Ernest Ward Middle School Honors Veterans (With Photo Gallery)
November 8, 2024
Ernest Ward Middle School held their annual Veterans Day program Thursday, honoring veterans in the community.
The program featured patriotic music from the EWMS band and choir, presentations by the EWMS Drama Club and more.
The annual Veterans Day program at Ernest Ward is a longstanding community tradition, held annually (except 2020) for over 25 years.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Arrested At Atmore Prison For Attempted Promoting Prison Contraband
November 8, 2024
Two men were arrested recently after a K-9 unit from the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) spotted a suspicious vehicle on state property at Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore. The vehicle was stopped, and the occupants, identified as Jovaughn Tyreek Matzner and Nicholas Williams, were detained.
During the investigation, officers discovered three packages containing contraband, which were confiscated as evidence, according to ADOC. Both Matzner and Williams were subsequently arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including possession of marijuana I, attempting to promote prison contraband I, and prohibited activities. They were booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
ADOC said the investigation is ongoing and further charges may be pending.
Pictured: Nicholas Williams. Matzer’s mugshot was not immediately available.
Annual Walnut Hill VFD Fish Fry Is Saturday
November 8, 2024
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its 55th Annual Fish Fry on thisSaturday, November 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the fire department. The community event promises delicious food, family fun, and the chance to support a great cause.
The fish fry has traditionally been held the first Saturday of November but was moved to November 9 this year.
For just $12 per plate, attendees can enjoy a meal featuring grilled or fried catfish, grilled chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, homemade bread, and a selection of homemade desserts. Door prize drawings will be held throughout the day.
In addition to the food and festivities, a blood drive will be held in partnership with the One Blood Big Red Bus to encourage attendees to “Save Lives, Donate Blood.”
The Walnut Hill Fire Station is at 7760 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tate High School Honors Veterans At Annual Assembly (With Gallery)
November 8, 2024
Tate High School held their annual Veterans Day Assembly this week. The special event honored Tate’s current and retired faculty veterans, as well as esteemed guests.
It was a moment of reflection and gratitude as guests were greeted with a slideshow displayed images of Tate veterans and their families.
Major James Hill opened the assembly, leading the audience in standing for the National Anthem and the presentation of colors by the Tate JROTC Color Guard.
The assembly featured moving musical performances by the Tate Chorus, Orchestra, and Band, alongside a solemn presentation of the white table to honor those service members missing in action or still awaiting return. In a touching moment, students were invited to stand if they have a parent currently serving or retired from the military, a reminder of how deep military tradition runs within the Tate community.
The Rho Kappa history honor society unveiled a banner covered in stars, each star representing the name of a Tate graduate who has since joined the military.
“This tradition serves as a lasting reminder of the sacrifices made for our freedoms and the strong connection Tate High School has to those who serve,” Principal Laura Touchstone said.
Photos by Tate High School Yearbook. for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Showstoppers Win USSSA Fall World Series 12uB Class Championship
November 8, 2024
The Showstoppers 2030 team won the USSSA Fall World Series 12uB class championship recently.
The team went a perfect 5-0 in bracket play with the Birminaham, Alabama, tournament with 26 total teams. They finished the fall session winning 12 of their last 13 games and an overall record of 29-6.
The Showstoppers played five fall tournaments, winning four championships and two runner-up spots. They head into the off season ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 3 in the country among 12uB teams.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Single Vehicle Crash Near Century
November 7, 2024
Two people were injured in a single vehicle crash Wednesday night just west of Century.
The driver of a Ford Mustang apparently failed to stop at a stop sign on Highway 4A at West State Line Road, cross over Highway 4A and crashed into a wooded area. The vehicle came to stop after colliding with a tree.
Both the driver and an occupant were transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital as “trauma alerts”.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further information.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Ernest Ward Middle School Bookkeeper Charged With Embezzling Over $50,000
November 7, 2024
A former Ernest Ward Middle School bookkeeper has been charged with embezzling over $50,000 in cash from the school and its organizations.
Lindsey Dawn Kelley, age 41 of McDavid, was released on a $100,000 bond after being charged with grand theft, scheme to defraud and false entry in books of business, all felonies. According to investigators, she stole cash collected by school organizations over a 13-month period.
Kelley quit her bookkeeping job at the school in Walnut Hill before the first week of school following her arrest on unrelated credit card fraud and grand theft charges in which a relative was the alleged victim. That prompted Principal Tyvanna Boulanger to request that the Escambia County School District complete an internal audit of the school’s bookkeeping and financial records.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Kelly collected $52,278.98 in cash from various organizations that was stolen between July 1, 2023, and August 30, 2024:
- Change Fund-$300
- FFA-$4,047.50
- Honor Society – $310
- Shop- $650
- Volleyball/basketball – $4,001.65
- Cheer – $28,192.34
- SGA/track – $850
- Football – $200
- Band – $1,840
- Library/yearbook/drama – $4,670.49
- Culinary-$865
- 6th grade- $1,786
- 8th grade – $2,756
- 7th grade- $1,810
Related story: What Happens To Ernest Ward Groups Missing Thousands Of Dollars?
“It should be noted that this amount does not reflect any money stolen from Earnest Ward Middle School prior to July 1, 2023,” the arrest report states.
The report states that in the school year before Kelley was hired as a bookkeeper at EWMS, the school deposited $82,475.24 in cash for school organizations. The report notes after Kelly was hired as school finance specialist in August 2020, cash deposits were as follow:
- 2019-2020 – $46,736.28 cash deposited
- 2020-2021 – $23,270.08 cash deposited
- 2021-2022 – $29,782.46 cash deposited
- 2022-2023 – $18,733.64 cash deposited
- 2023-2024 -No Cash Deposited
The school district told investigators that Kelley was audited in the 2022-2023 school year and the audit noted Kelley had a “lack of organization led to several issues, the most severe of which was the inability to locate entire records for deposits and receipts.” Kelley has not been charged with any school related crime that occurred prior to July 1, 2023.
Kelley was interviewed by ECSO investigators on October 23, 2024.
“One at a time, we spoke with teachers/sponsors of the different school organizations who had given cash to Kelley during the previous school year for their organizations,” a investigator reported. “There was zero cash deposited to the school’s bank account during the 2023-2024 school year so all cash that was given to Kelley is now missing.”
“Immediately upon beginning the interview, Kelley stated that she took the money. Kelley didn’t know the amount of money that she had taken because she had taken it over time and didn’t keep track of it,” the ECSO report states. Deputies said the money was deposited in her credit union account or added to a GreenDot account.
“I advised Kelley of the amounts stolen from each team/organization and that the total amount stolen for the 2023-2024 school year adds up to $52,278.98,” the investigator wrote in his report. “While surprised, Kelley did not disagree with that amount and advised that if that was the amount that had been determined, then that was the amount that she had stolen. When asked about the balance statements for the teams/organizations, she admitted to editing them on an Adobe program so that they wouldn’t discover the low balances of the accounts. At the conclusion of the interview, Kelley advised that she was remorseful and would never do something like this again.”
In addition, school administration alleged that all documents such as purchase orders, money collected forms, along with receiving invoices and documents were missing.
The sheriff’s office investigation is continuing.
“At this time, it is unclear how much money was stolen during S/Kelley’s entire employment at Earnest Ward Middle School,” according to the arrest report.
What Happens To Ernest Ward Middle Groups That Are Missing Thousands Of Dollars?
November 7, 2024
From cheerleading and football to shop and the honor society, what happens to the clubs and organizations at Ernest Ward Middle School that lost all of the cash they raised over more than a year?
Escambia County Public Schools says $52,278.98 in cash from various organizations at Ernest Ward was stolen between July 1, 2023, and August 30, 2024. A former bookkeeper has been charged with the alleged theft.
Wednesday, the school district told NorthEscambia.com that they are working to cover the missing funds for the organizations.
“The school district will work to make these organizations whole,” spokesperson Cody Strother said. “It’s not the kids’ fault; you can’t punish the kids.”
While not speaking about the specific case, he said when funds are missing, it is the district’s policy to work with law enforcement and the courts to seek restitution.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, a former Ernest Ward bookkeeper collected $52,278.98 in cash from various organizations that was stolen between July 1, 2023, and August 30, 2024:
- Change Fund-$300
- FFA-$4,047.50
- Honor Society – $310
- Shop- $650
- Volleyball/basketball – $4,001.65
- Cheer – $28,192.34
- SGA/track – $850
- Football – $200
- Band – $1,840
- Library/yearbook/drama – $4,670.49
- Culinary-$865
- 6th grade- $1,786
- 8th grade – $2,756
- 7th grade- $1,810
Pictured: The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders perform during the school’s homecoming game on October 15. Officials say the cheerleaders ares missing $28,192.34 that was allegedly stolen by the school’s former bookkeeper. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Inez Chancery of McDavid Celebrating 102nd Birthday
November 7, 2024
Inez Chancery of McDavid is celebrating her 102nd birthday this week.
She has five children, eight grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Friends and family celebrated with her over the weekend at Grace Baptist Church.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Elections Boss: Election Was Smooth, Turnout Exceeds 75%
November 7, 2024
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender says he’s pleased with voter turnout for the 2024 general election, and there were no major voting issues in the county.
Of the 214,651 eligible voters in Escambia County, there were 164,484 that voted for a turnout of 76.63%.
“Overall, it was a good day,” Bender said Wednesday. “It was a successful election.”
There were a few election day issues — problems with older equipment used to check in voters that was already near end of life and set for replacement, but nothing that directly impacted ballots.
The general election is not yet over for Bender who is looking at several tasks that must be completed.
“The work we do on the backend is just as important,” he said. There are reports, verifications, scanning write-in votes, checking provision ballots and other talks to complete before the vote is certified. It’s all due by the time the vote is certified as official on November 14, 10 days after election day.