Bobby J. Lassiter
July 16, 2010
Bobby J. Lassiter, 75, of Cantonment, FL. died Thursday July 15, 2010, at his home, surrounded by his wife of 56 years and all of their children.
He was retired from Southern Bell Telephone Co. after 30 Years, he was born January 02, 1935 in McCullough, AL. to the late Chester and Lucille Wall Lassiter. He loved to fish, hunt and farm, and was an honest hardworking man that loved his family. He was proud to be a 32nd degree mason and he served in the Army National Guard. He was preceded in death by a brother Charles Lassiter.
Survivors are: His Wife, Rosie Lassiter. Two Sons: Darrell (Mary) Lassiter, Gerald (Nora) Lassiter. Four Daughters, Patricia (Mark) Lockridge, Sheila (Frank) Champion, Sandra (Alan) Milstead and Cindy Ard. A Sister, Cubie Dean Brooks. Two Brothers, Douglas Lassiter and Woodrow Lassiter. Two very special Sisters-In-Law, Louise Lassiter and Elizabeth Lassiter. Twenty Grandchildren, Bobby, Brett, Samantha, Amanda, Gail, T.J., Kelly, Michael, Krista, Brandon, Richard, Brad, Aaron, Travis, Waylon, Eric, Jeff, Mary, Matthew and Clara. Fifteen Great-Grandchildren, Numerous family and friends.
Services will be Tuesday July 20, 2010 at 9AM from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mike Perkins officiating. Interment will follow in McCullough Cemetery. Pallbearers will be the Grandson’s.
Family will receive friends, Monday evening July 19, 2010 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The family would like to extend a Special Thank You to Missy and all of the Nurses and staff at Covenant Hospice for the wonderful dedication and care they gave to my Husband and our Father.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. in charge of all arrangements. Atmore, AL.
Fiddler’s Convention Saturday; Proceeds Benefit High School Students
July 16, 2010
The 31st South Alabama Old Time Fiddler’s Convention will be held Saturday at the Escambia County High School auditorium.
The event begins at 2 p.m., and the Atmore Rotary Club’s award-winning BBQ will be for sale. The auditorium is located at 1215 South Presley Street (near Food World) in Atmore.
The event is sponsored by the Atmore Rotary Club, with proceeds going toward the club’s Academic All-Stars Program that honors high school students that maintain A and B averages during the school year. The awards are presented to students from Northview High School, Escambia County (AL) High School, Escambia Academy and Atmore Christian School.
Musicians and singers will compete for cash prizes up to $1,000 in various categories like fiddlers, vocal groups, bands, dobro, banjo, guitar and mandolin.
The competition categories and prize money are:
- Vocal Band $200/$100/$50
- String Band $200/$100/$50
- Guitar $100/$75/$50
- Mandolin $100/$75/$50
- Banjo $100/$75/$50
- Dobro $100/$75/$50
- Fiddle $1000/$200/$100
16-Year Old Jailed After Deputy’s Tire Shot Out
July 16, 2010
A 16-year old was jailed after allegedly dumping a firearm into the middle of a North Escambia street, eventually leading to a shot being fired into a deputy’s tire.
The juvenile was charged with culpable negligence exposure to harm, carrying a concealed weapon, improper exhibition of a firearm or dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm unlawfully by a minor, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and tampering with or destroying evidence.
The incident began at 3:23 Wednesday morning when Deputy Scott Rivkin conducted a traffic stop on a black Eagle Talon with no headlights near North Century Boulevard and Henry Streets. The driver of the vehicle was given a warning for failing to use his headlights. The 16-year was the passenger in the vehicle. Both left the area.
About five minutes later, Rivkin was traveling on North Century Boulevard in the same area as the traffic stop when when he heard what he believed to be a gunshot. Upon investigation, he discovered a .22 caliber pistol in the middle of North Century Boulevard. When the right rear wheel of the deputy’s cruiser rolled over the weapon, it had fired a round, flattening the tire. Next to the revolver, the deputy discovered one empty shell casing and five live rounds of ammunition.
While Deputy Rivkin was still parked on North Century Boulevard, he noticed the driver from the previous traffic stop and the 16-year approaching him on foot. The two were separated and questioned as the Flomaton Police Department responded for backup.
The driver told authorities that the juvenile had dropped the gun out of the vehicle’s window just prior to the traffic stop and that the pair had returned to the area to retrieve the gun. The 16-year old told deputies that he had purchased the gun from an individual, and he provided a bill of sale. He admitted to dropping the gun out of the vehicle window.
The 16-year old, a resident of Ivey Street in Century, was arrested and released into the custody of the Department of Youth Services. He was being held with bond set at $21,000.
Angel Food Donates 80,000 Pounds Of Food
July 16, 2010
Two tractor trailers loaded with food rolled up to the Gateway Church of Christ in Pensacola on Thursday morning for distribution to volunteers from 55 local organizations — including several in North Escambia — to help put it into the hands of those in need for free.
About 80 thousand pounds was delivered Thursday to a distribution site in Pensacola to assist families and workers impacted by the loss of work and business due to the Gulf oil disaster.
The food was from Angel Food Ministries, an organization dedicated to providing affordable, high-quality food to those in need.
“We have many oil workers who have come here to take care of the oil that washes up here; meanwhile no one is allowed in the water to fish or otherwise, and we have lost so much due to lack of tourism and commerce,” said Pat Senkow, Angel Food Outreach minister for the region. “In Escambia county we have 1,200 homeless children, and Santa Rosa County has 4,700 known homeless before the oil spoiled what we did have.”
North Escambia area organizations that participate in Angel Food Ministries include: Allen Memorial United Methodist Church, Pine Forest Assembly of God, New Life Baptist Church of Century, and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. For more information about participating in the Angel Food program, call 1-888-819-3745 or visit www.angelfoodministries.com to find the nearest host site.
One School To Win $10,000 From Pensacola Pelicans
July 16, 2010
At the end of the Pelicans season, one local school will win $10,000 from the Pensacola Pelicans. As part of the Pelicans reading program “Scoop’s Reading Challenge”, the school with the most reading challenge ticket voucher redemptions will win the grand prize.
Students participating in the “Scoop’s Reading Challenge” earned up to two Pelicans tickets for reaching “home” by achieving their assigned reading goals. In total, more than 15,000 tickets were awarded to the students in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties.
Currently, Pea Ridge Elementary is leading the race to win the $10,000.
Reading Challenge participants are encouraged to attend the Pelicans game and use their vouchers to further their school’s chances of winning the $10,000 prize.
The Pelicans have 19 regular season home games remaining. Ticket vouchers are youth vouchers only and are not valid for play-off games. Monday through Saturday games begin at 6:45 p.m. while Sunday games begin at 6:05 p.m. Gates open an hour before game time.
NWE All-Stars On The Road In Sectional Tourney
July 16, 2010
The Northwest Escambia All-Stars will be in action Saturday in the 11-12 year old Little League softball sectionals in Tallahassee.
NWE, the District 1 champions, will take on the District 20 champions, Chaires Little League, at Chaires-Capitola Park. Games in the double elimination tournament will be at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. (EDT) on Saturday. If a Sunday game is needed, the time will be determined following the final Saturday game.
Members of the NWE 11-12 year old All-Stars are: Savanna Roux, Peighton Dortch, Courtney Peebles, Kyndall Hall, Penny Banda, Addy Lee, Kendal Cobb, Mallory Ryan, Kristin Byrd and Natalie Goetter. The team is managed by Jerry Mason, and coached by Ronald Peebles and Eddie Ryan.
Pictured top: The Northwest Escambia All-Starts 11-12 softball team after their July 2 district championship win. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Over 150 New Laws Now In Effect In Florida
July 16, 2010
High school students will have to take some tougher classes. Exotic pythons can no longer be sold in Florida. And it will be harder to sue businesses for “slip and fall” incidents. Those are just some of the more than 150 laws that went into effect this month in the Sunshine State.
- SB 4 heightens graduation standards and phases out part of the high school FCAT, the standardized exam given to Florida students. The new law will eventually require students to take geometry, two years of algebra, biology, chemistry or physics and an additional “rigorous” science course in order to graduate. DOE officials would also create and eventually implement end-of-course exams. Some school officials have questioned how it will affect graduation rates.
- SB 2126 expands the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, a program that that sends low-income Florida students to private school. The new law would allow the program, currently capped at $118 million in aggregate, to keep expanding as more donations flow in. The program is funded by private companies that get a corporate tax credit in return for a donation. Currently, more than 27,000 students receive a $3,950 scholarship. Under the new law, the $118 million cap expands to $140 million this year, and then allows it to expand by 25 percent whenever the donations reach 90 percent of the cap. The measure also provides additional tax credits for the program, adding oil and gas severance taxes, beverage taxes on alcohol and other types of business taxes. The goal is to increase the amount of students who receive the scholarship and boost the individual award amount, so that it eventually reaches 80 percent of the state allocation for per pupil spending, which is currently at about $6,866 per student.
- Another bill (HB 525) becoming law Thursday eliminates the statute of limitations on sex crimes related to minors. The measure was pushed by lawyer Michael Dolce and Lauren book, the daughter of Miami lobbyist Ron Book, who were both victimized as children.
- SB 1708 makes it a felony to kill, maim or mutiliate a horse and then sell the meat that is not acquired from a “licensed slaughterhouse.” The measure was sponsored by Sen. Victor Crist,R-Tampa, and Rep. Luis Garcia, D-Miami, who proposed it in response to incidents of horses being stolen and butchered for human consumption in the state over the last few years.
- Lawmakers upped the requirements for Florida students to qualify for the popular Bright Futures Scholarship, which pays for the education for about half of the students at Florida’s public universities. The changes include raising the SAT requirements from 1270 to 1290 for the top award and 970 to 1050 for the secondary award. (HB 5201)
- Another new law makes it more difficult for an individual to sue a business for “slip and fall” incidents. The new law places the burden of proof on a person who is injured in a slip and fall case. They now will have to prove the business had knowledge of a dangerous condition and didn’t fix it. The law was a major priority of the Florida Chamber and other members of the business community.
- Don’t try to put a snake on a plane. SB 318, which goes went into effect Thursday, bans the importation of dangerous giant reptiles into Florida and enhances the state’s ability to prevent internet sales of banned wildlife. It also increases penalties for those who break wildlife laws.
By Kathleen Hughney
The News Service Florida
Good Chance Of Daily Rain
July 16, 2010
There’s a pretty good chance of thunderstorms each day though Monday. Most of the showers will be of the usual summer afternoon and evening type; so expect lots of lightning and some heavy downpours in isolated areas.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming east.
- Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
- Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94.
Local Brothers Find Themselves Deployed To Same Base In Afghanistan
July 16, 2010
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Two brothers from Atmore have been been deployed to the same base in Afghanistan.
Many armed services personnel are separated from their families for a long period of time on a regular basis due to deployments. Although some military members have a spouse or other family member that is also in the military and deploys frequently, rarely are they deployed at the same time or to the same location.
In Afghanistan, two brothers have found themselves deployed, not only at the same time, but to the same location as well. U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Dempsey Walker, supply support activity platoon sergeant, Company A, Task Force Workhorse, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Falcon, from Atmore, Ala., has spent 24 years in the Army and is currently on his fourth deployment. His brother, U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Nicholas Walker, a computer systems manager with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan, also from Atmore, has spent 17 years in the Air Force and is currently on his third deployment. Both are deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
“This is the first time we have been deployed to the same base,” said Dempsey. “We were stationed in Korea at the same time and deployed to Iraq at the same time, but to different bases.”
“When I got here, my brother had already been here for six months,” said Nicholas. “It makes life here a lot easier, having a family member so close who can relate to what you are doing.”
Dempsey said he was anxious to join the military and chose the Army because it was able to let him join three months earlier than the other services. Nicholas, however, was not as anxious and made his decision based on the experiences of his brothers.
“We have an older brother that used to be in the Air Force,” said Nicholas. “After I talked to both my brothers, I decided the Air Force was right for me.”
According to Dempsey, the brothers get together at least once a week. They spend their time talking, going to church or just hanging out together. They usually eat at least one meal together whenever their schedules allow.
“It is nice to have a family member here to talk to,” said Dempsey. “Someone who is in the same location and situation and who can understand and relate to the types of problems that can pop up from time to time. In times like these, it is good to have your brother by your side.”
Pictured: U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Nicholas Walker (right), a computer systems manager with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan, sites and talks with his brother U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Nicholas Walker (left), a computer systems manager with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan recently at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Photo by U.S. Army Sft. Robert Healy, Task Force Workhorse, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Eula McDonald Harris
July 15, 2010
Eula McDonald Harris, 86, of Molino, passed away Sunday, July 11, 2010.
‘Granny,’ as she was affectionately known, was born in Muscogee, FL and resided most her life in Molino. She retired after 24 years with St. Regis Paper Company and attended Pinehaven Baptist Church for over 20 years. Her children noted to her that she always had good neighbors to which she replied ‘to have good neighbors you must be a good neighbor,’ and she was, as well as a devoted mother who raised and provided for five children by her self.
‘Granny’ was gifted with hospitality and would cook for py everone who came to see her.
Preceding ‘Granny’ in death are her two daughters, Charlotte Crum and Pat Dunagan.
Survivors include her children, Raymond Stokes (Barbara), Judy Graves (Doug) and Ken Albritton (Brenda); brother, Tommy McDonald; sister, Annie Weekley; ten grandchildren; 15 greatgrandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 15, 2010 from 6 PM to 8 PM at PENSACOLA MEMORI-AL Diaconate will serve as honorary pall bearers.
The family wishes to thank the Covenant Hospice Team at West Florida Hospital for their care and kindness.
Flowers will be accepted or donations honoring Larry may be made to McIlwain Presbyterian Church, Pink House Restoration Fund, 1220 E. Blount Street, Pensacola, FL 32501 or Covenant Hospice, 2001 North Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL 32501.
Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.