Byrneville Elementary Releases Honor Roll
November 28, 2018
Byrneville Elementary School named the following students to their honor roll for the first nine weeks of the school year:
Mrs.Barberree-Kindergarten
All Satisfactory
- Bailey Brunson
- Ava Conrad
- Luke Craft
- Gracie Levins
- Kaison Lewis
- Cohen Linton
- MaryStephen Moody
- Paisley Rogers
- Jaxon Wilson
- Xander Wise
Mrs. Seales-Kindergarten
All Satisfactory
- Ivyonna Adkins
- Zaylee Baker
- Easton Burris
- Gavin Malarik
- Le’Marion Mixon
- Cory Shaw
- Deuce Simmon
- Wy’Naejah Thomas
Mrs. Slade-Kindergarten
All Satisfactory
- Bionca Buckhault
- Charley Cooley
- Lynlee Hetrick
- Amari Lett
- Kinsley McKinnon
- Caroline McLellan
- Hudson Moody
- Callum Waters
Ms. Godwin-1st Grade
“A” Honor Roll
- Sawyer Odom
- Bentley Sanders
- Nevaeh Tidd
- Caesar Whorff
“A/B” Honor Roll
- Rilee Campbell
- Jayden Carter
- Maggy Dunsford
- Lainey Dunford
- Eli Evans
- Emily Jones
Mrs. Hall-1st Grade
“A” Honor Roll
- Madelyn Faulk
- Brandon Lambeth
- Hailey Levins
- Kyle Lowery
- Douglas Maxwell
- Cam’Ron Reed
- Jakiy’rah Thomas
“A/B” Honor Roll
- Trusten Brown
- Russell LeMesurier
- Brian Madison
- Keaten Odom
- Natalia White
Mrs. Linton-2nd Grade
“A” Honor Roll
- Allison Grant
- Bryce Yoder
“A/B” Honor Roll
- Natalie Rogers
- Ember Claire Waters
Mrs. Moorhead-2nd Grade
“A” Honor Roll
- Anastacia Cooley
- Bryce Miller
- Kaden Smith
- Olivia Levins
“A/B” Honor Roll
- Ty Jackson
Mrs. Dunsford-3rd Grade
“A” Honor Roll
- Briley Beers
- Emma Godwin
- Olivia Thomas
- Zane Weaver
“A/B” Honor Roll
- Madelyn Calloway
- Meeyah Lassitter
- Katelyn Levins
- Nicholas Long
- Warner Maxwell
- Olina Miles
- Audrina Wood
Mrs. Weaver-3rd Grade
“A” Honor Roll
- Sydney Little
- Lola Weldon
- “A/B” Honor Roll :
- Jaxon Anderson
- Zaiden Baker
- Blaine Buckhalt
- Lyla Calloway
- Sierra Carnley
- Brysen Findley
- Elizabeth Gilley
- Mason McKinnon
- Darien Smith
- Cecelia Whorff
Mrs. Marshman-4th Grade
“A” Honor Roll
- Allison Yoder
“A/B” Honor Roll
- Taylor Curtis
- Kayden Harwell
- Gabrielle Hawsey
- Cannon Whorff
Mrs. Thornton-4th Grade
“A” Honor Roll
- Lexi Bingham
- Michael Brazwell
- Jase Portwood
“A/B” Honor Roll
- Caleb Levins
- Isaiah Phifer
Mrs. Johnston-5th Grade
“A” Honor Roll
- Elizabeth Coleman
- Mary-Clayton Dawson
- Luke Godwin
- Savannah Hudson
- Makenzie Levins
- Andy Plant
- Christian Velazquez
A/B” Honor Roll
- Emily Carter
- Wyatt Pawless
- Malia Smith
Mr. Williams-5th Grade
“A” Honor Roll
- London Brooks
- Ryder Lee
- Michael McGhee
- Braxton Wagner
“A/B” Honor Roll
- Cameron Bourgeois
- Tyler Carach
- Hanah Lambeth
- Allie Odom
- Evelyn Smith
Grover Robinson Sworn In As Pensacola’s New Mayor
November 28, 2018
Former Escambia County Commissioner Grover Robinson was sworn in as Pensacola mayor Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, the Pensacola City Council elected Andy Terhaar as council president and P.C. Wu as council vice president.
Councilmembers Ann Hill, Jared Moore and Sherri Myers also took the oath of office (below). They were joined by their family members and friends.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
House Fire In Century Investigated As Arson
November 28, 2018
A Tuesday fire at a home in Century is under investigation as a possible arson.
The fire in the 300 block of East Pond Street was reported about 2 p.m. Firefighters arrived to find a mattress burning in the master bedroom of the home. The fire was quickly extinguished.
Witnesses said a man they identified as the resident of the home walked away after the fire started.
The home suffered smoke and water damage. It also had obvious damage that reportedly occurred well before the fire…including multiple broken windows and other indoor damage.
The fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton Fire Department and Escambia County EMS responded to the blaze.
The home was constructed to replace a home heavily damaged in a February 2016 tornado.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore YMCA Will Close Permanently On Friday
November 28, 2018
The Atmore YMCA will permanently cease operations and close Friday afternoon at 5 p.m.
The Atmore YMCA has served Atmore and surrounding areas since June 1995, but fundraising and membership efforts were not enough to keep the facility open. Two full time and nine part-time employees are losing their jobs.
The facility announced a closure in 2014, but an influx of community funding kept the doors open. At last count the Y had over 600 members.
The YMCA will hold an “estate sale” on December 8 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and December 9 from noon until 4 p.m. to sell assets. Funds will be used to pay outstanding debts.
Pictured top: The Atmore Area YMCA building. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Donates $500 To Ernest Ward Middle
November 28, 2018
The Barrineau Park Historical Society has donated $500 to Ernest Ward Middle School.
Ernest Ward agriculture teacher Cynthia Wilson submitted a grant application to supplement expenses for animal care.
There are 160 students in the ag program at Ernest Ward. The Barrineau Park Historical Society is a Partner in Education with Ernest Ward Middle.
Pictured: (L-R) Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Perry, Barrinueal Park Historical Society President Craig Exner, ag teach Cynthia Wilson and BPHS member Bonnie Exner. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 15 Years For Drug Trafficking
November 28, 2018
An Escambia County man has been sentenced on drug trafficking charges.
Judge Scott Duncan sentenced Martavion Jones, Sr. to 15 years state prison for trafficking in heroin and cocaine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
The 15 years will be served day for day as a minimum mandatory sentence. Jones was also fined $150,000.
Jones had an active warrant for his arrest when, on November 7, 2016, Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies observed him enter a residence located in 2400 block of North E Street. Deputies obtained a search warrant and located a large quantity of narcotics, including heroin and cocaine, and six firearms in the residence.
Jones had multiple prior felony convictions.
Two Seriously Injured In Santa Rosa County Wreck
November 28, 2018
Two people were seriously injured in wreck Tuesday morning in Santa Rosa County.
Douglas Kelley, age 71 of Pace, pulled his Ford F250 out of a private drive and into the path of a Ford Ranger that was traveling east on Willard Norris Road. His vehicle was hit by a Ford Ranger driven by 20-year old Cody Bundy of Jay, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.
Kelley was transported to the Santa Rosa Medical Center, and Bundy was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
Kelley was cited with failure to yield right of way.
Sunny And Cool Today, Much Warmer For Tomorrow
November 28, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Calm wind.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Light east wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 65. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
Senate Committee Leaders Named; Broxson Chair Of Banking, Insurance
November 28, 2018
State Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, was named chairman of Banking and Insurance Committee on Tuesday.
Senate President Bill Galvano put his stamp on the Florida Senate on Monday, as he slimmed down the number of lawmakers holding committee chairmanships and trimmed the number of Democrats in leadership spots.
Galvano, a Bradenton Republican who was sworn in last week as president, kept some Republicans in the same spots they held last year under former Sen. President Joe Negron, including Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, a Fort Myers Republican who will remain in her role as chairman of the Rules Committee, and Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who returns as chairman of the Appropriations Committee.
But other senators who were in Negron’s inner circle — including Sen. Anitere Flores, a Miami Republican who chaired the Banking and Insurance Committee and the Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee — will have smaller roles. Flores will chair the Community Affairs Committee.
“It was with much deliberation that the appointments were made, input from the members and the knowledge of having served with many of them either in the House or the Senate or watched them from across the rotunda,” Galvano told The News Service of Florida. “Our team is well-positioned to serve the people of Florida with the many issues we’re presently facing.”
Helping round out Galvano’s leadership team is Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, a Naples Republican who assumes the post of Senate majority leader. Galvano said he named her to the position because she has a “good rapport” with Republican caucus members.
Democrats picked up a seat during the Nov. 6 elections, leaving Republicans with a 23-17 advantage in the Senate. But Galvano reduced the number of Democrats in charge of committees from four to two.
Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, will chair the Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee. Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, will chair the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Galvano’s biggest structural move was to merge four committees into two, resulting in fewer chairmanships to give out.
He combined the former Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities Committee and Regulated Industries Committee into the new Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee, which will be chaired by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby. Simpson is expected to succeed Galvano as president in 2020 if Republicans keep their majority.
Galvano also combined the Transportation Committee and the domestic-security portion of the Military and Veterans Affairs committee to form the new Infrastructure and Security Committee. It will be chaired by Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa.
The changes also extended to budget-writing panels.
Galvano merged two education-spending panels — the former Higher Education and PreK-12 Education subcommittees — into one spending panel called the Education Appropriations Subcommittee. That will be chaired by Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland.
He also merged the former General Government and Environment and Natural Resources Appropriations subcommittees to form the Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee. That panel will be chaired by Sen. Debbie Mayfield, R-Rockledge.
Another change on the fiscal end is that Galvano elevated the former Finance and Tax Appropriations Subcommittee to a full standing committee, which will be chaired by Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City.
Rounding out the committee chairmanships Galvano announced are:
— Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, chairman of the Agriculture Committee.
— Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, chairman of the Commerce and Tourism Committee.
— Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee.
— Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, chairwoman of the Health Policy Committee.
— Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, chairman of Banking and Insurance Committee.
— David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
— Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah, chairman of the Education Committee.
— Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, chairman of Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee.
— Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, chairman of the Ethics and Elections Committee.
— Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, chairman of the Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee.
— Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee.
— Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, chairman of the Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee.
— Tom Wright, R-New Smyrna Beach, chairman of the Military and Veterans Affairs and Space Committee.
For more on the Senate committee assignments, click here and here. Galvano’s memo announcing the assignments is here.
by Christine Sexton and Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Paul Ray Digmon
November 28, 2018
Paul Ray Digmon, 80 of Atmore, AL, passed away November 27, 2018, in Atmore. He was born on March 19, 1938, in Atmore, AL, to the late Jimmy and Maude Bowman Digmon.
He was a retired cabinet instructor from Jeff Davis Community College in Atmore, AL. He served in the United States Army.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James Digmon and Joe Digmon; and sisters, Eula White, Lilly Foster, Dorothy Leroy and Gertrude Ahern.
He is survived by his wife, Laverne Byrd Digmon of Atmore, AL; daughter, Teena (George) Peavy of Lake City, FL; stepson, Butch (Sandy) Lee of Flomaton, AL; and stepdaughter, Pam White of Atmore, AL; sister, Sherry Digmon of Atmore, AL; grandchildren, Daniel White, Ryan Gambel, Kyle Gambel, and Dustin Lee; six great-grandchildren and many family and friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, November 27, 2018, from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Butch Lee officiating.
Burial was in Serenity Gardens Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Daniel White, Ryan Gambel, Kyle Gambel, Luke Brown, Ricky White and Caleb Fullerton.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.