Rain Today, Rain For the Weekend
February 7, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia. area forecast:
Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 72. South wind around 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind around 10 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 65. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 58. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 54.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
Ernest Ward Middle Announces History Fair Winners
February 7, 2018
Winners have been announced from the recent Ernest Ward Middle School History Fair. Each will now advance to the district history fairs.
Winners’ names are listed below under each project photo.
Kyle Blanton — “The Battle of Yorktown”
No Power For Seven Hours: Truck Pulls Down Power Lines, Snaps Utility Poles
February 7, 2018
About 30 Gulf Power company customers were without power for hours Tuesday in the Perdido Lake Road area of Cantonment when a sanitation company boom truck contacted power lines. The boom then pulled down wires and snapped multiple utility poles about 2:30 p.m., according to reports.
Power was restored by 10 p.m.
Additionally, cable and telephone lines were reported to be downed. There were no injuries.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click enlarge.
Senators Look To Remove Confederate Holidays
February 7, 2018
After more than a century, birthdays of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and Confederate President Jefferson Davis, along with a Confederate Memorial Day, would no longer be legal holidays in Florida under a bill approved by a Senate committee Tuesday.
Over the objections of people who argued the proposal (SB 224) would erase Southern history, the Senate Community Affairs Committee voted 4-2 — without debate or discussion — to support the measure. The bill would remove the Lee, Davis and Confederate days from a list of 21 legal holidays on the books in Florida.
However, the bill must still get through two additional committees to reach the Senate floor, while an identical House proposal (HB 227) has not appeared in committees.
Bill sponsor Lauren Book, D-Plantation, said her goal isn’t to erase history, but to undercut tributes to the Confederacy, “which upheld the institution of slavery and perpetuated inequality and division within our country.”
Florida has honored Lee’s birthday, Jan. 19, since 1895, the same year April 26 became Confederate Memorial Day on the state calendar. Davis’ June 3 birthday went on the books in 1905.
Lee is from Virginia. Davis is most associated with Mississippi.
Barbara Hemingway, of American First Team Manatee, saying President Donald Trump has “stood up for our national anthem and our beautiful statues,” asked lawmakers to stand up for “Florida’s history.”
“The people that want Robert E. Lee’s name obliterated from the civic landscape don’t even like people with the last name Lee,” Hemingway said.
Other speakers, distancing themselves from neo-Nazis and the KKK, said they were offended by efforts of outsiders without an understanding of the “legacy of the region” and with a desire to “make all things Southern invisible.”
“These men, these holidays are celebrations that I was raised upon,” said Mary Barlow of Lake City.
After another speaker compared Lee’s moral character to that of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., committee Chairman Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa, cautioned speakers to keep close to the bill’s subject matter.
State legal holidays are not necessarily paid holidays for public employees.
Sunday is considered a legal holiday. Other legal holidays that are not paid holidays include Susan B. Anthony’s birthday, Good Friday, Pascua Florida Day to mark the discovery of Florida in 1513 by Juan Ponce de Leon and Flag Day.
Scott McCoy, senior policy counsel for the Southern Poverty Law Center, said it is important to remember the history of the Confederacy and slavery, but “anything celebrating our shameful past has no place in our government.”
“It is past time for Florida to end its celebration of a treasonous government and two of its leaders who fought to enslave and oppress an entire group of people based on the color of their skin,” McCoy said.
The hearing on the removal of the holidays came less than a week after the Senate agreed to replace a likeness of Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith in the National Statuary Hall in Washington with a statue of civil-rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune (SB 472).
The statue exchange awaits action by the House (HB 139) which would make Bethune the first African-American woman to be honored in the national hall.
The Legislature voted in 2016 to replace the Smith statue during a nationwide backlash against Confederate symbols in the wake of the 2015 shooting deaths of nine African-American worshippers at a historic black church in Charleston, S.C.
by The News Service of Florida
Pictured: Robert E. Lee.
FWC Hunter Safety Courses Offered In Molino, Jay, Milton
February 7, 2018
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety courses in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in February. The courses will be held in Molino, Jay and Milton.
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The locations and times are:
Escambia County
Online-completion Course
Feb. 28 (6 to 10 p.m. CST) & March 17 (7 to 10 a.m. CST)
Molino Community Center
6450 Highway 95A in Molino
Santa Rosa County
Traditional Course (must complete all days)
Feb. 8, 13, 15 (6 to 10 p.m. CST) & Feb. 17 (7 to 10 a.m. CST)
Avalon Middle School
5445 King Arthurs Way in Milton
Online-completion Course
Feb. 17 (7 to 10 a.m. CST)
Avalon Middle School
5445 King Arthurs Way in Milton
Online-completion Course
Feb. 7 (6 to 10 p.m. CST) & Feb. 17 (7 to 10 a.m. CST)
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane in Jay
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at 850-265-3676.
Margaret Lynnette “Nett” Blocker Reaves Secrist Johnson
February 7, 2018
Mrs. Margaret Lynnette “Nett” Blocker Reaves Secrist Johnson, age 84, of Jay, Florida went home to be with her Lord and loved ones who’ve gone before on Sunday, February 4, 2018 following a brief illness.
Lynnette lived most of her life in Berrydale, Florida. Though she was a nurturing and loving stay-at- home mom, for many years she was also employed at Vanity Fair (25 yrs), Milton, FL, and Scotts (Greers) Grocery in Jay, FL. She also worked as a caretaker to the invalid, which included family members and friends because of her servant’s heart to do the Lord’s will in her life. She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour at an early age at Pine Grove Baptist Church, Berrydale, FL. Her greatest desire was to honor and serve Christ wherever she felt Him leading; teaching Sunday School and Training Union in France, Germany, and America, youth director, pianist from age 10, choir member and service on several church committees throughout her 84 years of life and a great prayer warrior. Churches in which she attended and served included Berrydale Baptist, Eastside Baptist, Milton, Jay First Baptist, First Baptist East Brewton, AL and pianist at Pine Grove Baptist until recently. She was the wife of the late Rev. Holley Secrist and honored him in that capacity. Lynnette was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to all those that knew her.
She came to know and opened her heart of love to several military personnel stationed at NAS Whiting Field who were far away from home, taking some under her wing and keeping in contact over the years as if they were her own children. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, singing, playing the piano, and reading. She will be dearly missed.
She was born December 1, 1933, in Berrydale, FL to the late Bozzy Blocker and Margaret Eloise Lewis Blocker Bradley. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by step-father, Sollie Bradley; late husbands, Rev. Holley Secrist and Lenard Johnson; son, David Allen Reaves; son-in- law, John Coy Goldmillion; brother, William “Bill” Blocker; sister, Henrietta “Susie” Bradley- Carey and brother-in- law, Richard Carey.
She is survived by her daughter, Shirley Ann Reaves-Goldmillion; son, Dewayne Daniel Reaves, Berrydale, FL; daughter-in- law, Cindy Tanner-Reaves, West Pensacola, FL ; grandchildren, John Drew Goldmillion, Pace, FL, Carrie (Matthew) Goldmillion-Maggard, Elizabethton, TN; David Reaves, Jr., Daniel Reaves and Melissa Reaves, West Pensacola, FL; seven great-grandchildren; brothers Lloyd “Buddy” Bradley (Paulette), Jay, FL, Rev. Robert Bradley (Libby), Brewton, AL, several nieces, nephews, cousins and her dog, Sassy B. Gail.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at Jay Chapel, Thursday, February 8, 2018, 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Pine Grove Baptist Church, Berrydale, FL. Family visitation will take place, Wednesday, February 7, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. The Rev. Robert Bradley will officiate.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Florida Baptist Children’s Home, Pensacola Campus, 1000 Chemstrand Rd., Pensacola, FL 32533.
Warren Dean Cooper
February 7, 2018
Mr. Warren Dean Cooper, age 60, passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 in Pensacola, Florida.
Mr. Cooper was a native of Pensacola, FL and resided in Cantonment, FL for most of his life. He was a member of the IBEW 904 (Gulfport, MS), Brotherhood of the Fleas and the Farm Hill Holiness Church. He is preceded in death by his father, Johnny Max Cooper and two grandchildren, Allie May Cooper and Ava Cooper.
He is survived by his mother, Ruby Cooper of Cantonment, FL; one son, Warren Dean Cooper, Jr. of Georgia; one daughter, Nikki Cooper of Daphne, AL; two brothers, Daniel Lee (Debra) Cooper of Pensacola, FL and John Donald (Lisa) Dale of Pensacola, FL; two Wanda Jean Massey of Cantonment, FL and Pamela Ann Cooper of Cantonment, FL and two grandchildren, Sydney Cooper and William Cooper. Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Lottie Baptist Church with Bro. Clyde Hughes officiating.
Burial will follow at the Presley Cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM at the Lottie Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Woods, Donnie Leahey, Johnney Cooper, Daniel Cooper, Todd Crider and Andy Cooper.
James Edward Owens
February 7, 2018
James Edward Owens, 88, of Jay, Florida went to be with the Lord on February 5, 2018. He was born and raised in Jay.
James served in the U.S. Air Force and later worked for over 30 years in aviation maintenance at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. James was a member of Jay First Baptist Church and served as a deacon there for many years.
James was preceded in death by his father, Fred Owens; his mother, Estelle Campbell Owens and his brother Steve Owens.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Stuckey Owens; his sons Gary (Judy), Larry (Ramona) and Ricky (Sabrina). He had six grandchildren, Redina (Jack) Gavin, Amanda (Shane) Dawsey, Micah (Jessica) Owens, Meredith Owens, Carly Owens and Zach Owens. He had six great-grandchildren, Lane Burgess, Alex and Laura Gavin, Owen, Oakleigh and Opal Dawsey. James is also survived by his sisters, JoAnne Savage (Paul-deceased), Jimmie Dean (Alex) Hill, Carol (Jimmy) Turberville and brother Kenny (Nita) Owens.
Pallbearers for services are Jimmy “Moo” Brown, Lane Burgess, Alex Gavin, Jack Gavin, Micah Owens and Zach Owens.
James was a loving husband and father and he will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. David Smith and Jay Hospital for the excellent care given to James during his illness.
ECSO Searching For Missing Middle School Teens
February 6, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for two teens last seen leaving Woodham Middle School Monday..
Deputies said 13-year-old Kalynn D’Anne Meshell and 14-year-old Zoe Nicole Mckinzie were last seen on Monday walking out of Woodham Middle School at 9:15 a.m.
Kaylnn is described as being 5 feet 4 inches tall and 125 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. She was seen wearing a black jacket, dark t-shirt, and jeans. earing a black jacket, dark t-shirt, and jeans. Zoe is described as being is 5 foot 6 inches tall and 110 pounds, and has brown eyes and brown hiar. She was late seen wearing a brown hoodie with a white undershirt and jeans.
Information has been received that the one or both of the girls may be traveling to South Florida.
If you know the whereabouts of Kalynn or Zoe, call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or to remain anonymous call CrimeStoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
‘Boom’ Truck Pulls Down Power Lines, Snaps Utility Poles
February 6, 2018
About 30 Gulf Power company customers lost power this afternoon in the Perdido Lake Road area of Cantonment when a sanitation company boom truck contacted power lines. The boom then pulled down wires and snapped multiple utility poles about 2:30 p.m., according to reports.
Gulf Power provided an initial repair estimate of about three hours, according to their reporting system.
Additionally, cable and telephone lines were reported to be downed.
There were no injuries.
Image courtesy Gulf Power.