Flash Flood Watch Issued
November 30, 2018
A flash flood watch has been issued through Saturday afternoon. The National Weather Service says 2-3 inches of rain are possible over a short period of time, with up to 4-6 inches in isolated areas.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 10pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 65. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some storms could be severe, with heavy rain. High near 74. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 59. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 53.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 59.
Cantonment Manhunt Continues For Hours
November 29, 2018
A manhunt for a man wanted on felony warrants continued into the evening Thursday in Cantonment.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was searching for Jordon King, 19, according to Maj. Andrew Hobbs, spokesman for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He said King has outstanding warrants for burglary and a stolen vehicle.
No further description was provided.
King reportedly ran out of a house and away from deputies as they attempted to arrest him.
The manhunt led to the lockdown of Kingsfield Elementary and Ransom Middle schools earlier in the day as deputies searched the area. [Read more...]
Pictured: Deputies converge on Highway 297A in the area of Kingsfield Road and Meander Circle. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle, Kingsfield Elementary Placed Under Lockdown
November 29, 2018
For an update on the manhunt, click here.
Ransom Middle and Kingsfield Elementary schools were placed under a precautionary elevated security threat midday Thursday.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, a subject ran from a residence near the schools when deputies attempted to serve felony arrest warrants.
Escambia County School Deputy Superintendent Norm Ross said under the threat level, there was still normal movement of students within the schools, but outsiders were not permitted access to the campuses.
As of 12:30 p.m., deputies were still searching for the suspect. Further details will be posted as they become available.
“Elevated security threat” is the Escambia County School’s new term for a “lockdown”.
ECSO Investigates After Town Of Century Documents Reported Stolen
November 29, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the reported theft of documents and audio recordings from the Town of Century.
Mayor Henry Hawkins told NorthEcambia.com that the town clerk’s notes and audio recordings from September town council meetings were stolen, along with documents pertaining to a now-satisfied economic development loan made to the town council president years before she took office.
“I have been advised to notify each of you that legal action is being taken,” Hawkins said in a letter emailed Wednesday afternoon to council members, the town attorney and NorthEscambia.com. “I am contacting Sheriff, David Morgan to have him do an investigation due to this being a Federal offence (sic),” the letter concludes.
Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said that while he had not seen the theft report, the theft of documents or recordings from the town would violate state laws, not federal.
Town Clerk Kim Godwin filed a theft report with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday afternoon, according to Major Andrew Hobbs, spokesperson for the ECSO. He said the investigation is ongoing.
Hawkins said Godwin was about to work on transcribing the minutes for September meeting when she discovered the theft.
“The tape and her notes are gone,” the mayor said. “We have asked staff to come clean and tell us where they are….or someone will do jail time.”
Hawkins said documents relating to a loan to Council President Ann Brooks were taken by someone about a month ago, and they were reported stolen to the Sheriff’s Office Tuesday.
Brooks said earlier this year that she received a $50,000 loan in 1997 and made her final payment in 2011. Brooks was not in office at the time the loan originated. She ran unsuccessfully for a council seat in 2003 and mayor in 2006 before being elected to her current council seat in 2007.
During the last meeting of the Century Town Council on November 19, Brooks warned that someone could go to jail for violating the state’s Sunshine Law requiring the “prompt” production of meeting minutes. She expressed that the council had yet to see minutes from two meetings in September, one in October and one in November [Read more...].
Pictured: Town Clerk Kimberly Godwin takes handwritten notes at the September 3 Century Town Council meeting as Mayor Henry Hawkins speaks. Those notes have now been reported stolen. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Thomas Named Florida Superintendent Of The Year
November 29, 2018
Escambia County School District Superintendent Malcolm Thomas was selected as Florida’s 2019 Superintendent of the Year by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS). Thomas was formally recognized Wednesday in Tampa during the joint meeting of FADSS and the Florida School Boards Association.
“As a superintendent, I strive to lead by example, as a collaborative, servant leader,” Thomas said. “My vision for the school district has always been to create a school district where parents want to send their children, students want to learn, teachers want to teach, and employees want to work,” Thomas said. “When all those elements work together, a school district thrives.”
“Malcolm is not only an exceptional superintendent with a proven track record of success; he is a true servant leader committed to educational excellence,” said FADSS Chief Executive Officer Sen. Senator Bill Montford. “He is and has been an asset to the association and his leadership is valued by his colleagues throughout the state, in large part due to his ability to recognize the significant challenges statewide regardless of district size.”
Thomas was first elected Escambia County Superintendent in November 2008 and was subsequently re-elected to office twice and will complete his current term in 2020. Escambia County voters narrowly approved a referendum during the general election to appoint the county’s next superintendent, a move he supported.
Thomas is now in his 38th year serving Escambia County students having served in multiple roles including teacher, education specialist, coordinator and administrator. Throughout his entire education career, Thomas has continued to tutor students every week – just as he did when he first started working with the district as a teacher 38 years ago.
“Malcolm Thomas represents the finest in education leadership,” said FADSS Board Member and Santa Rosa District Schools Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick. Adding, “His passion for student learning is exemplified by his remarkable character and service to his community. He is well-respected as a visionary and highly committed to student success”
“Malcolm Thomas represents the finest in education leadership,” FADSS Board Member and Santa Rosa District Schools Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick said. “His passion for student learning is exemplified by his remarkable character and service to his community. He is well-respected as a visionary and highly committed to student success.”
Thomas will represent Florida at the The School Superintendent Association National Conference in Los Angeles in February were he will be recognized and honored for his public education service in Florida.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Milder Weather Leading To Showers And Storms
November 29, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Friday Night: A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Low around 63. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Two Tate Soccer Players Sign Division 1 Letters Of Intent
November 29, 2018
Two Tate High School soccer players signed letters of intent Wednesday with Division 1 schools. Avery Royer signed with Southeastern University, and Makenna Stafford signed with Troy University. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deadline Is Friday For Discount On Real Estate, Tangible Property Taxes
November 29, 2018
A 4 percent discount on payment of real estate and tangible personal property taxes ends Friday, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
To receive the 4 percent discount, payments must be:
- mailed with a November postmark;
- left by midnight, November 30, in a 24-hour drop box available at all locations; or
- made online by midnight, November 30, at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
Taxpayers are encouraged to visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com to pay online 24 hours a day to pay their taxes, search records, print receipts, renew vehicle and vessel registrations and many other services. Customers who decide to visit one four offices can join the line online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com and manage their time their way. Citizens select an office location and type of service, receive a message with approximate service time and then continue their regular activities until the service time approaches.
To check the status of your taxes, pay online or print a receipt, visit the payment center at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. Taxpayers are encouraged to contact the tax collector’s office by email ectc@EscambiaTaxCollector.com or by phone with any questions.
Lawmakers Wants To Make It Harder To Pass Constitutional Amendments
November 29, 2018
After an election in which voters approved 11 constitutional amendments, a Republican House member Wednesday filed a proposal aimed at making it harder to pass future ballot measures.
The proposal, filed by Rep. Rick Roth, R-Loxahatchee, would require support from two-thirds of voters for passage of constitutional amendments. That would be up from the current 60 percent threshold.
Roth’s proposal is filed for consideration during the 2019 legislative session, which starts in March. It is a proposed constitutional amendment because the 60 percent threshold was put into the Florida Constitution in 2006. If approved by lawmakers, Roth’s proposal would go on the 2020 ballot.
Voters this year approved 11 of 12 proposed constitutional amendments. Seven of the measures were placed on the ballot by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, three were placed on the ballot by the Legislature, and two went on the ballot after petition drives. The only proposal that failed would have increased the homestead property-tax exemption.
by The News Service of Florida
Ransom Middle Chorus Holding Winter Market And Rummage Sale Saturday
November 29, 2018
The Ransom Middle School Chorus will hold their First Annual Winter Market and Rummage Sale Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
There will be homemade items, crafts, independent distributors, rummage sale items and more — with gift wrapping available. There will be a doughnut sale in the morning and pizza for sale for lunch.
Santa Claus will be available for pictures from noon until 2:30 p.m.
Vendors spaces are $25 with vendors keeping all their profits. The vendor fees will benefit the chorus program. For more information, call (850) 512-7152.
Ransom Middle School is located at 1000 West Kingsfield Road.