Fire Burns Out Vehicle, Sparks Four Acre Brush Fire
November 29, 2014
An early morning fire is under investigation near Walnut Hill that left a vehicle completely burned out and blackened several acres along a dirt road.
The fire was reported about 3:55 a.m. Saturday in a very remote area on North Pineville Road between Arthur Brown Road and Nokomis Road. The vehicle, which appeared to a late model GMC Arcadia SUV, was completed burned to the shell and the fire out by the time firefighters were notified. The fire also sparked a four acre brush fire that firefighters fought through the early morning hours.
The Florida Division of Forestry was called to plow a line around and contain the brush fire. The vehicle fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze. There were no injuries reported.
Cantonment Man, 95, Drives Onto Car, Backs Into Grocery Store
November 29, 2014
A 95-year old man drove his pickup onto a car before backing uncontrollably into the Grocery Advantage building in Cantonment Friday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 2001 Ford F150 pickup and a 2004 Nissan Altima were parked in the parking lot facing each other in the store lot. William Gilley of Cantonment pulled his pickup forward and ran up onto the hood of the Altima. He then put the vehicle in reverse in an attempt to free it from the top of the hood of the car. Once the vehicles separated, the pickup traveled backwards into the outside of the Grocery Advantage store .
There were no injuries reported in the crash. Gilley was cited for careless driving by the FHP.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Delta Flight Diverted After Atmore Man Suffers Heart Attack, Dies
November 29, 2014
A cross-country commercial flight was diverted Wednesday for an emergency landing after an Atmore man suffered a heart attack and died in mid-air.
The Delta flight was enroute from Atlanta to Seattle when 70-year old Charles Blackwell suffered a heart attack and the plane was diverted to Billings, MT.
Mike Glancy with airport operations in Billings said a doctor on the plane was unable to resuscitate Blackwell, according to The Billings Gazette.
Passengers remained onboard the flight during a 2.5 hour delay in Billings.
Tate Showband Members Place Wreath At Tomb Of The Unknown
November 29, 2014
The Tate High School Showband of the South placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Friday at Arlington National Cemetery.
Band members toured Arlington, several war memorials and the Lincoln Memorial Friday. They are in Washington following their performance in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday. [Read more, see photos, video...]
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Legislative Delegration To Hold Public Hearing
November 29, 2014
The Escambia County State Legislative Delegation will hold a public hearing on Monday, December 15 from 5-7 p.m. at the Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, 1000 College Boulevard.
Delegation members will consider local bills, hear presentations from government entities and take public testimony on proposals for the 2015 Legislative Session. Any member of the public is welcomed to attend and participate, but those who wish to make a presentation or provide testimony should complete a Meeting Participation Form and return it to Rep. Clay Ingram’s office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 12th.
Local bill submissions, including a brief summary of the proposal, a draft of the proposed bill, and a 2015 Economic Impact Statement Form, must be received by Representative Ingram’s office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 8th. (Click here for paperwork.)
The Escambia County State Legislative Delegation includes Senator Greg Evers, Representative Clay Ingram and Representative Mike Hill.
Will The Grass Be Greener In 2016 For Medical Pot?
November 29, 2014
Legalization of medical marijuana in Florida went up in smoke earlier this month, but proponents of Amendment 2 haven’t given up.
“We are going to pass a medical marijuana law in Florida by the end of 2016,” pledged Ben Pollara, head of the committee that tried to get voters to approve the proposed constitutional amendment Nov. 4.
The medical marijuana initiative was heavily bankrolled by Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan, who spent more than $2 million of his own money to get the item onto the November ballot. But Morgan and the United for Care group backing the amendment were outspent in the run-up to the November election by a political committee funded in large part by Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.
Adelson spent $5.5 million to help fund a media blitz aimed at defeating the measure, also opposed by Florida sheriffs and police chiefs.
In an e-mail to supporters Tuesday evening, United for Care — tied to a political committee officially known as “People United for Medical Marijuana,” or “PUFFM” — Pollara wrote that he and his group aren’t backing down from the fight to make medical marijuana legal.
“Let’s be clear: the ONLY reason medical marijuana didn’t pass in November is because one of the richest men in the world funded over $5 million dollars worth of false and misleading advertising on TV, radio and the Internet, and we simply did not have enough resources to counter the lies with facts in enough time. Despite being outspent on advertising 3 to 1, we still wound up with one of the highest percentages of support for medical marijuana ever seen in the country,” Pollara wrote.
Pollara noted that Amendment 2 received 58 percent of the vote, just shy of the 60 percent approval required for constitutional amendments to pass in Florida.
“This total — half a million more than Gov. Rick Scott and almost 900k more than voted ‘no’ — is clear proof that the people of Florida want a medical marijuana law,” he wrote.
Pollara said his group will pursue a two-pronged approach to make medical pot legit, either by getting lawmakers to approve it or by putting another constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2016.
Even Pollara wrote that he is “skeptical” that the Legislature will expand on a measure approved earlier this year that legalized cannabis low in euphoria-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and high in cannabadiol, or CBD, for patients with severe muscle spasms or cancer. The pot purportedly doesn’t get users high but is believed to alleviate life-threatening seizures in children with rare forms of epilepsy.
The GOP-dominated Legislature approved the measure, signed into law by Scott, in part to thwart Amendment 2, which Scott and Republican legislative leaders opposed.
That leaves the constitutional route, a possibility that gives the GOP in Florida the willies because putting a pro-pot item on the presidential ballot in 2016 could draw out younger, more left-leaning voters.
That’s just the avenue that Pollara and his allies are planning, however.
The 2016 presidential election will increase voter turnout, “and arguably, a stronger and more engaged electorate than were interested in the governor’s race,” Pollara wrote.
“We believe this broader swath of the public will be way more likely to pass medical marijuana, despite what we expect will be a new round of well-funded lies coming out of the other side,” he wrote.
By Dara Kam and Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Jay Stewart Jefcoat
November 29, 2014
Jay Stewart Jefcoat, known to many as “Coach” walked into eternity with Jesus on November 27, 2014. He was born August 21, 1949, in Montgomery to Nathan Jefcoat and Alma Stewart Jefcoat.
He graduated from Livingston University with a bachelor’s of science degree and a master’s degree in physical education. He retired in 2011 from a 40 year coaching career. Coach Jefcoat was offensive coordinator for Troy State University during the national championship season of 1984, as well as leading Charles Henderson High School in Troy to a state championship in 1980 as head coach. He also coached at Livingston University and high schools in Alabama and Florida.
He left an inspiring legacy for those who will always cherish him. Jay lived to serve Christ, his purpose in life was to glorify our Savior. The love he demonstrated to others was a true reflection of Jesus living in Him. He was a very humble man and left a mark on everyone’s life he touched. Jay was a member of Olive Baptist Church where he taught the Raymond Oliver men’s Sunday School class and the Overcomer’s Sunday School class. Over the years he taught, mentored, and discipled many men on the football field and off. He led by example.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Nathan and Alma Jefcoat. He is survived by his wife, Debbe Jefcoat, better known to him as “his bride.” his children, Mark Jefcoat (Mandy) of Monroeville, Eddie Jefcoat (Jodie) of Troy, Trent Goodson (Melissa) of Lake City, FL, and Gabe Goodson of Pensacola; two brothers, Chad Jefcoat (Janet) of Montgomery, John Jefcoat (Stephanie) of Wetumpka; a sister, Judi Jefcoat Lackey (Russell) of Montgomery; mother-in-law, Margaret Dickens Entrekin of Brundidge; brother-on-law, Jimmy King (Jennifer) of Brundidge; nine grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Olive Baptist Church Monday, December 1, 2014. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. and tje funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to The Ministry Village at Olive, Chris House Program.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Warmer Week Ahead
November 29, 2014
- Saturday Sunny, with a high near 68. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night Increasing clouds, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Calm wind.
- Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 73. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
- Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
- Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Snowball Derby Queens Named
November 29, 2014
Snowball 2014 queens have been named. They are: (L-R) Teen Miss Five Flags Speedway Raelyn Hurst of Tate High School, Miss Snowball Derby Arah Hans-Majors of Tate High School and Miss Five Flags Speedway Ashley Godwin of Pine Forest High School. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alan DeWayne Kennington
November 29, 2014
Alan DeWayne Kennington age 57 of Milton passed away on November 27, 2014 in Pensacola. Alan was a lifelong resident of Milton and enjoyed riding through the town in his El Camino and could weather any storm. He was a loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend to those who knew him.
Alan was preceded in death by his father R.H. Kennington and his aunt Fannie Cawthon.
He is survived by his mother Melba Jean Kennington, three daughters Kristen, Holly, and Ashleigh Kennington, two grandchildren Caden and Kaelee, three brothers Robert, James, and Charles (Amber) Kennington, and his best friend David Winkles.
A visitation will be held for Alan at Jay Funeral Home chapel on November 30, 2014, from 1-2 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. on the same day at Jay Funeral Home. His burial will follow services at Crain cemetery in Milton, Florida.
Pallbearers will be David Winkles, Farrell Parks, Jason Stansfield, Lamar Kennington, Randolph Kennington, Charles Kennington, Robert Franklin, and Scott Cawthon.
Anyone who is interested in celebrating Alan’s life is welcome at 100 Mclaughlin Road, his house in Allentown immediately following the burial.