Flomaton’s Hurricane Lake Reopens; Alligator Sighted Last Week Was Not Found
August 26, 2021
Hurricane Lake in Flomaton, closed last week due to an alligator sighting, has reopened.
An Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division agent was unable to locate the alligator.
According to the Flomaton Police Department, Hurricane Lake is only about 100 yards from Big Escambia Creek, and it’s believed the alligator and perhaps others traveled between the two bodies of water.
Pictured top: Hurricane Lake in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Below: A photo showing an alligator in Hurricane Lake in Flomaton last week.
Free Beans And Rice Giveaway Saturday In Cantonment
August 26, 2021
St. Monica’s Episcopal Church is continuing its food ministry with a free drive-thru beans and rice giveaway this Saturday
On the last Saturday of every month, St. Monica’s gives away dried beans and white rice to anyone in need from 9-11 a.m., or while supplies last. Other items such as canned tomatoes and peanut butter are included when available.
St. Monica’s is located at 699 South Highway 95A, just north of Faith Chapel Funeral Home.
Donna Belinda Fillmore
August 26, 2021
Mrs. Donna Belinda Fillmore, age 71, passed away Monday, August 23, 2021 in a Pensacola hospital.
Mrs. Fillmore was born in Atmore, AL and had been a life-long resident of Escambia County, AL. She retired as a dispatcher with the Flomaton Police Department. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was of the Baptist faith.
Mrs. Fillmore was preceded in death by her parents, William Petty and Nell Petty.
She is survived by two sons, Greg (Tracey) Fillmore and Kevin (Rachael) Fillmore, all of Barnett Crossroads, AL; a daughter, Tracey (Alan) Harp of Atmore, AL; seven grandchildren, Jessica Fillmore, Hannah Fillmore, Andrew (Mercy) Harp, Cameron (Chloe) Harp, Olivia Harp, Weston Fillmore, Raeleigh Fillmore; and great-grandchildren, Tucker Fillmore, Shepherd Fillmore, Isaac Harp and baby Harp due in April 2022.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. from the chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home with Bro. Alan Harp officiating. Interment will follow in Rays Chapel Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Flomaton Funeral Home on Saturday from 10:30 A.M. until service time at 11:00 A.M.
Pallbearers: Andrew Harp, Cameron Harp, Weston Fillmore, Matt Carter, Keith Steadman, and Matthew Fillmore.
Mildred “Pansy” Kersey
August 26, 2021
Mildred “Pansy” Kersey was born on November 29, 1933 in Grenada, MS. She spent the majority of her life in Pensacola, FL. She passed away on August 20, 2021 at home in Molino, FL.
Pansy was a loving wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was proud to be an “old country girl”. She wore many hats, excelling at them all, but none more than that of loving and caring for her family and others. We love you and miss you, Momma.
Pansy was preceded in death by her husband, William Kersey, Sr.; father, Troy Barnes; mother, Myrtle Barnes; son, William Kersey, Jr.; grandson, Bryce Andress; granddaughter, Clarissa Andress; brother, Buford Barnes; and sister, Kathleen Tyler.
She is survived by her daughter, Teresa Kersey Andress (Joe); son, Ivy Cole; daughter, Linda Cole Kanov (Jeff); daughter, Elizabeth Kersey Bell; daughter, Katherine Cole; 17 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
William McBroom
August 26, 2021
William McBroom was born on May 8, 1930 in Mobile, Alabama, the son of Grace and Claude H. Mc Broom. He departed this life and entered his heavenly home with Jesus; his savior, on Monday, August 23, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grace and Claude, as well as his brother John McBroom and his sister Patricia Russell.
William proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. Upon his Honorable discharge from the Marines, he met and married the love of his life Harriet, forming a bond in marriage that lasted for more than 67 amazing years. Together they have a son, Bill (Therese) and a daughter, Angela Powell (John).
He was “Papa” to his beloved Grandchildren April, Christian, and Carmen and to his Great Grandchildren Alyssa and Arianna.
Visitation will be held 10:30 to 11:30 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home, North. Services to follow.
Burial will be at Pensacola Memorial Gardens, Pine Forrest Road and will be officiated by Rev. Virgil Tillman.
Pallbearers will be Nephews.
The family would like to thank the nurses of Tidewell Hospice for their compassionate care and kindnesses during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tidewell Hospice at Tidewellfoundation.org or call 941-552-7597 to donate.
Marvel Leticia Keith
August 26, 2021
Marvel Leticia Keith passed away on August 21, 2021 in Pensacola, Florida.
She was born on May 19, 1961 in Aligandi, San Blas, Panama to Blas Martinez and Griselda Perez.
Marvel enjoyed gardening, flowering, and bird watching. She was definitely an outdoors person! She also enjoyed sewing and making molas. Marvel loved life to the fullest, especially when it came to her grandkids. She was a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and was always reading her Bible.
She was preceded in death by her father, Blas Martinez.
Marvel was survived by her husband, Barry Keith; daughters, Starlena (Richard) Williams and Delilah (Kelly) Clements; son, Kimpler (Sparkle) Keith; granddaughter, Eliannia Keith; grandsons, Malachi Williams, Gabriel Williams, Matthew Keith-Harrison, Jadeyn Keith, Skyline Clements, Kameron Clements, Kelly Clements, and Civic Clements; mother, Griselda Perez; sisters, Griselinda Martinez, Zelaida Martinez, Nilda Martinez, and Mileika Martinez; and brothers, Blas Martinez, Carlos Martinez, Kimpler Martinez, and Roldano Martinez.
Funeral services will be announced at a later time.
Pallbearers are Barry, Uncle Leonard, Kimpler, Richard, Malachi, and Uncle Rocky.
Honorary Pallbearers are Little Rocky and Arnold.
Steven Allen Lashley
August 26, 2021
Mr. Steven Allen Lashley, age 63, passed away on Monday, August 23, 2021 in Century, FL.
Mr. Lashley was born in Buras, LA; and has resided most of his life in Century, FL. Mr. Lashley enjoyed the outdoors, spending time with family, and coaching Little League Ball. He loved to tell stories and he never met a stranger.
He is preceded in death by his father, Lonnie Lashley.
Mr. Lashley is survived by his mother, Ruby Lee Lashley, of Century, FL; one son, Stevie Lashley (Mindy) of Century, FL; one daughter, Misti LaSala (Paul) of Canoe, AL; one brother, Edwin Lashley, of Century, FL; one sister, Gaynell Bethea, of Century, FL; three grandchildren, Ansley Tillery (Jonah), Andrea LaSala, Aiden LaSala, other relatives and special friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 28,2021 at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC with Rev. Chip Barbas officiating.
Burial will follow at Beulah Chapel Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 28,2021 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC.
Pallbearers will be Ray Hammond, Dusty Lowery, Aiden LaSala, Jonah Tillery, Chad Lashley, Chase Lashley, and Caleb Bethea
Field Of Dreams: Greg Gibson Field Honors Late Youth Football Coach
August 25, 2021
If you build it, they will come.
Greg Gibson had a dream.
It was a field that was once cotton or peanuts and then overgrown with briars and weeds at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
But Greg Gibson saw something different.
With a tractor and bush hog, volunteers carved out a big rectangle to give the county guy an idea that a football field would fit. They agreed. But before the county guy came back to look again, Greg sent the volunteers out to make it bigger, hoping to get more space for the kids, and maybe bleachers and press box. A real field of dreams for youth football and youth cheerleading.
As president of Northwest Escambia (NWE) Chiefs Football and Cheer since 2013, Greg worked with Escambia County to see big improvements take shape over the past few months. There are bleachers, fences and a really nice scoreboard. Garnet and gold, you know, for Greg’s beloved NWE Chiefs. The “NWE” gold lettering glistens when the sun hits it just right.
It’s perfect.
This field is for the players. It wasn’t for Greg Gibson. It was all about his NWE teams and cheer squads.
But last week, for a short time, it did become about Greg Gibson. His funeral was held there after he passed away due to COVID-19, and it was forever dedicated as Greg Gibson Field.
There is probably just one remaining question to answer. Is this heaven?
No, it’s Walnut Hill. It’s where dreams will come true for the boys and girls that will play on that field.
But many would swear youth football on a Saturday in the south is probably almost as close as you can get. And most would betcha Greg Gibson will be looking down at that field from heaven.
“Touchdown Chiefs!”
This field, this game.
Ohhhh, people will come, Greg. People will most definitely come to your field of dreams.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Due To COVID-19 Surge, Escambia School District Suspends Field Trips, Some Activities And Volunteer Access
August 25, 2021
Hundreds of Escambia County School District students and employees are missing school because due to COVID-19. Due to the surge, the district has suspended field trips, canceled large student assemblies and events during the school day, and suspended volunteer access to campuses
As of late Tuesday night, the district reported 125 students and 45 employees that have tested positive for COVID-19. There were 365 students and 52 staff members out of school because they are positive, are awaiting test results or are in quarantine due to close contact with a case.
Tuesday, the Escambia County School District reinstated COVID-19 safety measure effectively immediately.
Those measures include
- cancelling open house events for all schools.
- Suspending visitor access for volunteers and mentors.
- Suspending large student assemblies and events during the school day.
- Suspending field trips. Exceptions are permitted for trips involving competitions and performances.
- Encouraging social distancing, where feasible.
- Encouraging frequent hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer.
- Continuing specialized cleaning techniques and sanitizing classrooms and common areas in schools
“We were set for students to participate in field trips and for volunteers to return, but COVID-19 case numbers have continued to increase since the first day of school. These safety measures are being implemented with the intent of protecting students and employees,” Superintendent Tim Smith said.
The measures will be reevaluated in early October.
Scattered Showers And Storms Continue
August 25, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 60%