Grace C. McCain
May 25, 2012
Grace C. McCain, 78, passed away on Wednesday, May 23, 2012. She was born in Molino to Reno and Grace Coffield.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Grace Penton; two brothers and four sisters.
Her mother died the night she was born, and she was raised by her aunt and uncle.
She is survived by her sister Lillian Nowak of Cantonment.
Grace graduated from Tate High School and when she turned 18 went to work at the paper mill and worked until 1994.
She married J.C. McCain in 1993, and they shared a beautiful friendship for 19 years.
Grace had no children of her own but enjoyed two stepchildren during and after her first marriage (Clyde Jr. & Myra Whitmore) and Michael, Jack and Jerry of her second marriage.
Grace loved to travel and see new places She went to British Columbia, Canada, while her husband worked there, also Washington, Oregon, New Hampshire, Maine, and all the northeastern states. Used to go to the “Smokies” every year. Had her first and only sleigh ride in the woods in New Hampshire, and she loved it.
Funeral Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 25, 2012 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South.
Howard A. Webb, Sr.
May 25, 2012
Howard A. Webb, Sr., 85, went home to be with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in heaven on May 23, 2012, where he joined his father, James J. Webb, Sr., his mother Annice B. Webb, and his sister Lucille Elizabeth Webb.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 57 years Margie F. Webb; four sons, Howard A. Webb, Jr (Connie), Norman R. Webb, Donald A. Webb (Tina) and Phillip W. Webb (JoAnne); six grandchildren, Zachary (Brook), Benjamin, Megan, Brantley, Christy and Lorraine (Richie); six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Dillon, Kelsey, Emma-Leigh, Dalton and Ava, brother James J. Webb, Jr. (Margaret); lifelong friend Earl V. Keene (Mireya) and many nephews, nieces and cousins.
Born and raised in the Pine Forest community of Pensacola, he moved to Bratt, Florida in 1973 to finish raising his sons on a farm and retired to Daphne, Alabama in 2004.
A graduate of Tate High School, he was drafted into the US Army Air Corp during World War II. Afterward he attended Toccoa Falls Bible College. Returning to Pensacola, he was employed at the St. Regis Paper Mill until the Chemstrand Nylon Plant opened. He retired from the maintenance department at Monsanto in 1985, and then worked as a service mechanic at Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation until 1995. He was a member of Bratt First Baptist Church.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 25, 2012, from 6 until 8 p.m. and 1 hour prior to the service. The Rev. Grant Barber will be officiating the services at Pensacola Memorial Gardens, Saturday, May 26 at 1:00 pm.
Pallbearers are James A. Webb, Douglas Webb, William Webb, Rev. John F. Webb, Mark Webb and Joseph Urquhart.
Third Grade FCAT Scores Released
May 24, 2012
Third grade FCAT scores in reading and math were released Thursday morning by the Florida Department of Education.
In Escambia County, 51 percent of third graders score a grade level 3 or higher in reading, while 52 percent scored a passing grade level 3 or greater in math.
In Santa Rosa County, 72 percent of third grade students scored a 3 or more in reading, and 72 percent score a 3 or higher in math.
Coming up this weekend on NorthEscambia.com, we’ll take a look at how local schools fared on the third grade reading and math FCAT.
Photos: Waterspout On Pensacola Bay This Morning
May 24, 2012
A waterspout formed over Pensacola Bay about 6:30 this morning. There was no rain associated the waterspout, which traveled across the bay for about five minutes. Photos by Brenda Kahalley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Teen Gets Six Years For Drug Trafficking
May 24, 2012
A Century teen caught selling drugs during an undercover operation has been sentenced to six years behind bars.
Ladarrious Tamiraye Lett, 17, was sentenced as a youthful offender by Judge Paul Rasmussen for a first degree felony drug trafficking charge. Rasmussen recommended that Lett serve his time in a boot camp program.
The court did not impose an ordinarily mandatory $100,000 fine due to Lett’s youthful offender status, overruling objections by the state.
Lett was caught in the act of selling 25 Lortabs by undercover officers near the Dollar General store on North Century Boulevard on April 21, 2011, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Lett was previous adjudicated as an adult in an unreleated weapons case and sentenced to nine months in the county jail. In October 2010, he was convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted delinquent under 24 years of age, tampering with evidence and culpable negligence. Lett, who was a 16-year old middle school student at the time, traded $40 in marijuana for .22 caliber pistol that was dumped on North Century Boulevard following a traffic stop. A deputy ran over the gun, shooting out his own tire.
Night Work On Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge
May 24, 2012
Lane restrictions are planned nightly through the weekend on the Escambia River Bridge on Highway 4 between Century and Jay.
Crews will be working to restripe the bridge lanes from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. through Saturday, according to the Florida Department of Transportation, causing traffic delays.
“Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the speed limit when traveling through the construction area, and to use caution, especially at night when driving in work zones,” said Tanya Branton, public information specialist for the Florida DOT.
FWC: ‘Be Bear Aware’ Because Bear Love Is In The Air
May 24, 2012
Just days after a young male black bear was spotted at an apartment complex in Cantonment, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants the public to know that love is in the air for Florida black bears.
The young black bear was first seen on Sunday, walking about the Wild Oak Farms Apartments, just north of the Grocery Advantage on Highway 29 and directly adjacent to Jim Allen Elementary School. During his Sunday visit, the bear reportedly tore into trash and rummaged through a dumpster, but many apartment residents described him as otherwise seeming “friendly”. [Read more about the Cantonment bear here.]
Breeding season for bears runs from June to July, and FWC is reminding homeowners that bears are moving around, foraging for food and looking for mates.
According to FWC bear management program coordinator Dave Telesco, the agency is seeing an increase in calls about bears in neighborhoods around the state. The animals are lured into neighborhoods to feast on unsecured trash. His best advice: Do not feed the bears.
It is also illegal to feed bears in Florida.
“Problems arise when bears have access to people-related food sources such as pet foods, garbage, barbecue grills, birdseed or livestock feed,” Telesco said. “Bears learn very quickly to associate people with food, and this puts the animals at increased risk of illegal kills or crossing highways and getting hit by vehicles.”
Black bears normally are too shy to risk contact with humans, but their strong food drive can overwhelm these instincts. Residents can help these bears “move on,” so they don’t cause a conflict.
“If people remove the attractants, the bears will stay where we want them to stay – in wooded areas – and not enter urban and suburban neighborhoods,” Telesco said.
Properly storing and securing garbage is a proven method of discouraging bears. Barbecue grills should be stored in a secure place, such as a garage or a sturdy shed when they are not in use (typically evenings). Keep garbage cans secure and only place them outside on the morning of pickup, rather than the night before. People can encourage their neighbors, community or local government to use bear-resistant trash containers or dumpsters. To find out where to get them, go to MyFWC.com/Bears and select “Brochures & Other Materials.”
“Another way people can help is to feed pets indoors or bring in dishes after feeding,” Telesco said.
“Relocating bears is not always the best option,” Telesco explained. “Most bears do not stay where we put them, and more than half of the bears we move just end up causing conflicts again in a new location.”
“If you see a black bear, remain calm. Don’t run. Walk calmly toward a building or vehicle and get inside,” Telesco said. “If you have children or pets, bring them inside. Once you are in a secure location, encourage the bear to leave by banging pots and pans, blowing a car or air horn or whistle. The more stressful a bear’s encounter with you, the less likely it is to come back.”
If a bear is in a tree, leave it alone. Remove people and dogs from the area. The bear usually will come down and leave when it feels safe, which is typically after dark.
If the bear is threatening the safety of humans, pets or livestock or is causing property damage, report it to the FWC at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Pictured: A young black bear was spotted at the Wild Oak Farm Apartments in Cantonment last Sunday. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Northview High Presents Spring Concert (With Video)
May 24, 2012
The Northview High School Spring Concert was held recently at the school, featuring a night of music from the band and guitar ensemble.
Performances included “The Mountain” by Grieg/Trans-Siberian Orchestra as arranged by Northview’s Elaine Holk. The performance is available in the video below.
Pictured above: The Northview High School Spring Concert. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Romney Out Front In Florida
May 24, 2012
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney moved ahead of President Barack Obama among Florida voters in the latest Quinnipiac University Polling Institute poll released Wednesday. The survey also shows most voters disapprove of the way the president is doing his job.
The poll shows Romney leading Obama 47-41 percent among Florida voters. That is up from a statistical dead heat two weeks ago and a Q-Poll conducted in March that showed the president with a 49-42 percent lead.
The independent poll also indicates that 63 percent of voters would not be more likely to vote against Obama based on the president’s recent support for same-sex marriage, but 23 percent of likely voters say it would make them more inclined to vote for Romney.
Taken together, the poll results show a definite swing in Romney’s favor, according to Peter A. Brown, assistant vice president of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
“Gov. Mitt Romney has slipped into the lead in Florida and that standing is confirmed by his much better numbers than the president when voters are asked whether they view the candidates favorably or unfavorably,” Brown said in a statement.
By a 44-35 margin, Florida voters view Romney favorably while Obama is given an unfavorable response 50 percent of the time. Voters were even more negative on the president’s job performance, with 52 percent rating Obama’s job performance unfavorably and saying he does not deserve a second term.
Also of concern to Democratic leaders, Romney is favored 44-36 percent by independent voters, an increasingly critical bloc in Florida’s recent elections.
Obama’s recent public support for same-sex marriage may also affect the president in the critical swing state. While about two in three voters say the president’s support of gay marriage would not sway their vote, 23 percent say they would be more inclined to vote for Romney.
The same-sex question could prove decisive in the Florida races, as 22 percent of respondents said the issue was “very important” or “extremely important.”
“While the issue of same-sex marriage looks like it affects only one-third of Florida voters, we know from experience what a few votes can mean in the Sunshine State,” Brown said.
The poll, which included 1,722 registered Florida voters, has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.4 percent.
By The News Service of Florida
Pictured: Mitt Romney campaigns in January at The Fish House in Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Texting And Driving: The Wade Jernigan Story (With Video)
May 24, 2012
It was a seemingly ordinary, but cool early December morning when Ken Jernigan said goodbye to his son, 16-year old Kenneth Wade Jernigan. They talked about their plans for the afternoon before Wade headed toward class at Northview High. They told each other other that they loved one another. Dad hung up the phone, thinking just how proud he was of his son.
A few moments later, he learned about the accident. Wade was northbound on Pine Barren Road north of Breastworks Road when he drifted off the roadway onto the shoulder as he attempted to travel around a curve. He over-corrected, lost control and struck a tree.
On the way to the accident, Ken and his wife where hoping and praying that Wade would be OK, and hoping for just a little fender bender.
It was much worse.
“My heart just dropped,” Ken said in a video entitled “The Cost of Distracted Driving” produced by Gulf Power (video below). The driver’s side of the truck was wrapped around an oak tree. Ken wanted to run up and help him like he’s always done before. Because that’s what daddies do.
“This time I couldn’t do that. I was pretty helpless.”
Ken watched as first responders used the Jaws of Life to remove Wade from the truck. Then he heard LifeFlight. He knew that wasn’t a good sign.
Wade was known for being a neat dresser. That December morning, he was wearing a white polo shirt.
“I didn’t see any blood anywhere,” Ken said. “I couldn’t see where he was hurt….I heard him gasp for breath…he’s alive.”
Wade had a severe head injury and was flown to Sacred Heart as Ken Jernigan drove to Pensacola. A few hours later, the news from the surgeon was a parent’s nightmare.
“Your son’s brain dead. There’s nothing they can do for him.”
The good memories flooded Ken’s mind. Baseball. Hunting. Fishing. All the fun times.
Wade had made a decision to be an organ donor. His organs saved six other lives.
It was after his funeral that Ken, as he searched for answers, discovered what he believes caused the accident.
Texting. He had left for school about 8:05 a.m. For the next 12 minutes, he texted back and forth with several friends.
“It was the only oak tree on that side of the road for a mile…he slid into it, right on the driver’s door.”
At 8:17 a.m., Wade sent his final text.
“It’s so important that we talk to our families, talk to our kids…to be more observant when driving,” Ken said. “None of us can drive and be distracted.”
Inset photos: NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.