Northview School Advisory Council Meeting Rescheduled
April 3, 2018
The Northview High School School Advisory Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 3 has been canceled and rescheduled for Thursday, April 18 at 3:45 p.m.
Warm Today, Rain Tonight Then Turning Colder
April 3, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: A 20 percent chance of showers after 9am. Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tonight: A slight chance of showers before 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 1am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Low around 60. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10am, then a slight chance of showers between 10am and 1pm. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 69. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 40. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 72. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 45. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
FDLE Upgrades Florida’s Sex Offender Registry
April 3, 2018
FDLE unveiled Florida’s updated Sex Offender Registry Monday, improving ease of use for citizens and making the webpage mobile friendly.
The new look makes it easier for citizens to search for offenders by name, living in neighborhoods, and on college campuses. Citizens can also access Florida sex offender laws, safety tips and other state registries. To access the newly designed registry, click here.
Joy Jones Named Escambia Public Works Director, Replacing Retiring Joy Blackmon
April 3, 2018
Escambia County has named Joy Jones as the new director of Public Works, replacing Joy Blackmon was retired from the position Monday after 19 years with the county.
“While we are greatly saddened to lose Joy Blackmon and her wealth of knowledge to retirement, we are very much looking forward to Joy Jones stepping up to an even greater level of leadership. She is well respected both with our staff and the local engineering community. We wish Joy Blackmon safe travels as she explores the United States and all its famous landmarks,” Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown said.
Blackmon (pictured top) began her career with Escambia County in 1999 as an engineer. During her tenure with the county, Blackmon has held several positions including development plans review manager, chief of development services, division manager, assistant director of county engineering, interim assistant county administrator and public works bureau chief. Beyond the numerous road, drainage, bridge and sidewalk improvement projects for the county, she also assisted with recovery efforts from major disasters including hurricanes George, Charley, Frances, Ivan and Dennis, and an ice storm and flooding in 2014.
Jones (pictured left) most recently served as Escambia County’s assistant County Engineer and division manager of the Public Works, Engineering and Construction Division, a position she held since April 2015. Her responsibilities included providing oversight on real estate acquisitions and contract design and construction of local option sales tax-funded infrastructure projects like bridges, new roadways, roadway resurfacing, dirt road paving, lane widening, stormwater facilities, civil site work on public property and the construction of grants and other agency-funded projects.
The division also manages contracted surveys, design and construction services for infrastructure projects funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Federal Highway Association, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, RESTORE and other state and federal agencies. As Escambia County’s Public Works Director, Jones’ responsibilities will include supervising engineering, roads, and traffic divisions within the department.
Jones was born in Tennessee and spent her summers vacationing in the Florida panhandle with her family. She moved to Pensacola in 1985 after leaving the Air Force and has spent the last 33 years in the area.
Jones said she was initially drawn to a position with Escambia County while working as a senior project manager for Hatch Mott McDonald, after working closely with Blackmon on a private consulting project.
“I was working on the private sector side and met Joy Blackmon while we were working to coordinate the water and sewer details for a project,” Jones said. “She encouraged me to consider a position with the county.”
Jones took her first position with the county in 2004 as an engineer. Her duties included the supervised technical reviews of stormwater designs, plats, traffic access, and environmental improvements to wetlands and coastal areas. She was also responsible for the review and approval of multiple complex construction plans for compliance with the Land Development Code.
Jones said she is enthusiastic about her new role as the director of Public Works, as it will allow her to continue her work for the citizens of Escambia County.
“I’m excited to be able to continue to care for the citizens and infrastructure of this county, just like I’ve been able to do previously with the engineering and construction division,” she said. “I’m also looking forward to working more closely with the traffic and road division.”
Jones graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering and from Pensacola State College with an associate’s degree in general engineering. She has 23 years of experience in the field of engineering and is a member of the Florida Engineering Society, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the American Public Works Association.
Florida Pharmacy Panel Criticizes Legislature Over Flu Tests
April 3, 2018
A state pharmacy board on Monday criticized the Florida Legislature for not passing a bill that would have allowed Florida pharmacists to test and treat people for the flu and strep throat.
Members of the Board of Pharmacy Legislative Committee exchanged stories about the costly bills their family members incurred after undergoing flu tests at emergency departments.
Florida Board of Pharmacy member Blanca Rivera said her 27-year old daughter, who is uninsured, thought she had the flu and went to the emergency room.
“The bill was $13,000 and she was there for about three, four hours,” Rivera said. “They did MRIs and everything else that goes with it. So it’s significant.”
Though the apex of the 2017-18 flu season has passed, Florida continues to have higher than usual influenza activity, according to the Florida Department of Health. As of March 17, 239 pneumonia and influenza deaths had been reported to the state. Six pediatric deaths have been associated with the flu. None of the children had been vaccinated, according to the health department.
Rivera’s story involved the highest costs, but it wasn’t the only one shared.
Jacksonville pharmacist Jeenu Philip, chairman of the Legislative Committee, said his wife racked up a $1,000 bill emergency department bill after being examined for flu-like symptoms.
During the legislative session that ended last month, lawmakers failed to pass a proposal (SB 524) that would have authorized pharmacists, who have established written protocols with physicians and maintain $200,000 in professional liability insurance, to test and treat for influenza virus and streptococcal infections.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved more than 10 rapid diagnostic tests to screen for influenza, and the tests can provide results within 15 minutes, according to a legislative staff analysis of the bill.
But bill sponsor Sen. Jeff Brandes R- St. Petersburg, withdrew the measure, which was opposed by physician groups.
Jonathan Hickman, another member of the committee, said he and his wife called an urgent care center to have their young daughter tested for the flu. The couple was told not to bring in the child because the center had run out of tests, Hickman said.
“My response to them was, ‘Well, can’t you diagnose this without a test?’ “ said Hickman, Regional Clinical Account Director at AstraZeneca. “We were told ‘No. Stay away.’ We did not receive medicine from that particular facility.”
The Board of Pharmacy is holding committee meetings in Tallahassee Monday and Tuesday. The board will discuss proposed rules and consider disciplinary action against some Florida pharmacists.
by Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida
Robert A. Stoner
April 3, 2018
Robert A. Stoner of Cantonment passed away peacefully on Friday, March 30, 2018.
He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 14, 1928. He then moved to Elberta, Alabama, and then to Pensacola after marrying the love of his life, Mildred Cain.
He was a veteran, having served in the US Army during the Korean War as a marksman. After his military duty he became a parts salesman for Muldon Motor Company and Key Ford up until his retirement.
He was a long-time member of First Pentecostal Church and attended every Sunday until he was unable to do so.
Mr. Stoner was preceded in death by his father, Clifford, Robert Stoner, his mother Lydia Belle Raigner and his beloved wife of 57 years, Mildred M. Stoner.
He is survived by his sister, Leona Smith; sons, Thomas R. (Kathleen) Stoner, Clifford C. (Marie) Stoner, and Joseph A. (Deanna) Stoner; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind dear friends Earleen and Gaynor Perkins, Betty Roughton, Aubrey English and Linda Morrell.
Visitation will be Wednesday, April 4, 2018, from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m at Faith Chapel North.
Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. with Rev. Paul Welch and Rev. Brian Kinsey officiating.
Interment will follow at Whitmire Cemetary.
Pallbearers will be Clifford Stoner, Joseph Stoner, Robby Stoner, Zack Stoner, Bert Wynne and Michael Misky.
Special thanks to Arcadia Health and Rehab for your kindness, respect and care during his brief stay.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Eugene Nall
April 3, 2018
Eugene “Captain” Nall, age 67, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2018. He loved fishing, hunting, frisbee golf and cornhole. He really enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
Eugene is preceded in death by this father, Charles Nall; mother, Ann Nall; and sister, Nelda Sindoe.
Eugene is survived by his wife of 37 years, Alice Nall; daughter, Shelly Holmstrom; sister-in-law, Terry (Kenny) McDonald; brother-in-law, Mike (Donna) Peterson; many nieces and nephews and his loving companion, Crystal (his pet dog).
A memorial service (gathering of friends) will take place on Monday, April 9, 2018, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Patricia Ann Patterson Hall
April 3, 2018
Patricia Ann Patterson Hall, 66, born to the late Aubrey and Pauline Patterson, was called home to be with our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ on March 30, 2018. Her brothers, Royce Patterson, Raymond Patterson, and Eugene Patterson were waiting for their sister up in heaven with their fishing poles ready to fish out of the great Crystal Sea. Patricia, known by most of friends and family by Pat, was born on August 17, 1957, in Red Level, Alabama. She lived in Red Level until 1980, at which time, she and her husband, Calvin, along with their young family made a home in Jay, Florida. Pat was married to Robert Calvin Hall in 1968 and would have been married for 50 years this June.
Pat worked as the breakfast manager of Hardees in Brewton, Alabama for many years until being hired at Vanity Fair in Milton, Florida where she worked until the doors were closed. She then decided to attend Locklin VoTech, in Milton, Florida where she studied Culinary Arts.
Pat enjoyed many things including spending time with her family, hunting, going out to eat, shopping, cooking, going on trips, watching her favorite TV show (Swamp People) and most of all, fishing. Until her health declined, she was active in her church, First Baptist of Jay, participating in Jollie Jays and volunteering at the church’s clothes closet. She truly loved helping people in need along with her Aunt Lucile Carlile, wife to the late J.T. Carlile.
Pat is survived by her husband, Robert Calvin Hall; three children, and two sons-in-law, Eddie Hall, Ammie Melissa (Luther) Peebles, and Jennifer (Wesley) Simmons; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Stevie Peebles Day (Isiah), Elizabeth Peebles Duddy (J.D.), Summer Simmons (Will Baker), Zachary Simmons, Caleb Hall, Mekinleigh Day, Alayna Day, Samuel Drake Baker, and Audrie Ann Baker; her sister, Peggie Dianne Patterson Morris (wife of the late Charles Morris); and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law, and friends.
Family visitation will be held at 12 p.m. and friends and family visitation will follow at 1 p.m., followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at South Church of God, Red Level, Alabama. Pastor Josh Holloway of Jay Church of Christ and Pastor George Fredricks of Jay First Baptist will be officiating.
Pallbearers will be Brian Haveard, Gage Collier, Calvin Wallace, Skylar Zamjahn, Dionte Sanchez, Brett Kennedy, David Morris and Joey Barrow.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Patterson, Royal Patterson, Aubrey Patterson, Bradley Haveard, Brandon Haveard, Mark Wallace, Dewayne Thorne and Casey Kennedy.
The family wants to thank all family and friends for all their love and support during this time.
James Daniel Dunsford, Jr.
April 3, 2018
Mr. James Daniel “Danny” Dunsford, Jr., age 55, passed away on Thursday, March 29, 2018, at his home in Flomaton, AL.
Mr. Dunsford was a native and lifelong resident of Flomaton, AL. He was of the Christian faith.
He is survived by his father, James Daniel (Judy) Dunsford, Sr. of Grand Bay, AL; mother, Angie Gilmore (Bill) Weaver of Byrneville, FL; wife, April W. Dunsford of Flomaton, AL; one son, Steven Zachary Dunsford of Flomaton, AL; two daughters, Amber D. (Brandon) Smith of Atmore, AL and Ashley M. Dunsford of Byrneville, FL, and and Samantha Lambeth of Flomaton, AL; three brothers, Stephen F. Dunsford of Byrneville, FL, C. Douglas of Grand Bay, AL and Terry W. Dunsford of Grand Bay, AL; two sisters, Angela F. (Tommy Lee) Johnson of Century, FL and Patricia L. Dunsford of Grand Bay, AL; and three grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, April 2, 2018, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Hawkins officiating.
Burial was at the Byrneville Methodist Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Buster Nall, Michael Chavers, Zac Dunsford, Roy German, Brandon Smith and Mayson Dunsford.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Free Pizza For Lunch – Restaurant Pays Up On March Madness Bet
April 2, 2018
Little Caesars gave away free pizza today after losing March madness bet.
Little Caesars promised when March Madness started that if a number 16 seed beat a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament, then they’d give away free pizza for lunch. And it happened. On March 16, the University of Maryland-Baltimore County knocked out the top-seeded University of Virginia, making the free lunch available to anyone in America.
The promotion for four slices of deep dish pepperoni and one 20-ounce Pepsi product per family ended at 1 p.m. Monday.
Visitors to the Little Caesars in Cantonment said despite a line well out the door, the ordering process was fast and easy for the free food.
Pictured: The line for free pizza at the Little Caesars in Cantonment on Monday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.