Alvin E. Owens
January 10, 2017
Mr. Alvin E. Owens, 84, passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2017, in Fairhope, Alabama.
Mr. Owens was a native of Panama City, FL and had resided in Atmore, AL for the past 71 years. Mr. Owens was a 50 year Master Mason with the Carney Lodge No. 549 and a member of the Bethel Methodist Church. He held various leadership offices at Bethel, was a Certified Lay Speaker, retired from Sears with 27 years of service as an appliance technician, instructor at Sears in Atlanta, self employee doing appliance service at Alvin Owens Appliance. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Leona Owens; an infant sister, Mary Ann Owens; and brother, Robert Bob Owens.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nell Owens of Atmore, AL and numerous cherished nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Monday, January 9, 2017 at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Gus Jones and Rev. Philp Chance officiating.
Burial was at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Greg Turberville, Wesley Davis, Todd Vickery, Kevin Vickery, Doug Vickery, Robert Owens and Ben Owens.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
George Palmer, Jr.
January 10, 2017
George Palmer, Jr. passed away Friday, January 6, 2017, due to recent health complications. George, also known by his many friends and family as Dinky or Hotwheels, was 63. He was born in Century, FL on October 10, 1953, to Ola and George Palmer, Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jimmie Freeman; sisters, Nora Johnson and Eula Mae Dearborn; and nephew, Shane Williams.
He is survived by sisters, Nancy Neal, Elizabeth Williams, and Mammie Jo Smith, and by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family. George grew up in the Tri-City area and was a resident of Jay, FL for the last several years.
As an infant, he contracted polio during a nationwide epidemic before the lifesaving vaccine was developed. Though the disease left him disabled and with limited use of his legs, he refused to be defined by his limitations and defied all expectations of what he would be able to accomplish. George walked, rode a bicycle, and drove a car when it was said he would never crawl. He attended and graduated from Century public schools, studied architecture in college, coached little league baseball, worked productively, and lived a full and independent life when it was said he would live his life in an institution. Ever the optimist, there simply was no quit in him. His spirit was infectious and he inspired all who knew him. George will be remembered by all who knew and loved him for his sharp wit, high integrity, intense loyalty, his handsome looks and roughish smile.
Later in life, George developed post-polio syndrome – a common effect of the disease which leads to a slow degeneration of muscle tissue and other health complications. This eventually forced him into a wheelchair and limited his mobility. But, even in these circumstances, he resolved to live as full a life as possible and dealt with his situation with good humor and unshakable faith. He was a friend to many, an inspiration to all and will leave an unfillable space in each of our hearts.
Pallbearers will be Art Dales, Timothy Dales, Mike Duncan, Dale Havard, Jeff Gunn, Randy Helton, Seth Holland and Brandon Crutzhfield.
Honorary pallbearer is Jayden Dales.
The viewing will be Wednesday, January 11, 2017, from 6 p.m until 8 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home.
The memorial service and celebration of his life will be on Thursday, January, 12, 2017, at 3 p.m. at Jay funeral home with Bro Mike Hutto officiating.
All are invited to attend to pay their respects and to share their remembrances.
Shed Fire Threatens Nearby Homes
January 9, 2017
Firefighters were able to keep a shed and grass fire from becoming much worse this afternoon off Nine Mile Road. The shed was a total loss, and the fire threatened several nearby homes in the area of Larkspur Circle and Waring Road. At least one home reportedly suffered minor damage. There were no injuries and no immediate word on the cause of the shed fire. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Fire Marshal Investigating Suspicious Molino Hay Fire
January 9, 2017
A suspicious fire that destroyed several large bales of hay in Molino is under investigation as a possible arson.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are investigating after the fire Sunday afternoon on Chalker Road. About 20 of large hay bales burned under the cover of an open barn.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were among the units that battled the blaze, with the last firemen leaving the scene about four hours after their initial response.
There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Local Volunteers Needed To Help Count The Homeless
January 9, 2017
Local volunteers are needed to help with a one-day homeless count and a homeless service day later this month.
The Point In Time Count will be held January 25. During the PIT count, volunteers will spread across Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties to designated places and interview those persons who are homeless (either in shelters or on the street or encampments).The PIT count provides a snapshot of the number of people who are experiencing homelessness on a single night in Escambia and Santa Rosa County and serves as an advocacy tool to assist these individuals in gaining access to community resources. Trainings will be provided. To volunteer, contact Diana Moore at Diana.Moore@ecoh.org or (850) 439-3009, extension 101.
The U-County Homeless Resource Day will be Thursday, January 26. U-Count Homeless Resource Day is a one-day, one-stop opportunity for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness to access services, resources and information. Volunteers are needed to help with registration, serving food, access entry points and escorts at the Salvation Army at 1501 North Q Street from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. To volunteer, contact Serene Keiek at Serene.Keiek@ecoh.org or 439-3009, extension 108.
Local Hospital Warns 1,000 Patient Records Wrongly Accessed
January 9, 2017
An area hospital is warning that nearly 1,000 electronic health records were accessed inappropriately.
Infirmary Management Services, Inc, which manages Atmore Community Hospital, discovered during a routine audit in November that an ACH employee accessed the electronic record of approximately 1,000 patents without an appropriate work related reason between October 3, 2015, and November 11, 2016, the company said in a statement.
“This unauthorized access constitutes a breach of patient privacy and is in violation of organizational policy. The information accessed was limited to patient names, hospital admission dates and flowsheets. This employee was authorized to access limited portions of patient records, but contrary to extensive training and specific instructions, unnecessarily viewed other records,” Infirmary said.
The employee was immediately placed on leave and subsequently terminated. ACH said they were assured that the information viewed by the employee was not distributed outside of the hospital or misused.
ACH said the risk from fraudulent activity from the incident is very low; however all affected patients have been notified by mail and instructed they should monitor their personal financial activity as an added safeguard.
ACH patients with questions can call Infirmary at (251) 435-3900.
Escambia Waives Storm Building Fees, Schedules Storm Debris Pickup
January 9, 2017
Escambia County is waiving all fees relating to permitting and inspection for storm damage repairs from the severe weather January 1 and 2, upon submission of the required permit application documentation. Fees for storm damage only will be waived until 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 3.
Residents in unincorporated Escambia County with storm-related debris are asked to move all debris to the right of way no later than Thursday, January 19.
Building permit information can be found online at myescambia.com/our-services/building-services/inspections.
Contractors can easily be checked out by contacting the Escambia County Building Inspections Department at buildinginspections@myescambia.com or 850-595-3509. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation can also verify licenses at www.myfloridalicense.com or 850-487-1395. Escambia County residents should report suspected unlicensed or unpermitted work by emailing buildinginspections@myescambia.com or by calling 850-595-3509.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
January 9, 2017
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
· County Road 182 (Molino Road) over Penasula Creek Bridge Replacement- Construction activities begin on County Road 182 (Molino Road) over Penasula Creek, north of Cantonment. Molino Road will be closed to through traffic during construction. Sunshine Hill Road, Crabtree Church Road, and U.S. 29 will be utilized as a detour route. Work is anticipated to be complete fall 2017, weather permitting.
· County Road 97A Boggy Creek Bridge Replacement Project- Construction activities begin on County Road 97A over Boggy Creek, near Enon. Crews will begin clearing trees and shrubs to build a temporary detour (acrow) bridge. Once completed, traffic will be shifted to the acrow bridge as crews construct the new structure. Work is anticipated to be complete in eight months, weather permitting.
· Patricia Driver over Bayou Marcus Creek Bridge Replacement Project- Construction activities will begin the week of January 9 on Patricia Drive. Crews will begin clearing trees and shrubs to build a temporary detour (acrow) bridge to replace the current structure on Patricia Drive over Bayou Marcus Creek. Traffic will be shifted to the temporary detour (acrow) bridge during construction. Work is anticipated to be complete spring 2018, weather permitting.
· U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over AL&GC Railroad- East and westbound right lane closed from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9 as crews clean bridge joints.
· U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Canoe Creek- Northbound, right lane closed from midnight Monday, Jan. 9 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10 as crews clean and repair bridge joints.
· Interstate 10 (I-10) Routine Bridge Maintenance over U.S. 90- Westbound lane closure over U.S. 90 from 10 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11 as crews clean and repair bridge joints.
· U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Bayou Texar- Alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11 to 5 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 12 as crews clean and repair bridge joints.
· U.S. 29 /State Road (S.R.) 95 Widening from I-10 to 9 Mile Road- Alternating lane closures north and southbound U.S. 29 and east and westbound 9 Mile Road near the U.S. 29/9 Mile Road overpass from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews continue work on barrier wall installation and preparation for the bridge construction.
· 9 Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest to U.S. 29- Alternating lane closures continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews drive temporary sheet pile.
· Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727/295) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway to North Pace Boulevard- Intermittent and alternating lane closures continue between Mobile Highway and North Pace Boulevard between 8:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. as crews perform paving operations.
· I-10/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- East and westbound lane closures between I-110 and U.S. 29 (Exits 10A and 10B) from 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7 to 8 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 8 as crews perform pipe repairs.
Santa Rosa County:
· I-10 Resurfacing from east of S.R. 87 to the Okaloosa County Line- Due to impending cold weather temperatures crews will not be paving Sunday, Jan. 8 through Thursday, Jan. 12. However, there will be other operations performed which may require shoulder closures.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Two Vehicles Slam Into Cantonment Man’s Broken Down Vehicle
January 9, 2017
A Cantonment man escaped injury when two other drivers slammed into his broken down vehicle Sunday night on I-10.
The three vehicle crash blocked all eastbound traffic on I-10 at mile marker 16 from 9:05 to 10:40 p.m.. The Florida Highway Patrol said a 2000 Dodge Durango driven by 57-year old Gary Moffett of Cantonment became disabled in the outside lane of I-10 for unknown mechanical reasons.
The FHP said a 2016 Nissan NV2500 van driven by 38-year old Grant Douglas Hofberger III of Pensacola failed to avoid a collision with Moffett. Moffet’s Dodge was then struck by a 2011 Buick Lacross driven by Charles Edward Guarino of Springtown, TX. All three vehicle sustained substantial damage.
No one involved in the crash was injured.
Guarino and Hofberger were both cited with careless driving by the FHP.
Town Hall Meeting to Discuss Concrete Recycling Facility
January 9, 2017
Escambia County will hold a town hall meeting Tuesday, January 10 to gather feedback regarding a proposed concrete recycling facility. The request from J. Miller Construction Inc. is for their property located at 8900 Waring Road. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the 4-H Multipurpose Room of the Langley Bell 4-H Center, located at 3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Residents from the surrounding area are encouraged to attend and provide feedback. One or more commissioners may attend the meeting.
For more information, contact the Escambia County Development Services Department at (850) 595-3475.