Michael Eugene Holland
February 25, 2016
Michael Eugene Holland, “Nancy”, 60, of Jay, passed away suddenly on Monday, February 22, 2016. He was born November 27, 1955, to Max and Peggy Dean Holland. He was a lifelong resident of Jay. Mike was born into a farming family and was the apple of his granny and granddaddy’s eye. Mike could drive a tractor before he was big enough to look over the steering wheel. Thanks to his Uncle Donald, he learned to hunt and fish at an early age and he enjoyed both throughout his lifetime. He enjoyed a very special relationship with his Aunt June. He thought it was so funny that even though she was his Aunt, he was 9 months older than she was and he never let her forget that he was the oldest. They enjoyed growing up together and were more like siblings. They remained close all down through time and were still close at his passing. Mike also dearly loved his Aunt Sue and was devastated when she passed away at such an early age. At age 10, Mike got a baby sister whom he loved very much, Wanda. He was always very protective of her and to his dying day always called her “Little Sister”.
Mike’s pride and joy was his two girls, Shondra and Leslie and their children. He was so proud to be called Paw Paw. In his later years, his favorite thing to do was to go fishing. He loved being outdoors and refused to be indoors any more than he had to. He would drive around to his various favorite fishing holes, with his faithful sidekick Buddy, and fish to his heart’s content. Mike loved to sit around with friends and family and talk about the good old days. He always had something funny to say and if he really liked you, he would just have to kid you a little bit. Mike’s passing will leave a big hole in the hearts of those who knew him.
Mike is survived by his children, Shondra (Jamey) Hattaway and Leslie (Bear) Gonzalez; seven grandchildren, Christian, Austin, Jayden, Michael, Logan, and Anna Claire; his mother, Peggy Dean Godwin; sister, Wanda (David) McCarthy; uncle and aunt Joe and June Gillman; uncle, Edsel (Polly) Holland and aunt, Gail Holland; nieces and nephews, Shaena, Ken, Teisha, Dusty, Tabitha, Noah, Taylor, Kendall and Kole; four very special friends, Tony Cozart, Ed Daughtry, Max Allen Smith and Ricky Patterson; numerous friends, cousins and his little dog, Buddy.
Mike is preceded in death by his father, Maxwell Eugene Holland; grandparents, Eugene and Inez Dean and Floyd and Gladys Holland; aunts, Sue Dean Baker and Elaine Holland; uncles, Donald Gene Dean and Johnny Holland.
A very special thank you to the Jay Volunteer Fire Department and the Lifeguard EMS workers who responded to the call for Mike. Thanks also to the staff of the Jay Hospital ER department for being so compassionate to our family. You were all awesome!
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 26, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home with the Reverend Joseph Gillman officiating.
Pallbearers with be Tony Cozart, Ricky Patterson, Max Allen Smith, Randy Roberts, Don Dean, Dusty McCarthy and Noah McCarthy.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Mike’s sons-in-law and grandsons.
Burial will be in Pine Level Baptist Church Cemetery.
Apartments, Homes Destroyed As Apparent Tornado Rips Two Mile Path(With Gallery)
February 24, 2016
An apparent tornado ripped a path two miles long through a Pensacola neighborhood Tuesday night, leaving apartments and town homes destroyed, flipping vehicles and more in its wake.
At The Moorings apartment complex on Old Spanish Trail Road, three buildings were heavily damaged. Preliminary estimated were than 24 units were destroyed and about a half dozen more suffered minor damage. A search and rescue operation looking for a possible victims trapped in debris continued well into the night.
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Uninjured residents were evacuated, with many transported by bus to an American Red Cross shelter at Cokesbury United Methodist Church at 3300 Summit Boulevard. There were no confirmed injury reports from the apartment complex.
There were also scattered damaged reports, including destroyed structures, along the tornado’s path from Northpointe Boulevard to Scenic Highway, including reports of damage in the Yacht Harbor subdivision.
Numerous road were closed as of early Wednesday morning, including:
- Old Spanish Trail at Olive Road
- Harbor Square at Olive Road
- Squire at Olive Road
- Holgate at Olive Road
- Northpointe at Olive Road
- Scenic at Olive Road
- Northpointe and Lavorde
- Olive Road and 9th Avenue
Road will be opened when power lines and debris are cleared. Residents will get priority access to the area.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com by Kristi Price and other, reader submitted. Click to enlarge.
Century Approves Formation Of Community Redevelopment Area
February 24, 2016
The Town of Century has approved the formation of a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
Upon declaration of an area as blighted, the CRA works to improve conditions. As property tax values rise, most of the increase is funneled back into the redevelopment area for further improvements. An estimate provide by Escambia County showed Century might, in a best case scenario, receive about $5,300 in tax funds for the first year of a CRA that included a full maximum 80 percent of the town. However, Council President Ben Boutwell said 100 percent of the town will be eligible for inclusion in the CRA.
Essentially, CRAs use redevelopment funds within a deteriorating area to transform it into one that again contributes to the overall health of a community. The money can roll over year to year, up a 40-year life for a CRA.
CRA funds can be used for a variety of public purposes, including items specified in the agency’s redevelopment plan, planning and surveys, acquisition of real property, affordable housing development and community policing innovations.
Century will enter into an interlocal agreement with Escambia County for assistance in forming and managing the CRA. Their next step will be the formation of a seven member board — the five council members plus two at-large members — to oversee the Century CRA.
There are currently nine other redevelopment districts in Escambia County — Atwood, Barrancas, Brownsville, Cantonment, Englewood, Ensley, Oakfield, Palafox and Warrington — and three within the City of Pensacola.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Local Lawmakers Thank Scott For Disaster Declaration
February 24, 2016
Escambia and Santa Rosa County Delegation members – Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Doug Broxson, Rep. Mike Hill, and Rep. Clay Ingram — sent letters to Scott morning extending their sincere appreciation towards the governor’s actions on the behalf of the residents of Escambia County who suffered following the devastating aftermath of last week’s tornado.
Delegation members sent a letter to Scott that was signed Saturday as the group toured the damage in the Century area.
With the disaster declaration from the governor, those who experienced significant damage may be able to apply for possible grants, loans, and other restoration funds as they begin to rebuild their homes and lives.
The letters were as follows:
Dear Governor Scott,
I am truly grateful for your generous response to the disasters that occurred in the town of Century and Escambia County on Monday, February 15. Thank you for declaring one of the poorest counties in the State eligible for emergency disaster funds after last week’s devastating tornado.
The residents of Escambia County and I are grateful for all the efforts of the local Emergency Management Services and the continuous communications with the Department of Emergency Management, to provide swift assistance to all those who suffered in the tornado’s devastating wake. The rescue and aftermath labors were greatly appreciated from all local & state resources.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness and leadership of this great State in our time of need.
I am, respectfully,
State Representative Mike Hill
District 2
Dear Governor Scott:
Thank you for your leadership in declaring Century, FL a state of emergency following the devastation caused by a tornado on February 15, 2016.
This declaration will provide vital assistance to Escambia County and the residents of Century affected by the tornado. Our communities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are resolute, resilient, and have come together to help the residents of Century during this difficult time, but the people of Century are in need of all the assistance that can be provided.
I am grateful for your response and will continue to work hard to help those in need.
Respectfully,
Doug Broxson
State Representative
Dear Governor Scott,
Thank you for your immediate response to the recent devastation in the Town of Century and Escambia County, in the wake of the tornado on February 15th. The efforts of volunteers, local and state disaster relief teams, and the Escambia Emergency Management Services and the Florida Department of Emergency Management have been greatly appreciated. I know that under your leadership, the residents of Escambia County and the Town of Century will receive the best care during their time of need.
The declaration of the State of Emergency for the Town of Century and Escambia County is just the beginning to the road to recovery for the victims of the tornado last week. I appreciate all you have done to begin the fiscal recovery opportunities in one of the lowest income areas of my district.
Sincerely,
Greg Evers
District 2
A copy of Rep. Clay Ingram’s letter was not immediately available.
Pictured top: Local legislative delegation members sign a letter to Gov. Rick Scott last Saturday in Century. Pictured top inset: Evers and Rep. Clay Ingram (left) drag debris out of Front Street last Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Computer Coding As A Foreign Language Bill Ready For Senate Vote
February 24, 2016
The Senate is poised to vote on a bill that would allow high-school students to take computer-coding courses to satisfy two credits of foreign-language requirements.
Senators, however, changed the bill (SB 468) on Tuesday to remove a proposed requirement that high schools would have to offer computer-coding courses.
After an amendment, the bill now says schools “may” provide opportunities for students to take the courses. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, has drawn debate throughout the legislative session, including Tuesday on the Senate floor. As an example, Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, said he was concerned some students might not have access to the courses because of antiquated technology. But Ring said the bill would take effect with the 2018-19 school year, which would provide time. Also students would be able to take the courses through the Florida Virtual School, he said.
The Senate could vote on the bill as early as Wednesday. A House version (HB 887), filed by Rep. Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach, is ready to go to the full House.
by The News Service of Florida
Deputies Seek Armed And Dangerous Attempted Murder Suspect
February 24, 2016
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man that is wanted for attempted homicide.
Antonio Devon Williams, 22, is considered armed and dangerous. On Monday, February 22 at 5:38 p.m., Escambia County deputies responded to the 3400 block of West Hernandez Street were they found 25-year old Javier Chandler suffering from a gunshot wound.
Witnesses told deputies Williams shot Chandler then fled the scene. Chandler was taken to a local hospital.
If you know the whereabouts of Antonio Devon Williams contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Firefighters Save U.S. Postal Service Vehicles From Truck Blaze
February 24, 2016
Quick work by firefighters from Florida and Alabama saved a couple of U.S. Mail trucks Tuesday night at the I-10 Welcome Center on the state line.
Firefighters from the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Baldwin County arrived to find the cab of a flatbed 18-wheeler fully involved. Fire crews were able to quickly extinguish the blaze and prevent further damage to two U.S. Postal Service vehicles it was carrying. One postal vehicle did receive minor damage.
There were no injuries reported and no immediate word on the cause of the fire.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Government Agencies Working Together On Century Tornado Cleanup
February 24, 2016
The ECUA grappler truck is on the job during the tornado cleanup on Jefferson Street in Century. It’s being operated by an Escambia County employee, with the assistance of a Town of Century Gas Department employee.
“It’s true intergovernmental cooperation,” said Larry Walker, ECUA District 5 board member.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Breezy And Cooler
February 24, 2016
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Breezy, with a west wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 36. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 62. West wind 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 33. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 32. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 37. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
All Escambia County Schools Are Open Today
February 24, 2016
All Escambia County (FL) schools are open today on their regular schedule, according to Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
schools will open on their regular schedule Wednesday morning.
“We understand that there are some families facing great losses as a result of this storm and we want them to focus on recovery and know that any storm-related school absence will be excused,” said Thomas. “Opening schools will allow families to move forward and maintain their routines.”
School bus drivers will be exercising extra caution in the morning to ensure safety, so delays may occur in areas impacted by the storm, according to the school district.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.