Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church Celebrates 125th Anniversary
October 26, 2015
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church on West Bogia Road in McDavid celebrated 125 years Sunday during the church’s annual homecoming services. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Heavy Rain Possible Today; Flash Flood Watch In Effect
October 26, 2015
There is a flash flood watch in effect through Monday. There is also a wind advisory in effect for gusty southeast winds. Winds of 15-25 mph can be expected with frequent gusts of 30-35 mph in widespread showers and thunderstorms.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 7pm, then showers likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 66. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. West wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
Highway 97 Driver Overturns
October 26, 2015
There were no known injuries when a driver lost control and overturned a pickup truck off Highway 97 in Walnut Hill Sunday night.
The accident was reported about 10:15 p.m. on Highway south of Howell Road
Firefighters arrived to find the Ford F150 on its side, but no one was around the truck. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the call.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Tribal Beat Participates In Dixieland Band Festival
October 26, 2015
The Northview High School Tribal Beat Band scored an over “2″ rating Saturday during the Dixieland Band Festival in Brewton. The band’s drum major received a “1″ rating, while other components such as color guard, majorettes and percussion scored a “2″. Photos by Gary Amerson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
G’day Mate! Local Students Take Virtual Trip To Australia
October 26, 2015
G’day mate! Hundreds of students at Bratt and Byrneville elementary schools recently took a virtual trip to Australia, thanks to The Global Corner International Learning Center.
The students spent time learning through hands-on activities about the language, arts, culture, geography and more of a unique land half a world away. Each year, The Global Corner teachers take students from their classroom virtually to another country. Through The Global Corner, local students have “visited” Japan, Spain, Egypt, Brazil, Russian, Italy, Kenya and now Australia.
Other North Escambia area schools will take the Global Corner virtual trip to Australia. The program will visit Molino Park Elementary in November and Jim Allen Elementary in February.
Pictured top: Thanks in part to a grant from the International Paper Foundation, The Global Corner was able to provide Passport to Australia Activity Books to K-2 students at Bratt Elementary School. These books reinforce the information taught during our Passport to Australia with fun activities. Pictured two photos below: Global Corner at Bratt Elementary School. Pictured bottom: Byrneville Elementary School’s “Bob” and Bess” discuss the visit of Global Corner to their school. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jerry Wayne Dorriety
October 26, 2015
Mr. Jerry Wayne Dorriety, 63, passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2015, in Lottie, Alabama.
Mr. Dorriety was a native of Huxford and a resident of Lottie for the past 26 years. Mr. Dorriety attended the Fretwell Tabernacle Holiness Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Maggie Dorriety.
Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Ora Jane Dorriety of Lottie; two sons, James “Jim” Dorriety, Sr. of Atmore and Robbie (Nickie) Turberville of Lottie; three daughters, Ashleigh Dorriety Etheridge of Atmore, Andrea (Jeremy) Ratz New of Bay Minette and Julie Turberville of Monroeville; three brothers, Curtis Lavone Dorriety of Tillman’s Corner, AL, Charles A. (Barbara) Dorriety of Robinsonville and Billie (Connie) Dorriety of Atmore; five sisters, Arvie Jean Jones of Pensacola, Ersel Lee (Roy) Brackin of Munson, Elizabeth (George) Lundy of Semirah Spings, AL, Doris (James) Lewis of Milton and Betty Weaver of Booneville, AL; eight grandchildren, Jim Dorriety, Jr, MaKayla Dorriety, Gracie Dorriety, Dagan New, Carley New, Darcey Turberville, Kara Turberville and Andrew Turberville; and one great-grandchild, Brantlee Ray Dorriety.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 27, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Sis. Helen Stewart officiating.
Burial will follow at the Traveler’s Rest Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Dagan New, Jeremy New, Destery Boutwell, Toby Boutwell, Joe Joe Boutwell, Jacob Boutwell, Wayne Coleman and Lawrence Gill.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Doris Emmons Brown
October 26, 2015
Mrs. Doris Emmons Brown, of McDavid, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2015, at her home surrounded by her family.
Doris was born in Byrneville to Joe and Olean Emmons on March 9, 1941. She married Winston on January 4, 1958, in Byrneville and they resided in McDavid. Doris was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Tammy; and two grandchildren.
Doris is survived by her husband of 57 years, Winston Brown of McDavid; sons, Tony (Angie) Brown of Pace, Steve (Tami) Brown of Jay, and Mike (Lori) Brown of Flomaton; brothers, Joey (Sandra) Emmons of Salsbury, NC, Wayne (Linda) Emmons of Pensacola; sisters, Betty (Troy) Brown of McDavid and Pat Harrison of Jay; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, October 26, 2015, at 10 a.m. with Bro. Ed Brown and Rev. Robby McCann officiating.
Interment will follow in Crary Memorial Cemetery at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Bluff Springs.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Hank, Joe, Tyler, Hunter, Ben, Cole.
Flomaton Funeral Home Directing.
I Lost My Son: Remembering Fallen Marine J.R. Spears
October 25, 2015
It’s been 10 years since Marine Cpl. J.R. Spears was killed by a single gunshot wound in Iraq, the first fatality from Escambia or Santa Rosa counties during the war in Iraq.
Saturday afternoon, his family, community members and even complete strangers gathered next to the J.R. Spears Memorial Field at Don Sutton Ballpark in Molino to remember the Tate High School graduate. It was, according to his father Tim Spears, a chance to celebrate what he meant to family and the community.
Spears and his daughters Jessie and Jenny wore black t-shirts with the No. 62 — J.R. Spears’ jersey number at right guard for the Tate Aggies. The team has since retired the jersey number in his honor.
Those gathered Saturday afternoon laughed and cried as they remembered J.R., and many wrote personal messages to him on red, white and blue balloons.
“Love and miss you – our hearys are broken. Save a place for us. Kisses from Molino,” said the message on one balloon. Many people wrote “Semper Fi” or “Thank you”. While another person wrote “You are forever in our hearts”. The balloons were released heavenward in his memory.
“We are going to send them straight to heaven,” event emcee T. Bubba Bechtol told the crowd.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The event also raised money for the J.R. Spears Memorial Scholarship that provides tuition for deserving Tate High graduates at Pensacola State College. When the winner of a “50/50 raffle” to benefit the scholarship fund was announced, a member of the Patriot Guard stepped forward and collected his winnings, only to return the cash to Tim Spears for the scholarship fund.
From the balloons, to the stories, to the hugs, and even the hamburgers and hot dogs, it was all about remembering the legacy of J.R. Spears.
“I don’t want everybody to forget why he died. He was doing what he thought was right,” father Tim Spears said. “A month or so before he was killed, there was a picture that came out…that showed him inside a house in Iraq talking to a man and a woman about why it so important for them to go and vote in their election and telling them what democracy was all about. That’s the kind of stuff that I want everybody to know.”
“They are not just over there killing people. They are trying their best to do what is right for the country that they are in and while defending our freedom and way of life over here,” he continued.
Then he paused, fighting back tears.
“And I guess there’s just a little bit personal on my part. I lost my son, and I want everybody to remember him and what he did.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Battle Fire At Atmore Chemical Plant
October 25, 2015
Firefighters spent several hours battling a fire at a chemical plant in Atmore.
Smoke was reported Saturday morning at Sunbelt Chemicals, located just off Highway 31 near the Atmore Country Club. The source of the smoke was traced to a smoldering fire inside insulation located over an office area inside the plant. The insulation contained sulfur dust that was burning, official said.
Firefighters worked for hours to remove the smoldering insulation. There were no injuries reported, and officials say the fire poised no danger to the public.
The plant manufactures and distributes sulfur products.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
CrossFaith Church Motorcycle Ride Benefits Alzheimer’s Services
October 25, 2015
CrossFaith Church in Molino held their annual “Ride to Remember” motorcycle ride Saturday to benefit local Alzheimer’s victims and their families. The ride began at Eagle’s Talon on Copter Road and ended at the church in Molino with a cookout, door prizes and more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Megan Whitney Horne for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
