Audregene “Audrey” Barnes
December 27, 2019
Audregene “Audrey” Barnes, 84 of Atmore, AL, passed away December 21, 2019, in Mobile, AL. She was born in Dunbar, P.A. on April 17, 2019 to the late James and Margaret Linko Miller. She served in the United States Air Force and was a retired secretary and member of the First Baptist Church of Atmore. She is preceded in death by her parents and her son Doug Barnes.
She is survived by her son Jim (Rebecca) Barnes of Mobile, AL; a sister Donna Buzzelli of Cleveland, OH and two nieces Linda Wasilewski and Gloria Buzelli.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 28, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. from the First Baptist Church of Atmore with Rev. Arnold Hendrix officiating.
Family will receive friends Saturday December 28, 2019, at the First Baptist
Josephine Strickland
December 27, 2019
Josephine Strickland, 89 of Canoe, AL passed away Thursday, December 19, 2019, in Atmore, AL. She was a retired teacher with Escambia County High School, born on October 27, 1930, in Elmore County, AL, to the late William L. and Linda Marie Calloway Strickland. She was a graduate of the University of Alabama and a member of Sardis Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and one sister.
Survivors are her son, Malcolm (Sheryl) Harrelson of Perdido, AL; grandchildren Jessica Bossard and Tonya Loftis.
Graveside services will be Saturday December 28, 2019 at 12 Noon in Weogufka First Baptist Church Cemetery at Weogufka, AL, with Bro. Malcolm Harrelson officiating. Interment will follow in Weogufka First Baptist Cemetery.
Family will receive friends Friday December 27, 2019, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m.
Ira Randolph “Randy” Welch
December 27, 2019
Mr. Ira Randolph “Randy” Welch, age 85, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019 at a health care facility in Pensacola, FL.
Mr. Welch was born in Escambia County, AL and was a graduate of Flomaton High School. He retired after 24 years of service from the U.S. Air Force. During his time in the Air Force, Randy lived in Ft. Walton, New York, Oklahoma, France, Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines. He received many medals and awards for his outstanding service to his country.
After retiring from the Air Force he lived in Ft Walton for many years. Later he lived in Pensacola before moving to Flomaton. He spent the last several months at Country Place Senior Living in Brewton where he loved the people and the food
He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was an expert at making campfires for the evening deer tales that he shared with his brother, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Lillie Mae Welch; his wife, Faye G. Welch; sons, Roy L. Welch and Donnie Ray Welch; daughters, Wanda Faye Welch and Theresa Ann Welch.
He is survived by a brother, Horace “Cliff” (Linda) Welch of Winter Haven, FL; and a niece, Vicki Welch of Winter Haven, FL; and numerous other family members.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 29, 2019 at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home with Bro. James Peacock officiating. Interment, with full military honors, will follow in Pineview Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Flomaton Funeral Home on Sunday from 1:30 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m..
Dorothy C. “Dot” Killiam
December 27, 2019
Mrs. Dorothy C. “Dot” Killiam passed away December 20, 2019 in Century, FL. She was born in Atmore, AL, on February 12, 1931, to the late Willie Eugene and Hattie Belle English Cunningham. She was a retired secretary from the National Wildlife Federation.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Atmore. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband : Robert Paul Killiam,a brother Thomas “Tommy” Cunningham; sisters Etta Luveda Shanks, Marvdeen “Deanie” Barrow and Myrtice Voncile Madison.
She is survived by her nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great great nieces, great great nephews, family and friends.
Services will be Saturday, Dec. 28,2019 at 12:30PM at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. Jason Handley officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers are, Russell Underhill, Hunter McKinley, Mike Barrow, Eddie Dunsford , Greg Legerton, and Kaiden McGhee. Honorary Pallbearers are, Larry Shanks and Lloyd Barrow.
Family will receive friends, Saturday December 28, 2019 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral from 11:30 a.m. until service time at 12:20 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Vitas Hospice and the American Heart Association.
Curtis James Knowles
December 27, 2019
Mr. Curtis James Knowles, age 67, passed away Thursday, December 26, 2019 in Brewton, Alabama.
Mr. Knowles was a native of Century, FL, former resident of Lafayette, LA and had resided in Flomaton, AL for the past 35 years. He retired from the oil field as a Tool Pusher with over 30 years of service. He was a member of the 1st Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ of Flomaton, AL. He is preceded is in death by his parents, Willie James and Fannie Estelle Knowles; two daughters, Kendall Grace Knowles and Carrie Elaine Knowles and two sisters, Bobbie Jean Knowles and Barbara Lord.
He is survived by wife of 8 years, Angela Renee Knowles of Flomaton, AL; two sons, Kenneth “Ken” (Hallie) Knowles of Pace, FL and Bradley Knowles of Pace, FL; one sister, Shirley Petty of Flomaton, AL; six grandchildren, Drew, Sierra, Shawn, Shanelle, Briana and Tyler; six great grandchildren, Charles, Chasye, Breadon, Greysin, Marshall and Oliver and other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, December 29, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel with Bro. Jimmy Colley and Bro. Farron Wilson officiating.
Burial will follow at the Little Escambia Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Sunday, December 29, 2019 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Shawn Knowles, Levi Landsverk, Vince Lord, Danny Lord, Jamie Boutwell and Anthony Boutwell.
Man Charged With Pointing Gun At Two People Playing Basketball On Tate Road
December 26, 2019
A Cantonment man was charged with allegedly pointed a gun at two people as they played basketball near a local road.
Kenneth Lee Pedicord, 18, was booked into the Escambia County Jail two felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Pedicord was allegedly the passenger in a vehicle that stopped as two people were playing basketball at a residence near the road in the 1200 block of Tate Rate. Pedicord allegedly asked the victims if they wanted any marijuana before pointing a handgun in their direction. Both victims ran into a nearby wooded area.
Pedicord was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
State Officials Warn Stay Alert To Gas Pump Skimmers During Holiday Travel
December 26, 2019
During the busy holiday travel period, state officials are offing tips for consumers to avoid fraud by gas pump skimmers:
Take a close look at the pump: Avoid using pumps that are open or unlocked, have had the tamper-evident security tape cut or removed, or otherwise appear unusual. If anything seems cracked, loose, or tampered with, use a different pump. Some newer pumps may also have encrypted credit card readers — look for an illuminated green lock symbol near the credit card reader.
Pay with a credit card: If a credit card number is skimmed, you’re protected by the card issuer’s zero-liability policy — but a stolen debit card number could be far more damaging. If you must use a debit card, choose to use it as credit, instead of selecting debit and entering your PIN. Use a credit card chip reader if it is available.
Pay inside instead of at the pump: It takes just seconds for criminals to place a skimmer in a gas pump — but it’s far less likely that a skimmer has been placed on the payment terminal in front of the clerk inside the gas station or convenience store. Take the few extra minutes to pay inside with cash or a credit card to protect yourself from fraud.
Choose gas pumps closest to the physical building: Don’t use gas pumps out of the attendant’s line of sight, such as those around a corner or behind a building. Thieves placing skimmers are less likely to put them in pumps where the store attendant may catch them in the act.
Check your card statements and sign up for fraud alerts: Nearly every credit card issuer offers fraud alerts, and many will email or text you when your card is used at a gas station. Check your credit card and debit card transactions regularly to make sure no fraudulent activity has occurred. Consumers who suspect their credit card number has been compromised should report it immediately to authorities and their credit card company.
When in doubt, consumers should contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services — all consumer complaints will be investigated. To file a consumer complaint, visit FloridaConsumerHelp.com or call 1-800-HELP-FLA or 1-800-FL-AYUDA (for Spanish speakers).
Another Warm December Day
December 26, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 71. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers before noon, then a chance of rain after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 72. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers before midnight, then a chance of rain after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 46. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
New Year’s Day: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Pictured: Christmas sunset in North Escambia. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
The Big Fix: Friends Of The Escambia Animal Shelter Now Has Mobile Spay/Neuter Unit
December 26, 2019
The Friends Of The Escambia County Animal Shelter now has the area’s first mobile spay/neuter unit thanks to a grant
Animal Aid USA spent 250 hours over six months putting the unit together in a refurbished travel trailer. Last Chance Ranch donated equipment to be used in the mobile unit, and many other organizations donated toward the project.
The nonprofit Friends will be announcing cost, schedule and other details soon.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Ends Season At No. 1 In Final AFCA Coaches Poll
December 26, 2019
The University of West Florida’s football national championship was confirmed in the latest coaches poll.
The UWF football team was voted number one in the final coaches poll as announced by the American Football Coaches Association this week.
UWF finished the season 13-2 after winning the program’s first national championship, 48-40 over Minnesota State, on Saturday night. The Argonauts rose 19 spots from 20 at the end of the regular season as they completed one of the most remarkable postseason runs in NCAA history, defeating three number one seeds and four-consecutive undefeated teams for the first time ever en route to the University’s 10th team national championship.
UWF received all 31 first place votes and is ranked number one in the coaches poll for the first time in history. The previous best was number two at the end of 2017 following the run to the title game that season, and during the first two rankings of 2018.
The Argos beat each of the other four teams in the top five during their 2019 run. MSU finished second, followed by Ferris State at No. 3, Lenoir-Rhyne at No. 4 and Valdosta State at No. 5. Wingate, UWF’s opening round opponent, ended the year at No. 19.
UWF was playing in it’s second NCAA Championship Game in four seasons of football. The team improved to 35-17 all-time after starting in 2016. The Argonauts are 9-1 in NCAA postseason games and own the highest winning percentage in D2 history among teams who have played a minimum of 10 playoff games.