Great Weekend Weather
June 2, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Calm wind.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southwest between 10 and 15 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Ernest Ward Middle Holds Graduation (With 200 Photos)
June 2, 2012
The Ernest Ward Middle School Class of 2012 held a graduation program Friday at the school.
The students took part in the ceremony that had a slightly more casual and fun theme than a traditional high school pomp and circumstance graduation exercise.
Several students were honored with Superlative Awards with fun categories like Top Chef, Most Creative, Class Clowns, Loudest, Most Sarcastic and Mr. And Miss Perfectionist.
Superlative Award Winners were:
- Best Mathematician — Tristan Barrett
- Biggest History Buff — Ladarrius Thames
- Future Scientist- Jordan Taylor
- Top Chef — Emily Walston
- Best Author or Authoress — Madison Weber
- Biggest Computer Geek — Tyler Houston
- Avid Reader/Book Worm — Renee McGahan
- Most Creative — Meagan Ogle
- Highest Vocabulary — David Thorpe
- Class Clown(s) — Mark Lee, Kris Reber,
- Mr. Fashion and Miss Fashionista — Lillie Allen, Tyler Berry
- Biggest Flirt — Sharnice Spears, Jacob Dunsford
- Shyest — Elizabeth Sanders
- Loudest — Wykeyiah Barton and Sonya Dixon
- Most Hardworking — Haley Brown, Harmoni Till
- Mr. and Miss Perfectionists — Bethany Reynolds, Bradley Van Pelt
- Most Sarcastic — Jason Perritt and Lorri Harrell
Students participating in the graduation activities Friday at Ernest Ward Middle School were:
TOP TEN
- Haley Denenne Brown
- Abbie Elizabeth Johnson
- Moriah Renee McGahan
- Bethany Cheyenne Reynolds
- Savanna Brianne Roux
- David Franklin Thorpe
- Harmoni Faith Till
- Bradley Andrew Van Pelt
- Haylee Alease Weaver
- Madison Paige Weber
- Kaitlyn Noelle Abbott
- Jadlyn Skye Agerton
- Lillie Kathryn Allen
- James Austin Ates
- Shnala O’Daija Banks
- Olan Travis Barlow
- Nathan Andrew Barnes
- Tristan Michael Barrett
- Jessica Renee Barrows
- Tamara Lee Barrows
- Wykeyiah Sinclair Barton
- Olivia Antoinette Bellamy
- Matthew Dyllan Berry
- Tyler Christopher Berry
- Izaiah Malique Bivins
- George Dylan Bodie
- Jalyn Maddisen Bodiford
- Katelyn Michelle Born
- Alan Robert Brown
- William Christopher Brown
- Alexandria Lachelle Burt
- Demeteris Dontaye Burt
- Zachary Thomas Calloway
- Breanna Charmaine Campbell
- Ciara Ann Campbell
- Johna Monae Carter
- Colby Lee Clark
- Ureil Neil Codrington
- Judson Billyjoe Conatser
- Hunter Drew Connell
- Gavin Aubrey Coon
- Sonya Tameca Dixon
- Kasey Ray Dorch
- I’siah Lydell Dunn
- Jacob Wade Dunsford
- Sarah Elizabeth Dutton
- Leah Grace Fischer
- Amber Renee’ Freeman
- Bryce Ray Fugitt
- Ramsey Wade Gafford
- Nathan Anthony Galvan
- Ariel Danielle Garner
- Kaylyn Sierra Garnett
- Jamie Ray Garrett
- Hanna Nicole Ging
- Robert Zachary Glenn
- Jaelyn Kieran Goldsmith
- Christopher Gavin Grant
- Cheyenne Raven Gray
- Tristan Gregory Blake Green
- Dariane Breeze Guy
- Magen Marie Hardy
- Kuper Ray Harkness
- Lorri Hope Harrell
- Samuel Eugene Hassebrock
- Michael Heaton
- Jordan Noelle Helmeken
- Zachary Tyler Holland
- Tyler Ray Houston
- Brayden William Hubbard
- Jakeyia Vonshae James
- Aquarius Sharda Jay
- Angel Celeste Johnson
- Jacob Adam Johnson
- Tonie Breanna Johnson
- Richard Allen Jones
- Amy Ann Kite
- Kaitlyn Nicole Kleinatland
- Haley Marie Lambert
- Kendral Autumn Mae Langford
- Trevor James Lassitter
- Charles Mark Lee
- Trevor Dale Levins
- Madison Juanita Lundy
- Yhsyionia Shardez McConico
- Sykeema Anastasia McConico
- Cody Eugene McNeil
- Bethany Anne Merchant
- Kerri Cheyanne Merchant
- Hadiya Noelle Mitchell
- Thomas Monroe Moore
- Steffon Makyris Murphy
- Cody Carl Nellums
- Meagan Nicole Ogle
- Brianna Nicole Parker
- Kelly Oasis Payne
- Liberty Danielle Peebles
- Jason Andrew Perritt
- Eric Younge Phillips
- Kevin Ashton Pippins
- Joshua Nicholas Poston
- Benjamin Tate Preston
- Olivia Simone Price
- Terrance Malachi Prime
- Laurie Elaine Purdy
- John Triston Reaves
- Kristofer Todd Reber
- Courtney Nicole Reid
- Grady Bryant Rigby
- Darion Taylor Riley
- Danielle Chanel Robinson
- Elizabeth Anne Sanders
- Julian Carter Satterwhite
- Lindsey Nekole Sims
- Nathan James Singleton
- Jamilia Nicole Smiley-Knight
- Kyle David William Smith
- Levi Godwin Solomon
- Sharnice Labraishia Spears
- O’Neshia Kuina Spencer
- Kayla Nichole Stalvey
- Zachary Thomas Steele-Reich
- Warren Lamar Suggs, Jr.
- Colten James Sunday
- Brianna Monique’ Taylor
- Jordan Caroline Taylor
- Ladarrius Deante Thames
- Joshua Edward Thomas
- Jared Elijah Townley
- Asja Mo’na Trotter
- Olivia Danielle Trump
- Miranda Marie Vidak
- William Mcdonald Walker
- Emily Brooke Walston
- Brittney Christina Ward
- Carly Marie Ward
- Jensyn Lillian Troy Warner
- Brianna Letricia Weaden
- Courtney Bryce Weekley
- Austin Ray Whitehead
- Morgan Cheyenne Wiggins
- Timothy Robert Wiggins
- Sabrina Rena Wine
- Allison Joy Woodfin
Every Wondered Which Daylilies Will Work In Your Garden?
June 2, 2012
Have you ever wondered which daylilies to plant in your garden? “Mondays in the Gardens“ will feature “Dazzling Daylilies” on June 11 at 10 am at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center Gardens. Find out everything you need to know about collecting and growing these beautiful flowers. The program is under the direction of UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners. Tina Tuttle will deliver the presentation. It is free and open to the public.
Tina is a National Garden Club Horticulture Instructor. She serves as President for the Florida Flower Show Judges and Assistant District Director for FFGC District I. Additionally she currently serves as vice president for the Friends of the Gardens of Northwest Florida.
The UF/IFAS WREC Gardens are located on the Milton campus of Pensacola State College. Follow the signs on campus to find the gardens. The program will be in the Shade Garden.
Two Escambia Men Arrested In Armed Burglary
June 2, 2012
Two men were arrested Friday for armed burglary after they entered the apartment of two females on Michigan Avenue.
The victim told 911 dispatchers that two black males had pushed their way into her apartment and began fighting with her and her mother. The victim later told deputies during the altercation one of the suspects had pulled a handgun. The victims were able to push the suspects out of the apartment and contact law enforcement.
A description of the suspects and their vehicle was provided to dispatchers. A deputy spotted the suspected vehicle and followed it to an address in the 5200 block of Charbar Drive. The suspects ran from the vehicle into the house where deputies later took both into custody.
A search of the suspects and the area failed to yield the gun that was allegedly used in the crime.
Dealex M. Sumler, 19, was charged with armed burglary of an occupied dwelling and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Tywan C. Bedgood, 18, was charged with armed burglary of an occupied dwelling and battery.
Mary Evolyn Kittrell Whitson
June 2, 2012
In the quiet morning hours on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, our beautiful spirited mother Mary Evolyn Kittrell Whitson slipped gently from her earthly home into the arms of her Heavenly Father and was joyously welcomed by many loved ones.
She was born May 10, 1916, in the thriving sawmill town of Muscogee to Floyd Western Kittrell and Maud Evolyn Arnold Kittrell. In her early years she attended Muscogee School and enjoyed the camaraderie of siblings and classmates; some of whom remained lifelong friends. She was christened in the Knox Presbyterian Church in Muscogee where she remembered vividly seeing as a child the beautiful stained glass windows.
At age nine her parents moved to Pensacola where she enjoyed being a city girl. A few years later her family returned to the country settling in the Farm Hill community in Cantonment. During her teen years she attended J.M. Tate School where she participated in various school activities; she especially loved playing on the girls basketball team.
While attending a baptism on Perdido River at Muscogee her pretty red hair caught the eye of a very handsome Carl R. Whitson, Sr. from Gonzalez. After a whirlwind courtship, and a few months shy of her 18th birthday, they were married on January 25th, 1934, by family friend Rev. A.J. Townley.
They settled in Pensacola and the following year began a wonderful family with the birth of their first child. In 1947 they relocated to a home in the Cantonment Farm Hill community where they would spend the remaining years of their lives. They were married 49 years before Carl went to be with his Lord and Savior.
God gave mother many talents and she generously shared them with family and friends. She possessed and inner strength and “can do” spirit that was evident to anyone who knew her. As our first teacher, we learned from her that “God is Love and He is always with us”. She taught us the meaning of charity and to and to always think of others in need.
Having joined Lathram Chapel Methodist Church, she worked tirelessly with her mother and others to keep the small church alive, all the while serving 27 years as church pianist.
In 1948, mother’s journey led her to St. Regis Paper Company in Cantonment where she gained employment and worked for the next 33 years. Following retirement from St.Regis, she began volunteer work. One of her favorite projects was tutoring at Jim Allen Elementary School in early childhood classes. She continued a family tradition of volunteering as a poll worker on election day, serving for many years at Precinct 21 in Cantonment.
An opportunity to sell beautiful Tiara glass was presented and soon she became a top saleswoman for the company, winning many awards and premiums.
Traveling around her wonderful country was truly a blessing for her, especially enjoying trips with family to the West, Washington D.C., Chicago, the Black Hills of the Dakotas, the mountains of Tennessee and Kentucky, and South Florida .
Gardening was one of her favorite hobbies and she had a very green thumb. Always eager to share cutting, plants from her yard are blooming all over the country. Other hobbies included reading, sewing and playing a weekly game of Bunco with special friends. These Bunco parties began in 1960 and continued for over 40 years. We often teased her about her “gambling” habit.
But her absolute favorite activity was spending time with her family. She especially loved our large gatherings for holidays and birthdays. Her love of family and pride in them was never ending. We loved her so and we’ll miss her always.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years , Carl Rushing Whitson, Sr. and two infant children, Nancy Karen Whitson, and Gary Dean Whitson, parents Floyd Western Kittrell and Maud Evolyn Arnold Kittrell, brothers Carl Dane Kittrell, John Daniel Kittrell, Floyd Arnold Kittrell, Eugene Otis Kittrell, and James Western Kittrell; father -in-law, Gilbert Wesley Whitson, mother-in-law, Lelia Bowman Whitson, sister-in-law, Lulu Ruth Whitson Levy, and sons- in law Herman Conley and William(Sonny) Benefield, and many friends.
She is survived by sons Carl Rushing Whitson, Jr. (Beth) , and Paul Maurice Whitson ; daughters Mary Gwen Whitson Conley, Joyce Carol Whitson Robbins (Jim), Jackowyn Emile Whitson Benefield; sister Olivia Delorious Kittrell Hamilton; 10 grandchildren, Michael A. Conley (Faye), Keith W. Conley (Shan), Jeffrey K. Robbins (Kelly), Jamie D Robbins-London (Don), Joanna R. Robbins Hayes (Rob), Carl R. Whitson, III (Julia), Mona Lynn Whitson Baker, William Bryan Benefield, Darla Ann Whitson Shiver, and Paul Reese Whitson (Angie) and 19 Great Granchildren:, Kady Robbins, Lauren and Ashton Conley,Levi and Rena Whitson, Ali, Anna and Riley Hayes, Tegan and Eric Shiver, Marcus, Tristan Ian, Evan, & Elizabeth Baker, Stella London, Bryanna and Mckala Benefield.
Visitation and services will beheld at Faith Chapel North Cantonment. Visitation Saturday June 2nd, 5-7 p.m., and services Sunday, June 3 at 2 pm. Officiating will be Rev. John Kuritz and Rev. Pam Avery with grandsons serving as pallbearers. Interment will follow services at Lathram Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Cantonment.
Memorials may be made to one of her favorite charities — The United Methodist Children’s Home, 3140 Zelda Court, Montgomery, AL 36106 , (800) 239.3575. Family would like to thanks Dr. Gary Gotthelf and staff for many years of caring for mother, and Emerald Coast Hospice, especially Julie Brigham, R.N., and Evelyn Fields for their kindness and loving care, and her special niece Mary Elizabeth Kittrell Deese.
Faith Chapel North is in charge of arrangements.
Northview Names Honor Grads
June 2, 2012
Honors graduates for Northview High School’s Class of 2012 were recently named.
They are as follows:
Pictured top: Northview Class of 2012 Summa Cum Laude graduates (4.0 and above) are Valedictorian Elizabeth Ashley Wright, Salutatorian Holly Nicole Dickson, Joel Nathaniel Wetzel, Amber Dianrie Francis, Josie Britt Doucette, Caleb Wesley Leonard, Jamila Akilah Codrington, Lydia Ann Weaver. Not pictured: Lindsay Beth Hedgepeth.
Pictured inset: Northview Class of 2012 Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are (L-R) Brian Jeffrey Ross, HenryJoseph Baldwin, Charla Suzanne Stark and (not pictured) Taylor Leigh Ann Dukes
Pictured below: Northview Class of 2012 Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are: Arthur Jacob Baldwin, Austin Randall Albritton, Timothy Lucas White, (not pictured) Camilah Joy Goetter, Chelsea Grace Parham, Melissa Jayne Moretz, Alexander Dewayne Payne, Lauren Ashley McCall, Caroline Lindsay Prater and Savannah Dyan Singleton.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Bread Store Robbery
June 2, 2012
An Escambia County man was arrested Friday shortly after robbing a discount bread store and assaulting the elderly clerk.
About 12:30 p.m., Vincent L. Johnson, 39, entered the Dolly Madison bread store at 1815 West Fairfield Drive and got into a scuffle with the clerk, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The 71-year old clerk was knocked to the ground, and Johnson fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
A witness was able to get a vehicle description that led deputies to the 3200 block of Tarragona Street where they were able to take Johnson into custody.
Johnson was charged with battery on a person 65 year of age of older, petit theft and robbery without a firearm. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $21,000.
The clerk, whose name has not yet been released, was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office Phones Down This Morning
June 2, 2012
The non-emergency phone system at the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is scheduled to be down this morning for maintenance. Emergency calls should still be placed to 911.
Temporary numbers to reach dispatchers for non-emergency calls will be (850) 375-7795, 7796, 7797, and 7798. The jail administrative phone system will also be affected. The Santa Rosa County Jail can be reached at the temporary number (850) 375-2498.
Generals Sweep Doubleheader Over The Pensacola Wahoos
June 2, 2012
The Generals swept Pensacola in their double header, taking the first contest 6-1, before Jackson walked off with a 2-1 extra-inning victory over the Blue Wahoos in the second game on Friday evening at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tennessee.
Jackson took the opening game of the twinbill behind a solid seven inning complete game effort from starting pitcher Brandon Maurer. The right-hander earned his third win of the year after yielding only a lone earned run on just four hits in his strong outing. Blue Wahoos starter Daniel Corcino suffered the loss after allowing three earned runs on five hits in three frames, though relievers Chris Manno and Wilkin De La Rosa combined for three shutout frames in the defeat.
The Generals powered ahead to an early 5-0 advantage in the opening frame. C Jesus Sucre started the scoring by driving in two with a single to right, his first of four hits in the contest, before a fielding miscue allowed the next run to come across. LF Kalian Sams would then launch a solo homer to left to complete the inning’s output. A bases loaded free pass in the third extended the Jackson margin to 6-0.
The Blue Wahoos would plate their lone run in the fifth to dash the Generals’ shutout hopes. After 1B Joel Guzman reached on a lead-off walk, 3B P.J. Phillips sent in Guzman with a run-scoring double to center for Pensacola’s lone score of the contest.
It was a pitcher’s duel in game two with neither team giving way until the tenth, when the Blue Wahoos scored their only run of the contest. 3B David Vidal walked and advanced to third on 1B Stephen Hunt’s single prior to an RBI groundout from C Chris Berset, which put the Fish ahead.
The Generals however, would answer with two scores in the bottom of the frame to end the contest. Sucre singled and 1B Joseph Dunigan walked, before both moved a base on a wild pitch to set the stage for 3B Francisco Martinez. The third baseman grounded a single into right to bring home both Sucre and Dunigan to end the game and series.
Despite surrendering the run in the tenth, Jackson reliever Steven Hensley (3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) earned the win to improve to 2-2, while Blue Wahoos RHP Justin Freeman (0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB) suffered the loss after yielding the final two tallies. Pensacola starter Mark Serrano (5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 SO), in addition to Donnie Joseph (1.1 IP, 3 SO) and Curtis Partch (2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 SO), totaled nine shutout frames, while Generals starter Jandy Sena (4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 SO) teamed up with relief pitchers Bobby LaFraomboise (0.2 IP) and Carter Capps (2.0 IP, 1 BB, 4 SO) for seven scoreless innings.
The Blue Wahoos now return to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium for a five-game set with the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, beginning on Saturday night at 6:30 pm. Pensacola is scheduled to send RHP Tim Crabbe to the mound to begin the series, while the Suns are expected to start LHP Jose Alvarez.
By Andrew Green
Atmore Man Charged With Stabbing His Mother
June 1, 2012
A man that allegedly stabbed his own mother following a dispute over money is behind bars.
Dayshawn Dixon, age 27, of Atmore, was charged with domestic violence first degree and booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton following the late night incident.
About 11:34 p.m. Thursday, the Atmore Police Department responded to a stabbing call on East 4th Street. They discovered that Dayshawn Dixon had allegedly stabbed his mother, 46-year old Kimberly Dixon, in the chest.
According to witnesses, Dayshawn Dixon became upset that his mother would not give him $200 from his Social Security check, so he retrieved a kitchen knife and stabbed her.
Kimberly Dixon was transported to Atmore Community Hospital by private vehicle. She was treated and released.