Century Courthouse Getting New Roof, Repairs For $311,710
May 10, 2022
The Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse is getting a new roof and repairs.
The Escambia County Commission recently approved a $311,710 contract with Centennial Roofing for the project. There was one other vendor submittal for the project from E. Cornell Malone Corporation, but the company did not submit required documentation at the time the bids were received, according to the county.
The base bid of $231,420 will remove the existing built-up roof and replace it with a new TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin membrane) roof, as well as make minor interior repairs. Another $35,290 will replace the fascia metal and gutters around the building, and another $45,000 will repair a sagging beam between the two outer columns on a porch.
The building houses offices for the Escambia County Clerk of the Court, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and a small courtroom.
The structure at 7500 North Century Boulevard is concrete masonry and brick veneer. It will built in 1976 and was renovated and expanded in 1997. The original structure is 2,750 square feet with the expansion adding an additional 2,120 square feet plus attached carport, for a total roof area of approximately 6,910 square feet.
Pictured: The Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Janice Ward Ellis
May 10, 2022
Janice Ward Ellis was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend. She left this world unexpectedly on May 8, 2022 at age 65.
She was born to James and Mary Ward on September 3, 1956. After graduating from Allentown High School, Jan attended Troy State University where she met her husband, John Hart Ellis. She graduated from Troy with her bachelor’s degree in special education and later received her masters from Auburn University. Jan and John Hart resided in Evergreen, Alabama, and later Allentown, Florida.
Jan was a giver of herself to all of those around her including her husband, two daughters, and 4 grandchildren. Jan was in Special Education for 44 years, where she was currently still working in Santa Rosa County. She touched the lives of many children, families, and coworkers through the years and was a wealth of knowledge on numerous topics.
Jan is proceeded in death by her parents, James & Mary Ward of Allentown, Florida and her parents-in- law, Harry and Betty Ellis of Evergreen, Alabama.
Jan is survived by her husband of 42 ½ years, John Hart, her two daughters, Lauren (Jonathan) Peaden of Pace, Florida, Amanda (Lee) Parratt of Allentown, and 4 grandchildren, Sarah Abram, Wesleigh Outland, Elisha Parratt, and Ezra Parratt, her two sisters, Kathy Padgett, Gwen (Wayne) Brannum, one brother, Bill Ward, and one sister-in-law, Rachel (Ellis) Golson, as well as other numerous relatives and friends. She will be missed greatly by her family, friends, and colleagues.
Services for Jan Ellis will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at Calvary Baptist Church in Allentown, Florida (5405 Calvary Church Road, Milton, FL) Visitation will be held from 4:00-5:00 with a memorial service to follow at 5:00.
Steven James Lovelace
May 10, 2022
Steven James Lovelace, 73, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away May 1, 2022, in his home.
He was born on September 9, 1948, to James & Mabel Lovelace in King City, California.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps from 1967 to 1970 where he served in the Vietnam War, in 1972 he joined the Air Force and retired as a Master Sergeant in 1989.
He is survived by his daughter, Gina L Wright and nephew, Ronald J Allison.
Private burial will be held in King City Cemetery in California.
Jack Wayne Dixon
May 10, 2022
Jack Wayne Dixon
01/30/1947 – 04/30/2022
Jack was born in Pensacola, FL and lived his early years in Aragon Court where he maintained order with his posse of “stick horse cowboys”.
He graduated in the class of 1965 from Pensacola Tech, during which time he met the love of his life, Linda Sue Taylor. His love of sports and people led to the fulfillment of his dream to start his own business, Dixon Brother’s Sporting Goods in 1973. The business became a cornerstone of the Ensley community and is still thriving today as Dixon Screenprinting. His impact on the lives of individuals through coaching and mentoring of youth in the surrounding communities is immeasurable and will live on in the lives of those he touched. If you ever met Jack, you knew you had a friend for life. His dream of being a cowboy was realized when he and Linda moved to Summerdale, AL and settled into the “farm life”. He had a deep love for all of God’s creatures and cared for his land and animals with the same respect he had for people. J
ack became an active member of Summerdale United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School and served on numerous committees during which time his relationship with Christ grew and became the center of his life. He loved his family, friends and his community…but most of all, he loved Jesus. In the latter part of his life, Jack’s desire was to spread the gospel and make sure that he would see each of you again one day in heaven. It is goodbye for now, but not for long. Happy trails to you until we meet again!
He was preceded in death by his mother, Maggie Ruth Dixon; father, Harvey Marion Dixon; siblings, Joyce (Lyle) Bartsh, Joanne (Ernie) Graessle, Jerrie (Jimmy) McNair, Judi (Harry) Hamm, Harvey “Buddy” (Barbara) Dixon, John Dixon, James R. Dixon and Donna Marconi.
Jack was survived by his wife of 55 years, Linda Sue Dixon; sons, Jack Todd (Kristen) Dixon and Jason (Lisa) Dixon; daughter, Jessica S. Bryan; Miss Suzie Q-Border Collie and Prissy- Mountain Cur; grandsons, Drew (Jodie) Dixon and Riley Dixon; grandson, Harden Liam Bryan; sister, Linda (Rick) Bunger; sisters-in-law, Shasta Dixon, Carol Barrell, Cheryl (Terry) Nettles, Teri Carey, Rebecca (Tom) Rigby and Joyce Zabriskie; brother-in- law, George (Peggy) Taylor; and beloved nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Bro. Judd Coggin and Rev. Glyn Lowery, Jr. will officiate services. Burial will follow in Gonzalez UMC Cemetery. The family will receive friends at noon, prior to services.
Pallbearers will be Drew Dixon, Riley Dixon, Harden Liam Bryan, John Paul Caballero, Steve Graessle, and Greg Hamm. Doug Riggan, Andy Scanlon, Buck Cato, Billy Houdashelt, John Resmondo, Don McCrory, Robert E. Haber will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alabama Sheriff’s Boys Ranch
Acetylene Tank Catches Fire In Construction Area At Tate High School
May 9, 2022
Firefighters responded to Tate High School Monday afternoon for a reported acetylene tank fire.
The tank for an acetylene torch caught fire in the construction zone for the new Agriscience Building in front of the Fryman Gym.
“Since we cannot turn off the tank (due) to the burned-off valve, we’re waiting for the fire to burn out,” Escambia County Fire Rescue spokesperson Davis Wood said just after 3 p.m. “We have two units and a battalion chief standing by monitoring the situation.”
The fire was reported to be extinguished just before 4 p.m.
There were no structures threatened and no injuries reported. Everyone was evacuated from the immediate area.
Common construction uses for an acetylene torch include heating, cutting and welding.
Pictured: An acetylene tank fire Monday afternoon at Tate High School. Firefighters were unable to turn off the tank because the valve burned off before they were called. But they were able to remove a second tank (pictured below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Teens Charged After Vehicle Stolen During Armed Robbery Is Wrecked In Cantonment Yard
May 9, 2022
Two teens have been arrested for an armed robbery Saturday afternoon in Brownsville that ended with the car wrecked in the front yard of a home on Highway 297A in Cantonment.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1200 block of Z Street about 2:10 p.m. after a woman reported she was being robbed in front of her home at gunpoint.
Investigators said surveillance video from outside the home showed the incident as Zacharias Jackson-Holley and Shawn Albert, both aged 17, took the victim’s wallet and phone while displaying what appeared to be an “AR-style” rifle . The suspects then took her 2020 Dodge Charger out of her driveway.
The ECSO later received reports of the Dodge Charger being driven recklessly in the area of Pine Forest Road and Highway 297A.
Responding deputies arrived shortly after the stolen vehicle hit a tree and flipped into the yard of a home on Highway 297A and Sandicrest Lane, near the Heritage Baptist Church. Southard said deputies had not pursued the vehicle prior to the crash.
Albert was found lying next to the upside-down stolen Dodge Charger, according to deputies, and the gun was also found. It was determined to be a BB gun.
For more photos, click or tap here.
The suspects were taken into custody and then transported to area hospitals for their injuries.
Jackson-Holley, who was previously adjudicated as an adult was charged with armed carjacking and criminal mischief. Albert was charged with sudden snatching, armed carjacking and criminal mischief. The sheriff’s office is recommending Albert to be tried as an adult.
Jackson-Holley (pictured) remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday afternoon with bond set at $105,000. Information on Albert’s status was not available.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the vehicle crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Investigators Charge Two After Disabled Elderly Man’s IRS Check Is Stolen
May 9, 2022
State investigators have charged two women after the theft of a local disabled elderly man’s $5,142.19 check from the IRS.
Kayla Shyanne Macks, age 33 of Walnut Hill, was charged with felony exploitation of an elderly adult, uttering a forged instrument and grand theft. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,500 bond.
Kayla Ann Otto, age 18 of Century, was charged with uttering a forged instrument. She was released from the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
The victim told a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) investigator that he was hospitalized and on a ventilator due to COVID-19 when the check arrived. He said he was dependent on the check and had no other income while hospitalized.
FDACS said Macks stole the check, and Otto deposited it into her credit union in Pace.
The relationship between Macks, Otto and the victim was not evident from a highly redacted arrest report.
Pictured: Kayla Shyanne Macks (left) and Kayla Ann Otto (right).
Expect Lanes Closures Tuesday On Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge
May 9, 2022
Drivers can expect possible delays on the Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge between Century and Jay on Tuesday.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, motorists will encounter intermittent east and westbound inside lane closures from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
Pictured: The eastbound approach from Century to the Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Over 400 Escambia Students Take Part In ‘Battle Of The Books’ (With List Of Winners)
May 9, 2022
Over 400 students on 83 teams from 36 schools took part in a virtual Escambia County Battle of the Books competition recently.
Participating students read up to 15 titles from this competition year’s Sunshine State Young Readers book lists. Teams met before, after, and during school with their coaches to discuss the books’ themes, characters, settings, and main events. The competition included four rounds of ten questions each, culminating with a final Lightning Round to break ties for first, second or third place.
Third Grade
- 1st Place: Beulah Elementary, Team A. Coach: Dana Sharp. Students: London Farrior, Emma Nguyen, Olivia Nunn, Luke Wiggins, and Ally Wilson
- 2nd Place: A. K. Suter Elementary. Coach: Paula Stillman. Students: Tenley Brannen, Chance Evans, Rowen Gosse, Emory Henry, and Ella Hill.
- 3rd Place: Pleasant Grove Elementary. Coaches: Kristi Suarez, Kaylin Roy, Dyana Blackmon, and Juliel Simons. Students: Maycee Forbes, Sadie Sharaway, and McKenna Shedd.
Fourth Grade
- 1st Place: Bratt Elementary, Team A. Coaches: Shonna Gilmore, Sherri Carter, and Mandi Carter. Students: Zoe Jantz, Rylan Johnson, Brennan Keenan, Brylynn McGhee, and Dillan Stuart.
- 2nd Place: Cordova Park Elementary, Team A. Coaches: Darcy Morgan-Roy and Mary McDaniels. Students: Ava Florence, Quinn McKern, Corinne Saenz, Berkeley Shumpert, and Lauren Tarnosky.
- 3rd Place: Ferry Pass Elementary. Coach: Heather Horn. Students: Elizabeth Castleberry, Jaedyn Hill, Joslin Lee Wilson, and Jacob Sepe.
Fifth Grade
- 1st Place: Cordova Park Elementary, Team B. Coach: Julie Glucroft. Students: Caroline Broussard, Max Harrison, Miral Shaheen, and Aaliyah Smith.
- 2nd Place: Cordova Park Elementary, Team A. Coach: Julie Glucroft. Students: Mason Barrow, Sophia Callaway, Olivia King, and Myles Wilson.
- 3rd Place: McArthur Elementary. Coach: Jennifer Beal. Students: Adyssen King, Hadley Krantz, Christopher Peralta, Kemar Wilkie, and Aubi Wilkins.
Middle School – 6th-8th Grades
- 1st Place: Bellview Middle, Team 3. Coaches: Leigh Shannon and Michelle Lingo. Students: Jacob Glass, Olivia Moore, and Melody Nguyen.
- 2nd Place: Beulah Middle, Team 1. Coach: Hazel McCormack. Students: Colin Duarte, Tamia Smith, Cheyenne Taft, and David Thompson.
- 3rd Place: Bellview Middle, Team 1. Coaches: Leigh Shannon and Michelle Lingo. Students: Isabella Le, Milan Nguyen, and Deriona Ross.
High School – 9th-12th Grades
- 1st Place: Booker T. Washington High. Coach: Patricia Ervin. Students: Amiya Boyd, Anwyn Butler, Tychianna Coleman, Skyler Dellisanti, and Carmen Mayorga.
- 2nd Place: Pine Forest High. Coach: Lori Miller. Students: Lucian Brown, Cricket (Elizabeth) Kurland, Gianna Penaloza-Jones, and Casey Wooten
Pictured: Battle of the Books teams from Beulah, Bratt, Byrneville and Jim Allen elementary schools. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Students Create Winning EREC Meeting Posters
May 9, 2022
Fifth graders at Byrneville Elementary School took part in a poster contest to promote Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s Annual Meeting.
The winning students received a cash award, and their posters were displayed at the meeting.
Pictured above (L-R) are first place winner Ethan Carter, second place winners Jacob Bolen and Dylen McCaw, a poster by third place winner Oliva Levins (not pictured) and EREC CEO Ryan Campbell. Pictured below: Carter’s winning poster. Photo (above) for, and photo (below) by NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.
