High Voltage Transmission Line Being Replaced
November 16, 2013
Work is underway to replace a high voltage transmission line through North Escambia. Powersouth, which generates and supplies power to Escambia River Electric Cooperative, is replacing the existing transmission line across northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Pictured: A new pole is installed for a high voltage transmission line alongside Highway 4A near Killam Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Lisa Rena Respress
November 16, 2013
Mrs. Lisa Rena Respress 48, of Atmore, passed away November 13, 2013, in Pensacola.
She was born December 3, 1964, in Atmore to Willie Claude “Bill” and Essie Rutherford. Mrs. Respress was a caregiver where she had worked at Enon Manor and attended the Fretwell Tabernacle. She is preceded in death by her father Willie Claude “Bill” Rutherford.
She is survived by her son, Michael Sean Respress; her mother, Essie Rutherford; grandson, Carlos Sean Respress; three sisters, Patricia Respress of Atmore, Sheila Amerson of Daphne, and Billie Jolene Kelsoe of Tampa; aunts, uncles, extended family and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, November 16, 2013, from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Sis. Helen Stewart officiating.
Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Colton Wayne Respress, Kristopher Bradley Respress, Clifford Amerson, Jr., Clint Kyser, Joseph Husband and Brad Brooks.
Honorary pallbearers were Charles Rutherford, Dale Rutherford, Autry Ziglar and Fernie Faircloth.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Charlie Steve Bray
November 16, 2013
Charlie Steve Bray, 70, of Jay, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2013, at the Jay Terrace. Steve was born in Brewton, to Charlie and Bertie Bray, but grew up on the family’s farm in Jay. Steve was the youngest of five children. His parents were farmers like many in the community, and the children had a very active role in working on the family farm. This is where Steve acquired his lifelong love of the land and outdoors. Steve began his school days in 1949, at Jay Elementary, and completed them when he graduated from Jay High School in 1961. Steve enjoyed playing high school football for the Jay Royals. He only had that privilege during his senior year because of his prior responsibilities helping his parents and siblings run the family farm. Steve was a talented and tough nose guard and was named All Escambia River Conference for the 1960-1961 season by the Pensacola News Journal for his outstanding football accomplishments. Steve joined the United States Marine Corps in 1961 before graduating high school. Steve performed his duties as a combat engineer until his honorable discharge in October 1965.
In March 8, 1963, Steve was united in marriage to Carol Cecilia Bell, and they have been married for 50 years. Steve and Cecilia have two children, Mitzi Bray Dixon and Derek Steven Bray. They have the blessing and joy of being grandparents to five beautiful grandchildren. Steve loved to spend time with his grandkids. Steve had many jobs over the years, from farmer to working the oil fields. In 1975, he went to work for Jay Peanut Farmer’s Cooperative. He started out as the assistant manager and was later promoted to manager. Steve retired in December 2010 after serving 35 years to the Alabama Farmers Cooperative and the surrounding farming community. In 1996, Steve was awarded the E.P. Garrett Award naming him CO-OP Manager of the Year 1995 in recognition of outstanding service to Jay Peanut Farmers Cooperative, Inc. and dedicated service to Alabama Farmers Cooperative. Steve was also awarded the Jay Peanut Farmers Cooperative, Inc. Annual E.R. (Rass) Youngblood Memorial Award for his many years of unselfish service to the community on November 13, 2008. Steve’s life philosophy was always “hard work and dedication”. When he was not managing the CO-OP, he was busy operating his own farm. In his few hours of off-time, he enjoyed working in his hunting club, tending to his pond, gardening around his home and spending time with his grandchildren. Steve was a member of the Jay Church of Christ. He also enjoyed worship services at the Jay Terrace during his time spent there.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Bertie Bray; sister, Peggy Clifford, and nephew, David Levins.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Cecilia Bray; daughter, Mitzi Bray Dixon and her husband, Dr. James R. Dixon II; son, Derek Steven Bray and his wife, Misty Lowry Bray; five grandchildren, James-Richard Dixon III of Tuscaloosa, Jordan Savannah Bray of Auburn, Allison Paige Dixon of Cullowhee, NC., Makenzie Caroline Bray of Jay, and James Henry Dixon of Brewton; brother, Billy (Helen) Bray of Jay; sister, Patsy Fulmore of Pace and JoAnn Bray of Jay; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend thanks to the caregivers at The Terrace for their attentive and gentle care. They would also like to express their gratitude to Emerald Coast Hospice for their tender care.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 17, 2013, at Jay Funeral Home with Terry Wasden officiating.
Burial will follow at Cora Baptist Church Cemetery with full military honors.
Active pallbearers will be his nephews and brother-in-law, Doug and Randy Fulmore, Roger and Bart Bray, Greg Levins, and Johnny Wasden.
Honorary pallbearers are his grandsons and great-nephews, James-Richard and Henry Dixon, Bradley Bray, Charlie and Calvin Feldt, and Kyle Levins.
Betty Joyce Gibson
November 16, 2013
Mrs. Betty Joyce Gibson, 71 of Poarch, passed away November 13, 2013, in Poarch. Mrs. Gibson was a loving and caring person and will be greatly missed. She was born March 26, 1942, in McCullough. She was a member of Pine Level Primitive Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, Aubrey Lee Steadham and Lila Irene Steadham Gibson; brother, Aubrey Lee Steadham, Jr.; and granddaughters, Mikasa Cheyenne Groover, Feather Marie McGhee and April Ramieri.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years Ricky Gibson, six daughters Angela Presley, Rebecca (Lurby) Denais, Connie Walls, Patsy (Calvin) McGhee, Sarah (Rodger) Adams and Wanda (Timothy) Gaines; sister, Thelma (James) Digman; brother Charles Eugene (Jean) Steadham; 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, November 17, 2013, at 2 p.m. from the Pine Level Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Gene Freeland officiating.
Burial will follow in Antioch Cemetery in Nokomis, Ala.
Active pallbearers will be Antonio Walls, Brandon Joiner, Zachary Walls, Thunder McGhee, Ricky Ray Maddox and Rick Sosa.
Honorary pallbears will be Enrico Ramieri, Sandro Ramieri, and Gilbert Wade Blackwell.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Hollis Carlton Chavers
November 16, 2013
Mr. Hollis Carlton Chavers, age 74, of Flomaton, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2013, at Jay Hospital.
Mr. Chavers was a native and lifetime resident of the Flomaton community where he was a member of the Friendship Volunteer Fire Department. He was retired from Monsanto where he worked as an operator. He was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Alice Shaw Chavers of Flomaton; sons, Dale (Diana) Chavers and Dean (Theresa) Chavers, all of Flomaton; sisters, Nell Franklin of Flomaton and Lois Hamm of Kelso, WA; grandchildren, Johnathan Dean Chavers, Daniel Chavers, Callie Maria Chavers, Christopher Chavers and great-grandchild, Aiden Chavers.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 17, 2013, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 18, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jeff Edwards officiating.
Interment will follow in Pleasant Home Holiness Cemetery in Flomaton.
Pallbearers will be members from the Friendship Volunteer Fire Department.
Flomaton Funeral Home Directing.
Deputies Seek Missing, Endangered Adult
November 15, 2013
Update: Clyde Darnell Golston was located in another state and is safe.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a missing, endangered adult.
Clyde Darnell Golston, 55, was last seen at a caretaker’s residence in the 7800 block of Herrington Drive in Pensacola about 2:00 Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office said Friday afternoon.
He was last seen wearing a beige jacket and blue pants. His whereabouts are unknown. He is black male with black hair, brown eyes, about six-feet tall and weighing 180 pounds.
The provided photo of Golston is about 12 years old.
Anyone with information regarding Golstonis urged to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Project Underway To Pave Barrineau Park Road Into Alabama
November 15, 2013
Work is progressing toward paving Escambia County’s side of a popular route across the Perdido River to Alabama.
Over two years ago, Baldwin County paved 2.8 miles of Barrineau Park Road (also known as Duck Place Road) from the Perdido River to Highway 112. But the Florida side, from the river to the intersection of South Highway 99 and Highway 196 in the Barrineau Park community — remained dirt.
Escambia County owns the bridge across the Perdido River into Alabama. But the county-maintained the dirt road on the Florida side was, until recently, privately owned by the Barrineau Estate. It is only about four-tenths of a mile long, but the county had no right to pave it.
In late February, Escambia County met with a representative of the estate to discuss the needed right of way. And now Donna Jacobi Pruett, William Albert Jacobi, Larry Neil Jacobi, and James Lee Jacobi, as the heirs of William Merwin Barrineau, have donated the 2.73 acres of Escambia County for the roadway and related drainage infrastructure.
Escambia County has completed survey work for the paving project with design plans from Fabre Engineering due in December. The project will included the design and construction of 11-foot travel lanes with a paved shoulder with 66-feet of right of way.
The route is the only east-west route across the Perdido River between Muscogee Road in Cantonment and Highway 31 in Escambia County, Ala. The road is often used by farmers and ranchers as they transport goods to market from North Escambia to Robertsdale, Ala. It is also a shortcut route for many families to activities and shopping in Baldwin County and vice versa for Baldwin County residents traveling to Pensacola.
Construction is slated for February 2014.
Pictured above: Before and after images of Barrineau Park Road in Baldwin County, Ala. Pictured inset: Work on the Baldwin County side of the Perdido River in August 2010. Pictured below: Barrineau Park Road on the Florida side of the Perdido River. Submitted and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Anti-Gambling Feelings Dominate Escambia County Hearing
November 15, 2013
Members of the Senate Gaming Committee gathered in Pensacola on Thursday and predominately heard opposition from Panhandle residents to the expansion of gambling — with the prevailing opinion that the state shouldn’t make gaming options more convenient or approve massive casinos, even if they’re just in South Florida.
“Keep Biloxi in Biloxi,” said Randolph Smith, a former Lutheran pastor from Pensacola who called himself a compulsive gambler.
The on-the-road hearing was the third for the committee as it gathers input on potential changes to the state’s gambling scene, with the possibilities ranging from non-tribal casino resorts to the addition of slot machines at pari-mutuels outside of Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Prior hearings were held in Coconut Creek and Lakeland. A fourth hearing will be held Friday in Jacksonville.
With about 40 speakers during the hearing at the WSRE-TV Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio in Pensacola, the committee has now heard from nearly 180 people at the three stops.
Representatives of Ebro Greyhound Park in Washington County and the Atmore Poarch Creek Indian operated Gretna Racing in Gadsden County spoke about the need for lawmakers to change a state law — backed by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi — that only recognizes referendums on slot machines in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Also, the lawmakers heard a few voices saying Florida should create a statewide regulatory body and receive the gambling revenue that state residents are currently taking elsewhere.
“You cannot dictate, you cannot control people,” said Sylvia Pearson, a retired widow from Pensacola. “Why not take advantage of the job opportunities, and possible income of casino jobs, and not have the 99 percent of us taking our money to Biloxi.”
Senate President Don Gaetz, a Niceville Republican who attended the hearing, said the gaming review is needed because a major component of a legal compact with the Seminole Indians is expiring and the Legislature needs direction before the 2014 session to either continue the deal or move in another direction.
The 2010 compact guarantees the tribe will make minimum annual payments, totaling $1 billion over five years, to the state. But the annual payments will be cut nearly in half when the deal with the Seminoles regarding banked table games sunsets in less than two years unless reauthorized by lawmakers and the governor.
Committee members Thursday offered little insight into where they were heading on the issue, mostly saying they were “listening and learning.”
A couple of speakers during the hearing said an expansion of gambling would result in an increase in fatherless children, foreclosed homes and declining educational standards.
“Why are we here?” said Russell Edgar, an attorney from Pensacola. “The public did not ask this to happen, the gaming industry staged this.”
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan, speaking on behalf of the Florida Sheriffs Association, predicted that the while there may be a short-term economic boon through real estate and construction after casinos are approved, the revenue “flat lines” around the five-year mark while divorce, domestic violence and even police corruption could be expected to grow.
“Gambling is a perversion of capitalism, in order for me to win someone has to lose and we in the public safety sector are left to clean up,” Morgan said. “Mississippi is still one of the poorest states in our country, (and) has among the lowest rates of graduation. This panacea of an economic boost will not be found in the gambling industry.”
Emulating the positions of Disney World and the Florida Chamber of Commerce, a bigger concern for a number of Panhandle officials and business leaders is the perceived negative image that would be cast on the state from more gaming, regardless of where casinos would be allowed.
Shane Moody, president and CEO of the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce, said an expansion of gambling in Florida would harm the family brand his tourism-dependent coastal community has fostered.
“What this means to Destin and the state is that we lose the family brand we’ve created, we lose our small business economy as the large casinos do all they can to keep visitors and gamblers in their facilities,” Moody said. “Let us continue working together across the state to build our economy with high-tech, research, medical and other jobs.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
W.D. Childers Loses Round In Bribery Appeal
November 15, 2013
More than a decade after former Escambia commissioner and state Senate President W.D. Childers was convicted of bribery, a federal appeals court Thursday ruled against him on a lingering question about whether he received a fair trial.
Childers, who represented the Pensacola area in the Senate for three decades, was convicted in 2003 for actions while serving on the Escambia County Commission after leaving the Legislature.
Thursday’s decision stemmed from arguments that Childers was not able to fully cross-examine a key witness in the case — Willie Junior, another county commissioner — and whether Florida courts properly dealt with claims that Childers’ constitutional rights had been violated.
But the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 7-2 ruling, found that a state appeals court had adequately resolved Childers’ arguments about his Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses.
“It is clear to us that Childers’ Confrontation Clause claim was not ‘inadvertently overlooked’ by the (state 1st) District Court of Appeal,” the ruling said. “The claim was squarely before the court.”
Childers 79, has already served a prison term. The U.S. Supreme Court in February sent the case back to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for more consideration of the constitutional issue.
Childers was convicted of bribery and accepting unlawful compensation for official acts in connection with a Highway 29 soccer complex scandal in 2002 while he served as an Escambia County Commissioner.
The soccer complex scandal eventually resulted in charges against four Escambia Commissioners — Childers, Willie Junior, Terry Smith and Mike Bass. Junior was later found dead under a house, committing suicide the day before he was to be sentenced.
Childers, once known as “The Banty Rooster” for bringing home the bacon for Northwest Florida, was released from state prison on June 17, 2009, having served almost three years of a 42-month sentence on the charges related to the $3.9 million soccer complex purchase. Junior testified that he received a collard green pot full of cash in exchange for his vote to purchase the soccer complex.
Childers was also the first man in Florida jailed for violating the open-meeting portion of the Sunshine Law for a phone call he and Smith made to then Supervisor of Elections Bonnie Jones. Childers served about a month in jail before being released.
Most notably for North Escambia, Childers was the man responsible for securing the funding to four-lane Highway 29 to the Alabama state line.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Molino Park Elementary School First Nine Weeks Honor Roll
November 15, 2013
The following students were named to the first nine weeks honor roll at Molino Park Elementary School:
A Honor Roll
5th Grade
Tayler Bridges
Nathan Danforth
Jaden Fryman
Leia Grantham
Justin Miller
Clay Smith
Ariel Ward
Caden Woodward
4th Grade
Rylee Cain
Reagan Daniels
Adenzia Fennell
Jaden Lewis
Sarah Sconiers
McKenzie Sims
3rd Grade
Aaron Adams
Ethan Collier
Alyssa Jackson
Cameron Partrick
Brycelyn Woodward
2nd Grade
Kelsey Boykin
Lilly Hatch
Anna McKee
Austin Manning
1st Grade
Austin Batz
Jericha Finlay
Logan Shoffner
Liam Hatcher
Aubree Jordan
Aden Lutterman
Kindergarten – All S
Abrams, Destiny Ja’nae
Baggett, Brenden Lee
Batz, Dallas Karl
Bodiford, Cameron Edward
Boutwell, Jack Bryan
Boyett, Benjamin Lee
Burson, Ryann Izabella
Carter, Lamario Dante
Crabtree, Ayden Brice
Crabtree, Garrett Trey
Crosby, Eva Shay
Davis, Cole Austin
Delouiz, Gabriel Jax
Douglas, Joseph David
Drew, Mateo Robert
Driver, Lily Pearl
Eady, Caden Cole
Fryman, Anna Deserae
Gibbs, Kamryn Ashley
Gibson, Mileigh Elizabeth
Hatch, John Damon
Herrington, Bailey Paige
Hiatt, Kelsey Marie
Hillard, Riana Brilee
Holley, Raegan Noelle
Jackson, Austin Gabriel
Jogan, Devon Reese
Jones, Lyndsey Marie
Kahalley, Nicholas Patrick
Knable, Chet Brendall
Langley, Ali Marie
Leatherberry, Gus Mitchell
Manning, Allen Logan
Mason, Khloe Michelle
Massey, Darla Giselle
McKillion, Caelen Maurice
Miller, Macy McKayla
Minor Jr., Brandon Joel
Munro, Jarrett Earl
Newman, Gavin Carrie
Norris, Trinity Praise
Oliver, Mary Elizabeth
Pawless, Wyatt Jaxson
Picheo, Dominic Ethan
Pitts, Brodie Wayne
Prince, Shiloh Michelle
Quiroz, Kloie Alexandria
Sampey, Ryleigh Alhonna
Santos, Jessica Fallon
Scott, Rashad Amarie
Shelby, Brayden Lee Blake
Silcox, Ayden Jayce
Simmons, Bryan Jay
Smith, Dakota Vincent
Spencer, Destiny Charisse
St.cyr, Sophia Grey
Thompson, Alan James
Thompson, John Henry
Wallace, Kaiden Jacob
Williams, Hunter Lane
Woodward, Layton Tyler
A/B Honor Roll
5th Grade
Kenley Brown
Tanner Davidson
Dylan Daw
Keaton Edmonson
Torrie Edmonson
Trey Franklin
Wesley Hart
Parker Hassebrock
Julie Ann Keith
Bryce Korinchak
Kayley Lashley
Connor McQuaid
Jeremiah Morris
Lainey Pace
Kellie Parsons
Damion Payne
Kyle Simmons
Scott Skidmore
Zachary Stanton
Natalie St. Cyr
Benjamin Ward
Michael Whitmire
4th Grade
Divine Abrams
Kay-Lee Bradley
Zachary Chavers
Kaleb Kelley
Clay Kittrell
Christopher Larson
Kileigh Lundy
Madelyn McAnally
Trevor Wood
Michalaya Kent
Lindsey Kimmons
Kinzey Powell
Kailyn Watson
3rd Grade
Micaela Bolton
Levi Carnley
Noah Edmonson
Jace Fryman
David Kirsh
Kacy Knable
Chase Pugh
Briana Ragan
Ethan Rae
Landry Bellard
Nicklas Fowler
Shelby Lashley
Summer McCullers
Asa Schlobohm
Elijah Suratos
Adian Vaughn
Zacharie Jones
Rustin Pope
Christian Riley
2nd Grade
Niko Champagne
Riley Crites
Moses Delarosa
Mathew Dix
MCKayla Golson
Kylie Grantham
Kaydon Harigel
Amber Irby
Bobby Sue Jarrell
Sylvia Jarrell
Nick Lutterman
Chance McElhannon
Evin Pedicord
Chloe Ragsdale
Dylan Settle
DeQuan Shabaz
Colton Taylor
Domanique Turner
Landry Bellard
Micaela Bolton
Karson Brown
Fred Carnley
Levi Carnley
Riley Crosby
Bailey Danielson
Kameron Enfinger
Ashlin Flowers
Austin Floyd
Nicklas Fowler
Jace Fryman
Caleb Hassebrock
Zachary Jones
David Kersh
O’Nykah Kidd
Kacy Knable
Waylon Langford
Shelby Lashley
Cooper Martinez
Miah Massey
Summer McCullers
Austin McCullers
Chase Pugh
Briana Ragan
Wyat Ramsey
Alex Roloph
Asa Schlobohm
Ty Smith
Elijah Suratos
Adian Vaughn
Gage Wilson
1st Grade
Trae Ardeneaux
Andrew Chavers
Nolen Goetter
Brook Lytton
Nehimiah Marfil
Camden Beaty
Nehimiah Delarosa
John Etheridge
Aiden Harris
Lilly Land’
Savannah McCullough
Caleb Rae
Brooklyn Summerlin
McKayla Woods
Abbie Bertran
Alysia Enfinger
Graden Johnson-Sheffield
Kristopher Kelley
Caleb Larson
Andrew Manning
Douglas Ragsdale
Naoki Rogers
Kylee Thompson
Keeley Wiggins