Julia W. Gandy

April 6, 2019

Julia W. Gandy 74, of Atmore, AL, passed away Saturday, March 30, 2019, in Pensacola, FL. Mrs. Gandy was born to the late J. D. and Esther Thompson Wesson on July 28, 1944, in Jefferson County, AL. She graduated from Birmingham Baptist School of Nursing in 1965 and later graduated in 1972 from the Birmingham Baptist School of Anesthetist. She was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Atmore, AL.

She is preceded in death by her parents, J. D. Wesson and Esther Thompson Wesson Berryhill.

She is survived by her husband, Roy Gandy, M.D. of Atmore, AL; three sons, Bryan (Jennie) Gandy of Montevallo, AL, Charles (Joy) Gandy of Atmore, AL, and Dennis Gandy of Mississippi; her brother, Michael Wesson of San Antonio, TX; six grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial prayer service will be held Saturday, April 13, 2019, at 4 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel.

Family will gather with friends from 3 p.m. until service time at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a charity or church of your choice.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Gwendolyn Stuckey Killam

April 6, 2019

Gwendolyn Stuckey Killam, passed away on April 5, 2019, surrounded by family and friends. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many. Gwen was fortunate to live her wonderful 90 plus years in Gonzalez, Florida where she was an active member of Gonzalez Baptist Church. She lived out her last year in Gulf Breeze and was a resident of The Arbors.

She blessed the lives of everyone she met through her laughter, compassion and kindness. She was quick to tell a joke, loved the company of others and was known for her joy-filled spirit. God and family were the cornerstones that she lived by and provided the path that allowed her to touch so many lives. To know her was to know the meaning of “love.” Gwen aged with beauty and was destined to brighten the lives of those around her.

Gwen now joins her husband of over 69 years, Fred C. Killam.

Gwen’s children, Donna Christopher (Michael), Joan Masters (Tommy), Martha Luppert (Steven) and Freddy Killam (Jeanne Ann) all live in Florida. Her grandchildren Stephen, Nicole and Ethan along with her great-grandchildren, Grady and Oliver were lights in her life. The family will forever be grateful for Gwen’s influence in their lives. She taught by example of how to unconditionally care for others, lived joyfully no matter the circumstance, and loved her neighbor as herself.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 9, 2019, from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with services beginning at 12 p.m.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North has been entrusted with arrangements.

Former Navy Federal Employee Pleads Guilty To Producing And Possessing Child Porn

April 5, 2019

A former Navy Federal Credit Union employee pleaded guilty Friday morning to federal child porn charges involving a local girl.

Michael Lee DePine, 62, of Pensacola, pleaded guilty today to the production and possession of child pornography. Based upon his guilty plea, he will be required to register as a sex offender.

In December 2018, law enforcement officers received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that DePine and a local minor female were engaged in illicit sexual communications and activity via Facebook Messenger. After Homeland Security Investigations and the Pensacola Police Department geolocated DePine’s criminal activity to his Pensacola residence, law enforcement obtained a federal search warrant for the residence. In January 2019, law enforcement searched DePine’s residence. While the residential search was underway, DePine was located at his place of employment, Navy Federal Credit Union.

A forensic review of DePine’s seized digital media confirmed that he was in possession of multiple child pornographic images and videos of the minor victim. DePine produced these images and videos of the minor female in his bedroom at his residence on Lobelia Lane off West Nine Mile Road. The investigation revealed that DePine had been picking the minor female up at her residence in the middle of the night to bring her back to his residence and engage in sexual acts. DePine also provided the minor female with intimate apparel and electronic funds for her expenses.

Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida said: “Tragically, the internet and social media can allow child predators a gateway to victimize children, the most innocent and vulnerable members of our communities. Together with our investigative partners, we will vigilantly pursue and prosecute those who hurt minors.”

“The harm this predator has caused to a young child is unimaginable to most of society,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “Thanks to the diligence of our special agents and the Pensacola Police Department, he will be held accountable for that harm, and we hope today’s guilty plea is a small step on the road to recovery for the young survivor of his crimes.”

DePine faces the following penalties:

  • Production of Child Pornography — A mandatory minimum of 15 years up to a maximum of 30 years in prison;
  • Possession of Child Pornography — A maximum of up to 10 years in prison;
  • Registration as a Sex Offender; and
  • Forfeiture of his Pensacola residence, his 2016 Lexus, and all the electronics used to commit the offenses.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 14 at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.

A Navy Federal spokesperson said, “Navy Federal fully cooperated with investigators in this case.  As soon as we learned of this investigation, Navy Federal took immediate and appropriate action.”

The case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Pensacola Police Department, and the North Florida internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel David L. Goldberg.

Cantonment Man Charged With Abuse Of Wheelchair Bound Man

April 5, 2019

A Cantonment man was charged after allegedly attacking a wheelchair bound amputee.

Brian Christopher Holtman, 34, was charged with felony abuse of an elderly or disabled person.

According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, the victim said he was arguing with Holtman over financial issues when Holtman became upset and physically attacked him as they traveled along Plantation Road. Holtman lost control of his Honda Accord and hit several parked cars.

Holtman then fled the scene, the report states.

The victim refused medical treatment.

Holtman was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

New Florida Deer Hunting Rules Approved: Statewide Bag Limit, Harvest Reporting Required

April 5, 2019

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has approved news deer hunting rules that are in effect this year.

Annual statewide bag limit

One of the rules establishes a new annual statewide bag limit of five deer per hunter, of which no more than two may be antlerless (any deer, except a spotted fawn, without antlers or whose antlers are less than 5 inches in length). However, antlerless deer may still only be harvested during seasons when they are legal to take, such as during archery season and on antlerless deer days.

“The annual statewide bag limit was developed through extensive collaboration with FWC staff and stakeholders, and aligns with the goals and objectives outlined in the Commission-approved strategic plan for deer management,” said Cory Morea, deer management program coordinator.

Florida was the only state in the Southeast without a specified annual bag limit for deer.

“This adaptive approach to deer management is intended to improve hunting opportunities by encouraging harvest among more hunters as well as greater selectivity, while helping maintain a healthy and reasonably balanced deer herd,”Morea said.

Deer harvested under permits issued to landowners of the following programs are excluded from annual statewide bag, daily bag and possession limits – antlerless deer permit program, deer depredation program and private lands deer management program. Deer harvested on licensed game farms and licensed hunting preserves are also excluded from annual statewide bag, daily bag and possession limits.

Harvest reporting system

New rules require all hunters – including youth under 16 years of age, resident hunters 65 years and older, those with a disability license, military personnel, and those hunting on their homestead in their county of residence – to report deer they harvest. However, deer taken with a deer depredation permit or from a game farm or licensed hunting preserve do not have to be logged and reported through the harvest report system.

“Before moving a deer from the point of harvest, hunters who harvest deer are required to record in their harvest log information such as their name, date of harvest, sex of the deer, and county or wildlife management area where harvested,” Morea said.

Before the start of the deer season, hunters can access harvest logs online at MyFWC.com. Hunters should keep their harvest log nearby when hunting deer.

Furthermore, this and possibly some additional information must be reported to the FWC’s harvest reporting system within 24 hours of harvest and prior to final processing of the deer, any parts of the deer being transferred to any meat processor or taxidermist, and the deer leaving the state.

“A harvest reporting system will foster bag limit compliance and give the FWC another source of deer harvest data,” Morea said.

Changes to private lands antlerless deer permit program

All antlerless deer taken on lands enrolled in the antlerless deer permit program must be tagged with an issued antlerless deer tag, even if they are harvested on a day when the take of antlerless deer is otherwise allowed (such as archery season) within the zone in which the enrolled lands are located. In addition, the deer must be recorded on the harvest log of and reported to the FWC’s harvest reporting system by the hunter who harvested the deer.

After the season ends, permittees must report the total number of antlerless deer taken on his or her enrolled properties by April 1.

“The antlerless deer permit program is intended to provide flexibility in managing deer populations. Tag issuance rates will be set by deer management unit and are designed to allow sustainable harvests while minimizing overharvest of antlerless deer, particularly females, on permitted lands,” Morea said. “Additionally, harvest information provided by antlerless deer permittees will help improve the FWC’s science-based deer management decisions.”

Because of this new tagging requirement for properties enrolled in the antlerless deer permit program, the application period for these permits and associated tags is earlier. May 15 is the earliest you may apply for all hunting zones, but deadlines vary by zone – July 14 for Zone A, Aug. 11 for Zone C and Sept. 29 for zones B and D.

Youth deer hunt weekend

Beginning with the 2019-2020 hunting season, youth 15 years old and younger who are supervised by an adult (18 years or older) may participate in a new youth deer hunt weekend. This new Saturday-Sunday youth deer hunt coincides with the muzzleloading gun season in all four hunting zones and is not available on wildlife management areas.

Youth may harvest one antlered or antlerless deer (except spotted fawn) and the deer counts toward their annual bag limit. Youth are allowed to use any method of take legal for deer and may even use dogs to pursue deer on deer-dog registered properties.

The dates for next season’s youth deer hunt weekend are December 7-8 in Northwest Florida’s Zone D.

No license or permit is required of youth hunters (15 years old and younger) or accompanying adults (18 years or older) who only supervise. Since the youth hunt coincides with muzzleloading gun seasons, supervising adults and other non-youth also may hunt but must use either a muzzleloader, bow or crossbow, and possess a hunting license, deer permit and muzzleloading gun permit, unless exempt.

If youth use dogs to pursue deer (only allowed on deer-dog registered properties), any person (16 years of age or older) participating in the hunt may not shoot or shoot at deer.

IP Donation Helping Kingsfield Elementary Students Keep Dry On Rainy Days

April 5, 2019

On rainy days like today, students at Kingsfield Elementary School are staying a little drier thanks to a donation from International Paper.

International Paper employees discovered there was a need for umbrellas at Kingsfield Elementary. The umbrellas would make sure students and teachers stay safe and dry while walking to the car rider line, bus line and getting into vehicles.

Mill employees Jennifer Waller, purchasing manager and Whitney Fike, communications manager, visited Kingsfield Elementary School and donated the umbrellas for the safety of the students, faculty and staff.

“Kingsfield Elementary is very grateful for the donation of 25 umbrellas for our faculty and staff to use while on car and bus duty. The umbrellas will provide much needed protection from the elements. We appreciate all that International Paper has done for our school this year,” said Maury Cowart, Kingsfield Elementary assistant principal.

Pictured: (L-R) Jennifer Waller, International Paper purchasing manager; Cassie Mense, Kingsfield Elementary teacher; and Whitney Fike, International Paper communications manager. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Local Officials Participate in National Donate Life Month Event

April 5, 2019

Local officials took part in a kick-off event Thursday for National Donate Life Month.

The event and month-long celebration are designed to raise awareness of the lifesaving role that residents of Escambia County can play by registering as an organ, tissue and eye donor. During National Donate Life Month, tax collector employees are participating in the annual Donate Life Challenge, a month-long effort among tax collectors and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, to promote awareness of Florida’s organ donor registry.

“We are proud that in 2018 Escambia County remained in the top 10 counties statewide in the donor designation rate and that 58 percent of individuals visiting our office to get their driver license or identification card signed up to donate,” Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford continued. “We hope to increase that percentage this year.”

Tax collector employees help register potential organ donors by asking all driver license customers if they would like to join the registry. Eighty-five percent of Florida’s donor registrations now occur through driver license transactions. Donate Life Florida hit the 10 million donor mark last year and is the nation’s third largest registry. One person can save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance dozens more through tissue and eye donation.

Pictured: Escambia County Commission Chairman Lumon May, Chief Deputy Chip Simmons and Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson were among those taking part in a National Donate Life Month kick-off event Thursday afternoon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Forecasters Predict Five Hurricanes This Season

April 5, 2019

Colorado State University hurricane researchers are predicting a slightly below-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2019, citing the relatively high likelihood of a weak El Niño as a primary factor.

The Colorado State researchers are considered among the best seasonal forecasters.

13 named storms

The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project team is predicting 13 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Of those, researchers expect five to become hurricanes and two to reach major hurricane strength (Saffir/Simpson category 3-4-5) with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater.

The team bases its forecasts on a statistical model, as well as a new model that uses a combination of statistical information and forecasts from a dynamical model. Both of these models are built on about 40 years of historical data and evaluating conditions including: Atlantic sea surface temperatures, sea level pressures, vertical wind shear levels (the change in wind direction and speed with height in the atmosphere), El Niño (warming of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific), and other factors.

So far, the 2019 hurricane season is exhibiting characteristics similar to 1969, 1987, 1991, 2002, and 2009. “1987, 1991, 2002 and 2009 had below-average Atlantic hurricane activity, while 1969 was a very active hurricane season,” said Phil Klotzbach, research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science and lead author of the report.

The team predicts that 2019 hurricane activity will be about 75 percent of the average season. By comparison, 2018’s hurricane activity was about 120 percent of the average season. The 2018 season was most notable for Hurricanes Florence and Michael which devastated the Carolinas and portions of the Florida Panhandle, respectively.

Tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures are currently slightly below their long-term average values and are consequently considered an inhibiting factor for 2019 Atlantic hurricane activity as well.

A weak El Niño has recently developed in the tropical Pacific. CSU anticipates that these weak El Niño conditions are likely to persist through the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. El Niño tends to increase upper-level westerly winds across the Caribbean into the tropical Atlantic, tearing apart hurricanes as they try to form.

The tropical Atlantic is slightly cooler than normal right now. Colder-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic provide less fuel for tropical cyclone formation and intensification. They are also associated with a more stable atmosphere as well as drier air, both of which suppress organized thunderstorm activity necessary for hurricane development.

NorthEscambia.com file photo.

Tate’s McCammon Signs Soccer Scholarship With Thomas University

April 5, 2019

Tate High School’s Abbie McCammon signed a soccer scholarship Thursday with Thomas University in Thomasville, GA. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Northview, Ransom, Offer Standards Testing Prep; Jim Allen Hosting Testing Parent’s Night

April 5, 2019

Northview High School

To help students prepare for the Algebra I and Geometry Florida Standards Assessments, the Northview High School math department will offer tutoring to any Northview High School student who will take the algebra I or geometry exam this spring. The tutoring will be on Saturday mornings from 10 am until 12 noon. Students must provide their own transportation and bring their chromebook and materials. The first tutoring session will be Saturday, April 6, and will continue through May 4, with assessments to be given on May 7 and  8. Students should enter the school  through the bus loop entrance. No student will be admitted to the tutoring session late. If there are no students present by 10:05 the tutoring teacher will leave campus and the session will be canceled. If you have questions contact the school at (850) 761-6000 ext 302001.

Ransom Middle School

Ransom Middle School is hold an Algebra ECO Bootcamp beginning Tuesday, April 9. It will be held every Tuesday afternoon from 4-4:50 p.m. and every Thursday morning from 8:40-9:15 a.m. in room 701 until the EOC is over on May 8th. If a student attends the Tuesday afternoon session they must have a ride home at 4:50 p.m.

Jim Allen Elementary

Jim Allen is hosting “Spring into Testing” Parent Night for third to fifth  grade families on Monday, April 8 from 5:30-7 pm. It will be held in the Jim Allen Cafeteria where a Cracker Barrel dinner will be served. After dinner, parents  will receive FSA testing tips, door  prizes, and dessert. For more  information and to RSVP for  parent night please contact the  school office.

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