Tate Showband Seniors Celebrate Scholarships
May 20, 2016
The Tate Band had a signing day ceremony to celebrate seniors who have earned scholarships in music and academics to attend college next year.
The list of students/universities is as follows:
Florida State University
Bryce Coots
Texas A&M University
Jacob Norre
Troy University
Ashley Barnett
Zachary Vranich
Tristan Workman
University of Mobile
Madison Tourney
University of South Alabama
Tiana Hendricks
University of Southern Mississippi
Cody Swilley
University of West Florida
Ryan Cawby
Nicholas Touchstone
William Carey University
Katie Woods
Photos submitted by Patricia Maness for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Samantha Mae Gorman
May 20, 2016
Samantha was born and raised in Pensacola.
“With hair the color of the sun and with her infectious smile Samantha attracted many friends.”
She attended Lipscomb elementary and was a 6th grader at Ransom middle school. Samantha began playing softball at the age of 4, which quickly grew into her passion. She played softball at Northeast Pensacola (NEP) and with West Florida Elite.
Samantha is survived by her parents Kimberly (Laxton) Gorman and Rick Gorman; sister Madison Gorman; great grandparents Isabelle and Richard (deceased) Gorman; grandparents Cyril and Shirley Laxton, and Donna and Dennis (deceased) Gorman; aunts and uncles Tim and Leslie Moore, Michelle (Laxton) Himert, Mike Gorman, Dan Gorman, Cheryl (Gorman) and Kurt Ettlinger; and numerous cousins.
In remembrance of Samantha there will be a Mass with a memorial gathering for friends and family immediately following the service on Friday, May 20th at 10 a.m. at Nativity of Our Lord, 9945 Hillview Drive, Pensacola, FL with Father Pat Foley Celebrant.
Wahoos Rained Out In Jacksonville
May 20, 2016
The opening game of the five-game series between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (24-16) and the Jacksonville Suns (17-22) was rained out Thursday night.
The two Southern League South Division teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 4:05 p.m. Friday at The Baseball Grounds at Jacksonville.
Pitching in the first game will be Blue Wahoos RHP Sal Romano (1-2, 4.50) against Suns Jake Esch (4-4, 5.31). In the second game, Pensacola RHP Jackson Stephens (2-3, 4.23) is schedule against Jacksonville RHP Chris Mazza (1-0, 3.09).
Per Southern League rules both games of the doubleheader will only last seven innings, instead of the regular nine innings.
Charles Arnold Nell
May 20, 2016
Born May 14, 1926, in Pensacola, he was the son of Eugene Michael Nell and Mary Lee Sharp. As a young boy he played Mite and Midget Little League Baseball in a sand lot at W. Gregory and G Street and later attended Pensacola High School. Drafted by the Army in 1944, he was sent to Le Havre, France, arriving on Armistice Day. He achieved the rank of Platoon Sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1946.
He was employed by Southern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Company for 20 years, and later served as Executive Vice President of the NW Florida Crippled Children’s Association. He was an active member of Civitan International, receiving the Club, District and International Honor Keys for his volunteer service.
He joined the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks in 1961, and remained an active Elk for the rest of his life, serving as Exalted Ruler of Lodge 497, and later Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the Great Northwest District of Florida. He became a life member in 1996.
Charles was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Pensacola, where he trained acolytes for more than 20 years. He will also be remembered for his volunteer service to Escambia Westgate School and Miracle League of Pensacola.
Charles Nell is survived by his wife of 69 years, Emily Louise Kiedinger Nell; son Terril Arnold Nell (Cathy) of Brevard, NC; granddaughters Amanda Paige Nell and Emily Faith Nell, and sister Eleanor Genevieve Hess of Pensacola. He was predeceased by brothers Eugene Cromwell Nell and William Pope Nell, and by a sister, Mary Lee Sherhouse.
The family will receive friends on June 7, 2016 between 5:00 and 7:00 pm at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, 2276 Airport Blvd. Funeral Service will take place on June 8, 2016 at 10:00 am, Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, with interment immediately following at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Louise Nell, c/o 522 Feedrock Road, Brevard, NC, 28712. Memorial donations can be made to the Pensacola Humane Society, 5 N. Q Street, Pensacola, FL 32505 or to Escambia Westgate School, 10050 Ashton Brosnaham Road, Pensacola, FL, 32534.
James Henry Littlejohn, Sr.
May 20, 2016
James Henry Littlejohn, Sr., 94, surrounded by his loving family, went peacefully to be with the Lord and his precious wife Louise, May 19, 2016. Jim was born at home, in Bear Springs, Tennessee on February 14, 1922, to Robert Henry and Ella Virginia Littlejohn. Raised on the family farm, living through the depression, built qualities that set him so far beyond the common standard of men!
Dad was loving, gentle, kind, patient, humble, good, disciplined, loyal, more wonderful things than we could begin to say. Through his life he taught us, love is unconditional, be a giver and a forgiver, character and integrity matter, hard work is honorable, do right no matter the cost, live for God and others. Leaving the farm at 18, Jim joined the U.S. Navy Protecting our freedom in WWII, he was in every major invasion of the South Pacific. As a corpsman he treated thousands of wounded men, saving many lives. He was awarded many medals including a silver star and two bronze stars. He is truly an American hero! We as his children are grateful for such a dad!
On September 22, 1945 Jim married Louise Johnson, the love of his life for over 65 years. They had a wonderful life together! Jim served our nation for 26 years finally retiring in Pensacola. Jim and Louise moved to the country with 5 acres so the farm boy could plant huge gardens and happily return to his roots. He loved gardening, fishing, doing crossword puzzles and fixing things, but his greatest loves were God and his family. Dad received Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and lived the rest of his life loving and serving God. He loved God’s Word, prayer, and church. Through his example he has led, inspired and helped us forward for God. What a Godly heritage! Dad was preceded in death by his precious wife Louise, his parents and two brothers.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters; Sherry Wigen, Sheila McGaughey (Jim), and his son Jimmy Littlejohn (Emily); 7 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and many precious friends. To those who held our Dad up in prayer, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It is with the deepest gratitude and heartfelt love, our family would like to thank Dr. Anita Westafer, for her love and care for our Dad for so many years.
Thank you for doing everything you could to help Dad. He loved you and included you as his daughter. Our thanks to Covenant Care, and Sonshine Companion Care, staff for being such a comfort and help to Dad, and all of us. Sherry, all of the family is indebted to you and more thankful than we can find words to say for taking Dad into your home and loving and caring for him in the very best way you could! God knows each sacrifice you made in love.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am, Wed., May 25, 2016, at Charity Baptist Church, 1675 West Roberts Road, Cantonment, FL, with his son-in-law, Pastor James McGaughey officiating.
Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery. Serving as pall bearers will be, Jimmy McGaughey, Jeff McGaughey, Jerry McGaughey, Ron Ruben, and Mike Stefanko.
The family will receive friends at the church Wednesday, May 25, 2016 from 10-11:00 am.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home, 1000 Hwy 29 S., Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
We will always love you, will miss you, and we will see you soon in heaven.
One Injured In Early Morning Highway 97 Crash
May 19, 2016
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash early Thursday morning on Highway 97 north of Molino.
The driver of a Jeep Cherokee lost control on Highway 97 south of Hendricks lane about 4:30 a.m. and ran off the roadway. The vehicle rotated and crashed into a wooded area.
The driver was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola by Atmore Ambulance with injuries that were not considered to be serious.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details including the name of the driver have not been released. The Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECUA Now Offering ‘Bloom’ Compost
May 19, 2016
Several Bratt residents are giving “Emerald Coast Bloom” compost a try…a new product from the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority.
ECUA is now creating the nutrient-rich compost at the Central Water Reclamation Facility in Cantonment using a combination of yard waste — such as leaves, grass and pine straw — and biosolids –treated sewage sludge that meets high standards.
“It does not smell. That’s always the first question” ECUA Sanitation Supervisor James Courson said as he delivered the sample bags to a group in Bratt Wednesday morning. “It’s a good quality compost, and there’s no smell even when it is wet.”
“Samples have been sent to a national compost-grading agency, and ECUA’s ‘Bloom’ compost has been certified by this agency as meriting its highest rating,” ECUA District 5 Board Member Larry Walker said.
“He (Walker) wants me to try it with my tomatoes,” Bratt resident Howard Hanks said, “planting half of them with the ECUA compost and half without.”
Some of the compost is being sold to smaller landscaping companies for their use and resale to the public. In Escambia County, Woerner Landscape offers the product to the public, including small “by the bag” quantities.
ECUA hopes to soon find a single buyer for all of the compost that they produce, according to Amanda Handrahan, ECUA recycling coordinator.
For more information, call (850) 969-6606.
Pictured top: Bratt resident Howard Hanks receives a sample of ECUA Bloom compost from Sanitation Supervisor James Courson Wednesday morning. Pictured below: Courson loads compost for James Payne. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rainy Friday
May 19, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 80. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Ernest Ward Middle School Goes Solar For Flagpole Light
May 19, 2016
A new solar power flag light now sits atop the flagpole at Ernest Ward Middle School. The light was donated as project of the school’s Teens For Christ organization. Escambia River Electric Cooperative donated the use of a bucket truck and the labor to install the light. EREC is an Ernest Ward Middle School Partner in Education. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NC Company Finds Utility Savings For The Town Of Century
May 19, 2016
The Town of Century recently contracted with a North Carolina company to audit the town’s electric bills and look for potential savings.
The company, Utility Management Services, recently reporting finding a rate saving of $1,478 per year. Under their contract, the town will pay one-half the annual savings — $739 — to the company for their services.
The savings were calculated “using a metric of measure kilowatt demand, total usage, load factor percentage and on peak usage,” according to the town.