Flomaton Elementary Dedicates ‘Jaden James Friendship Bench’ In Memory Of Student Killed Near Walnut Hill
May 18, 2021
On Monday, Flomaton Elementary School dedicated a bench in memory of a student killed in a car crash last year near Walnut Hill.
“The Jaden James Friendship Bench” honors the six grader killed in the crash October 3, 2020, on Highway 97 one mile south of Tungoil Road.
“Jaden was a friend to everyone he met and leaves a legacy for us to uphold,” the school said about Jaden James in a social media post. “The bench, which was built and donated anonymously, will be used for times when students (and adults) need to talk to each other and remember the value and importance of friendship.”
Jaden’s father Jermaine James and sister Jermiah attended the bench dedication.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Council On Aging Senior Dining Sites Have Reopened
May 18, 2021
The Council on Aging of West Florida senior dining sites reopened Monday for the first time since the start of the pandemic last year.
The Council on Aging congregate meal program sites are open elders 60 and over on Monday, May 17. The sites closed March 16, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, meals were available at these sites via a Monday through Friday grab-and-go platform, but now the locations are open with 100 percent occupancy so older adults can resume daytime activities.
Meals must be ordered a day in advance before 12 noon by calling (850) 432-1475.
For those who can and enjoy getting out for lunch, the Senior Dining Program is a neighborhood-based program which offers older citizens the opportunity to share their lunch with others their age. Hot nutritious balanced meals are served to active senior adults at several locations throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Meals are prepared fresh daily and contain one-third of the required daily allowance (RDA) for adults and comply with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Guidelines. In addition, participants have an opportunity to join in arts and crafts projects, play games and socialize. Serving times and location hours vary by site.
Missing from the list below are the sites in Cantonment and Beulah. Josh Newby, marketing director for the Council on Aging, said the Cantonment site needs building repairs, and the Beulah site is too small to allow for proper social distancing.
The sites wno open are:
Century Senior Center
6025 Industrial Boulevard
Century, FL 32535
(850) 256-1012
Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Chumuckla Community Center
2355 Highway 182 West, Chumuckla, FL 32566
(850) 994-8811
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane, Jay, FL 32565
(850) 675-0810
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Tuesday through Thursday
Bayview Senior Center
2000 E Lloyd St.
Pensacola, FL 32503
(850) 432-1475
Hours: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:30 AM
Monday through Friday
Cobb Center
601 E. Mallory
Pensacola, FL 32503
(850) 436-5192
Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Westwood Homes
4400 Westover Ave.
Pensacola, FL 32506
(850) 292-9868
Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Serving Time: 11:15 AM
Monday through Friday
Bagdad Community Center
6860 Pooley St., Bagdad, FL 32530
(850) 983-4500
Hours: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
Christ United Methodist Church
5983 Dogwood Street, Milton, FL 32570
(850) 983-4590
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:00 AM
Monday through Friday
E.H. Pullum Senior Center
8476 Gordon Goodin Lane. Navarre, FL 32566
(850) 936-1644
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Serving Time: 11:15 AM
Monday through Thursday Only
The decision to reopen comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lifted all coronavirus limitations based on emergency executive order, and local municipalities have followed suit. As vaccination rates continue to increase, COVID hospitalizations remain trending downward, and average infection age drops steadily, Council on Aging’s management and board have made the decision to allow seniors to recongregate.
“For decades, we have been preaching the importance of socialization and companionship for our community’s elderly,” said John B. Clark, Council on Aging president and CEO. “It’s good for your mind, your soul and your body. Of course, we had to reverse course during COVID as that physical safety became most pressing, but now we feel that our area is in a safe place to return these elders to a communal setting where they can support and enrich each other and grow together.”
Barrineau Park Historical Society Awards Scholarships To Outstanding Seniors
May 18, 2021
The Barrineau Park Historical Society recently awarded scholarships to five outstanding seniors.
Northview High School senior Abigail Nelson received a $1,000 Barrineau Park Historical Society scholarship awarded by BPHS President Craig Exner. She plans to attend Florida State University and work toward a degree in psychology.
Tate High School senior Jessica Conti received a $500 Lynda Minchew scholarship endowed by the Bobby Minchew family. She plans to major in agricultural science and will attend Mississippi State University in the fall.
Northview High School senior Amber Gilman received a $500 Louis Crabtree Sr. scholarship endowed by the Crabtree family. She will be attending the University of West Florida working towards a degree in psychology in the fall.
Home schooled senior Sidney Ziglar received a $1,000 Steven Jogan scholarship from the Barrineau Park Historical Society. Jogan was a lifetime BPHS member, and its treasurer and office manager for many years. Ziglar plans to attend the University of West Florida and major in physical therapy in the fall
Parker Hasselbrock ,a West Florida High School senior, received a $500 Mildred Haupert Schwartz scholarship endowed by the Paul Schwartz family. Parker plans to attend the University of West Florida and work towards a graphic design degree.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Battery By Strangulation Of Girlfriend
May 18, 2021
A Cantonment man is charged with allegedly strangling his girlfriend.
Jacob Michael Marmon, 29, was charged with felony domestic battery by strangulation and misdemeanor domestic battery.
The victim told deputies that she decided to meet Marmon, her boyfriend, at her home after work. He began to drink alcohol and struck her one time in the left jaw area with his elbow, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
She decided to go to bed alone, but woke up to Marmon pulling her hair about 3 a.m. He then began to slap, push and hit her; he also choked her until she could not breathe as he stated “I will kill you,” according to an arrest report. The victim was able to break free and run to a family member’s home.
The responding deputy noted redness on the victim’s face and neck and a small bruise on her back. She refused medical treatment.
ECUA Says Nearly 6 Million Gallons Of Sewage Leaked Last Week; Perdido Bay Health Advisories Remain In Effect
May 18, 2021
Nearly 6 million gallons of sewage leaked over 20 hours last week form the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s Bayou Marcus Water Reclamation Facility, and health advisories remain in effect.
In a report to the Florida Department of Environmental Management on Monday, ECUA said 5.922 million gallons leaked, and 222,660 gallons was collected. ECUA acknowledged in the report that the spill did reach Bayou Marcus Creek and surrounding wetlands.
A 30-inch diameter pipe at the Emerald Coast Utility Authority Bayou Marcus Water Reclamation Facility ruptured Thursday night. Some 20 hours later, the pipe had been replaced and was back in service. About 7:45 p.m. Friday, ECUA said the overflow had ceased and the plant had resume normal operation.
Friday afternoon, the Florida Department of Health issued a health advisory for Perdido Bay south of the Bayou Marcus Creek. The health department advised any water-related activities due to the potential for high bacteria levels. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management also advised caution and an increased risk of illness associated with swimming in Perdido Bay. The state line is roughly in the middle of the bay.
Monday afternoon, ECUA said they began sampling Saturday for E. Coli in Bayou Marcus Creek and Enterococci in Perdido Bay.
“The Perdido Bay sample results were below maximum allowable thresholds for Enterococci for both days,” ECUA said. “The upstream creek location sample results were also below maximum allowable thresholds for both days. The creek entry point and downstream sample results for both days were above the maximum allowable threshold but are declining rapidly.”
The facility is located west of the North Blue Angel Parkway and Muldoon Road intersection (maps below).
Bratt Woman Charged After Allegedly Selling A Boat Motor Online But Never Delivering It
May 17, 2021
A Bratt woman is facing a felony charge after allegedly selling a boat motor online but never delivering it to the buyer.
Tammy Sue Amerson, 50, was charged with felony grand theft.
Amerson listed a 2012 Mercury 150 horsepower outboard motor as for sale on Facebook for $7,000, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. She sold the motor to an out of town victim, and he paid her an agreed upon total of $6,000, an arrest report states.
Investigators reported that they obtained emails, Facebooks posts, pictures, text messages and a signed bill of sale sent between Amerson and the victim. Amerson and victim communicated several time between his final payment on February 27 and March 11, when the ECSO says she stopped communicating with him.
On March 18, the victim filed a report with the sheriff’s office. The ECSO contacted her by phone on April 30 and she indicated that she was communicating with the buyer, but he motor was not delivered because he still owed her $3,000. When questioned about the for sale ad indicating the price to be $7,000 and a bill of sale for $6,000, Amerson told the deputy that she would refund his money, the report states.
On May 4, the deputy made contact with Amerson again, but he reported she stated she was busy and would call back. He unsuccessfully attempted to make contact again on May 5 and May 6, and Amerson texted him on May 7 saying she would have her attorney make contact. After no contact from Amerson or her attorney, the process of obtaining a warrant for her arrest was started on May 10.
Amerson was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Beulah Middle School FFA Chapter Named One Of The Very Best In Florida
May 17, 2021
The Beulah Middle School FFA has been name one of the top chapters in the state.
Florida FFA has announced the Beulah Middle School FFA has completed the National Chapter Award program application and has been selected as one of the Florida Finest FFA Chapters. These chapters have excelled in the areas of growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture and have worked hard to fulfill the mission and vision of the FFA.
Beulah Middle School FFA was the only FFA chapter in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties that received the award this year. They will be recognized during the during 93rd Florida FFA State Convention & Expo to be held at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando this summer.
The Beulah Middle School FFA chapter advisor is Leanne Jenkins.
Pictured: Beulah Elementary School students on a virtual trip to the Beulah Middle School agricultural lab earlier this year, just one of the ways the FFA chapter adapted during pandemic restrictions. Pictured inset: Nugget (left) and Hazel were born in April at Beulah Middle and received plenty of community attention. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
May 17, 2021
Tate High School recently named their April Students of the Month. They are Xavion McNeil and Brianna White. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center Holds Pre-K Graduation
May 17, 2021
The Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Century held a graduation for their Pre-K Class of 2021. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State Gas Prices Hold Steady; Escambia County Sees Jump After Terminal Closure
May 17, 2021
Florida gas prices have held relatively steady even after last week’s Colonial Pipeline outage led to a surge in gasoline demand.
The state average price for gasoline is $2.89 per gallon. That’s 1-cent more than a week ago and 2 cents less than this year’s highest price of $2.91 per gallon, set back in March.
In Escambia County the average price per gallon Sunday night was $2.98, up a dime over last week. A low $2.92 could be found in North Escambia at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, but most stations were at $2.99 or over. A warehouse club in Pensacola had the county’s lowest price Sunday night at $2.81 per gallon. Early last week, Escambia County drivers had trouble finding gasoline after a temporary shutdown at the Pensacola fuel terminal.
Florida filling stations are still recovering from surging demand last week. Gasoline sales were reportedly 2-3 times stronger than normal, as drivers lined up at pumps to top off their tanks. Although Tallahassee is the only major market directly serviced by the Colonial Pipeline, outages were reported at various filling stations throughout the state due to “panic buying”.
Pictured: Drivers line up for gas early last week at the Speed Mart on Highway 29 at Tate School Road (above), the Circle K at Highway and East Kingsfield Road (below), and Murphy Oil at the Ensley Walmart (bottom). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
