Grace Ellis Holt
January 16, 2015
Mrs. Grace Ellis Holt, age 88 of Flomaton, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
Mrs. Holt was a native of Brewton and a resident of Flomaton for 65 years coming from Brewton. She was a homemaker and attended the Flomaton First Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her husband, Grady Leon Holt.
She is survived by her son, Jerry Lavon (Peggy) Holt of Grove Hill, AL; her daughter, Evelyn (Hugh) Anderson of Navarre; brother, Edward Ellis of the McCall Community, Brewton, AL; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m. with Rev. Dustin Stockstill officiating.
Interment will follow in Flomaton Cemetery.
Flomaton Funeral Home directing.
Addie Nelson Simmons
January 16, 2015
Janie Simmons was born to George and Addie Nelson December 24, 1926 in Mobile. She went to be with the Lord Wednesday, January 14, 2015. Above all, she loved God, her Lord and Savior, and was an active member of Cora Baptist Church for 70 years. She faithfully served in many of the church’s ministries and especially loved working with children. Her life was devoted to her family. She was a homemaker all her life and enjoyed gardening, cooking, and sewing. She was a caring friend and gracious member of her community and demonstrated this by her loving acts of kindness.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Howard E. Simmons, her husband of fifty-nine years; daughter Sherrie Simmons; son Stanley Simmons; great grandson Evan Wolfe; and brothers George, Donald, Leslie, and Vernon Nelson.
She is survived by her children: Nellie Ray (Roger) Dobson, Brenda Gail (Joe) Phillips, Ellis (Kym) Simmons, Eddie Wayne (Debbie) Simmons, and Teena (Bart) Hendricks; grandchildren: Matthew (Teresa) Dobson, Susanna Dobson, Howard Simmons III, Amber (Ron) Boisvert, Caleb Simmons, Joe D. (Rose) Phillips Jr., Meredith (Brent) Wolfe, Alayna Simmons, Conner Hendricks, and Jared Hendricks; step grandchildren: Ashlie (Jason) Hopgood; great grandchildren: Anna Marie Dobson, David Dobson, Logan Phillips, Scarlett Boutwell, Ian Boisvert, Gabby Phillips, and Elias Wolfe; step great grandchildren: Hillary Hendricks, Dakota Hopgood, Stormy Hopgood, Bailey Hopgood, and Abby Hendricks.
Visitation will be held Monday, January 19 at 10:00 a.m. in Cora Baptist Church immediately followed by services at 11:00.
Services will be officiated by Rev. Matthew Dobson and Rev. LaDon Hall. Pallbearers will be grandsons and grandsons-in-law.
Services arranged by Jay Funeral Home.
One Injured In Car Versus Semi Crash On Ten Mile Road
January 15, 2015
At least one person was injured in a collision between a semi-truck and a car Thursday morning on 10 Mile Road at Highway 29. The person’s injuries were not considered life threatening. The accident forced the temporary closure of West 10 Mile Road from Highway 29 to Highway 95A. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
International Flying Farmers Touchdown To Learn About Local Agriculture
January 15, 2015
Of all private pilots, International Flying Farmers are perhaps the only ones who will tell you their Cessnas and Beechcrafts and Pipers are no different from their combines, tractors and pickup trucks. After all, airplanes are workhorses too, for hauling supplies,checking irrigation systems, and perhaps compressing the time between the farm and parts store.
Wednesday, the a group from the International Flying Farmers touched down at the West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay, and they visited several local points of agricultural interest in a quick farm tour.
The International Flying Farmers, or IFF for short, are based in Oklahoma where the group was formed over 70 years ago. Local farmers turned to airplanes as tools of the agricultural trade. Both in the past and today, planes were a vital part of a family farm life, used to deliver groceries and livestock feed, deliver the mail, round up cattle, check crops and fields, monitor irrigation systems and sometimes to just visit with friends and neighbors on remote farms.
Wednesday, a few of the groups nearly 1,000 members, checked out the Research Center, explored peanut production, learned about cotton production in Northwest Florida and more. The local farm tour was the finale to a three-day fly-in for an IFF workshop based in Navarre. The group enjoyed the beach on Monday, and spent Tuesday touring the National Naval Aviation Museum, NAS Pensacola and downtown Pensacola.
Pictured top: Honey producer and farmer Chester Capers addresses a group from the International Flying Farmers Wednesday. Pictured inset: Jerry Jones explains cotton production. Pictured below: Ken Barton from the Florida Peanut Producers Association shares information about the Florida peanut industry with members of the International Flying Farmers. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Some High School Report Cards May Be Incorrect
January 15, 2015
Some high school report cards issued in Escambia County may be incorrect. If a student takes a course with a state end of course exam, or an online course, or a course an at alternative school, their report card may have errors.
An automated phone call is scheduled for tonight to parents of students impacted. According to Superintendent Malcolm Thomas:
“Final grade calculations for courses with state EOC exams will not be considered accurate until those exam scores have been entered into calculations. Scores from those exams arrive on different dates and times, and will be processed as soon as possible.
Due to a technical problem, courses taken online or at an alternate site such as Community School, will not currently be on the report card. A message will be posted on the parent portal in Focus, and principals will do a call out to you when these issues are resolved. If you wish, you may request a new copy of your child’s report card at that time.”
Kids Program: Apples And Aliens At The Library
January 15, 2015
A special program “Apple Aliens” will be presented this afternoon at the Century Branch Library at 5:00.
Making something to eat can be fun and creative. Children will have the chance to use their imagination to make their very own “Apple Alien”.
The program is free. The Century Branch Library is located at 7991 North Century Boulevard. For more information, call (850) 256-6217.
Photos: It’s My Red Couch, And ECUA Can’t Have It
January 15, 2015
A red couch put out with the trash on Kingsfield Road attracted a little extra attention this week because of a dog that just really did not seem to want to give up his favorite spot.
Louis O’Rear, a teacher at Ransom Middle School, shared these photos, and his vision of the story:
“Tuesday, on Kingsfield, just down from Ransom Middle School toward Highwy 97 a little bit, I noticed someone had placed an old red couch on the side of the road. This morning about 7:15, someone was using it. I figure it is his, and no matter where it is, he’s going to use it. Maybe he has been sleeping on that couch for 10 years and isn’t going to stop now. In any case, seeing the look on his face, I don’t think anyone is going to be taking that couch for awhile.”
But within a short time of this story first being published on NorthEscambia.com, we learned that some picked up the little fellow. His condition led them to believe he was homeless and abandoned, and none of the neighbors had seen him before. He was taken to to the Chemstrand Oak Vet Clinic (850-474-1922) for one day, and then he’ll be headed to the animal shelter if no one claims/saves him. For more information, call the vet clinic or (850) 384-1490.
Photos submitted by Louis O’Rear for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Manna, United Way Leaders Win State ‘Champion Of Service’ Awards
January 15, 2015
Andrea Krieger of United Way of Escambia County and Dede Flounlacker of Manna Food Pantries,were honored Wednesday with the Volunteer Florida Champion of Service Award for their service to the community. Both were quick to give credit to their staff and volunteers.
“The United Way of Escambia County and Manna Food Pantries successfully harness the human capital of volunteers to meet critical needs in Florida,” said Chester Spellman, CEO of Volunteer Florida. “Under the tireless leadership of Andrea Krieger and DeDe Flounlacker, both organizations serve our most vulnerable neighbors in a multitude of ways, and we are grateful for their efforts.”
“I am so honored to have women like Andrea Krieger and DeDe Flounlacker represent our community,” said Rep. Clay Ingram. “These remarkable women have truly shown servant leadership and dedication to those in need, especially following last spring’s devastating floods.”
“I am honored to participate in presenting DeDe Flounlacker and Andrea Kreiger with the Florida Volunteer Champion of Service Award, in recognition of their devotion to serving those in need throughout our community, “said Rep. Mike Hill. “I have the privilege of knowing these two influential women through our support at the Ronald McDonald House over the years. It is through their great leadership at MANNA Food Pantries and the United Way of Escambia County that our neighbors are able to rise through the difficult times and find relief.”
Manna Food Bank and operates food pantries in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, with volunteers providing 100 percent of Mannas client service delivery. Manna’s headquarters and food stock were devastated by the Spring 2014 flooding, but the organization quickly resumed services to ensure that residents in Escambia and Santa Rosa did not go unfed.
The United Way of Escambia County brings together non-profit agencies, businesses, faith-based groups, government, and volunteers to focus on critical community issues. In 2014, the United Way of Escambia County raised $3.2 million dollars for a total impact on the community of over $10 million dollars.
Pictured: Volunteer Florida Champion of Service Award winners Dede Flounlacker of Manna Food Pantries (left) and Andrea Krieger of United Way of Escambia County. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Showers Likely Today
January 15, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Thursday Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 51. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 31. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
- Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. South wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. South wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
- Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- M.L.King Day Sunny, with a high near 60.
- Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
- Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
- Wednesday Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Forest Service Shares Longleaf Pines During Arbor Day Event
January 15, 2015
The Florida Forest Service and Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin distributed free longleaf pine seedlings Wednesday in Century and Walnut Hill in recognition of Arbor Day.
Only a small percentage of the pine trees in the Southeast are longleaf. Many people turn to planting much faster growing loblolly or slash pines, looking for a faster return on their timber investment.
A year after planting, longleaf seedlings can still only be a foot tall, meanwhile a slash or loblolly of the same age may already be two or three feet tall.
A longleaf pine has a unique growth stage called the grass stage when it is fire resistant. When fire is introduced to the growing tip, or the bud, it is protected under a thick arrangement of needles near ground level. While the bud is protected at this stage, the tree concentrates its resources these first few years developing a root system instead of height growth. This allows for rapid growth after a fire due to the well-established root system.
The longleaf pine is far more resistant to disease, tornadoes and hurricanes that destroy other southern pines. Because of its resilience, it is not uncommon for longleaf trees to live for 150 years or more. The longevity of longleaf pine allow the stands to provide a variety of different habitats.
Pictured top: Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin discusses longleaf pines with producer Ellis Mason during an Arbor Day Event Wednesday in Walnut Hill. Pictured inset: Hardin explains how to plant a longleaf pine seedling. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.