Learn More About Neighborhood Watch, ECUA
January 27, 2014
Area residents can learn more about neighborhood watch programs and the services offered by Emerald Coast Utilities Authority during a meeting tonight in Molino.
The Mid-County Neighborhood Watch will meet at 6:30 p.m at the Molino Community Center. The guest speaker will be Jim Roberts, a public information officer for ECUA.
For more information about neighborhood watch programs in Escambia County, contact David Craig in the Community Services Unit of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9281 or at gcraig@escambiaso.com.
Michael Lee Barberi
January 27, 2014
Michael Lee Barberi passed away Friday, January 24, 2014. He was born in Albany, Georgia, on February 7, 1964. Michael Barberi was so many amazing things: a devoted husband, a loving father, a faithful son, a loyal brother, a thoughtful uncle and a phenomenal grandfather. Michael proudly served active duty in the U.S. Air Force and continued his service as a StaffSergeant in the Reserves. He then worked for Winn-Dixie as a refrigeration expert for15 years in the Atlanta, GA, area. Michael returned to Pensacola in 2005 to work in his father’s family business, Barberi Heating & Air, and he became president and owner in 2008. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed spending time in the woods.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Barberi and children, Laura, Amanda and Jillian; stepchildren, Kayla, Brian, Susan and Brandy; step-grandchildren, Zane, Chase and Paisley. Michael is also survived by his father and stepmother, Michael W. and Beverly Barberi; mother and stepfather, Susan and Gene Gurley; three brothers and three sisters, David (Pam) Barberi, Sherri (Charlotte Starkey) Barberi, Suzy (David) Godwin, Christopher (Helen) Barberi, June (Russ) Burchfield, and Stephen (Nicole) Gurley.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. at the Escambia Education Association building, 6551 N. Palafox, Street, Pensacola.
According to his wishes, Michael will be cremated.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that a donation be made to your favorite charity in Michael’s name.
Family-Funeral & Cremation is handling arrangements.
Arrest Made In Series Of Century Business Burglaries
January 26, 2014
A man is now behind bars charged with a series of business burglaries in Century.
Jason Allen Bodiford, 35, is facing multiple charges, included burglary, larceny, criminal mischief property damage and illegal use of a credit card. Bodiford, who told officials he is homeless, is being held in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $44,000.
He reportedly admitted to investigators that he burglarized Century Marine, Rhonda’s Hair Salon, the Happy Star Chinese Restaurant and the Century Flower Shop. Business owners reported that Bodiford had visited their places of business prior to the burglaries asking for money.
He also allegedly burglarized a car on Hecker Road in Century and stole a credit card that was later used to purchase food at Burger King in Century.
Bodiford was originally arrested December 30 at a motel in Atmore and booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on a failure to appear charge on traffic tickets in Alabama. He was extradited to Florida on Friday to face the burglary charges.
Molino Museum Opens (With Photo Tour)
January 26, 2014
A grand opening was held Saturday morning for the new Molino Museum inside the Molino Community Complex.
The museum features a variety of displays depicting life in Molino, local education, the railroad, logging and other items from Molino’s rich history. There’s also a display devoted to Baseball Hall of Fame member and Tate High graduate Don Sutton.
For a pictorial tour of the museum, click here.
Saturday afternoon, Lil King, president of the Molino Mid-County Historical Society, hosted a presentation on “The History of Molino” followed by a special museum tour.
With its location just 25 miles north of Pensacola, the Molino area, including the old town of Molino, played a vital role in the area’s settlement and development. From its start as a Spanish mission in the 1700s, an important mill town during the Industrial Revolution and into the modern era, Molino’s history is the story of life in rural Florida and how it has changed over the years.
The Molino Community Complex — the former Molino School — is located at 6450 Highway 95A. For more information, call (850) 587-5011. The museum is open 10 am. until 4 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Friday-Saturday. It is closed on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Eat Out Thursday Night, Help The NHS Band
January 26, 2014
Mark your calendar to eat out Thursday night and help the Northview High School Tribal Beat Band.
Whataburger in Century will donate 20 percent of their sales from 5-8 p.m. Thursday to the band. There will also be games and a drawing for a free Whataburger each week for an entire year.
Davis Highway Resurfacing To Begin
January 26, 2014
A $1.6 million project to resurface a portion of Davis Highway is getting underway. Crews will begin installing signs and performing preliminary construction activities this week along the 1.8 mile section between University Parkway and U.S. 90.
Improvements under this contract consists of resurfacing the roadway from north of University Parkway to U.S. 90, constructing sidewalk and ramp improvements, minor drainage upgrades, signalization and guardrail improvements, and placing new signs and pavement markings within the project limits.
Planned improvements requiring lane restrictions will take place at night between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. There will be no lane closures allowed during daytime peak traffic hours. Access to homes and businesses will be maintained at all times. Vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic are reminded to use caution when traveling through the work area.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Stamp Prices Rise
January 26, 2014
The cost of mailing a letter has increased, including a jump from 46 to 49 cents for a first class letter.
New U.S. Postal Service pricing, effective today, includes:
- Letters (1 oz.) — 3-cent increase to 49 cents
- Letters additional ounces — 1-cent increase to 21 cents
- Letters to all international destinations (1 oz.) — $1.15
- Postcards — 1-cent increase to 34 cents
Forever stamps are good for first-class postage whatever the current or future rate.
The price increases are forecast to generate $2 billion in incremental annual revenue for the Postal Service.
Fire Destroys Barn
January 26, 2014
Fire destroyed a large free-standing barn Saturday night near McDavid.
The barn, located behind a residence in the 4500 block of Crary Road, was fully involved in fire when the first firefighters arrived on scene about 9:45 p.m. There were no injuries reported.
The McDavid, Century and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Scott Proposes $33 Million Cut In Corporate Fees, Fines
January 26, 2014
Gov. Rick Scott released another component of his election-year proposal to cut taxes and fees by $500 million, this time by seeking to slash $33 million in corporate filing fees and penalties.
Scott’s office issued a press release announcing the latest of his tax and fee cut proposals late Friday, but details of the proposal weren’t immediately available.
The plan would reduce “approximately 50 different corporate filing fees and reduces the penalties associated with late filings taking into account the number of months the filing is late,” according to the release.
The tax break appears to be another dig against Scott’s presumed Democratic opponent, Charlie Crist. In 2010, then-Republican governor Crist and the GOP-controlled Legislature repealed a law that allowed corporations to get a waiver from the Division of Corporations for $400 late fees. The elimination of the late fee waiver, a recommendation of business-backed Florida TaxWatch, was one of a variety of methods Crist and lawmakers employed to plug a budget hole during the state’s economic downturn.
Scott also wants to roll back vehicle registration fees hiked by Crist and the Legislature in 2009. Lawmakers will consider Scott’s proposed tax and fee cuts during the upcoming legislative session.
William Joseph Johnson
January 26, 2014
William Joseph Johnson went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 23, 2014.
William, whom his family and friends called Bill was born on April 27, 1928.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents William and Mamie Chavers Johnson, his brother Junior Johnson and sister Ruby Griffis. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Gladys Johnson, his stepdaughters Dianne Bryant, Sharon Giraud, and stepson David Shirey; His grandchildren, Jamie Cleckley, Julia Manning, Tori Toms, and Trevor Toms; His great grandchildren, Ashlyn Fuller and William “Billy” Mann. Bill is also survived by his siblings Marie Carnley, Louise Capps, Evelyn Tolbert, Ester Cartwright, Dott Bohannon, Laura Kimmons, Marylee Gilmore, Fred Johnson, Buford Johnson, and Jimmy Johnson; His children Preston Johnson, Wanda Pinter, Daryl Johnson, Shelia Fisher, Dwight Johnson, Ronnie Johnson and Danna Lewalski; His grandchildren Joey, Little Daryl, Donnie, Jessie, Destiny, Misty, Christy, Amy, Staci, Tamala, and Junior.
Bill is a Korean War Veteran. During his time in the service Bill rose to the rank of corporal.
Among his award are the, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and a Bronze Star. Bill received an Honorable discharge on February 24, 1954.
William Joseph Johnson touched the lives of so many. He is loved and will be missed by all.
Visitation will be Sunday, January 26, 2014, from noon until the 2 p.m. funeral service at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Don Neese officiating. Burial will follow at Morgan Cemetery in Molino.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North , 1000 S. Highway 29, Cantonment, FL is in charge of arrangements.