Groups Can Apply Now For Escambia United Way Funding
January 13, 2012
The application for United Way of Escambia County’s Community Chest is available now. The deadline to apply for funding is January 27, 2012. Agencies with 501(c)(3) non-profit status are eligible to apply for this funding of undesignated money pooled from thousands of donors in our community.
Grants will be awarded by a Volunteer Funds Distribution Committee comprised of more than 100 donors and community leaders. These volunteers intensively evaluate each program requesting funding to ensure donor contributions are spent in the most effective way possible in Escambia County.
The money will be allocated to programs that can show measurable outcomes and results within United Way’s three Community Impact Priorities of Education, Financial Stability and Health. If a program does not fit in these categories, funding may still be awarded based on the measurable impact of the program.
In 2011/12, United Way of Escambia County funded 38 programs at 26 agencies and schools for a total external allocation of more than $1,200,000.
Non-profit agencies can download an application today at www.unitedwayescambia.org. For more information about United Way of Escambia County’s Community Chest, contact Andrea Farage at (850) 444-7110 or email andrea@unitedwayescambia.org.
Ernest Ward Students Explore Past With National History Day Projects
January 13, 2012
History came alive through the eyes of students at Ernest Ward Middle School Thursday evening as they displayed weeks of work on projects for National History Day.
The History Fair in the school’s gym capped off a project in which EWMS students were required to do research into a topic. The research was presented in exhibit form, much like the typical science fair, or as a drama or web presentation. Students complete projects either individually or in teams.
For a photo gallery of projects, click here.
This was the third year Ernest Ward has participated in the national program, with the top projects from Ernest Ward headed next to a district competition. Winners included:
Individual Projects:
- Bethany Reynolds — The Cotton Gin: An Invention That Revolutionized a Global Industry
- Tristan Barrett — Scared of Reds: America’s Reaction to Communism
- Evan Till — The United States Cotton Industry
- Bailee Hinote — Native American Indians
Group Projects:
- Thomas Moore, Ben Preston, Jarod Townley — Railway System
- Mallory Gibson, Autumn Albritton — How The Revolutionary Ward Affected Indians
- Jessica Stacey, Abby Hammond, Destiny Watson — Pablo Picasso
- Tylet Houston, Tristan Reaves — The Revolution of Space Technology (Space Race)
Names of winners in the performance, web and research paper categories were not immediately available.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School National History Day entitled “Pablo Picasso” by Jessica Stacey, Abby Hammond and Destiny Watson. Pictured inset: Tristan Barrett’s “Scared of Reds: America’s Reaction to Communism” is judged. Pictured below: “Native American Indians” by Bailee Hinote. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sheila Wiley
January 13, 2012
Our special angel, Sheila Wiley went home to be with her Heavenly Father on the wings of a butterfly on January 12, 2012. Sheila was born July 1, 1954.
Shelia was preceded in death by her parents Arnett Wiley and Inez Wiley Granger and her stepfather Donald Granger.
She is survived by her siblings Rev. Steven (Rev. Reba) Wiley, Sherry (Jim) Hinote, Shirley Pugh, Claude (Glenda) Wiley, Paul (Laura) Wiley, many nieces, nephews and great nieces, great nephews that she dearly loved.
Sheila touched many lives through her devotion at Farm Hill United Methodist Church. She served as a Sunday School teacher, lay witness leader, Children’s Church director, youth leader and choir director. She proudly wore many hats and served God always.
In addition to the love of her church family, she was also a well-respected retired Escambia CountydEducator. She touched the hearts and lives of many children, parents and co-workers. Her classroom motto was “Work Hard and Play Harder”. She loved her students and only wanted the best for each of them. They each had a special place in her heart and her in theirs.
Shelia was truly one of God’s special angels and will be deeply missed by all. Her sense of humor and warm smile will always be remembered. “Go Rest High On That Mountain, Your Work On Earth Is Done.”
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, January 15, 2012, at Farm Hill United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2012.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South, Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Two Escambia Men Arrested For Robbery
January 13, 2012
Two Escambia County men were arrested moments after robbing a woman at an Olive Road convenience store.
Jamal Anthony Williams, 25, and William Michael Venus, 24, were charged with the robbery of Leslie Suarez at the Mom and Pop’s store.
According to Suarez, as she was sitting in her car in the store parking lot, Williams allegedly walked up to her window and demanded money from her. Suarez, fearing Williams may have had a weapon, gave Williams what money she had. Williams then ran to a green Honda Civic, driven by Venus, got in the passenger side, and fled.
Matthew Criner, Suarez’s boyfriend, came out of the store and Suarez told him that she had just been robbed. Criner began to follow the vehicle as Suarez called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Moments later, deputies located and stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Olive Road and Palafox Street. Both Williams and Venus were arrested and charged with the robbery. Both were booked in the Escambia County Jail – Williams with bond set at $12,500 and Venus with his bond set at $10,000.00.
No one was injured during the incident.
Brittany Hedwig Etheridge
January 13, 2012
Brittany Hedwig Etheridge of Atmore, Alabama took her last breath in a peace-filled moment late in the evening of Tuesday, January 10, 2012, a full 22 days before her 22nd birthday.
She was a 2008 graduate of Escambia County High School in Atmore and a student at Faulkner State community college in Bay Minette where she had one class remaining before completion of an associates degree in pursuit of a future career as an accountant.
Brittany always sought and shared beauty and will be remembered as a lover of life who graced hearts with joy and happiness. She fought leukemia with grace and unrelenting determination.
She was preceded in her journey by three grandparents, one cousin and two paternal uncles.
She is survived by her mother, Evelyn Etheridge; her father, Jimmy Etheridge; one brother, James Bernard Etheridge; her paternal grandfather, Alton Etheridge: seven aunts; six uncles; 18 cousins; and many other family and friends.
A funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday January 13, 2012, at 10 a.m. from the St.Roberts Bellarmine Church in Atmore by Father Jan Zagorski, her former pastor, with Father Gordon Milstead, acting as master of ceremonies. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Rosary will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday evening January 12, 2012, from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore is in charge of all arrangements.
Doris Barrington Murph Hall
January 13, 2012
Mrs. Doris Barrington Murph Hall, age 92, of Atmore passed away Monday January 9, 2012, after a brief illness.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Ulbert Barrington and Bessie Barrington; brother, Donald Barrington and daughter Lanell Cook.
Mrs. Hall is survived by her husband Marshall Hall and brother Glen Barrington; two sons, Colvin Murph (Faye) of Bay Minette and Rodney Hall of Atmore; seven daughters, Carolyn Dees of Robertsdale, Nancy Roach (D.C.) of Davisville, Bettye Hodges (Ken) of Pensacola, Shirley Diane Rushing (Johnny) of Pensacola, Sarah Ward (Mike) of Mobile, Rita Whatley (Larry) of Atmore and Becky Holloway (James) of Odessa, TX; 21 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Thursday, January 12, 2012, at 3 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Keith Johnson officiating. Interment followed in McCullough Cemetery.
The family received friends Thursday, January 12, 2012, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home one hour prior to service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc in charge of all arrangements.
State Economic Forecast Steady, House Calls For Timely Budget
January 13, 2012
State economists left their revenue estimate for the next year and a half all but unchanged Thursday, prompting renewed calls from the House for lawmakers to finish their budget on time despite the Senate leaders’ hesitance to move too quickly.
The new estimate issued Thursday changes the overall projection by $26.1 million — about 1 percent of the projected $2 billion budget shortfall and an increase of 0.05 percent in projected revenue. It includes an increase of $46 million in the estimate for the current year and a drop of $19.9 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
“You don’t hardly get any closer to the current estimate than that,” said Amy Baker, coordinator of the Office of Economic & Demographic Research.
House leaders swiftly pointed to the steady estimate as a sign that Senate President Mike Haridopolos should drop his public consideration of an extended session or a special session to deal with the budget shortfall. Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, has said he’s concerned that the numbers could still change dramatically between now and the summer.
Lawmakers would normally work off of estimates developed shortly after the session opens in March, but needed an earlier figure for this year’s session, which began Jan. 10 because of redistricting.
“We will once again face many difficult choices as we craft a budget that reflects the House priorities,” said House Appropriations Chairwoman Denise Grimsley. “Delaying these tough choices will not make them go away.”
House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, said that completing a budget by the end of the 60-day session would also help future job growth by giving business leaders certainty about the future.
“There are inherent risks and uncertainty with any forecast, but none that can’t be overcome with conservative budgeting, planning for contingencies and setting aside ample reserves,” Cannon said.
Haridopolos was unmoved.
“The President continues to have concerns about the revenue estimate,” spokeswoman Lyndsey Cruley said in an email.
The conference found that there were some downside risks for the economy related to personal income in Florida and a potential debt crisis in Europe, but it also said that “the likelihood of a second recession has diminished” in recent months.
“Overall, the adjustments to the forecast indicate an economy that is still in an abnormally slow recovery,” an executive summary issued by the revenue estimating conference stated.
Forecasters are not set to meet again until the summer, though Baker told reporters they would be willing to do so again if lawmakers wanted fresh numbers. At the same time, she suggested that wasn’t necessary.
“At this point, I wouldn’t know of a reason to say, ‘”Well, check back with us in a few months.’”
Jerry Leon Kilcrease
January 13, 2012
Mr. Jerry Leon Kilcrease, 75, passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, in Brewton.
He was a native of Plant City, FL, and a resident of Opp for many years before moving to Stanley Crossroads 27 years ago. He attended the West County Line Baptist Church.
He was receded in death by his father, Jerry M. Kilcrease; his wife, Mary Frances Kilcrease; abBrother, Tom Kilcrease and asSister, Lanora Hollinghead..
He is survived by two sons, Jerry William ‘Sonny’ Kilcrease of Opp, and Woody Leon (Angie) Kilcrease of Brewton; three daughters, Janna Darlene (Edward) Russell of Andalusia, Penni Marie (Paul) Jay of Uriah, and Peggy Sue (Bobby) Lane of Atmore; his mother, Ether Kilcrease of Atmore; 14 grandchildren; four great- grandchildren; and a brother, Jimmy Kilcrease of Perdido.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 14, at 2 p.m. at the West County Line Baptist Church with Brother James Kilpatrick and Brother Edward Russel officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery with Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home directing.
Alabama’s Trent Richardson Going Pro, Entering NFL Draft
January 12, 2012
Alabama’s Trent Richardson is leaving the Crimson Tide and entering the NFL Draft.
Richardson made the announcement Thursday afternoon on ESPN. The Heisman Trophy finalist is projected to be a Top 10 pick in the NFL draft after a record setting year at Alabama. He had 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns during the regular season, a Crimson Tide record.
Richardson is a graduate of Escambia High School in Pensacola.
Porn Bust: Police Raid Barber Shop, Seize Videos
January 12, 2012
Police raided a Flomaton barbershop Wednesday afternoon because they say the barber was selling more than haircuts.
Barber Garvin Eugene Chancery, age 60, was charged with two counts of distribution of obscene material after officers seized alleged pornographic movies from his Gene’s Barber Shop in Flomaton.
“Our investigation revealed that he was selling adult DVD’s from the shop for $3 each,” Flomaton Police Chief Geoff McGraw said following the raid. “When you got finished with your movie, he would even buy it back for $1.”
McGraw said his department seized 16 allegedly pornographic DVDs and several VHS tapes. He said that none of the videos were believed to involve child pornography, but he said the Flomaton Police Department would review the contents of each video.
Gene’s Barber Shop is located in small building on Palafox Street in downtown Flomaton, across the street from a shoe shop and next door to a church. A rail yard and the Florida line are in sight of the building, as is the heart of Flomaton’s business district.
“That’s not the kind of business we wanted in downtown Flomaton, especially next door to a church,” McGraw said.
The police chief said it is illegal to sell pornographic materials in Alabama without the proper licenses and permits — none of which Chancery had.
Chancery, a longtime barber, was released on his own recognizance.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.