Cantonment Cold Case: 1981 Murder Remains Unsolved
January 2, 2014
It was 32 years ago on the afternoon of January 2, 1981, that 9-year old Kenneth Deshun Underwood and three companions went bird hunting in the woods near their Cantonment home. Everyone returned home that afternoon except for Underwood.
When Underwood was still not home around 6 p.m., Escambia County Search and Rescue personnel were called. The area were Underwood was last seen alive was canvassed. His body was discovered about 5:45 the next morning –apparently murdered — in an area near Booker Street.
The case remains unsolved, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help because they believe someone in our area still has information about Underwood’s death.
If you know anything about the death of Kenneth Deshun Underwood, 9, you are asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stopper at (850) 433-STOP (7867).
Pictured above: The fourth grade photo of murder victim Kenneth Deshun Underwood of Cantonment. Pictured below: The highlighted area in this map shows were the body was found. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Care Residents Welcome 2014
January 2, 2014
The residents of Century Care Center welcomed 2014 with a New Year’s Day party Wednesday afternoon. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Wraps Up Annual Citrus Sale, Awards Top Members
January 2, 2014
The Northview High School FFA recently completed their annual fruit sale fundraiser.
Selling the most fruit were:
1st Place — Haylee Weaver sold $691 worth of fruit
2nd Place — Bethany Reynolds sold $534 worth of fruit
3rd Place — Kaylee Foster sold $393 worth of fruit
Fruits available included red apples, grapefruit, navel oranges, tangelos and Hamlin oranges.
Pictured top: First place fruit salesperson Haylee Weaver and second place Bethany Reynolds. Not pictured: Third place winner Kaylee Foster. Pictured inset: Some of the hundreds of pounds of fruit the Northview FFA sold. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Maggie Lueverne Minchew
January 2, 2014
Maggie Lueverne Minchew, 85, of Cantonment, passed away Monday, December 30, 2013. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister. Maggie enjoyed her family and attending church.
Maggie is preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Nancy White and her husband, Dewey Minchew.
She is survived by her son, Bobby (Ella) Minchew; daughter, Ann (Ray) Dewrell; grandchildren, Kristy (Rich) Dodd, Bryan Minchew and Stacey Ault; great-grandchildren, Hunter Norris, Caleb Norris, Ashleigh Dodd and Austin Dodd; sister, Burnett Prim and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services were held Thursday, January 2, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. at Faith Chapel North, with Reverend Ron Nunn officiating.
Interment will take place at Eastern Gate Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Bryan Minchew, Richard Dodd, Hunter Norris, Caleb Norris, Austin Dodd and Robert Holt.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
2013 In Photos: May And June
January 2, 2014
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2013. Today, we are featuring photos from May and June.
Area law enforcement agencies held a June active shooter exercise in Flomaton High School.
Gov. Rick Scott signed Florida’s new texting while driving law.
One person was injured in this crash on Highway 29 near Morgan Cemetery Road in Molino.
Ernest Ward Middle School presented academic awards to hundreds of students.
The Northview High School Class of 2013 held their Baccalaureate Service at the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
Hundreds of people attended the 18th annual Heather Leonard Danceworks recital at Northview High School in May.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office recovered and returned stolen kart racing equipment belonging to a Molino teen.
An alleged burglar was shot at a home in Walnut Hill.
A high speed chase that began in Brewton, AL, ended with an unsuccessful manhunt in Century.
Northview split two Spring Jamboree games against two Alabama teams.
Fire destroyed this community transportation bus on Highway 29 in Molino. There were no injuries.
Firefighters from Nokomis, AL, joined the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue for joint training.
Two boys playing in a dirt pile at the edge of a Davisville cemetery discovered apparent human remains in early May.
Record crowds attended the annual Sawmill Day and Car Show in May.
The annual Relay for Life of Greater Escambia at Tate High School.
Northview High School presented Grease before a sold-out audience.
Rev. Ted Bridges of the Walnut Hill Baptist Church, on his knees, reading from his Bible during a National Day of Prayer event.
LCDR John Hiltz, pilot of the No. 2 Blue Angels plane, gets a little help with a story that pointed out humans have arms, not wings, during story time at the Molino Branch Library.
Fire damaged the Hadji Shrine Temple on Nine Mile Road in late June.
A stolen BMW was found torched alongside Barrineau Park Road near Molino.
Hundreds of people turned out to honor Army Staff Sgt. Jesse Thomas, 31, who was killed June 10 while serving in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Work started in June on the demolition of a portion of Ernest Ward Middle School for the construction of the new school.
NEP won the Gospel Projects 2013 Tee Ball World Series in June.
A June North Escambia sunset.
A driver slammed his pickup into a Cantonment business. The driver was not seriously injured.
Kids get hands on with a large snake during a program at the Century Branch Library.
Alabama and Florida firefighters held joint “get out alive” training in Atmore.
Flooding closed Highway 29 in Cantonment for about nine hours.
Gov. Rick Scott signs the “Infants Born Alive” bill at the Florida Baptist Children’s Home in Cantonment.
A graduation program was held for eighth graders at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Florida’s first quintuplets, the Bakers, graduated from Tate High School. Pictured (L-R) Ian Kirk, Marcus Wade, Elizabeth Jane, Tristan Miller and Evan Whitson — with mom Mona Baker at Tate High School’s graduation.
Jazzlyn Franklin of Walnut Hill was named the Northview High Class of 2013 valedictorian.
Shannon “Shane” Monroe Williams
January 2, 2014
Shannon “Shane” Monroe Williams, 39, of Jay, was reunited with his Daddy in heaven on Sunday, December 29, 2013. Shane was born on October 1, 1974 to Morgan and Elizabeth Williams. He worked as a contract mechanic in the oil industry.
Shane was preceded in death by his dad, Morgan Williams; and his grandparents, George and Ola Palmer of Century and James and Lillian Williams of Jay.
Shane is survived by the love of his life and soul mate of 18 years, Holly Williams; three beautiful children that he loved more than anything, Coltin, Hunter, and Courtney Williams; mother, Elizabeth Williams; two very special uncles, George “Dinky” Palmer Jr. and Arnie (Pat) Williams; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Kevin and Cheri Walker; two brothers, Monty Williams and William “Ashley” Collins; four sisters, Debrah (Art) Dales, Tammy (Ray) Holland, Tracy Lassiter, and Jennifer (Ken) Ashworth; brother-in-law, Casey Longver; aunts, Nancy Neal and Mammie Joe Smith, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Shane and Holly had a true love that only few will ever know. They loved each other through the good and the bad and never gave up on each other. Coltin, Hunter and Courtney were the light of his life. He was so proud of them. He’d light up when he talked about them. Coltin, his ball player graduated, Hunter, his master hunter, killed a big ole deer, and Courtney, his princess, that he could never say no to. He was a great son and brother always there when you needed him. He was always trying to fix things and make it better. Shane was fun loving and outgoing. He’d try anything once, twice if he didn’t get caught the first time and even a third time if it was worth the punishment. He loved to hunt, fish, going to the creek, relaxing in his recliner. Shane also loved to talk. He never met a stranger. He was always there to help when someone had a need. Everyone has a special memory of Shane. The time he set the bed on fire when he was five, the times him and Holly took someone in because they had nowhere else to go, going to the kids games, the kids birthday party, the adventure in the Wal-mart parking lot when Shane and Holly first started dating, memories from high school, bringing in the New Year with family and friends. Cherish each memory and remember all the good times.
Visitation will be Friday, January 3, 2014, at Jay Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Services will be on Saturday, January 4, 2014, at Jay Funeral Home at 1 p.m. with Brother Mike Hutto officiating services.
Shane will be laid to rest at the Golden Memorial Cemetery in Dixonville.
Active pallbearers will be Eric Wiggins, Jamal Campbell, Chucky Wolfe, Brandon Dannelly, Austin Reid, Brent Emmons, Timothy Dales and Jayden Dales.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Hit And Run Driver Kills Pedestrian Overnight
January 1, 2014
The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a hit and run driver that left a person dead early Wednesday morning.
About 2:25 a.m., an unknown model red Dodge pickup was traveling east on Jackson Street near Wiggins Avenue when it struck a bicycle. The bicyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene. The identity of the bicyclist is not yet known by the FHP.
The pickup was involved in a second hit and run crash and was last seen traveling north on W. Street.
The truck is believed to have extensive front end damage. Anyone with information is asked to call Cpl. M Collins at (850) 471-6924 or dial *FHP.
Escambia County’s Gas Tax Jumps Four Cents For ECAT
January 1, 2014
A new four-cent tax went into effect Wednesday in Escambia County for mass transit. The Escambia County Commission and the City of Pensacola entered into an interlocal agreement on the tax to fund ECAT. And, despite the Town of Century’s refusal to go along with the increase, the higher gas tax will be collected in the town for ECAT.
Century refused sign off on an interlocal agreement with Escambia County to allocate additional gas taxes collected in Century to the county for mass transit. Town officials contended the new tax is unfair to North Escambia residents and may force the three gas stations in Century to close as drivers purchase lower priced gasoline across the state line in Flomaton.
But regardless of Century’s refusal to support the tax, they simply were not allowed opt-out of the tax altogether. The local option fuel tax statute provides that the most populous municipality within the county speaks for all the municipalities in the county on the issue.
The Century Town Council wanted the Florida Legislature to consider exempting the town from the tax, but the proposal never made it to a meeting of the Escambia County State Legislative Delegation. Because Florida law won’t allow the Legislature to consider such an exemption.
New Year’s Eve Armed Robbery In Flomaton
January 1, 2014
A New Year’s Eve armed robbery is under investigation.
About 5:15 p.m., an armed bandit walked into the Cash 2 Go store on Sidney Manning Boulevard (Highway 29) in Flomaton and demanded cash at gunpoint from a store employee, according to Flomaton Police Chief Brian Davis. The suspect, described as a possible black male about six feet tall, then fled the store on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. There were no injuries reported.
An unsuccessful manhunt followed with officers from the Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office and K-9 units from Fountain Prison in Atmore, the Escambia County (FL) Road Prison and Century Correctional Institution.
The suspect was wearing a ski mask with mouth and eye holes, a white and blue plaid shirt and a dark colored jacket.
“We are looking for tips from anyone that may have seen someone matching the suspect’s description at the Cash 2 Go or any of the surrounding businesses like Dollar General or Hardee’s before the robbery,” Davis said.
Anyone with information should contact the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 or their local law enforcement agency.
Man Shot During Robbery, Home Invasion
January 1, 2014
An Atmore man was shot during a home invasion and robbery.
Atmore Police said Tuesday that they responded to the 100 block of Brown Street about 7:05 p.m. Monday to find that the victim had been transported by private vehicle to Atmore Community Hospital.
The victim, 32-year old Ronta Watson, told police that a male in his late 20’s came to his front door requesting assistance and jumper cables for a disabled vehicle. Watson did not have jumper cables, but allowed the man to use his cell phone to call for help. After the suspect returned the phone, he fired a single round striking Watson in the leg.
Watson told police that the suspect and a second male entered his home and demanded money. After Watson complied, he was escorted out of the home where he escaped and sought help from a passing motorist.
Police said Watson’s family was present during the robbery but there were no other injuries.
Watson described the first male suspect as a black male, average build, wearing dark colored clothing. The second suspect was also a black male, average build but with lighter skin color and wearing dark clothing.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.