Jonathan Brandon Edgar
October 25, 2016
Jonathan Brandon Edgar, age 40, passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2016. Brandon was born December 5, 1975 to Charles H. and Opal Edgar, Jr. Brandon was passionate about family, football, coaching, fishing and cooking. He graduated from Catholic High School in 1994 where he played football. He continued his football career at University of West Alabama. Brandon had a lifelong career in Construction Management. In 2005 he and his brother, Jody, established a home building company, EdCorp, that has provided homes to over 50 families. While working at Mitchell Homes, Brandon met the love of his life Kimberly Freeman Edgar. They were married on January 21, 2006 and he became a proud stepfather to Jami Alexa Zettler. As a family, they welcomed Jonathan Ray Edgar on January 24, 2007.
He was a coach and mentor to numerous players over the years at West Florida High School, Bellview Athletic Association, Gulf Coast Bombers travel team, ADIKTIV Bombers travel team, and most currently St. John Catholic School flag football team. His love for fishing led him to become a Captain and owner and operator of charter boats, Lickety-Split and No Worries. Over the last ten years he built a successful chartering business, Extreme Offshore Charters, out of Zeke’s Landing Marina in Orange Beach, AL. Brandon shared his love for cooking by preparing many of his favorite recipes for his family and friends. He was notorious for his family fish fry’s, gameday gatherings and intimate dinners.
He is preceded in death by paternal grandparents Charles H. and Agnes Edgar Sr. and maternal grandparents Percy and Alice Bryan. Brandon is survived by his wife, Kimberly Freeman Edgar and children Jami Zettler and Johnny Ray; his parents Charles H. and Opal Edgar, Jr.; brothers Chuck Edgar (Cindy), Jody Edgar (Blair), Tim Edgar (Tonya) and Randy Edgar; numerous nieces, nephews, great nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Pallbearers will be Chuck Edgar, Jody Edgar, Tim Edgar, Randy Edgar, Gordy Grellia, Jason Edgar, Chad Edgar, Sean Till, and Nikki Hoffay. Honorary pallbearers will be ADIKTIV bombers travel ball team players and coaches.
The family would like to invite any past or present players that Brandon coached to wear their jersey to either service to honor him.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 28, 2016 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Rev. Don Abrams officiating. Burial to follow in Pensacola Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 27, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Camp Rap-A-Hope 2701 Airport Blvd., Mobile, AL 36606, (camprapahope.org), ADIKTIV Sports Academy c/o Kevin Johnson 4301 Woodbine Rd, Pace, FL 32571 or Catholic High School Cheerleading Program c/o Amanda Macon 3043 West Scott St., Pensacola, FL 32505.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment is in charge of all arrangements.
Albert Jeff Ross
October 25, 2016
Mr. Albert Jeff Ross, age 81, of Atmore passed away Friday, October 21, 2016, at his residence. He was born in Atmore to the late Albert Leigh and Ardell Mitchell Ross. He was retired from State of Alabama Department of Corrections after working for 35 years as a correctional officer. He was a member of The Sons of the Confederacy, Alabama Department of History Archives, member of Escambia County, Alabama Historical Society, and worked closely with the Alabama Department of Conservation Enforcement Officers.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Ida Hall.
Mr. Ross was survived by his devoted and faithful friend, Norma Homan of Rabon, AL; one niece, Sandra (David) Sommerman of Marietta, GA.; great-nephews, Andrew and Matthew Sommerman; two special first cousins, Lucille Peacock of Little Rock, AL and Wade Ross of CA; a host of cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 26, 2016, at 2 p.m. from the First Baptist Church of Canoe with Bro. Waylon Stuckey officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Alabama Department of Correction Enforcement Officers, Frank Reid, Ryan Rhodes, Steve Lawson, David Smith, Kenneth Blalock and Mitch Johnson.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, October 26, 2016, from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Canoe. Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of all arrangements.
Kenneth Alfred Meadows, Jr.
October 25, 2016
Mr. Kenneth Alfred Meadows, Jr. age 64 of Hwy. 31 Flomaton passed away Monday October 24, 2016, in a Birmingham hospital after a battle with lymphoma cancer. He was a native of Wheeling, WV, where he graduated Warwood High School, A former resident of Pensacola before moving to Flomaton, Mr. Meadows was a member of the St. Maurice Catholic Church, He attended the University of Kentucky and the University of West Florida and was the music teacher at W.S. Neal Elementary School, band director at W.S. Neal Middle School and Jay High School. He was a professional musician playing in bands and currently playing in the Panama City Philharmonic Orchestra.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Kathleen Paul Meadows of Flomaton; two sons, Kenneth Daniel (Tiffany) Meadows of Molino and Kevin Michael Meadows of Flomaton; sister Mary Jane (Jim) Wiselka of Wheeling, WV; and three grandchildren Christian, Aspen, Hudson.
Visitation will be held Thursday night October 27, 2016, from 5 until 7:00 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton. Funeral Services are scheduled for Friday morning October 28, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at The Saint Maurice Catholic Church with Father Patrick Madden officiating.
Scott Randall Chepan
October 25, 2016
Scott Randall Chepan, 58, of Molino was born October 4, 1958, in Peoria, IL, to Donald and Donna Chepan. He passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2016.
Scott is preceded in death by his mother, Donna (Cool) Chepan.
He is survived by his daughter, Dara Chepan (his “Scoober”); father, Donald (Patricia) Chepan; brother, Allen (Laura) Chepan and his fiancé’, Nancy Weaver who will miss her sweetheart and her true love.
Scott played guitar with several bands and considered all of them his brothers. He loved the beach and everything about it, especially the smells, fresh seafood and the warm Florida sun. Scott loved to laugh and had a smile that will never be forgotten. He left this world doing what he loved, riding his Hog and helping others.
Visitation will take place Tuesday, October 25, 2016, from 4-5:00 p.m. with services to follow immediately at 5:00 p.m.
Fire Rips Through Home (With Gallery, Video)
October 24, 2016
Fire destroyed a home on Rockaway Creek Road in Atmore Monday afternoon.
The fire reportedly began with a lawnmower near the rear of the residence and quickly spread into the home and attic. Flames were shooting several feet into the air when the first firefighters arrived on scene.
The occupants of the home and their pets were able to escape without injury.
The Atmore Fire Department. Poarch Fire Department and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia (FL) Fire Fire Rescue responded to the blaze, along with the Atmore Police Department and Atmore Ambulance.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos and video, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Early Morning Highway 29 Accident
October 24, 2016
There were no injuries in a single vehicle wreck early Monday morning on Highway 29.
The accident was reported about 4:15 a.m. on Highway 29 just north of Quintette Road. The driver of a SUV lost control and ran off the roadway into a ditch. The driver refused medical treatment at the scene.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details, including the name of the driver, have not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Early Voting Begins
October 24, 2016
Early voting got underway Monday in Escambia County.
According to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford, a total of seven sites will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. county-wide, the most early voting ever offered in Escambia County:
- Escambia Co Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Avenue
- Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street
- Bellview-Saufley, 916 W Michigan Avenue
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
Early voting will be offered daily through Saturday, November 5. Early voters cast paper ballots through our digital scanners, and may choose any one of the seven sites.
Another option for voters is to cast a vote-by-mail ballot, which can be requested through the online form at EscambiaVotes.com, or by email (votebymail@escambiavotes.com), phone (850) 595-3900, mail, or fax (850) 595-3914. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and address, and must be received no later than Wednesday, November 2. Voted ballots must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location. The Postal Service recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date. Vote-by-mail participants may track the status of their ballot at EscambiaVotes.com.
The third option for voters is to cast a ballot at their precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Voters are reminded to bring their photo and signature ID with them to the polls and are encouraged to visit EscambiaVotes.com for complete voting information or contact the Elections Office by phone or email with any questions.
Cool Nights, Warm Dry Days
October 24, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 83.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
October 24, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 /State Road (S.R.) 95 Widening from I-10 to 9 Mile Road - Alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road near the U.S. 29/Nine Mile Road overpass from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 through Thursday, Nov. 3 as workers construct detours to accommodate the construction of the new bridge.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Widening from Davis Highway to the Escambia Bay Bridge- Alternating lane closures on I-10 eastbound, between the Ninth Avenue overpass and the Escambia Bay Bridge, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 as crews perform pavement repairs. In addition, traffic on I-10 east and westbound will be shifted to the newly constructed inside travel lanes near the Ninth Avenue overpass the week of Monday, Oct. 24. The shift will allow crews to reconstruct and lower the outside travel lanes to provide additional clearance for the overpass.
- S.R. 292 (Perdido Key Drive) Resurfacing from Alabama State Line to ICWW Bridge – Intermittent and alternating daytime lane closures will continue Monday, Oct. 24 through Friday, Oct. 28 as crews mill and place the structural course of asphalt on the mainline traffic lanes.
- Airport Road (S.R. 750) Routine Maintenance- Drivers may encounter lane restriction from 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesday, Oct. 25 as crews replace signs on the I-110 on-ramps.
- U.S. 98 – Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Intermittent and alternating lane closures near the Pensacola Bay Bridge on U.S. 98, Gregory Street, Bayfront Parkway and 17th Avenue (south of the railroad bridge) from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 through Friday, Oct. 28 as crews take asphalt pavement core samples.
- 9 Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road - Clearing of trees and shrubs on the 4.8-mile segment has begun. Lane closures are only permitted between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Bluff Springs Road over Pritchett Mill Creek Bridge Replacement- The road will be closed the week of Monday, Oct. 31 as crews begin construction of a new bridge. Project is anticipated to be complete spring 2017.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard- Drivers will encounter the following impacts on I-10 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 through Thursday, Oct. 27.
- Alternating lane closures between the Escambia Bay Bridge and Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22 as crews continue widening work.
- Traffic remains shifted to the outside on the I-10 on-and-off ramps at Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22 as crews prepare for rigid inclusion work. The shift will be in place until spring 2017.
- I-10 Resurfacing from east of S.R. 87 to the Okaloosa County Line – Intermittent and alternating lane closures east and westbound between the S.R. 87 interchange and the Okaloosa County line from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 through Friday, Oct. 28 as crews perform construction activities. Motorists are reminded the speed limit is reduced to 60 MPH within the lane closure.
- S.R. 87 Widening from two miles south of the Yellow River to Hickory Hammock Road –The Yellow River beneath the S.R. 87 bridge will be temporarily closed Monday, Oct. 24 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews mobilize equipment for construction of the new northbound bridge. Boaters are advised to avoid this area. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) officers in marked vessels will be immediately upstream and downstream of the Yellow River Bridge to notify boaters of the closure.
- I-10 over Blackwater River Bridge Maintenance – The westbound, inside lane will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24 to 5 a.m. Oct. 25 as crews perform routine maintenance work on the bridge.
- U.S. 98 – Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Intermittent and alternating lane closures in Gulf Breeze near the Pensacola Bay Bridge on U.S. 98 from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 through Friday, Oct. 28 as crews take asphalt pavement core samples. Additional samples will be taken from the parking lots of the Wayside Park adjacent to the bridge.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Florida Minimum Wage Is Going Up
October 24, 2016
Florida’s minimum wage will rise by a nickel an hour to $8.10 on January 1, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. That’s $2 for a 40 hour work week.
It is the fifth-smallest hourly increase since Florida established a state minimum wage in 2005. There was no increase last year.
Under a constitutional amendment passed by Florida voters in 2004, the Department of Economic Opportunity calculates the state minimum-wage rate each year based on increases in a federal consumer price index that reflects changes in the costs of food, clothing, shelter, gas, medical bills, drugs and other goods and services used in daily living. The index, which reflects the 12-month period ending Septempter 1, rose by less than 1 percent in the past year.
Florida’s $8.10 wage will remain above the federal minimum wage of $7.25.