Commissioner To Hold District 1 One-stop Roundtable Monday At West Florida High
April 1, 2017
District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh will host a one-stop roundtable Monday, April 3 from 6-8 p.m. in the cafeteria of West Florida High School, located at 2400 Longleaf Drive. Residents will have an opportunity to ask questions, express concerns and gather information without having to make an appointment with each of the elected officials serving District 1 or countywide office.
Officials participating in this first-of-its-kind meeting include:
- Jeff Bergosh, Board of County Commissioners
- Vicki Campbell, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority
- Kevin Adams, Escambia County School Board
- Chip Simmons, Chief Deputy of Operations, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
- Chris Jones, Property Appraiser
- Scott Lunsford, Tax Collector
- David Stafford, Supervisor of Elections
No Injuries As Shots Reportedly Fired On UWF Campus
April 1, 2017
Three shots were reportedly fired Friday evening on the campus of the University of West Florida.
Police responded to the area of the UWF basketball courts after three shots were reported. The suspect had already left the scene and departed the campus. Students were notified of the incident, but the campus not placed into a lockdown.
An investigation into the incident is continuing.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call UWF Police at (850) 474-2415.
Herrington Tosses Shutout In Northview Win; Tough Night For Lady Aggies
April 1, 2017
Northview 1, South Walton 0
Tori Herrington tossed a shutout Friday night as the Northview Lady Chiefs beat South Walton 1-0 in Bratt.
Herrington allowed just three hits and struck out 12 in the district win for Northview.
A sacrifice bunt by Valen Shelly sent Aubrey Love across the plate in the only run for the Chiefs in second inning. Herrington and Love were 2-3 at bat, while Lydia Smith was 1-2.
The Chiefs will be on the road in Santa Rosa Beach Tuesday to face off with South Walton again.
Jay 10, Baker 5
Niceville 10, Tate 3
The Niceville Lady Eagles beat the Tate Aggies 10-3 Friday night.
Tate pitcher Hannah Brown allowed 10 hits in six innings. Shelby Ullrich was 2-3 at bat, with a home run and two RBIs for the Aggies. Deazia Nickerson was 2-3 with a run.
The Aggies (12-4, 7-0) remain undefeated in their district. They will face Franklin, KY, on Monday.
Elizabeth G. Smith
April 1, 2017
Elizabeth G. Smith, age 67 of Jay, FL, passed away March 28, 2017, at home surrounded by her family.
She was born November 17, 1949, in Bonifay, FL to Grady Gillis and Ruth Henderson. She grew up in Westville, FL, eventually moving to Flomaton, AL. While living in Flomaton she met the love of her life, Tommie. They built their home in Tommie’s hometown of Jay and have lived there for the past 39 years.
She worked for Vanity Fair for 17 years before becoming a homemaker taking care of her family. She loved cooking, sewing, crafting, gardening and traveling to the Smokey Mountains. But the one thing she enjoyed the most was spoiling her grandchildren. She was a caring and giving woman. She took care of others often before taking care of herself. If you knew “Ms. Liz”, you loved her. We will all miss her tremendously but we are grateful that she is no longer in pain and is able to wrap her arms around her beloved son, Joel again.
She is preceded in death by her father, Grady Gillis; son, Joel Smith; grandparents, John Angus and Inez Gillis and George and Catherine Stafford; mother and father-in-law, Hubert and Leila Smith; special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Tommie; her daughter and son-in-law, Mickie and Andre Jasquith; mother, Ruth Henderson; sisters, Carolyn (Fred) Lowery, Debra (TJ) Reutzel; brothers, Dale (Mary) Gillis and David (Donna) Gillis; daughter-in-law, Sandy Smith; sister-in-law, Janet Smith and brother-in-law, Dawson Smith; grandchildren, Austin Zoulek, Alex Jasquith, Jarrett Smith, Beth Smith, Eldon Smith and Shane (Jessica) Cody; five great-grandchildren and many special nieces, nephews and cousins; special uncle, Jim (Nancy) Gillis and aunt, Gracie Howes.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 1, 2017, at Jay Funeral Home.
Burial was held at Cora Baptist Church.
Pallbearers were her newphews Kevin Smith, Allen Lowery, Bobby Lowery, Tommy Ray Gillis, Caleb Gillis, Chris Gillis and Jeff Sloan.
Honorary pallbearers were Dan Langham, Milton Lowery, Harry Miller, Buddy Nims, Mike Rowell and Lee Langham.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the nurses of Emerald Coast Hospice, Dr. Owera and mom’s special infusion nurses at Brewton Hospital, Jackie, Natalie and Daisy.
License-Free Freshwater Fishing This Weekend In Florida
April 1, 2017
This weekend offers freshwater license-free fishing in Florida for residents and visitors.
On Saturday and Sunday, April 1-2, the freshwater recreational fishing license requirement will be waived. All bag limits, seasons, and size restrictions will still apply.
Governor Scott said, “This weekend’s license-free fishing days are a great chance for families and visitors to enjoy the spring weather and experience the many fishing sites Florida is well known for. Florida is proud to be the Fishing Capital of the World, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of the license-free days this weekend.”
Pictured: Fishing at Lake Stone in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Chairman Brian Yablonski said, “If you’ve never been fishing before, this is a great opportunity to get out there and give it a try, or, if you’re a seasoned angler, take a friend or family member who has never been. They just might learn to appreciate it as much as you do.”
Vera Thompson
April 1, 2017
Vera Thompson, 88, of Pensacola, FL passed away Saturday, March 25, 2017. Mrs. Thompson retired from Walmart after 20 years of service. She was also an avid fisherman.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Edward Thompson and her son, Stephen Thompson.
She is survived by two sons, Gary (Susan) Thompson and Tommy (Vicki) Thompson; two daughters, Nancy (Tim) Wheeler and Jeannie (Daniel) Harman; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 31, 2017, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Steve Zepp officiating.
Interment was at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Blue Jacket Jamboree Is Today; Includes Easter Egg Drop For Kids
April 1, 2017
The Northview High School FFA Blue Jacket Jamboree is today at the Escambia County 4-H Facility in Molino with events including a giant Easter Egg Drop.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. with plenty of arts and crafts, a car show, a tractor show and more. An Egg Drop will be held at noon, with over 2,000 Easter eggs dropped from a ladder fire truck for children to hunt for free.
The Blue Jacket Jamboree is held in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Agriculture & Natural Resources Youth Organization Annual Spring Livestock Show. This year’s show begins at 8 a.m. with over fifty 4-H and FFA youth exhibiting hogs, beef cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and rabbits from Escambia and neighboring counties. The day will conclude with youth exhibitors auctioning off their market animals beginning at 5 p.m. The event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend.
Both events are held at the 4-H Facility at 5701 Highway 99, near Chalker Road in Molino. (Note that Molino Road is closed for bridge constructions. Drivers should access the 4-H Facility from Barrineau Park Road to the south, or Crabtree Church Road to the north.)
The Blue Jacket Jamboree is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Georgette H. Chivington
April 1, 2017
Georgette H. Chivington, beloved Mom and Nana, passed away Tuesday, March 28, 2017, in her home. Georgette was born in New York City, NY on May 28, 1934. She was a member of the LAFRA branch 22, the Elks Lodge BPOE #2108, and was a volunteer at the Sacred Heart Children’s Cancer Center. Georgette was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved being involved in her children and grandchildren’s lives. Her focus was her family, and she always helped in any way she could. Her loyalty to her family surpassed anything; their well-being was her sole concern.
From her drive-bys of her kids’ houses to just to check up on them, to acting like one of the grandkids at the restaurant with dancing and laughing, to her stories that ended on a completely different topic that they started on, to having a full fridge every time for her kids and grandkids, to her candy jars if you knew where to look, to simply wanting to lie and watch television with her family, Georgette’s life is filled with sweet and funny memories to those closest to her.
In general, she loved helping and understanding children, shown by her volunteer work in the Sacred Heart Children’s Cancer Center. Her thoughtfulness and time spent with children, her own included, was beyond the usual care. She was a genuine person to be around with her questions and conversations.
Facing a handicap early in life, Georgette never let it determine what she couldn’t do. She accomplished more than most people. She was a determined, full-of-life woman who made sure her family was looked after and well cared for, but that she also contributed to our community.
She was proceeded in death by her husband, Mohler E. Chivington, her father, Ernest T. Swain, her mother, Florence M. Swain, and numerous siblings.
She is survived by her son, John Chivington, her daughter-in-law, Felecia Chivington, her daughter, Florence Chivington, her grandchildren – Andrew Stoker, Madeline Chivington, John Chivington, Jr., Mollire Chivington, her sister, Patricia Lopilato, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Reverend Father Eugene Casserly as celebrant. Burial will follow services in Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, FL.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 2, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Scott Lunsford, Craig Bowne, Duke Hinchee, Rodney Brackens and Paul Ham.