Marie “Minerva” Burnette-Watson
February 3, 2012
Marie “Minerva” Burnette-Watson, age 86, of Chicago, went to heaven peacefully with family by her side Saturday, January 28, 2012 at University of Chicago Hospital.
Known by her church family as “Mother Watson” she was a member of New Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago and Gayles Memorial Baptist Church in Aurora, IL where she lived for many years. She was a dedicated member of the Mothers’ Board at both churches. She was also a State of Illinois certified and licensed Foster Parent who opened her heart and home to many children on a long and short term bases.
Minerva was born October 10, 1925 in Molino, FL and is preceded in death by parents, Dollan and George Burnette; husband, Henry Lee Watson of Chicago; and twelve sisters and brothers: Dorothy Weaden, Cleo Lovely, Hattie Pearl Burnette, R D Burnette, Lee Raniel Burnette, Otis Burnette, Elmer Burnette, Marion Burnette, Major Burnette, William Burnette, Nathaniel Burnette, and Jimmie Burnette. She is also preceded in death by two children, Mamie L. Taylor, and her only son, Bobby G. Burnette.
She leaves to mourn, sisters, Annie Ruth Smith (Pensacola) and Wilmer Althea Burnette (New York); as well as five daughters, Lillie P. Lindsey, Rathel (Ralph) Walker, Dorothy (Melvin) Davis-Caldwell, Jean Preston and Wanda (Frank) Askew-Tatem. She is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather for a Celebration of Life Service and Internment at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 3, 2012 at New Hope Primitive Baptist Church and Cemetery, 5639 Highway 95A, Molino, FL.
Services are being handled by Joe Morris and Son Funeral Home.
Curtis Overstreet
February 3, 2012
Mr. Curtis Overstreet, 84, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at a Baldwin County hospital.
Mr. Overstreet was a native of Bay Minette,, a lifelong resident of Baldwin County, and a retired employee of Riechold Chemical Company.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jimmie Sue Overstreet and an infant daughter.
Survivors include: two sons, Roy Gene Overstreet of Summerdale and Earless Ray Overstreet of Perdido; two daughters, Peggy Sue Montgomery of Silver Hill, AL, and Jimmie Dale Arrington of Bratt; six grandchildren; and four sisters, Lucile Caterat of Daphne, Lillian Vaughn of Summerdale, Jackie Overstreet Wilson of NC, and Edna Earl Campbell of Fayetteville, NC.
Funeral services will be Saturday, February 4, 2012, at 10 a.m.. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Sister Helen Stewart officiating.
Burial will follow at the Bay Minette Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday February 3, 2012, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore
James Lavon Kelly
February 3, 2012
James Lavon Kelly, age 77 of Foshee Road in Brewton, passed away Wednesday February 1, 2012, at a local hospital after a brief illness.
Mr. Kelly was a native and former resident of Pensacola, and during his childhood years lived in Pollard, AL, before moving to Brewton over 50 years ago. Mr. Kelly worked for Fisher-Pou Funeral Home in Pensacola during his early career in funeral service, and later worked for Mr. Marshall Craver at Craver’s and Flomaton Funeral Home. He later acquired both funeral homes in which he operated and managed with dignity and respect to the citizens of Brewton, Flomaton and surrounding areas until his retirement in December 2010.
He was a former long time member of the Brewton Rotary Club, Knights of the Round Table and was a member of the Pollard United Methodist Church. Mr. Kelly was an avid Crimson Tide football fan.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Shelby Kelly of Brewton; three daughters, Belinda Hintze of Crofton, Maryland; Beverly Cheniae of Virginia Beach; Brenda Kelly of Flomaton; three sons, Barry VanHoosen of Brewton; Larry VanHoosen of Mobile; Keith VanHoosen of Mobile; one sister, Sue Jarrett of Pensacola; 10 grandchildren, six great grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews and other family members.
Funeral services for Mr. James Lavon Kelly are scheduled for Sunday afternoon February 5, 2012, at 2:00 at Craver’s Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Floyd Dyal and Rev. Johnny White officiating. Interment will follow in Pollard Cemetery with Craver’s Funeral Home on Brewton directing.
Visitation will be Saturday February 4, 2012, from 5-9 p.m. at Craver’s Funeral Home Inc,.
Bratt Elementary Releases Second Nine Weeks Honor Roll
February 2, 2012
The following students were named to the second nine weeks honor roll at Bratt Elementary School:
All A’s
Anna Adams
Lexxi Baggett
Haley Baker
John Bashore
Brody Black
Tanner Boone
Ann Margaret Boothe
Sarah Branch
Luke Bridges
Alexia Broadhead
Keaton Brown
Juliana Bryan
Conner Byrne
Emilee Cabral
Ashtyn Carnley
Noah Casson
Landon Chavers
Logan Chavers
Ashton Cloud
Karlee Criswell
Da’Mius Wesley
Cassie Davis,
Haleigh Dean
Colton Dockens
Savannah Doremus
Jackson Edwards
Jason Fayard
Amanda Franklin
Gabby Franklin
Makayla Garrett
Caitlyn Gibson
Alabama Gilley
Amber Gilman
JP Gilman
Emma Gimore
Gracie Godwin
Shelby Godwin
Zane Gurganus
Kara Hawkins
Gabriel Henderson
Sarah Margaret Hetrick
Hannah Hughes
April Johnson
Anna King
Trent Knighten
Anna Lee
Sarah Long
Braeden McGhee
Bailie Merchant
Colby Morris
Mary Paige Nassar
Abigail Nelson
Travis Nelson
Chirstopher Nordman
Jaylon North
Dallon Rackard
Kinzie Rackard
Tyler Ray
Kenna Redman
Teriana Redmond
Delaney Reynolds
Allison Rice
McKenna Simmons
Arquavian Smith
Lydia Smith
Vivyan Smith
Savannah Spence
Alyssa Stabler
Bailey Van Pelt
Summer Waters
Cailee Wilburn
Autumn Williams
Clay Wilson
Lane Wilson
Kendall Wise
All A’s and B’s
Maggie Amerson
Shelby Bartley
Leah Berry
Garret Bodiker
Emilee Bomba
Trevor Bomba
Aiden Broadhead
Meggan Brown
Anastasia Bryan
Kadence Burklund
Tereasia Burt
Anyis Cabral
Caren Cannon
Jordan Capps
Cedriana Carter
Hannah Clayberger
Jacob Conley
Chloe Criswell
Justin Cruce
Tyler Davis
Franki Daw
Sheyenne Dillon
Wyatt Dillon
Makayla Dove
Ryan Dove
Cody Edwards
Alexis Evans
Jamyla Feagin
Ar’Mya Findley
Neionni Findley
Savannah Fullerton
Paige Gibbs
Olivia Gibson
Charles David Gilley
Tony Hall
Shane Hardin
Kerry Hicks
Zachary Hilton
Martina Howard
Payton Jackson
Wyatt Jarvis
Cameron Long
Kaleigh Macks
Ansleigh Maholovich
Angel Merchant
Joshuwa Merchant
Michael Merchant
Madison Nassar
Audrey Odom
Joseph Parker
Blaize Parrish
Gabbie Peebles
Madison Peterson
Cheyenne Philyaw
Larry Philyaw
Madelyn Plant
Matthew Pruitt
Libby Pugh
Mary Grace Rice
Shelby Rice
Savannah Roley
Samantha Roux
Kaylee Sawyer
Adrianne Shanks
Madelin Sheedy
Madison Sherouse
Carter Sigafoose
David Stokes
Savannah Stokes
Melissa Sunday
Peggy Sunday
T’ahna Wesley
Aaliyah Tucker
Hunter Wainwright
Jeremy Ward
John Michael Ward
Ahmad Warmack-Elliott
Kiara Wesley
Cameron White
Cassidy White
James Windham
Ty Wise
Connor Wolfe
Tate Grad, His Wife And 17-Year Old Daughter Killed In Fiery I-75 Pileup
February 2, 2012
A Tate High graduate, his 17-year old daughter and his wife were the final three victims found in the horrific I-75 pileup in a Gainesville wreck.
The bodies of Michael Hughes, his daughter Sabryna Dawn Louise Hughes and Sabryna’s stepmother Lori Hughes were found Tuesday evening in a badly burned pickup truck. The truck was incinerated Sunday night when it collided with a semi-truck that had stopped on I-75 due to fog and smoke conditions. In all, 11 people died in the crash.
The Hughes family was reportedly in the Gainesville area to attend a funeral.
Friends said Michael Hughes grew up in the Jacks Branch Road area and was a 1990 graduate of Tate High School.
Sabryna Hughes began her high school career at Pine Forest High School and transferred in the 11th grade to Escambia High School. She then became a home school student about two weeks ago. A candlelight vigil will be held for Sabryna beginning at 5:30 Friday at Avondale Park in the Bellview community.
The Florida Highway Patrol had closed I-75 Sunday due to reduced visibility from a mix of smoke from a nearby brush fire and fog. The six-lane road was closed about three hours before being reopened by the Florida Highway Patrol. A short time later, the first crash occurred.
Before it was over, authorities said at least a dozen cars, a half dozen semis and a motorhome had collided.
Farmers, Ag Producers Rally To Keep FSA Office Open In Molino
February 2, 2012
Dozens of Escambia County farmers and producers came together Wednesday in an effort to keep the Molino Farm Services Agency open.
The Molino FSA Office administers farm commodities, crop insurance, credit, environmental conservation and emergency assistance for farmers and ranchers in Escambia County. On January 9, the USDA announced the proposed closure of the office, forcing the farmers to drive to Milton or Brewton for FSA services.
Tim Manning, FSA state executive director, said that offices with two or less employees and offices that were located within 20 miles of another office were targeted for closure. Manning (pictured left) said that on December 23, the day chosen as a “snapshot” of the Molino office, it met both criteria for closure.
But multiple farmers and producers were quick to point out that it is more than 20 miles to drive from Molino, or areas like Walnut Hill or Nokomis, to the FSA office in Milton because of limited routes across the Escambia River. And the criteria for two or fewer employees, many producers said, was met only because a third employee in the office had recently retired.
“We all understand that government must be a good steward of our tax money,” Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones said. Jones, a timber producer in Escambia County, pointed out that the Escambia County FSA office was the third busiest payment office in the state. “Sometimes you have to weigh those dollars against those that fund it…to put the human factor in it.”
“We are the last in Florida, the last county,” Jones said, “and sometimes we get left out of a lot of things.”
The major savings from closing the Molino Farm Service Agency will be about $16,000 per year in rent to the Escambia County Farm Bureau for office space along with telephone service. All other utilities are included in the monthly rent.
Walnut Hill farmer Brett Ward (pictured left), speaking on behalf of the Farm Bureau Board, said it was no secret that the Farm Bureau wants to keep the $16,000 in annual rent flowing. He said that money is returned to the community each year through a variety of community organizations — most dealing with children — like the Northview and Ernest Ward FFA chapters, the Escambia County Extension Service for projects, the Molino Park PTA and Bratt Elementary School.
“The federal government is broke; we all know this,” Ward said. “But we in ag are willing to do our share. But let’s make smart cuts.This is my opinion, in our opinion, is not a smart.”
“Our job to feed and clothe this nation is hard enough,” Ward added. “Do not make it any harder by closing this office.”
“Hopefully the state staff will take to Washington the message that there needs to be a variance for Escambia County,” Jimmy Cunninham, chairman of the county FSA committee, said.
“We have pleaded for assistance,” Charles Woodward of Molino, former director of the Molino FSA office, said. “Can’t we get the people where the work is? We have been given a lot of lip service and we have done with very little.”
“Why aren’t we doing more at the FSA to get more food produced at the local level?” asked James Long. “Where are you going to get your food next week? This bunch right here.”
Mike Godwin of Walnut Hill suggested that perhaps instead of closing the Molino office, the Farm Service Agency should use it as a nationwide model of doing more with less since the number of payments processed per employee is now the highest in the state.
“We understand the impact these decisions have on communities,” State Director Manning said. “You will continue to find that FSA services are accessible and convenient.”
The Farm Service Agency will continue to accept written comments from the public concerning the Molino office closure for 10 days. Comments can be emailed to mark.cotrell@fl.usda.gov or submitted by mail. To download a comment form, click here.
Pictured top: Dozens of farmers and producers packed a meeting about the Molino FSA Office Wednesday morning at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. Pictured bottom: The Farm Service Agency rents office space in this, the Farm Bureau Building in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Glenn Austin Becomes 7th Candidate For District 5 Commission Seat
February 2, 2012
Candidate number seven has pre-filed for the Escambia County Commission District 5 seat.
Glenn Austin of Cantonment prefiled Monday as a Republican for the seat currently held by Republican Kevin White of Molino.
“The rule for effective governance is simple. When there is a problem, you fix it,” Austin said in announcing his candidacy. “Escambia County does not have a solid plan to bring a sustainable industry into this county that will create jobs. I fully realize the problem and am focused on becoming part of the solution.”
Austin, a political newcomer, now owns a small business in Escambia County. He formerly worked for WKRG TV 5 and was spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Ron McNesby.
In addition to Austin and White, Republicans Denanne Burkett, Sam Archer and Jim Taylor have pre-filed for the seat. Packy Mitchell and Dennis Wiggins have also announced, running with no party affiliation.
‘Shorty’ Charged With Cantonment Grand Theft Auto, Hit And Run
February 2, 2012
A Cantonment woman known as “Shorty” was charged with grand theft auto for stealing a pickup truck and crashing into a fence.
Latasha Thompson was arrested after being identified by multiple witnesses as the person who took a green Ford Ranger from Quarters Road in Cantonment.
An Escambia County deputy responding to the stolen vehicle call found the Ranger crashed into a fence on nearby Booker Street during the early morning hours of January 21. A resident at that address identified the driver of the truck as “Shorty”, a short, white female that frequents the neighborhood, according to a Sheriff’s Office arrest report. She had fled the scene prior to the arrival of the deputy.
The victim also told deputies that “Shorty” had taken his truck, and he knew “Shorty” because she “had been staying with him for a short time”. The victim identified “Shorty” as Thompson. A warrant was issued for her arrest. Thompson was arrested on the warrant late Tuesday night and booked into the Escambia County Jail. She was also charged with hit and run by the Florida Highway Patrol in connection with hitting the fence.
Career Night Is Tonight At Ernest Ward Middle School
February 2, 2012
Ernest Ward Middle School will host a Career Night this evening from 6-7:30 in the school gym for parents, students and community members.
Representatives from many career fields will be present, along with school representatives from who will speak individually to those who would like information concerning career academies, middle and high school academic programs and extracurricular activities.
Refreshments will be served and adults may register for door prizes. Adults are also welcomed to bring copies of their resumes to leave with potential employers.
Participants include:
- Tate High School
- Northview High School
- West Florida High School
- Ernest Ward Middle School
- EWMS Electrical Academy
- EWMS Culinary Academy
- EWMS Graphic Arts Academy
- George Stone Vocational School
- Pensacola State College
- Escambia River Electric Coop
- Gulf Power
- Alabama Power
Career fields expected to represented include:
- professional baseball player
- minister
- barber
- nurse
- social worker
- counselor
- fireman
- EMT
- interior designer
- speech therapist
- banker
- home inspector
- accountant
- deputy
- taxidermist
- attorney
- lineman
- electrical engineer
- veterinarian
- physician
- forensic scientist
- seamstress
- florist
- welder
- correctional officer
- optometrist
More Rain In Forecast
February 2, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:
- Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers. Areas of dense fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. East wind around 10 mph.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.