Last Man To Walk On The Moon Dies; Remembered By Local Friend

January 17, 2017

Former U.S. astronaut Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the surface of the moon, died Monday at age 82.

Cernan was a Navy captain that trained in Pensacola. NASA chose him and 13 other astronauts for the pioneering Apollo program, created after President John F. Kennedy announced the goal of landing a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s. When Cernan stepped off the moon in December 1972, he left his footprints and his daughter’s initials in the lunar dust.

“He was very kind and enjoyed sharing his knowledge and experiences,” pilot David Gehman of Atmore said. Gehman and Cernan met a few years ago at a Learjet pilot meeting Kansas. They became friends, years after Gehman had watched him blast off of Kennedy Space Center on Apollo 17.

“He was a Navy pilot, and flew out of Pensacola. He was familiar with Atmore. We talked about having him come to Atmore but it never happened,” Gehman said.

“He was very kind and enjoyed sharing his knowledge and experiences.”

Cernan flew on Apollo 10 in May 1969, the final test flight before the actual moon landing two months later.

He was part of the last manned moon mission in December 1972 — Apollo 17.

“We had a lunar rover, we were able to cover more ground than most of the other missions. We stayed there a little bit longer. We went to a more challenging unique area in the mountains, to learn something about the history and the origin of the moon itself,” Cernan later recalled of the mission.

Just before leaving the moon as the last man to walk on it, Cernan said man would return there one day “with peace and hope.”

He was still waiting at the time of his death. Speaking on the 40th anniversary of the last mission, Cernan said he is not proud to be the last man to walk on the moon because of a fading interest in space travel.

“It is tremendously disappointing that here I am, 40 years later, and still hold that title,” he said.

Cernan retired from the Navy and NASA in 1976 and later did television commentary for early space shuttle flights.

Pictured top: Cernan on the moon. Pictured bottom: Cernan in the lunar module of Apollo 17. NASA photos, click to enlarge.

Jay Lady Royals Advance To Regional Weight Meet

January 17, 2017

Five members of the Jay High School ladies weightlifting team competed last week in Baker and advanced to regionals at Choctaw High School on Wednesday. They are (L-R) Trinity Palmer, sixth in her division; Kara Douglas,  sixth in her division; Haven Target, fourth in her division; Haylee Watson, district champion in her division. Also pictured are their coaches, Melvin Kersey (left) and Hunter Wyrdoisk. Not pictured is Trinity Palmer, who placed fifth in her division.

Mildred Clarice Meharg Hudson

January 17, 2017

Mildred Clarice Meharg Hudson went to be with the Lord on the morning of January 16, 2017, surrounded by loved ones, including her seven children. Clarice was born on May 12, 1930, in Atmore, Alabama, to Mildred and Loyd Meharg. She moved with her family to Jay, Florida at the young age of 4 years old.

Clarice is preceded in death by her parents, Mildred and Loyd Meharg; brother, Harold Loyd Meharg; sister, Mary Lee Meharg; granddaughter, Mandy Hobbs; and husband of 57 years, James Braxton Hudson.

She is survived by her siblings, Mack (Barbara) Meharg, Janie Frances (Don) Trombley, and Edna Jean (Bob) Horton; sister-in- Law, Evelyn Meharg Brown; children: JB (Jo) Hudson, Rev. Julie (Bob) Wasser, Marshall (Donna) Hudson, Larry (Diane) Hudson, Terry Hudson, Rev. Ray (Marie) Hudson, and Rev. Gene (Cindy) Hudson; grandchildren: Steven (Denise) Hudson, Keith Miller, Ron Sheffer, Peter (Kelly) Sheffer, Justin (Makenna) Hudson, Clint (Hollie) Hudson, Chris Hudson, Tony Hobbs, Cassi (Clifford) Routley, Chase (Kimberly) Hudson, Kenneth (Madison) Lambeth, Tonya Lambeth Turner, Heather (Charles) Murphy, and Joshua (Raven) Hudson; and 16 great-grandchildren with number 17 due in July.

Clarice was a faithful member of Cornerstone Christian Church, formerly Jay First Assembly of God. She served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. She also served on the Farm Bureau Board, the Mt. Carmel Water Board, and the Government Farm Board. She served her community as part of the Brownsdale Community Crime Watch and as a Poll Deputy. Clarice also served as the Brownsdale Women’s Chairwoman.

Funeral services for Clarice Hudson will be held at Cornerstone Christian Church, 14047 Alabama Street, Jay, FL, on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Frederick Barrow and Rev. Bobby Carnley officiating.

Interment will be at Cora Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Steven Hudson, Justin Hudson, Clint Hudson, Chris Hudson, Chase Hudson and Joshua Hudson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Keith Miller, Ron Sheffer and Peter Sheffer.

Trahan Family Funeral of Milton is in charge of the arrangements.

Leo Marten Howard

January 17, 2017

Leo Marten Howard was born on July 2, 1929, and was called home on January 15, 2017. Leo was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He served for his country and his community by joining the Navy in 1950. Once honorably discharged from the Navy in 1954, Leo worked for Monsanto where he retired after 30 years. He also had numerous side jobs to help support his family. While he was working to support his family, he still found time to coach Little League baseball for several years. He met the love of his life while he was stationed at Whiting Field. He and his wife Bobbie were married for almost 65 years and they have seven children, 22 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. Leo was a very devout Catholic, and a person would usually find him volunteering in the church daily. He was a part of the Knights of Columbus and served as a Eucharistic Minister for the homebound.

Leo is preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Irene Howard; his sister, Irene Henschell; and brother, Jerry Howard.

He is survived by his wife, Bobbie Howard; his brother, Phillip Howard; his children, Michael Howard (Susan), David Howard (Kathy), Daniel Howard, Theresa Bivens (Tim), Tony Howard, Donna Vasquez (Jerry), and Richard Howard (Kathy); and his grandchildren, Carol Cantrell (Jason), Sutton Bryant (Angelica), Janet Middleton (Christopher), Melissa Allday (Brandon), David Howard, April Quina (Brent), Bonnie Howard, Jessica Bivens, Tommy Bivens, Morgan Bivens, Nicolas Howard (Lisa), Lauren Rowan (Justin), Carlos Howard, Kristen Howard, Jordan Howard, Sergio Howard, Marco Howard, Randy Vasquez (Marissa), Steven Vasquez (Jordan), Amanda Vasquez, Adam Howard, and Regan Howard. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Wade Cantrell, Brian Cantrell, Benjamin Cantrell, Kaze Bryant, Ian Bryant, Olivia Middleton, Wyatt Middleton, McKenzie Walden, Abbie Walden, Haylie Allday, Riley Quina, Aidan Quina, Beau Quina, Gavin Howard, Vaughn Howard, Camryn Rowan, Carson Rowan, Nolan Vasquez, Nathan Vasquez, Harper Vasquez, and Jackson Vasquez.

A viewing will be held at Waters & Hibbert Funeral Home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2017. On Thursday, January 19, 2017 there will be a Mass of Christian Burial at St Thomas More at 9 a.m.

His burial will be at 2 p.m. at Canaan Freewill Baptist Cemetery. Mass will be officiated by Father Nicholas Schumm.

Leo’s pallbearers will be his grandsons.

Waters & Hibbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Most Of Century Loses Power After Hit And Run Wreck

January 16, 2017

Most of the town of Century lost power this morning due to an apparent hit and run accident.

About 800 Gulf Power customers lost power about 7:15 a.m. due to an apparent hit and run accident involving a utility pole at North Century Boulevard and Hatties Boulevard. A vehicle apparently hit the pole, sending a power line across Highway 29 and damaging additional poles. North Century Boulevard was closed for an hour while crews worked to repair the dmage.

Power was restored about 8:15 a.m.

The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Driver Hits Semi, Fence On Highway 97 Near Walnut Hill

January 16, 2017

The driver of a Honda Passport escaped serious injury in a crash with an semi-truck Monday morning in Walnut Hill.

The driver was northbound on Highway 97 at Pelt Road when she apparently rear-ended the semi, which was making a left-hand  turn onto Pelt Road. The Passport continued north, leaving the roadway and striking mailboxes and a fence, stopping short of a house. The semi came to a stop on Pelt Road.

The Passport driver was transported to Atmore Community Hospital with injuries that were not considered severe. The semi driver was not injured.

The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Voter Registration Ends Tuesday For Century Special Primary Election

January 16, 2017

Residents of Century have until Tuesday to register to vote in a special election next month to fill two council seats.

Seat 2 on the council is currently held by Kevin Stead. Stead was appointed as the  temporary replacement for Annie Savage, who passed away in late October. Savage had just been re-elected for another term beginning January 2017, so the election will fill the seat until 2021.

Seat 3 is currently held by Ben Boutwell. Boutwell was forced to resign his seat effective January 2 when he ran  unsuccessfully for mayor during the recent election. But he was re-appointed as his own temporary replacement by the remainder of the council.

There will be a primary election February 14 if three or more candidates qualify for one or both seats. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will face off in a general election on February 28.

If only two candidates quality for one or both seats, then there will be only a general election on February 28.

Voter registration will close Tuesday for the February 14 primary election and January 30 for the special election on February 28.

Candidates interested in either seat must be a resident of Century. Pre-qualifying will continue through January 20 at the Supervisor of Elections Office. Qualifying will be held at Century Town Hall on January 23 and January 24 from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The qualifying fee is $35.84 (one percent of salary), plus a council fee of $15 for a total of $50.94.

If a seat is decided during the February 14 special election, swearing in will be Friday, February 24. If a seat is not decided until the February 28 election, the swearing in will be Friday, March 10.

Chance Of Showers Today

January 16, 2017

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

M.L.King Day: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 76. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Monday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. 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 73. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 60%.


Thief Strips Wheels From Mustang, Leaves It On Blocks In Front Of Dealership

January 16, 2017

An Atmore car dealership is asking for the public’s help in finding the person or persons responsible for stealing  tire and rims off a Mustang and leaving the vehicle up on blocks in front of the business.

The car was a  Mustang Shelby GT350, parked right next to Highway 21, just a few yards north of the Florida state line. The tires and rims were stolen sometime between 10 p.m. Saturday and 2:45 a.m. Sunday. The car was left up on landscaping blocks that were covered in dirt as if they were used and had been removed from a yard or business.

While an expensive loss, the dealership said these are not the $15,000 plus carbon fiber wheels found on the GT350R.

Johnson Ford is offering a $1,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.

Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Century Council Meeting Rescheduled

January 16, 2017

Tonight’s regular meeting of the Century Town Council has been rescheduled for next Monday, January 23 at 7 p.m. at the Century Town Hall. The meeting was rescheduled due to today’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

Regular meeting of the Century Town Council are scheduled for the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the town hall. All meeting are open to the public.

NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

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