Jeffrey Stephen Raithel
September 10, 2019
Jeffrey Stephen Raithel, 59, passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2019, in Pensacola, Florida. Jeffrey was born on December 15, 1959, in Pensacola, Florida. He graduated from Mountain High School in West Orange, New Jersey in 1978. He then joined the United States Air Force and proudly served our country. After leaving the United States Air Force, Jeff lived in Colorado until 2009 and then moved to Pensacola, Florida. He lived life to the fullest by doing the things he loved like getting his pilot’s license and flying Cessnas, working on computers, security systems and cars, camping, hiking and loving all of his family and pets with all his heart.
He is preceded in death by his father, Robert B. Raithel, Jr.
Jeffrey is survived by his mother, Mildred Raithel; brothers, Timothy and Robert Raithel; sister, Sheryl Raithel; nephew, Seth Raithel; and his beloved cat, Bonita.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 10, 2019, at noon, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Randy Hamil officiating.
Burial will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at 11 a.m. prior to services.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Richard Maxwell Williams
September 10, 2019
Richard was born in Pensacola, Florida and raised his family in the Cantonment area where he resided until his passing. A lifetime member of Future Farmers of American, he was involved in the agricultural industry and a real estate broker for over 35 years. He was a hardworking man that raised his children and grandchildren to be the same. He instilled Christian values and the value of hard work to his family. All who knew him knew he had an outstanding character and his word was good with just a handshake.
He will be loved and missed by all.
He is preceded in death by his son, Richard Maxwell Williams, Jr.; mother, Mary Elizabeth Williams Harmon; sister, Linda C. Parker; and father, Walter M. Williams.
Richard is survived by his wife, Marjorie C. Williams; two sons, Timothy M. and Ronald K. (Jackie) Williams; daughter, Jeannie L. (Neil A.) Brown; granddaughter, Erica Faircloth; grandson, Dyllan Brown; four granddaughters, Shelby French, Lauren Volk, Tata Williams, and Taylor Williams; great-grandson, Hudson Paul Faircloth.
Funeral services were held Sunday, September 8, 2019, at Gonzalez United Methodist Church with Pastor Ramsey officiating.
Burial was in Gonzalez United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Ossie H. Givens
September 10, 2019
Ossie H. “Coach” Givens, 76, of Pensacola, FL went to be in the arms of our loving Father on September 5, 2019. He was born on August 19, 1943, in Seminole, AL to the late Thomas E. and Inez Williams Givens.
He was a retired school teacher and had coached the girls basketball team and other sports at Escambia High School in Atmore, AL.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 16 years, Brenda Givens; sons, Mickey (Margaret) Givens and Van (Tonya) Givens; brothers, Thomas and Leon Givens; Brenda’s sons, Britt (Debbie) Lockey and Daniel (Kelly) Lockey; grandchildren, Haley, Caden, Aaron, Lani, Gavin, Ella, Valor, and Reagan.
Funeral services were held Monday, September 9, 2019, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Jimmy Robertson officiating.
Burial was in Pensacola Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Fire Heavily Damages Molino Mobile Home
September 9, 2019
Two adults were left without a home after a fire that heavily damaged a mobile home in Molino Monday afternoon.
The single-wide home in the 8800 block of Gibson Road was involved in fire when Escambia Fire Rescue arrived on scene. All occupants and animals were reportedly able to make it out of the home without injuries.
The cause of the 1:25 p.m. fire is under investigation.
The American Red Cross is assisting the fire victims.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Man Accused Of Stealing Items While A Deputy Was Present At Wife’s House
September 9, 2019
An Atmore man has been charged with allegedly stealing internet and security equipment from his estranged wife’s house in Davisville while an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy was present.
Tommy Dewayne Colbert, 55, was charged with felony grand theft.
A deputy responded to the 10600 block of Highway 97 to stand by while Colbert removed items from the residence after he was served an a domestic violence injunction by his wife. The deputy watched as he removed a TV, clothing and other personal items and place them in his small car, according to arrest report. The wife was not at home at the time.
Later the same day, the wife reported that Colbert took her wifi router and cloud link modem for her security system valued at a total of $520. The security company recorded that their system disconnected from the internet during the time Colbert at the deputy at the residence, the report states. The wife stated the items were not communal property because she purchased them on her own after the injunction was served.
The deputy noted on his report that he saw the router on a table, but did not actually witness Colbert take it.
A few weeks prior, Colbert was charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly pushing his wife to the ground. A judge revoked Colbert’s bond the battery case after the theft arrest, and he remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
All Traffic Now Flowing On The New Pensacola Bay Bridge
September 9, 2019
The first half of the new Pensacola Bay Bridge is now official open with traffic flowing both directions.
Highway 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) was transitioned to the new bridge on Sunday.
The temporary configuration for the new bridge will provide two lanes of east and two lanes of westbound traffic, along with a center-lane reserved for emergency vehicles. A multiuse path for pedestrians and bicyclists is expected to be operational near the end of 2019.
With all traffic shifted to the new bridge, construction crews will demolish the current bridge, complete the new westbound structure, and reconstruct the 17th Avenue interchange. All work is currently estimated for completion in mid-2021.
Century Man Faces Drug Charges After No Tag Light Traffic Stop In Flomaton
September 9, 2019
Flomaton Police arrested a Century man on drug charges after a traffic stop over the weekend.
Driver Brandon Joshua Mathis, 27, was pulled over in a Flomaton for no tag light, and Flomaton Police reported finding “spice” in his vehicle.
Mathis was charged with possession of a controlled substance synthetic cannabinoid and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
Gas Prices Slip A Penny Or Two
September 9, 2019
Florida gas prices slipped lower by two cents during the past week. Florida drivers are now paying an average of $2.43 per gallon at the pump. Sunday’s state average is 5 cents less than a week ago.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.38 Sunday night, down a penny from a week ago and a quarter from a month ago. At least two stations in Cantonment were at $2.26 per gallon Sunday night.
Escambia County’s gas prices were among the lowest in the state.
“Declining gas prices are a common sight as we enter the fall driving season,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With students back in school, families will take fewer extended road trips, compared to the summer. Also, refineries will soon begin the switch to winter gasoline, which is cheaper to produce than summer fuel. The combination of lower demand and cheaper gas normally leads to downward pressure on prices at the pump.”
Refineries will begin the switch to winter gasoline on September 16. Summer gasoline is more expensive to produce because the EPA requires more additives to reduce smog.
Slight Chance Of A Shower
September 9, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.
BOCC Funding Approved For Community Events In Cantonment, Barrineau Park
September 9, 2019
The Escambia County Commission has approved funding for community events in Barrineau Park and Cantonment.
The commission approved $3,000 from the District 5 Discretionary Fund for the annual Barrineau Park Annual Community Gathering Event on September 14. The Barrineau Park Historical Society event attracts about 400 people each year. In addition, the historical society supports education by partnering with Northview and Molino Park, offering scholarships to graduating seniors, supplies and other educational activities.
The commission also approved $500 is discretionary funds for the Cantonment Improvement Committee’s Community United Fellowship event on September 7 at Carver Park. The event will allow the community to come together for encouragement, celebration, and community fellowship, according to organizers.
Each Escambia County Commissioner receives $50,000 in discretionary funds for the fiscal year.
Pictured: A recent back to school event sponsored by the Cantonment Improvement Committee at Carver Park. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.