Molino Crash Involves Truck Loaded With Propane Tanks
December 28, 2020
There were no serious injuries reported in a Sunday night wreck in Molino involving a passenger vehicle and a truck loaded with propane tanks.
It happened about 10:40 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 29 and Molino Road. Southbound Highway 29 was temporarily closed by the crash.
None of the propane tanks were compromised.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Town Hall Is Closed Again After Staff Member Tests Positive For COVID-19
December 28, 2020
The Century Town Hall is once again closed for a few days after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.
“In order to avoid exposure to other individuals, we will have the facility cleaned and closed until Wednesday,” interim Town Manager Vernon Prather said Sunday evening.
Century Town Hall was also closed for several days in both July and early December after employees tested positive for the virus.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Holiday Gas Prices In Florida The Lowest In Five Years
December 28, 2020
Drivers in Florida are finding the lowest gas prices for the year-end holidays in five years.
The average price for gasoline in Florida was about $2.20 per gallon. That’s 26 cents less than this time last year, and the lowest average price for this time of year since 2015.
In Escambia County, the average was $2.19, 24 cents than last year.
The lowest price to be found Sunday night in Cantonment was $2.09 at a convenience store on Highway 29, while a couple of Pensacola stations were at $2.05.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Warming Up Through Midweek
December 28, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 72. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Low around 55. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
New Year’s Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 59.
Here’s How To Dispose Of Your Real Christmas Tree
December 28, 2020
Need to dispose of your Christmas tree? Here are options:
ECUA Christmas Tree Collections
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) will pick up Christmas trees from customers for free with the regular collection of yard waste.
“When it’s time to take down the Christmas decorations, place your real tree or natural wreaths out by the curb on your usual collection day for pick-up as part of your ECUA regular yard waste collection,” ECUA spokesperson Jim Roberts said.
Natural trees should be free of decoration and tinsel, and the tree stand should be removed. Trees should not be placed in he street.
The trees will be composted with other yard waste at the ECUA Biosolids Composting Facility.
The Florida Forest Service offers the following tips if you chose to burn your Christmas tree:
- Check local ordinances for requirements for outdoor burning.
- Burn only if significant rainfall has occurred in the last three or four days.
- Never burn on dry or windy days.
- Select a burn location that is at least 25 feet from natural areas, 25 feet from your home, 150 feet from other occupied buildings and 50 feet from any paved public roadway.
- Remove all decorations from the tree before you burn.
- Cut the tree into manageable sections, as necessary.
- Clear the burn area free of other flammable materials, such as leaf litter and pine straw.
- Keep a shovel and water hose handy in case the fire starts to escape containment.
- Never leave a fire unattended, and make sure it is out before leaving.
- Never burn a Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove.
No Road Closures On State Projects This Week
December 28, 2020
There’s a little extra gift from the Florida Department of Transportation for local drivers this week.
There will be no lane closures on state roads until Monday, January 4 due to the holidays. The lane closure restrictions include both construction and maintenance activities.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FDOH Reports Three New COVID-19 Deaths, Increase Of 140 New Cases In Escambia County
December 28, 2020
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST UPDATE.
The Florida Department of Health reported three additional COVID-19 deaths and an increase of 140 new cases on Sunday.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 21,408 (+140)
Non-Florida residents: 2,342
Total deaths: 359 (+3)
Long-term care facility deaths : 163
Current hospitalizations: 172
Number of tests last day: 777
Percent positive last day: 14.4%
Percent positive last week: 13.7%
Escambia County cases by location:
Pensacola: 15,639 (+104)
Cantonment: 1,822 (+18)
Century: 1,002 (+2)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 264
McDavid: 131
Walnut Hill: 38
Bellview: 31 (+1)
Perdido Key: 17
Gonzalez: 9
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 10,486 (+104)
Non-Florida residents: 123
Total deaths: 121
Long-term care facility deaths: 24
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 526*
Number of tests last day: 231
Percent positive last day: 30.2%
Santa Rosa County cases by location:
Milton: 5,267 (+56)
Navarre: 1,990 (+21)
Gulf Breeze: 1,824 (+30)
Pace: 809 (+3)
Jay: 262 (+3)
Bagdad: 25
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,271,979
Florida residents: 1,250,275
Deaths: 21,212
Hospitalizations: 61,459*
*“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. Most of these people are longer be 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.
*The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Travis Solomon Baggett
December 28, 2020
Travis Solomon Baggett, 96, went on to be with his Lord on Dec. 26, 2020, after a one-day hospital stay due to what he referred to as “just being tired.” Travis, whose wife lovingly called him “Rooster,” had been looking forward to his Heavenly home for a while, and he was able to say good bye to his family one last time as they were there to share in his departure.
Travis was born in Castleberry, AL on Feb. 7, 1924 to Samuel Cleveland Baggett and Sara Dolihite Baggett, both of Conecuh County, and he outlived all 10 of his siblings. He is a seventh-generation direct descendant of Jesse Baggett, the founder of Castleberry and a war hero of the War of 1812. Travis attended school at Castleberry, and was raised on the old Baggett Farm, a former landmark in Conecuh County. At the age of 17, Travis enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in WWII as a fire controller. In 1943, Travis met and married Dorothy Mae Fussell of Evergreen, AL when he was 19 and she was 17. The couple just celebrated 77 years of marriage on Nov. 13 of this year. “Rooster” and “Hen,” as Travis called Dorothy, married after only two dates. “Rooster” always said her cooking and her looks are what snagged him back then. Travis and Dorothy had four sons, who all eventually made Atmore their home.
Besides serving in the US military, Travis worked at the Mobile Shipyard, a Meat Packing House and even worked in construction building bridges all over the southeast. He later worked at the Evergreen Head Mill for several years, which ultimately led him to join the Evergreen Police Force as an officer. In 1965, Travis and his family headed to Atmore, where Travis served as a Corrections Officer with the State of Alabama Prison System for 25 years. He was known for his left-handed sharp shooter/marksman skills, which came in handy during squirrel-hunting trips. Some of his favorite past-times consisted of attempting to “sweat out cholesterol” by chopping wood and throwing feed out to chickens. Thanks to Dorothy’s cooking, he never ate left overs and would eat ice cream and Pay Day candy bars any time she would let him. During his retired years, he was known to greet everyone with a “Hey, Friend,” especially while out delivering Dorothy’s cakes to the sick and shut-in. At the age of 94, Travis finally decided to stop driving his bright red truck, which meant his weekly rounds to certain Atmore businesses for visits, talks and coffee came to an end. As a child of God and believer in Jesus Christ, Travis often could still quote scripture and tell Bible stories to anyone who would listen. Travis lived a full life and was loved immensely, especially by his family. His favorite response to most of life’s puzzling and crazy situations was always, “I do know.” Certainly, now Travis does know indeed as he is with the One who redeemed him many years ago.
Travis is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Sarah Baggett of Castleberry; his son, Steve Baggett of Atmore; and daughter-in-law, Rita Baggett of Atmore. His deceased siblings are Jesse, Howard, Buck, Ned, Ella, Loreen, Helen, Francis, Mary and Elaine.
Survivors include the love of his life, his wife, Dorothy Baggett; sons, Ronnie (Margaret) Baggett of Atmore; Donnie Baggett of Atmore; Garry (Vicki) Baggett of Bratt; Grandchildren: Stephen Baggett of Atmore; Krystal (Charles) Weaver of Dothan; Alex (Kaylee) Baggett of Louisiana; Melissa Baggett of Atmore; Corry Baggett of Atmore and Lexxi Baggett of Bratt; Travis is survived by five great -grandchildren and several special nieces.
Funeral services are Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Tim James of Atmore Apostolic Church officiating. Burial will follow at Buffington Cemetery in Castleberry, with Full Military Honors. Visitation will be held Tuesday, Dec. 29 from 9 a.m. until service time at 10 a.m. Petty Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Active pallbearers will be Alex Baggett, Corry Baggett, Haynes Gandy, Hunter Kite, Luke Miller, Zack Miller.
Whit Thomas Parker
December 28, 2020
Whit Thomas Parker passed away unexpectedly at his home in Molino, Florida on December 19th 2020. He was born on May 4, 1976 in Pensacola, Florida and remained close to home throughout his life. Whit grew up young, wild, and free creating many friendships that would go on to last him a lifetime. Whit had a deep love for his family and he enjoyed every second he got to spend with them. He had a passion for hunting and fishing, taking photos, writing, drawing, and collecting small treasures to remind him of the memories he made throughout his life. His best friend in his last years of life and with whom he spent a lot of his time was his beloved dog “John D”. Whit will live on forever through the hearts and minds of those he loved. There is no doubt that he has left an everlasting impression with everyone he met. His family is comforted in knowing he is finally at peace.
Whit is preceded in death by his father, Paul Thomas Parker. He is survived by his mother, Barbara Parker; his sister, Chastity(Michael) Bouwkamp; his niece, Caristyn McCurley; his nephews, Codie Bouwkamp and Cayden Bouwkamp, and his great niece, Cali Rose Coffey whom he called “Lily”. Pallbearers are Trent Stewart, Joey Russell, Timothy Maulden, Donnie Manning, Mitch Way, Joel Wise, and David Kyzer.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 30, 2020 beginning at 12:30 pm with the funeral service at 1:30 p.m. Interment will follow at Clopton Cemetery at 2:45 p.m.
William Earl Chancery
December 28, 2020
William Earl Chancery, age 70, passed away December 27, 2020 at Sacred Heart Hospital. He was born August 30, 1950 to Albert and Evie Lambeth Chancery. Married to Rachel Clowers Chancery for 52 years. They have two children. He had worked in the grocery retail business since the age of 16. He had been store manager at the local Piggly Wiggly, now Food Giant, and retired due to health reasons. He was a member of Little Escambia Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Rachel Clowers Chancery; daughter, Shannon Chancery Singleton Eiland and her husband Jerry of Flomaton; son, David Chancery of Flomaton; three grandsons, Blake and Hannah Chancery, Connor Chancery and Cameron Chancery all of Kentucky; one granddaughter, Olivia Singleton of Montgomery, AL; one brother, Glynn and Gloria Chancery of Arkansas; one sister, Pat and Dennis Myrick of Arkansas; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by six brothers, Aubrey, Charles, Billy Joe, John, Bobby and Mike; four sisters, Eulamae, Barbara, Walterene and Geraldine.
Visitation will be held at Flomaton Funeral Home on Thursday, December 31, 2020 from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M.
Graveside funeral services will be held on Friday, January 1, 2021 at 11 A.M. at Travelers Rest Cemetery with Bro. Jonathon Hill and Bro J.P. Lambert officiating.