Elizabeth Ann Johnson
February 22, 2018
Elizabeth Ann Johnson, 71 of Atmore, AL, passed away Sunday February 18, 2018, at her residence. She was a barber. She was born on April 11, 1946, in Monroeville, AL to Edward and Myrtis E. Mosley Johnson. She enjoyed the outdoors and planting flowers. She loved the Lord very much and her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her father, Edward Johnson and son, Christopher Reynolds.
Survivors include her mother, Myrtis Hall of Atmore, AL; one son, Mike Reynolds of Alaska; one daughter, Brandy Reynolds Wohlers of Prattville, AL; two brothers, Eddie Johnson and LaDon (Annette) Hall, all of Atmore, AL; Teresa Hall of South Carolina; six grandchildren, Sidney Wohlers, Cobe Wohlers, Lilly Wohlers, Holly Wohlers, Carmen Reynolds and Matthew Wohlers; and four great-grandchildren, Amber Johnson, Keely Mendlesohn, Gabe Brown and Christian Brown.
Services will be Friday, February 23, 2018, at 1 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home with Pastor Rob Arrant officiating.
Interment will follow Oak Hill Cemetery.
Family will receive friends, Friday, February 23, 2018, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 11 a.m. until service time at 1 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Katie Hadley Hall
February 22, 2018
Katie Hadley Hall, age 88, a native of Perdido, AL and a resident of Mobile, AL, passed away February 20, 2018. She is preceded in death by her husband, William Hall; parents, Clarke and Evie Hadley; two sons, Ephen Hall and Darrell Hall; sister, Virginia Hubbard; brothers, Willie Hadley and Willard Hadley; sister, Mattie Mae Boatwright.
She is survived by one loving daughter, Trudie (Winston) Hadley; and grandchildren, Bobby (Brandy) Hadley, Randy (Amanda) Hall, Janice (David) Whitehead, Jody (Sheryn) Hadley and Jeff (Cynthia) Hall; ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; three brothers, William Hadley, Willis Lee Hadley and Wilburn Hadley; three sisters, Hazel Roberts, Joyce Ann Jackson and Dona Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 24, 2018, at 2 p.m. from the Perdido Church of God with Bro. Scott Brooks officiating. Burial will follow in Lottie Methodist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, February 24, 2018, from 12:30 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. from the Perdido Church of God.
Trudie would like to thank everyone for the calls, visits and prayers during this time of need. A special thanks to Patricia Talmage for being a great sister-in-law in Trudie’s time of need.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Clyde Paskle Allen
February 22, 2018
Clyde Paskle Allen, 82, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at 2:55 p.m. Mr. Allen was born in Orlando, Kentucky, Rockcastle County, to Elzie and Pollie Allen. Mr. Allen joined the U.S. Navy in 1954. He was a member of the Blue Angels Maintenance Crew from 1960 to 1963, and he served as Crew Chief for the Blue Angels Maintenance Crew from 1965 to 1969. He was a life member of the Blue Angels Alumni Association. Mr. Allen retired from the U.S. Navy as a Chief Petty Officer in 1974. After retirement, he owned and operated a paint and body shop and worked at NADEP until 1993. He then opened Al’s Small Engine Repair on Jack’s Branch Road in Cantonment, where he worked until 2013.
Mr. Allen was preceded in death by his parents; beloved daughter, Debra Anita Allen; brothers, Randolph, Ernest, and Edward Allen; and sisters, Velma Jones, Merry Poynter, Gertrude Allen, and Ruby Allen.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Hardy Allen; children, Dorreen Allen, Dara Allen Guntner, and Lance Allen; sons-in-law, Barry Guntner and Andy Geoghagan; daughter-in-law, Sherrie Allen; grandchildren, Nikki, Chayne, Cheyenne, Hunter, Sadie, Jesse, Andrew, Olivia, Cam, Randall, and Logan; great-grandchildren, Colton, Layton, Kayde, and Raylynn; sisters, Geneva Anglin, Ilene Brown, and Ida Mae McClure; and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Allen’s pallbearers are Hunter Allen, Jesse Geoghagan, Andrew Geoghagan Jr., Andrew Geoghagan, Ronnie Anglin, and Donny Allen.
His honorary pallbearers are Walker Arnold, Barry Guntner, and Sonny Holland.
Special thanks to Pennye, Cindy, and Jason with Emerald Coast Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to Emerald Coast Hospice.
Visitation will be Sunday, February 25, 2018, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be Monday, February 26, 2018, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North at 1 p.m. with Pastor Jason Adams officiating.
Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Century Residents Learn The Benefits Of A Community Redevelopment Agency
February 21, 2018
The Town of Century held a public meeting Tuesday afternoon to help chart the future of a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
Two dozen people met at the Century Business Center to learn more about the CRA and “envision” Century, after watching a PowerPoint presentation. (Click here to load the presentation in pdf format.)
About 510 acres, or about 25 percent of the town, was declared blighted last year in order to work toward the formation of a CRA in Century.
Once the CRA is in place and operating, it will work to improve conditions within the area. As property tax values rise, most of the increase is funneled back into the redevelopment area for further improvements.
The CRA area is 510 acres, bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, State Road 4 to the north and the centerline of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King. Click here for a detailed map (pdf).
Essentially, CRAs use redevelopment funds within a deteriorating area to transform it into one that again contributes to the overall health of a community. The money can roll over year to year, up to a 40-year life for a CRA.
It can take many years for the funds to accumulate to the point the CRA can do projects within the CRA boundaries.
CRA funds can be used for a variety of public purposes, including items specified in the agency’s redevelopment plan, planning and surveys, acquisition of real property, affordable housing development and community policing innovations.
In establishing the CRA, the Century council found that the area is blighted, with a predominance of deteriorated or dilapidated housing in the area. Nearly half of the homes in the area were scored as dilapidated and in need of rehabilitation or reconstruction.
The median value of an owner-occupied home in Century is $40,000, compared to the Escambia County median housing value of $81,700. The average median household income in the Century area is $24,583, compared to the Escambia County’s median household income of $46,001.
Additional planning meetings will be held Thursday, March 22 to organize and prioritize needs and discuss capital improvements; Tuesday April 17 to review results and learn about plan contents; and Tuesday, May 24 to present the final plan. Meetings will be held at the Century Business Center, times to be announced.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Slight Rain Chance, Otherwise Partly Sunny Today
February 21, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Light east wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 10 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70.
Driver Crashes Into Walgreens Store
February 21, 2018
A driver lost control for an unknown reason Tuesday afternoon and crashed into the Walgreens store at 20 West Nine Mile Road. The driver lost control while traveling on Highway 95A near Nine Mile Road and left the roadway. The vehicle crossed a small ditch, traveled between a utility pole and guy wire, crossed a driver thru lane and struck the store.
A witness said it appeared the vehicle just “bounced off” the building.
The driver was transported to an area hospital. The building suffered no apparent damage.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Northview Celebrates National FFA Week With Breakfast
February 21, 2018
FFA members at Northview High School are celebrating National FFA Week with a variety of events.
Tuesday morning, the FFA officers and members prepared a homestyle breakfast for teachers, staff and invited guests that support the FFA program. Northview’s FFA program has been recognized as one of the top chapters in both the state and the nation.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Get Free Tech Help At The Molino Branch Library
February 21, 2018
Need help learning how to use that new Christmas computer, smartphone or other tech item? The Molino branch of the West Florida Library is offering local basic technology helps for free.
At the Molino Branch Library, patrons can register to receive up to 30 minutes of individual technology help on Wednesdays from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find email, increase computer knowledge, improve skills with a smart phone, learn how to download e-books and more. Call (850) 435-1760 to reserve a session.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
School Shooting Survivors Demand Stricter Gun Control
February 21, 2018
With heavy hearts, students, who have become citizen lobbyists, met with lawmakers on Tuesday with one goal – to urge the passage of gun control measures.
Hoping their tragic stories will spur lawmakers to act, a small group of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students went door-to-door asking senators and representatives to put aside their partisan differences and act.
However, a move to push a bill banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines directly to the House floor was rejected on mostly party lines.
Ashley Santoro, a junior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, said she’s trying to cope, but is saddened by the response at the State Capitol.
“I’ve been, like, OK, but, you know, it’s just, this isn’t what I really thought it would be, because people really just are out for themselves,” she stated.
House Bill 219, which prohibits the sale, transfer or possession of large capacity magazines and assault weapons including AR-15s, was rejected by a vote of 36 to 71 in the Republican-controlled House.
Buses of additional students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas are expected to arrive Wednesday in Tallahassee, where the students will walk from the Leon County Civic Center to the State Capitol to continue their advocacy.
Trying to hold back tears, Santoro said it’s important for policy makers to listen.
“I want people to know what it was like for those who really went through it and why we’re fighting for what we are fighting for,” she stressed. “I want to help them try to find a middle ground between both parties, because as it stands, we are just as polarized as ever, and we can’t have that if we’re going to be unified.”
Some Republican Senate leaders are preparing a bill that would limit assault weapon sales to those 21 and older, and place a three-day waiting period on rifle purchases.
But the measures fall short of the complete ban on the sale and transfer of assault weapons that is being advocated by Democrats and Douglas High students.
by The Florida News Connection
Scott: ‘We Have To Make Changes’ On School Safety
February 21, 2018
Metal detectors at schools, better coordination between agencies and keeping guns out of the hands of people who are mentally ill were among the solutions three groups of experts handed Tuesday to Gov. Rick Scott, as state leaders search for ways to prevent tragedies like last week’s mass shooting that killed 17 people at a Broward County high school.
Scott met with leaders from workgroups focused on education, law enforcement and mental health, seeking input for legislation he said intends to present to lawmakers on Friday, two weeks before the scheduled March 9 end of the legislative session.
“My goal is to get something accomplished. I know that we need to substantially increase funding, and I know we have to make changes if we want kids to be safe,” Scott said at the outset of the meeting.
Scott ordered the panels in response to the Wednesday massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, the second-worst school shooting in the nation’s history. Authorities charged 19-year-old gunman Nikolas Cruz, a former student at the school who had a lengthy history of mental-health issues, with 17 counts of premeditated murder in the deaths.
During Tuesday’s workgroup centered on security measures schools should employ, student Stephen Marante, who lives in Parkland but attends Coral Springs High School, said students want — and need — active-shooter training beginning in kindergarten. He also recommended identification badges for students, single points of entry for schools and more school resource officers, among other things, for students to feel safe.
“And kids want metal detectors. They do. I don’t know what it’s going to take. I don’t know if the money’s going to come through the state … but I don’t think the taxpayers will have a problem putting metal detectors on doors if you ask your parents how much is your child’s safety worth to you. How much are you willing to pay to have your kid come back to you?” said Marante, the student adviser to the Broward County school district.
Marante said he doesn’t care if the school “feels like prison.”
“We need to make sure that we’re safe when we come into the building,” he said.
Scott appeared surprised to learn that, while school districts are required by law to conduct regular fire drills, they are not required to perform active-shooter training.
After the evening meeting, Scott rattled off a list of items, including the drills, he said will be included in the package he gives to legislative leaders at the end of the week.
“If you look at the things that are clear, we’ve got to have active shooter drills,” he said.
The governor also said the state needs to “significantly increase” funding for school safety and mental health and needs to figure out “how to make sure the dollars we are spending are coordinated.”
Scott also said he wants to address the issue of people involuntarily committed under the Baker Act because of mental illness, something sheriffs said needs to be fixed.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said individuals can purchase or have access to firearms as soon as they are released after being involuntarily committed.
“You could be Baker acted 15 times in the last month, have 15 law enforcement contacts for domestic-related issues, tell a cop last night, ‘I’m going to kill my wife,’ you get Baker acted, you’re out this morning and this afternoon you’re buying a gun at a gun store in the state of Florida,” said Gualtieri, who suggested a “cooling-off” period that would require people to receive a judge’s permission to get their guns back or to purchase new firearms.
Law enforcement officials also are unable to take guns away from people who make threats of violence, the sheriff said.
That’s problematic, Scott said.
“We’ve got to figure out, if you or law enforcement see somebody that might be at risk, there should be a process, and it has to be due process, but there should be a process to make sure they don’t have access to a gun,” the governor told reporters after the meeting.
Earlier Tuesday, Scott attended the funeral of 15-year-old student Peter Wang, who reportedly died helping his fellow students escape a classroom. The governor emphasized that he intended to get legislation passed before the session ends.
“I’ve talked to families. I’ve met with families. I’ve gone to funerals. I’ve gone to hospitals. I’ve visited with students that were there,” he said. “We have to do something. We cannot continue where we are.”
Busloads of students from the Parkland high school are expected to meet with lawmakers throughout the day Wednesday, and some early arrivals spent Tuesday roaming the halls of the Capitol to urge legislators to pass a bill that would ban assault-style weapons like the one Cruz used to kill 14 teenagers and three faculty members.
Some of the students broke down when the Republican-dominated Florida House refused to take up such a measure.
Scott praised the students for making their voices heard.
“The students are energized. They’re going to be part of this process,” the governor said, adding that “you’ve got to work hard” to get things accomplished in the legislative process.
Asked if he would sign a ban on assault weapons into law, Scott said “everything is on the table.”
Frank Brogan, a former lieutenant governor and state education commissioner who now serves as a U.S. Department of Education assistant secretary, attended the education meeting and the evening roundtable with Scott.
Brogan applauded Scott for his quick response to the disaster.
“If something better doesn’t come out of this, all we’re going to be left with is an enormous tragedy,” Brogan said, adding that he is optimistic. “This is not just about screaming into the wind. This is about looking for real solutions.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
