Margie Springfield McCraney
March 16, 2016
Mrs. Margie Springfield McCraney, 69, passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2016, in Mobile.
Mrs. McCraney was a native and former resident of Mobile and a resident of Atmore for the past 25 years. She is preceded in death by her husband, Waderick Jackson McCraney; parents, Gilbert and Marjorie Springfield; and two brothers, Richard Dale Springfield and Gilbert Wayne Springfield.
She is survived by her two sons, Waderick James (Dana) McCraney of Creola, AL and Jerry Wayne McCraney of Atmore; two daughters, Deborah Faye McCraney of Atmore, AL and Marjorie Dianne (Bobby) Byrd of Atmore; one brother, Robert W. (Nancy) Springfield of Mobile; seven grandchildren, Larry, LaShay, Dana, Skyler, Brett, Summer and Noah; three great-grandchildren, Jade, Michael and Jackson; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Graveside services were held Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at the Oak Hill Cemetery with Rev. Earl Harrison officiating.
Burial was at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Derek Chasting, Tito Dixon, Tony Springfield, Trey Dixon, William Reed and Jerry Capers.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Northview Softball Today: Schedule Change
March 15, 2016
The schedule for today’s Monroe County at Northview softball games has been changed. The JV game time has been changed from 4:00 until 5:00, and the varsity game will start at 6:30 p.m.
Alabama Gov. Addresses Violence At Holman, Calls For Prison Reform
March 15, 2016
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley addressed the recent uprisings and stabbings at Holman Prison in Atmore and called for statewide prison reform to curb the violence.
The governor said the situation at Holman is under control, but it is only a matter of time before another uprising occurs, and he is pressing Alabama lawmakers for funding to make that happen.
“Failure is not an option,” Bentley said. “The Legislature has an opportunity to join us in making public safety in the prison a real priority.”
“I want us to go in this state from being the worst in the country to the best in the country,” Bentley said during a Tuesday morning press conference at Holman. Alabama has the most overcrowded prison system in the country at almost 200 percent occupancy.
For an earlier story detailing the violence at the Holman Prison, click here.
Bentley is pushing the Alabama Legislature to approve the Alabama Prison Transformation Initiative Act to construct four modern, efficient prisons across the state — three for men and one for women — to replace other facilities.
Many of the state’s current prison facilities were built decades ago. The age and design of the facilities are causing inefficiencies in the operation of the prison system, including increasing costs of maintaining and repairing the facilities, increasing costs of transporting inmates from prison to medical care facilities, increasing correctional and support staff costs because of the geographic disparity of the system and the antiquated design of the prison facilities, and increasing medical costs due to inefficiencies in delivering medical services to inmates.
The purpose of the Alabama Prison Transformation Initiative Act is to reduce overcrowding and improve safety conditions for inmates and corrections officers, allow for additional inmate re-entry programs and to improve operational practices and procedures for the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC). The legislation allows for the issuance of up to $800 million bonds for up to 30 years by the Alabama Corrections Institutions Finance Authority with the debt service on these bonds to be paid from savings within the annual budget of ADOC. The three men’s facilities will be designed to house at least 3,500 inmates.
Construction of the three regional men’s facilities and one female facility should begin in the fall of 2017 and is expected to be completed within three years, if the Legislature approves.
Pictured top: Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley during a Tuesday morning press conference at Holman Prison. Pictured below: Bentley in a closed-door meeting inside Holman. Photos for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
One Month Later: New Video Shows Century Tornado; Other Videos Show Aftermath
March 15, 2016
Today, March 15, marks one month since an EF-3 tornado with winds of up to 152 mph ripped through 16.5 miles of the North Escambia area.
We’re looking back with three videos below.
The first is a previously unpublished video from NorthEscambia.com reader Wayne Mixon that shows the tornado from the Flomaton Show Shop as it moves along Fannie and Carnley Road in Florida and crosses the Alabama state line.
The second video, a NorthEscambia exclusive, shows the rescue of an elderly woman from a collapsed home in Century. This video aired on several national newscasts and networks.
The third video is from Escambia County and shows a drone aerial view of damage in Century.
Teens: Enjoy Free Pizza And Books At The Molino Library
March 15, 2016
A “Pizza and Books” program will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Molino Branch Library.
Teens 13-17 are invited to “geek-out” on both at this book club designed to focus on their favorite reads. The library will provide the free pizza, and the teens will pick the books.
The Molino Branch Library is located at 6450-A Highway 95A in the Molino Community Complex.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Election Day Tips
March 15, 2016
Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford today offered Escambia County voters some tips to prepare for Election Day, Tuesday, March 15:
- Confirm the location of your polling place. It is listed on your sample ballot, voter information card, EscambiaVotes.com, or call 595-3900.
- If you are unsure of your registration status, check EscambiaVotes.com, e-mail us at soe@escambiavotes.com, or call 595-3900.
- If you need to update your address, contact us so you can be directed to your proper polling location.
- Photo and signature ID is required for all voters – if you do not present an approved form of ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.
- Be sure to review your sample ballot prior in order to familiarize yourself with all of the contests and bring it with you to the polls. A sample ballot was mailed to all eligible voters, and you can view your sample ballot online at EscambiaVotes.com.
- Florida is a closed primary state. Only registered Republicans and Democrats are eligible for this election.
- Remember to make only one selection per contest on your ballot.
- Registration books closed on February 16 – new registrations and party changes for this election may not be made at the polls.
- You may not return your voted absentee ballot to your precinct on Election Day – it must be returned to the Elections Office by 7 p.m.
- If you requested an absentee ballot but chose not to return it and wish to vote at your polling place instead, please bring your ballot with you so it can be cancelled.
- Early voting ended Saturday – if you have not yet voted or did not request an absentee ballot by March 9, you must go to your designated precinct on Election Day.
- Busiest times at the polls tend to be 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., during lunch, and 4:30 p.m. until the polls close at 7:00 p.m.
For further information, please contact us by phone at (850) 595-3900, e-mail us at soe@escambiavotes.com or visit EscambiaVotes.com.
High School Cheerleaders Honored At FCA Banquet
March 15, 2016
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Spirit of Champions awards were presented Monday night at a banquet hosted by the First Baptist Church of Pensacola. Cheerleaders and dance team members from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties recognized were:
Pensacola High Cheerleading – Ya’China Dixon
Jay High Cheerleading – Leslie Kinder
Catholic High Cheerldeading – Serena Bruder
Catholic School Dance – Macy Calvasina
Milton High Cheerleading – Amy Fulmer
Northview High Cheerleading – Hannah Nelson
Pine Forest High Cheerleading – Kamryn McGinty
West Florida School Cheerleading– Charlyn Murdy
East Hill Christian Cheerleading - Sara Dominey
Escambia High High Cheerleading – Ricora Jones
Gulf Breeze High Cheerleading – Pepper Rice
Picture top: Fellowship of Christian Athletes Spirit of Champions award winners Monday night at the First baptist Church of Pensacola. (Note: Photo was submitted in black and white.) Pictured inset: Hanna Nelson, FCA winner from Northview High School. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Warm Today
March 15, 2016
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Tuesday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80. West wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Friday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Tate Wins Their First Game Of The Annual Aggie Classic
March 15, 2016
The annual Aggie Classic is underway with 24 teams from five states and is spread across six different play sites in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
“The Aggie Classic continues to be one of the best high school tournaments in the country. This year we have drawn 18 teams from Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Florida, not including our six host site teams.” said Greg Blackmon, Head Coach for Tate High School. “The commitment by our community and our Boosters to put on an event of this magnitude is huge. I am truly thankful for everyone’s assistance. The venues for the games have expanded and are the best diamonds in our area. We are looking forward to a great week of competition.”
Tate 7, Morris (OK) 3
The Tate Aggies won their first game 7-3 over Morris, OK, in the annual Aggie Classic Monday night.
Madison Lockman earned the win for Tate, allowing one run, striking out four, walking two and giving up four hits over four innings.
The Aggies took an early one-up lead in bottom of the first on a Cole Halfacre single that sent Mason Land across home plate. Tate had a four-run second inning with scores on a three-run error and an RBI single from Branden Fryman.
Mason Land 1-3, 3R; Branden Fryman 1-3, RBI; Cole Halfacre 1-4, RBI; Logan Blackmon 1-2; Logan McGuffey 1-3, R; Josh Kea Kea 1-2, Dbl, 2R.
West Florida 6, Pryor, OK 3
Coweta, OK 9, Escambia 4
Milton 3, Union, OK 2
Gulf Breeze 11, Edmond North, OK 10 (9 innings)
Shawnee, OK 3 Chiles, FL 8
El Reno, OK 4, Next Level, AL 2
Second Baptist, TX 3, Jenks, OK 10
Stillwater, OK 15, Emery/Weiner 8
Washington, OK 1, Christ Presbyterian, TN 11
Piedmont, OK 4. Maryville, TN 2
SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY
At Tate High School
4 p.m. – Jenks (OK) vs. Chiles
7 p.m. – Muskogee (OK) vs. Tate
At Milton High School
4 p.m. – Morris (OK) vs. Next Level Baseball (AL)
7 p.m. – Coweta (OK) vs. Milton
At Gulf Breeze
4 p.m. – Union (OK) vs. Second Baptist (TX)
7 p.m. – El Reno(OK) vs. Gulf Breeze
At Escambia
4 p.m. – Edmond North (OK) vs. Emery/Weiner (TX)
7 p.m. – Pryor (OK) vs. Escambia
At West Florida High
4 p.m. – Piedmont (OK) vs. Leon
7 p.m. – Washington (OK) vs. West Florida
At Woodham Middle
4 p.m. – Shawnee (OK) vs. Christ Presbyterian (TN)
7 p.m. – Stillwater (OK) vs. Maryville (TN)
New Voting Location In McDavid, Other Precincts
March 15, 2016
One North Escambia precinct has a new voting location today, as do a handful of others in the Pensacola area.
Precinct 18 has been moved from the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department to the Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church, 140 W. Bogia Road, McDavid.
Other precinct changes are as follows:
Precincts # 30 & 97
Old Precinct Location:
First Assembly of God, 4301 Bayou Boulevard, Pensacola
New Precinct Location:Vickrey Resource Center, 2130 Summit Boulevard, Pensacola
Precinct # 69
Old Precinct Location:
First Baptist Church of Ensley, 50 W. Johnson Avenue, Pensacola
New Precinct Location:
St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 219 E. Johnson Avenue, Pensacola
Precinct # 73
Old Precinct Location:
Liberty Church, 2221 S. Blue Angel Parkway, Pensacola
New Precinct Location:
Jim C. Bailey Middle School, 4110 Bauer Road, Pensacola
Precinct # 83
Old Precinct Location:
Warrington Assembly of God Church, 901 Wayne Avenue, Pensacola
New Precinct Location:
First Baptist Church of Warrington, 105 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
All voters impacted by a precinct change were notified by mail with a map to the new polling location. The new polling location information was also included on the sample ballots mailed to voters.