Charlene Pugh
October 21, 2018
Charlene Pugh, 49 of Atmore, AL, passed away Friday, October 19, 2018, at her residence. She was employed by Atmore Community Hospital in purchasing. She was born in Escambia County, AL on February 18, 1969, to Jimmy Eugene and Margaret Ann Jones Jay.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Ann Jones Bryars, and a step-son, Aaron Jake Pugh.
Survivors include her husband, Larry Lynn Pugh, Sr. of Atmore, AL; father, Jimmy Eugene Jay of Atmore, AL; two sons, Matthew K. (Brittany) Luker of Atmore, AL; Larry Lynn (Micaela) Pugh, Jr of Flomaton, AL; five brothers, Randal Eugene (Joyce) Jay of Davisville, FL; Ronald Wayne (Martha) Jay of Bay Minette, AL; James Roger (Amanda) Jay of Atmore, AL; Robin Earle (Stephne) Jay of Pensacola, FL; and Jeffrey (Meg) Diedtrich of Atlanta, GA; two sisters, Linda Johnson (Chris) Phillips of Uriah, AL, and Sharon (Todd) Stearns of Brewton, AL; grandchildren, Cadyn Blake Luker, Kysun Alexzander Luker, Kaliyan Luker, Kyler Pugh and Avery Pugh.
Services will be held Monday, October 22, 2018, at noon at the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Chris Pruitt officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Family will receive friends Monday, October 22, 2018, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 10:30 a.m. until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Joseph Murla, Jr.
October 21, 2018
Joseph Murla, Jr. of Pensacola, FL passed away October 19, 2018. Joseph was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He served his country as a US Marine. He was a native of New Orleans and a longtime resident of Pensacola. Although he had seen the world, Pensacola was home. To his family he was known as Big Junior. He loved to cook. Family and friends always wanted to know what he was cooking for dinner to drop off for a visit.
Surviving is his wife, Wilma Murla; three daughters, Pamela Rudzikewycz, Saundra Pope and Mitzi Revels; son, Mark Murla; two sisters, Veronica Nepomuceno and Pat Frechette; brother, Eugenio Galino; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Rusty Pope, Jerry Pope, Gregory Pope, Kevin Revels, BJ Revels, Michael Rudzikewycz and Bo Revels.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at Faith Chapel South, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, FL.
Friends are invited to meet with the family from 9:30 a.m. until service time.
Interment will be in Barrancas National Cemetery with Military Honors.
John Wesley Johnson
October 21, 2018
John Wesley Johnson was born January 9, 1946, in Escambia County, Florida. He peacefully passed away surrounded by family Thursday, October 18, 2018, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Scull Johnson; daughter, Crystal L. Johnson Lampert (Travis); brother, Charlie Johnson (Wanda), brother, Danny Johnson (Joanne) and many extended family members.
He is predeceased by his mother Laura “Leatha”; father, Charles; and brother, Ted.
John graduated from Pensacola High School in Pensacola, FL. He served in the Army National Guard as a Paratrooper and assisted with hurricane relief efforts. After his honorable discharge he entered the carpentry field, building many hotels for Disney and eventually owning his own business. For the last 18 years of his career he served as the lead kitchen designer for Home Depot where he made some wonderful friendships. He took great pride in his work and his last kitchen design was a remodel for his wife.
John enjoyed classic cars, westerns, classic country music, spending quality time with his wife and daughter, and he loved his three little puppies – Bailey, Kobi and Petey.
In the last few months one of John’s favorite things to do was to go to Publix on Cervantes with his wife. He loved driving the cart around and visiting with all of the employees. He always commented on how nice the staff was to him, especially the girls in the pharmacy.
A special thank you to Dr. Owera and the staff of the Woodlands for their wonderful care over. Also a special thank you to nephew Douglas Johnson for all of the help with projects over the years.
The family will host a celebration of life Sunday, October 28, 2018, at 2 p.m. at the family home, 2808 E. Gonzalez St., Pensacola, FL 32503.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter or Amazing Grace Bully Rescue.
Deputy Involved Shooting In North Santa Rosa County
October 20, 2018
A deputy involved shooting Saturday morning in North Santa Rosa County is under investigation.
The shooting occurred just after 6 a.m. in the 7700 block of Highway 4 near Berrydale. According to the Santa Rosa County Office, deputies responded to a disturbance.
“Upon arrival, deputies discovered the suspect was armed inside the home,” Sgt. Rich Aloy said. “The incident escalated into an officer involved shooting.”
Glenn D. Phillips, 26, reportedly pointed a crossbow at a deputy, and the deputy shot the man in the shoulder
The man was transported to a hospital. His condition was not available. No deputies were injured in the incident.
The investigation is continuing.
Winning Lottery Ticket Sold In North Escambia; Mega Millions Rolls Over to $1.6 Billion
October 20, 2018
A winning lottery ticket was sold in North Escambia, but it was not a Mega Millions ticket. No one won Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing, with the new jackpot estimated at $1.6 billion.
But someone is over $38,000 richer this morning after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket in Davisville.
The ticket sold at the Korner Kwik Stop, 10481 Highway 97, was one of six winning tickets sold for Friday night’s drawing and is worth $38,558.
The 350 tickets matching four numbers won $106.50 each. Another 10,266 tickets matching three numbers are worth $10 each, and 100,599 ticket holders won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
Thursday’s Fantasy 5 winning numbers were 3-4-10-24-34.
The winning Mega Millions numbers on Friday were: 15, 23, 53, 65, 70, and Mega Ball 7. The next drawing will be on Tuesday.
Pace Tops Tate
October 20, 2018
The Pace Patriots defeated the Tate Aggies 69-28 Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium.
Patrick Palmer opened the scoring with a 75-yard touchdown run on Tate’s first drive for a 7-0 lead with 10:34 to go in the first quarter. Quarterback Hunter Riggan had three touchdowns for the Aggies.
The Aggies (2-6) will travel to Pine Forest next Friday night.
Jazmine Endress was named homecoming queen during Friday night’s game.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Jennifer Repine for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
VFW Essay Contest Winners Named
October 20, 2018
Zachary Prosser has been named Northview High School’s winner of the Atmore VFW Post 7016 Voice of Democracy essay contest.
Second and third place winners of the “Why My Vote Matters” themed contest were Hailey Harigel and Meredith McGhee. English teacher Vicki Baggett organizes the event for Northview, and selected teachers grade the essays
Pictured: (L-R) Zachary Prosser, Hailey Harigel and Meredith McGhee. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bodies Of Three Flomaton Residents Confirmed Recovered After Texas Flood
October 20, 2018
Authorities confirmed Friday that a body found Tuesday in the Colorado River was that of a Flomaton resident swept away in Texas flash flooding on October 8.
The body of Charlotte Moye was found 85 miles away from where she last seen near Junction, TX.
Moye, Joey Huss and Mike McGee, all of Flomaton, were in a RV park when they were swept away by rapidly rising waters of the South Llano River. The bodies of Huss and McGhee were recovered October 11 about nine miles away. A Texas man also died in the flood.
Flomaton residents Todd Shultz, Darlene Huss and Janet Shultz were rescued after the flooding; Janet Shultz was about 23 miles downstream.
Pictured: The search for Texas flood victims. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Chance Of Rain As A Cold Front Moves Through The Area
October 20, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 69. North wind around 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 77.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 60.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 74.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 58.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 72.
Local Unemployment Rate Drops
October 20, 2018
The latest job numbers released Friday show the employment rate decreasing in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Escambia County’s seasonably adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 3.6 percent in August to 2.9 percent in September. There were 4,345 people reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 3.5 percent.
Santa Rosa County’s unemployment rate fell from 3.4 percent in August to 2.7 percent in September. Santa Rosa County had a total of 2,172 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 4 percent.
Florida’s unemployment rate reached its lowest mark since February 2007, falling 0.2 percentage points in September to 3.5 percent The September estimate represents 358,000 Floridians considered out of work — 17,000 fewer than in August — from a workforce of 10.2 million. Florida remained below the national unemployment rate, which decreased 0.2 percentage points from August to September, putting it at 3.9 percent. Florida was one of nine states reporting a month-to-month drop, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The jobless numbers released by the state do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.