Berlon McCreless
April 6, 2016
Berlon “Doc” McCreless, age 92, passed away on April 4, 2016. He was born on July 29, 1923, to his parents, James and Davie McCree’s. Berlon proudly served his country in World War II as a PFC in the US Army. Upon returning form the war, he married and began farming family land in Hollandtown. He worked long, hard hours determined to pay off the land loans and make his family a living, which he achieved. Berlon also worked at Monsanto, in the spinning division for over 20 years before retiring. After his wife passed in 2011, he moved to Jay at The Terrace. He loved living there and being around people. Two people were extra special to him, Nell Cooper, who he could tell all of his secrets to and employee, Melinda Davis who looked after him and spoiled him as if he was her own father.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Vida “June” McCreless; his son, Kenny McCreless; grandson, Billy Shehane; and sister, Lillian McCreless.
Berlon is survived by his three children, daughters, Susan (Rick) Evanchyk, Vickie (Lawson) Baxley and son, Greg (Melinda) McCreless; seven grandchildren and four great- grandchildren. He is also survived by his friends at The Terrace who had become his family over the last four years while residing there.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 7, 2016 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 8, 2016, at 3 p.m. with Brother Ronnie Bearden officiating.
Burial will follow at Jay Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Clint Baxley, Keith Cone, Bruce Holland, Randy Holland, Keith Jones, and Michael Sutler.
Honorary pallbearers will be residents and employees of The Terrace.
The family would like to thank The Terrace at Ivey Acres for the special attention and care given to their father while residing there for the last four years.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Atricebea Presley Gibson
April 6, 2016
Mrs. Atricebea Presley Gibson, 60, passed away on Friday, April 1, 2016, in Atmore.
Mrs. Gibson was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a good homemaker, loving, caring and generous to her friends. She was of the Pentecostal-Holiness Faith.
She is survived by her husband, Donald “Cowboy” Gibson of Atmore; two sons, Greg (Sylvia “Jodi”) Gibson of Atmore and Donnie Gibson of Mobile; one daughter, Joy Gibson (Jeff Odle) of Atmore; one brother, Benny Charles Presley of Huxford; three sisters, Shirlene Maulden of Seminole, AL, Beatrice Presley of Atmore and Pearl Nall of Pensacola; and three grandchildren, Olivia, Caitlyn and Presley.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 5, 2016, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Larry Maulden, Rev. Kathy Stophel and Rev. Marty Gehman officiating.
Burial was in the Poarch Baptist Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Gary Wayne Presley, Sr., Larry Ramer, Blake Moye, Bo Bass, Russell Helton and Chase Helton.
Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Goodman, Gary Wayne “Bowman” Presley, Jr and Ricky Gibson.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Johnnie Harrell
April 6, 2016
Johnnie “Clayton” Harrell, 76, of Molino, was born October 9, 1939, and passed away March 31, 2016. He worked for Gulf Coast Grading and Paving for 27 years and was well known in the local asphalt business. Clayton loved to fish, especially for mullet and spend time with all of his “children.” Clayton loved everyone like family and would give the shirt off his back to anyone. His best friend was Mr. John Vann and other special friends included Ronnie Smith, George and Rhonda Pate, John McVickers, Edward Lewis, Rollo Turner, Joe and Jim Mullins, Mr. and Mrs. Crawley and Margaret Cook.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise Harrell; father, Dozer Vann Harrell; mother, Jean Heart; and his brothers, James Harrell and Oscar Harrell.
He is survived by his daughters, Pamela Murphy (Frank), Theresa Floyd and Regina “Tina” Roberts ; sons, Ronnie Harrell (Toby) and William “Billy” Harrell; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 7, 2016, at 10 am. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Interment will follow at Jordan Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Daniel Floyd, Gary Hawkins, Jacob Hawkins, Gene Roberts, Ronnie Harrell and Clayton Eugene Harrell.
Honorary pallbearers will be Clay Roberts, John Harrell and Edward Harrell.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Larry Archie Enfinger
April 6, 2016
Larry Archie Enfinger, age 64 of Chumuckla, died on Friday, April 1, 2016. Larry was born in Century to the late Archie and Mary Enfinger. Larry enlisted and served in the Army from 1969 to 1970 and then the Army Reserves until 1975. Growing up, Larry was all about his hot rods. He was a Chevy man through and through and spent endless hours being a shade tree mechanic.
Larry is survived by his wife of 41 years, Linda Enfinger; siblings, Lou (Tony) Burks of Pace, Garry (Brandy) Enfinger of Milton, Karen (Ken) Gramm of Pace, and Karlene (John) Jernigan of Chumuckla; a very special brother, Kenny Ard; a special uncle, Benny Enfinger; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, at the gazebo at Elizabeth Chapel Cemetery.
A special thanks to the staff in CCU at West Florida Hospital
Cantonment Man Arrested On Federal Meth And Weapons Charges
April 5, 2016
A Cantonment man wanted by federal authorities on drug and weapons charges is behind bars.
Keith Terrill Prim, age 30 of Stacey Road, was taken into custody Monday at an apartment complex off University Parkway. He is facing charges of distribution of over 50 grams of methamphetamine, five counts of distribution of methamphetamine over five grams, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Prim made his first appearance in federal court in Pensacola Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles J. Kahn, Jr.
He is due back before a federal judge on Thursday. In the meantime, he is being held in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
Local authorities, the Gun Crimes Response Team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had been searching for Prim for a couple of weeks. His arrest came after an anonymous tip to his whereabouts was received.
Today’s Weather Word: Perfect
April 5, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
33 Join Waiting List For Century Tornado Housing Assistance
April 5, 2016
Monday was first chance for tornado victims inside the Town of Century to sign up for possible state housing assistance with the opening of a phone line to be placed on a waiting list.
By 4 p.m. Monday, 33 residents had been added to the waiting list, according to Meredith Nunnari, Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division. They have not yet been verified for preliminary eligibility.
It is not yet known how long the waiting list will be taking additions, she said, due to limited funding. An interlocal agreement between the Town of Century and Escambia County is expected to go before the Escambia County Commission on April 21 spelling out additional details.
Only residents in the incorporated town of Century whose housing units were damaged by the tornado are eligible to apply. Owner occupants of manufactured homes are also eligible to apply if they own the property on which the home is located.
Century residents may call (850) 595-0872 to be placed on the waiting list. Residents must provide the following information when calling:
- Name
- Street address of impacted residence
- Contact phone number
Services will be made available to income-eligible owner occupants on a first qualified, first served basis as funding permits. Staff will follow up with applicants within five business days to determine program eligibility and to make appointments to begin the application process.
The following chart shows the maximum gross family household income requirements in Escambia County (effective March 28, 2016) for the housing repair and reconstruction activities through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program, or SHIP. Household income includes income received from all persons residing in the household and from all sources providing income to the household.
Applications are still being accepted for owner occupants needing housing repair or reconstruction assistance from the February 15 and 23 tornadoes. Owner occupants in unincorporated Escambia County can call the Neighborhood Enterprise Division at (850) 595-0022, and those inside the city of Pensacola limits can call the City of Pensacola Housing Office at (850) 858-0306 to apply.
BP Oil Spill Settlement Approved; $70 Million For Escambia County
April 5, 2016
A final settlement has been approved for the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico at $20.8 billion, which includes the civil Clean Water Act penalties and additional funding for environmental damages and other claims by the five Gulf States, was granted final approval today. To view the Consent Decree, click here.
As part of the settlement, Escambia County is expected to receive about $70 million over 16 years in direct allocation from RESTORE. Escambia will also be eligible to apply for funding from other sources of oil spill funding, including Triumph and the Natural Environmental Resource Damage Assessment programs.
Chairman and District 4 Commissioner Grover Robinson was cautiously optimistic to see the process move forward after almost 6 years. He commented, “It appears that this is the final decision regarding the BP settlement and penalties. This order will begin to move monies associated with the BP settlement per the payment terms of that settlement. While the funding will never totally heal the damage done to our residents or our beaches, it will help us to continue to move forward and make a difference in Escambia County that has the potential to impact our community positively for generations.”
The settlement includes:
- $8.1 billion for natural resource damage
- $5.5 billion for Clean Water Act civil penalties
- Up to $700 million for future unknowns
- $350 million to reimburse state and federal assessment costs
- $250 million to reimburse response and removal costs
- The total restoration funds to the State of Florida includes $680 million in natural resource damage payments and $572 million in Florida RESTORE Act Allocations, which includes:
- $308 million for Direct Component (Pot 1) funds to the Florida Counties
- $242 million for the Spill Impact Component (Pot 3) funds to the Consortium of 23 Counties
- $22 million for the Centers of Excellence
Three More Pharmacies Burglarized
April 5, 2016
Three pharmacies were burglarized early Monday morning just hours apart, and the crimes appear to be related.
Kim’s Family Pharmacy in the 700 block of South Highway 29 in Cantonment was the first to be hit about 1:25 a.m., according to owner Kim Cadenhead. The thieves got in through the bottom of the front door and stole narcotics.
Burglars forced their way into the Jackson Pace Pharmacy on Nine Mile Road about 2:30 a.m., according to owner Steve Jackson, clearing shelves and dumping the drugs into trashcans for their getaway.
Then the Lee Drug Drug in Robertsdale, AL, was hit at 3:30 a.m. when two people wearing gloves, masks and long sleeves forced their way in, taking a large amount of pills and narcotics in trash cans.
The Robertsdale Police Department confirmed that photos from the Escambia County burglaries showed the same suspects as those in Robertsdale.
The burglaries came about three weeks after similar burglaries in Ensley and Jay, and few months after a similar pharmacy burglary in Molino.
Images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
OK, So Where Does A Horse Go For A Good Espresso?
April 5, 2016
A passing motorist snapped this photo Monday afternoon of a couple of horses outside the Starbucks on Nine Mile at Pine Forest. There’s no word if they had triple espressos for a little extra horsepower, or if perhaps they ordered the triple soy vanilla latte with a barrel of oats. Reader submitted photo by Bill Pearson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.