Low Near Freezing Tonight; Rain Likely By Thursday Night
November 29, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 60 by 5am. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 73. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 72. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 70. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. West wind around 10 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
Escambia Names 10 Teacher of the Year Finalists
November 29, 2023
Escambia County Public Schools has announced the Top 10 Teachers of the Year nominees. Nominated teachers will compete for selection as the school district’s overall Teacher of the Year.
In alphabetical order, they are:
- Candice Blackburn — Molino Park Elementary School
- Juanita Bordelon — Booker T Washington High School
- Priteyja Olige Brannon — C.A. Weis Elementary School
- Tammy Jo Dublin –Hope Horizon
- Mark Goolsby — Ferry Pass Elementary School
- Jessica Lenhart — Brown Barge Middle School
- Cassi Mcgee — Pine Meadow Elementary School
- Angela Rose — Ransom Middle School
- Jennifer Smith — Kingsfield Elementary School
- Rionna Wages — Lipscomb Elementary School
High Speed Chase Ends With Crash, Arrest On University Parkway
November 29, 2023
The Florida Highway Patrol said a high speed chase ended with a crash and arrest on University Parkway.
Patrick Colbie Koehler, 27, was charged with fleeing and eluding, habitual traffic offender, felony marijuana possession, methamphetamine possession, resisting without violence, and DUI. He also has a felony warrant out of Escambia County Alabama.
The Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office chased Koehler westbound on I-10 just before midnight Monday, and FHP joined the pursuit. After traveling about 4.5 miles, a trooper performed a successful PIT maneuver on University Parkway near Davis Highway.
Koehler’s LandRover traveled over a raised median and was disabled, and he fled on foot. Troopers said was taken into custody after falling to the ground due to exhaustion.
He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $52,000
Bratt Elementary School Celebrates November Leaders Of The Month
November 29, 2023
Bratt Elementary School November Leaders of the Month enjoyed story time and a pizza party Tuesday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Pet Pantry at Escambia Animal Shelter Helps Feed Pets In Need
November 28, 2023
If she has to choose between feeding her four dogs and two cats or feeding herself, Escambia County resident Miriam Grant will always choose her pets.
“They’re my babies, and I’ll give up my food before I let them go hungry,” said Grant, who is on a fixed income each month. “They’re my life.”
Thanks to a new partnership between local nonprofit Jo Jo’s Paws and Escambia County Animal Welfare, hopefully that’s a choice Grant won’t have to make in the future.
Jo Jo’s Paws recently relocated their pet pantry program to the Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center on Fairfield Drive, providing free cat and dog food to residents in need, along with a variety of essential pet items and resources.
Grant visited the pantry for the first time this month to get food and treats for her dogs and cats, after hearing about it from her friend Ann Walker. Walker also lives on a very limited disability income, so Jo Jo’s Paws has helped her several times with keeping her two dogs fed.
“It’s been incredibly helpful,” Walker said.
Jo Jo’s Paws Director and Founder Patti Roberts said they aim to provide judgment-free assistance to those who need a little help ensuring their pets don’t go hungry – whether it’s due to homelessness, living on a fixed income, or just some unexpected financial difficulties.
“Our main goal is to help people not have to make that choice of whether they’re going to eat or are their pets going to eat,” said Roberts, who manages the pantry with her friend Linda Signer. “Maybe their paycheck is a little tight, or maybe they just need some support or someone to talk to.”
The pet pantry is open to Escambia County residents with a valid driver’s license, although Roberts said exceptions can sometimes be made depending on the circumstances and number of available donations. The pantry is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Escambia County Animal Welfare Director John Robinson said he’s excited about the partnership with Jo Jo’s Paws, which ultimately helps keep pets out of the shelter by providing much-needed resources to owners who are struggling to care for their pets.
“Through this partnership, we can help provide citizens with a way to keep their animals instead of surrendering them to the shelter or having to give them away because of difficult circumstances,” Robinson said. “This will help keep pets in their homes or with their families, which in most cases is the best place for them to be.”
Jo Jo’s Paws previously operated their pantry in another location on Fairfield Drive until the building was sold, moving into Escambia County Animal Welfare about a month ago. Since April 2023, Jo Jo’s Paws has distributed more than 8,300 pounds of pet food to individuals in need, including 894 pounds of pet food distributed in just the first half of November.
Escambia County Animal Welfare provides the pantry space to Jo Jo’s Paws free of charge, and Robinson said he hopes to continue growing the partnership to help as many pets as possible. Roberts agreed.
“It’s been really great, and I feel that with the partnership, there’s a lot we can do,” Roberts said. “It may not happen fast, but I believe that over time, there are a lot of things we can help the community with – whether it’s low-cost vaccinations, low-cost spay/neuter, or other assistance programs.”
Jo Jo’s Paws is donation-driven, so Roberts said they are always appreciative of anyone willing to donate and help them assist even more people and pets.
“We want to keep pets out of the shelter and help the community – let them know there’s someone who’s there for them, empathizes with them and is there to help them through their situation,” Roberts said. “And with the county partnership, I believe we’ll be able to help a lot of people in the community.”
The most-needed items for Jo Jo’s Paws are cat and dog food (wet or dry), cat and dog treats, and 1-gallon or larger resealable plastic storage bags. Jo Jo’s Paws will gladly accept any pet items, including pet jackets or clothing, pet beds, blankets, collars and leashes, and kitty litter.
Donations can be dropped off at Escambia County Animal Welfare, located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive, during normal business hours: Monday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Sunday).
For questions about donations or assistance through Jo Jo’s Paws, please contact Jo Jo’s Paws at (850) 760-7876 or jojospaws2021@gmail.com.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
11 Purple Star Schools Named For Outstanding Support of Military Families
November 28, 2023
Eleven additional Escambia County Public Schools have been recognized by the Florida Department of Education as Purple Star Schools of Distinction.
The purpose of the Purple Star School of Distinction Designation is to recognize schools that support the unique needs of military families, help military-connected students navigate critical challenges and provide resources for military-connected students when transitioning to a new school environment. The program was established by the Florida Legislature (House Bill 429) and signed into law in June 2021.
The most recent schools to achieve this honor include:
- Bellview Elementary School
- Beulah Elementary School
- Booker T. Washington High School
- Brown-Barge Middle School
- Ernest Ward Middle School
- Hellen Caro Elementary School
- J. H. Workman Middle School
- J. M. Tate High School
- Lipscomb Elementary School
- Pine Forest High School
- Pleasant Grove Elementary
There are now 20 Escambia County schools recognized as a Purple Star School of Distinction including nine (9) earning the distinction last school year.
- Bailey Middle
- Beulah Academy of Science
- Blue Angels Elementary
- Escambia High School
- Global Learning Academy
- Jim Allen Elementary
- N.B. Cook Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- West Florida High School
“It was a privilege to guide the schools through the application process as the district’s military point of contact,” said Monica Willis, military Liaison for the Escambia County Public Schools. “There are amazing things happening in our schools to support military families on a daily basis.”
Tate High School Names Students of the Month for October
November 28, 2023
Tate High School has named their Students of the Month for October. They are Tin Tran and Aneesa Gallegos. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Toddler Was In The Car As Cantonment Woman Was Shot, ECSO Says
November 28, 2023
There have been no arrests announced in the shooting of a woman who was in a car with a toddler Sunday night in, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says it appears the shooting was not random.
The incident occurred about 8:25 p.m. in the area of Sheppard and Lincoln streets, a few blocks west of Carver Park. The woman was reportedly in a parked Nissan Altima along with an adult male and a toddler.
The woman was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital where she was listed in critical condition.
Escambia Sheriff Chip Simmons said investigators believe the intended target was the adult male driver of the car, not the woman or child. The ECSO said the shooting could be retaliation possibly for a shooting of three people in the same area earlier this year. Sunday night’s shooting occurred at the same residence.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 850-433-STOP or the ECSO at 850-436-9620.
Sue Ann Van Dever
November 28, 2023
Sue Ann Van Dever passed passed away Monday, November 20, 2023 at her home in Pensacola FL after a long illness. She was 76.
She was born on April 6, 1947 to Vera Geneva Bearfield Jones and Kenneth Jones, the youngest of 3, and only daughter. Sue Ann was definitely a Daddy’s girl. She grew up in Victoria, TX and graduated from Victoria High School in 1965. Her Father passed away unexpectedly during her senior year. Sue Ann attended college at Victoria College and moved with her Mother to San Angelo, TX to be near her Grandparents where she was a student at Angelo State College. She married A. E. Van Dever, Jr. (Van) in December 1965 in San Angelo. They raised three children together and lived in Huntsville and College Station, TX as well as Pensacola and West Palm Beach, FL before retiring in Montgomery, TX. Sue Ann relocated to Florida this summer to be near her family.
Sue Ann was disciplined, fiercely independent and self-taught. She held many titles throughout her life including Housewife, Mother, Apartment Complex Manager, Real Estate Professional and Grammy. Sue Ann was known for her impeccable style, lifelong striking beauty, Martha Stewart like amazing gourmet meals, Southern Living worthy beautiful home, furnishings and gardens. Receiving a handwritten note from Sue Ann was a gift one kept forever because her handwriting had such finesse it was a piece of Art. She enjoyed spending time with her Bridge group, decorating, reading, and offering advice (whether or not you asked).
Sue Ann was preceded in death by her Parents, her brothers Jerry Don Jones, Tommy Clint Jones and nephew K.C. Jones.
Survivors include her three children Heather Leonard (Steve) of McDavid, FL, A.E. Van Dever, III (Vandy) of Pensacola, FL, and Vanessa Porter of Houston, TX. Grandchildren Seth Leonard (Roberta) and their children Elias and Josiah, Caleb Leonard (Josie) and their children Vera Kate and Hallie, Chloe Harp (Cameron), Olivia Porter Meacham (Taylor), Jacob Dyar, Charlotte Kit Curtis; and father of her children A.E. Van Dever, Jr. (Van). Nieces Tammy Jones Leonhardt and Wendy Jones Eller, Sisters-in-law Clarice Jones-Flatt and Pauline Jones-Norman and their families.
Amanda L. Lowery
November 28, 2023
Mrs. A age 63 of Jay, FL, passed away at a Newnan, GA medical facility.
Mrs. Lowery was born in Bastrop, LA and had been living the Jay area for the past 35 years. She had worked as an Office Manager at Food Giant for a number of years. She enjoyed the beach, the sun, and the water. She loved being a Nana and LSU football. She was preceded in death by her mother, Lucille Lacy, and was of the Christian faith.
She is survived by her husband, Rickey Wayne Lowery of Jay; her father, Bobby L. (Gayle) Porter, Sr. of Bastrop, LA; her children, April Carr of Jay, Kristen (Kyle) Becker of Jay, and Dustin Lowery of Bratt, FL; a brother, Bobby L. Porter, Jr. of Jay; a stepbrother, Shane Copes of Ark.; and a stepsister, Karen Walker of Bastrop, LA; her grandchildren, Chayce Becker, Bentley Lowery, Kaylen Becker, and Rosa Marie Carr.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023, at 12 Noon from the chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home with Bro. Jonathan McCullough officiating. Interment will follow at Cora Baptist Church Cemetery in Jay, FL. Reception to follow at Brownsdale Baptist Church 12088 Chumuckla Hwy. Jay, FL.
Visitation will be held at Flomaton Funeral Home on Friday from 10 A.M. until 12 Noon service time.
Pallbearers: Trent Ledbetter, William Haddock, Blake Bjorklund, Wiley Autonberry, Shane Copes, David Carden, and Ricky Hester.