Martha Ann Cunningham
April 15, 2012
Mrs. Martha Ann Cunningham, age 73 of Flomaton, passed away on April 12, 2012, at her home.
Mrs. Cunningham was a native of Mobile and had been a member of the Flomaton community for the past four months. During her working years, she worked as a cosmetologist and she was of the Jehovah Witnesses faith. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ely and Louise Neidhart Bradley; her husband, Martin Otis Cunningham; her daughter, Cheryl Cunningham; brothers, Charles Edgar Bradley and Ely Joseph Bradley; and sister, Betty Lou Turner.
Mrs. Cunningham is survived by her brothers, Norman (Gladys) Bradley of Mobile, David (Dannie) Bradley of Atmore; sisters, Dell (Eddie) Frye of Mobile, Linda (Andre’) Deslonde of Flomaton.
Funeral services for Mrs. Martha Ann Cunningham will be held on Monday, April 16, 2012, at 11 a.m. graveside at Pine Crest Cemetery in Mobile with speaker Walter Crigler.
Interment will follow at Pine Crest Cemetery with Flomaton Funeral Home directing.
Escambia Special Olympics Held At Tate (With Gallery)
April 14, 2012
The big race was almost over. Everyone had crossed the finish line, except for a young lady named Kailee that had not even started. Kailee just sat in her wheelchair, not going along with plans of her Special Olympic “buddies”. They wanted her run the race. She wanted no part.
But the crowd began to chant her name. “Kailee, Kailee.” The confidence begin to build. Over and over, the crowd called her name louder and louder. “Kailee, Kailee!”
She, albeit cautiously, stepped up from her wheelchair with the help of a buddy.
She tapped her white cane on the track. That confident look disappeared from her face. Visually impaired, Kailee could not see what was ahead; she latched onto a buddy. Fear in her wandering eyes. The crowd continued their encouragement. “Kailiee! Kailee!”. She was center of attention in her corner of Pete Gindl Stadium.
Kailee picked her foot up high and stepped ahead. She felt around with her white cane. Solid ground, perhaps not so bad. She began to smile and went ahead. As she gained speed, her smile grew.
Her blond hair began to wave in the wind and she headed step after step toward the finish line. Beaming and grinning, she crossed the finish line. The crowd roared, smiles everywhere. A man watching the race wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.
Kailee’s total time in the 30 meter? It really didn’t matter that it was probably five minutes. She was a big winner.
That’s the special part of the Escambia County Special Olympics held Friday at Tate High School — everybody, no matter their physical or mental disability, was their own winner.
Over 500 athletes from 18 schools took part in Friday’s event, showing off their competitive skills in a variety of events. Hundreds of Tate High students also took part, running event and serving as volunteer “buddies” for the athletes.
The day included track and field events, softball and tennis ball tosses, and other competitive events — plus fun events like fishing games, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, face painting and more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top series: Kailee, a visually impaired student, takes part in the Escambia County Special Olympics Friday morning at Tate High School. Pictured inset and below: More scenes from the event. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pictured:
Bank Robbery Suspects Remain Behind Bars
April 14, 2012
Father and daughter bank robbery suspects — nabbed by federal agents in Bluff Springs and Brewton — remain behind bars this morning charged with a February 17 bank robbery in Brewton, Ala.
Robin Ann Godwin, age 42 of Century, was arrested by FBI agents Thursday night at a travel trailer on Bluff Springs Road just south of Century. She remains in the Escambia County, Fla., jail without bond as a fugitive from justice as she awaits extradition back to Alabama to face a first degree robbery charge.
As FBI agents arrested her in Florida, additional agents converged on a home on Pine Road in Escambia County, Ala. and arrested Norman Alvin Godwin, age 75, on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and first degree robbery. He remains in the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center in Brewton with bond set at $90,000.
As they executed search warrants, FBI agents recovered evidence at a both locations, including cash allegedly taken during the Brewton robbery.
NorthEscambia.com was there Thursday night in Bluff Springs as FBI agents searched the travel trailer of Robin Ann Godwin. For more on that search, click here for an earlier story.
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 Thursday night. FBI agents, who were just off camera, would not allow their photographs to be taken. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Tweedie Files For ECUA Seat
April 14, 2012
Republican Barry Tweedie has filed for the ECUA District 5 board seat currently held by Larry Walker.
Tweedie ran unsuccessfully for the office in 2000, 2004 and 2008. He has previously served on the ECUA Citizens Advisory Committee. Tweedie is a retired Navy flight officer.
Walker, a Republican, is seeking his sixth term on the ECUA board. He was first elected to the ECUA board in 1988 and served until he ran unsuccessfully for the Escambia County Commission in 2000. He has was re-elected to the ECUA board in 2004 and 2008.
Charlou Williams of Cantonment prefiled to seek the ECUA post in December.
No Injuries When Log Truck Overturns On Hwy 95A
April 14, 2012
There were no injuries when a log truck overturned Friday afternoon on Highway 95A just south of Quintette Road. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Six Homeless After Escambia Mobile Home Fire
April 14, 2012
Six people were left homeless after a mobile home fire in Ensley Friday night.
A double-wide mobile home near the intersection of Sonnyboy Lane and Action Street was reported to be nearly fully involved in flames when firefighters arrived about 11 p.m.. There were no injuries; no one was home at the time of the blaze.
The American Red Cross was called to provide temporary assistance to six people, ages 33, 13, 12, 9, 8 and 7.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Forestry Service: No Weekend Burning
April 14, 2012
Officials with Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center are preparing for what could be a busy weekend, and they are advising residents to a avoid outdoor burning.
Several weather factors contribute to fire potential – wind, humidity and fuel moisture being the key elements. Portions of our area will see high winds (15-20 mph) and moderate humidity (less than 50%) at some point over the next three days. Combine those factors with a lack of rainfall over the past week and there is a potential for increased fire activity both in terms of number of fire and intensity of fires that we might see, according to a Forestry Service news release.
In response, the Forest Service is ensuring proper staffing of strategic locations throughout Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, restricting burn authorizations and will coordinate with key cooperating agencies throughout the weekend.
Residents are urged not to burn yard waste during periods of high winds and should follow local burn laws and restrictions
Deputy Runs Stop Sign, Hits Vehicle
April 14, 2012
Charges are pending after an Escambia County deputy ran a stop sign and ran into another vehicle Friday in Ensley.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Deputy Michael Carter was responding to a call in his marked patrol car when he ran a stop sign at the intersection of Ashland Avenue and Detroit Boulevard, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Carter’s patrol vehicle collided with a 2012 Mazda driven by 25-year old Andre Cook of Pensacola.
According to the FHP, Carter was distracted, checking his in-vehicle computer for call information and did not see the stop sign. His patrol car came to rest on its side in a drainage ditch.
There were no serious injuries reported by FHP.
Northview Baseball: Senior Night Versus W.S. Neal
April 14, 2012
The Northview Chiefs lost a close one to W.S. Neal Friday night in Bratt, 4-3.
It was Senior Night for the Chiefs, as they recognized senior players Zach Barrow, Tanner Brooks, Brian Ross, Jamie Gafford and Tyler Hester.
The Northview Chiefs will host Flomaton on Monday, with the junior varsity playing at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00.
For a photo gallery from Friday night’s game, click here.
Pictured top: Northview seniors (L-R) Zach Barrow, Tanner Brooks, Brian Ross, Jamie Gafford and Tyler Hester. Pictured inset: Action as Northview hosted W.S. Neal Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Taylor Rigby, click to enlarge.
Sports: Tate, Northview Baseball; Northview, EA, Jay Softball
April 14, 2012
Here is a look at a prep baseball and softball action in the area Friday:
Milton 10 — Tate 5
Milton pounded out 14 hits including two home runs to beat the Tate Aggies Friday night, 10-5. With the loss, Tate fell to 19-3 overall. The next game for the Aggies is Thursday at West Florida.
Tate 6 — Milton 1 (JV)
Tate 3 — Milton 2 (Freshmen)
W.S. Neal 4 — Northview 3
For details of W.S. Neal at Northview and photos, click here.
SOFTBALL
Northview 6 — Escambia Academy 5
The Northview Chiefs traveled to Canoe Friday afternoon and beat the Escambia Academy Cougars 6-5. It was the final regular season game for the Lady Chiefs; the district tournament begins next week at Baker High School. The Lady Chiefs will face Chipley at 4 p.m. Monday.
Jay 8 — W.S. Neal 2
The Lady Royals recognized Becca Calloway and Tessa Hendricks Friday for Senior Night before defeating W.S. Neal 8-2. Jay finished at first place in district action, earning a bye in the district tourney until 4 p.m. Tuesday when they will play the winner of Monday’s Northview vs Chipley game.