Cantonment Ballpark Revived
April 3, 2016
After an absence of several years, baseball and softball returned Saturday to the Cantonment Ballpark.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Takeout Of Citizens Policies Approved For June
April 3, 2016
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation agreed Friday to allow National Specialty Insurance Co. to acquire up to 19,535 personal residential policies in June from the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance through what is known as the “takeout” process.
The majority of the policies are not expected to exit Citizens, because private insurers typically seek the least-risky policies and policyholders can opt to reject offers. Regulators have approved up to 444,684 policies to potentially be shifted this year in the takeout process. Not all of the takeout periods have occurred, but so far 33,434 policies have changed hands, according to the Office of Insurance Regulation.
The process has helped reduce the number of Citizens policies by about 1 million over the past three years. Citizens reported having 485,588 policies as of Feb. 29.
Clear And Cool Tonight
April 3, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 45. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 50. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Pictured: The final moments of sun Saturday night in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
David Michael Mathis
April 3, 2016
Mr. David Michael Mathis, 35, passed away on Thursday, March 31, 2016, in McDavid.
Mr. Mathis was a native of Pensacola, former resident of Century where he spent most of his life and resided in Cantonment for the past year. Mr. Mathis was of the Christian faith. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Harvey and Dorothy Brown and Pete and Mary Mathis.
He is survived by his father, Johnny Mathis of Flomaton; mother, Connie Booker of Baker; love of his life, Heather Harris of Cantonment; two sons, Elijah and Chasen; one stepson, Bradley Freeman of Flomaton; two daughters, Lulu and Sienna; four sisters, April and Timbo Cofield of Bratt, Heather and Todd Smith of Flomaton, Jodie and Brian Grant of Bogia and Aubrey Booker of Baker; three nieces and one nephew.
Funeral services were held Sunday, April 3, 2016, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Patrick Carden officiating.
Burial was at the Little Flock Primitive Baptist Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Travis Brown, Marc Brown, Nikki Odom, Yancy Zellers, Donnie Ray Edwards and James Allen.
Honorary pallbearers were Eric Wiggins, Marty Brown and Allen Johnson.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Irma Wall L. Dannelley
April 3, 2016
Irma Wall L. “Totsy” Dannelley, 79 of Atmore, passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 in Atmore. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a retired seamstress with Vanity Fair Mills. She was born in Escambia County, AL on December 8, 1936, to the late William A. and Nola Lassitter Wall. She attended Booneville Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Dannelley; son-in-law, Steve Luker; granddaughter, Heather Luker; and brother, Edward Earl Wall.
She is survived by two daughters, Marilyn (Stanley) Singleton of Atmore and Reginia (Wayne) Barrow of Pensacola; four brothers, Gilbert Wall, Tom Wall, James Wall all of McCullough and Raymond Wall of Nokomis; two sisters, Georgia Driskell of McCullough and Ruth Ann Tullis of Nokomis; two grandchildren, Amber Harrison and Steve Luker; and two great-grandchildren, Jacob Luker and Alanna Johnson.
Graveside services were held Friday, March 25, 2016, in McCullough Cemetery with Rev. Jesse Wood officiating.
Interment was in McCullough Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Linda Williams
April 3, 2016
Linda Williams age 74, s resident of Jay until relocating to Gulf Breeze two year ago quietly passed away on April 2, 2016.
She was a long time member of Cora Baptist Church, where she enjoyed being the church organist for many years. She was a loving mother, sister, grandmother and friend and will be greatly missed by all whose life she touched.
She was preceded in death by her parents, J.D. and Ada Diamond; husband, Dennis Williams and brothers, Rudolph Diamond and James Clinton Diamond.
She is survived by her son, Darrin (Kathy) Williams; brother, James Earl (Faye) Diamond; sisters, Addie Rue (Bud) Mote, Annie Merle Renfroe, Paulette (Tommy) Roberts, and Deloris Ann (Glen) Gavin; grandchildren, Joseph Thomas Williams, and Jacob Lee Williams and three great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Cora Baptist Church. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 with Rev. LaDon Hall officiating. Burial will follow in church cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Ricky Sanders, Jamie Sanders, Ricky Renfroe, Jacob Williams, Anthony Gavin, and Duane Diamond.
Mildred Rosalee Smith Powell
April 3, 2016
Mildred Rosalee Smith Powell age 94, passed away on April 1, 2016. She was born on March 9, 1922, to Oliver Smith and Eddis Shirley Smith who migrated to Jay from Geneva, AL to clear new ground to farm.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Miller Powell; daughter, Vera Lloyd Jackson; son-in-law, Aubrey Jackson; grandson, Eric Jackson and brother, Lewie Frank Smith.
She is survived by her son, Adone (Nancy) Lloyd; grandchildren, Shannon Wright, Wendy (Scott) Blackmon, Brent (Angie) Jackson; great-grandchildren, Jared (Contessa) Smith, Cameron Wright, Olivia Wright, Zoe Wright, A.J Nash, Slater Nash, Tyler Blackmon, Zachery Blackmon, Ali Jackson, Sissy Jackson, Brandy Jackson, Alan Jackson; and one great-great grandchild, Jace Jackson.
Active pallbearers will be Jared Smith, Cameron Wright, A.J Nash, Slater Nash, Elton Nowling, and Scott Blackmon.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mickey Diamond, Terry Baldree, Donald Cobb, Bill Spears, Jeff Boutwell, W.L Simmons.
Mildred’s life journey began with wanting to go to college at a young age. She took a business course which led her to working at Scott’s Grocery, filing books (her true passion). She then decided to borrow money in the early 1960’s where she opened up Teen’s Delight. She sold five hamburgers for a dollar and shakes as well and this was only the beginning, which led to a purchase of another restaurant in town. After retiring Mildred moved to Pensacola with her husband until his retirement, which led to her journey of traveling. She visited all 50 states along with their capitals and Hawaii twice. Years later she decided that it was time to move back home to Jay where she made a very bold decision. She purchased Jays only video store which everybody knew (if you were late returning the movie, you were going to pay or she would show up at your house to collect both). If there was one thing about Mildred she was a very savvy business woman and had great success. Her ledgers were known to have the books perfect down to the very last penny, or Mildred could not sleep.
Mildred was the oldest member of Cora Baptist Church where she gave her life to Jesus. She was baptized by Brother Hall on July 14, 1968. The family would like to thank The Terrace at Ivey Acres and Jay Hospital for the care given to Momma Mildred.
A visitation will be held on Monday, April 4, 2016, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Cora Baptist Church. Funeral services will begin at 2:30 pm with Brother LaDon Hall and Brother Greene officiating.
Burial will be at Cora Baptist Cemetery.
Century Woman Charged With Stealing $22.7K From Jailed Man’s Account
April 2, 2016
A Century woman has been charged with withdrawing over $20,000 from a Century man’s bank account while he was in jail.
Lolita Shantel Thomas, 27, was charged with grand theft and fraud for withdrawing $22,700 without the account holder’s permission.
The victim, according to arrest report, is former jail bunkmate of Thomas’ boyfriend. Thomas was given permission to retrieve the victim’s vehicle from the county impound lot following his arrest, but she was not given permission to withdraw funds. Thomas was caught on credit union surveillance video with a black male passenger cashing checks at a drive-thru window. The passenger has not yet been charged in the scheme.
The withdrawals were made over a period of two months in 2015.
Tomas was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Today: ‘The Way We Worked’ – Agriculture in North Escambia
April 2, 2016
West Florida Public Libraries and the Barrineau Park Historical Society will host a day of farming fun from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Barrineau Park Community Center (6055 Barrineau Park School Road) in Molino. Escambia County Extension Services will give a presentation on the history of agriculture in North Escambia beginning at 1 p.m. Residents are invited to come learn how the work of farming fed us all.
This event is held in concurrence with “The Way We Worked,” a Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition that celebrates the history of our nation’s diverse workers and industries. The exhibit, hosted by West Florida Public Libraries and Molino Mid-County Historical Society is on display at Lillian F. King Museum, located in the Molino Community Complex until April 30. Viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, closed Sundays. Admission is free.
Flood Warning For Escambia River At Century
April 2, 2016
A flood warning continues for the Escambia River near Century. Minor flooding is forecast. The flood stage is 17 feet. The river is forecast to rise above flood stage by tonight and continue to rise to near 19.8 feet by Sunday evening.
* At 19 feet…Low lying pasture will flood. Cattle should be moved to higher ground.
* At 17 feet…Considerable flooding of lowlands.
* At 13 feet…Minor overflow of lowlands in the area.