Michael David Johnson
August 26, 2020
Mr. Michael David Johnson, age 74, of Jay, FL, passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2020, in a Pensacola healthcare facility.
Mr. Johnson was a native of Century, and a lifetime member of the Jay community. He was a retired plane captain at NAS Whiting Field. Mr. Johnson was an avid Florida State fan, loved being a firefighter with Jay Volunteer Fire Department, and playing his guitar. He loved his family and playing with his grandchildren. He was of the Assembly of God faith and was preceded in death by his parents, Perry and Bertha Jackson Johnson; and brothers, Harvey Johnson and Melvin Johnson.
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Darlene Johnson of Jay, FL; daughter, Melissa (Richard) Hamilton of Jay, FL; grandchildren, Kinsley Hamilton and Bryant Hamilton; son, Russell (Heather) Johnson of Milton, FL, granddaughter, Alexis Johnson; close friends, Bobby (Vicki) Harrison of Jay, FL.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2020, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 28, 2020 at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel at 11 a.m.
Interment will be in Elizabeth Chapel Cemetery in Jay, FL.
Pallbearers will be Jared Johnson, Sheldon Robbins, Noah McBride, Jr., Chandler McBride, Dewayne Kimmons, and Ryan Adkins.
Honorary pallbearer will be Bobby Harrison.
Flomaton Funeral Home Directing.
Nathan Andrew Barnes
August 26, 2020
Nathan Andrew Barnes, age 22, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2020.
Nathan was a native and former resident of Pensacola, FL and had resided in Molino, FL for the past five years. He was a 2016 graduate of the Florida Virtual Academy, was a pitcher for NWE Baseball Team and attended George Stone Tech School as a EMT/Firefighter. He loved baseball, MMA, fishing, hunting and cooking. He attended the Unity Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his great-grandparents, James Wesley (Daisy) Long; Grady Barnes, Sr., and Albert and Joyce Morris.
He is survived by his father, David (Tonya) Barnes of Cantonment, FL; mother, Jennifer Burklund (Cameron Hinton) of Molino, FL; maternal grandparents, Wayne (Caroline) Long of McDavid, FL; paternal grandparents, Grady (Judy) Barnes of McDavid, FL; great-grandmother, Edith Barnes of McDavid, FL; paternal grandmother, Aleta Gonzalez; one brother, Corey Barnes of Cantonment, FL; five sisters, Kadence Burklund of Molino, FL, Gabriella Burklund of Molino, FL, Chelsea Green of Pensacola, FL, Shelby Green of Pensacola, FL and Madison (Nick) Slavey of Pensacola, FL; aunts and uncles, Stephanie Berry, Josh (Karmen) Long, Cassie Black, Grady Barnes, Collena (Steve) VanCise, Ronnie Long, Nicole Gonzalez and Sabrina Gonzalez and many cousins, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2020, at 2 p.m. at the Unity Baptist Church with Rev. Josh Long officiating.
Burial will follow at Christian Home Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 29, 2020, from 2 p.m. until service time at 3 p.m. at the Unity Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be Jacob Johnson, Dyllan Berry, Brandon Berry, Patrick Smith, Jimmy Kaser and Triston Midlam.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Janet Lynn Lovstrom
August 26, 2020
Janet was born April 13,1962 in Pensacola, FL as the fourth of sixth daughters to Arthur and JoAnn Lovstrom. Raised in a home of faith, high morals and standards, Janet always strove to work hard and be kind to others. She was committed to her family, coworkers, and students.
Janet was creative and up to any challenge especially when it came to her careers as a daycare worker and a special education teacher. She would use her talents to improve her students educational opportunities and motivation to take those opportunities.
Janet was a loving mother, loving daughter, loving sister, and loving aunt. Just as in any family there were disagreements and fights, but she never let a fight end without letting you know she loved you. Even if you were wrong. Growing up in a house of girls, Janet was taught how to take care of herself and their family. She and her sisters had two parents that wanted them to be able to do anything they needed to, whether it be renovating a house, making a garden, changing a tire, and be able to work with anyone they needed to. Her father’s main goal was to make sure they were all prepared to take on the world with an education and a career that would let them be self-sufficient adults. And with her mother’s guidance she could tackle any challenge that came her way with the supplies she had, her own wits and common sense, and a little bit of research.
Janet had many friends, anyone she worked with or for could see how valuable she was. She inspired loyalty and left an impression on those she taught that would last for years. (People would contact her or her daughter and mention that they had worked with her or been in her care decades before hand and still had the best memories of Ms. Janet.) One of her best friends, Peggy, could always bring a smile to her face, even if it was talking about drinking wine and moving a carpet together or the wild times Peggy would ‘drag’ her out to have when the navy boys came into town.
While she never married, Janet had a daughter that she always considered to be the most precious gift she’d ever receive. As a mother she always tried to do what was best for her daughter, even ‘making a deal’ that when she started kindergarten Janet would go back to college to finish getting her degree. She made sure that every call they had ended with saying “l love you” and “l’m proud of you” and that’s how her daughter will remember her.
The last years of Janet’s life were hard. She spent them battling diabetes, kidney failure, lung disease, and struggling with not being able to help her family as much as she wanted to. The last thing she was able to do that she loved was cooking, even when it would take her hours to prepare the simplest recipes, it made her feel accomplished and like she was doing her part to help her family. She took pride in being able to provide her family with a home cooked meal for as long as she could. And when she wasn’t able to do that any longer, she could direct someone else to do so.
After her passing Janet was able to continue enriching lives through her wish to be a tissue donor, her corneas were used to give another back their sight. She will be missed, but Janet Lovstrom will never be forgotten for the kind and loving and loud person she was.
Janet is preceded in death by her father, Arthur Nils Lovstrom.
She is survived by her daughter, Kirsten Marie Lovstrom; mother, Jo Ann H. Lovstrom; sisters, Debbie Shenai, Kathy Hosack, Nancy Olivier, Joyce Hall, and Becky Jo Lovstrom; and nieces and nephews, Shalani Mikas, ViJay Shenai, Kristopher Hosack, Tonya Erickson, Paul-Emily and Luke Olivier, Brittany Mock, Kathryn Johnson, Austin Mock, E.J. Hall, and Isabel Hall.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
James Eueal Godwin, Jr.
August 26, 2020
James Eueal “J.E.” Godwin, Jr., age 81, of Atmore, AL, passed away on August 19, 2020, in Atmore, AL. He was born on August 17, 1939, in Monroe County, AL to the late James Eueal and Leona Barnhill Godwin, Sr. He served in the United States Army. He was a lifelong farmer and was employed with Monsanto Company as a chemical operator until his retirement.
He is preceded in death by his parents, James Eueal and Leona Barnhill Godwin, Sr., and his sister, Edis Day.
He is survived by his son, Patrick Godwin of Atmore, AL; his brothers, Hermon (Patsy) Godwin of Pensacola, FL and Winston (Faye) Godwin of Huxford, AL; his sisters, Linda
Dixon of Juniper, FL and Yvonne Moss of Huxford, AL along with many friends and family.
Funeral services were held Sunday, August 23, 2020, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Sis. Eloise Stewart and Bro. Cornelius Phillips officiating.
Interment was at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL.
Active pallbearers were Ricky Godwin, Dillon Godwin, Mike Godwin, Steve Godwin, Kenny Barnhill, Ronnie Barnhill, Keith Bryant, Kelly Bryant, Eric Hall and Wesley
Surmon.
For the safety of you and others, please practice social distancing requirements, though wearing a facial mask is strongly encouraged.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Donald Alan Turner
August 26, 2020
Donald “Alan” Turner, 48, went to heaven on August 16, 2020 after a brief fight with COVID 19. Alan was born on October 8, 1971 in Pensacola to Shirley Ann (Edwards) and James Ray Turner.
Alan, or Big Al, had several jobs that included working as a kitchen kanager at several local restaurants, but later in life he went back to school to study Early Elementary Education. He started teaching in 2012. He taught for six years.
He was a Tate High graduate (1989) and graduated from the University of West Florida in 2012. He loved his family dearly, and was an outstanding husband and father. He was proud of his two boys, Zack and Jacob. He loved watching them play football at Tate and loved to hear Jacob sing in church. He was saved at the age of 18 and married Kelly in 1996. He was the perfect spiritual leader for them. He always had them in church. He taught them Christian love and service. He had a larger than life personality. The party started when Big Al entered the room! However, he was a gentle giant that gave great hugs. He loved to cook! He loved cooking for his family, cooking for family gatherings, and cooking for friends. He was fun to be around. He had a way of making you feel at ease. He loved to tell stories and make you laugh. He was an active member of Marcus Pointe Baptist Church. He served in the youth group as a small group leader for teenage boys as his sons were involved also. He had a passion for the marriage ministry and led several “Knot Normal” sessions at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church.
Preceding Alan in death were his parents, James Ray and Shirley Turner; his uncle Kenneth Turner and his is father-in-law, Doug Thompson.
He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Kelly Turner; his two boys, Zachary Alan Turner and Jacob Morgan Turner; stepfather, Lloyd Turner; sister, Tonya Bagwell; brother, Ray Turner; three nieces, Chastity Perry, Crystal Saucier, and Cherie Malone; nephew, Cody Turner; and an aunt, Sue McCullough (Gene).
Funeral services were held Friday, August 21, 2020, with Preston Smith officiating.
Interment was in Bayview Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North has been entrusted with the care and services.
FHP: School Bus Driver Backed Into Pickup Truck
August 25, 2020
There were no injuries when a school bus driver backed into a pickup truck Tuesday afternoon in Cottage Hill.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 62-year old driver of Escambia County School District bus 13-14 missed a designated bus stop on William Ditch Road near Glenna Lane.
“The driver of the bus then placed the bus in reverse in traveled backwards and collided into a pickup truck that had stopped directly behind the bus,” according to a FHP report.
There were 11 Tate High School students on the bus at the time of the wreck.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Seven New Deaths, 39 New COVID-19 Cases Reported In Escambia County Tuesday
August 25, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST.
There were 60 new COVID-19 positives and seven new deaths reported in the two county region on Tuesday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Escambia County cases increased by 39 to 10,871. An additional 21 cases brought the Santa Rosa County total to 4,483.
Of the 398 tests results returned on Monday in Escambia County, 7.7% were positive, and 13% were positive from 148 tests in Santa Rosa County. Over the past week, the overall average positivity rate for Escambia County is 8.2%.
There were 149 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Escambia County as of Tuesday, according to data from the three local hospitals.
Of the 178 deaths in Escambia County, 87 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been 54 deaths in Santa Rosa County, at least seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and nine in a long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 605,502 cases including 599,176 Florida residents. There have been 37,038 hospitalizations* and 10,580 deaths. The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
Escambia County cases:
Total cases — 10,871 (+39 since Monday)
Non-Florida residents — 972
Pensacola —7,946 (+26)
Century — 902 (+3)
—-including 763 Century prison inmates
Cantonment — 752 (+2)
Molino— 123 (+2)
McDavid — 62
Walnut Hill — 16 (+1)
Bellview — 11
Gonzalez — 7
Perdido Key — + (+1)
Current hospitalizations: 137 (-8)
Deaths — 178 (+7)
Male — 4,804
Female — 5,001
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 39
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 4,483 (+21 since Monday)
Non-Florida residents — 40
Milton — 2,446 (+6)
Gulf Breeze — 649 (+2)
Navarre — 554 (+7)
Pace — 343 (+3)
Jay — 122 (+1)
Bagdad — 9
Cumulative Hospitalizations — 253*
Deaths — 54
Male — 2,510
Female — 1,926
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 101
Median Age — 40
Florida cases:
Total cases — 605,502
Florida residents — 599,176
Deaths — 10,580
Hospitalizations — 37,038*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Plastic Alternatives Manufacturer Seeks To Buy Century Building, Property For $879K, Employ 30; Cotton Plan On Hold
August 25, 2020
A company described as using an agricultural product to manufacture plastic alternatives has made a preliminary $879,000 offer for a Century industrial building and adjacent property with a promise of employing 30 or more people within a couple of years. Meanwhile, a cotton gin’s lease proposal for the property is on hold.
Through the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance, Pensacola real estate company Beck Partners presented “Project Fusion” on behalf of their client to the Town of Century late Monday afternoon.
Project Fusion was described by Beck as an “agricultural related manufacturing operation” that seeks to purchase the 40,390 square foot town-owned building commonly known as the Helicopter Technology building for $550,000 plus $329,000 for an adjacent 30.37 acres in the Century Industrial Park for a total of $879,000.
In the Monday proposal, Beck Vice President Debbie Anlin said her client was willing to submit a contract and earnest money as early as Tuesday, August 25.
“The warehouse and any additional buildings added on the lots will be used for processing and manufacturing of new agricultural products that we would look to be grown by local famers (sic) as much as possible. This will also increase the number of employees hired,” Anglin wrote.
Century’s attorney, Matt Dannheisser, told the Century Town Council Monday night that had already received the proposed contract a little over an hour before the meeting but had not read it due to time constraints. He did offer a little more insight in to the company’s plans.
“The products that are to be manufactured, it was explained to me, that the products are intended to be environmental alternatives to certain types of plastic products using an agricultural product,” Dannheisser said. He noted the name of the company and specifics would be kept confidential for now “because of the sensitive nature of the discussions and the offer”, as is allowed under Florida law.
Dannheisser said the company wanted to meet individually in the coming days with each council member, the mayor and city manager to describe more about who they are and exactly what they propose to manufacture.
Century has a pending lease proposal for the building, but not the adjoining acreage, from West Florida Gin in Walnut Hill. The cotton company proposed a lease of $6,000 per month for five years with an option to renew the contract for an additional five years. They want to occupy the building by October 1 and estimated that six employees would be associated with the warehousing and distribution of cotton bales.
The gin company was the only company to respond after the town advertised for several weeks seeking lease proposals. It was the second time they had made an offer; the first was rejected.
Dannheisser said Monday night that if the town should reject the West Florida Gin lease proposal, they would not be legally obligated to re-advertise and could strike a deal for Project Fusion. He did suggest the town get a current appraisal and make any deal contingent upon the purchase price being at least equal. The last appraisal on the building-only was $550,000 in 2017 or a fair market rent of $80,000 per year.
Council member James Smith made a motion seconded by council member Luis Gomez to immediately deny the West Florida Gin lease proposal. After a suggestion from Dannheisser to table action on the gin lease and wait to learn more about Project Fusion, Smith withdrew his motion.
Smith made a new motion to table action for a week, and the motion was seconded by Sandra McMurray-Jackson. It passed 5-0, including a vote by Gomez by stating “I guess yes”. The council will hold another special meeting next week to discuss the gin lease proposal and Project Fusion.
Citing a phone conversation with cotton gin management, Interim City Manager Vernon Prather noted that West Florida Gin is on a timetable due to the cotton harvest and may need to withdraw their lease offer and seek another property.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Food Distribution Canceled; Free Produce Available Wednesday In Molino
August 25, 2020
A Cantonment food distribution has been canceled due to weather, but another in Molino will go on this week.
Hundreds of people have received food each Tuesday for months at Carver Park in Cantonment thanks to the efforts of the Cantonment Improvement Committee. Due to forecasted rain, the food distribution will not take place this week.
A free produce distribution will take place rain or shine Wednesday afternoon at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. It will take place from 5-6 p.m., or while supplies last at the church, 6240 Highway 95A in Molino. It is limited to one box per vehicle. The produce is being provided in conjunction with the USDA and Gulf Coast Produce.
Burglars Strike School Bus Garage In Walnut Hill, Taking Tools And Equipment
August 25, 2020
A burglary of the school bus garage in Walnut Hill was discovered Monday as school buses were hitting the road on the first day of school.
The Escambia County School District’s Walnut Hill Bus Garage at 7780 Highway 97 was burglarized sometime between Friday afternoon and when employees arrived before 5:30 a.m. Monday. The burglars took tools and equipment, according to Amber Southard, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The bus garage is located on Highway 97 on the north side of the Walnut Hill Fire Station.
Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620. Callers to Crime Stoppers are not required to give their name and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Pictured: The Escambia County School District bus garage in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
