Fire Heavily Damages Molino Mobile Home
March 13, 2017
The cause of a fire that heavily damaged a mobile home in Molino Sunday night is under investigation.
The fire was reported about 10:30 p.m. on Duxbury Avenue, just off Highway 29. The fire was reportedly through the roof of the mobile home when the first firefighters arrived on scene.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire.
There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
March 13, 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:
· Gregory Street (U.S. 98), Bayfront Parkway (State Road (S.R.) 196) and Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Temporary Closure St. Patrick’s Day Run- Temporary closure of Gregory Street between Jefferson and Gregory streets, Bayfront Parkway between 9th Avenue and 14 Avenue and Ninth Avenue between Gregory Street and Wright Street from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 11 for St. Patrick’s Day run. Traffic will be detoured and local law enforcement on site to assist with traffic control.
· Bayfront Parkway (State Road (S.R. 196) 2017 Maritime DeLuna Duathlon- Temporary closure from Tarragona Street to Salamanca Street from 4 a.m. to midnight Sunday, March 12 for festivities. Traffic will be detoured and local law enforcement on site to assist with traffic control.
· S.R. 4 Resurfacing from U.S. 29 to the Escambia River Bridge- Intermittent and alternating lane closures from the west end of the Escambia River Bridge on S.R. 4 to a point just east of the railroad tracks before U.S. 29.
· Interstate 10 (I-10) Widening from Davis Highway to the Escambia Bay Bridge – Scenic Highway (U.S. 90) southbound traffic, south of the I-10 interchange, will encounter temporary and intermittent lane shifts the week of Monday, March 13 as crews install drainage structures. One lane will remain open in each direction at all times. Once the work is complete, traffic will be shifted back into alignment.
· I-10, I-110 and U.S. 98 Routine Maintenance- Crews will perform sign maintenance at the following locations. Motorists can expect lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Monday, March 13 through Thursday, March 16.
o I-10 between the Escambia Bay Bridge and U.S. 29
o U.S. 98 between N. Pace Boulevard and Fairfield Drive
o I-110 between Burgess Road and U.S. 98
· U.S. 29 (S.R. 95) Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Alternating lane closures continue from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road and on Nine Mile Road near the U.S. 29/ Nine Mile Road overpass as crews perform drainage and bridge operations.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29-The detour on Nine Mile Road between Stefani and Waring roads was removed and the traffic pattern returned to its original configuration Thursday, March 9. Alternating lane closures continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews perform jack and bore operations.
Santa Rosa County:
· I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound near Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, March 13 as crews remove barrier wall.
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.
Fire Destroys Byrneville Pool, Deck
March 13, 2017
Fire destroyed a pool and deck early Sunday morning in Byrneville.
The fire was reported about 12:15 a.m. in the 1400 block of Byrneville Road, just south of Byrneville Elementary School.
Firefighter were able to keep the fire from spreading to a nearby home. There were no injuries reported.
The Century, McDavid and Walnut Hill Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Jay Volunteer Fire Department and the Flomaton Fire Department were dispatched to the blaze.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that a pool deck that burned. Preliminary information had indicated it was an outbuilding.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
March 13, 2017
Ernest Ward Middle School recently announced Students of the Month for January. They are Autumn Williams, eighth grade; Kailyn Watson, seventh grade; and Alexia Yeater, sixth grade. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chance Of Rain Today, Colder Mid Week
March 13, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 68. East wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Stand Your Ground Vote Could Come This Week In Florida Senate
March 13, 2017
Florida senators could vote as soon as Wednesday to approve a bill (SB 128) that would shift a key burden of proof in “stand your ground” self-defense cases.
The Senate took up the measure Thursday and positioned it for a vote.
The proposal stems from a Florida Supreme Court ruling in 2015 that said defendants have the burden of proof to show they should be shielded from prosecution under the “stand your ground” law. In “stand your ground” cases, pre-trial evidentiary hearings are held to determine whether defendants should be immune from prosecution.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, would shift that burden of proof from defendants to prosecutors. ”
This is the most serious and solemn power that our state government exercises … and the burden should be high on the government from the beginning of the case to the end,” Bradley said.
A House version (HB 245), sponsored by Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, and Rep. Jason Fischer, R-Jacksonville, is pending in the House Judiciary Committee.
by The News Service of Florida
Joseph Hugh Whittington
March 13, 2017
Mr. Joseph Hugh Whittington, 84, passed away on Saturday, March 11, 2017 in Jay, Florida.
Mr. Whittington was a native of Paragould, AR, former resident of Pensacola, FL and has resided in Byrneville, FL since 1993. He was a member of the VFW, NRA and Mason. He was retired with the US Navy Reserve and Naval Air Station with 45 years of service. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Bertha Lee Whittington, sister, Virginia Nell Daniel and brother, Dr. John Whittington.
He is survived by his wife, Alice Bush Whittington of Byrneville, FL and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Stickle officiating.
Burial will follow at the Byrneville Cemetery with full military honors.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 15, 2017 from 6 to 9 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be the Military Bodybearers.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Alabama.
Free Crochet Class At The Library
March 13, 2017
A free “Crochet for Adult Beginners” class will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Century Branch Library. Participants will learn the basics of crotchet. All supplies will be provided for free. Instructor for the class will be Klyn Wilson (pictured). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alfred Victor Emmanuel O’Connor
March 13, 2017
Alfred Victor Emmanuel O’Connor, 90, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, surrounded by loved ones. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, and loved of all things outdoors. He had a green thumb like no other. He never met a person who he couldn’t talk to. He was a simple humble man that was love by so many.
Born in Bay Minette, Alabama, On February 12, 1927. He was the 4 th born child to Ester and Vincent O’Connor. He was a War World II and Korean War Veteran, with a love of country as much as his family. He was married to the love of his life, Juanita O’Connor, for more than 50 years. They raised eight wonderful children, that grew into 26 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ester and Vincent O’Connor; son, Charles O’Connor; grandson, Timothy Dalton Wilson; sisters, Alfreda Nellums, Christine Steadham, and brother, Francis O’Connor. He is survived by his wife, Juanita O’Connor; his children, Evelyn (John “Buddy”) Bethea, Marilyn Stone, Teresa (William “Bill”) Davidson, Steve (Hazel) Wilson, David O’Connor, Timothy (Lisa) Wilson, Paula (Samuel) Thomley, Lisa (Bradley) Mons; brother, Harry (Ada) O’Connor; sister, Ruth Granat, his 25 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and his one great great grandchild.
Pallbearers will be Phillip Nellums, Robert Nellums, Carter Granat, Scott Steadham, Gregory Steadham and Matthew Steadham.
Visitation will be Sunday, March 12, family at 12:30 PM, friends at 1:00 PM. Service is to start at 2:00 PM, at Faith Chapel North. Burial Services to follow at Bay Springs Full Gospel Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests monetary donations towards the funeral expenses or simply take a moment to hug your child, grandchild, or take a walk in the woods, for time waits for no one.
Colombian Delegation Learns About Ag, Rural Development In North Escambia
March 12, 2017
Five delegates from Colombia recently visited in the North Escambia area to learn more about agriculture and rural development.
The delegates were from a variety of backgrounds, from a cacao farmer to a small business leader.
Their stops included the UF’/IFAS Extension Service in Cantonment and Steve’s Farm in Walnut Hill, which offers retail and wholesale produce and catfish.
The group discussed policies and practices that promote sustainable and scalable rural development, learned about effective ways to bring products to market, and examined laws and procedures related to land use. The Colombian delegation also explored innovations and opportunities in rural development during their North Escambia a visit.
The visitors were invited to the United States under the auspices of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. Their national program was arranged by World Learning and their local program was arranged by the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
