Thousands Attend Blue Angels First Home Practice Of Year (With Gallery)
March 29, 2018
The Blue Angels took to the skies for their practice of the season in front of a large crowd Wednesday at Naval Air Station Pensacola.
For a complete schedule of Blue Angels practices at NAS Penacola, click here.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Ditto Gorme for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Branden Penegar Car Show Set For Saturday
March 29, 2018
The annual Brandon Penegar Memorial Car Show will held this Saturday.
Any make, model or year car is welcomed for the show. Car registration will be from 8:00-11:00 a.m. on March 31. The fee is $15 to only display a car, $25 to enter the car in the show. Spectator admission is free. Click here for a printable flyer (pdf) with more information.
The Southern Revival Band from Molino will be playing from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Branden Penegar, known as the “Gentle Giant” was a 2011 graduate of Tate High School, an assistant coach for the freshman Tate Aggies’ football program and varsity tennis team, and a member of the Tate High School Student Hall of Fame. He passed away in March 2013 at the age of 20. Penegar was a active member of the Gonzalez United Methodist Church and youth program.
The car show was rescheduled from March 17 due to weather.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Falls To Sarasota
March 29, 2018
The Tate Aggies lost to Sarasota 7-2 in a battle of the historic champions in the Sarasota Classic.
Tate took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the third, but Sarasota answered with four in the bottom of the third and three in the bottom of the fourth.
Sarasota and Tate have won a combined 15 state championships and are third and fourth among public schools with the most championships in state history.
Darrien Mcdowell took the loss for Tate Aggies Varsity 2018 . He surrendered five runs on five hits over three innings, striking out one.
For Tate: Reid Halfacre 1-3, R; Mason Land 1-4; Hunter McLean 1-4, RBI; Darrien McDowell 1-2; Jesse Sherrill 2-4.
Chip Simmons Prefiles For To Run For Escambia Sheriff In 2020
March 29, 2018
Escambia County Chief Deputy Chip Simmons has prefiled to run for Escambia County Sheriff in the 2020 election.
After nearly 30 years with the Pensacola Police Department, he stepped down as police chief in 2015 to become an assistant county administrator for Escambia County. He joined the Sheriff’s Office as the chief deputy of operations in December 2016. He is responsible for running the patrol, investigations and SWAT divisions.
Simmons is the first local candidate to prefile to run for office on the 2020 ballot.
NorthEscambia.com Publisher Named One Of Escambia County’s Most Influential People
March 29, 2018
The Pensacola Independent News has released their 2018 Inweekly Power List — their ranking of the most the most powerful and influential people in Escambia County.
Only one person that works primarily in the North Escambia area was named to the list — NorthEscambia.com publisher William Reynolds (not pictured).
This year, the Inweekly eliminated elected officials and other associated with local government from their list “because so much of their influence is tied to their posts”.
Topping this year’s list was attorney James J. Reeves of Reeves and Davis Attorneys at Law.
To view this year’s Inweekly Power List edition, click here.
Pictured: Attorney James J. Reeves on the cover of this week’s Inweekly.
Photos: Easter Bunny Visits The Molino Branch Library
March 29, 2018
The Easter Bunny stopped in Molino this week for a pajama story time and photos at the Molino Branch Library.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos courtesy WFPL for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
W.T. Gilley
March 29, 2018
W.T. Gilley of Cantonment, better known to his friends and family as “Pap,” passed peacefully from this life on Friday, March 23, 2018.
Pap was born in Bratt, FL, on May 3, 1919, and lived in the north end of Escambia County all his life. Pap began his career at the old Alger Sullivan Lumber Mill in Century. He then moved to the Florida Pulp and Paper Company in Cantonment that later became St. Regis Paper Company. He worked in the shipping department of St. Regis until his retirement. He is remembered by many for helping to open and operate Gilley’s Sporting Goods in Cantonment. Many met him there over a cup of coffee and a tall tale. Pap was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and served in the European Theater near the end of the war. While in the Bastone region, he suffered severe frostbitten feet. He was sent to a hospital in England to recover and was there reunited with his brother Ted. In recent years Pap was honored to participate in an Honor Flight to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.
He is preceded in death by his wife of seventy-one years, Louise Gilley; his son Ronnie Gilley; and his grandson, Regan Streit.
He is survived by his daughter, Frances Streit (Jim); daughter-in-law, Barbara Gilley; three grandchildren, Gina Thomas (Clay), Aaron Gilley, Ron Gilley (Janice); 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pap was a devoted member and supporter of First Baptist Church of Cantonment where he worshiped for more than 50 years. He was a lifelong hunter and fisherman; never happier than when he was in the woods or on the water with grandchildren teaching them to be good sportsmen and instilling in them principles of godly living. Many friends have rallied to support the family by helping care for Pap in recent years. Pap was thankful for these friendships, and the family is grateful not just for the friendships but also for all the tangible help and support. Special thanks to the caregivers at Homestead Village as well as Emerald Coast and Covenant Hospices.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Interment was at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens.
Active pallbearers were Jimmy Montgomery, Jeff Perkins, Clay Thomas, Cooper Thomas, Aaron Gilley, and Jim Taylor.
Honorary pallbearers were the deacons of First Baptist Church of Cantonment.
In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to First Baptist Church of Cantonment benevolence fund.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Edward O’Neil Dawson
March 29, 2018
Mr. Edward O’Neil Dawson, age 80, passed away on Monday, March 26, 2018, in Pensacola, Florida.
Mr. Dawson was a native and lifelong resident of Barnett Crossroads, AL. He retired from Masland Carpet plant with 32 years of service and was a member of the Liberty Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Clara Dawson; two daughters, Deborah Gray and Victoria Allen; two brothers, Douglas Dawson and Gerald Dawson; granddaughter, Heather Marie Sutton and a infant great-grandson.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Myrtle Lee Dawson of Barnett Crossroads, AL; one son, Joey (Liz) Carter of Barnett Crossroads, AL; one daughter, Pamela (Kenny Hawthorne) Gavin of Pollard, AL; one brother, O’Gwynn (Mary) Dawson of New Orleans, LA; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 29, 2018, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Tony Richburg and Rev. Mitch Lambeth officiating.
Burial was at the New Bethlehem Cemetery in Barnett Crossroads, AL.
Pallbearers will be Shawn Yuhasz, Frank Carter, Timothy Knowles, Daniel Hagen, Christopher Gray and Scott Allen.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
James Richard Wilson
March 29, 2018
James “Jimmy” Richard Wilson, 67, of Cantonment, FL passed away peacefully on Monday, March 26, 2018. Jimmy was an avid fisherman, loved NASCAR racing and enjoyed doing word puzzles.
He is preceded in death by his father, John R. Wilson; mother, Inez Wilson; and his sister, Helen Myers.
He is survived by his sisters, Ruth (Curtis) Morris and Lillian Scott; brother, John (ShirleyAnn) Wilson; one aunt; nieces, nephews cousins and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, March 30, 2018, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North beginning at 10 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 11 a.m.
Interment will follow at Cottage Hill Community Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Linda Marie Stephens
March 29, 2018
Linda Marie Stephens, of Cantonment, age 69, was called home Thursday, March 29, 2018. She was born December 9, 1948, in Shelbyville, Indiana to the late Clifton and Georgia Worland. Linda was a saved woman who accepted Christ with her husband of 53 years, Buzz Stephens. She was known for her selfless, graceful and generous spirit. Linda was a multi-talented person and was always finding a way to use her skills to serve the Lord. Linda worked for eight years as a seamstress for Vick’s Cleaners. Following her time there she found a calling as a piano instructor, then as a beautician, earning her license on the first take. Culminating in her operating her own station at local craft fairs selling countless self-made Christmas ornaments and other crafts.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Linda is survived by her devoted husband, Buzz Stephens; children David Wayne (Wilma) Stephens of North Carolina and Lonnie J. Stephens of Cantonment; her brother, Warren Worland, of Indiana; and a host of cherished friends and other family.
Visitation will be Wednesday, April 4, 2018, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Funeral services will be Thursday, April 5, 2018, at 10 a.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Rev. Bill Flannigan will officiate.
Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park in Pensacola.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.