Flynne Owen Mitchell
August 30, 2017
Flynne Owen Mitchell, age 71, went to be with our Lord, Tuesday, August 29, 2017. She was born to Gene and Monette Owen in Pensacola, FL on April 16, 1946.
She spent 52 years married to the love of her life, “Jack” Thomas J. Mitchell, Jr. being a wonderful wife and mother to their three sons, Dr. Thomas Chadrick (Ada) Mitchell of Panama City, FL, Christopher O. (Heather) Mitchell of Salem, AL and Jason G. (Mary) Mitchell of Hattiesburg, MS; five grandchildren, Caleb, Savannah, Nathan, Maegan and Isaac. Her family all enjoyed her wonderful cooking, especially her yeast rolls and sugar cookies.
Flynne spent 17 years working at Blanchard Elementary school with Special Education children.
She is survived by her husband, Jack, their children and grandchildren; her sisters, Pat (Sam) Lovelace of Atlanta, GA, Jackie (Ron) Moore and Debbie (Charlie) Reifschneider, all of Hot Springs, AR; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins and too many friends to count.
Visitation will be Saturday, Sept 2, 2017 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North beginning at 11:00 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 12 noon. Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery.
Glenn Rufus “Vice Grip” Allen
August 30, 2017
Glenn Rufus “Vice Grip” Allen, 72, of Molino, FL, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2017, with his wife, Mickey, by his side.
Glenn was born November 8, 1944, in Pine Barren, FL. Glenn and Mickey recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in March.
Glenn was in the United States Air Force and served in the Vietnam War in honor of his country.
He is preceded in death by his son, James Curtis “Jimmy” Allen; parents, Rufus and Mattie Lou Allen and brother, Billy Eugene Allen.
Glenn is survived by his loving wife, Mickey Fillingim Allen and brothers, Shirley Ray, Douglas, Donald and David Allen.
Pallbearers will be his nephews, Charlie Allen, Brian Allen, Bubba Gulsby, Dylan Gulsby, Donnell Thomas and Mark Daniel.
In honor of Glenn’s wishes, services will be held at Lathram Chapel Methodist Church, 2936 Jacks Branch Rd., Cantonment, FL 32533 Saturday, September 2, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to services.
Douglas Wayne Hand
August 30, 2017
Douglas Wayne Hand, age 70, died Sunday, Aug. 27, at his home in Madison, FL
He was born in Anderson, In., and moved to Madison in 1960 from Jacksonville, FL. He was in the US Navy and worked as a boilermaker before his retirement.
He is survived by three sons: Josh Hand, of Jennings, FL; Austin Hand, of Wesley Chapel, FL; and James Bernard, of Lee, FL.; two daughters: Kimberly McCullough, of Walnut Hill, FL.; and Julie Hand, of Atmore, AL; six grandchildren and six great-grandsons.
Top FHP Official Resigns Amid Ticket Quota Questions
August 30, 2017
The second-highest ranking officer in the Florida Highway Patrol is stepping down after acknowledging he wrote an email in May encouraging troopers to write at least two tickets per hour.
In the latest fallout from an ongoing investigation into whether troopers were told to meet a traffic-ticket quota, Lt. Col. Michael Thomas, a 30-year veteran and deputy director for the FHP, submitted a letter of resignation on Monday, indicating his last work day will be Friday.
In reviewing emails, Thomas said he found a May 31 email referring to a special program, known as the Statewide Overtime Action Response, aimed at curbing speeders. The email said, in part, “so we can encourage our members to maintain our 2.0 citations per hour ratio, as we attempt to provide a safer driving environment for Floridians.”
“In hindsight, I can see how this memo sent to the chiefs (regional commanders) could have been interpreted as an order for their supervisors to ask for 2.0 citations per hour,” Thomas said in his resignation letter. “This was a grave error on my behalf and should not be considered a negative reflection on the chiefs or other members of command that may have sent similar emails.”
“I made this mistake and take responsibility for my actions,” he added.
Thomas’ resignation came after Maj. Mark Welch, a troop commander who oversees eight counties near Tallahassee, announced his resignation earlier this month, after acknowledging he sent a July 28 memo to troopers that they interpreted as a mandate for a ticket quota, which is illegal under state law.
“The patrol wants to see two citations each hour,” Welch wrote. “This is not a quota; it is what we are asking you to do to support this important initiative.”
After Welch’s memo was brought to the attention of Terry Rhodes, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which oversees the FHP, she directed the agency’s staff to review whether there had been any other directives that could be viewed as a quota.
“You have my commitment here today that no quotas will be tolerated within the Florida Highway Patrol,” Rhodes told Gov. Rick Scott and Cabinet members, who oversee her agency, during an Aug. 16 meeting.
The subsequent review turned up Thomas’ May 31 email, which was sent without the authorization of Col. Gene Spaulding, director of the FHP.
“Although Lt. Col. Thomas’ emails were sent with the intention of ensuring accountability of our members and providing enhanced public safety, it was inappropriate to request a specific number of citations from our members,” Spaulding said in a statement.
“FHP does not set quotas as part of its mission, therefore I have accepted Lt. Col. Thomas’ request for early retirement,” he said.
Spaulding noted Thomas’ “dedication and commitment” to FHP during his 30-year career, saying it “will not be forgotten.”
The FHP’s review of directives that could involve ticket quotas is continuing, with agency officials saying any further personnel decisions will be made on a “case by case” basis.
Tate Grad Garrett Announces Bid For State House Seat
August 30, 2017
Democrat Vikki Garrett has announced her bid for the Florida House of Representatives District 1 open seat.
“I am working hard to earn the trust, support, and votes of the community,” Garrett, a Pensacola native, said.
The graduate of Tate High School earned a softball scholarship to Pensacola Junior College (now Pensacola State College) where she received an Associate of Arts degree. She continued her education at the University of West Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master of Public Administration degree.
Garrett brings over 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Public agencies she has worked for include the Florida Department of Transportation, Escambia County Engineering Department, and the West Florida Regional Planning Council.
She states, “I have a proven track record of bringing resources back to the community.”
One of the many projects Garrett is currently working on is the restoration of passenger rail service to Pensacola. She was appointed by the Federal Railroad Administration to serve on the Gulf Coast Rail Service Working Group. She hopes to continue those efforts as a State Representative in Tallahassee.
Garrett said in a press release Tuesday that her priority is “Putting People First”.
Police Continue Search For Couple’s Killer
August 29, 2017
There have been no arrests in the case of a Flomaton couple shot to death in their home, but a very active investigation is continuing.
About 2:30 p.m. on August 12, the bodies of 50-year old Timothy Adams and 61-year old Susan Adams were found with multiple gunshot wounds inside their mobile home at 1455 College Street in Flomaton. They were last seen alive earlier that morning. Investigators believe they were murdered before noon that day.
“We have several persons of interest at this time,” Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis said late Monday afternoon. “We are continuing to issue search warrants and continuing to get new tips.”
Davis is asking any person or business in the College Street and Highway 31 area to review their video footage for the period 9 a.m. until noon on August 12 and call the Flomaton Police Department.
“Someone out there knows something, or has heard someone talk,” Davis said. He encouraged anyone with any tip, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to call (251) 296-5811.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Open House Tonight At Area High Schools
August 29, 2017
All high schools in the Escambia County School District will hold Open House events from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday.
At Tate High School, the schedule will begin with homeroom first. For Tate High homeroom information, see the following links:
Increasing Rain Chances
August 29, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 81. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 83. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Labor Day: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86.
Donations Making New Vet Station Possible For Panhandle Equine Rescue
August 29, 2017
Panhandle Equine Rescue is well on their way to a new “Vet Station” at their Cantonment facility, thanks to the generosity of several donors.
Ready Mix USA of Pensacola donated nine yards of concrete that was poured Monday. Lee’s Concrete provided discounted labor. The Escambia County 4-H Horse Club has arranged to have a stock built as a member donation.
The Vet Station will also have a hot/cold wash rack and a scale.
“We are so grateful to our community for their support,” said Pandhandle Equine President Diane Lowery.
The non-profit Panhandle Equine Rescue relies on public donations and volunteers to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines in Escambia County.
Pictured: Concrete is poured Monday for a new Vet Station for Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Officers Assisting With Harvey Disaster Response Efforts in Texas
August 29, 2017
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers are actively assisting with disaster response efforts in the Houston area. Governor Rick Scott directed the deployment of FWC officers and resources in response to Texas’ request for emergency assistance.
Currently, 37 FWC officers and 21 boats are in route to Houston to support ongoing response efforts. More than 60 officers and nearly 20 boats were deployed Monday. This weekend, 25 FWC officers, 17 high water vehicles, two Mobile Command Centers, eight shallow draft vessels and four patrol boats arrived in Houston after being deployed Saturday night.
Pictured A Florida FWC officer on patrol in the Houston area on Monday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.