Gas Prices Drop Below $2 In North Escambia
October 28, 2015
Gas prices have finally fallen below $2 a gallon in North Escambia, with several Cantonment stations at $1.99 or even $1.98 on Tuesday. Across the Escambia County area, gas prices in the area are dipping again and should fall further by the end of the year, according to AAA.
Gas prices had inched up in recent weeks, partly because routine maintenance at refineries shrunk supplies. Normal production resumed last week at many refineries.
On Monday, the price of regular unleaded in Escambia County averaged $2.08 per gallon, down 11 cents from a week earlier. It was 86 cents cheaper than a year ago.
The national average currently sits at $2.20 per gallon, the lowest price since February.
Picturd: A gallon of regular unleaded was down to $1.99 Tuesday on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Road Closures
October 28, 2015
Road closures are planned this week as follows:
Pine Forest Road in Walnut Hill is set to be closed through Thursday, November 4 at 4:30 p.m. for railroad crossing repairs. Drivers may detour on Rockaway Creek and Pelt Roads.
Highway 168 will experience single lane closures on the Hobbs Branch Bridge (between Pine Barren Road and Wiggins Road) through Wednesday, November 25. Lane closures will be from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
North Pineville Road work has been canceled.
Work may be rescheduled or prolonged due to inclement weather. Any updates will be posted on NorthEscambia.com.
Molino Park Elementary Heads Back To The 50’s (Photo Gallery)
October 28, 2015
Students at Molino Park Elementary School went back to the 50’s Tuesday to celebrate the 50th day of the school year.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fog, Chance Of Rain Move Back Into Forecast
October 28, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A chance of showers between 10am and 4pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 56. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 78. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 79.
Santa Rosa Deputies Pay Special Visit To Jay Elementary
October 28, 2015
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office paid a special visit to Jay Elementary School Tuesday to teach students about bullying and stranger danger. Major Bob Johnson also took the time to read to students. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Win Free Tickets, VIP Passes For Marshall Tucker Band Concert
October 28, 2015
The Marshall Tucker Band will perform on Thursday night at the Pensacola Blue Wahoo Stadium.
For your chance win free tickets and VIP passes from NorthEscambia.com, click here to like and share a Facebook post.
The Marshall Tucker Band is one of the major Southern rack bands of the ‘70s with a music style combined of rock, country, and jazz. From their beginnings in the early ’70s, their sound took plenty of changes musically — swinging, grooving, jamming and going country — and always stretched the boundaries. Their hits included “Heard It in a Love Song” and “Can’t You See”.
Tickets will be available for purchase to see the Marshall Tucker Band for $15 at http://bit.ly/1W2UoVc. Tickets are available online and at the Pensacola Blue Wahoo Box Office.
Kathleen Bracken Becker
October 28, 2015
Kathleen B. Becker, 93 of Cantonment, passed away on Monday, October 26, 2015. She was born on May 11, 1922, in Appleton, AL to the late Edgar and Lily Craigmile. Kathleen retired from Monsanto with over 25 years of service. She was a loving mother, housewife, sister, and avid gardener. She was involved in her local community helping in churches, and education with Public Broadcasting Station (PBS).
Kathleen was preceded in death by her husbands, Ralph E. Bracken and Claus Becker; and her parents.
She is survived by her children, Ty (Glenda) Bracken, Ralphene Bracken Eshleman, Beverly Bracken (Terry) Williams, and Roy L. Bracken; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Dees officiating.
Burial will follow in Weaver Cemetery in Brewton.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 29, 2015, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Shane Fleming, Garry Cain, and Russell Bracken will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Lettie Jane Ray Childress
October 28, 2015
Mrs. Lettie Jane Ray Childress, 79, passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, in Pensacola.
Mrs. Childress was a native of Canoe and a resident of Robinsonville since 1980. Mrs. Childress was a member of the Canoe Methodist Church. She is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Johnny Robert Childress; beloved son, Robert Allen Childress; three grandchildren; parents, Otis and Jessie Ray; and four brothers, Sam Ray, Milton Ray, Johnny Frank Ray and Arthur Lee Ray.
Survivors include her daughter, Sondra Childress of Robinsonville; daughter-in-law, Dawn Childress Northrop of Andalusia; special caregiver, like a daughter, Diana (Jonathan) Conway of Robinsonville; two brothers, Willis Matthew (Voncille) Ray of Canoe and Marvin Ray of Atmore; one sister, Mary Gene Conway of Atmore; one grandchild, Beth Childress of Andalusia; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, October 30, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Marvin Bender officiating.
Burial will follow at the Canoe Freewill Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 29, 2015, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Blake Young, Josh Northrop, Terry Milstead, Randy Miller, Ricky Miller, James Conway, James Lyle and Chase Gordon.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Arrest Made In July Triple Murder
October 27, 2015
An arrest has been made in a triple murder that was said at the time to be related to witchcraft.
Donald Wayne Hartung, 58, was arrested Tuesday on three counts of first degree premeditated murder. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
He is charged will the brutal murder of his mother Voncile Smith, 77, and two half brothers John William Smith, 47, and Richard Thomas Smith, 49. They were found dead in their Deerfield Drive home on July 31. All three were beaten with a claw hammer and their throats slit, and Richard Smith was also shot in the head.
The arrest was announced Tuesday afternoon by Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan at a press conference.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said his office will seek the death penalty in the case.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Division, in partnership with the Florida Department Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Attorney were able to use forensic and other evidence leading to Hartung’s arrest.
Morgan said FDLE processed a very large amount of evidence for the Sheriff’s Office, with it taking some five days to process the crime scene.
Eddins said the crime scene was “one of the most complicated that I have seen in my career”.
At a press conference shortly after the murders, Morgan said witchcraft may have been involved in the killings. Tuesday, he said that witchcraft was still “in play”, but it would be up to prosecutors to determine the motive.
Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan and State Attorney Bill Eddins at a Tuesday afternoon press conference. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
School Bus Involved In Ensley Crash
October 27, 2015
[Update 3 pm] At least one person was injured in a crash between a school bus and a vehicle Tuesday morning on Highway 29 at Detroit Boulevard.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 81-year old Robert W Kilpatrick of Pace was westbound on Detroit Boulevard in a 2009 Pontiac Vibe when he turned into the path of a northbound 2007 school bus driven by 67-year old Harold R. Haile of Cantonment. There were no students on the bus at the time of the crash.
Kilpartrick was transported by Escambia County EMS to to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Haile and an another adult on the bus, 20-year old Telsha Gable, received minor injuries.
Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the FHP.
NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photos by various readers, including Whitney Harris and Melody Johnson, click to enlarge.
