Avery Howard Beadle
April 11, 2015
Amaryllis flowers bloomed just in time to cheer Avery Beadle before he slipped peacefully from this life at home on April 7, 2015. He was one month shy of his 97th birthday.
Avery was the youngest of six children born to Frank J. and Fanny Brown Beadle of Minetto, NY, on May 13, 1918. He attributed much of his good health to the fact that, from the 7th through 12 grades, he had a paper route of five miles with 95 customers. Six evenings a week, in every season, he rode his bike making deliveries and earning one penny per paper.
Charles Lindberg’s flight across the Atlantic fueled Avery’s desire to fly, so after high school, he saved $64 for the eight required lessons and then would rent the plane for six dollars to practice. This experience enabled him to enlist in the US Army Air Corps in May, 1941, serving mostly in Montgomery, AL, until his discharge in December 1945.
Upon his rapid promotion to Staff Sergeant he was able to send for his sweetheart, Helen Kowalski of Oswego, NY, and they were wed on June 2, 1942.
Two days after his discharge from the Army, Avery began sweeping floors at the St. Regis Paper Company in Oswego and progressed to become a commercial artist by diligently practicing at home evenings. In 1952, his entire department was transferred to Cantonment, FL, where he and Helen continued to reside.
Avery had numerous talents. He learned to play the trumpet in high school and then played in dance bands, as well as an Army Air Corps band. He also played piano and organ by ear. He enjoyed keeping his yard in pristine condition and dabbled in electronics all his life, building radios and remote control airplanes. He possessed endless curiosity and so, at age 94, bought himself a tablet and learned to use email, delighting in exchanging messages with family and friends.
Avery will be most remembered by all who knew and loved him for his wonderful humor and charm, which he maintained until the end of his days. He often expressed gratitude for the blessed and fortunate life that he and his family enjoyed.
Avery has gone to join Helen, his beloved wife of 72 years, who preceded him in death on Dec. 4, 2014. He is survived by his two children, Sylvia Beadle Zurko of Colorado, and Gary (Danise) Beadle of Cantonment, 3 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
After cremation he will be inurned with his wife at Barrancas National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Covenant Hospice or a charity of your choice.
Friends are invited to visit the family at 100 Morris Avenue, Cantonment, between 3:00pm and 6:00pm on Friday, April 24.
Car Fire Slows Highway 29 Traffic
April 10, 2015
Traffic was slowed on Highway 29 at Hannah Street in Ensley Friday afternoon by a vehicle fire. The Ensley Station of Escambia Fire Rescue quickly extinguished the blaze. There were no injures reported. Reader submitted photos by Jason Isbell, click to enlarge.
Escambia Allocates Tourist Dollars To Tate’s Aggie Classic Tourney
April 10, 2015
Escambia County will provide tourist development funding for the next Aggie Classic hosted by Tate High School Baseball.
Over its 22 year history, the tournament has brought in over 350 teams from California, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, New York, and the District of Columbia — along with thousands of out of town parents and fans spending money locally and staying nearly a week.
“We are looking to always improve our tournament and to put our best foot forward for our annual guests,” Tate baseball coach Greg Blackmon wrote in his funding request.
Escmabia County placed $250,000 in the 4th Cent Tourist Development Tax reserves. These funds are split $50,000 per commission district for events and other tourist promotion activities. District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry has proposed $5,000 for the 23rd Aggie Classic to be held March 14-17, 2016. The Escambia County Commission approved the proposal at a Thursday meeting.
Free Tonight: Enjoy Great Music, Or A Night Of Nature
April 10, 2015
There are two free events tonight in the North Escambia area – one for the nature lover, and the other for the music lover.
Everyone is invited to a free night of entertainment at 6:30 tonight in the Northview High School Theater. The Northview High School Music Department will present a Spring Concert featuring the school’s Concert Band, Guitar Ensemble and Vocal Ensemble.
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center will hold their annual “Night of Nature” from 5:30 until 8:30 tonight. Visitors can meet owls from the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, gaze through telescopes with the Escambia Amateur Astronomy Association, visit the reptile room, observe insects of the night, and take a naturalist led hike through the woods. There will be hotdogs, chips, water, and baked goods available for a small donation. The event will be held even if it rains with alternative indoor activities. The event is free and open to the public. The center is located on Tobias Road in Cantonment. For more information, call (850) 937-2117.
Santa Rosa Deputy Attacked By Man With Sword; Suspect Shot And Killed
April 10, 2015
A Santa Rosa County deputy is recovering after being cut by a man with a Samurai sword Thursday evening in Navarre. The suspect died a short time after being shot multiple times by a second deputy.
About 5:30 p.m., deputies with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to an address on Quail Roost Drive in Navarre for a reported active disturbance where an individual had a weapon in his possession.
Upon arrive, deputies encountered the man with the sword, who was later identified as Gordon Talmage Kimbrell Jr. Kimbrell struck Deputy Matt Ray with the sword multiple times, causing serious injuries. Sgt. Brian Miller then shot Kimbrell.
Kimbrell was transported to Gulf Breeze Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Ray was transported to Baptist Hospital where he underwent surgery and was listed in good condition Thursday night. He is recovering from a serious injury to an extremity
Due to the deputy-involved shooting, the investigation is being headed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Miller has been placed on administrative leave, as is standard procedure. Further details have not yet been released.
Miller was not injured during the incident.
Baseball: Northview Tops In District; Niceville Over Tate
April 10, 2015
Northview 4, Chipley 3
The Northview Chiefs (15-2, 8-2) beat Chipley Thursday night in Bratt 4-3. With the win, the Chiefs will enter the district tournament as the No. 1 seed. For the Chiefs, Brodie Amos was 1-3, 3 RBI; Chasen Freeman 1-3, R; Roman Manning 1-2, R; Aaron McDonalds 0-3; Zach Payne 1-2; Brian Cantrell 1-3, R. In their final regular season game, the Chiefs will host Rocky Bayou on Monday.
Niceville 1, Tate 0
The Tate Aggies dropped a district game to Niceville Thursday night, 1-0. Branden Fryman was 1-3; Jacob Saulnier 1-2; Josh Key 1-3. The Aggies will host Fort Walton Beach Friday night in another district matchup.
Paxton 2, Central 2
West Florida 11, Walton 1
Pictured: Northview beats Chipley Thursday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Hurricane Forecasters Predict Quietest Season In Decades
April 10, 2015
The forecasters at Colorado State University are predicting that 2015 will be one of the quietest hurricane seasons in decades.
They are only predicting seven named storms, the lowest forecast in two decades, and three hurricanes. There are normally 12 named storms and six or seven hurricanes, the group said.
The slow season, according to Colorado State researchers is because an El Niño of at least moderate strength will develop this summer and fall, and the tropical and subtropical Atlantic are also cool.
“Despite the forecast for below average activity, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them. They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted,” researchers said.
Emergency Gun Bill Headed To Governor
April 10, 2015
A measure that would allow people without concealed-weapons permits to pocket their legally owned guns during a declared emergency is now headed to the governor.
The House voted 86-26 on Thursday to approve a proposal (SB 290) that would allow people to carry guns without concealed-weapons licenses for 48 hours during mandatory emergency evacuations. The bill would only apply to people who legally own guns.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Scott, who prodded the Florida National Guard to back a similar measure last year, wouldn’t say on Thursday if Scott would sign this year’s proposal.
“If it gets to his desk he’ll review it,” Scott spokeswoman Jackie Schutz said.
Last year’s proposal died in the Senate, amid concerns by the Florida Sheriffs Association and some Republican and Democratic senators.
But Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, made changes this year to address the concerns of law enforcement, such as adding the 48-hour limit. The timeframe can be extended by the governor during a crisis.
Proponents say the measure allows people to bring their firearms, along with other valuables, when they are forced to leave home because of hurricanes or other disasters.
“The unintended consequence would be for certain having looters to come and take weapons that have been left behind, whether they be valuable heirlooms or standard-issue firearms,” said Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, the House sponsor of the bill. “If you think for one moment that I want to walk out in an emergency situation and not be able to have some means of protecting myself and my family, you’re sadly mistaken.”
The narrowly tailored bill doesn’t address issues such as what people without licenses must do with their weapons if they evacuate to shelters that prohibit guns or whether people could continue to carry concealed weapons on their return home after an evacuation order is lifted.
Democrats objected to increasing the number of armed people roaming the streets without concealed-weapons permits during a time of crisis. They added that obtaining a concealed-carry permit, which requires firearms training, is readily available.
Tampa Democrat Rep. Ed Narain, a concealed-carry permit holder, expressed concerns about “unintended consequences” he likened to incidents he said have been tied to the state’s “stand your ground” self-defense law.
“Image you’re an African-American father, and husband, who is securing his own family in an evacuation situation,” Narain said. “While driving out of town you see someone in need of help. And you decide you’re going to assist them. But this person, who is in clear distress, sees you coming towards them and they feel threatened. Thinking you could potentially have ill intentions, they decide to fire that weapon that they don’t have a conceal weapons permit for, that they don’t handle very often, and they don’t have any real training on.”
But Rep. Frank Artiles, R-Miami, called arguments against the bill “preposterous” and “ridiculous.”
“The majority of Democratic colleagues want to disarm law-abiding citizens in a time of need,” Artiles declared. “The criminals will always have their weapons…Did the criminal take a safety class? Did the criminal get a license? No, this is to defend your family. This is to defend your property, including the food you prepared. Because if you don’t have a weapon in a time of need, when a police officer or cell tower is not working, guess what, the person with a weapon is going to take your food. And that’s a reality. It’s survival of the fittest when our infrastructure has crumbled.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Northview Chiefs Celebrate Senior Night, Take On Wisconsin Team
April 10, 2015
The Northview High School Lady Chiefs celebrated Senior Night Thursday as they wrapped up their regular season. The Chiefs dropped both games of a double header to visiting Oshkosh North High School from Wisconsin. The Lady Chiefs will travel to Freeport Monday as the district tournament gets underway.
Pictured top: (L-R) Seniors Kendall Cobb, Penny Banda, Coach Ronald Peebles, Kyndall Hall, Courtney Peebles, Addy Lee, Kristen Byrd and Mallory Ryan. Not pictured above is Angel Lathan, who is on the left below, and Ciara Campbell. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Heavy Rain, Maybe A Storm Possible
April 10, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1am, then a chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 66. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday Night
A chance of showers, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday
A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.
Tuesday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Wednesday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.
Wednesday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Thursday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.