Ernest Ward Powers Past Perdido (With Photo Gallery)
September 22, 2017
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles powered past the Perdido (AL) Raiders 36-6 Thursday night in Walnut Hill.
The two teams will face off again next week, as Perdido hosts the Eagles at the Poarch (AL) Athletic Complex at 6 p.m.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bad News For Walnut Hill Drivers: Temp Bridge Weeks Away
September 22, 2017
Bad news for drivers in part of Walnut Hill…expect an emergency bridge detour to last for at least a month.
That’s the word from the Florida Department of Transportation, which Wednesday ordered the emergency closure of the Arthur Brown Road bridge over Boggy Creek. The bridge near the Walnut Hill Baptist Church failed two inspections on Wednesday.
In July, work began at the location to construct a temporary road and bridge in order to construct a new permanent bridge. Thursday, FDOT officials reported that the it will take another 30 to 45 days to complete the temporary bridge. That means a minimum seven mile detour for local residents.
A new bridge, with 11-foot travel lanes, six-foot shoulders and a solid concrete barrier railing, is due to be completed next spring.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Board Of Directors Plans Meeting
September 22, 2017
The Byrneville Elementary School Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday, September 27 at 3:30 at the school.
The charter school’s board of directors meetings are open to the public.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
September 22, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending September 14 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
No report received for Escambia County.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson was patrolling the Blackwater State Forest when he observed a truck turn onto a dirt road next to where he was conducting a traffic stop. The truck began spinning the tires, throwing dirt and gravel in the roadway. While the truck continued along the dead-end dirt road, Officer Hutchinson could hear his engine accelerating as he was spinning out. After completing the traffic stop, he drove along the dirt road and observed several places in the roadway where the truck had spun out causing ruts and throwing mud in the roadway. Officer Hutchinson located the truck and observed it spinning its tires in a small mud hole. When asked why he was tearing up the roadway, the driver stated, “I just put new tires on my truck and wanted to see if they would spin out.” Officer Hutchinson charged the man with destruction of state lands by a motor vehicle.
Officer Hutchinson was on foot patrol within the Blackwater State Forest. While patrolling near a creek and a recreation area, he observed a large group of people recreating. He contacted the group and immediately observed a container, commonly used to conceal illegal narcotics, sitting on a chair. He located a plastic bag containing cannabis inside of it along with a marijuana smoking pipe. While continuing his search, he discovered a marijuana cigarette inside of an ice chest. Two men admitted ownership of the illegal items. Both men were issued the appropriate citations and given a court date.
Lieutenant Hahr was observing a man and woman on the bank of a small creek in the Blackwater State Forest when the man suddenly began walking towards him. Lieutenant Hahr greeted the man who apparently didn’t recognize him immediately. As the man attempted to walk past him, Lieutenant Hahr saw a burning clump of cannabis fall to the ground. The man immediately handed the remainder of his cannabis cigarette to Lieutenant Hahr and received a notice to appear for possession of not more than 20 grams of cannabis.
Officer Lewis was working in the Blackwater State Forest when he observed a large group of campers along Juniper Creek. Upon contacting the campers, he immediately discovered one of them in possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia. The man was issued a notice to appear for the violations.
Officer Mullins received a call of a derelict vessel in the Peterson Point area. Officer Mullins worked the investigation and identified and located the last registered owner for the vessel, met the subject and provided him information regarding his derelict vessel. The subject was issued a citation for leaving a vessel in derelict condition.
Officer Mullins was on patrol in Yellow River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when he observed a subject fishing in a creek. Officer Mullins began checking the subject and spoke with another subject standing by a vehicle. Officer Hutchinson arrived on scene to assist. During the inspection, the officers discovered that the subjects were in possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), drug paraphernalia and cannabis. The subjects were placed under arrest and booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Officers Hoomes and Roberson were loading their patrol vessel from a local boat ramp when they observed two subjects seated in a vehicle in the parking area. The officers observed one subject continually attempting to light a pipe. As the officers approached, the subject attempted to conceal the pipe. The officers determined the pipe contained cannabis. An additional bag of cannabis and other drug paraphernalia were in the vehicle. Both subjects were issued the appropriate citations.
Officers Cushing, Pettey and Land worked multiple days offshore in the Gulf of Mexico while aboard the NW Fincat. They were enforcing both state and federal marine fisheries regulations during the trips during Labor Day weekend. The crew conducted 45 offshore marine fisheries inspections, in which 16 different vessels were found to be in violation of federal rules. The vessel captains were cited for being in possession of gray triggerfish during a closed season. Additionally, a Florida state charter vessel captain was cited for operating a charter trip in federal waters without the proper federal permit.
Officers Cushing and Pettey responded to the report of a capsized vessel 30 miles offshore of Pensacola while aboard the NW Fincat. When they arrived on scene, the three subjects had already been picked up by a Good Samaritan vessel without injury. A report of the accident was taken.
Officers Lugg and Ramos teamed up with local FWC Bear Biologist Green with a canvassing effort in an area where there have been ongoing bear issues. The officers issued five notices of non-compliance to residents with egregious trash violations and educated those who were following good bear awareness practices. Bear-proof trash can retrofit kits were issued to every house in the area at no cost to help alleviate the ongoing bear and trash can issues.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Vernell K. Tims
September 22, 2017
Vernell K. Tims, 87 of Oak Grove, FL. passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 in Atmore, AL.
She was a Homemaker, born in Holland Town, FL. on December 09, 1929 to the late John P. and Carlie Garrett Kimbro.
She is preceded in death by Her Parents, Brothers, Earl Kimbro, Howard Kimbro, Nathan Kimbro and Walter Kimbro. A Sister, Elma Ezel.
Survivors are: Her Husband, Byron D. Tims of Oak Grove, FL. Two Sons: Dale Tims of Virginia Beach, VA. Clark (Debra Roley) Tims of Robertsdale, AL. One Daughter: Michelle Helton of Walnut Hill, FL. One brother: Enzor (Edna Earl) Kimbro of Pensacola, Fl Seven Grandchildren and Nine Great-Grandchildren.
Memorial Services will be Saturday September 23, 2017 at 11:00 AM from the Oak Grove Baptist Church with Bro. Butch Brown officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Oak Grove Baptist Church
Barbara Holley Dunsford
September 22, 2017
Mrs. Barbara Holley Dunsford, 71, passed away Wednesday, September 20, 2017 in Pensacola, Florida.
Mrs. Dunsford was a native of Defuniak Springs, FL and has resided in Bluff Springs, FL for the past 52 years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend to everyone and loved the Lord with all her heart. She was retired from the Bratt Elementary School with over 30 years of service and was a member of the Faith Bible Baptist Church, where she was a Sunday School Teacher. She is preceded in death by her parents, Howard & Ethel Holley and a sister, Brenda Strength.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Clifton Dunsford of Bluff Springs, FL; one son, Chris (Sherry) Dunsford of Bluff Springs, FL; one daughter, Becky (Jamie) Cobb of Bluff Springs, FL; two brothers, Ricky (Sherry) Holley of Luverne, AL and Gary (Becky) Holley of Jay, FL; four sisters, Kathy Johnston of Century, FL, Faye (Donald) Godwin of McDavid, FL, Tami (Freddie) Calloway of Byrneville, FL and Carolyn Hendrieth of Pensacola, FL; four grandchildren, Marc Dunsford, Mitch Dunsford, Kolbi Cobb and Kendal Payne and five great grandchildren, Cole Dunsford, Brayden Smith, Waylon Dunsford, Gabe Dunsford and Wesley Dunsford.
Funeral services will be Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Faith Bible Baptist Church with Rev. Gene Stokes, Rev. Ricky Du
nsford and Rev. Robert Barrow officiating.
Burial will follow at the Pineview Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, September 22, 2017 from 6 to 8 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Brian Johnston, Vincent Holley, Kent Calloway, Blake Calloway, Roger Burkett and Marcus Godwin.
Mary Virginia Lewis
September 22, 2017
Mary Virginia Lewis of Berrydale, Florida passed away peacefully at her home on August 16, 2017. She was 86 years old. Mary was born in Hornell, New York to Joseph and Lygia Bolley and was raised in Hornell, New York and Phoenix, Arizona. She was a teacher for over 40 years and touched the lives of hundreds of students. She was married to the love of her life, the late Lamar C. Lewis. Together they raised five children, first in El Cajon, California and then later Berrydale, Florida. Mary was devoted to the Catholic faith and a dedicated member of St. Maurice Catholic Church in Brewton, Alabama.
Mary Lewis is preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Lygia Bolley and loving husband, Lamar “Louie”. She is lovingly remembered by her sister Barbara Davinson, brother John (Janice) Bolley, children Barbara (Steve) Scott, Bill (Debbi) Lewis, Beth Anne (Madison) Whitfield, Becky Miller, Amy (Tommy) Kindig. Also surviving are her brother in law Larry (Andrea) Lewis, sisters in law Edna Lewis, Marilyn Lewis, and Imogene Reeder, her treasured grandchildren, great grandchildren and devoted Golden Retriever “Sophie”.
The family would like to also express their love and appreciation to Mom’s loving caretakers: Lora Lambeth, Beverly Blair, Jenny Floyd and Peggy Dunn. Additionally the family acknowledges the compassionate care of Chasity Lowery (Covenant Hospice) and the spiritual love of Father Patrick Madden (St. Maurice Catholic Church) for his unselfish ministry to both of our parents at the end of their wonderful lives.
On Saturday September 30, 2017, there will be a visitation with family at St. Maurice Catholic Church, 202 East Jackson Street, Brewton, Alabama starting at 10 am with a celebration of Mass beginning at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Maurice Catholic Church (Building Fund), PO Box 206 Brewton, Alabama 36426
Surveillance Images Released In Armed Robbery Of Atmore Walgreens
September 21, 2017
Atmore Police are investigating an armed robbery at Walgreens on South Main Street.
About 9:55 p.m. Tuesday, the Atmore Police Department was contacted by Walgreens corporate security about a robbery in progress at the store.
Atmore Police arrived and made contact with two employees who stated several armed subjects entered the store shortly before closing and forced them into an office. The suspects were wearing all dark clothes and masks. The suspects took money and prescription pills and then fled the store.
The employees were not injured but were visibly shaken and upset, according to police in a statement released Thursday morning.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.
Pictured: Images from a five-second surveillance video released Friday by Atmore Police. NorthEscambia.com images, click to enlarge.
Work Begins Monday On $5.2 Million Hwy 29 Resurfacing From Nine Mile To Muscogee
September 21, 2017
Construction will begin next week on a $5.2 million project to resurface Highway 29 from north of Nine Mile Road to Muscogee Road.
Other improvements will include safety and drainage upgrades and installation of new mast-arm mounted traffic signals at the West Ten Mile Road and East Kingsfield Road intersections.
Routine lane closures will be restricted to 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. At least one travel lane in each direction will remain open at all times. Access to adjacent properties will be maintained throughout the construction period.
The entire project is currently scheduled for completion in the spring 2018.
Pictured: A Florida Department of Transportation provided map showing the paving project.
Partly Cloudy, Slight Chance Of Rain
September 21, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms otherwise partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 90.