Doris Stokes Keese
May 14, 2012
Mrs. Doris Stokes Keese, age 83 of Century, passed away on May 14, 2012, at a local hospital after an extended illness.
Mrs. Keese was a native of Brewton and had been a member of the Century community since 1947. She was a graduate of T.R. Miller High School and had attended Jefferson Davis Community College. Mrs. Keese was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church of Flomaton.
She was preceded in death by her twin sister, Lois Idell Stokes; brothers, Benjamin Franklin Stokes, III, William Roy Stokes, Charles Fred Stokes, and her husband, John Martin Broomes, Sr.
Mrs. Keese is survived by her husband of 35 years, Rev. Jerry Keese of Century; son, John Martin Broomes, Jr. of Century; daughters, Jan Broomes Sales of Pensacola, Irene Broomes (Dewey) Bondurant, Jr. of Flomaton, Michele (Terry) Keese-Burchett and Whitney Keese Wheeler, both of Gulf Breeze; sisters, Carolyn Stokes Jennings and Mary Catherine Stokes Baker, both of Brewton; nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening, May 15, 2012, at the Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 6-8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Flomaton with the Rev. Dustin Stockstill and Dr. David Gardner officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Ann Florie and pianist, Susan Adkinson.
Interment will follow in Flomaton Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jim Bondurant, Scott Myers, Jack Broomes, Hunter Broomes, Wes Sales and Alan Baker. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Carden and Dr. Gary Silbernagel.
In lieu of flowers donations or contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 765 Flomaton, AL 36441 or to Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, P.O. Box 2273, Birmingham, AL 35201.
Overnight Fog Possible, Sunny Tuesday
May 14, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 62. West wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Bank Robbery Suspect From Century Extradited Back To Alabama
May 14, 2012
A Century woman has been extradited back to Alabama to face charges for her alleged role in the February 17 robbery of the Bank of Brewton.
Robin Ann Godwin, 42, was arrested April 12 by FBI agents at a travel trailer on Bluff Springs Road just south of Century. She was booked into Escambia County as a fugitive from justice. In Escambia County Circuit Court, Godwin waived extradition back to Escambia County, Ala., to face a first degree robbery charge.
As FBI agents arrested Godwin in Florida, additional agents converged on a home on Pine Road in Escambia County, Ala. and arrested her father, 75-year old Norman Alvin Godwin, on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and first degree robbery. He was booked into the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center in Brewton.
As they executed search warrants, FBI agents recovered evidence at a both locations, including cash allegedly taken during the Brewton robbery.
On February 17, a single suspect (pictured left) walked into the bank through a public boardwalk entrance at the rear of the building and demanded cash and fled out the same door. Authorities said at the time that they were not sure exactly how the bandit left the area following the robbery, but a few days later they said the bandit may have headed to Florida.
Pictured top and bottom: FBI agents executed a search warrant related to a Brewton bank robbery at this travel trailer on Bluff Springs Road south of Century. FBI agents, who were just off camera, would not allow their photographs to be taken. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing
May 14, 2012
There were no injuries when a military helicopter made a precautionary emergency landing in a field near Barrineau Park Sunday afternoon.
The helicopter from Training Air Wing Five (TAW-5) at NAS Whiting Field made the landing in the field on Highway 196 just north of Barrineau Park School Road after indications of a possible mechanical problem. The downtime gave the residents around the landing site the opportunity to visit with the crew and even pose for pictures with the aircraft.
Pictured above: An exciting Sunday afternoon for Judson Conatser, Taylor Conatser and Julie Ann Keith as they had a chance to visit with the helicopter crew (pictured below). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teresa Welch
May 14, 2012
Mrs. Teresa Welch, 82, passed away on Friday, May 11, 2012, at a Pensacola hospital.
Mrs. Welch was a native and life long resident of McDavid. Mrs. Welch was a member of First Baptist Church of Bratt. Mrs. Welch loved her family, glower garden, was able to travel through out the world living her life to its fullest potential.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Russell Edward Welch of McDavid; son, Gregory and Gwen Welch of Cantonment; daughter, Nancy and Thomas J. Brook of McDavid; brother, John Sheffield of Greenwood, SC; sister, Carolyn Milligan of Cantonment; grandchildren Matthew Brook and Jessica Welch and three great-grandchildren, Taylor Brook, Kylie Brook and Gracen Brook, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 14, 2012, at the Petty Eastside Chapel with Rev. Jerry Caylor and Jesse Wood officiating.
Burial followed at Ray’s Chapel Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Terry Bryan, Kit Callahan, Romeo Coleman, Elton Gilmore, Gene Sheffield and Bill Welch.
Janet Faye Rurup
May 14, 2012
Janet Faye Rurup, 55, of Cantonment, passed away Friday, May 11, 2012, following a lengthy battle with pulmonary hypertension.
Jan is survived by her daughters Natalie and Shannon; four grandchildren: Andrew, Ava, Courtney and Christian; her mother Marjorie Follman, of Titonka, IA; her father Palmer Rurup, of Humbolt, IA; four brothers and one sister.
She will be greatly missed by her family, members of her PPH support group, and numerous friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations for research may be made in her memory to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, (301) 565-3004 x756.
Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Wahoos Sweep Barons In Double Header
May 14, 2012
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were victorious over the Birmingham Barons in both games of their double header on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola’s multi-use stadium, winning the first game 8-0 before taking the subsequent contest 4-2 in front of another sellout crowd of 5,038.
Five Pensacola pitchers combined to shut out the Barons offense in the twin bill’s opener, which was the conclusion of Saturday night’s suspended game. RHP Kyle Lotzkar (6.1 IP, 2 H, 5 BB, 6 SO) earning the win after tossing 6.1 innings of two-hit ball, while also failing to yield a base knock in his first 5.2 frames. Birmingham LHP Nestor Molina (6.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO) suffered the loss in the first game after allowing six earned runs on ten hits in 6.2 innings pitched.
The sixth through eight hitters in the Blue Wahoos lineup led the charge, hitting 8-for-10 in the contest with five runs, three doubles, a homer and three RBI. C Koyie Hill (3-3, 3 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB) provided the longball with a solo shot to left field in the fourth inning and also collected three hits, while OF P.J. Phillips (3-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI) also recorded a three-hit effort. In addition, 2B Brodie Greene (2-5, 2 RBI) and RF Josh Fellhauer (2-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB) each tallied a pair of base knocks in the first contest.
Pensacola provided more power in the second game, with Fellhauer leaving the yard for his first roundtripper of the season in the opening frame to give the Blue Wahoos the early 2-0 advantage. The Barons however answered back with single tallies in the second and third frames thanks to 1B Seth Loman, who homered in the second before bringing home a score with an RBI single.
Both offenses would be silent until the sixth frame, when the Blue Wahoos made history with their first back-to-back home runs in the franchise’s history. After 3B Cody Puckett launched his team-leading sixth longball of the year, 1B Yordanys Perez followed with his first career roundtripper to put Pensacola ahead 4-2.
Blue Wahoos starter Mark Serrano (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 SO) did not receive a decision despite allowing just two earned runs on four hits in five frames, while relievers Curtis Partch and Donnie Joseph were perfect in the final two innings in support of Serrano. Partch (1.0 IP) earned the win to improve to 1-2 with Pensacola and Joseph (1.0 IP, 2 SO) notched his sixth save of the year, fanning two in the last frame. Birmingham reliever Santos Rodriguez (3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 0-2 after yielding two earned runs in the final three innings.
The Blue Wahoos and Barons are slated to meet again Monday night, as Pensacola looks to clinch the series with a victory. RHP Daniel Corcino is expected to take the mound for the Blue Wahoos, while Birmingham is expected to send LHP Pedro Hernandez to toe the rubber. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 pm at the bayfront stadium.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: C Koyie Hill went 3-3 with a HR in the first game of Pensacola’s twin bill sweep. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Levon Raines
May 14, 2012
Mr. Levon Raines, 81, passed away on Thursday, May 10, 2012, in Atmore.
Mr. Raines was a native of Pineapple, AL, and a former resident of Pensacola and had lived in Atmore for the past 19 years. Mr. Raines was a Korean War veteran.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Aubrey and Dollie Raines and his wife Dorothy Raines Martin.
Survivors include three daughters, Libby Day of Pensacola, Lynn Ferguson of Pensacola, and Leasha Martin of Atmore; three sisters, Barbara Nobles of Evergreen, Betty Reuthier of Tallahassee and Alice Raines of Evergreen; two grandchildren, Kali Day Capadona and Walker Martin and two great-grandchildren, Sagan Capadona and Eden Capadona.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 18, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Windy Shaughnessy officiating.
Burial will follow at the Flomaton Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 6:00 to 9:00 P. M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Veterans of Foreign War-VFW.
County To Decide Future Of New Crude Oil Transfer Station In Walnut Hill
May 13, 2012
This week, Escambia County will consider a rezoning request for property in Walnut Hill where an energy company proposes to build a crude oil transfer station that could mean about 30 new high paying jobs.
Genesis Rail Systems, LLC wants to build the facility on 20 acres off Corley Road, near Arthur Brown Road. The property was chosen because it is at the intersection of an existing crude oil pipeline and the Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway.
Information that will be presented to the Escambia County Planning Board Monday finds that a request to rezone the property from “village agricultural” to “general industrial” is not consistent with the Escambia County Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code. The current “village agricultural” zoning for the property off Corley Road allows five residences per 100 acres, agricultural or small home-based business use.
A preliminary county report says that the oil transfer station rezoning will also not be compatible with surrounding properties — most of which are agricultural with two nearby single family dwellings. Also, the proposed land use amendment would not result in a logical and orderly development pattern, according to county documents to be considered.
But that not necessarily mean the county will not approve the rezoning request.
“Although a change to an Industrial zoning would be a more intensive use than is currently in the area, the proposed amendment will utilize the existing railroad, which is a corridor for economic development within the county,” the county planning agency documents state. “There are code requirements that could be implemented such as intense buffering and screening to minimize the possibility of any adverse effects upon adjacent properties.”
If the transfer station is built, crude oil will be shipped in rail tanker cars from the north — including oil fields in Monroe and Escambia counties in Alabama — and be offloaded at the Walnut Hill facility into a 100,000 barrel storage tank before being injected into the existing Genesis pipeline for transport to refineries along the Gulf Coast.
According to project plans, the facility will create 25-30 or more well paying full time jobs in the community, plus positive economic impacts from constructions and ongoing expenditures.
Plan drawings for the facility show that the large crude oil storage tank will be surrounded by a lined containment area designed to catch storm water runoff and, in a worse case scenario, any leak, preventing any contamination to the surrounding area. The facility will also include the pumping equipment, a 1,500 square foot administration building and a 45-space gravel parking lot.
To support the planned oil transfer station, the Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway is currently constructing an additional rail spur parallel to tracks that run along Corley Road from Arthur Brown Road.
The Escambia County Planning Board will consider the rezoning request during an 8:30 a.m. meeting Monday at the Escambia County Central Office Complex, Room 104, at 3363 West Park Place in Pensacola. And then Thursday, the Escambia County Commission is set to review and adopt, modify or overturn the Planning Board’s recommendation on the rezoning request.
Pictured above: Property off Corley Road in Walnut Hill were a company wants to build a crude oil transfer station. Pictured top inset: A rezoning hearing public notice posted alongside Corley Road. Pictured bottom inset: Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway is already working to install new track. Pictured below: Plans for the facility. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Patchy Overnight Fog, Sunny Week
May 13, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. West wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Calm wind.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.