Tate High’s Payne Signs With Morehouse College

February 5, 2016

Tate High School senior Reginald Payne signed Thursday with Morehouse College in Atlanta, an affiliate of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). Photo courtesy Tate Football for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Pattie Marvine Odom Stone

February 5, 2016

Pattie Marvine Odom Stone 88, of Walnut Hill, passed away Thursday, February 4, 2016. She was born June 5, 1927, in in Perry, FL to the late Marvin and Bennie Ethel Cash Odom. She was a graduate of Taylor County High School in Perry, FL, Class of 1945. Florida State University conferred on her a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1948 and a Master of Science Degree in 1968. She did other course work at Stetson, Pensacola Junior College and the University of West Florida and during these high school and college years she worked at various jobs. On August 27, 1948, Pattie Odom married George G. Stone in the First Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee.

Mrs. Stone taught in the Escambia County, FL schools for 37 years and was active in various teachers’ organizations and fraternities during this time. She was Teacher of the Year in Escambia County (FL) in 1975 and was the recipient of Freedoms Foundation a Valley Forge Medal for being an outstanding teacher of Americanism and the American economic system in 1978, one of only 33 medals given nationwide. She was also very active in political and civic endeavors in Northwest Florida serving on variety of boards and committees involving education, health, lobbying for Escambia Education Association and government. Mrs. Stone joined First Presbyterian Church in Atmore on December 12, 1954, and was ordained an elder on February 24, 1969, for the class of 1971. Later Mrs. Stone served as an elder from 1972-1974, 1976-1980, and 1980-1981. During her years in this church, she active in the Women of the Church, VBS, and youth group, Sunday School and served as Clerk of the Session, a Commissioner to Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly. In her later years, she was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Atmore. One of her favorite activities was traveling the world.

Her parents; husband, George G. Stone; and brother, Dean Odom, precede her in death.

She is survived by her children, Ruth Stone of Tallahassee, Laura (Jerry) Ferrell of Uriah, AL, Jean (Glen) Wiggins of Walnut Hill, Bruce (Anita) Stone of Miami, and Bob (Cathy) Stone of Springfield, VA; brother, Bo (Brenda) Odom of Rome, GA; three sisters, Jo Ellen (Charles) Brantley of Foley, Linda (Cliff) Kirk of Belize, and Marilyn (David) Culpepper of Perry, FL. She had 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 7, 2016, at 3 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Debora Bishop officiating. Burial will follow in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be her grandsons.

Visitation will be held Sunday, February 7, 2016, from 1:30 p.m. until service time from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United Methodist Church Children’s Home, 3140 Zelda Court, Montgomery, AL, 36177-9257.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Burnice Hammac

February 5, 2016

Mrs. Burnice Hammac, age 83, passed away Friday, February 5, 2016, in a Century health care facility.

Mrs. Hammac was a native and long time resident of Escambia County, Alabama. She was a homemaker and was of the Holiness faith.

She is survived by four sons, John Ray Gulsby of Pensacola, Lamar Gulsby, Larry Gulsby, and James Gulsby all of Molino; two sisters, Eleta Drawbaugh of Brewton and Brenda Lee Williams of Molino; one brother, C.E. “Junior” Hammac, Jr.; 16 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 7, 2016, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Rev. Junior Hammac and Rev. Eddie Hammac officiating.

Interment will follow at Hanberry Cemetery with Craver’s Funeral Home directing.

Visitation will be held at Craver’s Funeral Home on Saturday, February 6, 2016, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Jerald Williams, Houston Gray, Tyler Driver, Tyler Coleman, Matthew Fillingim, and Chris Bucci.

Leonard Charles “Chuck” Chase

February 5, 2016

Leonard Charles “Chuck” Chase, 94, passed away peacefully in Pensacola, on Saturday, January 30, 2016. He was a wonderful husband, loving father, and an amazing grandfather and great-grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Jeanne A. Chase; parents, Zodie and Geneva Chase; six brothers, Lester, Edney, Elby, Robert, Zodie Jr., and Walter, and two sisters, Lois and Eula Mae.

Those left to cherish his memory are his two daughters, Carole Draughan and husband Randy of Pensacola and Sue Casper and husband Gary of Coden, Alabama; grandson, Mike Casper (Sheilah); granddaughters, Jennifer Morris (Kevin), Michelle Cartwright (Scott), Jodie Dyer and Mandy Russell (Steven); great-grandchildren, Matthew Casper, Michael Casper, Savannah Cartwright, Trent Dyer, Zachary Morris, Sierra Casper, Cameron Casper, Lindsey Morris, Jacob Morris, Taylor Dyer and Olivia Russell. He is also survived by his brother, Jesse Chase.

Chuck was a decorated World War II veteran having served in the United States Army, member of the 101st Airborne Division, paratrooper. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge. He was the president of the Illinois Amalgamated Transit Union. He was a past Commander for the American Legion Post #340, and was also a member of the VFW Post #706, the Moose Lodge #557 Chapter 898 in Pensacola. He enjoyed spending time with his family and was very proud of them all. He will be remembered the most for his love of family, sharing stories about his life and his ability to fix and repair anything.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at Faith Chapel North with burial services at Barrancas National Cemetery on Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Pallbearers were Randy Draughan, Gary Casper, Mike Casper, Trent Dyer, Zachary Morris and Jacob Morris.

Honorary pallbearers were Matthew Casper and Michael Casper.

Daddy, Grandpa and Chuck will be greatly missed and we are fortunate to have had him with us for so long. We know that he is now with his beautiful bride, Jeanne.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.

Deborah Elizabeth McKenzie Archer

February 5, 2016

Deborah Elizabeth McKenzie Archer was born November 3, 1952, and passed away January 20, 2016. Deborah was preceded in death by her father, William H. ‘Bill’ McKenzie; stepfather, Henry Jackson Jr.; grandparents, AB and Annie Ruth McKenzie and JW and Clare Booth and special person in her life and family friend, Eunice Enfinger.

Deborah is survived by her mother, Peggy Booth Jackson; loving husband of 34 years, Lloyd Franklin ‘Frankie’ Archer; her “greatest accomplishment”, her son, Michael David Archer and future daughter-in-law, DeAndra Thomas. She is also survived by her brother, Michael (Mike “Red”) (Rose); and her sister, Lydia Smith (Doug). Michael blessed Deborah with two grandchildren, Layne and Chance. Deborah’s former daughter-in-law and Layne and Chance’s mother, Brandy Tyner, was a very special person in her life and became Deborah’s best friend and her and Frankie’s “adopted” daughter. Deborah is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Also left behind to grieve their loss are her fur babies, many cats because they knew where to go to get the best care and her river buddy, her Jack Russell, ‘Jack ‘.

Deborah was a lifetime member of Gonzalez United Methodist Church. She graduated from JM Tate High School, Class of 1970. Deborah worked for St Regis Paper Co. for five years and then finished her working career as a scalehouse operator for APAC Asphalt Co.

In 2004, Deborah unfortunately met cancer. After a very courageous battle, her strong will won out and she beat that disease for 12 years! She showed all of us how to put your mind to something and fight your way through. She had to do this not only with cancer but after also surviving a devastating car accident in 2008. In late 2015, cancer called again and she fought it with everything she had left.

Deborah had many interests but above all was her love for Frankie and Michael and being Grandma Deb to Layne and Chance. Next would have to be her love for the beach. There was no where she would rather be than lying on the sand or relaxing in the water. Water was her life. She would take Jack to the river every day just to be close to the water. If you knew her you probably saw her there. Her fur babies were her life as well. Cats, cats, and more cats. Never too many. If Frankie didn’t like cats when they met, he sure learned how to like them, quickly!

The family would like to thank Dr. Tan and the oncology groups at Sacred Heart Hospital, The Woodlands and West Florida Hospital. We would also like to extend a special thank you to a very dear friend to Frankie and Deborah, Gary Criswell. Our love for Deborah will remain everlasting. She will be forever missed and remembered by many.

A memorial service was held in Deborah’s honor on February 4, 2016, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.

Charles Hubbert Caraway

February 5, 2016

Mr. Charles Hubbert Caraway, 89, passed away on Thursday, February 4, 2016, in Stockton.

Mr. Caraway was a native of Atmore and a resident of Stockton for the past 30 years. Mr. Caraway was retired from the shipyard in Mobile. He is preceded in death by his brother, Author Caraway; and a daughter, Elsie Hart.

Survivors include his wife, Debra Jean Caraway of Stockton; four daughters, Irma Day of Rabun, Marie Mosley of Stockton, Diann Bryars of Perdido and Marilyn Day of Rabun; one brother, Jimmy Caraway of Atmore; three sisters, Eloise Copeland and Louise Williams both of Atmore and Mary Hamby of Ovett, MS; a number of grandchildren and a number of great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 7, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Ray Harville officiating.

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 6, 2016, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.

Alice Marie Conwell

February 5, 2016

Alice Marie Conwell, 90, of Walnut Hill, passed away Thursday, February 4, 2016, in Pensacola. She was a homemaker. She was born in Orlando on November 26, 1925, to the late Troy and Mallie Martin Davis.

She is survived by cousins and many friends.

Graveside services will be Monday, February 8, 2016, in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Bro. Dave Taylor officiating.

Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

U.S. Marshals Confirm Modern Day Bonnie And Clyde As Piggly Wiggly Robbery Suspects

February 4, 2016

CLICK HERE for the latest update to this story.

UPDATE 5:30 p.m.: U.S Marshals have confirmed that a modern day Bonnie and Clyde are suspects in yesterday’s robbery of the Piggly Wiggly in it Davisville.

UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: The FBI has confirmed that Blake Fitzgerald and Brittany Nicole Harper were last seen around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday crossing over from Florida into Alabama driving a black Ford F-150 with a broken window. This sighting confirmed by federal authorities was about five minutes after the robbery of the Piggly Wiggly in Davisville. There has been no official confirmation from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that the couple are suspects in the Piggly Wiggly robbery.

UPDATE 4:45 p.m.: The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that Blake Fitzgerald is a suspect in Wednesday’s armed robbery of the Alvin Island’s store in Destin. The business at 1000 U.S. Highway 98 was robbed at gunpoint shortly after noon. The man was accompanied by a white female who left the store just prior to the holdup.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A couple wanted in connection with a crime spree in Alabama and Georgia may have been responsible for the armed robbery of the  Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97 in Davisville, FL, Wednesday afternoon.

Employees said a white male walked into the store about 4:40 p.m., pulled back his shirt to show a gun and escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash. He reportedly fled along with a female in a black Ford F-150 pickup truck with a busted-out window. They were chased briefly by a store employee north on Highway 97 across the state line into Atmore. There were no injuries reported.

According to store employees, the couple was clearly Blake Fitzgerald and Brittany Nicole Harper, both age 31 of Joplin, MO.  Employees said deputies showed them photographs of the couple from a law enforcement bulletin, and it was a certain match.

As of late Thursday morning, a spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said they have not confirmed the identities of any suspects in the robbery, and their investigation is continuing.

Fitzgerald and Harper are wanted for an armed robbery and kidnapping at a gas station about 30 miles outside Macon, GA, about 11 p.m. Monday. They were last seen southbound on I-75 in a stolen silver 2010 Ford Edge.

They are also wanted for robbing and abducting a hotel clerk in Tuscaloosa, attempting to rob a McDonald’s manager across from a Birmingham mall, and kidnapping woman and stealing her SUV in Vestavia Hills, AL. outside of Birmingham. The kidnapped woman was released unharmed by the couple outside of an emergency room.

The hotel clerk in Tuscaloosa told authorities that the couple said they were headed to Florida, possibly Panama City, to get married, according to published reports.

The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force is offering a total of $10,000 for the couple’s capture on charges from Alabama and Georgia.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Fitzgerald or Harper should call their local law enforcement agency immediately. They are armed and dangerous and should not be confronted by anyone but law enforcement, according to the FBI.

Pictured above and below: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office on the scene of an armed robbery of the Davisville Piggly Wiggly Wednesday. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos. Pictured inset and bottom: Employees believe Blake Fitzgerald and Brittany Nicole Harper, a couple wanted for crimes in Alabama and Georgia, were responsible for the holdup.

Getting Out Of A Tight Space: Confined Space Rescue Training

February 4, 2016

Escambia County Fire Rescue first responders learned about getting out of a tight spot — a really tight spot –  during training held at Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment.

Members of Escambia County Fire Rescue’s Special Operations team from Brent’s Station 3 and “Ladder 12″ from the Osceola Fire Station worked their way through the training, which included successfully getting into, and out of, a pipe that was barely shoulder-width.  The training included setting up the necessary rope and rigging to enter the confined space, with am emphasis on safety.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Lawmakers Look At Revamping Prison Vocational Programs

February 4, 2016

A House panel Wednesday approved a proposal that would make a major change in programs that provide job training to prison inmates.

The bill (HB 1229), filed by House Judiciary Chairman Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, would take the programs away from the non-profit Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises, Inc., and put them under the Department of Corrections.

The non-profit, commonly known as PRIDE, was created in the 1980s to manage the programs, which sell goods and services produced by inmates.

McBurney told the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee that he has received complaints from other lawmakers about PRIDE, which a House staff analysis said “has drawn mixed reviews for generating significant profits while failing to increase the number of inmates participating” in work programs.

“It’s time to do a change,” McBurney said. “The Department of Corrections could do it better.”

But Wilbur Brewton, a lobbyist for PRIDE, cited statistics about inmates who move into jobs when they are released from prison and said PRIDE does not rely on state funding. “It now costs the state zero to take care of this issue,” Brewton said. The Criminal Justice Subcommittee approved the bill, which still would need to clear two more House committees.

A Senate version (SB 1606), filed by Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, has not been heard in committees.

by The News Service of Florida

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