Century Council Workshop Meeting To Discuss Economic Development Plan
December 17, 2014
The Century Town Council has scheduled a special workshop meeting for this Thursday, December 18 at 3 p.m.
During the meeting, town council members and the mayor will meet with Brick Harris, co-director of the University of West Florida’s Haas Center to discuss implementation of the town’s economic development plan.
The Haas Center recently developed Century’s economic development strategic plan, funding by a $25,000 grant.
State Attorney: Deputy Justified In April Shooting
December 17, 2014
The shooting of a Pensacola man by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy last April has been ruled justified, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
During the early morning hours of April 14, deputies responded to the 3000 block of Bent Oak Road in reference to suicidal threats. Thomas Eugene Fillingim, had been reported earlier as missing, armed and suicidal late the night before had returned to the home.
When deputies arrived on scene Fillingim was in possession of a knife and had cut his own throat from ear to ear. Fillingim, armed with a knife, lunged at Deputy Albert Kalber who discharged his service weapon in self defense.
“Due to the circumstances faced at that moment in time, Deputy Kalber was justified in the use of deadly force at the time he shot Thomas Fillingim,” Assistant State Attorney Coleman Robinson concluded in his report.
Wildfire Danger Remains High
December 17, 2014
Officials with the Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center – serving Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties – are warning residents of the local wildfire danger level.
Dry weather has led to an increase in local wildfires, with the Florida Forest Service responding to at least a dozen fires in the past week. Until substantial precipitation is received, officials said the potential for fire ignition and spread will remain high.
With the increase in wildfires comes an increase in the likelihood drivers could encounter smoke on the road. Here are some tips:
DRIVE WITH LIGHTS on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more. Your lights help other drivers see your vehicle, so be sure they all work. Keep your windshield and headlights clean, to reduce the glare and increase visibility.
SLOW DOWN – and watch your speedometer – before you enter a patch of fog. Be sure that you can stop within the distance that you can see. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding. Speed is a major factor in fog-related crashes.
WATCH OUT for slow-moving and parked vehicles. Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open your window a little, to hear better.
REDUCE THE DISTRACTIONS in your vehicle. Turn off the radio and cell phone. Your full attention is required.
USE WIPERS AND DEFROSTERS liberally for maximum visibility. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if poor visibility is due to fog or moisture on the windshield.
USE THE RIGHT EDGE of the road or painted road markings as a guide.
BE PATIENT. Avoid passing and/or changing lanes.
SIGNAL TURNS well in advance and brake early as you approach a stop.
DO NOT STOP on a freeway or heavily traveled road. You could become the first link in a chain-reaction collision. If you must pull off the road, signal (people tend to follow tail lights when driving in fog), then carefully pull off as far as possible. After pulling off the road, turn on your hazard flashers (hazard lights should only be used when you pull over to show that you are parked on the side of the road). Move away from the vehicle.
Byrneville Students In Grades 3-5 Present Christmas Musical (With Gallery)
December 17, 2014
Byrneville Elementary School students in grades 3-5 presented their Christmas program – “Twinkle & Shine! A Musical That Celebrates the Light at the Top of the Tree” – Tuesday night at Northview High School.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For story and photos from Monday night’s grade K-2 performance, click here.
Photo by Raja Atallah for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Health Department Lifts Mosquito Borne Illness Alert
December 17, 2014
A mosquito-borne illness alert that was issued back in August for Escambia County has been lifted, the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County announced Tuesday.
Although mosquito-borne illnesses are less common in the winter months, the health department still urges local residents to “Drain and Cover” to protect against being bitten by mosquitoes:
Drain standing water.
- Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected. Water held in open containers in your house is also a potential breeding location for mosquitoes.
- Discard old tires, bottles, pots, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.
- Empty and clean birdbaths and pets’ water bowls at least twice a week.
- When protecting boats and vehicles from rain, ensure that tarps don’t accumulate water.
- Maintain swimming pools in good condition and keep them adequately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
Cover skin with clothing or repellent and cover doors and windows.
- Clothing – Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
- Use repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535.
- Always use repellents according to the label. Using too much repellent doesn’t make it work better or last longer.
- Re-apply mosquito repellent as often as needed to prevent mosquito landings and bites.
- When using repellent on children, apply to your hands first and then rub on their arms and legs.
- Instead of repellent, use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
- Place screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios. Always repair broken screens.
For more information contact the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County at (850) 595-6700 or visit www.EscambiaHealth.com.
HS Basketball: Northview Beats Jay
December 17, 2014
Northview 62, Jay 42
The Northview Chiefs beat jay 62-42 in a district game Tuesday night in Jay.
Eric Williams led the Chiefs with 29, while the Royals were led by Eric Travino with 15.
Northview 65, Jay 21 – JV
In junior varsity action, Northview beat Jay 65-21 Tuesday.
Northview will head north to Atmore Friday to take on Escambia County High School. The junior varsity games tips off at 4:30, followed by the varsity at 6:00. The Royals will host the Jay High School Christmas tournament starting on Thursday.
James L. Forte
December 17, 2014
Mr. James L. Forte, 78, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, in Atmore.
Mr. Forte was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore. Mr. Forte was a Veteran of the US Air Force and was a former Commander of the American Legion Post 90 of Atmore. He was a member of the Brooks Memorial Baptist Church for 19 years.
Survivors include his wife, Ernestine Rowell Forte; sons, Roger Forte, Mark (Tina) Digmon and Mike (Beverly) Digmon; grandchildren, Amber (Saul) Duhe, Holly (Cody) Roberson, Kelly Digmon, Ashley Digmon and Morgan Digmon; and three great-granddaughters, Taylor Duhe, Jordan Duhe and Gemma Roberson.
Funeral services will be Thursday, December 18, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Herd, Rev. Nathan Brown and Rev. Diane Everett officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, December 18, 2014, from 9 a.m. until service time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Ricky Davis, Jeremiah Daugett, Cody Roberson, Justin Lisenby, Holden McCaskill, Josh Rodgers and James Carver.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Grady Keith Glover
December 17, 2014
Grady Keith Glover, age 53 of Jay, passed away on December 15, 2014. He was a loving son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to many and will be dearly missed. He was self-employed and enjoyed working on cars, doing paint and body work, spending time with his grandkids and his morning trips for coffee to J&J.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Simmie and Ola Fuller of Jay and Leonard and Ethel Glover of Century.
He is survived by his father and mother, Clark and Marie Glover of Jay; sons, Darrel (Lindsay) Glover and Nicholas (Tammy) Glover of Jay; brother, Larry (Robbi) Glover of Jay; seven grandchildren, Ocean, Bentley, Bailey, Hunter, Kinslee, Grady and Eden; girlfriend, Lisa Flowers and her children Timmy and Jasper; two nieces, numerous family and friends and his faithful companion Shadow.
A visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2014, at the Jay Funeral Home.
Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. with Brother Doug Hogg officiating.
Burial will follow at Jay Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Nicholas Glover, Tony Coffield, Steve Brown, Mike Brown, Jerry Lynn Lacy, and Ricky Nelson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Melvin Johnson, Tony Williamson and James “Doc” Griffin.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ronald Wilbert Ledkins
December 17, 2014
Ronald Wilbert Ledkins, 81 of Perdido, passed away Monday, December 15, 2014, at his residence. He was retired from the State of Alabama as a maintenance tech. He was born in Bratt on May 8, 1933, to the late Edward T. and Ethel Nichols Ledkins.
He is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Britt Ledkins, Alvis Ledkins, Cecil Ledkins,Louie Ledkins and Frankie Ledkins, A.G. Ledkins, Aaron Ledkins, Myrtle Godwin, Mable Jeter and Anna May Roley.
Survivors include four sons, George Edward Ledkins, of Atlanta, Ronald Eugene Ledkins and Michael Keith Ledkins both of Perdido and Bobby Darrell Ledkins of Lottie; two daughters, Cynthia “Cindy” Couch of Atlanta and Cathy Lynn Booker of Mobile; and his grandchildren.
Services will be Friday, December 19, 2014, at 2 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Grindle officiating.
Interment will follow in Godwin Cemetery.
Family will receive friends on Friday, December 19, 2014, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 1 p.m. until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc, is in charge of all arrangements.
Odie G. Bell
December 17, 2014
Odie G. Bell went to be with the Lord on December 16, 2014, with his family by his side. He and his twin brother, Omer Clayton Bell, were born on April 18, 1922, in Octavia, Oklahoma.
He was predeceased in death by his father, Edgar Houston Bell, and his mother, Willie Mathus Bell, six brothers and one sister.
He is survived by his daughters, Belinda (Johnny) Whitfield, Deborah (Louie) Kemp, Theresa Baker and Elaine (Jeff) Seay; son, Michael Bell; and step-son, Davon Bell; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson.
Odie was a WWII Navy pilot and after his military service, he and his twin brother, Omer, started their own crop dusting business in Texas. In 1954, Odie later went on to establish the Bell Flying Service at the Pensacola Municipal Airport and was both owner and manager until 1963. In 1963 he moved to Enterprise, Alabama, and became a civilian helicopter flight instructor at Fort Rucker, Alabama, until his retirement after 30 years. He and his twin brother, Omer, were fortunate to have participated in the first Honor Flight from Pensacola to Washington, DC, honoring WWII veterans.
He was a passionate and adventurous individual who loved his family, flying, hunting, college football and lived life to its fullest. He never met a stranger and loved to reminisce about his many past adventures. He will be deeply missed and warmly remembered by all those blessed to have known him.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2014, at 10 a.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Funeral services will immediately follow at 11 a.m. with Chaplain Mark Smith officiating.
Graveside services will be held at Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church in Molino.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Whitfield, Louie Kemp, Bubba Peters, Michael Jones, Darren Williams and Houston Wright.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at The Terrace at Ivy Acres in Jay and Emerald Coast Hospice for all their compassionate and loving care for him and his family during his illness.
In lieu of flowers the family would like to request that donations may be made to The Terrace at Ivey Acres, 3964 Florida Avenue, Jay, Florida 32565.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.