Two Accidentally Shot In Escambia County
June 14, 2015
A man and woman were accidentally shot Saturday morning.
The incident occurred in the 6600 block of Saufley Pines Road. A man was reportedly cleaning a gun when it fired, shooting the man in the hand and a woman in leg or groin area. She was transported by ambulance to an area hospital as a “trauma alert”, while the man’s injuries were not considered severe.
The relationship between the and the woman was not immediately known, nor was the type of weapon that fired. No criminal charges are expected.
Second Lady Christens USS Gabrielle Giffords In Mobile
June 14, 2015
The Navy christened its tenth littoral combat ship (LCS), the USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), during a midday ceremony Saturday at Austal USA shipyard in Mobile. LCS 10 is named after former United States Representative Gabrielle Giffords.
“The christening of the future USS Gabrielle Giffords marks the beginning of what is certain to be a long life for this great ship,” said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. “It is also a celebration of the skill and dedication of the men and women who have built LCS 10 and the courage of her namesake. This ship truly embodies the Navy motto of Semper Fortis – Always Courageous.”
During the event, Second Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden, the ship’s sponsor, broke a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow thereby christening the ship in a time-honored Navy tradition.
“Gabby represents the same qualities the Navy embodies,” Dr. Biden said. “She also represents the six Americans who lived those values but lost their lives in Tucson the day Gabby nearly lost hers.”
“In congress I was proud to support our armed forces. I love the Navy. I even married a sailor,” Giffords said. “She’s stealthy. She will defend freedom around the world. Go Navy!”
The LCS class consists of the Freedom variant and Independence variant, each designed and built by different industry teams. The Freedom variant team is led by Lockheed Martin (for odd-numbered hulls, e.g., LCS 1). The Independence variant team is led by General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works (LCS 2 and LCS 4) and Austal USA (for the subsequent even-numbered hulls). Purchased under the innovative block-buy acquisition strategy, there are 12 ships currently under construction.
While capable of open-ocean tasking, LCS is intended to operate in the littorals — shallow, coastal waters. As such, the ships can operate in water as shallow as 20 feet deep and can travel at speeds in excess of 40 knots. USS Freedom (LCS 1) and USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) recently demonstrated these critical capabilities as part of their operational deployments to U.S. 7th Fleet in the Asia-Pacific region.
LCS 10 is the 16th U.S. naval ship to be named for a woman, and only the 13th ship to be named for a living person since 1850. Giffords was a Congresswoman for Arizona’s 2nd District when Jared Loughner shot and wounded her on January 8, 2011.
Gabrielle Giffords is the third ship in a block buy contract with Austal to build 10 Independence- variant LCS ships. Sister ship Jackson (LCS 6) is preparing for builder’s trials, and Montgomery (LCS 
was christened in November 2014. The LCS program is ramping up in 2015 to deliver two ships per year from the Austal shipyard, as well as two Freedom-variant ships from the Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Summer Ball Underway
June 14, 2015
Summer ball is underway for the Northview Chiefs. The Chiefs lost to Crestview 10-2 and lost to Niceville 9-7 Saturday. On Friday, the Northview Chiefs lost to Crestview 3-2 and defeated Baker 11-2 in summer ball. The Chiefs are back in action in Bratt at 4 p.m. Monday. Photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Showers And Thunderstorms, Otherwise Mostly Sunny Today
June 14, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Frances Louise Davison
June 14, 2015
Ms. Frances Louise Davison, 71, a resident of Century, was born June 13, 1943, and she answered the Master’s Call on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at the Century Nursing Care Center.
A native and lifelong resident of Century, Ms. Davison was a homemaker and member of the Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church. She attended Carver High School in Century.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sherman and Allean Davison, and other family members.
Those left to embrace her life and cherish her memories are three daughters, Karen Davison and Sheretta Davison, both of Century, and Sharita Gray of Albion, MI.; two sons, James C. and Eric M. Davison, both of Century; two sisters, Doshia Lett and Julia Carter, both of Century; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 15, at 1 p.m. from Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church in Century with the Rev. Michael C. Stewart, pastor, officiating.
Hurricane Season: Insure Against The Worst
June 14, 2015
It’s early in the 2015 hurricane season in the U.S., and with the significant risk of hurricane damage in Florida – from the state’s extensive coastline to the interior – insurance experts say it’s a good time for Floridians to do a check-up on their insurance policies.
Lynne McChristian with the Insurance Information Institute says with needs and property values constantly changing, it’s best to check the status of coverage every year.
“The most important thing is to have an annual conversation with your insurance company or insurance agent,” she says. “You need to make sure your homeowner’s insurance policy is enough to rebuild your home in the event of a disaster.”
The relatively quiet hurricane seasons of recent years have enabled the state to build up its Hurricane Catastrophe Fund to $17 billion. The state-run Citizens Property Insurance Company, created when many private insurers wouldn’t write policies in Florida after a series of damaging storms, has more than $7 billion in reserves.
While many property owners are protected, McChristian says the state’s large number of renters are not, unless they’ve purchased a renter’s policy.
“A lot of renters neglect to get property insurance, because nobody forces them to get it,” she says. “A landlord’s insurance does not cover your personal possessions.”
McChristian says it’s important to remember that flood insurance is not included in standard property insurance policies, but is something all Florida homeowners should consider.
“Even if you don’t live in a high-risk area for flooding, you really need to think about flood insurance,” she says. “We have inland bodies of water in Florida, and you may have a storm surge that could push water inland. That water has to go somewhere.”
According to AAA, one in five Floridians has flood insurance. On average, a flood insurance policy costing 85 cents a day will cover $100,000 in structural damage.
by Stephanie Carson, Public News Service Florida
Century’s Showalter Earns Orioles Third Most Wins Ever As Manager
June 14, 2015
Another milestone Saturday night for Century native and Baltimore Orioles Manager Buck Showalter.
With the Orioles defeating the Yankees 9-4 for the sixth straight victor, Showalter earned his 408th win as manager of the Orioles, third-most ever behind Earl Weaver and Paul Richards.
Showalter’s family moved to Century in the late 1950’s. His father served as a teacher, coach and principal at Century High School for 23 years. Buck Showalter played Little League ball in a thriving program in Century, and he graduated from Century High School. Century’s modern day Showalter Park is named after him.
Photo courtesy Baltimore Orioles for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lester Hunt Butsch
June 14, 2015
Lester Hunt Butsch passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2015. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama on December 18, 1933, to the late Milton and Elizabeth Butsch.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Glenda Sue; his son, Alan (Melissa); his daughter, Nancy; step-son Doug; step-daughter, Kaki; granddaughters, Tatiana, Morgan and Emily. He is also survived by his brother, David; and many loved, nephews and nieces.
He is predeceased by his sisters, Molly and Elizabeth; brothers, Milton Jr., Warren, John, and Robert; and step-son, Wallace Harrell.
Lester attended the Marion Military Institute and graduated from Birmingham Southern University. He became a Naval Aviator and served with distinction in Vietnam. He retired as a Captain in 1982. After his military service, Lester found a second calling as a flight simulator instructor and served for over 20 years as a civilian employee on board Pensacola Naval Air Station and Whiting Field.
Lester was an avid fisherman, golfer and football fan. He found comfort in his faith and invariably found the positive in every situation. He will be sorely missed by his family and many friends.
Services were held Friday, June 12, 2015 at First Methodist Church.
Burial was at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Lucile Reamer Whitegon
June 14, 2015
Lucile Reamer Whitegon, 91, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2015. Although she was born in Topeka, Kansas, Molino was her home for almost 60 years. She was a member of the Molino Silver Agers and the Molino Homemakers. She enjoyed knitting, quilting, and crocheting and had won many ribbons at the Pensacola Fair.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Whitegon (1981) and daughter Patty Lee Whitegon (1976). Coming from a large family of 15 brothers and sisters, she is proceeded in death by Patsy Reamer, Geraldine Reamer, Robert Reamer, Harry Reamer, and Floyd Reamer.
She is survived by her sons, Bobby Whitegon (Patsy) and Jerry Whitegon (Jackie); four grandchildren, Kelly Howard, Bill Whitegon, Robert Whitegon and Jay Whitegon; and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters, Bertha Regnier, Jean Hull, Beverly Watson, Charlotte Lamb, Donna Ethridge, Arlis Stevenson, Shirley Meyers, Betty Carroll; and brothers, Roy Reamer and Kenneth Reamer.
Special thanks to the employees at Arcadia Health and Rehab who brought a smile to all of us and made it feel like a second home to her.
Services were held at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Saturday, June 13, 2015.
Carlos Clinton “Dusty” Rhodes
June 14, 2015
C. C. “Dusty” Rhodes passed away on June 12, 2015. He started his career with the Florida Highway Patrol in 1961 as a radio operator in Miami then became a state trooper serving in Tallahassee and Milton but mostly in Pensacola until he retired in 1986. He later served with Florida’s State Fire Marshall’s office as an arson investigator.
Since 1973, his favorite hobby was skeet shooting where he loved both the sport and the “skeet family” he met along the way. He was a member of the National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) and proudly represented Florida’s skeet shooters as one of NSSA’s National Directors. His skeet shooting accomplishments included winning state champion three times and being inducted into Florida’s Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Diane Etheredge Rhodes; brother, Ralph Rhodes; sisters-in-law, Sharon Leeds (Steve) and Patsy Manning; brothers-in-law, Charlie Etheredge (Terry); nephews, Dusty Rhodes (Gena), Jo Manning (Karin), and Vance Creighton (Fazana); nieces, Gayla Edwards (Rodney), Cherie Stone and Sheila Cox (Jeff); 17 great-nephews and nieces; five great-great nephews and one great-great niece.
The family extends gratitude to the memory care staff at the Broadview Assisted Living Facility and Emerald Coast Hospice for their compassionate care.
Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on June 15, 2015, at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1394 E. Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. The celebration of life service will follow at 11 a.m. and will be officiated by Rev. Dan Nigolian and Rev. Ted Bowne.
Burial will follow at the Gonzalez United Methodist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to St. Luke United Methodist Church where Dusty was a member (1394 E. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, FL 32514).
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.