Berrydale VFD Chief Jim Cagle Passes Away
January 25, 2016
Berrydale Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jim Cagle passed away Sunday.
Cagle was recently diagnosed with a severe illness and was undergoing treatment at Shands Hospital in Orlando. He had served as Berrydale’s fire chief for over 25 years and served as a firefighter for the United States Navy.
He is survived by his wife Debbie and numerous relatives and friends. Funeral services have not yet been announced.
Close Call: CSX Train Makes Emergency Stop To Avoid 18-Wheeler
January 25, 2016
It was a bit of a close call between a CSX train and an 18-wheeler Sunday evening near Atmore. The train was forced to make an emergency stop to avoid the 18-wheeler, which was stuck on the tracks on 21st Avenue at Highway 31 just east of Atmore. Photos courtesy David Gehman for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida House Plans To Take Up Fracking, Uber Bills
January 25, 2016
The House is expected Tuesday to take up controversial bills about regulations dealing with oil and gas drilling and app-based transportation services such Uber and Lyft.
The bills were included Thursday in what is known as a “special order calendar,” which lists issues that will be considered on the House floor. The House is scheduled to go into session at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The drilling bill (HB 191), filed by Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, and Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park, would create a regulatory framework for oil and gas drilling in the state — including the controversial technique known as “fracking.” The bill is backed by organizations such as Associated Industries of Florida but has drawn opposition from environmental groups that fear it could help lead to fracking in the state.
Among other bills on the special-order calendar is a proposal (HB 509), filed by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, that would prevent local governments from regulating fast-growing transportation services such as Uber and Lyft. The bill has drawn opposition, in part, from taxicab companies that face local requirements and contend they could be put at a competitive disadvantage. But supporters, including House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, say the state should take a free-market approach to such new technologies.
by The News Service of Florida
Flood Warning For The Escambia River
January 25, 2016
A flood warning continues in effect until late Thursday night for the Escambia River near Century.
Late Sunday, the stage was 17.4 feet. Minor flooding is occurring and Minor flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 17.0 feet. The river will continue rising to near 17.5 feet by Tuesday morning. The river will fall below flood stage Thursday evening.
At 17.0 feet, considerable flooding of lowlands will occur.
Library Friends To Hold $5 Blowout Book Sale
January 25, 2016
The West Florida Public Library will hold a $5 Blowout Book Sale on the this Saturday.
Attendees can pay $5 for a brown paper bag and stuff it will all the books that will fit. There’s no limit to the number of bags that can be purchased.
Contributions will be used to support the West Florida Public Library’s efforts to build community and improve literacy.
The sale will be Saturday, January 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the West Florida Public Library Main Branch at 239 North Spring Street.
Road Lane Closures, Railroad Crossing Closure In Century And McDavid Areas
January 25, 2016
Lane closures in the Century and McDavid areas, and a closed railroad crossing in Century will cause traffic delays this week.
Highway 4 over Escambia River, Century – Lane closures on Highway 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, January 26 over the Escambia River, 1.5 miles east of Highway 29, as crews perform a routine bridge inspection.
Railroad Crossing, Hecker Road, Century – Due to upcoming maintenance repairs by CSX, traffic will experience a short-term road closure at Hecker Road in Escambia County beginning at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26, with the road expected to reopen at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27. The closure is part of repairs that will be made to the railroad crossing before work begins on State Road 4.
Highway 29, McDavid to Century - Intermittent and alternating lane closures within the town of Century and from Champion Drive north continue.
Pictured top: Lane closures are expected Tuesday on the Highway 4 Escambia River bridge in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Rain Moves Into Forecast
January 25, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after 11pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. High near 68. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 46. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday: Rain likely before noon, then a chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. North wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of rain before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. West wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 61. West wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
Janice Carolyn Noah
January 25, 2016
Janice Carolyn Noah, a long-time resident of the Pensacola area, died Wednesday, January 20, 2016.
Carolyn was born on April 26, 1931, in Sylacauga, AL to Curtis and Leona Joiner.
She was an active member of her church, Beulah Baptist Church, and frequently gave to world missions. She retired from Sears and Roebuck with over 30 years of service as a customer service manager.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her oldest son, Michael Noah and great-grandson, Jackson Michael Noah. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Curtis and Leona Joiner, and her baby sister, Betty Janelle.
Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Lynn Pomas; sons, Mark (Joy) Noah and Tony (Cheryl) Noah; daughter-in-law, Barbara Noah; eight grandchildren, Scott (Janette) Noah, Jason (Brittany) Klawitter, Travis Noah, Robin (Allie) Noah, Nicole (Griffin) Bird, Aaron Noah, Kristi Noah and Luke Noah; and one great-grandchild, Troy Klawitter. She also leaves behind her sister, Verona (Larry) DeLoach; sister-in-law, Dean Marlow; nieces and nephews, Lisa Deale, Steve (Jan) Marlow, Saran (Keith) Taylor, Tammy DeLoach, Amanda DeLoach; many dear friends; and her beloved Yorkshire puppies, Coco and Cubby.
Funeral services were held Monday, January 25, 2016, at Beulah Baptist Church with Rev. David Shofner officiating.
Burial was in Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery.
Carolyn’s grandchildren served as pallbearers.
Carolyn was well loved by all who knew her.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is entrusted with arrangements.
Jennie Denise Champ
January 25, 2016
Ms. Jennie Denise Champ, 39, passed away Thursday, January 21, 2016.
Funeral Services were held Monday January 25, 2016, Oak Hill Cemetery.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Thomas Little, Jr.
January 25, 2016
Rev. Thomas Little, Jr., 78, of Jay, died January 23, 2016, at his home. Mr. Little was born December 12, 1937, in Mosquito Flats on the outskirts of Century to Thomas Little, Sr., and Susie Nelson of Century. Mr. Little graduated from Century High School in 1956.
Mr. Little accepted Christ in his home August 1, 1955, and made a public profession the same night at Cora Baptist Church in Jay. In October 1955, Thomas felt called to preach but did not surrender until August of 1969 while working at Monsanto.
In 1971 Mr. Little moved to Graceville, Fla., to begin his education to enter the ministry at Baptist Bible Institute, where he earned a diploma in theology in 1974. In the fall of 1974, he enrolled in Louisiana College in Pineville, La., where he earned a bachelor degree in theology in 1976. In 1979 he earned a master of divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
While earning his education, Mr. Little served as pastor at two Louisiana churches – the first, Lincecum Baptist Church in Georgetown, La., from 1974 to1977 and Hillsdale Baptist Church in Amite, La., from 1979 to 1980. He would complete his service as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bratt in Florida, beginning in 1980 and serving for 10 years. Rev. Little suffered a massive heart attack causing him to retire. He and his wife then settled in Jay, where they have lived for the past 26 years.
Rev. Little is survived by two sons, Gilbert (Deb) Little of Ft. Worth, Texas; Jeffrey Little of Pensacola; one daughter, Janet Little Cooper of Jay; one sister, Betty (Lamar) White of Atmore; three grandchildren, Meredith Little of Dallas, Texas; Austin Cooper and Bryant Cooper, both of Jay.
Rev. Little was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 55 years, Joyce Carnley Little; and granddaughter, Reagan Reid Little.
The family would like to thank Summer Stuckey with Covenant Hospice for the compassionate care of their father for the last year of his life and Sharon Murrell for her love and care for their father since their mother’s death.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 2016, from 5-8 pm at Jay Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Cora Baptist Church with Pastor Delbert Redditt and Pastor LaDon Hall officiating.
Burial will follow at Cora Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Go Fund Me account of Mr. Little’s grandson, Bryant Cooper, who is currently battling cancer – Standing with Coop. Or by mail to 2653 Nelsontown Road, Jay, FL, 32565.