Charlie Huelsbeck
March 5, 2013
Charlie Huelsbeck of Cantonment, went to his eternal rest Saturday, March 2, 2013. Charlie was best known for the decades that he operated the service station at the corner of Muscogee Road and Highway 29 with his father, Mr. Pete Huelsbeck.
Charlie spent his last days surrounded by the loving family who survive him, his wife, Teresa Peak Huelsbeck; in-laws, Legic and Mary Parker; daughters, Katie Huelsbeck and husband Peter Wong, Jenny Huelsbeck Hicks and husband Brad; and stepsons, Chris and Cody Burkett. Before his passing Charlie also had the great joy of spending his days at home with his grandchildren, JP and Lila Claire Wong.
Charlie is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. Pete and Jeanette Huelsbeck and his brother, Larry Wayne Huelsbeck. He will be buried with them in the family cemetery.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. with funeral services to follow at 11 a.m. at Faith Chapel North on Wednesday, March 6, 2013. Casual attire is encouraged. Burial will follow at the Huelsbeck/St. Jude Thaddeus Cemetery in Cantonment.
Pallbearers will be Cleveland Swift, Robbie Dubus, Billy Burt, Jerry Lovett, Brandon Eckhoff, and Scott Coyle.
The family wishes to thank Covenant Hospice, Dr. Samer Al-Shurieki and all the caregivers of West Florida Hospital who cared so tenderly for Charlie during his battle with cancer.
Gifts of flowers or donations to the Live Strong for Aaron Foundation (www.livestrongforaaron.org) are deeply appreciated by the family.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Volunteer Firefighters Undergo Hands On LifeFlight Training
March 5, 2013
Volunteer firefighters from three North Escambia fire stations participated in a LifeFlight training class Monday night at the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97. A LifeFlight crew gave the participants from the Walnut Hill, Molino and Cantonment fire stations a tour of the aircraft, plus instruction on how to handle emergencies involving the helicopter, how setup a landing zone and how patients are loaded.
Pictured top and inset: A LifeFlight training class Monday night at the Walnut Hill Fire Station. Picture below: Flight nurse Norman Lacsamana discusses patient care and loading. Pictured bottom: Firefighters from Walnut Hill, Molino and Cantonment took part in the class. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tommy Hiram McDonald
March 5, 2013
Tommy Hiram McDonald, age 84, of Molino, went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, March 3, 2013. He was born August 20, 1928, in Muscogee, FL. He was employed by St. Regis Paper Company where he served as plant superintendent. Mr. McDonald was a successful businessman, owning several local businesses, including McDonald Oil Company, McDonald Farmers Supply, and McDonald Tire Center. He was the livestock officer for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department for several years and a member of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Posse.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of nearly 64 years, Vermel McDonald; son, Gary McDonald, Sr. of Molino; daughter, Felicia Shields and husband, Jeremy of Starks, LA; daughter, Karen Ward and husband, Steve of Molino; five grandchildren, Rhesa Robinson, Gary McDonald, Jr. of Baton Rouge, LA, Hannah Shields and Tamara Shields of Starks, LA, and Emily Ward of Molino; three great-grandchildren, Haley Robinson, Haden Robinson, and Gavin McDonald of Baton Rouge, LA.
He loved God, his family, and his church, Atmore Apostolic Church, which he faithfully attended. Mr. McDonald enjoyed his horses, cattle, and farm. He never met a stranger and found the good in everyone. He was a practical joker and loved to make people laugh. He was a hardworking, loving, generous man that will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 6, 2013, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Faith Chapel North.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 7, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. at Calvary Apostolic Tabernacle, in Molino with Pastor Steve Ward and Rev. Jeremy Shields officiating. Interment will follow at United Pentecostal Church Cemetery in Molino.
Active pallbearers will be Tim Neihman, Louie Kemp, Raymond Stokes, Kenny Albritton, Gary McDonald, Jr., and Ben Robinson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Pittman, Gene Ward, & Hunter Richardson.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Bill Would Require Warrant For Cell Phone Searches
March 5, 2013
Police would need court approval to seize pictures, text messages or other material on cell phones or other personal electronic devices under a bill approved Monday by a Senate committee over the objection of police and prosecutors.
“It’s very important that we secure information that I believe is private,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jeff Brandes, citing the proliferation of personal information that now is stored on people’s cells and tablets.
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee approved the bill (SB 846) on a 5-2 vote, sending it next to the Judiciary Committee. It also needs approval from the Appropriations Committee before it can go to the floor. A House companion bill (HB 797) by Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, is awaiting its first committee hearing.
Currently, police can search the possessions – including the contents of a personal electronic device – of someone who is arrested. The bill would require a warrant except under certain circumstances, including scenarios related to national security and missing children.
The bill also would require police to get a court to sign off on informational tracking of an electronic device for investigative purposes.
Law enforcement officials noted that the question of search and seizure rules related to personal electronic devices are the subject of two cases pending before the Florida Supreme Court.
In Smallwood v. State, a cell phone search was upheld by the 1st District Court of Appeal, though it asked the state Supreme Court to weigh in. In Tracey v. State, the 4th District Court of Appeal ruled on real-time tracking of such devices, finding that people have no real expectation of privacy while driving around on the open road – but also acknowledged that the changing nature of technology for cell phone tracking begged for a higher court ruling on the issue.
The top lawyer at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said lawmakers should wait to avoid a situation where the new law might be at odds with a Supreme Court decision.
“We’ll be in a mess trying to figure out … what is the law,” said Michael Ramage, FDLE’s general counsel.
But Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, brushed off the idea of waiting for a court ruling. Courts, interpret the laws legislators write, he said.
“We are elected to make them,” said Brandes. “We’d be sending a strong message to all Floridians that this Legislature will stand up for the Fourth Amendment to the (U.S.) Constitution.”
Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, who was a prosecutor in the 1990s, and Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, a former sheriff, voted against the bill.
By David Royse, The News Service of Florida
Chiefs Set Two School Records In Baker Track Meet
March 5, 2013
Two school records were broken as the Northview High School track and field team took part in the first competition of the season at the Baker High School Track and Field Meet.
Azeen Grissett broke a 5-year old school record as he raced to a 57.99 second place finish in the 400 meters. Cameron Newsome leaped to a height of 5- feet 8- inches and broke a 3-year school record in the high jump.
Both the 4×800 meter relay team (Joshua Borelli, Ramsey Gafford, James Ates, Zachary Calloway), and the 4×100 meter relay team (Ty’Dre Bradley, Hunter Sherouse, Cameron Newsome, and Holden Moore) finished in third place. The throwers were led by freshman Austin Whitehead which hurled the shot put 33-feet, 11 inches.
Standout performances for the Chiefs were seen in the 100 meter race, where junior Holden Moore ran 11.78 seconds, Azeen Grissett in 12.25 seconds, Keondrae Lett in 12.46 and Ty’Dre Bradley in 13.68 seconds.
“I’m extremely proud to see two school records broken at the first track meet of the season,” said Aaron Thompson, head boys track coach. “I’m looking forward to the district championships next month, and having athletes qualify for the regional championships and compete in Jacksonville.”
On the girls side, Northview had a strong showing in the 100 meters by Hannah Fiellin, and Johna Carter. In the 100 meter hurdles, Tierra Floyd posted the fastest time for the Northview Chiefs as teammate Ashley Joiner finished right behind her. The Lady Chiefs captured a top 3 finish in the 4×800 meter relay, and also finished strong in the 4×100 meter relay which was anchored by Tierra Floyd.
The Northview Chiefs will compete next their next track meet of the season this afternoon at Jay High School.
Pictured top: Dy’Shun White competes in the 100 meter hurdles for the Chiefs. Pictured inset: Travell McWilliams in the high jump for Northview at a recent track and filed meet in Baker. Photos by Zach Johnson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Senate Panel Postpones Obamacare Talks
March 5, 2013
A Senate select committee that has been studying the Affordable Care Act postponed a meeting scheduled for Monday afternoon, saying it wants more time to get information about Medicaid and insurance issues. The postponement came at the end of a joint meeting with a House select committee that also has been studying the federal law, better known as Obamacare.
The Senate panel had been expected to discuss — and possibly make a recommendation — Monday afternoon about a controversial expansion of Medicaid eligibility.
Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said he expects to make a recommendation early during the legislative session, which starts Tuesday.
“It’s more important to get it right than to get it done quickly,” Negron said. During the joint meeting, the House and Senate select committees heard updated economic analyses of the Affordable Care Act by state economist Amy Baker.
By The News Service of Florida
Betty Annette Flowers Merrill Norris
March 5, 2013
Betty Annette Flowers Merrill Norris, 74, of Atmore, passed away March 1, 2013, at her residence. She was born in Atmore to the late Gay and Grace Elizabeth White Flowers. After graduating as a valedictorian of her class at Escambia County High School, she attended the Sacred Heart School of Nursing. It was in Pensacola that she met and married her first husband, a Navy pilot. They had two children together. After several years of living the Navy life and living in various places in the U.S. and overseas (including Hawaii and Japan), she returned to Atmore in 1972. She worked for many years as a nurse for Dr. C. P. St. Amant and later at the Atmore Health Department.
She is preceded in death by her parents; second husband, Bobby Norris; brother, Charles Winston Flowers and sister, Joyce Flowers Nall.
She is survived by her daughter, Vonna Merrill Read of Collierville, TN; son, John Michael Merrill of Rio Rancho, NM; sister, Evelyn McKinley Pipkin and husband Jim; brother, Clayton Flowers and wife, Janice, all of Atmore; grandchildren, Ethan Merrill Read, Jordan Lynn Merrill, Grace Marie Read and Carrie Marie Merrill.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at the Atmore First Assembly of God with Rev. Don Davis officiating. Burial was in Mothershed Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Chuck Flowers, Randy Mckinley, Jimmy Flowers, Scotty Flowers, Corey Flowers, and Hunter McKinley.
In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to National Lung Cancer Partnership.
Subway All-Star Basketball Game Is Friday
March 5, 2013
The Pensacola Sports Association has announce the rosters for the Subway High School All-Star Basketball Game Friday night, March 8 at Pensacola State College.
The game starts at 6 p.m. for the girls, 8 p.m. for the boys and will include seniors from Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties.
The coaching staff for the Boys West Team, which includes all Escambia County high schools, will be led by the head coach from Tate High School, Clyde Abney. Chris Godwin, the head coach for Pine Forest High School, will coach the Girls West Team. Coaches from the other county high schools will assist Abney and Godwin with their game plans. The East Girls from Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties, will be coached by Kenneth Hughes from Pace High School. The boys coach for the East team will be Ken Meisner from Crestview High School. Both coaches will be assisted by the other head coaches from the two-county area high schools.
Tickets to the game are $8 and $6 with a canned good donation. The PSA is teaming with Manna Food Bank for a canned good drive and encouraging everyone to help families by bringing a canned good item. D
Game Rosters Are as Follows (North Escambia schools in bold):
West Team Boys: David Weathers, Deron Moreno, Auston Powell, and Roderick Carmichael from Pensacola High, Joe Wachob from East Hill, Grover Brown Jr., Kevontarious Williams, and Javon Williams from Washington, Maquis Cathings from Escambia, Devin Miller from West Florida, Trent Hershberges from Pensacola Christian, Shamar Johnson, Charlie Wilson, Damarcus Glover, Damarion Boggan, and Zanavion Williams from Pine Forest, Dyshun White, and Laderious Franklin from Northview, and Travis Walton from Tate .
West Team Girls: Jereaka Ephfrom, and Kierra Williams from West Florida, Jayla King, Tia Sanders, Jasmine McCants, and Latonya Miller from Pine Forest, Ali O’Brien, Alex Loomis, and Jardae Ward from Tate, Chelsey Gibson, and D’Arcy Draper from Pensacola High, Tijuana Weatherspoon, and Kim Bethea from Escambia, Shaquanna Jones, and Morgan Payne from Northview, and Phaedra Harris from Catholic.
East Team Boys: Isaiah Jones, Demichael McQueen, and David Tober from Milton, Jonathan Buckelew, Clay Hancock, and Roman Domofro from Crestview, Jean Quinones, and Rasheed Williams from Navarre, Tommy Calloway from Laurel Hill, Michael Hawkins, and Dylan Williams from Choctawhatchee, Garrett Sanders from Baker, Nicholas Haynes, Connor Ellis, and Brandon Mosley from Niceville, Tyrone Culbreth, and McKinnely Stephens from Fort Walton Beach, Nick Bookout, and Randy Halpin from Gulf Breeze, and Brice Moore from Pace.
East Team Girls: Rachel Moorer, Mckenzie Ervin, Mckenzie Wheelus, and Mckenna Wyrosdick from Pace, Elizabeth Hoehn, Nanci Suarez, and Haydn Ilano from Gulf Breeze, Brittany Salter from Fort Walton Beach, Kerrie York, and Jasmine Horne from Crestview, Jessica Reyes, and Lydiah Brunet from Navarre, Cassidy Anderson, Bethany Chestnut, and Sarah Hudson from Baker, Lauren Day, and Caneisaya Matthews from Choctawhatchee, Dani Douglas, and Amanda Demma from Niceville, and Natalie Jernigan from Central.
Edna R. C. Cotton
March 5, 2013
Edna R. C. Cotton, age 91, of Chumuckla, FL passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2013.
Mrs. Cotton was born in Chumuckla, FL to the late Herbert and Julia (Scott) Campbell. She was a member of the Chumuckla Methodist Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Ruthard Cotton; 3 brothers; and 3 sisters.
“She circled her life around her family.”
Mrs. Cotton is survived by her children, Jeffrey (Mable) Cotton, Rita Gillman, Janice (Ernest) Jernigan, Ronnie (Twyla) Cotton, Gail (Billy) Golden and Greg (Susan) Cotton; 20 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren with one on the way; 6 great-great children; a special sister in law and best friend, Ann Cotton.
Pallbearers will be: Paul Gillman, Jeff and Jeremy Cotton, Tristan Ellison, Jonathan Johnson, Chase Lastinger, Bailey Ellison and Jarrett Rudy.
Honorary Pallbearers will be: All of her granddaughters, Ann Cotton, Winona Griswold, Anita Caraway, Niki Slay, Paula Sue Campbell, Ronnie Gyse, Katrina Finney, Chasity Reid, Vicki Whitfield and Donna Lee.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Chumuckla Community Church (Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Church) with Rev. Frederick Barrow, officiating. Burial will follow in the Elizabeth Chapel Community Cemetery.
Family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at the Lewis Funeral Home Pace Chapel.
Farm Hill Utilities Boil Water Notice Rescinded
March 4, 2013
The boil water notice issued last Thursday by Farm Hill Utilities after a water main break on Beulah Road has been rescinded after tests showed the water is safe to drink.
The notice was in effect for Farm Hill customers living on Beulah Road, River Annex Road, Timber Creek Drive and Peartree Drive in Cantonment.
For more information, call (850) 968-2573.