Tharon Douglas Godwin
January 14, 2021
Tharon Douglas Godwin, passed away on Jan. 11, 2021, after living 100 years of life in only 78 calendar years, because he truly knew the meaning of enjoying the time he had been given, especially when one on one with God, the river and the woods. Born to his parents, Clifford Oree and Hazel Jackson Godwin, Tharon, also known as “Uncle Bo,” to all of his nieces and nephews, quickly acquired a stellar reputation for being the go-to for agriculture, not only because he grew up on the Old Godwin Farm, working the land “by hand and by machinery,” but because he also learned and excelled in Jay High School’s Agriculture and FFA programs, something he always encouraged current young kids to do also. After his 1960 graduation from Jay and many lessons of ballroom dancing (something he said he wished he had continued doing for the rest of his life), Uncle Bo never desired to venture too far away from his family, his town and his history. “There’s just something about living around people you went to school with, or sharing tomatoes with an old friend’s elderly mother,” he would softly exclaim. “These are the people that’ll stand by you when you mess up, and cheer for you when you do something great. That’s what a hometown is all about.” Uncle Bo practiced this idea because after attending Pensacola State and taking classes in agriculture and public speaking, he kept his roots planted in the Jay area.
Anybody who knew him became privy to his thoughts on the government, music, politics, turkey hunting and perhaps a few secrets about willow flies and fishing, but that particular conversation was only if he decided he liked you. An outspoken advocate against too many regulations, Uncle Bo sometimes wrote his own rules and paved his own way. As a lifetime farmer, Uncle Bo was very successful with peanuts, cotton and beans, but the one thing he could manage to grow without much effort was animals. “For the life of me, every time I would save an abandoned dog or leave my door open for that little squirrel that I called Grayson, pretty soon I had more dogs and squirrels than I bargained for.”
His love of animals didn’t keep him from enjoying their harvest. His nieces and nephews have heard all the details about his fishing trips to Mexico and hunting trips to White Oak. “Those were some great trips,” he would say at the end of the stories; however, the love affair of Uncle Bo and the White Gobbler that he had chased forever but actually let him go, is the family’s favorite, and most of them know the story by heart. Even his pet turkey hen Maybelle would accompany Uncle Bo on his turkey trips, riding shotgun in his truck and assisting him in All Things Gobbler.
Uncle Bo enjoyed his time alone, but only if he could get outside. His favorite time was in the fall during peanut season when the soil had been freshly turned and the smell of the dirt could fill every part of his thinking. “It takes me back to earlier days,” he would always say. “When things were simple.” Simple things were what he would surround himself with, including old “Andy Griffith” series and music from the 60s and 70s, especially Elvis. He looked forward to bonfires and fireworks with his extended family, and believed in “baptizing” a family member’s date with firecrackers and Roman candles.
Uncle Bo is preceded in death by his parents, Oree and Hazel of Jay; his brother, Brandon Earl Godwin of Jay; sister-in-law, Peggy Godwin of Jay and nephew Solon Gandy of Jay. Survivors include his older brother Terrell Wayne Godwin and sister Brenda Godwin, both of Jay; nephews Bruce Godwin (Debbie); Haynes Gandy (Suzanne) and Stacey Godwin (Miranda); Nieces Stephanie Solomon (John); Suzi Godwin; Sandy Godwin; Melissa Godwin; and Vicki Baggett (Garry); a great friend, Richard Savage, and several great-nephews, great-nieces, and other relatives whose hearts were truly touched by his large and unforgettable spirit.
There will be graveside services on Thursday, Jan. 14, at 3 p.m. with Rev. Justin Morgan of Cora Baptist Church officiating and burial to follow. Trahan Family Funeral Home is handling all arrangements. Active pallbearers will be Corry Baggett, Jace Gandy, Sawyer Gandy, Brandon Godwin, Levi Solomon, JP Solomon, and Luke Theron Gandy, a great-nephew, who is named after Uncle Bo.
Cantonment Man Charged With Attempted Murder
January 13, 2021
A Cantonment man is the third person charged in an October shooting at a convenience store on Olive Road.
Michael DeWayne Robinson, 43, was charged with first degree premeditated attempted murder, kidnapping an adult for ransom and aggravated battery. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail this week with bond set at $1.175 million.
On January 5, Quaundre McGee, 17, was charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, aggravated battery and destruction of evidence. A third accomplice, Tawanna Quanethia Lewis, 40, was arrested November 13 on charges of attempted homicide, kidnapping, aggravated battery and obstructing justice. She remained jailed with bond set at $1.6 million.
The shooting happened October 24 at the Xpress Mart store at 202 East Olive Road during what was described as a drug deal gone wrong. A woman suffered a gunshot wound to the ankle.
Pictured top: Michael DeWayne Robinson of Cantonment. Pictured below: Tawanna Quanethia Lewis (left) and Quaundre McGee,
High Today Around 50, Near Freezing Tonight
January 13, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy morning fog with freezing fog possible. Low around 33. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 32. West wind around 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 51. West wind 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 29. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. West wind around 5 mph.
M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 58.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.
Local Publix Stores Offering COVID-19 Vaccinations Beginning Thursday
January 13, 2021
COVID-19 vaccinations will be available at Publix stores in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties beginning Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced.
The vaccine will be available at no cost at six Publix locations in Escambia County and five in Santa Rosa County for residents 65 and older by appointment only. Appointments can be made beginning Wednesday at publix.com/covid-vaccine. Each location will be able to administer 100-125 vaccinations per day.
Customers with health insurance will need to bring their insurance card to their scheduled appointment. Customers without health insurance will need to provide their driver’s license or Social Security number.
“Publix has done a great job with this,” DeSantis said during a news conference Tuesday morning in Niceville. “We knew that they would because people love Publix in Florida.”
The local distribution is an expansion of a pilot program in Citrus, Hernando, and Marion counties.
Vaccines will be available at the following local Publix stores:
Escambia County
- 13390 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola
- 5055 North 9th Ave., Pensacola
- 9251 University Parkway, Pensacola
- 5998 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- 2180 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
- 1100 E. Cervantes St., Pensacola
Santa Rosa County
- 852 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze
- 1430 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze
- 8244 Navarre Parkway, Navarre
- 4739 Highway 90, Pace
- 5580 Woodbine Road, Pace
Customers with health insurance will need to bring their insurance card to their scheduled appointment. Customers without health insurance will need to provide their driver’s license or Social Security number.
COMMENTS ON THIS STORY HAVE BEEN CLOSED. You cannot make or confirm an appointment by making a comment on this story. You must follow the link above. Too many individuals from across the state were posting sensitive medical and personal information that could pose an identify theft problem. Therefore, we closed the comments.
IP Awards $70,000 In Grants To Local Organizations
January 13, 2021
International Paper’s Pensacola Mill awarded $70,000 in International Paper Foundation grants to 26 local organizations, demonstrating the company’s commitment to education, hunger, health and wellness, disaster relief and initiatives that improve the planet.
“We are pleased to support local organizations in their efforts to make a difference in education, hunger, health and wellness,” said Whitney Fike, International Paper communications manager. “Our company cannot succeed if our communities do not succeed, and these grants are an investment in our family, friends and neighbors.”
Local community organizations and their projects awarded grants for 2020:
- Autism Pensacola – Kids for Camp 2021
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida – Defending Potential
- Children’s Home Society – Community Partnership School: Closing the Digital Divide
- Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE) – Be Ready Pensacola
- Council on Aging of West Florida – Foster Grandparents
- Ernest Ward Middle School – For the Love of Reading!
- Every Child a Reader in Escambia (ECARE) – Books for Break
- Feeding the Gulf Coast – Weekend Backpacks for Children
- FoodRaising Friends – Food Giveaway Funding
- Gulf Coast Kids House – PPE for Medical Professionals
- Institute for Human and Machine Cognition – Science Saturdays
- Jim Allen Elementary School – Ready to Read!
- Junior Achievement of Northwest Florida – First Grade Jr. Achievement at McArthur Elementary School
- Keep Santa Rosa Beautiful – Learning about Butterflies
- Kingsfield Elementary – Ready to Read!
- Manna Food Pantries – COVID-19 Relief
- Miracle League of Northeast Pensacola – Keeping the ballfields green
- Pace Center for Girls – The EmpowHERment Project
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus – Preparatory Choir
- Pensacola MESS Hall – Audio visual for virtual programming
- Pensacola United Methodist Community Ministries – Hot, Healthy Meals
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida – Hope for Hurting Families
- Studer Community Institute – Brian Bags
- The Arc Gateway – Improving Outcomes through Early Detection
- UF IFAS Extension Escambia County Master Gardener Volunteer Program – Garden to Table
- University of West Florida – Argo’s Edible Campus Expansion
Grants were determined after careful committee review with local team members. Recommendations are subsequently reviewed by the International Paper Foundation’s grants committee, which then must be
confirmed and ratified by the foundation’s board of trustees.
Pictured: International Paper mascot Pinelope poses with a grant check. IP team members normally take part in check presentations to each group, but that did not happen this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Starbucks Is Coming To Atmore After All; Construction Set To Begin Next Week
January 13, 2021
Starbucks is coming to Atmore after all.
In January 2020, Wind Creek Atmore announced construction was set to begin in March 2020 on a Starbucks store near their casino. That was put on hold due to COVID-19, but now Wind Creek says construction is set to begin.
“We are very excited to announce that construction will begin next week, and we are on target for a May 2021 opening,” Wind Creek Assistant Property Manager Terri Breckenridge told NorthEscambia.com.
The 2,000 square foot stand-alone facility will offer convenient drive through, seated dining and full retail store across the street from the Creek Convenience Store on Poarch Road, adjacent to the Spa at Wind Creek. The destination will occupy a prime location for coffee lovers; the nearest Starbucks along the I-65 corridor are north 113 miles in Prattville and south 47 miles at Springhill Avenue in Mobile.
The project is expected to create 20 or more permanent jobs for local residents in addition to temporary construction jobs.
The Atmore Starbucks location is projected to draw an additional 300 cars and 750 customers daily from I-65 Exit 57.
Pictured: A rendering of the Starbucks planned for Atmore. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Top 10 Teachers Of The Year Named
January 13, 2021
The Escambia County School District has named the Top 10 Teachers of the Year.
They are (in alphabetical order):
- Rochelle Carmichael – Workman Middle School
- Stephanie Connors – Washington High School
- John Fuller – Escambia High School
- Maureen Humphrey – Ferry Pass Middle
- Briana McCreary – Montclair Elementary
- Heather McWethy – A.K. Suter Elementary
- Mercedes Musto – Alternative Education
- Suzanne Ryals – Pensacola High School
- Paula Sides – Warrington Elementary
- Vera Wiley – Brentwood Elementary
The Top Ten will be narrowed to a Top Five with a final Teacher of the Year announced in late January during the Golden Apple award ceremony.
Veteran Receives First Vaccine From Local Veterans Affairs Clinic
January 13, 2021
A Pensacola veteran was the first non-employee to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System.
Joe L. Knight, a retired U.S. Army Veteran who served in the Korean War and three tours in Vietnam, received the vaccine Tuesday in Pensacola.
Veterans interested in receiving the vaccine should complete the Keep Me Informed Form.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
12 New COVID-19 Deaths, 343 Additional Cases Reported In Escambia County
January 13, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST UPDATE.
There were 12 additional COVID-19 deaths and 343 new cases reported Tuesday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 25,913 (+343)
Non-Florida residents: 2,797
Recovered: 22,903*
Total deaths: 426 (+12)
Long-term care facility deaths : 182 (+4)
Current hospitalizations: 266 (-4)
Number of tests reported last day: 1,192
Percent positive reported last day: 20.9%
Percent positive reported last week: 19.0%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 19,029 (+274)
Cantonment: 2,311 (+29)
Century: 1,058 (+4)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 319 (+3)
McDavid: 158
Walnut Hill: 46
Bellview: 40 (+1)
Perdido Key: 17
Gonzalez: 11
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 13,026 (+112)
Non-Florida residents: 162
Total deaths: 157 (+2)
Long-term care facility deaths: 36
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 605*
Number of tests reported day: 358
Percent positive reported last day: 23.0%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 6,264 (+28)
Navarre: 2,555 (+25)
Gulf Breeze: 2,348 (+29)
Pace: 1,026 (+16)
Jay: 400 (+9)
Bagdad: 25
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,503,482
Florida residents: 1,476,484
Deaths: 23,227
Hospitalizations: 66,204*
*“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.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations as a result, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***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 is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Mary Estelle Reynolds Nicholas
January 13, 2021
Mary Estelle Reynolds Nicholas, 65 of Pensacola FL passed away Saturday January 9th 2021. She had a full and wonderful life. Mary was born and raised in Pensacola FL to Thomas F. and L. Estelle Reynolds. Her children grew up hearing about the Reynolds family’s adventures in the pet store and hardware. Mary lived her life in the service of those around her. Through her life she not only ensured her children had happy and well cared for but also served the children of Escambia teaching at Myrtle Grove, Long Leaf, Beulah and Pine Meadow Elementary for more than 20 years.
Mary is survived by her husband of 38 years Danny, daughters: Rachel, Emily and Elizabeth, niece and nephew Anna and Thomas Reynolds, as well as grandnieces and a grandnephew.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that charitable contributions be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Tennessee-Alabama.
Visitation will take place at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home at 1000 HWY 29S, Cantonment FL on Wednesday, January 13th from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. with the service taking place Thursday at 11:00