Corry Station Brings Saturday Scholars Program To Jim Allen Elementary
November 2, 2015
Many students at Jim Allen Elementary School are spending their Saturdays in a mentoring program with students from the Center for Information Dominance Unit (CIDU) Corry Station.
There are 50 students from Jim Allen teamed up with the Navy and Marine Corp students for the five weeks of morning mentoring sessions. This is the 61st class of students enrolled in the Saturday Scholar Mentoring Program.
Each week’s activities include reading, science, computers and physical activities for the students and their mentors.
This is the 30th consecutive year that Corry Station – the Navy’s Learning Center that leads, manages and delivers joint force training in information operations, information technology and cryptology – has hosted the mentoring program.
According to Escambia County School District’s Superintendent of Schools Malcolm Thomas, CID’s Saturday Scholars program is the longest, continuously-running educational mentorship program in the Navy, and has touched the hearts and minds of more than 3000 students.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Collection Of $258 Million In Escambia Taxes Begins
November 2, 2015
The collection of 2015 real estate and tangible personal property taxes is now underway. This year’s tax rolls include 176,000 accounts totaling $258 million, according to Janet Holley, Escambia County tax collector.
Bills were delivered to the post office on October 30 for mailing. A four percent discount for early payment is good through November 30, 2015.
Other discount periods are as follows: December‑‑3%; January‑‑2%; February‑‑1%; and the gross amount is due in March 2016. Taxes become delinquent April 1 and are assessed a 3% penalty. When mailed, discounts are determined by postmark of payment. When a discount period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the discount period will be extended to the next business day for walk‑in customers only.
Tax revenue is generated for the various taxing authorities and is approximated as follows: District School Board, $117 million; Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, $112 million; City of Pensacola, $16 million; Sheriff MSTU, $7.1 million; Library MSTU, $5.3 million; Northwest Florida Water Management, $572,000; Downtown Improvement Board, $375,800; and Town of Century, $29,700. Additionally, MSBU collections totaling $17 million include: County fire protection, $13.2 million; City Stormwater, $2.7 million; and various other MSBUs, $1.1 million.
Office are open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at:
- Downtown – 213 Palafox Place
- Marcus Pointe – 6451 North W Street
- Molino – 6440 Highway 95-A North, Suite A
- Warrington – 4051 Barrancas Avenue, Suite A
You may check the status of your taxes and pay on the website at www.EscambiaTaxCollector.com. While paying online may be the most convenient, other options are available, such as payment by mail, by phone, or in person. If you do not receive your tax bill by November 10, please call the tax collector’s office at 438‑6500, ext. 3252. The offices will be closed November 11, 26, and 27 for holidays.
Cantonment Church Burglarized
November 2, 2015
A burglary at a Cantonment church is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Damage to a rear door and a burglary at Allen Memorial United Methodist Church on Pace Parkway was discovered just after 8:30 Sunday morning. Someone entered the church parsonage and stole about 100 pounds of food from a food pantry.
The food is given to the needy — anyone who asks — free of charge, according to church members.
Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 733-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Rediscover Bread Baking And Jam Making
November 2, 2015
Families can rediscover bread baking and jam making at workshop later this month in Cantonment.
The class is designed for families or groups of adults and children working together to preserve berry jam and make a loaf of yeast bread to take home. The workshop is Tuesday, November 17 from 6-8 p.m. at the Langley Bell 4-H Center at 3730 Stefani Road. Pre-registration is required by calling (850) 475-5230. The cost is $15 per family, and class size is limited.
Fog Expected By Morning
November 2, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy dense fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Areas of dense fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Peanut Butter Drive Underway
November 2, 2015
The Escambia County Extension office, along with the University of Florida Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences and the Florida Peanut Producer Association are collecting peanut butter now through late November to help take a bite out of hunger.
The groups are accepting donations of unopened jars of peanut butter to be donated to local food pantries during Farm-City Week.
Unopened jars of peanut butter of any brand can be dropped off until November 25 at any of the following locations:
Escambia County
- Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
Peanut butter collected in Escambia County last year was donated to food pantries in Molino, Bratt and Century.
Pictured: The Godwins of Godwin Farms in Santa Rosa County, (L-R) Steven, Laryn, Valarie, Kylei, Rachael. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Northview Senior Night
November 2, 2015
Northview High School held Senior Night Friday, honoring football players, band members, cheerleaders, dance team member and NJROTC members that have been part of the 2015 football season.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Delaney Reynolds and Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Marcus Eugene Johnson
November 2, 2015
Marcus Eugene Johnson, age 61, of Century, finished his course on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at the Baptist Hospital in Jay.
He is the son of Doris Laird Johnson and the late David Donald Johnson, Sr., owners of Park Funeral Home in DeFuniak Springs, FL.
Marcus began his law enforcement career in the DeFuniak Springs Police Department under Chief Clinton Hooks. He spent several years as part of the Walton County Sheriff Department under Sheriff Quinn McMillian. Both added greatly to his career which led to the Florida Department of Corrections where his highest rank was Colonel.
Marcus was large in stature with a big heart and a caring personality. He was quiet in the sense that many confided in him with assurance. He was firm, fair and focused. He gave his best and expected no less from others.
Memories of Marcus will forever be enshrined in the heart of his wife, Sherry C. Johnson; children, Candace D. (Jimmy) Jones and Vincent D. (Senetria) Longmire, Sr.; grandchildren, Camryn D. Johnson, Caitlyn D. Johnson, Vincent D. Longmire, Jr., Amare’ D. Longmire, Jalen Jones and Alexis Jones; his mother, Doris L. Johnson; siblings, David (Denise) Johnson, Jr. and Lori (Reverend Russell) Hughes; father and mother-in-law, Alfonzie and Martha Cottrell; aunts and uncles, Gussie (Ed) Maynor and family, Mary Johnson and family, Vivian Rhodes and family, Jerry Johnson and family, Joe (Nellie) Johnson and family, Russell (Betsy) Johnson and family, Leo Cottrell and family, Andrew Cottrell and family, James (Mary) Cottrell and family, Edward (Emma) Armstrong and family; great aunt, Juanita Sheffield; nieces, Micah P. Hutley and Kawaii C. Johnson; numerous other relatives, church family and friends.
Public visitation will be 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2015, at Edward Point Christian Church at 8300 Algers Road in Century; on Friday, November 6, 2015, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Park Funeral Home, 76 South Park Street in DeFuniak Springs, and 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Everlasting Word Church Conference and Training Center, 2132 Hwy 90 West in DeFuniak Springs.
A celebration of life will commence at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Everlasting Word Conference and Training Center with Pastor A. Russell Hughes officiating.
Marcus wall be laid to rest in the Euchee Valley Cemetery in DeFuniak Springs under the directions of Park Funeral Home in DeFuniak Springs.
Escambia Commission Reschedules November Meeting
November 2, 2015
The Escambia County Commission meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, has been moved from 5:30 p.m. to 9 a.m. due to a scheduling conflict with the Florida Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Amelia Island. A public forum will begin at 8:30 a.m., and a Community Redevelopment Agency meeting will begin at 8:45 a.m.
The meetings will be held in the Board Chambers of the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building at 221 Palafox Place. All commission meetings are open to the public.
James Earl Taylor
November 2, 2015
James Earl Taylor, age 59, of Milton, went to be with Jesus on Friday, October 30, 2015.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Labron and mother, Laura Jones Taylor.
He left behind four siblings, Jerome (Lori) Taylor, Jeffery (Karla) Taylor, Sherry Taylor and Sandra (Van) Carroll; many nieces and nephews; 15 great-nieces and nephews; and many friends. James loved everyone and he was loved by everyone. He enjoyed riding his bicycle and helping anyone he could. He will be missed greatly.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2015, 3 p.m. at Cobbtown Holiness Church.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
A visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until service time.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.