No School Today In Escambia
October 24, 2011
There’s no school today in Escambia County — it’s a teacher work day after the first nine-week grading period.
Tuesday begins the second nine-week period. Report cards for the first nine-weeks will be headed home on Monday, October 31.
The next holiday for students and teachers will be Veteran’s Day on Friday, November 11.
Bill Filed To Prevent Protests Near Military, Other Funerals
October 24, 2011
A bill has been filed in the Florida Senate to make it illegal to protest and disturb military funerals in the Sunshine State. Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Ft. Myers, filed legislation which would make it a misdemeanor to picket or engage in other protest activities within 500 feet of a funeral, burial or memorial service of a veteran, emergency response worker, elected official or minor.
Benacquisto said she was proud to sponsor an important piece of legislation that recognizes the meaningful balance that must be reached between the First Amendment and a family’s right to grieve in private for their loved one.
“Funerals are emotional times for families and friends to come together and mourn the passing of loved ones,” said Senator Benacquisto. “All too often, they are used for political purposes that distort the courage of the servicemen and women who protect this country. We need to respect this time and allow families to grieve.”
The bill was also filed in the House by Representative Pat Rooney, R-Palm Beach Gardens. House Bill 31 is a response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that stated anti-gay protestors in Maryland exercised their right to free speech at the 2006 funeral of Marine Cpl. Matthew Snyder who was killed in Iraq. According to the judge, protestors were not in violation of the state’s 100-foot buffer zone for military funerals. While Florida law currently makes it a misdemeanor to disturb military funerals, Benacquisto’s newly filed bill proposes the buffer zone.
“I can’t think of a more important piece of legislation,” Benacquisto added. “This bill will allow military heroes to receive the honor and reverence they deserve. I am hopeful that my colleagues in the Legislature will recognize what an important initiative this is to the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”
Colleen Booker Parker
October 24, 2011
Colleen Booker Parker, 83, passed away October 23, 2011. She was born August 29, 1928, in Pensacola, to the late Rosa Leigh and Greeley Booker.
She attended Cottage Hill Elementary School and Tate High School. In 1946 she married the love of her life, Mr. Willie Parker. Together they owned and operated Parker’s Exxon Service Station and Parker’s Construction. They also farmed land for many years in the Cantonment area. She was devoted to her family, loved to cook, go fishing and grow vegetable gardens. She was a member of Cottage Hill Baptist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 63 years, Willie Parker and her sister Louise Mims.
She is survived by her son Ted Parker and his wife Gwen, daughter Bonnie Warnock and her husband Luther all of Cantonment; granddaughter, Jennifer Parker Bracken and her husband Mike of Ridgeland, MS; granddaughter, Cindy Leigh Parker of Cantonment, FL; grandson, Brad Warnock and his wife Cherie of Phoenix, AZ; granddaughter, Bryna Warnock of Nashville, TN; great granddaughter Parker Elizabeth Bracken of Ridgeland, MS; and great grandson Parker Bradley Warnock of Phoenix, AZ.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Barbara Clark, Ginger Watson, Kay Hull, Leola Blackmon, and Isabel Krick who graciously provided loving care for our Momma and Granny throughout her time of need.
Pallbearers are: Mike Bracken, Cheyenne Gibbs, Eddie Knowles, Kevin McNeill, Jimmy Montgomery, and Roy Radford.
There will be a funeral service to celebrate Mrs. Parker’s life on Tuesday, October 25th with Brother Mark Torrez officiating. The visitation will begin at noon and the service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home.
Football District Leaders Emerging
October 24, 2011
For the Northview Chiefs, the District 1-1A championship depends on their November 4 homecoming game against the Baker Gators. If the Chiefs knock off Baker, Northview takes the district and Freeport takes the No. 2 spot.
But if Baker should beat Northview, there would be a three-way tie with Freeport, if Freeport defeats Jay. The Jay Royals are totally out of the district championship hunt.
In District 1-5A, a three-way tie is also possible. If West Florida beats Arnold, the Jaguars are first and the Gulf Breeze Dolphins are second. But if Arnold wins, there’s a three-way tie.
In District 1-6A, the Pensacola High School Tigers are district champions if they beat Escambia or Washington. Second place will go to Pace, Milton or Pine Forest depending the outcome of several different games
Hurricane Rina Update
October 24, 2011
![[Image of 5-day forecast and coastal areas under a warning or a watch]](http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT18/refresh/AL1811W5_NL+gif/023527W5_NL_sm.gif)
Rina formed in the western Caribbean Sunday night and was upgraded to hurricane status by Monday afternoon. It’s expected to move slowly over the next five days, approaching Yucatan Peninsula, possibly as a hurricane. Models diverge after five days — some taking the storm toward the Pacific, other models toward southern Florida. The latest information on Rina is in the graphic above.
Weekend In 500 Photos
October 24, 2011
There were a lot of happenings over the weekend in the North Escambia area, and NorthEscambia.com was there with over 500 photos published. Click an item below to view the corresponding story and/or photo gallery.
Just A Drill: Citizens Respond As Tornado Hits Century
October 23, 2011
As a hurricane moved across the Century area Saturday, the town’s citizens took shelter at the old high school on Pond Street. All seemed well as the hurricane force winds began to die down outside — until the hurricane spawned a tornado. The twister took aim at the shelter, leaving destruction and mass casualties behind. Ordinary first responders from EMS and the fire department were cut off by the storm.
But the town’s CERT members jumped into action, providing search and rescue, and basic medical care until more help could arrive.
That was the scenario that played out Saturday morning as part of a drill for Century’s first graduation class for CERT — the Community Emergency Response Team sponsored by BRACE, the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies.
About two dozen Century CERT members have attended weekly classes since August to prepare to step up and help in the event of an actual emergency or disaster.
“They have done really well; it was really impressive,” said Chris Hamilton, CERT coordinator for BRACE. “Century is ready.”
The Century CERT training was available to Escambia County (Fla.) residents and included basic disaster response skills like fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.
Pictured top: Century town council member Sandra McMurray Jackson (left) and another CERT volunteer held a disaster “victim” Saturday morning during a disaster drill. Pictured inset and below: CERT volunteers search for tornado victims during a drill. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Warmer, Rain Possible Late Week
October 23, 2011
A slow warming trend leads toward a chance of rain later this week. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Calm wind.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. West wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. North wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Friday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Martha T. McAnally
October 23, 2011
Martha T. McAnally, 81, of Molino went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 20, 2011.
Mrs. McAnally was born in Morgan County, AL, and resided in Escambia County for the past 52 years. She was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Mrs. McAnally was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
Survivors include her two sons, Thomas and Billy McAnally; daughter, Carol Ann Beck; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Visitation will be Sunday, October 23, 2011, from 5:30 until 7 p.m. at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with Pastor Allen Gantzhorn officiating.
Burial will be in Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
The family wishes to express their heart-felt thank you to the nurses and staff of West Florida Hospital and The Health Center of Pensacola for the love and care given to mother.
Photos: Hundreds Attend Williams Station Day
October 23, 2011
Hundreds from across South Alabama and Northwest Florida enjoyed Williams Station Day Saturday in Atmore.
Williams Station Day takes its name from Atmore’s early history when in 1866 the community was a supply stop along the Mobile and Great Northern railroad.
Festival-goers were entertained by a wide variety of musical acts, and a wide variety of arts and crafts were also available.
Click here for a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery.
Pictured top: Artist John Gill displayed his works at Saturday’s Williams Station Day in Atmore. Pictured inset: Entertainment during the event. Pictured below: Hundreds attend the annual Williams Station Day. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
