Thomas Hugh Stallworth
April 13, 2016
Thomas “Tommy” Hugh Stallworth, Jr. 79 of Atmore, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2016, at his residence. Mr. Stallworth was born on September 1, 1936, to the late Thomas Hugh and Julia Manar Stallworth, in Atmore. He was a graduate of Marion Military Institute and attended The University of Alabama. He worked in the oil and gas industry for many years, employed by Reed Rock and Bit Company of New Orleans. After retirement he worked for Williamson Realty in Atmore.
He is preceded in death by two sisters, Jean Stallworth Maxwell and Barbara Stallworth King.
Survivors include one sister, Julia Stallworth (Keith) King of Mobile; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at Oak Hill Cemetery with Dr. Debora Bishop officiating.
Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc in charge of all arrangements.
Margaret Mary Richards
April 13, 2016
Margaret Mary Richards, 76, of Pensacola, passed away Tuesday, April 12, 2016. Mrs. Richards worked at Dillards and Holmes for over 20 years. She met the love of her life, Joseph Richards, in high school in New Orleans, LA and was married for over 57 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Lue Beaugh Constantine and Charles Constantine Sr.; and brothers, John and Robert Constantine.
She is survived by her loving husband, Joseph Richards, Sr.; four sons, Joseph Richards, Jr., Michael Richards (Rochelle), Steven Richards (Tonya) and Scott Richards (Leslie); three grandchildren, Hannah, Emily and Sophie; brothers, Charles, Russell and Ray Keith Constantine; sisters, Lee Bergeron, Rena Nevels, Shirley Ledet and Ella Ryan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Richards was of the Catholic faith and there will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Deputy, Five Others Injured In Traffic Crash
April 12, 2016
Six people, including an Escambia County deputy, were injured in a two vehicle crash Monday night at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Beulah Road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Deputy Hector Escajeda, 31, was southbound on Beulah Road when he ran a stop sign at Mobile Highway and collided with a Dodge pickup driven by Jon Yvarra, 58, of Pensacola. After the collision, the deputy’s 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe caught on fire.
Escajeda was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Yvarra and his passengers – Patricia Yvarra, 57; Damen Hadder, 12; James Hadder 13; and Christian Hadder, 10, were all transported to area hospitals with serious injuries.
Charges are pending in the crash, according to the FHP.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Slight Chance Of More Rain Today
April 12, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 74. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind around 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. East wind around 10 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 75. East wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Four Charged As Flomaton Police Seize Drugs, Thousands In Cash
April 12, 2016
The Flomaton Police Department has made multiple drug arrests over the last two nights.
Sunday night, Flomaton Police arrested 25-year old Koree Harrison, 37-year old Justin Ullrich and 34-year old Oscar Powers in the area of Hurricane Park after its 11:30 closing time. They were found to be in possession of methamphetamine, according to Police Chief Bryan Davis. Each was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Flomaton officers made another large drug bust Tuesday night during a traffic stop on Highway 31.
Christopher Hatton, 53, was charged with multiple felony counts including possession of controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana first degree. Deputies seized a quantity of “high grade” marijuana and other drugs, along with a significant amount of cash.
“We are seeing a great influx of methamphetamine in Flomaton,” Davis said. He said his department will continue to crack down on drugs in Flomaton.
Pictured top and first photo below: Drugs and a large amount of currency were seized by the Flomaton Police Department during a Tuesday night traffic stop on Highway 31. Pictured bottom two photos: Drugs and cash seized during the arrest of three people near Hurricane Park Monday night. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Poised To Act On Health, Education Bills
April 12, 2016
In a final flurry of activity from the legislative session, Gov. Rick Scott this week will take action on heavily debated health, education and tax bills.
Scott faces deadlines to act this week on 25 bills, including 22 of them on Thursday. After that, one deadline will remain next week for a controversial bill about overhauling the state’s alimony laws.
As of early Monday afternoon, Scott had signed 245 of the 272 bills approved by the House and Senate during the session that ended March 11 and had vetoed only one — a local bill dealing with Gainesville Regional Utilities, according to a Senate tally. After each legislative session, House and Senate leaders gradually send bills to Scott, who then has 15 days to take action.
The batch with a Thursday deadline include bills that were closely watched during the session by health-care and education interest groups and lobbyists.
As an example, Scott will take action on a proposal (HB 423) that would allow advanced registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe controlled substances. Advanced registered nurse practitioners have lobbied for years for the prescribing authority but have faced opposition from doctor groups. The bill would place some limits on the authority, such as restricting the prescribing of what are known as “Schedule II” controlled substances, such as codeine and oxycodone, to seven-day supplies.
Among other health-care measures, Scott will take action on a proposal (HB 221) that addresses an insurance issue known as “balance billing.” The issue, which drew lobbying from health insurers, doctors and hospitals, primarily deals with patients who have preferred provider organization, or PPO, coverage and go to hospitals for emergency care.
Patients have sometimes gotten unexpected bills because doctors at the hospitals are not part of the insurance plans’ networks. The legislation, at least in part, would set up a dispute-resolution process that supporters say would help shield patients from unexpected bills and leave it to health-care providers and insurers to work out payment issues.
Also facing a Thursday deadline is an omnibus education bill (HB 7029) that includes a plan to allow parents to transfer their children to any public schools in the state that are not at capacity. The bill ties together a variety of other education issues, ranging from performance-funding formulas for colleges and universities to changes in high-school athletics.
Among the other proposals set for action is a $129.1 million tax cut package (HB 7099). Perhaps the most-notable parts of the package are a permanent sales-tax exemption on manufacturing equipment and a three-day sales-tax “holiday” for back-to-school shoppers this summer.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
North Escambia Native Rebekah Bydlak Running For Congress
April 12, 2016
Tuesday, 25-year old North Escambia native Rebekah Johansen Bydlak officially announced her Republican candidacy for Florida’s First Congressional District seat, following Jeff Miller’s announcement that he will not seek re-election.
Bydlak said she will file her official paperwork to run for Congress withing the next week. She chose to make her official announcement first and exclusively on NorthEscambia.com.
Bydlak has served as director of outreach for the Coalition to Reduce Spending, an advocacy organization dedicated to reducing federal spending and debt.
“The First District deserves innovative solutions, not just more of the same,” Bydlak said. “A vibrant, 21st century economy that benefits all demands a federal government that abides by our Constitution.”
“Washington is broken,” she added, “and I have the experience to be part of the solution. Every child born today will face tens of thousands of dollars in debt they did not ring up, thanks to career politicians who have no interest in stopping business as usual. I will fight for my generation’s right to be free from this burden.”
Bydlak said her entrance in the race is sorely needed because voters know that politics as usual will not solve problems such as $19 trillion in government debt.
“Having successfully advocated important spending cuts, pushed back against Obamacare, and built fiscally conservative coalitions nationwide, I’m confident that I have the knowledge and skills to repeal Obamacare, cut spending and debt, protect educational freedom, and take care of our veterans,” she said.
“I think people are ready for new faces in Washington,” Bydlak said. “People are tired and are ready for political outsiders. I can be the outsider people are looking for; there is a real need for new people in Washington.
Bydlak was home schooled her entire life before attending Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida. She holds a master’s degree in political science and public administration from UWF and spent the last three years at the Coalition to Reduce Spending, advocating full-time for lower spending and debt among the public, elected officials, and candidates across the country.
In what is expected to be a crowded field of candidates, some of which will raise hundreds of thousands of dollars very quickly, she said campaign funding will not be an issue.
“I have the ability to be competitive, especially this year as voters are looking for more,” Bydlak said. “Not more politics as usual.”
Pictured top: Rebekah Johansen Bydlak is running for Congress. Pictured below: Rebekah Johansen Bydlak with her husband Jonathan and family dog Reagan. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Broxson Brings In $57K In March
April 12, 2016
State Rep. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, piled up campaign cash in March, bringing in $57,050, according to a newly filed finance report.
The March contributions brought Broxson’s overall total to $137,861, and he had about $105,000 in cash on hand as of the end of the month. Broxson has been widely mentioned as a potential candidate for the state Senate seat held by Baker Republican Greg Evers if Evers decides to run for Congress this year. Evers could vie to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla.
Broxson is the only candidate who has filed paperwork to run in House District 3, which includes parts of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties.
Northview Out Of District Tourney, Series Continues Tonight
April 12, 2016
The Northview Chiefs were knocked out of the District 3-1A softball tournament Monday night at the hands of Freeport, 8-1 at Northview.
The season is also over for Baker after the Gators lost to Chipley Monday night. In Tuesday’s game, #2 seed South Walton will play Chipley at 5:00 and #1 Jay will take on Freeport at 7:00.
Pensacola Rains On Mississippi’s Day To Capture Series
April 12, 2016
More than two hours of rain delays couldn’t stop the Pensacola Blue Wahoos bats from belting out 13 hits to defeat the Mississippi Braves, 5-1, at Trustmark Park in Pearl, MS.
The Blue Wahoos won the opening-season series by taking four of the five games with stellar pitching and clutch hitting. Pensacola, which is in first place in the South Division at 4-1, leads the Southern League in team ERA at 1.88.
Pensacola took the lead for good, 2-1, in the sixth inning after the second rain delay. The Wahoos went ahead when center fielder Phillip Ervin singled, stole second and then scored on second baseman Brandon Dixon’s line drive single.
The Blue Wahoos then padded its lead with three more runs in the seventh inning. Right fielder Sebastian Elizalde led off the inning with a triple to right field and catcher Chad Wallach singled to left to drive him in to put Pensacola ahead, 3-1.
Shortstop Zach Vincej then doubled to left field to bring in Wallach, giving the Blue Wahoos a 4-1 lead. Vincej scored for the second time in the game when third baseman Eric Jagielo knocked him in again with a doubled to right field, making it a 5-1 game.
Jagielo, who went 2-5 with two doubles and two RBIs, doubled to drive in Vincej, who had singled, in the third inning to put the Blue Wahoos on the scoreboard first, 1-0.
Vincej capitalized by going 3-5 and scoring twice Monday and hitting .381 for the series.
Meanwhile, Jagielo, a 2013 first round draft pick by the New York Yankees who came over to the Cincinnati Reds in a trade for closer Aroldis Chapman, drove in six RBIs and clobbered Pensacola’s only homer in the series.
The Blue Wahoos also learned as thought that they have a strong rotation. This time it was Rookie Davis, who showed why his high school retired his number 24, when he shutout Mississippi through four innings. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder mowed down the lineup in order twice and started the game by getting the first five Braves hitters out.
Davis earned his first victory for the Blue Wahoos this season, allowing just one earned run on four hits and two walks, and striking out four.
Mississippi finally got to Davis in the fifth inning, tying the game, 1-1. With two out in the fifth inning shortstop Ozzie Albies doubled. Albies, who hit .364 in the five-game series, then scored when Pensacola shortstop Vincej dove and knocked down a sharp grounder by left fielder Dustin Peterson but failed to hang on to the ball, allowing Albies to score from second.
It then started to rain, stopping the game for the second time and lasting more than an hour.
Pictured: A rain delay Tuesday in Pearl, MS. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.