Blood Drive This Morning At Walnut Hill VFD
March 25, 2013
A blood drive will take place today in Walnut Hill. The Northwest Florida Blood Services Bloodmobile will be at Walnut Hill Fire Department at 7760 Highway 97 from 8 a.m. until noon.
The graphic below, provided by Northwest Florida Blood Services, shows some of the benefits of donating blood.
Candidate With Century Ties Seeks Clay Ford’s Seat
March 25, 2013
A financial expert with ties to Century has announced he will seek the Florida House District 2 seat that was held by Clay Ford until his death last year.
Ed Gray III of Gulf Breeze heads up Capital Trust Agency and Gulf Breeze Financial Services.
Capital Trust Agency is an independent public body for the purpose of financing or otherwise accomplishing development programs. Century entered into the Capital Trust Agency with Gulf Breeze in 1999 with Century essentially serving as the “second signature” for CTA.
Century has received over a half million dollars in fees since the inception of CTA.
Gray has previously served on the Gulf Breeze City Council and later serviced as mayor. He later served as chair of the Santa Rosa County School Board.
Spring Break Freeze Warning
March 25, 2013
There is a freeze warning in effect for the entire area for tonight. North Escambia are Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Breezy, with a northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.
Search Continues For ID Of Man That Exposed Himself In Multiple Stores
March 25, 2013
Investigators said Sunday that the search in continuing for the identity of a man that allegedly exposed himself to children at multiple stores last weekend. The joint investigation is being conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Pensacola Police Department.
The incidents occurred around 1 and 3 p.m. March 16 inside retail stores in the city and county, said Pensacola Police Detective Jeff Brown. The suspect reportedly followed the two females, ages 10 and 11, around the stores and when they were alone, he exposed himself to them.
The man was wearing a gray T-shirt with a dark logo on the front and back and a dark baseball cap. In one surveillance photograph he was wearing long dark pants and in another he had on dark shorts.
Authorities said he appears to be a middle aged white male with short or bald hair with a light colored goatee or beard. He is believed to be about 40 to 60 years old. He’s wanted for a lewd and lascivious act involving a minor.
Anyone with information on his identity is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP, the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900, Detective Jeff Brown at (850) 435-1980, or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Sex Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9632.
Unique Crop: Sodbuster Radish In Hwy 29, Hwy 97 Field
March 25, 2013
A rather unique, and pretty, plant grew throughout the winter in a field at the corner of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
According to Libbie Johnson UF IFAS Escambia County extension agent, the crop was a mixture of Sodbuster radish and oats in a filed owned by local producer Eric Koehn.
Sodbuster brand radish is a new cover crop developed in New Zealand, according to Richard Petcher, retired Auburn Extension Agronomist agent and proprietor of Petcher Seeds. The Sodbuster’s large taproots are superior and can penetrate as far as six feet deep. The fleshy upper part can “bust” a hole from 10-20 inches long and 2-3 inches wide. And the taproot both plows and breaks the hard soil while scavaging for plant nutrients.
The crop was recently sprayed by a herbicide to kill it. The root will decompose in just a few weeks, leaving open holes where rainwater can penetrate the soil. According to Petcher, the crop is an excellent scavenger for nutrients and can release 80 pounds of Nitrogen and 5 tons of organic matter for the next crop. Wildlife, especially deer, love this radish.
In November, Eric planted five pounds of seed per acre and added some oats to the mixture. Although he didn’t add apply any fertilizer to the crop, he said he is satisfied with the stand and hopes to see some benefits in the cotton he plans on growing on the field this summer.
For more information on Sodbuster radish, visit www.petcherseeds.com or call the UF IFAS Escambia County Extension office at (850) 475-5230 or email libbiej@ufl.edu.
Molino Man Critically Injured In Early Morning Wreck
March 25, 2013
A Molino man was critically injured in a single vehicle wreck early Sunday morning in Molino.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Mark Allen Ships, Jr. was traveling west on Molino Road near Chestnut Road about 3:30 a.m. when he crossed over the eastbound lane and onto the shoulder. He continued on the shoulder until he struck a cement culvert and cement embankment with the front of his 2002 Jeep Liberty.
Shipps was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital as a “trauma alert”.
Charges against Shipps are pending, according to the FHP. The Molino, Cantonment and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were also dispatched to the crash.
Pictured: One person was critically injured in this one vehicle accident early Sunday morning in Molino. Photos by Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alvin Hiebert
March 25, 2013
Alvin Hiebert was born to Frank and Agnes Hoeppner Hiebert on June 22, 1915, at Hillsboro, Kansas. He passed away peacefully with his family around him on March 23, 2013, reaching the age of 97 years. His passing came after a short battle with cancer.
Dad’s early childhood was spent on the farm working hard during the depression time to save the family farm. Dad enjoyed the outdoors and his livestock spending his life farming and raising cattle. He enjoyed going to the livestock auctions and bringing home young calves to nurture and watch grow. He was not scared of hard work and tried not to let anything get him down.
Dad was baptized on April 22, 1935, by Minister A. G. Ensz. To these vows, he endeavored to be true.
On October 8, 1944, he was joined in marriage to Leah Friesen. They made their home in Hillsboro, Kansad, moving to Walnut Hill in 1967 and then settling in Molino in 1968. Their home was blessed with three sons. They enjoyed life together for 51 years before Mom was taken suddenly in a tragic farm accident.
Dad was very lonely but continued on enjoying reasonably good health until the last while when he started to slowly lose strength. He retired from farming after mom’s death but continued to raise cattle as his “hobby”. He enjoyed seeing the young calves come running to the feed bunk when he called them.
Dad enjoyed the message of song and often sang for his devotions. His song book has many songs marked that were special to him. His voice was often heard in church as he sang from the heart. One of his favorite songs was ‘Count Your Blessings’ and a fond memory for many was the time he sang it as a solo at a Thanksgiving service. His nurses commented that he often would be singing when they checked on him in the early morning hours.
The last several months as Dad realized his time was getting short, he often spoke of a desire to do the Lord’s will and to be of use in His Kingdom. His spirit was soft and he left us with an Assurance that he was at peace with his Maker.
Those left to cherish memories are his sons, Lee and Cindy, Atmore, Chris and Denise, Atmore, and Henry and Polly, Molino; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; five great, great, grandchildren; two sisters, Edna Eck, Copeland, Kansas, Frieda Litwiller, Montezuma, Kansas, brother in laws – Jonah and Dianna Nickel, Greenville, North Carolina, Robert and Betty Martens, Inman, Kansas, Herb and Nora Friesen, Aberdeen, Mississippi; sister in laws, Bernettie and Abe Loewen, Emelle, Alabama, Clara Koehn, Livingston, California, Mabel and Jim Cryon, Reno, Nevada and a host of nephews, nieces and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, an infant brother, two sisters, one sister-in-law, one granddaughter and one great granddaughter.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. from the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church with ministers Wilbert Peters, Mike Koehn and Carlos Koehn officiating. Burial will follow in the Walnut Hill Memorial Gardens.
Vitiation will be held Tuesday evening March 26, 2013 from 5PM until 8PM from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
A special thanks to the nursing staff at the Life Care Center and at Covenant Hospice Residence for their special care of Dad during his last several months. Your special touch made life brighter in the twilight of his time here on earth.
Auf weidersehen, PaPa (till we meet again).
Edna Presley Richards
March 25, 2013
Edna Presley Richards, 89, of Molino, left this earthly home on Saturday, March 23, 2013. She is now in her eternal home at the feet of the Father, reunited with the love of her life, Gene, her parents, Marjorie and Daniel Presley, and all the other family and friends who have gone before her.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters, Bonnie (Jake) Ging, Jeanie (Bill) Nowlin, Becky (Kurt) Carlsen; grandchildren, Melanie (Steve) Ging Cafierro, Melissa (Mitch) Dorsett, Amanda Boyd, Erin Boyd, Katie Carlsen, Colter (Krystle) Nowlin, Jonathan (Melissa) Nowlin, Casey (Amanda) Nowlin; great grandchildren, Chase and Reece Dorsett, Will, Ben and Nate Nowlin; her very special sister, Margaret (Tom) Helms; special nieces, Marjan Helms, Kathy (Ron) Starkey; special nephews, Tom Helms, Jr., Butch (Kendra) Mathews and many other family members and friends. She loved her church and was a founding member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. She loved working in her flower garden and her roses were some of the most beautiful in the community. She was kind, sweet, gentle, determined and very strong. Above all, she loved God and her family.
She will be greatly missed by her family, her church and her community. The family would like to thank Life Care Skilled Nursing Center for the wonderful care they gave to our mother, especially Dr. Manus; nurses, Sheila, Stacey, Wes; and CNA’s, Charles and Georgia.
Flowers are appreciated or gifts can be made to Aldersgate UMC in her name.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 26, 2013, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Faith Chapel North and the funeral service will be at Aldersgate UMC in Molino, Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Alan Gantzhorn officiating. Burial will be in Aldersgate’s cemetery in Molino.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Jewel Elizabeth “Betty” Westbrook Curran
March 25, 2013
Jewel Elizabeth “Betty” Westbrook Curran, age 83, of Cantonment, passed away at her residence Sunday, March 24, 2013. She was born December 1, 1929, in Camden, AR to the late U.J. and Marjorie Westbrook.
Betty attended public schools in Camden, AR and Pensacola. She was a 1947 graduate of Pensacola High School, a member of Cottage Hill United Methodist Church and a former respiratory therapist at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles “Buster” Curran; and son, Robert Curran.
Survivors include sons, George “Skip” (Bonnie) Gibson of Cantonment and Bill Curran of Pensacola; sister, Ruth Henderson of Little Rock, AR; brother, Sam (Sheila) Westbrook of Genesee, Colorado; five grandsons and three great-grandsons.
There will be no services per Betty’s request.
A special thanks to her “daughter she never had” Blieka Yerg, all her “girls,” Daisy Barr, Desere Downing, Patty Hughes, Linda Lowery, Sherry Chance and all her hospice nurses and personnel in Milton.
National Cremation & Burial Society of Milton has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Lillian Frances Boone
March 25, 2013
Lillian Frances Boone, age 86, of Cantonment, passed away Sunday, March 24, 2013, at Sterling House of Pensacola. She was a wonderful wife, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved her Lord, her family and friends, and will be greatly missed by all. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Cantonment. Lillian was born in Macon, MS on May 23, 1927, to Leno and Emmie Simmons. She was a telephone operator before retiring to become a full-time wife and mother.
She was preceded in death by both parents; her husband, Dallas Boone; daughter, Linda Strickland, and three brothers and two sisters.
Lillian is survived by three children, Larry (Anita) Boone of Pensacola, Deboria (Jerry) Watts of Hueytown, AL, and Tracy Boone of Cantonment; five grandchildren, Cory Strickland, Shannon Boone, Misty (Dan) Angelini, Christy Watts and Jonathon (Charlotte) Watts; four great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, and one brother-in-law.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel North, Tuesday, March 26, 2013, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Services will be Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at 11 a.m. at FaithChapel Funeral Home.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.