Malfunctioning Railroad Crossing Signal Backs Up Highway 29 Traffic
June 13, 2018
Traffic backed up once again Tuesday at the Highway 29 railroad crossing at International Paper in Cantonment, reportedly due to a signal malfunction.
NorthEscambia.com reached out to the Florida Department of Transportation and CSX to find out who is responsible for maintaining the signal in proper working condition.
Tanya Branton, public information specialist for FDOT, said the responsibility lies with the railroad. CSX did not respond.
Several North Escambia residents told us early Tuesday afternoon the traffic backup extended well over a mile because the northbound crossing arm was down, while the southbound crossing arm was up. Last week, drivers reported a delay of up to 45 minutes.
Pictured top: Northbound Highway 29 traffic backed up due to a malfunctioning railroad crossing early Tuesday afternoon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tiger Basketball’s Prewett To Headline Auburn Club Dinner Meeting
June 13, 2018
Chad Prewett will be the guest speaker Thursday for a dinner meeting of the Escambia County (AL) Auburn Club.
Prewett is the director of basketball operations for Auburn University. Prewett is entering his fourth season on head coach Bruce Pearl’s staff and was promoted to director of basketball operations in April 2017. Pearl announced this week that Prewett will be back for the upcoming season.
Prewett started his coaching career at Escambia Academy in Canoe, just outside Atmore. From 1995-2004, he was a coach for the basketball, football, golf and track teams and added the title of Athletics Director from 1998-04. Escambia was awarded the AISA Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Program in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Check-in for the meeting begins at 5:30 at Wind Creek in Atmore, with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 for adults, $15 for children under 12. Tickets are available at United Bank in Atmore and Flomaton, First National Bank and Trust in Atmore, Gregg’s Salon in Atmore and Talula Belles in Brewton.
Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
White Makes $1.25 Million Contribution To His Attorney General Campaign
June 13, 2018
Republican Frank White, who has started a million-dollar ad run in his bid for attorney general, reported his campaign brought in more than $1.3 million in May, with much of the money coming from his own checkbook.
White’s monthly total topped the rest of the Republican field seeking to replace term-limited Attorney General Pam Bondi.
White, a state House member from Pensacola who also serves as general counsel and chief financial officer for the chain of Sandy Sansing auto dealerships, added $1.25 million of his own money into the contest on May 29.
The Sansing dealerships and White’s in-laws, who own the chain, have given at least $204,000 to the campaign and a closely aligned political committee known as United Conservatives but weren’t among the May contributors. However, White drew $27,750 from 14 auto dealers and dealerships across the state.
He also picked up $10,000 contributions from a Florida Insurance Council political committee and the Florida Prosperity Fund, which is tied to the business group Associated Industries of Florida.
White also put $1.5 million of his own money into the contest in October. Hs campaign and United Conservatives had an overall total of $3.4 million on hand as June began.
Last week, White’s campaign announced a $1 million TV ad campaign, titled “Hold Accountable,” which pushes his conservative views.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Molino 8U Team Takes Second In GCYB Tourney
June 13, 2018
This Molino 8U All Stars team took second in a recent Gulf Coast Youth Baseball tournament. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area First Responders Honored
June 13, 2018
First responders were honored during a recent cookout at Atmore First Assembly of God. Hundreds of people joined together to show their appreciate to first responders from multiple agencies in Alabama and Florida. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hubert E. Smith
June 13, 2018
Hubert E. Smith, 78 years of age, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at Southern Oaks.
Hubert was born February 20, 1940 to the late Eason and Leasie Smith. He was the youngest brother of eight siblings; William (Bill) Smith (Diane), Deloris Smith McCarty, Ladoria Smith Kelley (Alton) and Hazel Smith Maples are still with us and four preceded him in death, E.B. Smith, Jerrel D. Smith, Lanoria N. Smith and Eulene Smith.
Hubert professed his life to Christ and soon after married Paula D. Smith (July, 1993). The family initially lived in Pensacola, FL and later moved to Molino, FL. He was a member of Pine Summit Baptist Church. He loved doing the Lord’s work and he cherished and praised him. He always enjoyed helping others.
Hubert loved to read his bible, praying for and with others, spending time with family and friends, and always wore a smile. He was a loving and caring person, devoted husband, father and friend, always thinking of others first. Of course, as we all know, he had a deep passion for cars. Whether it be his race cars or his long time business of selling them at “Hubert Smith Quality Cars”.
Hubert leaves behind to cherish his loving memory his wife Paula; children, Cindy (Bill) Henderson and Michael Smith; his step-children, Sherry Sopina, Karla (Ben) Bowman, Doug (Renee) Miller; grandchildren, Garrett (Pam) and Zachary (Kendall) Henderson, Nikki Smith, Shelby and Abbi Sopina, Tripp and Brooke Bowman, Dawson and Avery Miller and Jase Peaden; great-grandchildren, Wheeler and Campbell Henderson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. This includes a special mention of Doug Patterson, his racing partner for many years and true friend for over 50 years.
Family, friends, and others whose lives Hubert touched are invited to the visitation from 5:00-8:00 on Friday, June 15, 2018 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment, FL to reminisce, grieve, support each other and, of course, just chat.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment, FL. Burial will immediately follow the funeral at Elizabeth Chapel Community Cemetery in Chumuckla, FL. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment, FL.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Southern Oaks Alzheimer’s Unit. They can be reached at (850)437-3131; 600 West Gregory St, Pensacola, FL 32502.
“The El Bandito has crossed the finish line. Our God has given him the checkered flag and has said welcome home my good and faithful son…you had a good run.”
FDLE Rolls Out New Amber Alert Platform
June 13, 2018
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is upgrading its AMBER and missing child alert public notification system to expand the ways citizens are informed during a Florida AMBER or Missing Child Alert.
Citizens can now receive AMBER and Missing Child Alerts through text messages as well as email. In the coming months, citizens will also be able to sign up to receive alerts through voice calls, TDD/TTY messaging, and through mobile device apps.
To use the new system, citizens must create an Everbridge account using the link below. Current subscribers will continue to receive email alerts, but, to access the additional functions, citizens will need an Everbridge account. Everbridge will use your email and phone numbers to send Florida AMBER and Missing Child Alert notifications only. Information will not be sold or distributed. Everbridge is used by government agencies to issue emergency alerts, like severe weather warnings, nationally and in Florida.
To register: https://member.everbridge.net/index/892807736727806
G. H. Bennett
June 13, 2018
G. H. Bennett (Pete), age 87, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon. He was surrounded by the love and warmth of his wife and daughters.
G. H. was born May 3, 1931, to Joseph Bennett and Delphia Williams. He had five siblings, who preceded him in death.
Pete married Irene Ryals on August 26, 1954. They have been married for 64 years. They had three daughters together, Sharon Diane (deceased), Angela Darlene, and Cheryl Denise. They also have a honorary son, Mark Venettozzi. They have five beautiful grandchildren and four adorable great grandchildren.
G. H. served in the United States Navy for four years. He retired from International Paper Company after 37 years of service. He was a member of East Brent Baptist Church. He belonged to the Cantonment Chapter 322 of Free Masons for over 40 years.
Pete enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and anything that would allow him to enjoy nature.
He lived a full life and will be missed by many.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, June 17, 2018, at 2:00 p.m., at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, FL. Rev. Dale Patterson will be officiating.
Wahoos Split Double Header, Split Series With M-Braves
June 13, 2018
Vladimir Gutierrez (W, 3-8) picked up his second win in as many starts and Narciso Crook drove in the go-ahead in the sixth inning as the Wahoos earned a series win with a 2-1 victory in game one of Tuesday night’s doubleheader at Trustmark Park against the Mississippi Braves.
Gutierrez was locked in from the get-go. The Cuban right-hander allowed two hits through the first four innings of the ballgame and neither batter reached scoring position. In the fifth, his only mistake pitch was punished as Alex Jackson homered the 2-0 offering from Gutierrez to tie the game at 1-1. Gutierrez had the perfect response though as he retired the next three batters in order to close out the fifth.
It was the Wahoos who struck first in the game thanks to Taylor Sparks’ solo home run in the second inning off Andres Santiago (L, 2-3). It was his fifth homer of the year and it gave Gutierrez and the Blue Wahoos a quick 1-0 edge.
Santiago—much like Gutierrez—elevated his game after the home run. The right-hander allowed a total of three hits and pitched all seven innings for the M-Braves. The only other time he ran into trouble was in the sixth inning, when the Wahoos took the lead. Daniel Sweet led off with a bunt single and took second base on a throwing error by Daniel Lockhart. After a Shed Long sacrifice bunt moved Sweet to third, Narciso Crook singled home Sweet with an RBI single to right-field, which gave the Wahoos a 2-1 lead.
After 5.1 impressive innings from Gutierrez, manager Jody Davis turned to ball over to Alejandro Chacin to close the game out. Chacin secured the final five outs and the Wahoos hung on for the win. Gutierrez finished the game allowing just one walk and striking out seven.
In the second game of the twin bill, the M-Braves used a grand slam from Carlos Martinez to surge to a 5-1 win.
Wyatt Strahan (L, 5-5) ran into trouble in the second inning when he walked M-Braves starter Michael Mader with the bases loaded to give Mississippi a 1-0 lead. After a scoreless third inning, the M-Braves blew it open in the fourth when Martinez launched a questionable grand slam off the railing in left field to make it 5-0. At first glance, it appeared the ball hit off the top of the wall, but despite Davis’s pleas with the home plate umpire, the call stood.
Pensacola nabbed a run in the sixth when Crook singled home C.J. McElroy to make it 5-1. Crook finished the game with a pair of hits and extended his Double-A hitting streak to seven games. However, that would be all of the offense the Wahoos could muster as the M-Braves closed out the seventh inning in scoreless fashion.
The Blue Wahoos will wrap up the first-half of the season with a five-game series against the Mobile BayBears. These two teams haven’t met since Mobile took three of five from Pensacola in the opening series of the season. RHP Daniel Wright (2-4, 5.05) is expected to take the hill for the Blue Wahoos while RHP Jesus Castillo (4-4, 5.23) gets the nod for the BayBears.
Jewell Christine Hawkins
June 13, 2018
Jewell Christine Hawkins, age 93, passed away June 12, 2018, at home surrounded by her family. She was born in Butler County, AL, on June 26, 1924
Jewell was a loving wife and devoted mother of three daughters. She was employed at Chemstrand Corporation from 1953 – 1961. Going fishing with our dad was one of her favorite things to do.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Nobie Bates Faust, and father, James Albert Faust; her husband, Frankie Brooks Hawkins; brothers: William Walter Faust and James Murphy Faust; sisters: Emma Mae Taylor (Jesse) and Ella Lena Faust.
Jewell is survived by her three daughters: Shelby J. Farmer (Tony), Cantonment, FL, Barbara F. Daniel, Pensacola, FL and Gwendolyn J. Turner (Oran), Milton, FL. Her sisters: Ruby Stinson, Red Level, AL, Dorothy Allen, Cantonment, FL and Sybil Harrison (Woodrow), Cottonwood, AL. She has six grandchildren: Angela Russo (John), Kimberly Sanders (Chad), Lisa Griswold (Leonard), Scott Daniel (Jennifer), Kristina Lamb (David), and Alyssa Turner. Eight great grandchildren; Elizabeth and Rachael Sanders, Brandon and Clara Daniel, Aaron and Allison Russo, Evan and Olivia Griswold. Sister-In-Law, Mildred Hawkins and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Chad Sanders, Leonard Griswold, David Lamb, Aaron Russo, Brandon Daniel and Evan Griswold.
Funeral Services will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at
3:00 PM. Visitation will be at 2:00 PM. Pastor Scott Daniel (grandson) will be officiating. Interment will be at Bayview Memorial Park.
Special thanks to Vitas Hospice, Council on Aging and TLC caregivers for the special care they provided.