Possible Partial Meth Lab Discovered Alongside Rural Bratt Road
February 23, 2015
Two people out walking along a rural North Escambia road discovered what they believed to be part of a meth lab late Sunday afternoon.
They noticed the case just a few feet into a wooded area along Dortch Road, just north of Highway 4. The case was clearly visible from the side of the road.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the incident and determined that it was not an active meth lab, and that there was no hazardous materials threat from the case and its contents. The case did contain plastic bags, tubing and other items commonly known to be used in the manufacture of methamphetamines, but several components needed to actively produce meth did not appear to be present.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office took possession of the case and contents.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Property Appraiser Office To Close Early On Tuesday
February 23, 2015
The Escambia County Property Appraiser office in Molino will close early on Tuesday.
The office will close at 2 p.m. for training. Normal hours for 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. will resume on Wednesday. The Molino Office is located at 6440 Highway 95A North, Suite B, at the Molino Community Complex.
The main office at 221 Palafox Place, Suite 300, will be open regular hours Tueday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, call (850) 434-2735.
NorthEscamba.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Driver Escapes Serious Injury In Walnut Hill Crash
February 23, 2015
A driver escaped serious injury in a single vehicle crash about 8:40 Sunday night in Walnut Hill. The pickup truck driver lost control on South Highway 99 near Lemon Road, over-corrected and overturned into a field. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Jackets: It’s National FFA Week
February 23, 2015
This week, though Saturday, is National FFA week.
With students from the Northview and Tate FFA organizations in attendance, the Escambia County School Board recently approved a resolution recognizing National FFA Week.
“The Escambia County FFA and the agriscience education programs in the Escambia County School District are tremendously successful and extremely valuable in improving the quality of life for Escambia County citizens,” the school board resolution states.
Nothview, Tate and other schools in the county with FFA programs will celebrate the week with a variety of activities.
To read the complete school board resolution, click here.
Pictured: Tate and Northview FFA members were in attendance for a recent Escambia County School Board meeting during which the board recognized National FFA Week. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
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Judith Robin Surles
February 23, 2015
Dr. Judith Robin Surles 65, of Atmore, passed away February, 16, 2015, at her residence. She was born August 30, 1949, in Morristown, N.J. but was raised most of her life in Mountain Lakes, N.J. She was a graduate of Life University in Atlanta and had retired from the Health Plus Chiropractic Center in Atmore. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Lawrence and Patricia Sally Walter Harden and a sister, Sally Rae Goordman.
She is survived by her sisters, Laurie Harden (Peter) Andruskiewicz of New Jersey and Kathy Lynn Brew of Maui, Hawaii; special cousins, Larry Rutledge and Donald Rutledge; two nephews, Peter Andruskiewicz and Patrick Andruskiewicz. She loved her cats and dogs very much.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, February 26, 2015, at 5 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Cornelius Phillips officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the ASPCA in memory of Dr. Judith Robin Surles.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ernest Eugene (Gene) Godwin
February 23, 2015
Mr. Godwin passed away at the William F. Green VA Home in Bay Minette on February 21, 2015. He was born on August 10, 1931, in Byrneville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Eunice (Wiggins) Godwin; his wife, Myrlene (Stewart) Godwin; his son, Ernest Garry Godwin; and his sister, Flora Vaughn.
Mr. Godwin is survived by his son, Larry (Rebecca) Godwin of Atmore; his daughters, Deborah (David) Ronzone of Bratt and Shelly Godwin of Perlington, MS. Other survivors include six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Marietta Downer of Bratt and Georgia Avery of Dothan, AL.
Mr. Godwin served in the US Army during the Korean War, achieving the rank of sergeant. Upon completing his military service, he worked for Vanity Fair Mills in Atmore. After 42 years, he retired as Head Machinist.
Mr. Godwin enjoyed special family time riding motorcycles. He also rode with friends and various groups for enjoyment as well as for charitable fundraising events.
For many years and until his death, Mr. Godwin was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church where he had served on the Vestry in the office of Junior Warden. He had also been a member of the American Legion until recent years.
Funeral services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on February 24, 2015, at 1 p.m. with Rev. John Phillips of Pensacola officiating.
Immediately after the service, burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery in Bratt.
Pallbearers will be Elliot Classen, Kevin Classen, Shawn Godwin, Robert Earl Godwin, Blaine O’Brien and Roy Ward.
The Women of Trinity Episcopal Church in Atmore are honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Mr. Godwin’s honor to Trinity Episcopal Church, 203 S. Carney St., Atmore, AL 36502.
Mr. Godwin’s family will be forever grateful for the excellent care everyone at the Veterans Home in Bay Minette has shown for the past year-and-a-half. The entire staff have all treated Mr. Godwin and his family with dignity and kindness. Particular thanks to everyone who works on G Wing of the facility for their professionalism and compassion. The family is also grateful to Covenant Hospice for keeping Mr. Godwin comfortable in his final days.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Fire Damages Cantonment Home
February 23, 2015
Fire damaged a mobile home on Green Tree Circle off Jacks Branch Road in Cantonment early morning. The fire was reported just before 4 a.m and quickly brought under control. There were no injuries reported. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Highway 29 Molino Accident Claims One Life
February 22, 2015
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
One person was killed and a second was seriously injured in a single vehicle crash Saturday night in Molino.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 27-year old Darrell Antonio Hixon of Atmore lost control of his Dodge Ram 1500 while traveling south on Highway 29 near Bet Raines Road about 10:30 p.m.. As he changed lanes, he lost control of the pickup, ran off the roadway and struck a tree.
Hixon was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition. His passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene. The name of the passenger has not been released by the FHP pending notification of next of kin.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Any charges in the accident are pending the outcome of that investigation. The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rain Chances Continue, Turning Cooler
February 22, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Sunday Night A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
- Monday A 40 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 49. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Monday Night A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
- Tuesday A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
- Wednesday Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Wednesday Night A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Partly sunny, with a high near 52. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.
- Friday A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
- Friday Night A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
- Saturday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55.
Perfect Season: Pine Forest Lady Eagles Win 6A State Championship
February 22, 2015
The Pine Forest Lady Eagles finished a perfect season Saturday with the state 6A state championship. The Lady Eagles defeated the Barron Collier Cougars at the Lakeland Center, 46-28. Pine Forest ended the season undefeated at 29-0.
The Eagles took a commanding 13-2 lead by the end of first quarter, and they were up 25-11 by the half. Ty’Quandria Purifoy had a game-high 17 points for the Lady Eagles and had four assists. Britney Snowden led the Lady Eagles with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Jymetrea Jones contributed six, Tylan Carfter added four, while Laneisha Jeans and Kimberly Payne had two each for Pine Forest.
Photos courtesy Malcolm Thomas for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.