David Crockett Jones, III
December 31, 2016
Mr. David Crockett Jones, III, age 61 passed away on Sunday, December 25, 2016, in a Pensacola healthcare facility.
Mr. Jones was born in Century and spent his lifetime there. During his working years, he worked as a safety inspector in the oil industry and was employed with Charco in Flomaton, AL.
He is preceded in death by his parents, David C. Jones, Jr. and Lova Burg Jones; and his sister, Pattie Jones. Mr. Jones was a member of Flomaton United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his sister, Pamela (Sandy) Hindman of Monroeville, AL; nephew, Nicholas Hindman of Greenville, AL; nieces, Megan (Chris) Ross of Opelika, AL and Courtney Hindman of Opelika, AL; cousins, Buddy (Linda) Steele of Stockton, AL, David (Tina) Steele of Stockton, AL, Madison (Donna) Steele of Stockton, AL, Amanda (Shane) Hall of Stockton, AL, Thomas, Logan and Abigail Steele of Stockton, AL; numerous other cousins, family and friends.
A memorial service is scheduled for Mr. Jones on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at 11 a.m. at Flomaton United Methodist Church with Rev. Kathleen McKinley officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Flomaton United Methodist Church.
Please share your memories and condolences with the family at www.flomatonfh.com.
Flomaton Funeral Home Directing.
Fire Destroys Cantonment Area Home
December 30, 2016
Fire destroyed a two story home in the 1200 block of West 9 ½ Mile Road early Friday morning.
The fire was reported about 5:30 am. with heavy flames through the roof when firefighters arrived. Initial reports indicated the fire may have originated in the garage of the home.
All four occupants of the home were safely evacuate before the flames spread, causing the roof to collapse.
There were no reports of any injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Two adults and two teenagers were displaced from the home and are being assisted by the American Red Cross. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating. The Ensley, Cantonment, Brent, Beulah, Ferry Pass, Myrtle Grove and Osceola stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
The fire marked the 11th bulb in the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Attic Fire Damages Molino Home
December 30, 2016
Fire damaged a large Molino home Thursday night, but firefighters were able save the home from major destruction.
An attic fire was reported at the home on Luth Road off Highway 99 just before 9 p.m. Firefighters reported light smoke showing as they arrived on scene at 5,500 square foot, two-story home. The fire was quickly brought under control with significant damage to the attic
Preliminary reports indicated the fire started from a fireplace chimney. There were no injuries reported.
The Molino, Walnut Hill, Cantonment and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Atmore Fire Department, including a ladder truck, responded to the blaze.
The home’s occupants were displaced, marking the 10th bulb in the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home.
Photos by Kristi Barbour for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
GED Offered Next Month At The Molino Community Center
December 30, 2016
GED classes will be offered next month at the Molino Community Center.
Classes will begin on Monday, January 9 and run each Monday and Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m.
This is an open enrollment program so that students may enroll anytime during the semester.
Contact Patricia Harrison at George Stone, 850-941-6200 ext. 2361, for more information. Visit georgestonecenter.com to register. GED classes are provided through a partnership among West Florida Public Libraries, George Stone Technical Center and the Molino Community Center.
Dry Today, Wet Weekend
December 30, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 58. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the evening.
Saturday: Rain likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 9pm. Low around 58. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
New Year’s Day: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Tips From The IRS On Year-End Gifts To Charity
December 30, 2016
The Internal Revenue Service today reminded individuals and businesses making year-end gifts to charity that several important tax law provisions have taken effect in recent years. Some of the changes taxpayers should keep in mind include:
Rules for Charitable Contributions of Clothing and Household Items
Household items include furniture, furnishings, electronics, appliances and linens. Clothing and household items donated to charity generally must be in good used condition or better to be tax-deductible. A clothing or household item for which a taxpayer claims a deduction of over $500 does not have to meet this standard if the taxpayer includes a qualified appraisal of the item with the return.
Donors must get a written acknowledgement from the charity for all gifts worth $250 or more. It must include, among other things, a description of the items contributed.
Guidelines for Monetary Donations
A taxpayer must have a bank record or a written statement from the charity in order to deduct any donation of money, regardless of amount. The record must show the name of the charity and the date and amount of the contribution. Bank records include canceled checks, and bank, credit union and credit card statements. Bank or credit union statements should show the name of the charity, the date, and the amount paid. Credit card statements should show the name of the charity, the date, and the transaction posting date.
Donations of money include those made in cash or by check, electronic funds transfer, credit card and payroll deduction. For payroll deductions, the taxpayer should retain a pay stub, a Form W-2 wage statement or other document furnished by the employer showing the total amount withheld for charity, along with the pledge card showing the name of the charity.
These requirements for the deduction of monetary donations do not change the long-standing requirement that a taxpayer obtain an acknowledgment from a charity for each deductible donation (either money or property) of $250 or more. However, one statement containing all of the required information may meet both requirements.
Reminders
The IRS offers the following additional reminders to help taxpayers plan their holiday and year-end gifts to charity:
- Qualified charities. Check that the charity is eligible. Only donations to eligible organizations are tax-deductible. Select Check, a searchable online tool available on IRS.gov, lists most organizations that are eligible to receive deductible contributions. In addition, churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and government agencies are eligible to receive deductible donations. That is true even if they are not listed in the tool’s database.
- Year-end gifts. Contributions are deductible in the year made. Thus, donations charged to a credit card before the end of 2016 count for 2016, even if the credit card bill isn’t paid until 2016. Also, checks count for 2016 as long as they are mailed in 2016.
- Itemize deductions. For individuals, only taxpayers who itemize their deductions on Form 1040 Schedule A can claim deductions for charitable contributions. This deduction is not available to individuals who choose the standard deduction. This includes anyone who files a short form (Form 1040A or 1040EZ). A taxpayer will have a tax savings only if the total itemized deductions (mortgage interest, charitable contributions, state and local taxes, etc.) exceed the standard deduction. Use the 2016 Form 1040 Schedule A to determine whether itemizing is better than claiming the standard deduction.
- Record donations. For all donations of property, including clothing and household items, get from the charity, if possible, a receipt that includes the name of the charity, date of the contribution, and a reasonably-detailed description of the donated property. If a donation is left at a charity’s unattended drop site, keep a written record of the donation that includes this information, as well as the fair market value of the property at the time of the donation and the method used to determine that value. Additional rules apply for a contribution of $250 or more.
- Special Rules. The deduction for a car, boat or airplane donated to charity is usually limited to the gross proceeds from its sale. This rule applies if the claimed value is more than $500. Form 1098-C or a similar statement, must be provided to the donor by the organization and attached to the donor’s tax return.
If the amount of a taxpayer’s deduction for all noncash contributions is over $500, a properly-completed Form 8283 must be submitted with the tax return.
Free Beans And Rice Giveaway Saturday In Cantonment
December 30, 2016
Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church, will be distributing free rice and dried beans and other non-perishables on New Year’s Eve from 9 until 11 a.m.m at the church located at 699 South Hwy 95-A in Cantonment. Recipients are also invited to enjoy a free sausage biscuit and coffee. For more information, call the church office at (850) 937-0001.
2016 In Photos: April
December 30, 2016
Today, we continue our look back at the year 2016 in photos with a look at April.
An April sunset in North Escambia.
After an absence of several years, baseball and softball returned in April to the Cantonment Ballpark.
Opening Day for Northwest Escambia at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
It was announced that former Century High School and the football stadium on Hecker Road will be demolished due to tornado damage.
“The Bully Plays” was presented at Tate High School.
The 20th Annual Escambia County School District’s Special Olympics Spring Games were held in April at Tate High School with over 500 student athletes. Over 600 Tate student volunteers assisted as “buddies” and event workers.
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation honored 68 of Escambia County’s outstanding creative high school seniors at the 2016 Mira Creative Arts Awards Ceremony in Pensacola, including these students from Tate High School.
For the third year in a row, the Tate Lady Aggies won the District 1-7A title over Pace at Escambia High School.
An Earth Day Celebration was held in Century.
New members were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society during a candlelight ceremony at Ernest Ward Middle School.
The Gulf Coast Agriculture and Natural Resources Youth Organization (GCA & NRYO) Spring Livestock Show was held in Molino.
The first Black Jacket Jamboree beautiful baby contest was held during the Blue Jacket Jamboree in Molino.
The annual Blue Jacket Jamboree was held at the 4-H Center in Molino with arts and crafts, kids’ activities, food, a car show and more. All proceeds from the event benefited the Northview High School FFA and FFA Scholarship Fund.
ECSO Seeks Man For Allowing Minor To Have Gun, Trespassing
December 30, 2016
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating 20-year old Keandre Lanell Wesley. He is wanted for trespassing, culpable negligence allowing a minor access to gun, and tampering with evidence. If you have any information contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Monty Daniel Bell
December 30, 2016
Monty Daniel Bell, 58 of Atmore, AL, passed away Monday, December 26, 2016 in Pensacola, FL. He was an owner of Monty Windshield Repair and Locksmith. He also worked offshore as a crane operator. He was born in Flomaton, AL, to Fern and Eleanor Daniel Bell, Jr.
He is preceded in death by his father, Fern Bell, Jr.
Survivors include his wife, Tabitha Kovash Bell of Atmore, AL; his mother, Eleanor Bell of Robertsdale, AL; four sons, Joshawa (Sara) Bell of SC, Justin Bell, Nathan Bell and Remington Bell, all of Atmore, AL; brother, Jeff (Tammy) Bell of Enterprise, AL; twin brother, Mark Bell of Atmore, AL; one sister, Sharron (Don) Bullard of Atmore, AL; two grandchildren, Charlie Bell and Rhett Bell; nieces and nephews, Corey Loop, Katie Beth Bell, and Jeff Edward Bell, Jr.; and a host of family and friends.
Services will be held Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at 3 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. Don Davis officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Joshawa Bell, Justin Bell, Nathan Bell, Jimmy Smith, William Hastings, Jim Fuller, Chad Cook, and Gwen Hendricks.
Family will receive friends, Monday, January 2, 2017, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m until 8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.