Two Arrested In Escambia Bar Murder, Robbery Case
October 30, 2009
Two people have been arrested in connection with an October 23 robbery and murder at a Pensacola bar.
Brandon Donnell Davis, 20, of Pensacola, turned himself in to authorities Thursday afternoon. He was named a person of interest in the case earlier this week. Also charged in the case is David Henry Gilchrist, Jr., 20, of Pensacola. He was arrested at his Mayfair area home just before 7 p.m. Thursday. Both suspects were charged with felony murder and robbery. They are being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
At about 1:30 Friday morning October 23, two black males entered the Oakcrest Bar on Fairfield Drive in Pensacola. “Once inside, both subjects displayed weapons, during the course of the robbery one of the customers was fatally shot,” Sgt. Ted Roy, public information officer for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, said.
The victim was identified as Jared Ortiz, 24, of Pensacola. An undisclosed amount of money was taken during the robbery.
Photos: Century Library Does Halloween In Big Style
October 30, 2009
It was a spooktacular good time for dozens of area children Thursday afternoon at the Century Branch Library.
During the library’s fourth annual Halloween program, children in a variety of costumes enjoyed lots of treats and cookie decoration.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Flomaton Tonight: Fall Festival And Homecoming Pep Rally
October 29, 2009
It will be a big night in Flomaton tonight, as the town holds its annual Fall Festival and a Homecoming pep rally.
The Harvest Festival will begin at 5:30 in the Coleman’s Drugs’ parking lot. A Flomaton Hurricane pep rally with the football team, band and cheerleaders will also be held downtown.
A homecoming parade for the ‘Canes will take place Friday afternoon at 2:00.
Deputies Use Force To Arrest Robbery Suspect After He Rolls Toward Assault Rifle
October 29, 2009
Deputies had to use force to take a 17-year old juvenile into custody last night for the robbery of Pensacola Boulevard Waffle House.
At about 10:30, a black male later identified as Denzel James Reeves Wright, 17, entered the Waffle House on Pensacola Boulevard just north of I-10 armed with an assault rifle and demanded and received cash from the register. He then fled the store on foot.
Deputies and a K-9 unit tracked Wright down Broad Street where the K-9 alerted on some bushes where a black male and an assault rifle could be seen.
“The suspect initially refused commands to come out of the bushes and relinquish the weapon. Deputies approached and the suspect placed the weapon on the ground next to him. As Deputies approached the suspect to handcuff him the suspect rolled toward the assault rifle as if to re-arm himself,” according to Sgt. Ted Roy, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. “The suspect was struck in the face by deputies and then handcuffed without further incident.”
Wright will be charged with robbery with a firearm, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony and resisting arrest with violence, Roy said. He is being held without bond as a juvenile.
Investigators are reviewing videotape for previous robberies, including the Wednesday robbery of a nearby Waffle House and a Tom Thumb on Pine Forest Road, to determine if Wright might be involved in those crime, Roy said.
Paul Allen Thomas Sr.
October 29, 2009
Paul Allen Thomas Sr., a heavy equipment operator in the construction industry, died Tuesday in Pensacola. He was 51.
Thomas, a native of Atmore, was a resident of Walnut Hill, Fla. He was a member of the Church of the Living God.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Gail Thomas; one daughter, Jessica Nicole Thomas; one son, Paul Allen Thomas Jr.; and one brother, Roy Thomas, all of Walnut Hill; five sisters, Sarah Swartz of San Antonio, Betty Morris of Canoe, Corrine Boggs of Walnut Hill, Arena Dawson of Atmore and Molly Mae Glover of Troy, Ala.; and two grandchildren.
A graveside service was scheduled for Thursday at 11:15 a.m. in Pine Barren Cemetery, with visitation one hour prior to the service at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore.
Ida Leo Sanks
October 29, 2009
Ms. Ida Leo Sanks, 76, passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 in Bay Minette, AL.
Ida was a native of Bay Minette, AL, a former resident of Brewton and Tensaw, and a resident of Bay Minette since 1971. She was a loving Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother and attended the Church of God. Preceded in death by two Sisters.
Survivors Include: three Sons, Ricky and Kellie Gross of Rabun, AL, Ronnie and Jennifer Gross of Bay Minette, AL, and Roger and Angie Gross of Calhoun, GA; 10 Grandchildren; 17 Great-Grandchildren; four Brothers, Hubert Lee Smith of Mobile, AL, Dudley Smith of Perdido, AL, Larry Smith of Livingston, LA, and Arthur Smith of Brewton, AL; and two Sisters, Faye Blankenship of Pensacola, FL, and Annie Mae Pugh of Brewton, AL.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 3:00 P.M. at the Lottie Methodist Church with Bro. Joe Welch and Sister Helen Stewart officiating.
Burial will follow at Lottie Methodist Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2009 from 1:00 P.M. until funeral time at the Lottie Methodist Church.
Pallbearers will be Ryan Gross, Roger Gross, Willie Sprinkles, Nicholas Hyatt, Shawn Gautney and Donald Brown.
Anthony Gene “Tony” Embley, Sr.
October 29, 2009
Mr. Anthony Gene “Tony” Embley, Sr., 57, passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 in Saraland, AL.
Tony was a native of Mobile, AL, a former resident of Chickasaw and Atmore, and a resident of Saraland for the past 22 years. He was a member of the VFW, dedicated to the military, willing to help his fellow man, loved his family and friends and attended the Pentacostal-Holiness Church.
Survivors Include: three Sons, Buddy Johnson, Benjamin and Shelia Godwin, and Anthony Gene and Jennie Embley, Jr., all of Atmore, AL; two Daughters, Anita Catherine Outlaw of Wewahitchka, FL, and Lacy Elizabeth and John Pope of Eight Mile, AL; 9 Grandchildren; a Sister, Carolyn Embley of Chickasaw, AL; and a number of friends and relatives.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 26, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Ray Ward, the Rev. Robert Lord and the Rev. Terry D. Wigley officiating.
Burial will follow at Robinsonville Cemetery with military honors.
Visitation will be held Sunday October 25, 2009 between 6:00 and 9:00 P.M. at the Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be the military honor guard.
Bella Rain Johnson
October 29, 2009
Bella Rain Johnson went to be her Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 22, 2009.
Survivors Include: her Parents, Dusty and Jennie Johnson of Century, FL; two Brothers, Christopher Rolin and Gunner Johnson, both of Century, FL; a Sister, McKaylea Rolin of Century, FL; her Grandparents, Allen and Wanda Johnson of Century, FL, Allen and Ruby Lambeth of Lennox, AL, and Shelia and Randy Henderson of Mobile, AL; her Great-Grandmothers, Dorothy Johnson of Century, FL, Dorothy Cedotal of Milton, FL, and Marjorie Stokes of Mobile, AL; and a number of Aunts and Uncles.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Happy Valley Holiness Church with Bro. Tommy Lee Johnson and Bro. Raymond Wiggins officiating.
Burial will follow at McCurdy Cemetery.
Mary McCarty Giddens
October 29, 2009
Mrs. Mary McCarty Giddens, 93, passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at a local hospital.
Mary was a native of Ideal, GA and a resident of Atmore, AL since 1956. She owned and operated Gidden’s Beauty Shop for many years and attended the Brook’s Memorial Baptist Church. Preceded in death by her Husband, Homer Giddens, a Son, Garland “Red” Giddens and five Sisters, Mildred, Vivian, Ireby, Willie Mae, and Jennilou, and two Brothers, Walter and Freeman.
Survivors Include: her Daughter, Barbara Giddens Jones of Atmore, AL; special Friend, Harry Stover of Cantonment, FL; 4 Grandchildren, LeeAnn and Dennis Stanton of Atmore, AL, Kristy Jones and Marty Lowman of Port Orange, FL, Robert Homer “Bob” and Rose Giddens of Silver Hill, AL, and William R. and Gail Jones, Jr. of Mobile, AL; 4 Great-Grandchildren, Charlotte Stanton, Brad Jones, Ashley Giddens and Jake Giddens; a Great-Great-Grandchild, Sara Rolin; her Sister, Dorthy Sowder of Faulk, AK; and her Care Giver, Louree Bailey of Bratt, FL.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Grindle officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday October 23, 2009 between 6:00 and 8:00 P.M. at the Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Reggie Jones, Bob Giddens, Marty Lowman, Harry Stover, Brad Jones, Dennis Stanton, and Jake Giddens.
Richard Floyd “Rickey” Croley
October 29, 2009
Mr. Richard Floyd “Rickey” Croley, 61, of Century, FL, passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 25, 2009.
Mr. Croley was a native of Century and spent his lifetime there where he was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Century Baptist Church. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his friends and family, mostly his three precious grandchildren. He was retired from CSX Transportation, where he worked as a conductor.
He is preceded in death by his father, Raymond Floyd Croley.
Survivors include his mother, Mildred Hobbs Croley, of Century, FL; sons, Christopher Croley, of Chicago, IL, and Bryan Croley, of Pensacola, FL; daughters, Amy Croley and Stephanie (Matt) Gilmore, both of McDavid, FL; sisters, Kathy (Terry) Bush, of Century, FL, and Dorothy (Billy) Sims, of McDavid, FL; and grandchildren, Valorie Croley, Alexa Scarlett Castro and Tyler Matthew Gilmore.
Funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 12 noon at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel in Flomaton, AL, with the Rev. Fred Stallworth officiating.
Interment will be at Flomaton Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, October 28, 2009, from 6 until 9pm at the Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel.