Delano “Dodie” Grant
December 16, 2013
Mr. Delano “Dodie” Grant, 80, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2013, in Atmore.
Mr. Grant was a native of Pleasant Grove and a lifelong resident of Atmore. Mr. Grant was a mechanic, farmer, avid deer hunter and fisherman. He attended the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. His wife, Annie Rae Grant; a grandson, Jeremy D. McNeil; and two brothers, Winston Grant and Wendell Grant precede him in death.
Survivors include his daughter, Wanda (Donny) McNeil of Atmore; one brother, Donald Ray (Faye) Grant of McDavid; five sisters, Mabeth Avery of Texas, Martha Peacock of Atmore, Dartha (James) Turner of Atmore, Glenda (Tommy) Fields of Barnett Crossroad and Judy (Roy) Smith of Atmore; one grandchild, Jonathan McNeil of Atmore; and four great-grandchildren, Jaecobey McNeil, Joshua McNeil, Brantley McNeil and Jada McNeil.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Leo Kent officiating.
Burial will follow at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday, December 17, 2013, from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be Mark Peacock, Glenn Peacock, Mike Johnson, John Fields, Brian Grant and Sean Smith.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Sunny And Warming This Week
December 16, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 61. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 36. Calm wind.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning.
- Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 36. Calm wind.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Calm wind.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 69. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
- Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
- Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 70.
Escambia Graduation Rates Climb, Fall Short Of State Average
December 16, 2013
The federal high school graduation rate in Escambia County is up, but the district still lags behind the state average and neighboring counties.
Escambia County’s 2012-2013 graduation rates was up to 64.2 percent from 62.1 for the 2011-2012 school year. By comparison, the 2012-2013 graduation rate was 78.9 percent in Santa Rosa County and 82.7 percent in Okaloosa County.
Florida’s high school graduation rate increased by 1.1 percentage points over the last year and has increased significantly during the past ten years. The rate rose from 59.2 percent in 2003-04 to 75.6 percent in 2012-13.
The federal high school graduation rate includes standard four-year diplomas but excludes regular and adult GEDs and special diplomas.
The highest individual high school graduation rates in Escambia County were West Florida, Tate, Washington and Northview high schools, while Escambia Virtual Academy, Pensacola High, Pine Forest and Escambia high schools rounded out the bottom half.
Escambia County 2012-2013 School Graduation Rates Compared from 2011-2013
- West Florida High School — 90.9% down from 91.9%
- Tate High School — 77.1% up from 73.4%
- Washington High School — 76.4% up from 71.1%
- Northview High School — 70.8% up from 67.4%
- Escambia Virtual Academy — 65% up from 42.7%
- Pensacola High School — 62.3% own from 62.4%
- Pine Forest High School — 60.0% up from 55.3%
- Escambia High School — 55.1%, down from 61.6%
Pictured top: Northview High School Valedictorian Jazzlyn Franklin delivers her address to the NHS Class of 2013 at the school. Pictured below: The Tate High School class of 2013 graduates at the Pensacola Bay Center. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commission Meetings To Resume In January
December 16, 2013
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners will not meet again until next year. A BOCC Committee of the Whole workshop meeting that was scheduled for Thursday, December 12 was canceled.
Meetings will resume Thursday, January 2, 2014, with the Agenda Review beginning at 9 a.m., public forum at 4:30 p.m. and the regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m. All meetings will take place in the Board Chambers at 221 Palafox Place, Pensacola.
Public Defenders Back Revised ‘Warning Shot’ Bill
December 16, 2013
The Florida Public Defender Association has decided to back a measure (HB 89) that would grant immunity to people who show or fire guns in self-defense — the so-called “warning-shot” bill by Rep. Neil Combee, a Polk City Republican.
Last month, the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee passed HB 89 overwhelmingly as a committee substitute, now called the Threatened Use of Force Act. It faces two more House committees. The Senate companion, by Senate Criminal Justice Chairman Greg Evers, R-Baker, faces three committees.
An earlier version of the bill died during the 2013 legislative session, but the proposal is back for a second try during the upcoming 2014 session — with some key changes that backers hope will propel it to passage this time.
Changes include getting the public defenders, who didn’t back the first bill, on board.
“We see, routinely, clients that we believe shouldn’t be prosecuted because they did act in lawful self-defense,” said Stacy Scott, the Gainesville-based public defender for the 8th Judicial Circuit. “We’re fighting those cases in court every day.”
Combee sponsored the 2013 bill after hearing about Marissa Alexander, a Jacksonville woman who was sentenced to 20 years in prison under the 10-20-Life sentencing law for firing a gun into a wall during a fight with her husband. Combee said her sentence was an example of the “negative unintended consequences” of 10-20-Life, which requires mandatory-minimum prison terms for gun-related crimes.
Under the 10-20-Life law, possessing a gun while committing certain crimes is punishable by at least 10 years in prison, discharging a gun while committing those crimes is punishable by at least 20 years in prison, and hurting or killing someone during those crimes is punishable by 25 years to life in prison.
“The public defenders are, in general, in favor of having judges have discretion about sentencing as opposed to mandatory punishments,” Scott said. “And so we felt like, with the amendments that were made to House Bill 89 in its current version, that there was some really important legislative-intent language that talked about 10-20-Life and encouraged prosecutors to not seek those kinds of punishments on people who threaten to use force in self-defense.”
Combee’s first bill would have amended 10-20-Life, but the sentencing law proved too formidable. Many criminal justice professionals credit 10-20-Life with lowering the crime rate, and Combee’s measure drew opposition from a number of prosecutors and law enforcement officers, including Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, now president of the Florida Sheriffs Association, and State Attorney Angela Corey of the 4th Judicial Circuit, who sought Alexander’s 20-year sentence.
That’s why the new iteration of Combee’s bill seeks to amend the “stand your ground” self-defense law, not 10-20-Life. It would permit people who are being attacked and fear for their lives to display guns, threaten to use the weapons or fire warning shots under the same circumstances by which they could legally shoot to kill.
Corey opposes House Bill 89 as too dangerous, saying prosecutors have the discretion they need.
And State Attorney Bill Cervone of the 8th Judicial Circuit said many prosecutors already take a dim view of changes to Florida’s self-defense laws since 2005, when “stand your ground” was passed.
“Collectively, I think we are greatly concerned about scenarios where there could be a miscarriage of justice,” he said. “We’re more concerned about guilty people who hide behind (’stand your ground’). The defense bar has equal concerns about the other side of the coin. ….I guess our position is that modifying or tweaking the concept is unnecessary in terms of what we already had in place.”
The sheriffs have not yet taken a position on the new bill. But National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer, who has worked with Combee on the measure since last year, said the public defenders’ backing could be important.
“They are in a unique position of knowing exactly how often law-abiding people who have exercised self-defense are being prosecuted — and, in fact, persecuted in some cases,” Hammer said. “If state attorneys are not aware that some of their prosecutors are doing it, we hope they will become aware. We need a sea change in attitude in how victims are being treated.”
County Renews Contract With Atmore Ambulance For Walnut Hill, Bratt
December 16, 2013
The Escambia County Commission has renewed a contract with Atmore Ambulance to provide emergency medical services for the portion of North Escambia in the 327 phone exchange.
Atmore Ambulance has been providing ambulance service for the Walnut Hill, Bratt, Davisville and surrounding communities in the 327 telephone exchange since 1978. The county’s current contract with Atmore Ambulance was due to expire on January 20, 2014.
In January 2010, the Escambia County Commission awarded a contract to Atmore Ambulance for an initial period of 36 months, that was renewable for two additional 12 month periods for a total of 60 months. Escambia County (FL) pays Atmore Ambulance $7,384.47 a month.
Under the terms of the contract, Atmore Ambulance directly bills patients for services rendered at an amount not greater than that billed by Escambia County EMS, which provides ambulance service for the rest of the county.
A similar agreement is in place between Escambia County (FL) EMS and the Escambia County (AL) Healthcare Authority for Escambia EMS to provide ambulance service in the Flomaton area. Escambia County (AL) pays Escambia County (FL) $7,873.39 a month for the ambulance service
Renewal of the agreement was recommended by Mike Weaver, Escambia County’s public safety director.
Man Facing Two Counts Of Attempted Murder
December 16, 2013
An Escambia County man is facing attempted murder charges after being arrested in connection with a December 10 shooting incident.
Cameron Michael Irby, 19, was charged by Pensacola Police with two counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault. Police say Irby is responsible for two shootings about 10:45 p.m. on December 10 in a parking lot of 711 Underwood Avenue, not far from Pensacola State College.
One victim told investigators that he was walking through the apartment complex when he was randomly shot. A second male said he was shot in the buttocks. Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The shootings remain under investigation, and police said more arrests are possible. Investigators believe the shootings were drug related.
UF/IFAS To Host Vegetable Gardening Training
December 16, 2013
University of FloridaIFAS Extension advanced master gardener and 4-H volunteer training on vegetable gardening will be held on Wednesday, December 18.
The program will be held at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center at 4253 Experiment Drive in Jay, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees will learn about production practices including planting and harvesting recommendations, insect management and healthy food ideas and techniques.
To pre-register online for $20, visit mg-4h-vegetable-gardening.eventbrite.com or register the day of the program for $25. Master gardeners will receive continuing education units upon course completion.
For more information, call (850) 623-3868 or email libbiej@ufl.edu.
Santa To Visit Century Library Thursday
December 16, 2013
Santa is planning a visit to the Century Branch Library on Thursday for a couple of special programs.
The Century Branch Library Christmas Program will be held Thursday, December 19 from 5-6 p.m. at the library, 7991 North Century Boulevard. The event will include a Christmas story, craft, a tasty treat, a gift from an elf and a visit with Santa Claus.
Pictured: Santa Claus at the Century Branch Library last year. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
T.J. Godwin
December 16, 2013
Mr. T. J. Godwin, age 82, passed away Sunday, December 15, 2013, in a Pensacola hospital.
Mr. Godwin was a native and lifelong resident of the Pineview Community. He did oil field work and owned Godwin Logging Company for a number of years. He was an avid outdoorsman and horseman. He was a member of Hollis Creek Baptist Church. Mr. Godwin was preceded in death his parents Tim and Dora Godwin; his first wife, Fennie Godwin; twin infant sons; a sister, Lily Belle Moye; a brother, Ed Parker; and a son, Johnny Bell.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Barbara Godwin of the Pineview Community; son, Gene (Simone) Godwin of Brewton; step-son, Jamie (Jessica) Barrow of Brewton; Step-daughter, Jeana Barrow of Flomaton; daughters, Luci Bell McKain of Dothan and Judy Johnson of Brewton; brother, Charles (Linda) Godwin of Atmore; sister, Evon Nowling of Jay; grandchildren, T.J. Godwin, Brittany Godwin, Mallory Owens, Avery Godwin; Step-grandchildren, Nikki Bogacz, Alexander Bogacz, Andrea Allen, Jassy Barrow, Travis James, Brayden James, and Melissa James; great-grandchildren, Cayden Owens, Payton Allen, Brody Allen; and a niece, Helen Emmons.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at 11 a.m. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Rev. James Peacock, Rev. Jerry Morris, and Mr. Charles Godwin officiating.
Interment will follow in Pineview Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Craver’s Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 17, 2013, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The family wishes to thank McMillan Home Health, Amedisys Home Health and Covenant Hospice for all of their support. And a special thanks to Amanda Ard for her loving care and diligent dedicated service to T.J.
Floral tributes are being accepted or donations may be made to Covenant Hospice.