State Officially Announces Grant For Century Playground
November 7, 2014
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection official announced 51 grants Thursday in 26 counties for outdoor recreational purposes.
The only grant in the Pensacola area was a $50,000 for playground equipment at Showalter Park in Century.
As NorthEscambia.com reported last month, the Town of Century has already ordered a new playground set for Showalter Park from bidder J.A. Dawson & Co., as recommended by the Century Recreation Committee.
The labor to demolish the existing playground and install the new equipment will be provided by the town, saving grant dollars and allowing for the purchase of more equipment.
The town is also applying for a Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant to install a splash pad at Showalter Park.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Conference Promotes Agritourism, Ecotourism
November 7, 2014
The three-day 2014 Gulf Coast Agritourism & Ecotourism Business Development Conference was held this week in Santa Rosa County.
The conference included informative sessions, hands-on activities and an opportunity to explore local agritourism and ecotourism businesses. The event provided information geared not only to existing companies, to also for new business startups.
Ben Parks from the Florida Agritourism Association said people need to think outside the box to share farm fun, while Dr. Taylor Stein, UF.IFAS ecotourism specialist, encouraged support for sustainable ecotourism development.
The event was sponsored by IFAS Extension in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and Naturally Escarosa.
Pictured top: The group visited Holland Farms near Jay, where they learned about peanuts from Bruce Holland. Pictured inset: Dr. Taylor Stein, UF.IFAS ecotourism specialist, encouraged support for sustainable ecotourism development during the conference. Pictured below: Extensions agents pose with one of Gene Gabbert’s old FarmAll tractors at his Jay Museum, centerpiece of the annual Jay Peanut Festival. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Shirley Diane Rushing
November 7, 2014
Shirley Diane Rushing, 63 of Atmore, passed away on November 5, 2014, surrounded by her family. She was born on February 11, 1951, in Atmore, to Doris and Marshall Hall. She was a realtor and broker for 35 years in Alabama and Florida.
Her father and mother, Marshall and Doris Hall; and sister, Lanell Cook preceded her in death.
Mrs. Rushing is survived by her husband, Rev Johnny Rushing; a special nephew, Tommy Young (Lela); and grand-niece Ciana; four step-children, John Rushing, Jamie Rushing, Tammy Filasila (Waylon) and Sherry Capps (Jeremy); two grandchildren, Carson and Ava; two brothers, Colvin Murph (Faye) of Bay Minette and Rodney Hall of Mobile; six sisters, Carolyn Dees of Robertsdale, Nancy Roach (DC) of Davisville, Bettye Hodges (Ken) of Pensacola, Sarah Ward (Mike) of Mobile, Rita Whatley of Atmore, Becky Holloway (James) of Odessa TX; and many other nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore on November 8, 2014. Pastor Thurl Pearson will officiate. Family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until services begin at 11 a.m.
Interment will be at McCullough Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Herbert C. Guy
November 7, 2014
Herbert C. Guy, 85 of Robinsonville, passed away Thursday, November 6, 2014, at his residence. He was retired from International Paper Corp as a machine operator. He was born in Clark County, AL on April 9, 1929, to the later Eli Carlton and Minnie Gates Guy. He served in the U.S. Army in the Koran war. He was a member of Canoe Methodist Church.
He is preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters.
Survivors are his wife, Annie Lambert Guy; three sons, Carlies Daniel (Brenda) Guy, Thomas (Melanie) Guy, and Richard Neal (Kristie) Guy all of Robinsonville; one daughter, Peggy (Freddy) Lambeth of Robinsonville; one brother, Bill (Earline) Guy of Birmingham; eight grandchildren, Jason (Melanie) Guy, Traveis (Georgia) Guy, Natalie (Mark) Rodgers, Brittiany (Josh) Odom, Tyler (Shay) Guy, Aaron Guy, Dee Guy, and Michael Lambeth; eight great-grandchildren, Bailey, Gavin, Payton, Noah, Lorelie, Max, Klayton, and Blaklyn.
Services will be Saturday, November 8, 2014, at 2:30 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. William Armstrong officiating.
Interment will follow Canoe Methodist Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be grandchildren.
Family will receive friends on Saturday, November 8, 2014, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 1:30 p.m. until service time at 2:30 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Robert Allen Raughton
November 7, 2014
Robert Allen Raughton, 78, passed away peacefully November 5, 2014, surrounded by family members and loved ones. After serving in the United States Army, Allen worked as a master craftsman, and retired from NAS Pensacola as a supervisor after decades of service to country to include service to country in Asia.
Allen was born to Amelia Rita Bowers and Joseph Allen Raughton in 1936.
He has temporarily departed from his wife of 56 years, Ellen Raughton. His children, Zina Raughton Smith, and Gregg Allen Raughton along with their respective spouses, Jay Smith and Kathleen Johnson Raughton grieve his passing.
Allen’s siblings include, Jean Lambert, Frank Raughton, Marie De La Cruz, Patricia Hernandez, Mary Martin, Richard Raughton, James Raughton, Elizabeth Foster, Sally Casey, Rita Wilson, and Sam Raughton; grandchildren, Jason Montgomery, Kevin Raughton and his wife Whitney, Lauren Smith, Kaylee Smith, Kristi Raughton; great-granddaughter, Landyn Raughton mourn Allen’s passing as well. Many uncles, aunts, cousins, and scores of others are members of the Raughton family tree with many, many relatives.
A life filled with joy, Allen enjoyed worshipping with family and church family; a thirst for the Word and presence of God in his life; hunting; fishing; working; and being around friends. Allen participated in life, rather than being spectator.
Often, Allen would speak of his most precious earthly asset as his family. His affinity for family is, and was, returned to him by family and friends alike. He blessed so many during his scores of a life well lived.
Allen was a member of American Legion, Blue Lodge, and Hadji Shriners; while both Ellen and Allen worked with Rainbow girls and Order of the Eastern Star. Once committed, never was there a question of loyalty and goal relative achievements for all endeavors.
Pallbearers are Jason Montgomery, Nathan Garnto, Kevin Raughton, Brian Lambert, Chris Hensen, and Mark Watson.
Services were held Friday, November 7, 2014, at First United Methodist Church in Pace.
Pastors Brandon Dasinger, John Webb, Kevin Holland officiated.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Assistant Escambia County Administrator Larry Newsom Resigns
November 6, 2014
Escambia County Assistant County Administrator Larry Newsom has resigned, according to county officials.
Newsom tendered his resignation “in order to pursue other opportunities,” county spokesman Bill Pearson said. Amy Lovoy, the county’s Management and Budget Services department director, has been named as the county’s interim assistant county administrator.
During his tenure at Escambia County, Newsom served as interim county administrator in 2010 after the non-renewal of Bob McLaughlin’s county, after the firing of Administrator Randy Oliver in 2012, and beginning in December 2013 until the resignation and then passing of George Touart until current Administrator Jack Brown was hired in April 2014.
When not serving in an administrator position, Newsom worked as the manger of the Transportation and Traffic Division.
Pictured top: Larry Newsom (left) speaks during a public forum in Molino as District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry (right) listens. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Woman Charged With Stealing $4,000 Pet Store Puppy
November 6, 2014
A woman has been arrested in connection with a stolen dog — a $4,000 stolen dog — taken from a local pet store late last month.
Christine R. Frasure, 33, was charged with grand theft.
The French bulldog was located Thursday morning after police received an anonymous time via CrimeStoppers. She was spotted with the dog by two Pensacola Police detectives and taken into custody. The dog, according to police, was in good condition and was returned to Petland.
Back on October 28, the woman asked to see the dog at Petland. The employee then brought the dog to a petting room and handed it to the suspect. After a couple of minutes, the employee left the pet enclosure to go to another part of the store Once he returned, he realized the suspect and three-month old puppy were gone.
Jacks Branch Road Wreck Claims Life Of Cantonment Man
November 6, 2014
An Cantonment man passed away Thursday morning from injuries he received in a single vehicle accident.
Robert Elanson Walker, 73, was southbound on Jacks Branch Board near River Annex Road about 9 a.m. when he crossed over the center line, ran off the road and struck a utility pole. He was airlifted to West Florida Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries he received in the crash, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Carjacking, Sexual Assault Suspect Enters Not Guilty Plea
November 6, 2014
A Cantonment carjacking and sexual assault suspect has entered a plea of not guilty in Escambia County Circuit Court.
Eddie Lee Atkins, age 27 of 622 Muscogee Road, was charged with attempted sexual assault with force and carjacking without a firearm or weapon for two separate incidents on September 18. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said DNS evidence linked Atkins to both crimes.
At approximately 8:15 a.m. on September 18, a carjacking was reported at the Raceway gas station at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road. The 55-year old victim went inside the store to make a purchase and pay for gasoline. After she pumped her gas, she found that Atkins had allegedly entered her unlocked vehicle and concealed himself in the backseat. The victim did not see Atkins and drove away from the store with him in the vehicle.
Atkins reportedly confronted the victim once the vehicle was moving. He told her that he had a knife and to keep driving or he would “stick” her. She drove around randomly and eventually drove to a neighbor’s residence. Once there she honked the car’s horn in distress to get someone’s attention. Atkins then punched her in the face and pushed her from the vehicle, according to investigators.
Atkins then left in the car, heading back towards Highway 29, deputies said. The victim was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Shortly afterward, the vehicle was located on Pine Street.
A little more than 15 minutes later, the attempted sexual battery of a female jogger was reported on Rocky Avenue. The victim reported that as she was jogging when an unknown black male suspect grabbed her from behind and dragged her into awooded area. Once there he struck her in the face and attempted to remove her clothing but the victim fought back and was able to escape.
Both women were able to identify Atkins from a photo lineup, according to arrest reports.
Atkins remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond. According to official records, Atkins has a criminal history that includes five felony and four misdemeanor convictions, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, robbery with a firearm, possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon, larceny, aggravated assault and possession of marijuana.
Driver Three Times Over Legal Limit Charged With DUI Manslaughter
November 6, 2014
An Escambia County man has been charged with DUI manslaughter for a blood alcohol level over three times the legal limit during a wreck that killed a woman.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 26-year old Michael Brian Nielson ran a light on Airport Boulevard at 11:30 a.m. on Airport Boulevard at I-110 on July 31. His 2007 Nissan Sentra collided with a Honda Accord drive by 55-year Maria Victoria Fontainilla of Pensacola. A passenger in that vehicle, 77-year old Ofelia Gonzalez Johnson passed away from her injuries on August 26.
The FHP said Nielson had a blood alcohol level of .283 at the time of the crash. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.