Kendrick Dortch
June 30, 2012
Mr. Kendrick Dortch, age 38 of Atmore, passed away Tuesday, June 26, 2012 in Atmore. He was a native of Atmore and had lived in Montgomery before returning to Atmore. He was a 1993 graduate of Escambia County High School and had attended Alabama State University. He was employed with Johnson Ford.
Mr. Dortch is survived by his mother, Barbara Davison Dortch of Troy and his father, McArthur Dortch of Atmore; one daughter, Madison Dortch of Valley, AL; one son, Tyler Dortch of Alley; three brothers, Carl Davison of Troy, Derek (Francella) Owens of Montgomery, and Alonzo Davison of San Diego, CA; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at 1 p.m. at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church with Rev. Robert Davis, Pastor and Apostle Louis Banks, Pastor of El Bethel Holiness Church, officiating. Interment will follow at Stallworth Cemetery.
Public viewing will be Monday, July 2, 2012, from 2 until 8:30 p.m. at Turner Funeral Chapel, and his body will lie instate at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.
Turner Funeral Chapel, LLC of Atmore is in charge of all arrangements.
Dottie Mae Boutwell Harrelson
June 30, 2012
Dottie Mae Boutwell Harrelson,73 of Atmore, passed away Wednesday June 27, 2012, in Poarch. She was a homemaker, born in Huxford on October 22, 1938, to the late Jefferson William and Esther Oliva Ardis Salter, Sr.
She is preceded in death by three sisters, Elizabeth Boutwell, Dorothy Caraway and Lottie Lou Caraway.
She is survived by her husband, James Harrelson of Atmore; five sons, Donald Wayne Smith and wife, Connie of Uriah, James M. Smith, Jr and wife, Brandy, Jerry Smith and wife, Kimberly both of Atmore, Malcom Harrelson of Perdido and Mikey Harrelson of Bratt; six daughters, Janice Styron and husband, Don, Jeanette McGhee and husband, Russell both of Atmore, Angela Mosley and husband, Roy of Flomaton, Joyce McIlwain and husband, Glenn of Atmore, Donnie Sue Grantham and husband, Wayne of Brewton, and Shonda Lynn Stherl and husband, Eric of Huxford; three brothers, Charles Salter, Jefferson William Salter, Jr and wife, Angie both of Huxford, Dewayne Salter and wife, Linda of Poarch; two sisters, Mary Jane Caraway and husband Pete of McCullough and Shirley White and husband, Larry of Huxford; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services will be Monday July 2, 2012, at 10 a.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Malcom Harrelson officiating. Interment will follow in McCullough Cemetery.
Family will receive friends Sunday evening July 1, 2012, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 5-8 p.m.
Wahoos Win 6-1
June 30, 2012
Blue Wahoos right-hander Daniel Corcino fired eight solid innings and gave up just one earned run, while center fielder Ryan LaMarre, third baseman David Vidal and left fielder Bryson Smith all homered to lead Pensacola to a 6-1 victory over the Jackson Generals in front of another sellout crowd of 5,038 on Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The win evens the series between the two teams at 2-2 and also bumps the Fish’s overall record up to 39-39, as well as 5-4 since the All-Star break. The defeat drops Jackson to a 47-32 mark in 2012, in addition to a 5-4 tally in the second half. The capacity crowd was the second straight for Pensacola in the series, as well as their 25th overall in 38 home openings this year as they maintained their lead in attendance in the Southern League.
In his first start in Pensacola since firing the first eight innings of the first no-hitter in team history just under two weeks ago, Corcino (8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO) was stellar again for the Fish, yielding just five hits and two walks while also fanning seven in his solid eight frames. Reliever Justin Freeman (1.0 IP, 1 SO) finished off the Generals with a perfect ninth frame, while Jackson starter Brandon Maurer (5.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 5-2 after allowing four earned runs on five hits in five innings of work.
The Blue Wahoos jumped out to an early two-run advantage in the first frame with LaMarre starting the rally with a leadoff double. After walks from 2B Brodie Greene and 1B Beau Mills loaded the bases, LF Josh Fellhauer bounced a ground ball through the hole between shortstop and third base to plate both LaMarre and Greene.
LaMarre would increase the margin to 3-0 in the next inning, launching his third roundtripper of the year over the left field wall, while his run-scoring groundout in the fourth push the Blue Wahoos ahead 4-0. Pensacola then tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the sixth with the longball. Vidal began the frame with his second big fly of the season, while Smith blasted his first homer of the year for Pensacola in just his second game since being promoted from High-A Bakersfield.
The Generals brought across their lone tally in the eighth to dash the Blue Wahoos’ shutout hopes. LF Kalian Sams reached with a base hit up the middle and moved to third on 1B Jharmidy De Jesus’ double, before he was sent home on an RBI groundout by SS Gabriel Noriega.
Smith (3-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) led all hitters with three base knocks in the contest, while LaMarre (2-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI) also collected a multi-hit effort for the Blue Wahoos in the win. Jackson CF Denny Almonte (2-4) totaled two of the Generals’ five hits in the contest.
With the series even at 2-2, the two teams will square off in the rubber match on Saturday night, with first pitch set for 6:30 pm at the bayfront stadium. The Blue Wahoos are expected to send RHP J.C. Sulbaran to the mound, while Jackson is expected to counter with RHP Taijuan Walker, who was tabbed by Baseball America before this season as the top prospect in the Seattle Mariners’ organization.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Daniel Corcino fired eight strong innings in the Blue Wahoos’ 6-1 win Friday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jimmy Lee Powell, Jr.
June 30, 2012
Jimmy Lee Powell, Jr., age 48, passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2012. He was born in Savannah, GA. Jimmie was a Desert Storm vet while serving in the United States Air Force. He served with several fire stations and was a fire chief in Mississippi. Jimmie was also a paramedic and training officer in Escambia County for over 10 years. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
Jimmie is survived by his loving wife, Terrie Powell; daughters, April Hart (Jason) and Shelby Lowell; son, Shannon Lowell; mother, Betty Carnley (Charles); father, Jimmie Powell (Elizabeth); grandmothers, Catherine Grantham and Vera Powell; three sisters, Sheri Blum (Fred), Kimberly Scott (James), and Lori Barrett (Mike); four grandchildren, Kaileigh, Elliana, Taylor, and Riley; nieces and nephews, Timothy, Jordyn, Austin, Cody, Joshua, Caleb; and numerous other aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Pallbearers will be members of Escambia County Public Safety.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Covenant Hospice.
Visitation will be Monday, July 2, 2012, from 5-7 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Parkway.
Funeral services will be on Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at 10 a.m. at Marcus Point Baptist Church with Pastor Ron Poulliot officiating.
For ‘Inspirational Message’ Bill, Few Immediate Effects
June 30, 2012
A controversial law that would allow student prayer at mandatory school events could have limited impact even after it goes into effect Sunday, both supporters and opponents of the “inspirational message” bill say.
The measure, signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott in March, paves the way for local school districts to approve policies allowing students to decide whether to have another student deliver an inspirational message at school events. But districts aren’t likely to approve any of the proposals because of the threat of costly litigation.
“On our advice, they are going nowhere with it,” said Wayne Blanton, executive director of the Florida School Boards Association.
Blanton said only one school district in the state – Clay County – has even considered implementing one of the policies, and decided not to. He said the measure was “a political bill” aimed more at the November elections than the actual policy.
Even one of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights, said he didn’t expect school boards to leap into action right away. But Van Zant said he has heard from districts that are interested in the idea and might look into it early next year — after the November vote.
“I don’t think they’re going to do much of anything simply because there’s so much electioneering going on,” Van Zant said.
Looming over the entire bill is the threat of legal action against any district that tries to implement it. When Scott signed the bill, the ACLU of Florida, the Anti-Defamation League and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State each separately issued warnings to local school districts that going ahead with a policy could subject them to legal challenges.
The Santa Rosa County School District recently spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in a costly series of lawsuits over the role of religion in public schools, sparked in part by prayers at school events.
Van Zant said districts shouldn’t be deterred.
“I told them the ACLU is going to threaten to sue them,” he said. “Don’t worry about it.”
But in a statement issued Friday, ACLU of Florida Executive Director Howard Simon said he didn’t expect many districts to follow Van Zant’s advice.
“Fortunately, Florida educators are likely to be smarter than legislators,” Simon said. “I expect few if any school districts to be enticed by the Legislature’s invitation to adopt an unconstitutional policy and end up in inevitable litigation — and spend scarce tax dollars on lawyers in the courtroom rather than children in the classroom.”
By The News Service of Florida
Weaver Barlow
June 30, 2012
Weaver Barlow, age 87 of Gonzalez, rode his John Deere off to find more grass to cut on Wednesday, June 27, 2012. When he passes by, flag him down if you need anything fixed around the house.
Weaver served in WWII as an air policeman in the Army Air Corps. He retired from Monsanto after 28 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Ernest and Donnie Amerson Barlow, and brother, Kermit E. Barlow.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce C. Barlow; children, Robert “Bob” Edward Barlow and wife Kay and Susan Barlow Page and husband, Paul; four grandchildren, Todd and Chuck Page and Phillip and Jake Barlow; five great grandchildren, Ben, Paula, Charlie, Megan and Evie due in September; sister, Elizabeth Eubanks and husband, Roy.
A small memorial service will be held Saturday, June 30, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North at 1000 Hwy 29 S. Cantonment.
Please make memorials to a charity of your choice.
High Speed Escambia Chase Ends In Alabama, Deputy Involved In Wreck
June 29, 2012
[Updated 10:15 a.m] A high speed police chase that began in Escambia County ended about 20 miles into Baldwin County Thursday evening, injuring one person and causing a wreck involving a deputy and private vehicle.
The driver, 31-year old Michael Joseph Heath of Johnson Avenue, Pensacola, is being held without bond in the Baldwin County Jail as a fugitive from justice. He is awaiting extradition to Escambia County on charges of aggravated battery and aggravated assault, plus additional charges stemming from the pursuit.
Escambia County deputies responded to a disturbance on Mercer Lane about 6 p.m. Thursday. The victim told deputies that her Heath, her ex-boyfriend, had thrown her clothes in the road and left the area. Officers responded to his residence where they observed him drive away in a white Dodge Caravan. Deputies attempted a traffic stop, but Heath failed to stop. He led them from Mobile Highway, to I-10 and to West Kingsfield Road.
Witnesses reported over a half dozen Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies chasing white Dodge Caravan along West Kingsfied Road at a high rate of speed a short time later. Escambia County EMS was dispatched to West Kingsfield Road after a passenger in the van, 33-year old Timothy Johnson of Pensacola, jumped from the moving van and complained of a shoulder injury. Johnson is not facing any charges.
A short time later an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy in a marked cruiser and the driver of a Nissan pickup were apparently involved in an accident near the intersection of Muscogee Road and River Annex Road in Cantonment, just a short distance from the Alabama state line. That accident happened about 6:45 p.m.
A rear tire on the Grand Caravan began to come off, and Heath was finally stopped with the assistance of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and Alabama State troopers on Highway 112 near Holly Grove Road in Baldwin County, about 20 miles into Alabama. Heath then ran from officers on foot, but was soon apprehended.
Pictured above and bottom: A white Dodge Caravan was chased by Florida deputies into Baldwin County Thursday evening. Pictured below: An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was involved in a wreck on Muscogee road near the Alabama state line. Pictured bottom inset: A pickup truck was also involved a Cantonment crash. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Century Man Critically Injured In Pensacola Wreck
June 29, 2012
A Century man was critically injured Thursday evening when he slammed his 2012 Nissan SUV into a billboard in Pensacola.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 24-year old Darryl Thomas Frazier was traveling east on Fairfield Drive approaching Fernwood Avenue. Frazier failed to negotiate a curve and continued straight onto the grass shoulder and across Fernwood Avenue where he struck a round metal billboard pole.
Frazier was transported to Baptist Hospital in critical condition.
Troopers said the crash may have been caused by a medical condition.
Baldwin County High Speed Chase Ends At Atmore Business, Suspect Tased
June 29, 2012
A man was tased in the parking lot of an Atmore business at the end of a high speed chase across parts of two counties Thursday afternoon — with his three children in the vehicle.
Chris Edward Lambeth, age 34 of Bay Minette, was charged with possession of a chemical compound/salvia, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, attempting to elude, three counts of reckless endangerment, and multiple traffic offenses. He remained in the Baldwin County Jail early Friday with bond set at $10,500.
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy was running radar on County Road 61 in Perdido when a red van passed the deputy’s patrol car at 60 mph in a 35 mph zone. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, but then Lambeth gained speed and a chase began.
Lambeth crossed into Escambia County (Ala.) and continued on James Road until he was blocked by a train. At that point, he turned into a field and backtracked his van to Highway 31 where he ran a stop sign and was almost hit by traffic, according to Major Antony Lowery, spokesperson for the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies from Escambia County (Ala.) also joined in the chase.
The chase continued along Highway 31 into Atmore at speeds up to 100 mph. Lambeth then turned on Industrial Drive in Atmore where he turned into the parking lot of the ESCOFAB manufacturing company. The three children in the van then ran inside the business where their mother worked.
Lowery and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said Lambeth resisted arrest and was tased. Lambeth told deputies several times that he was trying to kill himself and that he did not want to go back to jail, Lowery said.
Lambeth also had outstanding warrants in Baldwin County on additional charges.
Lambeth will likely face more charges related to the high speed chase in Escambia County, Ala., Lambert said.
Pictured top and bottom inset: A police chase from Baldwin County that reached speeds of 100 mph came to an end in the parking lot of ESCOFAB in Atmore Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Food For America Named Best In Florida
June 29, 2012
The Northview High School FFA’s Food For America program was named the best in Florida Thursday during the 84th Florida FFA State Convention in Orlando.
The Northview Food for America Program gave hundreds of elementary school students a chance to learn about agriculture firsthand up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more. About 800 elementary school students and about 100 volunteers took part in the program that featured over two dozen off-campus exhibitors.
The 2012 Food For America program was dedicated to Tommy Weaver, a beloved Northview teacher who passed away during the last school year.
The Food for America award is sponsored by the Florida Department of Agriculture.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the March event, click here.
Pictured above and below: The Northview High School FFA Food for America program was named the best in Florida Thursday afternoon in Orlando. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
