Sexual Offender Accused Of Assaulting Century Correctional Institution Officer
February 16, 2023
Inmate Marquis Nelson assaulted an officer at Century Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said.
Nelson was sentenced to 12 years in 2016 for sexual battery on a victim aged 12-17 in Duval County.
Severe Thunderstorms Possible Thursday Afternoon And Evening
February 16, 2023
Severe storms are possible into Thursday evening. Damaging winds and tornadoes will be the primary threat.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 48. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers before 9am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 31. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Washington’s Birthday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Breezy.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Breezy.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Atmore Man ‘Commandeers’ Employer’s Tractor, Causes Thousands In Damage, APD Says
February 16, 2023
An Atmore man allegedly commandeered a tractor for his former employer and caused thousands of dollars in damage.
About 2:20 a.m. on February 13, the Atmore Police Department responded to a possible traffic accident in the area of Highway 31 and Florida Highway between Atmore and Canoe. That’s where they found 50-year old Richard Wooten of Atmore.
“During their investigation the officers discovered the incident was not a traffic accident. Wooten, who the officers suspected was under the influence of narcotics and was extremely paranoid, commandeered his former employers tractor,” Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said. “Wooten caused several thousand dollars in damage and was placed under arrest.”
Wooten was charged with criminal mischief first degree, and police said other charges may be pending. He was booked into the Escambia County (Alabama) Detention Center without bond.
No other details were released.
District 1 North Beulah Neighborhood Cleanup Collected Over 15 Tons of Debris
February 16, 2023
Escambia County collected and disposed of just over 15 tons of debris and waste during a recent District 1 North Beulah Neighborhood Cleanup recently. The event allowed residents to leave items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by the county and partnering agencies.
The cleanup resulted in the collection of 15.17 tons of debris, 1,800 pounds of household hazardous waste, 454 tires and 48 gallons of paint.
The county’s neighborhood cleanup program is hosted by the Escambia County Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program. Local partners include Escambia County Waste Services, Environmental Code Enforcement, Public Works, Animal Services and Road Prison, along with the City of Pensacola Sanitation Department.
A neighborhood cleanup will be held Wednesday, February 22 in Lincoln Park. The next North Escambia cleanup will be the Quintette neighborhood on June 14 followed by Cottage Hill on June 28.
Byrneville Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
February 16, 2023
Byrneville Elementary School recently named their Students of the Month for December.
They are:
- Kindergarten: Deylan Burt and Annalee Faulk
- 1st Grade: Kipton Little (Not pictured)
- 2nd Grade: Emrey Fowler and Paislee Cash
- 3rd Grade: Tatum Godwin and Cayson Henry-Hadley
- 4th Grade: Charlee Flowers and Zaylee Baker (not pictured)
- 5th Grade: Nevaeh Tidd and Kyle Lowery
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Norma Parkes Ramsey
February 16, 2023
Norma Parkes Ramsey, 88, of Molino, Florida, passed away Monday, February 13, 2023. She was born July 12, 1934, in Wilmington, Delaware to Francis Lee Parkes and Dora Pauline Detwiler Parkes. She graduated from the University of Delaware in 1955 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught at Faulk Road in Wilmington, Delaware, Brentwood Elementary and Ransom Middle School for a total of 19 years.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William A. Ramsey; parents, Francis Lee Parkes and Dora Pauline Detwiler Parkes.
She is survived by her children, Elizabeth Ramsey (Christopher) Granelli, William Alex (Alisa) Ramsey Jr.; grandchildren, Michael Granelli, John Granelli; sister, Nancy Parkes (Laurence) Waren.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Covenant Care Inpatient Hospice @ Sacred Heart Hospital or a food bank or animal shelter of your choice.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Mary Jane Comalander Wiggins Hall
February 16, 2023
Mrs. Mary Jane Comalander Wiggins Hall, 69 years of age, passed away, Monday, February 13, 2023, in Gulf Breeze, FL; with her family at her bedside. She has resided most of her life in McDavid, FL. She retired with many years of service as a cafeteria manager with the school.
Mrs. Hall enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved to cook and feed everyone and enjoyed watching “The Cooking Shows”. She also enjoyed gardening, growing herbs and vegetables. She really enjoyed going fishing and traveling when she was able.
She is preceded in death by her parents, James Dove (Beulah Lee) Comalander, husbands, Henry Sylvester Wiggins, William Jerry “Happy” Wiggins, her siblings, Darriel Comalander, Georgia Prescott, David Comalander, Chris Comalander, and Reagan Comalander.
She is survived by her loving husband of 14 years, William Dempsy Hall, of Bratt, FL; two sons, Brian Steven Wiggins, of Bratt, FL; Eric Thomas (Danette) Wiggins, of McDavid, FL; one daughter, Angela Gail (Kevin) Knowles, of Flomaton, AL; one step-son, Stephan Hall, of Pensacola, FL; five brothers, James (Elizabeth) Comalander, of McDavid, FL; Larry (Hazel) Comalander, of McDavid, FL; Jerry (Bobbie) Comalander, of Dothan, AL; Lamar (Patsy) Comalander, Florala, AL; Allen Comalander, of Uriah, AL; two sisters, Eleanor Stuckey, of Century, FL; Melba (Buster) Townson, of Byrneville, FL; ten grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, many other precious family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Andy Boutwell officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 17, 2023, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Zachary Knowles, Alston Wiggins, Allen Comalander, Scotty Wiggins, Javan Thompson, and Aydin Odom.
Alma Hall Taylor
February 16, 2023
Alma Hall Taylor, age 60, a native and resident of Bay Minette, AL, died Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at Mobile Infirmary. She is survived by her spouse Stephanie Holland, her mother, Juliana Hall, sister, Kay Hall (Joe Hopson) Corley, sister-in-law, Rose Busby Hall; her son, Will Plato, step-daughters: Kim Holland and Kelly Holland and six grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her father E. J. “Tiny” Hall, her brother Cecil “Skeet” Hall and her step-son J. B. Holland.
Alma loved her work at Pizza Hut in Bay Minette, throwing darts, her dogs and cats and being outside. Alma could often be found picking up sticks, trimming bushes and maintaining the flower beds in her yard and her mom’s yard. Alma was also a huge die-hard Alabama football fan.
There will be a memorial service for Alma, Saturday, March 4, 2023, visitation at 1:00 p.m. and service at 2:00 p.m. at Norris Funeral Home in Bay Minette, AL.
Reports: DOJ Won’t Charge Rep. Matt Gaetz In Sex Trafficking Investigation
February 15, 2023
The Justice Department will not pursue any charges against Congressman Matt Gaetz in a federal sex-trafficking investigation, multiple national news organizations reported Wednesday afternoon.
“The Department of Justice has confirmed to Congressman Gaetz’s attorneys that their investigation has concluded and that he will not be charged with any crimes,” Gaetz’s office told Fox News.
Reports first surfaced in 2021 that Gaetz was being investigated into whether Gaetz and a 17-year girl had a sexual relationship. Gaetz has maintained his innocence.
Pictured: Rep Matt Gaetz during a campaign kickoff event at the Walnut Hill Baptist Church in April 2022. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Children’s Trust Awards $5.1 Million For 19 Programs, Only Two In District 5
February 15, 2023
The Escambia County Children’s Trust (ECT) on Tuesday awarded $5,104,482 in grants to 19 service providers for out-of-school time programming.
Two will have service locations in the North Escambia area, totaling $612,601 in Escambia County’s District 5.
The North Escambia area programs are:
- The Urban Development Center and their program “YouthFirst Century” plans to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period. The program will be held at three locations within the Century town limits. $397,556 for the first year.
- Central Gulf Coast Freedom Schools and their program “Expanding Summer School” plans to serve 500 children ages5-14 over a three-year period. The program will take place at the University of West Florida campus. $215,045 for the first year.
RELATED: Children’s Trust Funds ‘YouthFirst Century’ Ed Program; Town To Front $61K To Jumpstart
Just over half of the proposed service locations (52.6%) are in the Pensacola city limits.
According to the ECT, funding “will enable grantees to offer low-income and underserved families a range of high-quality out-of-school time programs that meet a demonstrated need for positive youth development during the critical afterschool hours, summer breaks, and other times when school is not in session”.
In November 2020, Escambia County voters approved the formation of the Children’s Trust to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes, enabling the trust to provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventive, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
The programs approved Tuesday by the Escambia Children’s Trust were:
- Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast — $874,878
- Children’s Home Society — $244,672
- Dixon School of Arts and Sciences — $260,000
- Urban Development Center — $397,556
- Valerie’s House Pensacola — $105,215
- Omega Lamplighters — $107,460
- Central Gulf Coast Freedom Schools — $215,045
- Covenant Care — $201,095
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus — $96,201
- Pensacola Little Theatre — $144,681
- CMB Visions Unlimited — $293,184
- Epps Christian Center — $254,800
- Pensacola MESS Hall — $85,648
- City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation — $540,041
- Chain Reaction — $195,580
- Children’s Theater Company — $196,189
- SALT Ministry (Sisters Anointed to Lead Together) — $11,489
- YMCA of NW Florida — $581,748
- James B. Washington Education & Sports — $295,000
Programs not funded included:
- Escambia County Neighborhood Human Services (two programs)
- Milk and Honey Outreach Ministries
- Hope Through Education
- Escambia County Public Schools Foundation
- Community Uplift
- National Aviation Museum Foundation (National Flight Academy)
- The Salvation Army of Pensacola
- Young Achievers Preschool
- Rotary Youth Camp of North Florida
- New World Believers and Healthy Opportunities and Options Promoting Success Programs
- Whiz Kids Academy
- Bamboo Learning
- My Little Explorers Learning Academy
- Youths Left Behind Corps
NorthEscambia.com graphic.