Elijah Ray Ramos
January 12, 2024
Elijah Ray Ramos, of Molino, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at the age of 19. He was born in Pensacola, Florida on March 11, 2004 to Ray and Crystal Ramos. After high school, Eli went to work for the family business where he worked until his passing. Eli was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the outdoors and hanging out with his friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Faye Campbell; grandfather, Billy Ray Campbell; grandmother, Juanita Ramos; and his great uncle, Raul Ramos, Jr.
Eli is survived by his father, Ray Ramos; his mother, Crystal Ramos; grandmother, Kay Campbell; grandfather, Raul Ramos, Sr.; his aunt/sister, Ciara (Codie) Callaway and their boys, Lawson and Fletcher; great-grandparents, Billy and Joyce Campbell; his uncles, Roy Ramos and Rodney Ramos; aunts, Wanda Ramos and Wendy Ramos; great aunt, Trudy Campbell; great uncle, mentor, and buddy, Tim Thomasson; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and many friends.
The family of Elijah Ray Ramos will receive friends for visitation at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Philip Dean officiating. Burial will follow at McCurdy Cemetery (Fannie Road) in Century, Florida.
Pallbearers include Trey Campbell, Kody Lee, Tyler Swauger, Caleb Banks, Chad Sims, and Eddie Brown.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements. Y
Ernest Ward Middle JV Downs Workman Middle
January 12, 2024
The Ernest Ward Middle School JV Lady Eagles defeated the Workman Middle School Jaguars Thursday in middle school volleyball action.
Next week, EWMS will take on Brown Barge Middle School.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Judge Denies Motion To Dismiss Escambia ‘Book Ban’ Lawsuit
January 11, 2024
A federal judge on Wednesday denied a motion to dismiss a federal lawsuit that alleges the Escambia County School District violated free speech by removing and restricting library books.
U.S. District Judge Kent Wetherell issued the ruling in the federal lawsuit against the Escambia County School board.
“Today, we urged the court to vindicate the Constitutional rights of students, parents, authors and publishers. We are heartened that Judge Wetherell agreed and that our case can proceed. These books need to be returned to the shelves where they belong, and every day that students are refused access is a day they’re not getting the high-quality education they deserve. This case cuts to the heart of who we are as a country, and for the sake of our children and the future of our democracy, it’s critical that we adhere to the language of the First Amendment and the precedents of our federal courts,” said Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America’s Florida office..
Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, PEN America, a “free expression organization”, and several individuals allege Escambia County schools have violated the First Amendment by setting out to remove or restrict access to books discussing race, racism, and LGBTQ identities, against the recommendations of the district review committee charged with evaluating book challenges.
The Escambia County District filed a motion in Pensacola federal court to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming recently enacted state law, HB 1069, shields the district and that the district is empowered to decide which book to allow or remove.
The board also contended the restriction or removal of books from school libraries “does not create a constitutional injury”.
Judge Wetherell urged the parties to settle the case in mediation rather than moving forward in court.
Pictured: The Northview High School media center on August 10, 2023, the first day of school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Children’s Trust Approves Hiring New Executive Director With Requested Pay Increase
January 11, 2024
The new executive director of the Escambia County Children’s Trust is getting a raise beginning with her first day on the job.
Lindsey Cannon asked that her salary be increased by $5,000 to $125,0000 a year plus benefits.
She had offered to forgo certain health benefits and moving expenses to fund the increase.
Her employment contract for $125,000 annual was approved Wednesday night on a 6-3 vote, with David Peaden, LumonMay, and David Williams voting no.
May saide couldn’t justify increasing the base salary, when there are so many children living in poverty in his district.
“I would like to see somebody come in, take the job, do a good job, and then at 12 months from now be evaluated and possibly have a raise,” Peaden remarked. “If we had advertised this job at $125K, maybe we would have had a different pool of candidates, we won’t know that. But I think she understood what it was walking in from the get-go when it was advertised $120K. I can’t be supportive of that salary increase at this time.”
Second Suspect Found Guilty Of Ladarius Clardy Murder
January 11, 2024
The second suspect in the 2021 murder of 18-year old Ladarius Clardy was found guilty on Wednesday.
A jury found 22-year-old Amos Snowden guilty of first-degree premeditated murder. The charge carried a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
Snowden was also found guilty of attempted first-degree premeditated murder for shooting another occupant in the vehicle at the time, Eric Young.
His brother Da’Quavion Snowden was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder and sentenced to life in prison last summer.
Clardy, a former standout Pine Forest High School quarterback, was found shot dead in a vehicle crash about 1 a.m. on July 1, 2021. His vehicle was found with over 50 bullet holes in a ravine. Authorities say the murder was a case of mistaken identity.
Registration Open For Molino Park Spring Ball
January 11, 2024
Registration is underway for Molino Park Spring Ball.
Sign-ups close on January 25. Tryouts begin January29. The cost is $125.
To register and for more info, visit www.molinoballpark.com.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Felony Child Abuse
January 11, 2024
A Cantonment woman is accused of felony child abuse.
Bobbie Baumebusch HidleBaugh, 58, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a felony charge of cruelty toward a child. She was released on a $15,000 bond.
The investigation began after a child was reported to have a “big knot” on her forehead and a bruised, bloodied lip.
The age and relationship of the child to HidleBaugh was redacted from an ECSO arrest report.
The Department of Children and Families was notified.
Candice Blackburn Is The Molino Park Elementary School Teacher of the Year
January 11, 2024
Candice Blackburn is the Molino Park Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com is welcoming 2024 honoring the Teachers of the Year from North Escambia schools. Escambia County’s overall Teacher of the Year will be named in February. Blackburn is a finalist.
Severe Storms Possible Friday; Turning Much Colder Next Week
January 11, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Light southeast wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. High near 70. Windy, with a southeast wind 15 to 25 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 52. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
M.L.King Day: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 41.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.
Barry E. Van Hoosen
January 11, 2024
Mr. Barry E. Van Hoosen, age 64, passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at a Century, FL healthcare facility.
Mr. Van Hoosen was born in Century, FL and had lived most of his life in the Brewton area. He had lived in Mobile for a time before returning to Brewton. He was a member of the T.R. Miller High School Class of 1977 and later received an associate degree from Bishop State Community College. After working for the railroad for a few years, he became a Funeral Director. He was co-owner of Craver’s and Flomaton Funeral Homes. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an avid fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. Barry was preceded in death by his father, James Eugene Van Hoosen; his stepfather, Lavon Kelly; and a brother, Keith Van Hoosen.
He is survived by his mother, Shelby Kelly of Brewton; three daughters, Erin (Carl) Lambeth of Brewton, Lauren Yoder of Brewton, and Jessica (Jeremy) Fant of Grand Bay; a brother, Larry Van Hoosen of Brewton; half-brother, James E. Van Hoosen, Jr. of Mobile; half-sister, Felicia Dyess of Jacksonville, FL; stepsisters, Belinda Hintze of Chesapeake, VA, Brenda Kelly of Flomaton, Beverly Cheniae of Virginia Beach, VA, and Elizabeth Spracklen of Fort Worth, TX; six grandchildren, Austin Lambeth, Tucker Lambeth, Addison Yoder, Kennedy Yoder, Ayden Tipton, and Kyler Tipton.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Dr. Gene Miller officiating. Interment will follow in Pollard Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Craver’s Funeral Home on Saturday from 2:00 P.M. until the 3:00 p.m. service time.
Pallbearers: Carl Lambeth, Austin Lambeth, Tucker Lambeth, Jeremy Fant, Jason Jackson and Jamie Neal.
Please share your memories and condolences with the family at www.craversfh.com