Light Up The Night: New Street Lighting In Cantonment
March 4, 2016
New LED street lights are being installed in the Cantonment area. There are 154 62-watt LED lights being installed in the Cantonment Redevelopment Area (CRA) in the area bordered by Nowak Road, Muscogee Road, Highway 297A and Upland Road. The total cost for the project, funded by the CRA, is $63,192.88.
Pictured: New LED street lights are installed along Callaway Street in Cantonment on Thursday. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mostly Sunny Skies Through The Weekend
March 4, 2016
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:
Friday Night: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 40. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 69. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 43. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 71. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.
Roundup: Wins For Tate, Central, Jay; Loss For Flomaton
March 4, 2016
BASEBALL
Tate 15, Pine Forest 9
The Tate High School Aggies beat the Pine Forest Eagles in a high-scoring game Thursday night, 15-9. The Aggies sealed the win in the ninth inning with six funs. The Aggies scored in the ninth, including a two-run double from Hunter Nesmith.
Josh Kea recorded the win for the Aggies. He pitched 1 2/3 shutout innings. He struck out two, walked none and surrendered one hit.
Tate hitters: Reid Halfacre 1-3, 2R, RBI; Branden Fryman 2-5, 3R; RBI; Hunter Nesmith 3-4, 2RBI, 3R; Reid Halfacre 1-3. RBI, 2R; Mason Land 3-5, 4RBI, 3R; Cole Halfacre 1-2, 2RBI
Tate 11, Pine Forest 2 (JV)
SOFTBALL
Central 6, Flomaton 0
Central blanked Flomaton Thursday 6-0 in a game that was called early due to weather. Lacee Stewart pitched the win in five for Flomaton, allowing no runs, four hits and striking out four.
Jay 7, Freeport 1
The Jay Lady Royals beat Freeport 7-1 Thursday. Destiny Herring earned the win, with three runs on six hits, two strikeouts and a walk in five innings.
Jay hitters: Samantha Steadham 3-4, 4 RBI, 2 doubles, Herring 2-4, 2 runs, Averie Jackson 1-3 RBI, run.
Tate 7, Navarre 1 (JV)
Death Penalty Change Headed To Scott; Local SAO Says Won’t Impact Escambia Cases
March 4, 2016
State lawmakers Tuesday signed off on a measure intended to cure Florida’s death penalty system
Gov. Rick Scott’s aides said he will sign the bill, approved by the Senate in a 35-5 vote after earlier passing the House. The law will take effect immediately once signed by Scott.
The legislation was prompted by a Jan. 12 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, in an Escambia County Popeye’s Chicken murder case known as Hurst v. Florida, that struck down the state’s death-penalty sentencing system as unconstitutional. The decision effectively put the death penalty on hold in Florida.
The legislation on its way to Scott would require at least 10 jurors to recommend death for the penalty to be imposed — a compromise between the House and the Senate, which had originally favored unanimous jury recommendations. Prosecutors, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, pushed for the 10-2 recommendation, arguing that unanimity would allow a single juror to hijack the process. Any vote by the jury that is less than 10 t0 2 will result in the automatic imposition of a life in prison sentence. If the jury recommends death, the judge will still have the option handing down of a life sentence.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said the state is currently seeking a death sentence in 13 cases in the First Judicial Circuit, including six in Escambia County.
“This office believes that each of these cases are still eligible for death under the new law and this office will continue to seek that sentence,” Eddins said. “The state will file notices in each of these cases of its intent to seek the death penalty and the appropriate aggravating factors.”
One of the Escambia County cases in which the State Attorney’s Office is seeking the death penalty is that of accused triple murderer Donald Wayne Hartung (pictured) for the death of his mother and two half-brothers, Voncile Smith, John Smith, and Richard Smith. All three bodies were found on July 31 in their home on Deerfield Drive. All three were beaten with a claw hammer and their throats slit, and Richard Smith was also shot in the head.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Meet The Girls: Miss EWMS Pageant Is Saturday Night
March 4, 2016
The 2016 Miss Ernest Ward Middle School pageant will be held at 6:00 Saturday night at the school.
The contestants with their biographies, as submitted by the girls, are below. You can click any photo below to enlarge.
Bailey Madison Seibert is the 14-year old daughter of Steve and Lynn Seibert. Bailey is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and is head photographer of the EWMS yearbook. She is a member of the Ernest Ward chorus and has been invited numerous times to sing with the All- County chorus. She is also a member of Teens for Christ at Ernest Ward and an active teen missionary for Highland Baptist Church. Bailey has maintained A/B honor roll throughout school. She won first place in bio chemistry at the science fair and the award from the Daughters of the American Revolution for her history fair project on the Berlin Wall. Bailey has been accepted to West Florida School of Advanced Technology for the critical care and emergency medicine field. Her hobbies include playing softball, target shooting with her bow and arrow, composing poetry, photography, and spending time with family and friends.. Bailey’s future plans include a job as an EMT and higher education to include medical science.
Wylder Amelia Gibson is the 12-year old daughter of Jammie and April Gibson. Wylder is a member of the FFA, the student government association and the Ernest Ward Band. Last year, Wylder won the Gold President’s Award for Educational Excellence. She has taken dance lessons for seven years and is currently a member of Heather Leonard’s Danceworks. Wylder is also a piano student under the direction of Holly Driver. She is a member of Little Escambia Baptist Church in Flomaton.Wylder’s hobbies include reading, hunting with her daddy, helping out with goats and cattle on the family farm, and spending time with family and friends. Wylder’s future plans are to get her forensic anthropology degree from the University of Alabama and work for the FBI.
Ashlan Kaile Harigel is the 14-year old daughter of Dr. Sheldon and Kimberly Harigel. She is a straight A honor student and held the highest GPA for Ernest Ward Middle School for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years. Ashlan is on the volleyball team, is an EWMS cheer captain, a member of the FFA, student government association, and the National Juniot Honor Society. Last summer, Ashlan was chosen as a UCA All-American Cheerleader and represented Ernest Ward in the 2015 Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade. Ashlan was seond runner-up for the 2014 EWMS pageant and first runner-up for the 2015 EWMS pageant. She enjoys doing charity work with her youth group, spending time with her family, cheering, showing livestock, playing volleyball, dancing and most of all reading. Ashlan’s future plans include graduating with honors as valedictorian of her class and getting an academic scholarship. She wants to follow in her father’s footsteps and study in the medical field. She plans to become a chief pediatric plastic surgeon. Ashlan also plans to help her mother birth the dream of opening a troubled and abused youth shelter.
Lillian Joan Worden is the 11-year old daughter of Robert and Heather Worden. Lillian is a member of the Teens for Christ. She also plays softball, soccer and cheers. Lillian’s hobbies include shopping, reading, sewing and making bracelets. Lillian’s future plans are to go to college to become a nurse so that she can help others.
Madison Lynne Jogan is the 14-year old daughter of John and Stephanie Jogan. Madison is a member of the Ernest Ward chorus. She has participated in cheerleading at Olive and Hillcrest Baptist churches She has also been awarded second place in the Tropicana Speech Contest. Madison’s hobbies include singing, cheering, photography, drawing and baking. She plans to pursue a law degree after high school. Madison would also like to open a bakery with her mom and grandmother.
Jordan Jade Wilson is the 12-year old daughter of Christa and Will Wilson. Jordan was the recipient of the Cox Hero Award for Bratt Elementary last year due to the success of overcoming a disability. She has played on an Atmore city league soccer team and danced with Heather Leonard’s Danceworks. Jordan has also played softball for Molino and Poarch. Jordan’s hobbies include being outside, playing soccer, hunting, fishing, singing and helping with the care of her little brother who has Autism. Jordan plans to raise funds so that a child with autism can attend summer camp. Her future plans are to attend an art institute and pursue fashion design.
Brystal Marie Rhodes is the 11-year old daughter of Michael and Ashley Rhodes. Brystal is a member of the FFA and the yearbook staff. She is also a member of the Emerald Coast Equestrian Team and the United States Hunter Jumper Association. She has won many competitions jumping with her horse, Aztec. Her hobbies include horse riding, basketball and spending time with her family and friends.
Raleigh Patricia Woodfin is the 13-year old daughter of Walt and Jennifer Woodfin. She is a member of the Barrineau Park 4-H where she shows hogs and has participated in community service projects such as book and shoe drives, care packages for soldiers, and delivering baked goods to local firehouses. She has also volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House cooking meals and donating pop tabs and household items. She serves as vice-president of the Ernest Ward FFA. She is also a member of the National Junior Honor Society and maintains A-B honor roll. Raleigh is also a member of the Ernest Ward volleyball team. Raleigh’s hobbies participating in Escambia County 4-H leadership events, raising, training, and showing livestock, volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House and spending time with family and friends. Her future plans are attend the University of West Florida and major in pre-law. She would like to advocate for grandparent’s rights.
Kally Lee White is the fourteen year old daughter of Kelly White and Jason Wood. Kally is a member of Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church and volunteers with the church’s outreach to help the Alfred Washburn Center and the Ronald McDonald House.. She is an office assistant at Ernest Ward and has also been a cheerleader. Kally cheered for ACE TRIBE competitive cheer company for four years and also helped coach a special needs team who took home the national championship. Her hobbies include tumbling, hunting, fishing, and spending time with family and friends. Kally plans to attend Florida State University after high school and receive a doctorate of dental surgery and continue in the family business.
Taviana Allyse Parker is the 12-year old daughter of Joseph and Sheley Parker. Taviana has participated on the Sunshine Math Team and the Battle of the Books Club. She is a member of the yearbook staff, Ernest Ward Honor Society and has been in the FFA. Taviana also participated in the Brewton Dance Studio for ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling, and hip-hop dance team. Her dance team has danced all over the south and even earned an invitation to New York to practice along side the famous Rockettes. Taviana’s hobbies are dancing, sewing, arts and crafts, shopping, designing clothing, and spending time with family and friends. Her future plans are to graduate from high school and attend college to pursue a nursing degree.
Cloe Madison Smith is the 14-year old daughter of Tammy Jo Smith and the late Michael F. Smith. Cloe is a member of the volleyball team and an EWMS cheer captian. She was selected last summer as a UCA All-American cheerleader and represented Ernest Ward in the 2015 Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade. She is also a straight A student and a member of the National Junior Honor Society. Cloe has won first place in the Ernest Ward science fair for chemistry and third place overall. Cloe has acted in plays with the Missoula Children’s Theater and most recently with the Greater Escambia Council for the Arts. Her hobbies include acting, singing, dancing, playing the X-box, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends. Cloe’s future plans are to attend college for performing arts.
Jayda Clair Crabtree is the 13-year old daughter of Louis and Layna Crabtree. Jayda is a captain of the Ernest Ward Cheerleading Team, a member of the basketball team, the volleyball team, and the swim and dive team. At cheerleading summer camp, Jayda was chosen as UCA All-American cheerleader for the second straight year and represented Ernest Ward in the 2014 and 2015 Thanksgiving Day parades in Disney World. Jada placed second in the Escambia County School District dive competition this year. She has also won multiple awards in swimming. Jayda is also an honor roll student at Ernest Ward and in the National Junior Honor Society. She is also a member of the student government association. Jayda also helps coach the Northwest Escambia senior football cheer and competition team. Jayda’s hobbies include photography, exercising with her family, listening to music, practicing sports, texting with friends, drawing and spending time with family and friends. Her future plans include graduating high school while receiving her associates degree in fine art from Pensacola State College and then attending the University of West Florida to receive her master’s degree in art production. Jayda would like to become an art producer.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tornado Recovery: Permitting, Inspection Requirements Remain In Effect In Century
March 4, 2016
All repair work and demolition(s) must receive approval by the Town of Century and obtain a Land Use Certificate along with a building permit.
ALL DEMOLITION PERMITS WILL REQUIRE TWO (2) INSPECTIONS:
- IN PROGRESS INSPECTION – inspection to confirm all utilities, (i.e., electric, gas, water and sewer/septic tank), are properly disconnected; and
- FINAL INSPECTION – inspection to confirm property is clean of demolition debris, including foundation for release of property for further building permits.
Inspections may be scheduled using the following methods:
- Email Inspection requests to buildinginspections@myescambia.com;
- Contractors may log in and/or register with BID’s 24/7 Online Citizen Access (ACA) at www.myescambia.com to schedule, cancel and review permit activity online; or
- Schedule through the 24/7 Automated IVR System by calling (850) 471-6640; enter 16-digit Permit Tracking Number located on your permit and follow the prompts.
Source: Escambia County Building Inspections Department
James “Jim” Marshall Ward
March 4, 2016
James “Jim” Marshall Ward, 74 of Walnut Hill, passed away Thursday, March 3, 2016, in Birmingham, Al. He was a cattleman most of his life. He was born in Atmore to Marshall L. and Helen Boone Ward, on November 23, 1941. He was a member of Walnut Hill Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his father, Marshall L. Ward.
Survivors are his wife, Martha Sizemore Ward; his mother, Helen Ward, both of Walnut Hill; three sons, Jason Ward of Walnut Hill, Wayne (Sherri) Williams of Graceville, FL and Grant Williams of Atlanta, GA; two sisters, Marilyn (Terrell) Bridges and Mary Helen O’Quinn, all of Pensacola; three grandchildren, Alyssa Ward, Cierra (Jaren) Bannerman and Jobe Corbitt; one great-grandchild, Kellyn Corbitt; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be Saturday, March 5, 2016, at 11 a.m. from the Walnut Hill Baptist Church with Bro. Ted Bridges officiating.
Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers will be Heath Ward, Brett Ward, Scott Ward, Horace Ward, Roy Glenn Ward, Russ Ward, Tim Tucker and Marshall Bridges.
Honorary pallbearers will be Harry Ward, David Smith, Scott Garrett, David Garrett, James Earl Hall, Jimmy Davis, Todd Simmons, Willis Bowles, Silas Lee, Doyal Smith, Larry Boswell, Billy Ray Williams, D.B. Vaughn, Kevin Faircloth, Jimmy Mason and Jim Staff.
Family will receive friends on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at the Walnut Hill Baptist Church from 9 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
Linda Moshell King
March 4, 2016
Mrs. Linda Moshell King, 63, passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2016, in Mobile.
Mrs. King was a native of Jacksonville, Florida and a resident of Perdido for most of her life. Mrs. King was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a very hard worker. She was of the Holiness faith. She is preceded in death by her husband, Wilburn King; son, Bartis Hadley; and parents, Eddie and Virginia Starkes.
Survivors include her sons, Joseph (Dawn) Hadley of Perdido and Michael Alpha (special boy she raised) of Morgan City, LA; four daughters, Kay (Bubba) Bossard of Perdido, Faye (Rex) Phillips of Perdido, Beverly (Doug) Armentrout of Saraland and Tammy Hadley of Bay Minette; one brother, Robert (Linda) Moshell of Lynnwood, WA; two sisters, Patricia Dean of Perdido and Sharon Moshell of Bay Minette; 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Sunday, March 6, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the New Hope Community Church with Sis. Helen Stewart and Rev. Malcolm Harrelson officiating.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 5, 2016, from 6 p.m. until service time at the New Hope Community Church.
Burial will follow at the Bryars-McGill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Timothy McKinley, Billy Dean, Jr., Eddie Dean, Anthony Dean, Michael Brown and Austin Dean.
Honorary pallbearer will be Doug Armentrout.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Mary Nell Maher
March 4, 2016
Mary Nell Maher age 64 of Santa Rosa County went to rest with Jesus on March 3, 2016. She was a loving , caring, mother , maw maw , mother-by-love, aunt, sister and friend. She was thoughtful , selfless, and had a fantastic sense of humor. She had a giving heart in both her personal life and in her family business. She never met a stranger, and she loved with her whole heart. She took pride in her family, which she considered her greatest achievement. There were no practices, games, or recitals that her kids or grandkids could not see or hear her from the stands. She will be missed deeply by all that knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Ruth Wilson; brothers, Hershel V. Shores, Rufus E Wilson; and sister, Carolyn A Wilson Scott.
She is survived by her brothers, Jimmy Wilson and Theron Wilson; sisters, Francis Goff, Martha Wilson and Hilda Wilson; sons, Gary Maher, Kenneth Maher, Chris Maher, Tommy Maher and Todd Jones; daughters, Melissa Scott, Janine Snyder, Melissa Maher, Marsha Maher, Ann Jones; grandchildren, Megan Maher, Kevin Maher, Keaton Maher, Leigha Maher, Myles Maher, Kevin Maher, Scott Maher, Jasmine Maher, Jennifer Maher, Taylor Scott, Sunny Maher, Aiden Maher, Tyler Snyder, Shauna Snyder, and Osman Jones.
Funeral services will be held March 5, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Jay funeral home and burial will follow at Jay city cemetery.
A visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Jay funeral home is in charge of arrangements.
Don Wyatt Gay
March 4, 2016
Don Wyatt Gay passed away in his home Wednesday, February 24, 2016, from complications of a lung disease. He was 73 and was born on April 10, 1942, to gunsmith, game warden and police officer Dudley Gay and his wife Nell.
Don enjoyed a successful career and retired from Bell South/AT&T and also retired as a Major in the Army National Guard. He rose through the ranks of the National Guard and at one time was company commander of the Pensacola branch of the National Guard. Upon retiring Don tried his hand at real estate and found he had a knack for it, spending the next 20 plus years selling real estate and developing properties as the sole proprietor of Costa Blanca Realty. Don was a history buff spending plenty of time reading and watching anything about the Civil War, WWII and devoured practically any annals of antiquity. In his free time, he also enjoyed time with his kids, grandkids, and found his own child like passion for cycling late in life.
Don is survived by Beverly Gay and their three kids, Bob Gay and wife Traci, Greg Gay and wife Sheila, and Terri Sutek and her husband Eric, as well as several grand and great-grand kids.
A small private funeral will be held at Barrancas cemetery at NAS for family only.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the humane society in Don’s memory as a celebration of his love for all God’s creatures.