Ronald C. Williams
March 25, 2015
Ronald C. Williams was born on March 27, 1945, and went to his heavenly home March 23, 2015.
Ronnie, or RW, as known by all his friends was well known in the automotive industry. He was so loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Ronnie loved to fish, hunt and be with his friends and family.
Ronnie is predeceased by his parents, James A. and Stella Williams; brothers, James (Jewel) and Gene Williams; sister, Kathryn Booker; father-in-law, James Plair; and sister-in-law, Delores Coleman.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 43 years, Linda “Lyn” Williams; sons, Jeff (Amanda), Tony and Walker; daughter, Kim Fitzgerald; sisters, Elsie Wolters and Ernestine Wiggins; brother, Ernie L. Magaha; mother-in-law, Lois Plair; brother-in-law, Buddy Plair; grandchildren, Ashleigh, Alyse, Mason, Jason, Taylor, Morgan and A.J.; extended family, James Earl (Naomi), Johnny (Mollie), Bobby, Michael (Shirley), John and Granny Guy; and several nieces, nephews and many that called him Uncle Ronnie.
Many thanks to the staff of Emerald Coast Hospice for all the help and kindness during this time, especially Brenda, Vicki, Christine, and Evelyn. A very special thanks to Deborah and Steve Anderson for all their love and support.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2015, with James Earl Guy, officiating.
Burial will follow in Spruell Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Cantonment Building Fund.
Pallbearers will be Tommy English, Bill Gulsby, Wayne Burkett, Johnny Guy, Bobby Guy, and Michael Guy.
Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Dubose, Wayne Blackmon, Doug Patterson, Johnny Edwards, Wayne Hadley, Duke McGowan, Mickey Mixon, Mike James, and Garner Nichols.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
House Panel Moves School Choice Bill
March 25, 2015
A wide-ranging bill that would allow parents more freedom to choose where their children go to school was overwhelmingly approved Tuesday by a House panel, even as some critics and educators worried the legislation is moving too quickly.
The measure (HB 1145) — sponsored by Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor — was approved by the House K-12 Subcommittee in an 11-2 vote, with two Democrats joining the panel’s nine Republicans in voting for the bill.
It would allow parents to transfer their students to any school in the state that had not reached 90 percent of its capacity, regardless of county lines. It would also require districts to set up a process for parents to request that their children be removed from teachers’ classes.
Supporters have touted the legislation as the logical extension of the state’s school-choice reform movement, while opponents have raised questions about whether the process could be orderly.
Even speakers who were not overtly opposed to the bill raised questions about whether the legislation is too ambitious. Vern Pickup-Crawford, a lobbyist for Palm Beach County schools, said the July 1 effective date of the legislation could force school districts to adjust quickly to the new landscape.
“To try to have this implemented this next school year is something resembling organized chaos,” he said.
The issue is compounded, critics say, by the lack of hard information on how many parents might take advantage of the chance to place their children in virtually any nearby school.
“The problem to me is, we really have no idea whether this is going to be a few students, a lot of students or a flood of students,” said Rep. Joe Geller of Aventura, the panel’s top Democrat and one of the two votes against the bill.
Geller also raised questions about a provision that would have the state funding for each child “follow” that student if a transfer is made. He suggested that provision could harm districts with smaller budgets.
“They’re having a hard time keeping up as it is,” Geller said. “And I understand when we say it’s per pupil, but the fact is, there is some economy of scale there and when you start to lose that funding, I think it drags down the entire district.”
That drew a response from Rep. Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah.
“There should be no hesitation in allowing a student who has not been provided the right opportunity in whatever arbitrary, designated county they live in to be able to cross that line and get a better opportunity,” he said. “I will tell you that if that school district and that school that that student is supposed to be zoned for is doing their job and providing them the best opportunity, the parent’s not going to be looking for another one.”
Similar legislation (SB 1552) has also passed the Senate PreK-12 Committee on a party-line, 7-4 vote.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Robert “Bob” Louis Swain, Jr.
March 25, 2015
Robert “Bob” Louis Swain, Jr., 74, of Cantonment, died Sunday, March 22, 2015.
Bob was born in Portsmouth, VA and moved to Pensacola 45 years ago. He loved all sports, especially baseball. Bob coached and helped coach Little League Baseball for several years.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Louis Swain, Sr. and Catherine Louise O’Shaughnessy Swain.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jacqueline; son, Christopher Swain of Cantonment; three daughters, Melissa Swain Jacobs of Pensacola, Linda (Charlie) Martz of Corunna, Indiana and Christine Lott of Foley, Alabama; Gregory Jacobs, who we consider a son; one sister, Sandra Swain Dresch of Ft. Myers, Florida; nine grandchildren, Rachel, Nicklaus, Tyler and Marrah Martz of Corunna, Indiana and Christian, Braedan and Noah Jacobs of Pensacola, Kaylee Swain of Pensacola, and Ava Berroa of Pace; four great-grandchildren, Myles and Margo Martz and Grant and Gabriella Schemerhorne of Indiana. He was a loving husband and a super grandfather.
Visitation will take place Thursday, March 26, 2015, from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Father Casstley officiating.
Burial will follow in Pensacola Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Charles T. Harris
March 25, 2015
Charles T. Harris, 71 of Cantonment, went to be with our Heavenly Father, March 21, 2015, unexpectedly. He was born August 3, 1943, in Pensacola. He resided in Molino until he joined the US Air Force in 1962. Charles met and married the love of his life, Ann in Shreveport, LA. Charles served most of his Air Force Career at Barksdale Air Force Base, Guam and Iceland. After his military service Charles and his family relocated to Pensacola where he managed the family business, CHM Cooling and Heating. He retired from public works, Saufley Field as a heating and air-conditioning mechanic in 2001. Charles was a simple man and very hard worker. He had a big heart who loved all of his family and his many friends. He adored his dog, Sammy. He will be sorely missed and loved by all who were blessed to know him.
Charles was preceded in death by his father, William T. Harris; mother, Lennie Byrd Harris; sisters, Fay Drummond, Vicky Martin; and brother, Larry Harris.
He is survived by his by his wife, Elizabeth Ann Harris; daughters, Cindy (Maj. Peter) Faeth, Penny (Dennis) DeVries; grandchildren, Amanda and Bo Hobbs, Addisyn DeVries, Shelby Gonzalez, Parker and Tessa Faeth; sisters, Pat Caum, Carol Maddox (John), Sue Chatterton (Richard), and Sandra Midlam.
Pallbearers are Jason and Steven Martin, Triston Midlam, Marshall Caum, Jeff Martinez and Pete Faeth.
Honorary pallbearers are Richard Caum, Rick Harris, Frank Lucius, Brian Ard, Jimmy Cotton, Scott Gilbert, and Vance Silvers.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, 2 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Father George Thekku officiating.
Interment will follow at the Aldersgate Methodist Church in Molino.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Margaret “Mutt” Simmons
March 25, 2015
Margaret “Mutt” Simmons, 90 of Pensacola, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2015. She was a faithful member of Olive Baptist Church for over 65 years. She was a lifelong homemaker who loved to garden and play cards with family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Linzy Simmons; sister, Josephine “Priss” Hendrix; and brothers, C.W. “Buddy” and J. D. Enterkin.
Margaret is survived by her daughters, Betty (Bo) Thompson and Nancy (Larry) Kellum; and grandchildren, Andrew (Dawn) Kellum and Timothy (Nikki) Kellum.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 2015, at Olive Baptist Church with Dr. Passmore and Rev. Steele, officiating.
Burial will follow in Ray’s Chapel Cemetery.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to services.
In lieu of flowers, the family request the memorial contributions be made to Olive Baptist Church building fund.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Changes Coming To Sheriff’s Office Cantonment/Molino Precinct
March 24, 2015
Rumors spreading on social media that the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will close the Cantonment/Molino precinct or cut back the number of deputies in the area are simply not true, according to Cpl. Rodney Eddins, the officer in charge of the department’s patrol units.
There are, however, changes coming to Precinct 4, based on Hood Drive, and Precinct 5, the Cantonment precinct based out of an office on Highway 29 in Molino.
“The changes will be transparent to the public,” Eddins said, “but will allow us to better serve the public.”
Beginning April 4, Cantonment deputies will “muster” at the precinct on Hood Drive to being their shifts. There, deputies from the 4th and 5th precincts will meet with their supervisor, discuss the day’s priorities and learn the latest information about crime and activities in both precincts. As it stands now, Cantonment deputies simply just begin their shifts, often without meeting with a supervisor.
After the muster on Hood Drive, deputies assigned to the Cantonment precinct with return to their area– roughly from West Roberts Road north to the Camp O’ The Pine on Highway 29 near McDavid.
The actual number of deputies on patrol in the Cantonment and Century precincts will be increasing slightly as a new class graduates from the academy, Eddins said. And the Precinct 5 office on Highway 29 at Omega Drive will remain open and continue to be used as it is now.
“We will continue to offer the best response times possible, and people will continue to see the faces of deputies they know in their local area, plus a few new faces,” he said.
15-Year Old Driver Killed In Ensley Crash
March 24, 2015
A 15-year old driver was killed in a single vehicle crash Monday morning in Ensley.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Justin B. Taylor of Pensacola was northbound on Untreiner Avenue in a 1997 Dodge Dakota about 8:35 a.m. when he lost control, ran off the roadway and struck a concrete utility pole. The pickup overturned, ejecting Taylor.
Taylor was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was pronounced deceased about 9:30 a.m.
Taylor was a sophomore at Tate High School. Grief counselors will be on hand at the school Tuesday for students that wish to speak to them.
There were no passengers in the vehicle.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Partly Sunny And 75 Today
March 24, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 55. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers after 4am. Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Thursday
A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly between 7am and 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 10 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 58.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 38.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 48.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 75.
Florida Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century
March 24, 2015
The 2015 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line in the Food Giant parking lot about 7:30 a.m. Monday. Employees from Century Correctional Institution and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office escorted the torch down Highway 29 through Century.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an event to raise awareness and support for the Special Olympics.
Law enforcement officers from over 300 Florida agencies (police departments, sheriff’s offices, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Customs, Air Force Police and Marine Patrol) all participate in the state-wide torch run to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Florida. Each year, over 5,000 officers carry the torch on a 1500-mile relay through 66 counties in Florida.
Pictured: The 2015 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics begins in Century Monday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Evers’ School Gun Bill Gets OK From Senate Panel
March 24, 2015
A Florida Senate panel on Monday approved what backers call a “school safety” bill that would allow school superintendents to tap employees or volunteers to carry concealed weapons on school property.
The measure (SB 180) passed the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on a party-line vote of 3-2 — the first Senate committee to approve the bill this year. Committee Chairman Greg Evers, R-Baker, is sponsoring the bill. Evers district includes the North Escambia area.
This is the third year the proposal has surfaced, and the House version, HB 19 by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, has already been approved by two committees.
Under the proposal, only people with law enforcement or military experience, in good standing, could qualify to become armed school security. They would also be required to hold concealed-weapons permits, pass background checks and go through a training program created by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Several educators, however, spoke against the measure.
“We’re just opposed to the idea that having more guns is a good idea for safety,” Barbara Holley, a retired elementary school principal, told the Senate committee. “There’s no evidence that having more guns around children will make children safer.”
Barbara Kirby-Bentley, a teacher with the Seminole County School Board, contended that guns are not safe in a school environment.
“You read every day about children attacking teachers in the classroom,” she said. “You read every day about students attacking law enforcement of some other adult who has authority over them. Just think of the anger they’re showing now — and if you put guns on campus, there’s another opportunity for the loss of life.”
Democrats on the panel objected as well.
“In my county, Palm Beach County, we pay to have full-time school police officers,” Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth. “If we’re going to do this, we should do it the right way and that’s to hire — and the state should pay for — school police officers to be in the school full time.”
Clemens said he thought Steube was trying to do the right thing, “but I’m still not all the way there yet.”
But Steube, who presented the bill to the Senate panel, pointed to part of the bill that would require school boards to consult with law enforcement to come up with policies and procedures for dealing with active shooters, hostage situations “and anything else that (the Florida Department of Law Enforcement) thinks is appropriate.”
“Right now that course doesn’t even exist,” Steube said. “School resource officers don’t even go through any training specific to school safety.”
The bill faces two more Senate committees.
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida