Challenged Book ‘Perks Of Being A Wallflower’ Removed From Escambia Schools For Sexual Content
November 2, 2022
The Escambia County School Board voted 4-1 to remove a book challenged by a Northview High teacher from school libraries.
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a 1999 novel by American writer Stephen Chbosky. According to publisher Simon & Schuster it is a “bestselling coming-of-age story that takes a sometimes heartbreaking, often hysterical, and always honest look at high school in all its glory.” It was a #1 New York Times bestseller for over a year and named an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults.
It was challenged by Vicki Baggett, chair of the Language Arts Department chair at Northview High School with over 30 years in the classroom.
In her challenge, Baggett said the book contains “extreme sexual content descriptions, bestiality and a language alert, using a “shock effect to engage teenage minds”. A committee at Northview High School voted during the summer to keep the book available as an optional twelfth grade study novel, and Baggett appealed.
About a month ago, School Superintendent Dr. Smith implemented a “Restricted Section” in school libraries for “Perks of Being a Wallflower” and over 100 other books until they can be reviewed by the school board. Students must have parental permission to access any of the books in the section.
Tuesday night, the school board voted 4-1, with Patty Hightower dissenting, to remove “Perks fo Being a Wallfllower” due to sexual content not allowed in schools by Florida law.
“What is our standard for ensuring good conduct and manners for our students when I can’t even when I can’t even repeat some of the stuff that is here into this mic, or I wouldn’t, because of the values I have,” Board Chair Kevin Adams said.. “Our decency standards are not high when we allow this type of inappropriate material, content in our district.
“I wondered why so many students have mental health issues, bad disciplinary problems. I believe they are being poisoned by what they hear and what they read. We need parents to be parents. We can do a better job protecting children with those that choose not to be exposed to adult knowledge and materials. Period. We as a school district must do a better job to ensure that we are not purchasing age inappropriate materials for our media centers and classrooms. The parents trust us to do what is right for their children.”
One challenged book, the Bible, has been returned to the shelves in Escambia Schools. State law says the Bible is allowed in schools and has a place in education in Florida.
After The Gulf Coast Seafood Fire, The Flag Still Waved. This Is What Happened Next.
November 2, 2022
When Gulf Coast Seafood on Nine Mile was destroyed by fire Monday morning, the American flag near the front door continued to wave.
The Stars and Stripes were were prominent in many of the fire photos on NorthEscambia.com, set against a background of smoke and blue sky.
When the fire was out, the flag still stood over the business. Members of Escambia County Fire Rescue lowered in the flag, folded it and presented it to the business owner in an act of respect.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Possible Shots Fired Road Rage Incident In Cottage Hill Under Investigation
November 2, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating what they say may be a possible road rage shooting last Saturday night in Cottage Hill.
The incident happened 10:30 Saturday night but was not reported until Monday.
Video shows a possible vehicle chase on Williams Ditch Road and several gunshots are heard, according to Morgan Lewis, ESCO spokesperson. No injuries were reported.
Deputies were called to investigate after shell casings were found in the area on Monday.
A description of the vehicles has not been released.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Man Arrested In Atmore Extradited, Charged With Attempted Murder In Escambia, Florida
November 2, 2022
A Pensacola man arrested last week in Atmore for domestic violence has been extradited back to Escambia County and charged with attempted murder.
Atmore Police responded to the 100 block of Marshall Avenue October 18 where a woman told them that her boyfriend, 38-year old Jason Wayne Coleman, struck her and grabbed her by the neck. Officers said she suffered scratches on her neck and arms.
After Coleman was taken into custody, officers found that he was wanted for attempted murder by the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office.
Coleman was booked into the Escambia County (FL) Jail Tuesday afternoon without bond on charges of attempted murder and possession of a weapon by convicted felon.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Coleman was wanted for a September 25 shooting on Rampart Way. An adult male was found outside a home with a single gunshot wound about 2:30 a.m. The victim in that shooting survived.
Atmore Police charged Coleman with domestic violence third degree.
Molino Man, 87, Charged With Aggravated Assault With Deadly Weapon
November 1, 2022
An 87-year old Molino man was charged after allegedly shooting a hole through a door and threatening to shoot a man.
Walter Wayne Harris was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon domestic violence, a felony.
The victim told deputies that he was inside the home talking on the phone, causing Harris to believe he was talking to someone else in the residence. The victim reported hearing a loud boom before Harries came to the victim’s door and pointed a handgun at him. According to an arrest report, a video on the victim’s phone showed Harris pointing a revolver in his direction.
While pointing the gun Harris stated, “I want you out of here. Are you gonna go or imma shoot your (expletive) sorry (expletives)”, the report states.
Deputies found what appeared to be a bullet hole in the victim’s door, but did not locate a projectile.
Harris was released on a $2,500 bond.
International Paper Awards $20,000 To UWF Community Garden
November 1, 2022
The International Paper Pensacola Mill has awarded the University of West Florida a $20,000 capital grant from the International Paper Foundation. The grant funding will be used to support the UWF Community Garden master plan in extending pathway lighting throughout the garden and into the gazebo.
“Together, International Paper and UWF are living up to our shared values of sustainability and community engagement,” said Dr. Greg Tomso, vice president for the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Affairs, faculty garden director and garden founder. “Through our ongoing partnership, we are building a legacy that will be enjoyed by our community for generations to come. We are very grateful for International Paper’s generosity and stewardship in making this project so successful.”
Bringing light to the garden at night will make the garden safe for visitors during evening events and allow use of the garden for evening classes, community meetings, concerts and other events that require a safe, well-lit environment.
“The University of West Florida continues to work toward building a sustainable and health conscious community and we appreciate the opportunity to contribute to UWF’s involvement in Pensacola,” said Scott Taylor, International Paper Pensacola Mill manager.
International Paper Foundation has supported University of West Florida Community Garden and their Edible Campus initiatives with more than $70,000 in grant funding since 2016.
With the help of International Paper, UWF staff, students and volunteers have transformed the UWF campus into a hub of sustainable food production and native plant habitats and accomplished the follow major goals:
Completed main vegetable growing areas at the community garden
Planted hundreds of new fruit trees and edible plants on campus
Completed construction and installation of grape arbor
Installed a new tea garden
Replenished growing beds several times with organic mushroom compost
Expanded irrigation to many areas of the garden
“Investing in our community is part of the IP Way, which is doing the right things, in the right ways, for the right reasons, all of the time,” said Whitney Fike, International Paper communications manager. “We are proud to support the University of West Florida as they make a positive impact within our community through International Paper signature causes of education, hunger, and health and wellness.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Property Tax Bills Are In The Mail. Here’s How You Can Get A Discount.
November 1, 2022
The collection of 2022 real estate and tangible personal property taxes begins today, November 1. The bills were mailed on Monday.
This year’s rolls include 182,129 accounts totaling over $386 million, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
Discounts are available for early payments:
- November payments are discounted 4%
- December payments are discounted 3%
- January payments are discounted 2%
- February payments are discounted 1%
- March payments receive no discount, and the gross amount is due by close of business on March 31, 2023. Any payment made April 1 and after is considered delinquent and will be assessed a penalty.
Help is available for those taxpayers who may need to make partial payments. If a property owner decides to make partial payments, the following information applies:
- Property owner must submit an application (found on the back of the tax bill, online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com or available at the tax collector’s office) with initial partial payment.
- Partial payments are accepted for current year taxes only between November 1 and March 31.
- No discount allowed for partial payments.
- A $10 processing fee is deducted from each partial payment.
- Partial payments are not accepted after March 31, and any remaining balance as of April 1 is delinquent and subject to all applicable penalties and fees.
Lunsford encourages taxpayers to take advantage of the Tax Payment Installment Plan. By utilizing this plan, taxpayers make four quarterly payments instead of one lump sum payment. Each quarterly bill will receive a different discount for early payment. The quarterly payments are due by the last day of June, September, December, and March. The payment plan application deadline for 2023 property taxes is April 30, 2023.
Property owners can apply online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
“The installment program not only helps ease the financial burden on taxpayers by allowing them to spread out the payments, it also provides a discount for making payments on time,” Lunsford said.
Tate High School Names 2023 Hall Of Fame Members
November 1, 2022
The Tate High School Senior Class of 2023 Hall of Fame members have been announced.
They are:
- Ashley Abney
- Ellee Adams
- McKenzie Alfred
- Landry Bellard
- Frederick Benjamin
- Lavarion Blanton
- Chloe Cole
- Ava Claire Culbertson
- Landen George
- Savannah Guilford
- Adriana Guthrie
- Adyson Illian
- Rebekah Kelly
- Nathan Killingsworth
- Erica Langton
- Avery Leventhal
- Baylor Locke
- Ryleigh Maxwell
- Aidan McKinney
- Paige McKinney
- Drew Reaves
- Ilyas “Michael” Sardar
- Margaret Shaffer
- Caiden Stone
- Cara Willis
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Escambia Man Gets 45 Years For Relationship With Teen Girl
November 1, 2022
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to state prison for a sexual relationship with a teen girl.
Darrel Tyrone Mays Sr., was convicted by a jury of three counts of unlawful sexual activities with certain minors and sentenced. He was sentenced to the maximum of 45 years and designated as a sexual offender by Judge Jennie Kinsey.
Testimony revealed Mays befriended a family that had fallen on hard times. Between August 2019 and January 2020, he took advantage of the situation and began having sex with the 17-year-old victim, according to prosecutors. He was 54-years old at the time.
Mays helped provide housing for the victim and her family. He threatened the victim that if she told anyone about him having sex with her that her family would be homeless again.
“This defendant preyed on a vulnerable victim during a difficult time in her family’s life and that makes him a danger to the community. This verdict provides some closure to the family,” prosecuting attorney Carrie Gilmer stated.
There is a second case pending against Mays with similar allegations by another victim.
Reminder: Wednesday Is An Early Release Day For Escambia Schools
November 1, 2022
Wednesday, November 2, is an early release day for public schools in Escambia County.
All schools will serve breakfast and lunch to students on the early release day. Regular modes of student transportation will be provided.
Other early release days this school year are scheduled for December 20, February 1 and May 23.
Early release days provide teachers and staff regular opportunities for professional development.
Release times are listed below as proved by the school district. For additional information, contact your child’s school.
