Turning Much Cooler
December 6, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Rain likely. Areas of fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 43. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Wednesday: Rain likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 49. Breezy, with a northwest wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain before midnight. Mostly clear, with a low around 30. North wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. East wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 59. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 59.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Out Of Money For Crack, Man Snatches Purse During Prayer At Church
December 6, 2011
A Flomaton man is charged with stealing a woman’s purse during prayer at a local church because, he told police, he was smoking crack in Century and ran out of money.
The man, later identified as 30-year old Morris Andy Cumbie, walked into the Sunday evening service at the Flomaton Church of Christ about 6:15. Witnesses told Flomaton Police that Cumbie sat down in a pew, and as soon as heads were bowed for the opening prayer, he grabbed a church member’s purse and bolted out the door.
Church members gave chase, but backed off when Cumbie told them that he had a gun, Flomaton Police Chief Geoff McGraw said. He then sped away in Toyota Corolla.
Police turned to technology in an attempt to catch their purse snatcher. The victim’s cellphone was inside the purse; the cellphone company was able to narrow the location of the phone down to the area of Campbell and Old Flomaton roads in Century. Police were unable to locate the phone in the dark, but witnesses did report seeing a Toyota Corolla matching the suspect’s in the area.
“Then I was blessed enough to remember having dealt with Mr. Cumbie before,” McGraw said, “and we went to his house out from Brewton.”
McGraw said Cumbie initially denied any involvement and eventually gave authorities consent to search his home and Toyota Corolla. In the car, police found a bank statement belonging to the victim that had been in her purse.
Cumbie was booked into the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center in Brewton on charges of felony first degree robbery and second degree theft of property.
Bill Could Block Drug Felons From Getting Welfare
December 6, 2011
A Senate Republican has filed a bill that would block people convicted on felony drug charges from being eligible for welfare benefits in Florida unless they can prove they have completed drug-treatment programs.
Sen. Steve Oelrich, R-Cross Creek, filed the proposal that would apply to temporary cash assistance and food assistance. The proposal comes after a major controversy during the 2011 session about requiring welfare recipients to take drug tests. Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, has filed the proposal in the House.
By The News Service of Florida
Thomas Named ‘Star’ Superintendent
December 6, 2011
Escambia County’s Malcolm Thomas was among three statewide “Star” superintendents and school board members honored by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.
Local education foundations from throughout the state nominated school system leaders for the fifth annual awards. Nominees were reviewed by other education foundation directors in the state and rated for their leadership and involvement with their local education foundation.
Thomas was nominated by Laverne Baker, chairwoman of Escambia County Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors.
With his direct involvement and leadership in the past three years, the foundation has achieved several milestones including the most recent, hiring a full time executive director to continue moving the foundation forward, Thomas said.
The consortium, established in 1987, is the membership organization for Florida’s education foundations.
Toyz For Kidz Bike Ride To Help Those In Need
December 6, 2011
Santa will have some very special helpers on Saturday as the LA Bikers roll across the area to make sure needy kids get a Christmas present.
The 11th Annual Toyz for Kidz Bike Ride will raise funds for the program and distribute toys to families in need.
The event begins at David’s Catfish on South Main Street in Atmore with registration from 9-10 a.m. The ride will begin at 10, traveling first to Bratt Elementary School, then to Arrington Auto Parts in Flomaton and the Atmore City Hall. At each stop, families that are already preselected will receive the toy donations.
Registration is $20 per bike, with all proceeds going to the LA Bikers Toyz for Kidz program. For more information, contact Jody Jeter at (251) 547-7030.
Hot Dog! It’s The Wienermobile In North Escambia
December 6, 2011
The world-famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was spotted in the North Escambia area Monday afternoon.
The unmistakeable 27-foot long hot dog-shaped vehicle traveled through Atmore, south along Highway 97 through Walnut Hill, and then down Highway 29 from Molino to Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com was able to “ketchup” with the Wienermobile for some photos in front of Ernest Ward Middle School. The giant fiberglass bun was, well, a bit soggy from the rain as it turned heads on Highway 97.
There are actually six full-size Wienermobiles; the one in the area Monday was the big wiener itself with the Wisconsin license plate of “WEENR”.
They are driven by “Hotdoggers” — college seniors who cut the mustard from thousands of applicants to operate the vehicle from a “condiment control panel”. They are able to relish the job for a year before moving along.
Frankly, it’s all about the brand on the Wienermobile; the horn even plays the jingle “I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener”.
Pictured above: The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile passes Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill Monday afternoon. Pictured below: The Wienermobile in downtown Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Atmore photos courtesy Regina Hare and Casey Hare for NorthEscambia.com.
FHP Announces Drunk, Drugged Driving Crackdown In December
December 6, 2011
The Florida Highway Patrol announced Monday that troopers are cracking down on drunk and drugged driving during December, which is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month.
“We encourage everyone to plan ahead this holiday season to avoid drinking or drugged driving,” said Col. David Brierton, director of the FHP. “We are encouraging all drivers to make good decisions.”
According to the Florida Highway Patrol
- During the four-day New Year’s holiday travel period in 2010, 32 people died on Florida’s roadways. Of those, 12 were alcohol-related.
- During the four-day Christmas holiday travel period in 2010, 24 people died on Florida’s roadways. Of those, eight were alcohol-related.
- Drug-related injuries and fatalities decreased between 2009 and 2010 from 1,090 to 1,063.
Ella Mae King
December 6, 2011
Ella Mae King, 94, of Pensacola, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 2, 2011. Mrs. King was born July 29, 1917, at the family farm in Sunshine Hill. She was a teacher, a homemaker, and a faithful Christian. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She taught women’s Sunday School at Brentwood United Methodist Church for over 30 years. Mrs. King enjoyed reading, gardening, sewing, and traveling with her husband throughout the United States.
Mrs. King was preceded in death by her parents: Addie and A. J. Taylor. Siblings: Lottie T. Gilley, Brooks Taylor, Malissa T. Dreadin, Jack Taylor, Edna T. Smith, and Ruth T.Golightly; and loving husband of 62 years, Carnley C. King.
Mrs. King is survived by her children: son, Larry King (Betty) of South Haven, MI; son, Wayne King of McKinney, TX; daughter, Cheryl K. Philpot of Lakeland, FL; and son, Alan King (Sandy) of Pensacola. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Angeila K. Harris, Larry Alan King, Matt King, Chris King, Brian Philpot, Bryce Philpot, Brent Philpot, Ryan King, and Patrick King; seven great-grandchildren: Samantha King, Jake King, Tyson Harris, Presley Philpot, Nash Harris, Cooper Philpot, and Sydney Philpot. She is survived by her brother, Bill Taylor of Molino; and 15 nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with funeral service following at 11 a.m. Her nephew, Rev. Jack Taylor, is officiating. Pallbearers will be Mrs. King’s grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Crabtree Church Cemetery Association (P. O. Box 363, Cantonment, FL. 32533) or memorial donations to Ferry Pass United Methodist Church.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South, Cantonment, FL 32533 is in charge of arrangements.
Vaughn Thomas Simmons
December 6, 2011
Vaughn Thomas Simmons of Cantonment passed away Monday, December 5, 2011.
Vaughn was born at Clark Air Force Base, Pampanga, Philippines, raised in Gulf Breeze and was a longtime resident of Escambia County. A 1974 graduate of Gulf Breeze High School, he went on to serve in the United States Navy as a nuclear machinist mate and was employed as an irrigation technician with Water Works, Inc.
A man of honesty and integrity, Vaughn greeted everyone with a friendly smile. Well read, Vaughn was always right, would argue until you would agree and prove you wrong should it be necessary.
His mother, Doris Broxson McGowin, and his sister, Stephanie Ellington, preceded Vaughn in death.
Vaughn is survived by his wife, Debbie J. Simmons; son, Tommy (Emily) Simmons of Kenosha, WI; daughter, Lindsey (Kyle) Kloes of Milton; son, Brandon Cowgill of, Cantonment; granddaughter, Dakota Kloes; brother, Mark Simmons of Atlanta; brother, Jerome Simmons of Pace; brother, Jamie (Claudette) Simmons of Cantonment; sister, Jan (Steve) Lockman of Molino; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Celebration of Life services will be held Thursday, December 8 at 11 a.m. at Pensacola Worship Center Church of God, 5715 North W Street, Pensacola, with the Reverend Doug Levins officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disable American Veterans, 1401 W. Intendencia St. Pensacola, FL 32501 or www.dav.org.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Chavers Withdraws From Sheriff’s Race
December 5, 2011
William (Bill) Chavers, NPA, withdrew today from the Escambia County Sheriff’s race for the 2012 General Election, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford. Chavers was formerly the chief deputy for current Sheriff David Morgan.
Currently, Morgan, the Republican incumbent, remains in the race along with Rex Blackburn (NPA) and Republican John Powell.