our communities and state. In addition to the honor the scholars receive from the Commissioner of Education, the Senior Chancellor and representatives from Florida’s colleges and universities meet with the students to discuss higher education opportunities available to them in Florida. This includes workshops for college applications and informational sessions on college funding for students and their parents.
The alternate nominee from Escambia County is Nolan McCrory from West Florida High School. Malcoln Chaney from Pine Forest High School was also nominated.
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Cantonment Man Wanted In Georgia Arrested Locally On Drugs, Weapons Charges
December 16, 2022
A Cantonment man wanted in Georgia was arrested in Escambia County on multiple drugs and weapons charges.
Martious Labara Williams, 30, was charged with two counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a weapon by convicted felon, using or displaying a firearm during a felony, and fleeing law enforcement with lights and siren active. All of the charges are felonies.
After determining that Williams had an active arrest warrant, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to stop his vehicle at the intersection of Cervantes and “T” streets. The vehicle accelerated at a high speed, and deputies canceled the traffic stop. Deputies later located the black Mercedes and Williams parked behind a residence on Rue Max Street.
According to an arrest report, a search of the vehicle located a Kel-Tec PLR 22 and magazine of .22 caliber ammunition, a bag containing a magazine and 28 rounds of .233 ammunition, three pills that tested positive for meth, a bag with powder that tested positive for meth, two bag containing cocaine, two bags of marijuana, plastic sandwich bags and a digital scale with cocaine residue. On Williams’ person, deputies located a half pill of oxycodone and $3,270 in cash.
Williams was turned over to federal ATF agents pending further investigation. The black Mercedes was seized by ECSO.
Authorities said Williams also had an outstanding warrant for fleeing and eluding law enforcement, grand theft and driving without a license.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday without bond as he awaited pick up by U.S. Marshals.
See Acres Of Christmas Lights, Hayride, Goats In Pajamas At Run-a-muck Ranch In Bratt
December 16, 2022
The Run-a-muck Ranch in Bratt has tens of thousands of Christmas lights, and you are invited to stop by and see them for free. And see the goats in pajamas.
Skip and Kristy Geiser opened the Christmas display two years ago, and it’s even bigger this year.
For a photo gallery, click here.
On our recent visit, children were running and giggling, stopping to stare in awe at the displays. A fire crackled in a fire pit, making it smell like Christmas as marshmallows roasted for s’mores.
The horses were a favorite stop, but there were more “oohs and awes” over the goats in pajamas — Princess, Black Beauty and friends.
Nestled on three or four acres in the woods off Rigby Road, the display is walk-through (not a drive-through). Admission and parking are free, but donations are accepted.
Visitors walk a short distance from the parking lot down a lighted path and cross a small foot bridge into the Christmas wonderland. If it’s rained recently, remember appropriate footwear because it may be muddy. It’s in an open, park-like setting with lots of lights, inflatables, animated display and an old-fashioned hayride down a lighted trail.
Concessions are available — hot cocoa, popcorn, cotton candy, hot tea, bottled water and more are mostly $1 each. A S’mores kit will set you back just $3. Only cash is accepted. There are picnic tables and lounge chairs, and propane patio heaters if it’s cold.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Run-a-muck Ranch is located at 4951 Rigby Road in Bratt (about 1.5 miles from Bratt Elementary). Take Still Road south off West Highway 4 turn left on Rigby Road and look for the signs. Don’t expect to see a lot of lights from the road; it’s a driveway back to the parking lot. (We found that Google Maps was a bit off on the location; click here for a map to the driveway.)
Weather permitting, the lights festival will be open Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 22-24, from 5:30 until 9 p.m. The gate closes at 8:30 p.m., and the last hayride is at 8:15 p.m. each night.
Pictured: A recent night at the Christmas lights festival at Run-a-muck Ranch in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bonus Gallery: Northview Tribal Beat Band
December 16, 2022
For a bonus photo gallery of the Northview Tribal Beat band’s performance last Saturday night, click or tap here.
The Tribal Beat performed during halftime of the 1R state championship game between Northview and Hawthorne in Tallahassee.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Info: Beulah Christmas Parade, Flomaton Movie; Santa With Atmore And Century Fire Depts.
December 16, 2022
From the Beulah Christmas Parade, to Santa on fire trucks, to The Polar Express, here are several events coming up in the North Escambia area:
Flomaton, December 16
The Flomaton police and fire departments will host a movie night on Friday, December 16.
The Polar Express will be screened on a big screen at 6 p.m. at the stage area next to the post office. There will also be hot dogs, drinks, hot cocoa — all free.
Santa will be there from 6-7 p.m.
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs.
A Flomaton Police Department cruiser will be there as the department collects toys for local children in their “Fill The Cruiser” toy drive.
Beulah Christmas Parade
The 2022 Beulah Christmas Parade will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 17 at Windy Hill Baptist Church.
The Beulah Volunteer Fire Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and more will join floats, special vehicles and Santa Claus for the parade.
For a parade route map, click here. The parade will travel from Windy Hill Baptist Church, down Rebel Road, left on Nine Mile, right on Beulah Road, left on Helms, right on Woodside, through Woodside Estates, left on Mobile Highway to Nine Mile, to Vintage Creek, Tower Ridge back to Nine Mile, back on Rebel Road to Windy Hill Baptist.
Atmore. December 19-20, 21-22
Santa will travel Atmore on a fire truck nightly from 5-8 p.m. over four days.
Santa and the firetruck will be in the southwest quadrant on December 19, the southeast section on December 20, the northeast quadrant on December 22 and the northwest section on December 23.
The quadrants are the four sections of Atmore extending from the Main Street and Highway 31 intersection downtown.
Century and Byrneville, December 24
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will take a trip through Century and Byrneville on Christmas Eve morning with the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.
For a detailed map of the route, click or tap here.
Along the way, Santa will make stops at the Byrneville Community Center and the vacant lot by Napa Auto Parts on North Century Boulevard.
Pictured: The 2021 Beulah Christmas Parade. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO Warns About Scam Calls That Appear To Be From Investigators
December 16, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is once again warning the public about another warrant scam.
The scammer is calling from what appears to be an ECSO phone number, using ECSO investigators’ names, and asking for personal information. Multiple citizens have reported receiving the calls.
The sheriff’s office wants you to call them at (850) 436-9620 if you have a question about a call that appears to be from them. Do not send any money or provide your personal or financial information to the scam callers.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Elder Abuse For Leaving Man, 70, On The Floor For Two Days
December 15, 2022
A Cantonment woman is accused of leaving a helpless elderly man on the floor with no food or water for two days.
Niquita Lashon Potter, 36, was charged with abuse of an elderly or disabled adult without great bodily harm.
The 70-year old victim was found on the floor of his home after a concerned man went to his home after he did not attend church on Sunday. Deputies determined that the victim had accidently fallen out of his mechanical chair after pressing the wrong button last Friday.
Potter, who lives in the same home, saw that man had fallen and told him to “get up”, according to an arrest report. She then walked away despite his pleas for help.
The victim told deputies that he had been on the floor from Friday to Sunday without food or water, even though Potter was at the home.
Potter remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $200,000.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
December 15, 2022
Jim Allen Elementary School has named their Students of the Month for November. They are Karli Smith and Zyron Williams. Photo for Northescambia.com, click to enlarge.
Natural Gas First Responder Training Course Offered In Century
December 15, 2022
The Town of Century is opening a natural gas first responder training course to area first responders and other interested individuals.
Century will host Florida Gas Transmission’s First Responder Training on Tuesday, December 20 at 10 a.m. at town hall.
The training is open to fire, EMS, law enforcement and other first responders; public works departments; public officials; and other interested parties. The course is a presentation, not hands-on.
There is no charge to attend, and light refreshments will be provided.