John Cleveland Ard, Sr.
December 18, 2011
John Cleveland Ard, Sr., age 86, of Pensacola passed away Friday, November 18, 2011. John was born August 3, 1925, in Pensacola. He attended Tate High School; he then completed a four year apprenticeship and worked at NAS Pensacola. He retired after 40 years from St. Regis/Champion International Paper as a machinist. He loved his retirement, spending his time bass fishing and traveling with his wife. John loved his church family at Pinehaven Baptist Church.
John was preceded in death by his mother Lela Silver and stepfather Lonnie, his father Leon Ard and stepmother Lucille, and his first loving wife Peggy Nellums of 32 years and the mother of his three sons.
He is survived by his loving wife Dorothy (Dot) of 20 years; three sons, Louis, John Jr., Mark (Cara); three grandchildren Jeremy Ard, Brooke Ard Lassiter (Patrick) and Caityn Ard; daughter in law, Debra Ard; two stepsons, David Fuller (Betty), Rick Fuller (Shelia); four step grandchildren, Shawna Fuller Dupuis (Michael), Jonathan Fuller, Shaun Fuller, and Shannon Fuller; and one step sister, Marie Moyer.
John’s three sons and family would like to express their love and appreciation for their step mother Dot for the love and care she gave to their father.
Services were held at Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home and burial took place at Bayview Memorial Park.
Serving as pallbearers were men from his Sunday school class at Pinehaven Baptist Church. Pastor Jimmy Lancaster was the officiating minister and was assisted by Clark Childress.
Flowers were appreciated and in lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the music department at Pinehaven Baptist Church, 10400 N. Palafox St., Pensacola, FL 32534.
Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Four From Atmore Injured In Bratt Highway 4 Wreck
December 17, 2011
Four Atmore residents were injured in single vehicle accident Friday night in Bratt.
The Florida Highway Patrol says 19-year old Mekell J. Rivers was eastbound on West Highway 4 just east of Northview High School about 10:30 p.m. when he lost control for an unknown reason. His 1992 Pontiac Bonneville left the roadway, overturned several times and came to rest in a field off the highway.
Rivers and his passengers — 19-year old Fredrick McDowell, 19-year old Rico Stallworth and 18-year old Kalene Anderson — were all transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with minor injuries. All four were wearing their seat belts.
Charges are pending against Rivers, according to the FHP.
Atmore Ambulance, the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured top: First responders work to stabilize four people injured in a single vehicle accident Friday night on West Highway 4 near Northview High School. Pictured inset and below: Four people were in this Pontiac Bonneville, which came to rest in a field after overturning multiple times. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
East Beats West In All Star Game Called Early After Fight
December 17, 2011
A battle between all-stars from a three county region ended with a bit of a brawl Friday night and the last four minutes of the Subway High School All-Star Series football game canceled.
After a touchdown and extra point attempt by the East team from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, there was shoving, pushing and a few punches between the East and West teams. The incident reportedly stemmed from an end zone celebration by the East team after a touchdown — a practice that’s forbidden during the regular season but accepted and promoted by the organizers of the All-Star game.
In the end, the East beat the West 27-14. The East has won the game four of the last five years.
For the West, Northview High School quarterback hit Shaquille Purifoy of Pine Forest for a touchdown. Sheets also threw a another touchdown pass to Eddie Matthews of Catholic High.
The West All-Star Team, representing Escambia County, included several North Escambia area players: Northview’s Brandon Sheets, Montaio Mitchell, Sean Knight, Brian Ross, and Austin Albritton; Tate’s Scott Ryals, Jacob Lasky, Cameron Covington and Hagan Mancuso;West Florida’s Kyle Faxlanger, Jalen Jones, Joe Jackson, Antwon Carter, Jorgen Stolsig, Jake Morris and Coach Harry Lees; and Pensacola High’s Dak Sims who lives in McDavid.
The East All-Star Team, representing Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, included local players Sammy Jones and Haden McCaskill from Jay High.
Cantonment Murder Suspect On ‘America’s Most Wanted’ Tonight
December 17, 2011
A murder suspect from Cantonment was featured on “America’s Most Wanted” Saturday night.
Pensacola Police are hoping tips will lead to the arrest of 20-year old Dwayne “Money” Pinestraw. He’s wanted on homicide and aggravated battery charges for the summer shooting death of a Pensacola toddler.
The segment on the national television program included a re-enactment of the incident, interviews with the victim’s family and interviews with Pensacola Police Department Detective James Reese.
Reese has been the primary detective investigating the July 15 incident, which claimed the life of Ty ‘Quarius Moultrie, 19 months old, and injured Vincent Dennis, 23, at an apartment
complex on Fairfield Drive.
“We have spent many hours working this investigation and trying to find the suspect and hope this will help,” Reese said.
Jobless Rate Increases Across Area
December 17, 2011
The latest job numbers released Friday showed an increasing number of people out of work in the three-county North Escambia area — while Florida’s state unemployment rate dropped to the lowest level in two and a half years.
Escambia County’s unemployment increase slightly from 9.9 percent in October to 10.2 percent in November. There were 135 jobs during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 13,962 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 11.5 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment increased a half percentage point from 8.7 percent in October to 9.2 percent in November. Santa Rosa County lost 277 jobs during the period, with a total of 6,458 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 10.2 percent.
The employment news was a bit better in Escambia County, Alabama, where unemployment dropped from 10.1 percent in October to 9.3 percent in November. That represented 34 people returning to work during the month. There were 1,350 people unemployed in the county during the month.
Florida’s jobless rate dipped in November to 10 percent – its lowest level in 30 months — as the state added 98,100 non-agricultural jobs over the year and lowered its unemployment rate by 1.9 percentage points from November 2010.
“We are continuing to move Florida in the right direction by streamlining government, eliminating burdensome regulations, identifying economic development opportunities and prioritizing education,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement. “I am hopeful that we will see Florida’s unemployment rate continue to decline as jobs grow and more Floridians find work.”
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 8.7 percent in November, was down from October’s rate of 9.3 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 9.1.percent.
GE Wind Turbine Factory Hiring For 50 Full-Time Jobs
December 17, 2011
GE Wind Energy is hiring 50 full-time employees at their Pensacola Wind Turbine and Hub Assembly plant during the first few months of 2012.
Jobs include assemblers, electrical testers and maintenance technicians.
Applications are being accepted online now at www.gewindjobs.com for the jobs, which are located at GE’s plant just off Scenic Highway north of I-10. The plant is one of the world’s largest suppliers of wind turbines.
Critical Need: Two Blood Drives In North Escambia Today
December 17, 2011
There are two blood drives in the North Escambia area today.
Northwest Florida Blood Services says there is an immediate need for O-negative blood and other blood types.
“Holiday season emergencies, accidents and surgeries are showing increased usage of O-negative blood type by local hospitals,” according to Betty Roberts, Northwest Florida Blood Services spokesperson.
There will be blood drives on Saturday at Fran’s Country Grill at 5539 North Highway 29 in Molino from 12:30 until 5:30 p.m. and at Winn Dixie at 1550 South Highway 29 in Cantonment from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m.
Donations can also be made at the Blood Center’s location at 1999 East Nine Mile Road from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily.
Trent Richardson Checks Out All-Star Game, Meets Locals
December 17, 2011
Alabama Crimson Tide running back and Heisman Trophy finalist Trent Richardson attended the Subway High School All-Star Football Game at Woodham Middle School Friday night. Richardson, pictured top center, took the time to pose for photos with the Northview High School cheerleaders. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Marvin “Buck” Vester Scott
December 17, 2011
Marvin “Buck” Vester Scott, age 74, of Jay went home to be with the Lord on December 16, 2011, after a courageous battle with cancer. Buck was born in Andalusia on March 5, 1937, and lived in Jay for the last 28 years. He was semi-retired from the heating and air conditioning business after 50 years.
Buck is preceded in death by his parents, Wiley C. Scott, and Clara Bryant Scott; his wife of 40 years, Dorothy Mitchell Scott; his son, Anthony Lynn Scott; brother Ray Scott and sister, Lacey Scott Worthen.
He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Evelyn Bryant Scott; daughter Gina (Rod) Rowell, daughter Tammy (Bruce J.) Linzy, daughter Sandy Geck, daughter Teresa (Mark) Hendricks and son, Jason (Nichole) Scott all of Jay; daughters Toni Pittman and Terri (Tony) Keller of Mobile; amd his step-sons, Steven (Felicia) Savage, Stanley (Colleen) Savage both of Andalusia. He is also survived by his sister, Eunice (George) Scroggins of Florala, Alabama; sister Jeanette (Lewis) Holcomb of Andalusia, sister Mary (Harold) Mitchell of Red Level, Alabama, and brother Claude (Beadie) Scott of Greenville, Alabama; niece Donna Scott Watson of Brewton, Alabama; 15 grandchildren, Kaila Ard, Lauren Diamond, Ashlyn and Sarah Geck, Hillary and Abby Hendricks, Bailey and Bryson Scott, Jordan and Brooke Linzy, Luke, Mallary and Grant Rowell, Jennifer Keller White, Lindsay Keller; and great-grandchild, Addelyn Keller White.
He was a loving father to his children and grandchildren. He had a great sense of humor and loved the outdoors. His favorite past-time was fishing, tending his garden, and spending time with his family. He will be greatly missed.
Pallbearers are Jeff Geck, Tommy Henry, Mark Miller, Harold Mitchell, Tex Scott and Bill Smith.
Friends and family are invited to attend visitation from 6-9 pm Sunday, December 18th at Jay Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 19th, 11 a.m. at True Worship Assembly of God in Berrydale with Dr. Jerry Keese and Rev. Adam Peterson officiating. Burial will follow at Cora Baptist Church Cemetery.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to the Joyce Goldenberg Covenant Hospice of Pensacola, 10075 Hillview Rd, Pensacola, FL. A special thanks goes to the staff at Jay Hospital, Baptist Hospital and the wonderful care provided by the staff of Covenant Hospice.
Escambia Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested
December 17, 2011
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been arrested for misusing a law enforcement computer system.
Michael Patrick Bowman, 35, was charged by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on a charge of third degree felony computer-related fraud. Bowman was released from jail on his own recognizance.
Bowman is accused of using a law enforcement computer to view criminal histories and driver’s license information without a legitimate law enforcement cause.
His arrest report has not yet been released by FDLE or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Bowman is due to appear in court on January 5.