Investigators Seek Man For Questioning In Homicide Case
June 23, 2016
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help is finding Bobby “B.J.” Hawkins. He’s wanted for questioning only in homicide case.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Free Food, Math And Reading Help At Cantonment’s Carver Park
June 23, 2016
The first hot dog in the park event was held Wednesday at Carver Park in Cantonment, with kids able to enjoy a free meal and some educational time.
There will be free hot dog meals will be offered every Wednesday, beginning today, at noon in Cantonment’s Carver Park at 2058 Webb Street. The hot dog, chips and beverage meals are sponsored by Saint Jude Catholic Church for school-age children and served by the Cantonment Improvement Committee.
The Carver Park Resource Center will be open from 10 a.m. until noon on Wednesdays for children who want to keep up with their reading and math skills using computer games.
Pictured: Students work on their math and reading skills using the computer lab at the Carver Park Resource Center Wednesday morning. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rubio Re-election Bid Remakes Senate Race
June 23, 2016
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that he will run for re-election this year, reversing a longstanding pledge to give up his seat and sending shock waves through Florida politics.
In the wake of Rubio’s announcement, two high-profile Republicans immediately dropped out of the Senate race, with Congressman Ron DeSantis saying he would run for re-election to his U.S. House seat.
Democrats, meanwhile, pounced on Rubio’s decision as what they called another politically craven move that would allow the first-term senator to remain relevant after losing his campaign to claim the Republican presidential nomination.
Rubio previously seemed to bristle at the difficulty of pushing legislation through the deliberative Senate, and he admitted Wednesday that he has sometimes been frustrated by the gridlock in the chamber. But in a statement spelling out why he’s running for re-election, Rubio highlighted the ability for the U.S. Senate to act as “a check and balance on the excesses of a president” — even if real-estate mogul Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, is elected over Democrat Hillary Clinton.
“The prospect of a Trump presidency is also worrisome to me. … If he is elected, we will need senators willing to encourage him in the right direction, and if necessary, stand up to him. I’ve proven a willingness to do both,” said Rubio, who told reporters last month he would be willing to speak at next month’s GOP convention, which will nominate Trump.
The decision came after Republican leaders had publicly pleaded with Rubio for weeks to reconsider his earlier commitment, made during his presidential campaign, to leave the U.S. Senate when his term ends in January. The GOP faces a tough battle to hold onto its Senate majority, and the Republicans who were running to succeed Rubio struggled to gain traction in the polls.
A poll released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University underscored the dangers. According to that survey, Rubio led Democratic Congressman Patrick Murphy by seven points and Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson by eight.
But both Murphy and Grayson held advantages against DeSantis, Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera and Republican outsider candidates Carlos Beruff and Todd Wilcox, according to Quinnipiac.
Despite his clout as an incumbent and former presidential candidate, Rubio fell short of clearing the field with his announcement Wednesday. DeSantis dropped out quickly, saying Rubio’s decision “changes the contours of the U.S. Senate race in Florida.” While the congressman said Rubio had a good chance of holding onto the Senate seat, he did not explicitly endorse Rubio.
Republican Congressman David Jolly, who was also running for Senate, announced last week he would run for re-election to a Pinellas County House seat.
Lopez-Cantera, a personal friend of Rubio’s, praised the incumbent in a statement Wednesday as the lieutenant governor dropped out of the race and urged the senator’s two remaining primary opponents to also leave the campaign.
“With that in mind, I encourage Carlos Beruff and Todd Wilcox to do what is right and unite behind Marco’s re-election so we can ensure that we have the best candidate with the best ability to represent all of our families in the U.S. Senate,” said Lopez-Cantera.
The other candidates didn’t seem interested in taking that advice. Beruff, a developer from Bradenton who has promised to spend some of his personal fortune if necessary to win the seat, blasted Rubio in a statement Wednesday.
“This isn’t Marco Rubio’s seat; this is Florida’s seat,” Beruff said. “The power brokers in Washington think they can control this race. They think they can tell the voters of Florida who their candidates are. But the voters of Florida will not obey them.”
Wilcox was slightly less pointed in his criticism of Rubio.
“I have 27 years of real world experience in national security and the economy, experience that is desperately needed in Washington now more than ever,” he said. “None of that has changed based on yet another career politician entering this race.”
The fallout could cascade further down the GOP side of the ballot. For example, eight Republicans opened campaign accounts to run for DeSantis’ U.S. House seat; by Wednesday evening, Pat Mooney had already exited the race, and others were expected to follow.
Meanwhile, Democrats faced with having to run against an entrenched incumbent quickly turned their fire on Rubio, underscoring his changing positions on seeking re-election and the fact that Trump soundly defeated Rubio in the Florida presidential primary three months ago.
“Rubio lost 66 of 67 counties in March because he abandoned the people of Florida and showed himself to be nothing but an opportunistic career politician,” said Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant. “Today’s news only confirms that further.”
Opponents also pointed to Rubio’s dismal Senate voting record during his presidential bid and said he would likely make another White House bid in four years, before his second term was finished. In a conference call with reporters, Murphy labeled Rubio “a do-nothing senator who’s running for president in 2020.”
“Today, Marco Rubio broke his promise to Floridians,” Murphy said. “Simple question: How can Floridians trust him?”
Grayson, who is running to Murphy’s left in the Democratic primary, used the opportunity to bring up Murphy’s more-moderate stances and knock Rubio for suggesting the recent shooting massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando contributed to his decision to reconsider a run.
“While Rep. Grayson is busy passing good, progressive legislation, he welcomes the chance to beat basically two do nothing Republicans in Patrick Murphy and No Show Marco this fall,” Grayson campaign manager Mike Ceraso said. “But it’s shameful that Marco is trying to use the Orlando tragedy to further his 2020 presidential ambitions from a Senate seat that he’s barely sat in.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
State Brings Back ‘Arrive Alive’ License Plate
June 23, 2016
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) has unveiled the newest version of its “Arrive Alive” license plate that will be featured as the front license plate of Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) vehicles. As the state’s authority in traffic safety, DHSMV has brought the plates back as a reminder to motorists to drive safely and arrive alive.
“With an increase in motorists on Florida’s roadways and an uptick in crashes statewide, we are thrilled to bring back one of DHSMV’s most successful safety campaigns,” said DHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “The campaign messaging provides a clear and direct reminder to motorists that their driving behaviors have a lasting impact on their safety as well as the safety of those around them. These two words are nostalgic for many and should guide motorists as they drive each day: Arrive Alive.”
The “Arrive Alive” front license plates are part of the department’s “Arrive Alive” campaign, which dates back yo 1970. FHP is promoting the campaign to reduce traffic related deaths and injuries by affixing the “Arrive Alive” license plates to the front of their patrol vehicles. The “Arrive Alive” campaign addresses proper highway speed, road manners, the importance of the use of seatbelts and much more.
“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to keeping Florida roadways safe for all motorists and the ‘Arrive Alive’ campaign is a valuable part of our history,” said Colonel Gene Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Carrying on a proud legacy of promoting highway safety and security, the patrol makes every effort to ensure that Florida motorists make it to their destination safely.”
ARRIVE ALIVE plates have looked different over the years. The first plate in 1970 had a blue background and reflective white letters, others had a white background with reflective orange letters and later versions incorporated the slogan BUCKLE UP. The new version of the plate will have a white background with reflective orange letters. The “Arrive Alive” front license plates are currently being distributed to troops statewide and FHP will be installing them on all patrol cars over the course of the year.
Bessie Rolin
June 23, 2016
Mrs. Bessie Rolin, 91, passed away on Monday, June 20, 2016, in Atmore.
Mrs. Rolin was a native of McCurtain, Oklahoma and a resident of Atmore for the past 74 years. She worked at Head Start, Jerrald’s, Escambia County Public Schools, and Wind Creek Casino. She is of the Baptist faith.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Eugene “Buster” Rolin; and one grandchild, Bradley Rolin.
She is survived by her eleven sons, Donnie (Dianne) Rolin of Poarch, Ernest (Tina) Rolin of Poarch, Harvey Rolin of Poarch, Roy Rolin of Poarch, Walter (Anita) Rolin of McCullough, Kenneth Wayne “Radio” Rolin of Poarch, Anthony Dale Rolin of Century, Deno (Necole) Rolin of Poarch, Johnny Mack (Ashley) Rolin of Poarch, Shawn Allen (Stephanie) Rolin of Poarch and Aubrey Eugene “Tinker” (Natasha) Rolin of Poarch; three daughters, Peggy (Harold) Couch of Poarch, Virginia “Bell” (Alton) Godwin of Poarch and Autonya (Wesley) Jordan of Poarch; 37 grandchildren; 61 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Thursday, June 23, 2016, at the McCullough Christian Center with Sis. Helen Stewart officiating.
Burial was at the Judson Creek Indian Cemetery.
Pallbearers were James Kevin Andrews, Douglas “Spat” Daughtry, Phillip Martin, Keith Martin, Arthur Mothershed and Jerry “Buck” Sells.
Honorary pallbearers were Charles Michael Gregson, Gordon “Bubba” McGhee, Daniel “Boone” McGhee and Keith Rolin.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Paul L. Grover
June 23, 2016
After a long and courageous fight with cancer, Paul L. Grover shed his earthly body and stepped into the arms of his Savior and his Daddy, June 22, 2016.
Paul was born November 3, 1970, in Pensacola and graduated from Catholic High School in 1988. He attended Livingston University, graduated from the University of West Florida and was a member of Phi Kappa Phi fraternity. Paul’s greatest passion was coaching girls’ basketball. Young ladies at Catholic, Pace, Milton and Jay High School were blessed to play under Coach Grover. Paul was an avid outdoor sportsman as well as an opinionated sports fan. He affirmed his faith in Jesus Christ in 2013 and most recently became a member of Olive Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his daddy, George Lowell Grover Sr.
Paul leaves the following to cherish his memory: mother, Lily Humphreys Grover, brothers, George Grover Jr. (Laura) and Richard Grover (Michele), sisters, Sharon Kelson (Leo), Barbara Pettway and Marianne Swain (Brannon), numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren, best friends Tammy Walter and Mark Humphreys, dozens of cousins and friends immeasurable. The family is grateful to Hospice for their loving care that was provided to Paul as well as to us.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Celebration of Paul’s life will be held June 30, 2016, from 4-7 p.m. at Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center, 913 South I Street, Pensacola, FL 32502
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Jay High School c/o Paul Grover Foundation, 3741 School St, Jay, FL 32565 or Covenant Hospice, In Honor of Paul Grover, 5041 North 12th Ave, Pensacola, FL 32504
James Gregory Watts
June 23, 2016
James Gregory “Greg” Watts, 64 of Huxford, passed into eternity on June 20, 2016, while at his home after a long, valiant batter with cancer.
He was born March 22, 1952, in Tuscaloosa, to the late J.D. and Virginia Watts. He was a graduate of Wilcox County High School in Camden, AL, where he lived and worked until 1991. He was self employed for many years at Greg Watts Trucking and formerly at Macmillan Bloedel in Pine Hill, as well as Buford Equipment Co. in Montgomery. He was a member of Mt.Pleasant Baptist Church in Eliska, AL where he dedicated his life to the Lord and was baptized in 2009. He was also loved and adored by all who knew him. He was a faithful father and friend and will be remembered for all he shared with all he knew. Greg was a simple man that did not live a lavish lifestyle or want attention to be on himself. He loved his family and cherished his many friendships and shared it in many actions as well as words. Greg had a talent and a love for race cars and big trucks and could make an engine do what no one else could. Most of his years were spent with grease on his hands and dirt on his clothes. He enjoyed the outdoors, spent time fishing, hunting and raising hunting dogs and many other adventures.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Martha Watts; one son, Dexter (Patricia) Watts of Pike Road, AL; two step-sons, John Murray (Leigh) Ikner and Britton (Cheyenne) Ikner, both of Huxford; one sister, Brenda Watts “Bunny” (Mitch) Byles of Tuscaloosa, AL; 11 grandchildren; and 10 nieces and nephews.
Services were held Wednesday, June 22, 2016, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel in Atmore with Rev. Pete Dunn officiating and his son, Dexter Watts speaking.
Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Pallbears were David Womack, Kevin Holland, Mike Chavers, Tim Bailey, Chad Miller, and Marty Kent.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Eunice Adell Bray Dannelley
June 23, 2016
Eunice Adell Bray Dannelley, age 93, passed away Sunday, June 19, 2016, in Pensacola. She was born in Baldwin County Alabama on October 20, 1922, to the late Joseph C. and Nita Wilson Bray. She was a lifelong resident of McCullough, Alabama. She was a member of Judson Baptist Church. She was a homemaker who loved cooking and was an accomplished seamstress which she enjoyed until her eyesight failed.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, William Earl Dannelley; her sister, Helen Bray Kirrcharr; three brothers; Harold Bray, Joe Bray, and Derhyl Bray.
She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Lanell Bryan of Pensacola; two sons, Edsel Dannelley of Bay Minette and Allan Dannelley of Cartersville, Georgia; her granddaughters, Karen Bryan Bowman (Eddie) of Daphne and Kathryn Bryan of Pensacola; her grandsons, Keith Bryan (Merrick) of Gulf Breeze and Jonathan Conway (Nikki) of Uriah; two brothers, Edison Bray (Asdghig) of Bellaire, Texas and Aubrey Bray (Cathy) of LaPorte, Texas; six great-grandchildren; and two special nieces, Amanda Bray Cook and Marian Bray Fisher.
Services were held at Judson Baptist Church on Thursday, June 23, 2016.
Interment was in McCullough Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Hilbert Hall, Jimmy Woods, Earl Weaver, William Kirby, Chris Terry, and Randy Watley.
Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Judson Baptist Church.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Rubio Reverses Course And Will Run For Re-election
June 22, 2016
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has reversed course and will seek re-election to his seat, according to numerous media reports Wednesday morning.
Rubio’s decision comes as Republicans try to maintain control of the U.S. Senate. “I think that the point that really drove me to change my mind is that as we enter this kind of new chapter in our history here is, there’s another role the Senate plays that I think can be really important in the years to come,” Rubio told the Miami Herald.
“And that’s the power given to it in the Constitution to act as a check and balance on the excess of the president. It’s even more important given the fact that control of the Senate could very well come down to what happens in the Florida race.”
by The News Service of Florida
Century Pleads With FDOT To Fix Problem Curve After Another Truck Overturns
June 22, 2016
Century Mayor Freddie McCall stood in the closed northbound lanes of North Century Boulevard late Tuesday morning, snapping photos of an overturned 18-wheeler.
“It got another one,” McCall said, referring to a curve in North Century Boulevard at Jackson Street. Less than 24 hours before Tuesday’s accident, the town council sat down with Virgie Bowen of the Florida Department of Transportation, asking for FDOT’s to fix the curve before the next accident.
McCall said the slope and design of the roadway in the curve is such that trucks in the outer lane have a difficult time navigating the curve at the posted speed limit.
“I don’t know how many trucks I’ve seen (in the curve) where the wheels come off the ground, but most of them make it,” he said.
Tuesday morning’s overturned truck was hauling bales of cotton. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 30-year old Aref Alday of Miami traveled off the roadway, causing his 2000 Freightliner semi-truck to overturn. He was cited for careless driving. Aref Alday was not injured; his passenger, 53-year old Amnerys Alday was transported to Jay Hospital with minor injuries.
Eight days ago, the truck that overturned in the curve was hauling logs, a previous accident involved a truckload of peanuts.
“One day we are not going to be so lucky and it’s going to be hazardous materials,” McCall told FDOT’s Bowen Monday night, a sentiment he echoed Tuesday morning. “One day it’s going to be a chemical truck or gasoline tanker, and a lot of people are going to get hurt, or somebody’s going to get killed.”
“It does not take long standing there to see that the vehicles, especially big trucks, are leaning in the curve” Bowen said after visiting the curve. She said Monday night that she would take the issued back to FDOT engineers for review.
By Tuesday, after the additional crash, McCall said he had been contacted by FDOT and had been told that an engineer would visit the site on Wednesday.
Tuesday’s accident also damaged the controls for a city sewage lift station located on the corner of North Century Boulevard. Repairs were expected to be made before and sewage overflowed. After a 2010 overturned truck accident, an insurance company settled with the town for $190,250 to relocated most of the lift station’s components underground.
Pictured top: An overturned truck on North Century Boulevard at Jackson Street late Tuesday morning. Pictured inset: A damaged sewage lift station. Pictured below: Three previous overturned truck accidents at the same location. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
