Robilyn Olivia “Libby” Whatley
September 21, 2012
Robilyn Olivia “Libby” Whatley, 51, of Walnut Hill, passed away Sunday, September 16, 2012, in Pensacola. She was a homemaker, born in Pensacola on April 30, 1961, to Harold and Jackie Hart Harrison, Sr.
She was preceded in death by, her father, Harold Harrison, Sr; brother, Earnie Holden; and cousin, Courtney Talmage.
She is survived by her husband, Willis Whatley of Walnut Hill; mother, Jackie Harrison of Atmore; three sons, Eddie Kirby and Willis R. Whatley, both of Atmore; Walter A. Whatley of North, AL; three daughters, Kristi Kirby of Walnut Hill; Melissa Jay Whatley of Baldwin County; and Crystal Whatley of Tampa; five brothers, Robin Holden and Bobby Harrison both of Atmore, Joey Holden of Thomasville, AL, Harold Harrison II and Micheal Jordan both of Atmore; four sisters, Jackie Flowers of Tuscaloosa; Cheryl Crews of Summerdale; Lisa Noell of Draper, VA and Henrietta Adams of Walnut Hill; and a host of grandchildren.
Services were held Wednesday, September 19, 2012, Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Glenn Weber officiating.
Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
No Injuries In Walnut Hill School Bus Crash
September 20, 2012
There were no injuries in a school bus wreck in Walnut Hill Thursday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 25-year old Todd Layne Schmidt of Walnut Hill pulled off Highway 97A near Arthur Brown Road and attempted to make a U-turn in the roadway into the path of a 2013 Escambia County School District bus driven by Tammy Johnson Pierce of Molino.
Schmidt, Pierce and the five Bratt Elementary School students on the bus were not injured.
Schmidt’s vehicle, a 1987 Suzuki SUV, was removed from the scene prior to the arrival of FHP. He was cited for an improper U-turn, and operating a vehicle that was not insured and registered, according to a crash report.
The bus sustained only minor damage to the front bumper and a crossing arm.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Just Nuts: Fully Loaded 18 Wheeler Overturns In Century
September 20, 2012
There were no injuries when an 18-wheeler fully loaded with peanuts overturned on North Century Boulevard at Jackson Street Thursday afternoon.
The driver told authorities that his load shifted after he changed lanes to avoid another vehicle impeding traffic. The overturned truck brought down a utility pole and damaged a generator and other equipment associated with a Town of Century sewage lift station.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the driver of the truck, 52-year old David Dykes of Milton, was not cited in connection with the accident.
Traffic was stopped in both directions for several hours while the vehicle was removed, according to the FHP.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Pilot Injured In Mississippi Plane Crash
September 20, 2012
A local man was seriously injured in small plane crash in Mississippi Wednesday.
Freddie Wayne “Bo” McCall III of Flomaton was the only person aboard the single engine Cessna 172M when it crash landed in a hayfield near Quitman, Miss., just before noon. McCall was transported by ambulance to Wayne General Hospital in Waynesboro, Miss., and later airlifted to University Medical Center in Jackson, Miss., hospital where was listed in stable condition Wednesday night.
McCall suffered facial fractures and major bruising in the crash, his father, Freddie Wayne McCall, Jr., said Wednesday night from the hospital in Waynesboro. He will need reconstructive surgery on his eye socket but suffered no damage to his eye, family members said.
McCall was inspecting pipeline routes from the air at the time of a crash. A local farmer told reporters that he witnessed the crash on his property. He took McCall, who was conscious and alert, to his home about three miles away and called 911.
“He did everything right. It could have been much, much worse,” McCall, Jr. said. “He was not counting on the field being wet; it only took about 20 feet for the plane to stop.”
“It was just divine intervention that the farmer was cutting hay and was able to get him some help,” McCall, Jr. added.
“I want to pass a huge, huge thank you to the man who God had working in the field Bo crashed in. God and that man saved my husband’s life. I hope to meet the man in the field and give him a hug one day,” Bo McCall’s wife Ashley told a Mississippi newspaper late Wednesday night.
The Federal Aviation Administration was expected on the scene by Thursday morning, with a full investigation into the cause of the crash to be conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board. The results of that investigation are not expected for several weeks.
Bo McCall is the grandson of Century Mayor Freddie Wayne McCall. The family operates Brewton Aviation out of the Brewton Airport.
Pictured: A Flomaton man was seriously injured in this crash landing Wednesday in Mississippi. Photos by Cindy Baxley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sexual Battery Case Dismissed Against McDavid Postmaster
September 20, 2012
All charges have been dropped against the McDavid postmaster arrested last year on attempted sexual battery and false imprisonment charges.
James Bruce Lee, 51, was arrested March 2, 2011, on two outstanding state warrants served by the United States Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The charges were dismissed after he successfully completed a one year pretrial intervention program and paid $1,532 in court costs.
Lee’s future employment status with the United Postal Service remains undecided.
“Mr. Lee remains on our rolls in a non-pay status pending exhaustion of administrative appeals,” Stephen Seewoester, a USPS spokesman in Dallas, told NorthEscambia.com on Wednesday.
According to Postal Inspector Michael Mulder, the charges stemmed from a January 15, 2011, incident that allegedly took place inside the McDavid Post Office. A female mail carrier alleged that Lee attempted to sexually assault her inside the Main Street building.
According to the arrest warrant, the woman alleged Lee approached her from behind while she was sorting mail and began touching her all over her body. She told him to stop, at which time he complied. Later in the day, after the other carriers had left the building, Lee once again approached the carrier holding her by her hands while pulling his pants down, the carrier told investigators, before stopping when he heard a vehicle in the post office parking lot.
Lee provided a sworn written statement and interview to postal investigators; however, his statements were not released by the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Lee, who served as McDavid postmaster since January 2005, was placed on administrative leave at the time of his arrest.
Escambia SWAT Team Arrests One After Standoff
September 20, 2012
One man was arrested after Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team responded to a disturbance in West Pensacola Wednesday night.
Deputies first responded to a disturbance in the 800 block of Amberwood Drive near Navy Hospital about 8:20 p.m. They determined that a battery victim was inside the home along with the suspect, identified as Lonnie Lee Galloway, 39.
Witnesses told deputies that the victim had exited the home and asked for police, and then they saw the suspect take the victim back inside the residence. When deputies were unable to make contact with anyone at the home, the SWAT team was activated.
After unsuccessful attempts to contact someone in the home, the SWAT team entered the residence about 1 a.m. Thursday. Galloway was taken into custody without incident.
Galloway was charged with battery by strangulation and remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Taking Stock In Our Children
September 20, 2012
Three Ernest Ward Middle School students are setting clear goals for their futures, and thanks to a scholarship program they know college will be a reality.
Jason Fischer, Kayla Galvan and Sabra Stewart are among 17 students across the county accepted into the Take Stock in Children scholarship program. After the seventh graders graduate high school, they will be awarded a four year tuition scholarship as long as they maintain good grades, have a record of good attendance, display good citizenship, and remain crime and drug free.
“It means I will actually get to go to college without worrying how to pay for it,” Stewart said. “I will work hard because I can’t lose it.”
Donations from community businesses, organizations, individuals and foundations are used to purchase scholarships using matching funds from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. The program includes weekly meetings at school with a community mentor.
“I won’t have to worry about getting to go to college,” Galvan said. “I will work hard to make sure I get it.”
“It feels good to know out of high school college will be open for me,” Fischer said.
The newest Take Stock in Children scholars in Escambia County are:
- Dezmond Booker, Workman Middle School
- Daizja Brazille, Warrington Middle School
- De’Shawn Brundidge, Brown Barge Middle School
- Armelle DeLouis, Brown Barge Middle School
- Jason Fischer, Ernest Ward Middle School
- Kayla Galvan, Ernest Ward Middle School
- Latavia Grace, Bellview Middle School
- Andrew Huyhn, Pensacola High School
- Charles Johnson, Woodham Middle School
- Savon Johnson, Bailey Middle School
- Markita Sapp, Workman Middle School
- Devin Searcy, Ransom Middle School
- Sabra Stewart, Ernest Ward Middle School
- Joshua Van Fleet, Workman Middle School
- Brianna Walker, Bellview Middle School
- Zachary Wallworth, Ferry Pass Middle School
- Jammie Yeldon, Pine Forest High School
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School’s newest Take Stock in Children scholarship and mentoring program recipients Jason Fischer (top), Sabra Stewart (above, inset), and Kayla Galvan (below). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Renews Economic Development Effort, Offers Business Grants
September 20, 2012
Gulf Power Company is beefing up its business development efforts through a number of new initiatives, including business grants.
The utility has recently introduced a new program that provides grants to businesses that move into buildings that have been vacant for 12 months or longer. The “Re-occupancy” incentive is designed to fill vacant storefronts by providing a grant based on the total number of square feet and the type of business.
“This is just one of our new efforts to help build strong communities in Northwest Florida,” John Hutchinson, Gulf Power’s director of Public Affairs and Economic Development said. “We are also looking at strengthening our staff and offering other incentives and efforts to help grow jobs.”
Hutchinson, who is also chairman of Florida’s Great Northwest — the region’s economic development organization — noted that Gulf Power recently provided the leadership for a trade delegation to attend the Berlin Air Show where they had made appointments with a number of companies who will be suppliers to the new Airbus aircraft manufacturing plant locating in Mobile.
“We will continue to work with our economic development partners in Northwest Florida to help our existing businesses expand and to help recruit new business,” Hutchinson said. “We have a window of opportunity with Airbus that we don’t want to miss — we want to help the region play offense when it comes to economic development.”
Molino Church Holding Open Car Show, Pinewood Derby On Saturday
September 20, 2012
Highland Baptist Church in Molino will host an Open Car Show and a Pinewood Derby Saturday.
The car show will take place from 8 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Admission is free. Registration fee is $25 with all registered vehicles receiving an entry trophy. There are 38 possible trophy awards in several categories. For more details, click here.
A Pinewood Derby race will be held at 9 a.m.
Highland Baptist Church is located at 6240 Highway 95A in Molino. For more information, call (850) 587-5174 or email info@hbcmolino.com.
Pictured: This drag racer owned by Alan Lowery will be part of a car show this Saturday at Highland Baptist Church. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Perdido Gators 16U Team Wins Battle On The Bay
September 20, 2012
The Perdido Gators 14U Softball travel team recently held tryouts for their new 16U/High School Softball Exposure Team. The new Perdido Gators 16U Exposure Team consists of girls from area schools including Northview, Jay, Tate, West Florida Tech, Pensacola Christian, Gulf Breeze and Navarre.
The new Perdido Gators competed in their first tournament this past weekend in Daphne, Ala. The Gators were undefeated throughout bracket play in the “Battle on the Bay” Tournament, bringing home the championship trophy. With the win, the Gators back to back “Battle on the Bay” Champions.
The Gators will be heading to Gulf Shores this weekend to play in the Gold Diamond Gulf Shores Exposure Tournament, and the will take part in the Troy Exposure Tournament later in October.
Members of the Perdido Gators 16U Exposure Team are (front L-R) Sydney Ezelle, Ali Cutaio, Michaela Stewart, Lauren Brennan, (back) Sara Spears, Angel Lathan, Casey McCrackin, Callan Taylor, Tori Perkins, Mallory Ryan and Kristin Gunter. Coaches (not pictured) are Mike Haveard, Eddie Ryan, Tracy Ezelle and and Jeff Cutaio. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.