Escambia Children’s Trust Makes Plans To Implement Property Tax, Appoints Leaders
April 29, 2021
The Escambia Children’s Trust planned their future course as the first meeting with a full 10 member board was held this week.
The trust has until July 1 to determine a millage rate up to .5 mill to be added to property tax bills in the county. But first, they must determine community needs and how to pay for solutions.
The trust will hold meetings on May 11, May 25, and June 22 at 5:30 p.m. in the chambers of the Escambia County Commission, with possible a fourth meeting to be scheduled. There will also be subcommittee meetings. Beginning in July, they will start meeting on the second Tuesday of each month.
Trust member Stephanie White was appointed board chair, and retired CPA Carolyn Appleyard was named interim administrator. Appleyard will not be paid.
This week’s meeting of the Escambia Children’s Trust was the first since Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed five people to complete the board.
Last November, voters approved the formation of the Children’s Trust to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes of up to a maximum of 0.5 mil that will cost the average Escambia County property owner $40 per year beginning in 2022. The tax is expected to generate $8 million or more each year, enabling the trust to provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventive, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
Five members were appointed to the board to fill positions as mandated by state law — Escambia County School Board member Patty Hightower, Department of Children and Families Northwest Region Managing Director Walter Sachs, Circuit Judge Jennifer Frydrychowicz, Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May and Escambia County School District Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith.
Escambia Man Gets 30 Years For $20 Robbery With A Knife
April 29, 2021
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison in a robbery that netted him $20.
Gregory Wyman Padgett, 57, pleaded charges of robbery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault on a person 65 or older by threat with a deadly weapon. He was sentenced by Judge Joel Boles.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a business on University Parkway on the morning of March 29, 2020. They found a victim who reported he was confronted by a man with a knife demanding his keys and wallet or the man would stab him. To try to diffuse the situation, the victim gave Padgett $20 before he left the area.
Padgett was last seen walking westbound on Nine Mile Road away from the incident. Deputies found him a short time later near a restaurant. Padgett was in possession of a knife and positively identified by the victim.
Prosecutors said Padgett confessed. He has an extensive criminal history.
Woman Rescued From House Fire Passes Away From Her Injuries
April 29, 2021
A woman rescued from a burning home north of Atmore last week has died.
Evelyn Glen Akers, 73, passed away from injuries she received in the April 23 fire, according to family members. She was trapped in an upstairs bedroom before being rescued by firefighters.
The fire was reported about 6:45 p.m. at the corner of Jack Springs Road and Woods Road. The Poarch Fire Department, Atmore Fire Department, Nokomis Fire Department and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the blaze.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pace Stuns Tate 14-1 In District 1-6A Semifinals
April 29, 2021
The Pace Patriots stunned the Tate Aggies with a 14-1 win Wednesday afternoon in the District 1-6A semifinals at Navarre High School.
In two and two-third innings, Josiah Glodfelter gave up 11 runs and seven hits while walking five and striking out four. Riley Lowery threw two and a third innings in relief, giving up two hits and three runs while walking two.
At the plate, Drew Reaves went 2-3 to lead the Aggies. Cade Kelly, Jackson Penton and Bray Touchstone added one hit each.
Also Tuesday, Niceville beat Crestview 8-0. Niceville will take on Pace Thursday night for the District 1-6A title.
Photo by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Track Athletes Advance To Regionals
April 29, 2021
The Northview boys and girls track teams participated in the FHSAA 2A Region 1 District 1 Meet in Panama City recently.
Athletes participating in the Girls 4×800m Relay, Girls 100m Sprint, Girls 200m Sprint, Girls 400m Sprint, Girls Discus, Girls Shot Put, Boys 4×800m Relay, Boys Long Jump, and Boys Shot Put advanced to the FHSAA 2A Region 1 meet which will be held at Tommy Oliver Stadium in Panama City on Saturday, May 1
Pictured: (front, L-R)) Sarius Davis, Raven McCarthy, Anna Adams, Michael Cody, John Bashore, Ethan Kilburn, (back, L-R) Coach Ronnie Gill, Holly Gilley, Coach Wanda Gafford, Shelby Kent, Dakota Giddeon, Amber Irby, Garret Bodiker, Anthoni Weaver, Dallon Rackard and Coach Doug Godwin. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Additional COVID-19 Death, 47 More Cases Reported In Escambia County
April 29, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There was one additional COVID-19 death and another 47 cases reported Tuesday in Escambia County.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 35,837 (+47)
Non-Florida residents: 3,674
Recovered: 33,241*
Total deaths: 678 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 282
Current hospitalizations: 32
Number of tests reported last day: 533
Percent positive reported last day: 7.8%
Percent positive reported last week: 6.5%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 26,821 (+41)
Cantonment: 3,213 (+4)
Century: 1,176 (+1)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 490
McDavid: 212
Bellview: 58
Walnut Hill: 54
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,109 (+14)
Non-Florida residents: 247
Total deaths: 284
Long-term care facility deaths: 82
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 894*
Number of tests reported last day: 296
Percent positive reported last day: 5.1%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,644 (+9)
Navarre: 3,736 (+1)
Gulf Breeze: 3,339 (+3)
Pace: 1,465
Jay: 550
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,222,546
Florida residents: 2,180,924
Deaths: 35,030
Hospitalizations: 90,059
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Martha Louise Knowles
April 29, 2021
Mrs. Martha Louise Knowles, age 75, passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at a Pensacola hospice facility.
Mrs. Knowles was a native and life-long resident of Century, FL. She had worked as a Teachers Aide for the Escambia County School Board. She loved to garden and work with her flowers. She enjoyed helping people and loved her family very much. She was a member of Byrneville United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Knowles was preceded in death by her parents, Curness Bolen and Irma Bolen; and an infant brother.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Wesley Knowles of Century, FL; two sons, Tommy (Rachael) Knowles of Flomaton, AL, and Timothy (Tosha) Knowles of Century, FL; two daughters, Cindy (Marcus) Mathis of Century, FL, and Martha Knowles of Century, FL; two brothers, Neal Bolen of Century, FL, and Henry (Betty) Bolen of Georgia; grandchildren, Cody Mathis, Anna Knowles, Heather Knowles, Lori Knowles; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. from the chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home with Bro. Mitch Herring and Bro. Fred Stallworth officiating. Interment will follow in Byrneville Community Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Flomaton Funeral Home on Friday from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.
Pallbearers will be Cody Mathis, Adam Bolen, Andrew Bolen, Larry Knowles, Jason Blackwell, and Josh Northrop.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Gail Clary, Betty & EJ Deubler, Sandra & Bobby Holland, Clinton & Ann Killam, and Jimmy Wilson.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Byrneville Church Cemetery Fund 1351 Byrneville Road Century, FL 32535.
One Person Shot Multiple Times In Dispute Between Molino Neighbors
April 28, 2021
A shooting Wednesday morning in Molino is being investigated as a possible stand your ground incident, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began as an altercation between neighbors on Settles Road, near Molino Road and Barrineau Park School Road.
“One neighbor shot another multiple times,” ECSO spokesperson Amber Southard told NorthEscambia.com.
The older adult male’s injuries were not considered to be life threatening. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment following the incident about 10:45 a.m.
Southard said the ECSO is continuing their investigation. She said all parties involved remained on scene, but no one was immediately taken into custody due to the possibility of it being a stand your ground case.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Man That Ran Away From Highway 29 Wreck Sentenced To Jail Time
April 28, 2021
A man that ran from a wreck with injuries on Highway 29 last year has been sentenced.
Dylan Roger Jon Ankney, 29, was found guilty of failure to remain at a crash involving injury. He was sentenced to seven months in the Escambia County Jail with credit for 192 days previously served. He will be on probation for two years, and will be required to pay restitution to the victims along with fines and costs.
Two people were injured in the two vehicle crash on Highway 29 at Old Chemstrand Road on August 29, 2020.
Witness told authorities that Ankney never slowed down as he rear-ended a vehicle in front of the Burger King, He jumped out of his vehicle, tried unsuccessfully to remove the tag and fled behind the Winn Dixie. A witness “was able to assist him to the ground”, according to an arrest report, before the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrived.
Ankney was also ticketed by the Florida Highway Patrol for additional traffic offenses, including texting while driving, careless driving, no seat belt, and no proof of insurance.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cause Determined In Fire That Destroyed Home On Chemstrand Road
April 28, 2021
We now know the cause of a fire that destroyed a large home on Chemstrand Road midday Monday.
Escambia Fire Rescue said the fire was “an unintentional electrical fire”.
The fire was reported shortly before noon in the 1300 block of Chemstrand Road, near the railroad crossing. The house was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
The 2,700 square foot home was heavily involved in fire when firefighters arrived on scene. Flames were shooting high into the air on both ends of the 83-year old wood frame home
Firefighters were pulled out of the burning structure due to the fire rapidly advancing through the attic space of 2,700 square foot home.
The nearest fire hydrant was about 1,000 feet away on Mayoki Trail, leading to a delay in establishing a sustained water supply. While the house was a total loss, some personal items were saved.
There were no injuries.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
