John Edwin Hopkins

June 30, 2014

Mr. John Edwin Hopkins, 73, passed away on Friday, June 27, 2014, in Jay.

Mr. Hopkins was a native and lifelong resident of McDavid. Mr. Hopkins was an avid hunter and sportsman and he attended the Windy Hill Baptist Church. His mother, Flora Roach Hopkins and father, Russell Hopkins; two sons, Michael “Bubby” Hopkins and Nathan Hopkins; and sister, Louise McBride precede him in death.

He is survived by his daughter, Sharlene Hopkins Bondurant of Cantonment; one brother, Charles Hopkins of McDavid; four grandchildren, Holley Penrod and Johnathan Nelson both of Pensacola, Meagan and Lauren; special friends and caretakers, Bruce Cofield, Donny Wiggins, Tim Hammond and Edna Mae Darby.

Funeral services were held Sunday, June 29, 2014, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Sam Weaver officiating.

Burial will follow at Crary Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Dwight Hopkins, Matt Robbins, Sheldon Robbins, Tim Hammond, Dennis Mathis, Mike Brown and Steve Brown.

Special thanks to the Sacred Heart Medical Group.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.

Elizabeth F. Classen

June 30, 2014

Elizabeth F. Classen, 93 of Walnut Hill, passed away on June 28, 2014, at her residence. She was a homemaker, born in Meade, KS on January 20, 1921, to the late Jacob and Lena Friesen Loewen. She was a member of Atmore Mennonite Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Willie Classen; one infant son, Kenneth Classen, one great-grandson, Truman Heatwole; and brother, Henry Loewen.

Survivors include three sons, Roy(Mirian) Classen of Walnut Hill, Ken (Mable) Classen of Atmore, and Steve (Treva) Classen of Walnut Hill; two daughters, Marianne Classen of Walnut Hill, and Beverly Classen of Sarasota; one brother, John Loewen of Meade, KS; one sister, Bertha Classen of Sturgis, MI; 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Services will be Tuesday, July 01, 2014, at 2 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Carl Martin and Rev. Anthony Swartzendruber officiating.

Interment will follow in Freemanville Community Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be grandSons, Kevin Classen, Rodney Classen, Keith Classen, Ryan Classen, Randy Classen, Corey Classen.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

Christine Thompson

June 30, 2014

Mrs. Christine Thompson, 83, passed away on Friday, June 27, 2014, in Atmore.

Mrs. Thompson was a native of Canoe and a resident of Flomaton for most of her life. She retired from Vanity Fair and attended the Sardis Baptist Church. Her husband, Bert Thompson; three sons, Bobby Thompson, Bert Thompson, Jr. and Michael Thompson; and one granddaughter, Tina Thompson Hall precede her in death.

She is survived by her son, Charles Thompson of Flomaton; two daughters, Gracie (Glendall) Pridgen of Flomaton and Pamela Bethea of East Brewton; daughter-in-law, Sue Thompson; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 30, 2014, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Earle Greene officiating.

Burial was at the Sardis Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Greg Odom, Chris Thompson, B.J. Thompson, Michael Adams, Jeremy Pridgen and Bubba Pridgen.

Honorary pallbearers were Maurice Lewis, Randay Adams, Burton Smith and Little Charles Thompson.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.

James T. (Jimmy) Sanborn

June 30, 2014

James T. (Jimmy) Sanborn, age 72, left this earthly world on June 28, 2014, at Providence Hospital in Mobile surrounded by his family.

He was born on July 17, 1941, in Revere, Mass. He was preceded in death by his father, Morris Sanborn; mother, Irene McMillon; step father, Bill McMillon; and sister, Martha (Marty) Sanborn.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Sharon S. Sanborn; brother, Brian Sanborn of Anniston; children, Beverly Sanborn Foster of Northport, AL, Nora Tate of Burlison, TN, Tracey Sanborn of Pensacola, Dee Dee M. Ward of Alabaster, AL and Kylisha J. Mallard of Sharpsburg, GA; sons-in-law, Matt Foster, Jeff Ward and Dexter Mallard; grandchildren, Rachel Worthing, Jerry Wayne Philyaw, Beth Gallagher, Jordan and Marisol Foster, Patrick, Alex and Cristiana Joy Ward, and Zoey, Hayden and Hanna Mallard; and three great-grandchildren.

Following his interest in justice and law enforcement, he obtained a BS from Troy State University, followed by a MS in Criminal Justice from Tennessee Christian University. His 33-year career of serving his community began as a police officer in several small towns in South/Central Alabama, including the Brewton Police Department. The majority of his career was with the Alabama Department of Corrections in Atmore, where he retired as a Lieutenant. He was a 32 degree member of Mobile Scottish Rite, as well as a member of Norris Lodge #301, Perdido Lodge #752, Monroeville York Rite Bodies, and ABBA Temple Shriners of Mobile. He was an avid gun collector and restorer, enjoyed collecting patches and Americana memorabilia, loved Western movies and gardening. Most of all, Jimmy dearly loved his family and church. He and Sharon had recently renewed their wedding vows.

Following his long time wishes, his remains were donated to the University of South Alabama to further medical science, research, and education.

A memorial will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on July 6, at 2 p.m. to celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to his beloved church, Trinity Episcopal at 203 S. Carney St, Atmore, AL 36502.

Joe Phillips

June 30, 2014

Mr. Joe Phillips, 92, passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2014, in Little River, Alabama.

Mr. Phillips was a native of Lottie and a lifelong resident of Little River. Mr. Phillips was a veteran of World War II, See Bees, Carpenters Local 89. He attended the Honor Flight of World War II in September 2012. Mr. Phillips was the last of eight children to die. He was one good man remarked by his wife. He was a member of the Lottie Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Letitia Phillips of Little River; three sons, Dale Phillips and Mike Phillips both of Bay Minette and Stephen Phillips of Little River; two step-sons, Larry Wooten of Brewton and Joe Frank Wooten of Bratt; two step-daughters, Brenda Sessions of Stockton and Connie Dorriety of Latham, Ala.; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 1, 2014, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Pruitt officiating.

Burial will follow at the Phillips Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jeremy Phillips, Austin Hornady, Brandon Piper, Brad Wooten, Greg Phillips and Neal Phillips.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Phillips, Billy Scott, Billy Dorriety, Ron Sessions, Nip Hadley and Aubrey Jay.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.

Identity Released Of Driver In Barrineau Park Crash

June 29, 2014

A female was trapped in her upside-down vehicle for over an hour Saturday afternoon in Barrineau Park.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 21-year old Kiatlin Renee Whitfield of Cantonment was westbound on the dirt portion of Barrineau Park Road toward the intersection with North Highway 99 when she lost control and over corrected. Her vehicle then overturned off the roadway. First responders worked feverishly to free the Whitfield and stabilize the vehicle.

She was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in seriousl condition.

Charges in the accident are pending, according to the FHP.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.


Another Hot, Muggy Day

June 29, 2014

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

  • Sunday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
  • Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
  • Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
  • Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
  • Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
  • Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph.
  • Wednesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
  • Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
  • Thursday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
  • Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
  • Independence Day A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
  • Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
  • Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.

FWC Law Enforcement Report

June 29, 2014

The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekend ending June 26.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Investigator Goley was conducting marine resource and boating safety checks at Big Lagoon State Park when he noticed the operator of a vessel showing signs of impairment.  After the initial contact, Investigator Goley asked the operator to submit to field sobriety tasks and he agreed.  During the tasks, the operator exhibited signs of impairment to the extent that he was impaired.  The subject was placed under arrest for BUI. After arriving at the jail nearly two hours later, the subject provided two breath samples of 0.089 and 0.088 BrAC.

Investigator Shafer responded to a complaint of a business being in possession of a venomous reptile without the proper permit. Investigator Shafer contacted the business owner and interviewed him about the matter. The owner admitted to capturing an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake and placing it in captivity. Investigator Shafer issued the subject a citation for not having the proper permit.

Officer Cushing was conducting Joint Enforcement Agreement (JEA) patrol near the shore when he conducted a fisheries inspection on a vessel with three individuals on board.  When asked how many fish they caught, they responded two. He asked them what kind and they said they had two red snapper.  The fisheries inspection revealed two red snapper, an undersized and out of season greater amberjack and an undersized cobia.  Citations were issued to the individuals.

The crew of the offshore vessel, FinCat, worked offshore on several occasions in the last week.  After several vessel inspections, a citation was issued for no charter license.  Also issued were several warnings for undersized red snapper, undersized king mackerel, and possession of greater amberjack during closed season.

This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week;however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.

Hundreds Turn Out For Twin Cities Watermelon Festival (With Gallery)

June 29, 2014

Hundreds of people turned out despite the heat and humidity Saturday for the first annual Twin Cities Volunteers Watermelon Festival in Century.

The family fun event included craft booths and food from dozens of vendors, local entertainment, and there was also plenty of ice cold watermelon.

For a photo gallery, click here.

The first annual Twin Cities Volunteers Watermelon Festival was sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.


Storytime Offered At Local Library Branches Each Week

June 29, 2014

Storytime is offered each week at your local West Florida Public Library Branch for children ages 0-5 as follows:

  • Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch
  • Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. – Main Library
  • Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch
  • Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. – Tryon Branch
  • Thursdays, 4 p.m. – Century Branch
  • Saturdays, 2 p.m. – Westside Branch

Library locations are as follows:

  • Main Library: 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola, (850) 436-5060
  • Century Branch: 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century, (850) 256-6217
  • Molino Branch: 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino, (850) 435-1760
  • Southwest Branch: 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola, (850) 453-7780
  • Tryon Branch: 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola, (850) 471-6980
  • Westside Branch: 1580 W. Cervantes St., Pensacola, (850) 595-1047

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