Donald “Pat” Houston
June 8, 2014
Donald “Pat” Houston, 74, died Thursday, June 5, 2014, at The Terrace in Jay following illness.
He leaves his wife of 44 years, Clara (Strickling) Houston; daughters, Jo Ann Harris and Joyce Wainwright; brothers, Joe (Dorthy), Lonnie (Wanda), Max (Wanda), Beda Ray “Cotter” (Carolyn) Houston; sisters, Norma Jean Frazier, Jane (David) Wright; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and many friends.
Donald was a veteran of the Korean War, where he served in the Army. He grew up in the Fidellis community. He was the son of William Hillary and Lillie Mae Houston; twin brother Ronald “Mike” Houston; as well as 14 other brothers and sisters. Donald loved to ride his horses and after leaving Monsanto worked to care for them. He also loved his family and friends dearly.
Services were held Saturday, June 8, 2014.
Burial was in Fidelis Cemetery.
The family would like to give special acknowledgement and thanks to The Terrace Staff and Emerald Coast Hospice Care for their outstanding love and care of Donald throughout his time there.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Jay Funeral Home in Jay.
William J. “Bill” Lee
June 8, 2014
Bill Lee of Cantonment was born in Allentown on August 30, 1946, and died June 2, 2014, at age 67.
He is survived by his life’s mate, Sharon Smith; three children, Tommy (Gloria), Anisa Matis (Dave), Jason (Jeanette); seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; three brothers, Dozier, Bobby (Donna), James (Hazel); and two sisters, Louise Ballard (Ben) and Barbara Holley (Millard).
Bill was preceded in death by his parents T.L. and Naomi Lee; one brother, Donald; and two sisters, Dorothy Creel and Laurine Parks.
A celebration of his life was held on June 4, 2014 in Pensacola at Moose Lodge 557.
One Injured In Highway 29, Bluff Springs Road Accident
June 7, 2014
One person was injured in a two-vehicle crash Saturday morning on Highway 29 at Bluff Springs Road.
Their injuries were not considered serious, and they were transported to Jay Hospital by Escambia EMS. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the call.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
McDonald’s Robbery Under Investigation
June 7, 2014
A robbery last night at a Pensacola Boulevard McDonald’s is under investigation.
Two men reportedly held up the restaurant at gunpoint just before 10 p.m. Friday. A witness said the two male suspects were wearing bandanas when they entered business and demanded cash before fleeing the restaurant.
A manhunt by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office followed in the area around the restaurant, which is located at Pensacola Boulevard and West Burgess Road, . There’s was no word from the Sheriff’s Office of any suspect descriptions.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call Crimestoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
No Serious Injuries In Highway 97 Guardrail Crash
June 7, 2014
There were apparently no injuries in a single vehicle crash on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill Saturday morning.
The driver of a Ford F-150 was southbound on Highway 97, ran off the road, over-corrected and crossed back across Highway 97, hitting a guardrail adjacent to the northbound lane. The truck then rotated, traveled behind the guardrail and struck several trees.
The accident was discovered just before 6 a.m. The driver of the truck had already left the scene when first responders arrived, and a search by the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue confirmed that no one was thrown from the vehicle.
The Florida Highway Patrol reportedly later made contact with the driver by phone, and he was not seriously injured.
The accident remains under investigation by FHP; further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Most Escambia County FCAT Scores Up For 2014
June 7, 2014
The Florida Department of Education released the second round of FCAT scores Friday, including reading in grades 4-10, math in grades 4-8 and science in grades five and eight.
In Escambia County elementary schools, reading scores remained the same, with 56 percent of fourth graders and 55 percent of fifth graders reading on or above grade level. In grades 6-10, reading scores improved except for the ninth grade were 45 percent of students were on grade level.
In math, scores were down from 58 to 55 percent of fourth grade students on grade level, while grades 5-8 showed improvement. Fifth grade scores dropped from 59 to 53 percent proficient in science, while tenth grade science scores were up from 42 to 45 percent.
Below are school by school results for Escambia County District 5 schools. To see scores from every Escambia County school, click here.
Century Woman Claims $47K Lottery Prize
June 7, 2014
A $47,260.74 lottery ticket sold in Century has been claimed by a local woman.
Sheila D. Lee of Century purchased the winning Fantasy 5 ticket for last Wednesday’s drawing at Becky’s Mini Mart, 9010 North Century Boulevard. The ticket was one of five winning tickets. Other winning tickets matching all five numbers were sold in Wesley Chapel, North Port, Davie and Palm Harbor.
The 300 tickets matching four numbers won $127 each. Another 9,863 tickets matching three numbers won $10.50 each, and 97,135 tickets won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
Wednesday’s winning numbers were 5-22-28-29-36.
This was the second big winning Fantasy 5 ticket sold this year at Becky’s Mini Mart in Century. In February, a Monroeville, Ala., man purchased a $121,183.96 winning ticket at the North Century Boulevard store.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Clothes Were Scattered On The Ground
June 7, 2014
Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekend ending June 5.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Lieutenant Hahr was patrolling the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area at Cotton Lake. After reaching the boat ramp, he observed a car parked near the ramp with clothes and other personal belongings scattered around it on the ground. A woman was sitting in the front seat and, as he got closer, he observed a male subject hiding behind the car.
When Lieutenant Hahr approached them, the man quickly put on a pair of shorts and stated that they had been swimming in the river and that something had bitten both of them several times while in the water. Neither of them had any indications of any kind of serious medical condition.
Lieutenant Hahr noticed that the car was registered in Georgia and had a broken steering column with ignition wires hanging out.
He attempted to identify both subjects but the man provided a false name. When asked about the spelling, the man admitted that he had a warrant out of Alabama. The woman finally located a bill of sale for the car and it was not stolen. The man was arrested on the warrant and transported to the Escambia County Jail.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Lewis was patrolling the Blackwater State Forest when he checked a primitive camping area. As he pulled up to the site, a woman in the camp quickly tried to hide a small wooden box.
Officer Lewis asked her what was in the box and she stated that it was a game. Officer Lewis requested permission to look in the box and located cannabis and other drug paraphernalia. The woman also admitted to possession of additional cannabis and paraphernalia located in her tent. Officer Lewis issued her a notice to appear for possession of not more than 20 grams of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Officer Lewis was checking the primitive campsites in Calloway Swamp when he located several people in possession of alcoholic beverages. While explaining the violations, he observed a bag of cannabis lying in a woman’s purse in the campsite. The woman and another man admitted that it belonged to them. A small amount of additional cannabis and paraphernalia was located. Officer Lewis issued both subjects notices to appear for possession of not more than 20 grams of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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.
Expect Lane Restrictions Sunday, Monday On Hwy 90 East Of Beulah Road
June 7, 2014
Drivers can expect eastbound land restrictions and delays on Highway 90 east of Beulah Road in Escambia County on Sunday from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. as crews resurface and make repairs to the roadway.
All planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather
Slight Rain Chances Daily
June 7, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southwest after midnight.
- Sunday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
- Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
- Thursday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
- Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Friday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.