Marguerite (Maggie) Christian Newton Goforth
September 16, 2015
Marguerite (Maggie) Christian Newton Goforth, passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2015. Maggie was an adored wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.
Maggie leaves behind her beloved husband, Ret. Lt. Col. (USMC) Robert K. Goforth; son, Brian Goforth; daughter, Mary (Ed) Shontz; granddaughter, Mariah Christian Shontz; sisters, Mary (Bud) Newbill, Nancy (Harry) Shaver and Dixie (Jerry) Sansom; sister-in-law, Alida Newton; half-sister, Bobbi Wigland; half-brothers, Walter Newton and John Newton; brother-in-law, Arlie (Marilyn) Goforth and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
Visitation will be held Friday, September 18, 2015, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel in Pensacola.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 19, 2015, 11 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Atmore.
Burial will be in Milton Cemetery in Milton at 1 p.m.
Bobby Little
September 16, 2015
Bobby Little, age 73, of Jay, passed away September 15, 2015, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. He was born on September 26, 1941, in Macon, Mississippi to Julian Wade Little and Eula Mae Little. He resided in Jay since 1988. He moved here from Hamilton, Mississippi. He was a member of Jay First Baptist Church where he served as Brotherhood Director for several years. He was a driver for Texaco Trading and Transportation Company. He retired as an over the road truck driver after 50 plus years of service. He was leased to Landstar when he retired.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Julian Little.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Laverne Little of Jay; sons, Glenn Bingham of Jay and Grant (Brandi) Bingham of Jackson, MS; Bob Wiygul of Columbus, MS; brother, Gaylan (Dorothy) Little of Macon, MS; grandchildren, Ethan Bingham and Lexi Bingham of Jay, Emerson and Presley Bingham of Jackson, MS; and members of the church family and friends.
A visitation will be held Thursday, September 17, 2015, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Jay First Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. on Friday, September 18, 2015, at Jay First Baptist Church with Rev. Ladon Hall and Dr. George Fredricks officiating.
Burial will follow at Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Frank Rowell, Jimmy Lowry, Frank Green, Bert Settle, Bobby Frazier and Benny Youngblood.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Jay First Baptist Church family.
Flowers or memorial contributions may be made to the Florida Baptist Church Children’s Home in Pensacola. For information contact Jay First Baptist Church at (850) 675-4587.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the church family and friends for their prayers, food and support at this time.
A special thanks to Sacred Heart doctors, nurses, and staff for the care given to our loved one.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Commissioner Barry To Hold Town Hall Meeting Tonight In Walnut Hill
September 15, 2015
District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will host a town hall meeting at 5:30 tonight at the Walnut Hill Ruritan Building at 7850 Highway 97. Residents are invited and encouraged to attend this open forum event.
Missing Children’s Day: Search Continues In North Escambia Case
September 15, 2015
A Tate High School student last seen 14 years ago in North Escambia was among those remembered Monday on the 2015 Florida Missing Children’s Day in Tallahassee.
““Our prayers are with each of the parents and loved ones of missing children for the heartache that they have experienced. Florida remains a national leader in combating these terrible crimes, and we will continue to work together to shine a light on any crime that places the life of a child at risk,” Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Monday.
In 2014, more than 35,000 incidents of missing children were reported to Florida law enforcement agencies and six AMBER Alerts were issued statewide. Since its inception, 192 AMBER Alerts have been issued, including two so far this year. AMBER Alerts have directly aided in the rescue of 62 children.
“We will never forget about these children and their families. We will continue to search and investigate, regardless of how long it’s been, to bring missing children home and provide answers for their families,” Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey added.
Danielle Arion Bell was last seen at age 14 at a party in September 2001 in the 500 block of Cedar Tree Lane, between Highway 29 and Highway 95A in Cantonment.
Witnesses told authorities that Bell left a party with a man that was in his mid-twenties at the time. Escambia County deputies later questioned that man and searched his home, but he was never charged in connection with the case.
During the summer of 2007, Alfredo Gomez Sanchez, Jr. was charged with providing law enforcement with false information about his whereabouts at the time Bell disappeared. He was not implicated in her disappearance.
In October 2010, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit served a search warrant at the home.
As part of that search warrant, a septic tank behind the residence was pumped out, and dogs from Escambia County Search and Rescue were also used to search the area. Investigators said nothing was found, and they would not say what new information might have led to the search.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Danielle has a scar on her right forearm and blue eyes. She had brown hair at the time of her disappearance. Danielle, whose nickname was “Dani”, was a member of the Tate Aggies cheerleading squad. The popular teen enjoyed dancing and drawing.
Anyone with information about Bell is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
FDLE invites the public to sign up to receive Missing Child Alerts and AMBER Alerts via email or text message by visiting www.missingchildrenalert.com. To view photos of missing children, visit www.fdle.state.fl.us.
Pictured top: Investigators pumped and searched a septic tank at this home on Cedar Tree Lane in Cantonment in October 2010 in the case of missing teen Danielle Arion Bell. Pictured below: A search and rescue K-9 team was also on site. Pictured bottom: A septic tank company employee prepares to pump a septic tank at the home. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Partly Sunny Wednesday
September 15, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light east.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Police: 37 Juveniles Arrested In Connection With Vehicle Burglaries
September 15, 2015
Since September 1, Pensacola Police officers have arrested 37 juveniles – some on multiple charges – in connection with more than 25 vehicle burglaries and attempted vehicle burglaries.
“In almost every incident, vehicle doors had been left unlocked,” said Detective Eric Hubley. “The number of vehicle burglaries being investigated would drop tremendously if people would just remember to lock their doors.”
Eight suspects were arrested Saturday and charged with loitering and prowling after they were seen trying to open vehicles in an apartment complex. Hubley said police were called Saturday night after a person saw the suspects pulling on vehicle handles and using flashlights to look into vehicles at Ashley Club Apartments, 2101 Scenic Highway. The suspects ranged in age from 14 to 18. Hubley said they weren’t charged with burglary because they didn’t enter any of the vehicles.
On Sunday, three juveniles – Jose Grady Polnitz, 13; Roderrick Ali Stallworth, 12; and Josea Williams, 11 – were charged with burglary after they were seen climbing onto the roof of Spencer Bibbs Elementary School. Two of the males entered the school via an unlocked window while the third acted as a “look out.”
And on September 8, three males also were arrested after they were seen trying to get into a vehicle in the 2500 block of Magnolia Avenue. Dekailen Dean, 14; Decorrious Hines, 16; and Jacquavious Savage, 14, were all charged with attempted burglary.
Also, on September 5, Pensacola Police officers also arrested seven suspects and charged them with vehicle burglaries that occurred in North Hill in the 1200 block of North A Street, on West Lloyd Street and in the 1300 block of North Palafox Street. Charged with burglary on September 5 were: Khristian Andrews, 15; Jaylen Boyd; 14; Jamound Bruster, 15; Clifford Knight, 15; Jakar Pritchett, 17; Deandre Walker, 14; and Demetrius Wilson, 14.
“Although the majority of burglaries and attempted burglaries have occurred at night, recent burglaries and attempts have occurred during daytime hours,” said Capt. Paul Kelly, who supervises the department’s Criminal Investigations Division. “We encourage everyone to keep a sharp eye on their neighbors’ houses and vehicles, and to call us if they see anyone acting suspiciously.”
Century Gives Preliminary Approval To $4.25 Million Budget
September 15, 2015
The Town of Century gave preliminary approval to a proposed $4.25 million annual budget for 2015-2016.
The proposed budget is set for a final public hearing at 6:55 p.m. on September 21, just before the council’s regular meeting at 7 p.m. The town’s budget year begins October 1.
Florida DOC To Appeal Kosher Food Rulings
September 15, 2015
In the latest move in a long-running legal battle, the Florida Department of Corrections has given notice it will appeal rulings by a federal judge about providing kosher food to prisoners.
The department filed a notice that it will take the case to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. The notice did not provide details of the state’s arguments, but it cited orders issued in April and August by U.S. District Judge Patricia Seitz. The August rulings, in part, granted federal officials’ request to monitor kosher meals, called the “Religious Dietary Program,” through visits to prisons.
Seitz also required the Department of Corrections to file monthly reports about the use of the program with the court and the U.S. Department of Justice and to file quarterly reports about prisoners who were suspended or removed from the program.
The appeal comes after more than a decade of fighting about prisons providing kosher meals to inmates who want to follow religious diets. That includes Jewish, Muslim and Seventh-Day Adventist prisoners.
The Justice Department filed the lawsuit in 2012, with Seitz ordering in April that the Department of Corrections provide the meals.
by The News Service of Florida
Pictured: The cafeteria inside the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Holy Smokes Batman! Mini-Caped Crusader Has Fire Department’s Back
September 15, 2015
When Escambia Fire Rescue’s Engine 6 rolled out of Ensley to a vehicle versus house call Sunday off 10 Mile Road, they knew they had backup coming from other fire stations. But little did they know that they would have superhero backup from the Bat Cave.
Firefighters said they looked over there was the mini-Batman walking down the street with his mom. Firefighter Peter Welch and Lt. Bryan Caro took time after their call to pose for a photo with mini-Batman.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Clerk’s Office Warns Of Jury Duty Telephone Scam
September 15, 2015
The Escambia County Clerk of the Court is reporting a telee scam that has been happening locally and across Florida.
In the scam, a person receives a telephone call informing them that they, or a close relative, did not appear for jury duty or grand jury duty. The caller then states that the individual can pay money in order to prevent the arrest of the person who supposedly failed to report for jury duty.
The Escambia County Clerk of the Court’s office said they do not make such phone calls.
Anyone that receives one of these scam calls is asked to call investigator Taylor Wells with the State Attorney’s Office at (850) 595-4261.