Freezing Again Friday Night
February 13, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. West wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Sunny, with a high near 65. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 36. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
- Sunday Sunny, with a high near 51. North wind around 10 mph.
- Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Washington’s Birthday A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday Night Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 53. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 67. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
- Wednesday Partly sunny, with a high near 46.
- Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 21.
- Thursday Sunny, with a high near 48.
Bratt Elementary Art On Display At School District Headquarters
February 13, 2015
3-D art from Bratt Elementary School is currently on display in the Escambia County School District headquarters in the Vernon McDaniel Building on Pace Boulevard. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Military Housing Tax Exemption Gets Support
February 13, 2015
County property appraisers would be prohibited from seeking property taxes on housing improvements at U.S. military bases in Florida, under a proposal that easily marched through its first House appearance Thursday.
The House Finance & Tax Committee unanimously backed a proposal by Rep. Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City, aimed at recognizing that housing under a program known as the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, on land owned by the federal government, is exempt from ad valorem taxation.
Initiative developments can be found at several bases, including Naval Air Station Pensacola.
The Military Housing Privatization Initiative involves the military entering agreements with private developers to own and operate military-family housing.
Trumbull’s bill is in reaction to a 2012 attempt by the Monroe County property appraiser to subject such housing at Naval Air Station Key West to local property taxes. Similar efforts are underway in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, Trumbull said.
The Monroe County property appraiser contended the non-governmental title holder on the housing improvements at the Navy facility shouldn’t be exempt from the taxes. However, a circuit judge blocked the attempt, declaring that the U.S. Navy is the equitable owner of the property, according to a legislative analysis. The case has been appealed to the 3rd District Court of Appeal. “At a time when Florida is spending a significant amount of money to maintain a military presence in Florida, these actions send a terrible message,” Trumbull told the committee.
by The News Service of Florida
West Florida Lady Jags Get District Win (With Gallery); Tate Now 4-0
February 13, 2015
The defending state champion West Florida Lady Jaguars are off to a 2-1 start this season.
The Lady Jags opened their season with an eight-inning 10-9 win over the Escambia Gators, a loss to Gulf Breeze and a district win Thursday 7-2 over the Marianna Bulldogs. Mogan Freeman hit a homer for the Lady Jags, while Farrah Nicholas struck out eight.
For photo highlights from the first three WFGS games, click here.
SOFTBALL
Tate 10, Navarre 0
Tori Perkins earned the win for Tate, striking out eight and allowing four hits in five innings. Casey McCracking had two runs, two RBIs; Perkins was 2-3 with an RBI; Rachel Wright was 2-4 with 3 RBIs; and Hayden Lindsay had a run and two RBIs for the Lady Aggies.
Tate is now 4-0, 3-0 in the district.
Photos by Gary Carnley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hollis James Hicks
February 13, 2015
Hollis James Hicks, 76 of Ellisville, Mississippi, died on Wednesday, February 11, 2015, in Ellisville, Mississippi. He was born Sunday, September 11, 1938. He was the son of the late Clyde Hicks and the late Maggie Colbert Hicks. He was the husband of Magalene Williamson Hicks. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church.
Mr. Hicks served in the Mississippi National Guard and was a member of the American Legion and VFW in Petal, MS. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting (especially coon hunting) and enjoyed his grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his son, Edwin Allbrooks and brothers, Houston Hicks, Sammy Hicks and Fred Hicks.
Survivors include his daughters, Charlotte (Kenneth) Holder, Shelia (Sherrill) Blackwell and Kay Snodgrass all of Ellisville, MS; brothers, Burl (Marcella) Hicks, Harl D. “Mack” Hicks and Johnny (Elaine) Hicks all of Laurel, MS; sisters, Mazie (Gene) Burkett of Atmore, Mary Lou Ridgeway of Bay Minette and Irene Bryant of Atmore; grandchildren, Shane (Melissa) Herrington, Tonya Holder, Kristie (Neil) Windham, Ken (Kathy) Holder, Blake Blackwell, Alexis Allbrooks and Shae Blackwell; great-grandchildren, Brett Herrington, Daniel Windham, Harley Nobles, Jonathan Windham, Aaron Allbrooks, Caleb Windham, Blaine Herrington, Samantha Allbrooks and Hannah Windham. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Funeral services will be Sunday, February 15, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Stroud officiating.
Burial will follow at the Poplar Springs Church Cemetery in Uriah.
Visitation will be Sunday, February 15, 2015, from 12 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Stan Ridgway, David Burkett, Tate Hicks, Shane Herrington, Brett Herrington, Blake Blackwell and Michael Ray Williamson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Daniel Windham, Jonathan Windham, Harley Nobles, Aaron Allbrooks, Caleb Windham and Neil Windham.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Rondal Howell
February 13, 2015
Rondal Howell age 73 of Jernigan Road in Brewton, passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2015, at his residence after a brief illness. He was a native and lifelong resident of Brewton. Mr. Howell was a member of the Catawba Springs Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Ann McLelland Howell of Brewton; two sons, Tim (Lisa) Howell and Lance (Wendy) Howell all of Brewton; two grandchildren, Adam Howell, Andrew Howell; one great-grandchild, Robby Howell; four isters-in-law, Joy McLelland of East Brewton, Dorothy Howell of Pensacola, Melva Howell of Flomaton and Pam Howell of Brewton/
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 14, 2015, at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Jeff Edwards officiating.
Interment will follow in Catawba Springs Cemetery Brewton, Alabama.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton, Alabama is directing.G.
Herby E. Wilson
February 13, 2015
Herby E. Wilson, 65, of Cantonment, passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2015. He retired from Solutia after 36 years as a maintenance follower. He had a lawn care business and enjoyed working with plants and flowers. His children and grandchildren were very important to him.
He is preceded in death by his father, Cecil Wilson.
He is survived by his loving wife, Carol Lee Wilson; children, Collen Hadley, Courtney Huot (Jeff), Michelle Page (Cole) and Angela Hansard; 13 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; his mother, Betty Wilson; and his brother, Cecil Wilson, Jr. (Linda).
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Covenant Hospice in Herby’s memory.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 17, 2015, beginning at 6 p.m. with the memorial service at 7:30 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
Royal Classic Winterguard and Percussion Competition Saturday In Jay
February 13, 2015
The Royal Classic Winterguard and Percussion Competition will be held Saturday at Jay High School.
The competition beings at 4:30 with scoring to be announced at 9:15. Admission is $10; full concessions will be available during the entire event.
Over 20 groups are scheduled to perform
Navy Helicopter Suffers ‘Training Mishap’ In Pace
February 12, 2015
A training wing helicopter suffered a “training mishap” this afternoon at Naval Air Station Whiting Field’s Navy Outlying Landing Field Spencer in Pace.
Initial reports from the scene indicate that the helicopter rolled on its right side while landing, and the two pilots exited the helicopter on their own accord. The pilots were evaluated by NAS Whiting Field EMS personnel and weretransported to Santa Rosa Medical for a routine evaluation.
The incident is still being investigated and further details will be released as they become available, according to a statement from the Naval Air Station Whiting Field Public Affairs Office.
Four People Injured In Cantonment Crash
February 12, 2015
Four people were injured in a two vehicle crash in Cantonment this morning.
One vehicle came to rest on its roof following the accident on Highway 95A just north of East Roberts Road this morning. In addition to the four injuries that were transported to area hospitals by ambulance, one other person involved in the 5:50 a.m. crash refused medical treatment.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details have not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
