Mayor, Two Council Seats Up For Election In Century
June 7, 2016
Two Century council seats and the mayor’s office will be up for grabs in this year’s municipal election in Century.
The town has set qualifying dates for Council Seat 1, currently held by Ann Brooks; Council Seat 2, currently held by Annie Savage; and mayor, currently held by Freddie McCall. Qualifying will be open from noon on Monday, June 20 until noon on Friday, June 24.
Interested candidates can qualify at the Supervisor of Elections Office in Pensacola during the week. In additional, a staff member from the Supervisor of Elections Office will be at the Century Town Hall on Wednesday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to receive qualifying forms.
Council members must be residents of the town, while the town charter requires that the mayor have resided in the town for at least six months.
Primary elections for any municipal office with three or more candidate s will be held August 30. Runoffs and the general election for races where there are only two candidates will be held on November 8.
Pictured: Current Century Mayor Freddie McCall was sworn in during January 2012. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Mostly Sunny Today, Dry North Wind
June 7, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 65. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
June 7, 2016
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending June 2 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Allgood concentrated his patrols this week in state waters. He issued six notice to appear citations for possession of undersized trigger fish and two for undersized greater amberjack. He also issued several other related warnings.
Lieutenant Lambert observed an individual operating a vessel in violation of the idle speed zone near the Navy Point Boat Ramp. When he stopped the vessel to address the violation, he noticed several signs that indicated the operator was impaired. The operator performed poorly on several sobriety tasks and was arrested for boating under the influence (BUI). The operator was transported to the Escambia County Jail, where he refused to give a breath sample.
Officers Cushing, Manning, Livesay, Ramos, Roberson and Lieutenant Berryman responded at the request of the U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) by land and sea to two overdue paddle boarders in the Gulf of Mexico at Pensacola Beach. Approximately 1 ½ hours into the search, the two missing parties were located safely on land by emergency personnel.
Officers Manning, Pettey and Investigator Livesay patrolled offshore in federal waters this weekend conducting fisheries inspections. They documented 15 federal violations for possession of red snapper in a closed season and also documented several other state violation warnings.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Roberson and Lieutenant Berryman were conducting boating safety and fishery inspections at the Navarre Beach Boat Ramp when they observed a vessel come in with improper navigational lights and an expired registration decal displayed. Additionally, the officers observed fishing gear and two open beer cans on the console of the vessel. As the operator retrieved his vehicle to load his boat and while loading his boat onto the trailer, he showed signs of possible impairment. Officer Roberson conducted a boating safety and marine fishery inspection and spoke to the operator about his navigational lights and his expired registration. During this conversation, Officer Roberson became more suspicious that the operator may have been impaired and asked if he would perform field sobriety tasks. The operator agreed to do so and subsequently failed these tasks. He was placed under arrest for operating a vessel while under the influence. He was then transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail where he refused any additional testing.
Officers McHenry, Clark and Hutchinson were patrolling the Intracoastal Waterway near Big Lagoon State Park and observed a vessel travelling towards them in an idle speed zone creating a wake. The vessel was passing other vessels who were obeying the idle speed restriction. The officers stopped the vessel and observed a male subject with four female subjects on board who all appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. While speaking with the male subject who was operating the vessel, they noticed several alcoholic beverages inside of the vessel. After conducting a boating safety inspection and interviewing the operator, it was clear that the subject’s normal faculties were impaired from being under the influence of alcohol. The female subjects had a friend meet them and take possession of the vessel. The subject was arrested for BUI and transported to the Escambia County Jail.
Officer Ramos encountered a man fishing on the beach. A records check revealed that he had three warrants from another state for sexual assault. The man was arrested without incident.
Officers Cushing and Land patrolled both federal and state waters over the Memorial Day weekend conducting marine fisheries inspections. The officers conducted fishery inspections on 45 vessels and found 12 of them to be in violation of marine fishery regulations. The violations included possession of red snapper during the closed season, possession of undersized gray triggerfish, possession of undersized greater amberjack, using reef fish as bait and failure to allow for inspection. All suspects were issued federal citations.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
Candlelight Vigil Planned For Fallen Blue Angels Pilot
June 7, 2016
The City of Pensacola along with the Blue Angels Association will hold a candlelight vigil this Thursday for fallen Marine and Blue Angel Pilot, Captain Jeff Kuss.
This Thursday, June 9, a candlelight vigil will be held at Veteran’s Memorial Park to remember Kuss, who was killed in a crash in Smyrna, TN, last week.
The public is invited to gather with candles and American flags to pay tribute to the fallen pilot. Six minutes of silence will be observed as Kuss was the pilot of plane number six.
- Who: City of Pensacola and Blue Angels Association
- What: Candlelight vigil
- When: Thursday, June 9th, 7:30pm
- Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 200 S 9th Ave, Pensacola,
Kuss is survived by his wife and two young children. “We extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the family of Jeff Kuss, and those he served with,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward.
Summer Reading Program Begins This Week At The Library
June 7, 2016
The Summer Reading Club begins this week at the West Florida Public Library and continues through the last week of July.
The summer of free events features a variety of performers, including a balloon artist, musician, gymnastics team, magician, theatre group, reptile handler and juggler. And the more children ages 0-17 read, the more prizes they can earn.
The June schedule for the Summer Reading Club is as follows:
Mr. Bob’s Magic Show
Mr. Bob’s magic show includes mind blowing magic, music and lots of hilarious audience participation.
- Tuesday, June 7, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 8, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 8, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 9, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 9, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Musician: Roger Day
Roger Day’s skilled musicianship combines with his wit and wordplay to create a musical experience that parents will enjoy as much as the kids.
- Tuesday, June 14, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 15, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 15, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 16, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 16, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Pensacola Gymnastics
Enjoy the Pensacola Gymnastics team as they demonstrate agility, flexibility, self-confidence, teamwork, dedication, and determination.
- Tuesday, June 21, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 22, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 22, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 23, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Thursday, June 23, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Dr. Magical Balloons
Enjoy amazing balloon sculptures and original stories as Dr. Magical Balloons captivates and astounds readers of all ages.
- Tuesday, June 28, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 29, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 29, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 30, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
North Escambia Native Rebekah Bydlak Tops $100K Raised In Congressional Race
June 7, 2016
Congressional candidate Rebekah Johansen Bydlak has announced that she closed out the month of May with over $100,000 in donations from over 200 donors, and over $90,000 cash on hand.
A candidate for Congress in Florida’s 1st Congressional District, Bydlak, 25, would make history if she is successful in the August 30 Republican primary, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to Congress and the first female to represent Florida’s 1st District.
“Every day, I talk to people in Northwest Florida who are sick and tired of politics as usual,” Bydlak said, “Our early success is a clear sign that I offer these voters the outsider alternative they are looking for. We need a strong advocate who will cut spending, protect our veterans, and fight for individual liberty and getting the federal government out of our lives. I am that advocate.”
Bydlak, a resident of Cantonment and a McDavid native said her fundraising momentum has continued into the early days of June.
“I am confident that we will continue to raise the funds necessary to support our strong grassroots team that will carry us to victory in August,” she said, “Our many supporters across the First District can be confident that every dollar they have given to my campaign will be spent getting our message to voters as effectively as possible and fighting for the cause that we all share.”
Bydlak is a native of Northwest Florida and a graduate of Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida. She holds a master’s degree in political science and public administration from UWF and spent the last three years advocating for lower spending and debt among the public, elected officials, and candidates across the country as director of outreach for the Coalition to Reduce Spending.
Bydlak is seeking the Congressional seat currently held by Rep. Jeff Miller, who has announced that he will not see reelection.
Byrneville Elementary Presents Awards
June 7, 2016
Byrneville Elementary School recently presented the following awards:
Thornton/1st Grade
All A’s
Gabrielle Hawsey
Emma Claire Mast
Jase Portwood
Allison Yoder
A/B
Keiyon Brown
Preston Hudson
Layla Jordan
Isaiah Phifer
Jamie Roberts
Crest Waters
Zachary Weaver
Citizenship
Keiyon Brown
Nathan Carter
Gabrielle Hawsey
Preston Hudson
Layla Jordan
Emma Claire Mast
Isaiah Phifer
Jase Portwood
Jamie Roberts
Jamahri Simpson
Crest Waters
Zachary Weaver
Allison Yoder
Highest Averages in Reading: Emma Claire Mast, Allison Yoder
Discovery Education Reading Awards: Emma Claire Mast, Allison Yoder, Jamie Roberts, Layla Jordan
Highest Averages in Math: Emma Claire Mast, Jase Portwood, Allison Yoder
Highest Averages in Social Studies: Gabrielle Hawsey, Emma Claire Mast, Jase Portwood, Allison Yoder
Highest Averages in Science: Layla Jordan, Emma Claire Mast, Crest Waters, Allison Yoder
Penmanship Award: Preston Hudson
Most Improved: D’Angelo Phifer and Samantha Smith
Brown/1st Grade
A Honor Roll
Caleb Levins
Taylor Curtis
A/B Honor Roll
Autumn Coleman
Benji Parker
Logan Morris
Kayden Harwell
Cannon Whorff
Outstanding Citizenship
Alston Wolfe
Aleah Therrell
Caleb Levins
Taylor Curtis
Wesley Lambeth
Most Improved in Reading: Aliyah Reed
Most Improved in Math: Bonnie Trump
Most Improved Overall: Alston Wolfe
Frankhouser&Linton/2nd Grade
A Honor Roll
Luke Godwin
Elizabeth Coleman
Bree Robertson
A/B Honor Roll
London Brooks
Makenzie Levins
Ryder Lee
Savannah Hudson
Evelyn Smith
Cameron Bourgeois
Most Improved in Math: Brynlie Shaw
Most Improved in Reading: Emily Carter
Perfect Citizenship: Ryder Lee
Weaver/ 3rd Grade
All A Honor Roll
Maddie Mae Driskell
Kelan Jurey
Riley Long
Evin Matlock
Mia Turner-White
A/B Honor Roll
Ayden Atallah
Gavin Beasley
Tripp Curtis
Jade Howell
Allie Odom
Mallory Smith
Highest Language Arts Average: Maddie Mae Driskell and Riley Long
Highest Math Average: Evin Matlock
Highest Science Average: Riley Long
Highest Social Studies Average: Riley Long
Dunsford/ 3rd Grade
A Honor Roll
Madison Levins
Addisen Miller
Brian Yoder
A/B Honor Roll
Kailee Ancell
Madeleine Atallah
Macie Buford
Braden Glick
Zack Herndon
Mia Kornegay
Rebecca Peebles
Jayden White
Highest Reading Average: Madison Levins
Highest Math Average: Madison Levins and Brian Yoder
Highest Science Average: Brian Yoder
Highest Social Studies Average: Brian Yoder
Most Accelerated Reader Points: Madeleine Atallah
Marshman/ 4th Grade
A Honor Roll(All Year)
Meredith Johnston
Tyler Riggs
A/B Honor Roll(All Year)
Adrianna Atallah
Madalyn Grimes
Kaylie Glick
Nolin Godwin
Kaylee Hamilton
Aydan Smith
Mandell Smith
Highest Language Arts Average: Kaylee Hamilton and Tyler Riggs
Highest Math Average: Madalyn Grimes
Highest Science Average: Meredith Johnston
Highest Social Studies Average: Tyler Riggs
Top 3 in AR:
Tyler Riggs
Caden Peterson
Kaylie Glick
Johnston/5th Grade
Student of the Year: Drake Allen Driskell
Cox Inspirations Hero: Kaden Odom
Top AR:
Blake Yoder (1st)
Drake Allen Driskell (2nd)
Gracie Long (3rd)
Most Improved:
Dakota Peebles (Reading)
Conner Sheffield (Math)
Honor Roll:
Leah Anderson (all year)
Hunter Barnes (all year)
Adyn Barrow
Abbie Buford (all year)
Josh Diamond (all year)
Aloysia Dortch (all year)
Drake Allen Driskell (all year)
Briana Dunsford (all year)
Bradley Hamilton (all year)
Chase Hampton (all year)
Johnnie Howell (all year)
Eli Jackson (all year)
Jakayla Jackson (all year)
Kayla Johnson (all year)
Emily Lambeth (all year)
Emily Levins (all year)
Gracie Long
Sydney Mast (all year)
Bailie Merchant (all year)
Kaden Odom (all year)
Aleigh Thornton
Tiana White
Blake Yoder (all year)
Science High Averages:
Bradley Hamilton (Highest)
Emily Levins (Highest)
Kaden Odom (2nd highest)
Blake Yoder (2nd highest)
Abbie Buford (2nd highest)
Drake Allen Driskell (2nd highest)
Social Studies High Averages:
Kaden Odom (Highest)
Emily Levins (Highest)
Drake Allen Driskell (2nd highest)
Bradley Hamilton (2nd highest)
Blake Yoder (2nd highest)
ELA High Averages:
Drake Allen Driskell (Highest)
Kaden Odom (2nd highest)
Emily Levins (2nd highest)
Math High Averages:
Drake Allen Driskell (Highest)
Emily Levins (Highest)
Blake Yoder (Highest)
Kaden Odom (2nd highest)
Invention Convention Winners:
Emily Lambeth (1st)
Patrick Rolin (2nd)
Kaden Odom (3rd)
Bernice Jane Ashcraft
June 7, 2016
Bernice Jane Ashcraft, 85 of Atmore, passed away Thursday, June 2, 2016, at her residence. She was a homemaker. She was born in Atmore on November 21, 1930, to the late Ennie Smith.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William H. Ashcraft; her mother, Ennie Mitchell; and siblings, Bill Lofton and Junior Mitchell.
Survivors include one son, Ricky Ashcraft and one daughter, Jill Ashcraft, both of Atmore; two grandchildren, Amanda Ashcraft and John Ashcraft; and one great-grandchild, Tykenya Ashcraft.
Services were held Monday, June 6, 2016, from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel.
Interment was in Pleasant Grove Baptist Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Eltra Mae (Sid) Vickrey Etheridge
June 7, 2016
Eltra Mae (Sid) Vickrey Etheridge entered into the gates of Heaven on June 2, 2016. She was born in Local (Huxford), AL on February 9, 1916, to Heman and Maggie Lomax Vickrey.
A consummate mother and caretaker, Sid was an excellent cook and she received great joy in taking care of others. She retired from Rachel Patterson Elementary School after 20 years of service. She was a resident of Atmore for over 70 years before relocating to Century Nursing and Rehabilitation in 2010. Even though she was a centurion in age, she never let it show in her appearance, physical stamina, or spirit. She took immense pleasure in assisting the residents who were no longer of good physical stamina. Over the years she attended various events through the local SAIL/RSVP centers and was lauded for her volunteer work. She loved shopping, cooking and showing her friends and family how much she loved them. She was also a sports fan and enjoyed bowling, and watching the Atlanta Braves!
Sid had an unwavering faith in God and lived a spirit of compassion and unconditional love to all who were blessed to know her. She was a member of Community of Christ Church in Atmore.
She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Earl Etheridge Sr. She was also predeceased by her daughter, Delaurace (Tuck) MacDonald; and her three brothers, Bernard “Bunk” Vickrey, Orval Vickrey, and Buddy Vickrey; and her two sisters, Ellie Wiggins, and Murvel Helton.
She is survived by her sons, Earl L. Etheridge Jr. and his wife Becky, of Savannah, GA, Bill Etheridge and his wife, Wylonette of Mobile; her daughter, Nancy Martin and her husband Bobby, of Walnut Hill; and a special grandson, Russell Martin of Tuscaloosa, AL. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren, and numerous others who she cared for in life.
The family gives everyone who cared for her their deepest gratitude, especially her youngest daughter Nancy, whom she referred to as “Her Baby,” and who held her hand as she entered heaven, and her extended family at Century Nursing and Rehabilitation.
A funeral service celebrating her life was held on Sunday, June 5, 2016, at Johnson Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore. The service was performed by the Elder Wayne Ellis, Elder Glenn Waldrop, and the eulogy was conducted by her grandson, Russell Martin.
Burial was at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore.
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Wahoos Beat Jackson 6-1
June 7, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos right fielder Sebastian Elizalde singled and tripled to drive in four runs and help his team down the Jackson Generals, 6-1, Monday at The Ballpark at Jackson.
In his first year in Double-A, Elizalde is hitting .320 with two home runs and 13 RBIs for the Blue Wahoos.
Pensacola scored first when left fielder Tony Renda, who is hitting .320 on the season, hit his 20th double of the season on a fly ball to right field with two out to drive in catcher Joe Hudson, who doubled to start inning, to put Pensacola ahead, 1-0, over the Jackson Generals. Renda went 3-3 with two runs scored and an RBI Monday.
Elizalde singled on a liner to left field that scored both shortstop Zach Vincej and Renda to give Pensacola a 3-0 lead in the third. Blue Wahoos first baseman Kyle Parker then singled to center but Jackson center fielder Ian Miller threw a strike to home to get Elizalde out a home.
Pensacola starter Amir Garrett pitched out of two jams. He hit two batters with a pitch in the third inning. However, Hudson threw out Jackson right fielder Guillermo Heredia trying to steal second and Garret got out of the inning. In the fifth, Garrett had runners on second and third with two out but got DH Tyler O’Neill, who earned the Southern League Player of the Month for May, to pop out to short.
Garrett worked six innings and allowed one run, zero earned on three hits, two walks and struck out six. He improved to 5-3 on the year and has a 1.63 ERA.
Jackson scored in the fourth inning to get back a run, 3-1, when first baseman D.J. Peterson doubled to score left fielder Leon Landry, who reached second on a fielding error by Pensacola’s Renda.
Pensacola’s Elizalde then drove in two runs with a triple to right field in the eighth inning, scoring Vincej and Renda, putting the Blue Wahoos ahead, 5-1. Pensacola second baseman Brandon Dixon hit a deep sacrifice fly to centerfield that scored Elizalde and made the score, 6-3. Elizalde went 2-4, scored once and drove in four runs on his single and triple.
The top teams in the Southern League Northern Division and Southern Division are now tied, 1-1, in the five game series.
Pensacola improved to 33-23 to remain in first, while Jackson dropped to 37-20.
Besides getting run support and 11 hits from the Pensacola offense, Garrett received good relief, too. Nick Routt, Kevin Shackleford and Alejandro Chacin combined to throw three innings, allow two hits, walk one and strike out three.
The 24-year-old Brandon Dixon, who was named the Southern League Player of the Week, went 0-3 to end his six game hitting streak. He’s now 15-27 (.556) with eight homers and 19 RBIs the past seven games.