Melba Ernestine “Jackie” Brown

September 7, 2021

Melba Ernestine “Jackie” Brown, age 94, passed away on August 31, 2021 in Century, FL.

She was born on May 22, 1927 in Bratt, FL to the late Ernest and Katie Davis Hall.

She was a longtime member of Atmore First Assembly of God Church where she helped organize a senior group called “Celebrate”.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Hubert Lewis Brown; her grandson, Carey Brown and her siblings, Martez Rutherford, Julia Johnson, Betty Wells and Jerry
Hall.

She is survived by her sons, Michael (Donna) Brown of Grand Island, FL and Joey (Jamie) Brown of Spanish Fort, AL; seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Graveside service will be held Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Bratt-Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL with Bro. Don Davis officiating. Interment will follow at Bratt- Godwin Cemetery.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries

$1,000 Bonus Stipend Approved For Escambia County Volunteer Firefighters

September 6, 2021

Escambia County’s volunteer firefighters will receive a $1,000 stipend payment.

The Escambia County Commission unanimously approved the payment for volunteers who completed 96 hours of training and ran at least 25% of their station’s calls.

Rep. Michelle Salzman said she was contacted and asked why volunteer firefighters did not receive the same $1,000 the state provided about 200,000 first responders, including 35,000 firefighters, under Gov Ron DeSantis’s Florida’s Heroes Initiative as approved by the Florida Legislature.

“We had to draw a line somewhere in the budget, and that was one of the lines where it was drawn,” Salzman said. “And so, unfortunately, a lot of folks missed out on that.”

Salzman went to Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry with the issue.

The county approved the $1,000 checks to be paid from the $62 million the county received through the American Rescue Plan. Escambia volunteer firefighters that have already received the $1,000 through another job will not receive the volunteer payout.

It is estimated that up to 60 volunteer firefighters in Escambia County will be eligible for the bonus stipend.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

10-Year Old Gets Birthday Wish From Escambia Fire Rescue

September 6, 2021

All Makai Williams wanted for his 10th birthday was to see a fire truck. To his family, this was no surprise. After all, his love of fire service began at a very early age.

“Ever since he was one, he always loved fire trucks,” said Makai’s mother, Katisha Williams.

To make her son’s wish come true, Williams reached out to Escambia Fire Rescue to arrange a visit. But station visits are currently suspended due to COVID-19.

“It’s been tough for the past two years now,” said ECFR Chief Jason Catrambone. “Two years without being in schools, we’re missing that contact. We’re used to being in the schools, seeing those younger kids, and giving them that first impression of fire service and teaching them fire safety.”

Fire and Life Safety Specialist Ray Melton had an idea — take the fire truck to Makai for a birthday surprise.

Last Saturday, the day before Makai’s birthday, he looked out to see a fire truck from the Ensley Station of Escambia Fire REscue.

“As I pulled up to his home, Makai came out of the house walking slowly and smiling from ear to ear,” Melton said. “He could not believe the fire truck was there for him!”

“I was really amazed,” said the younger Williams.

Along with a tour of the fire truck, Makai was given stickers, bracelets, a helmet and fire safety information. And he received a special job assignment from his motherl

“Every month, I have to check the smoke alarms to see if they work incase a fire comes,” said Makai.

Because Escambia schools were closed Monday due to Hurricane Ida, Makai had to wait an extra day to share the news of his special birthday.

“My friends were like, ‘Whoa!’,” said Makai when discussing his friends’ reactions.

“For me, it’s like planting a seed and watching it grow,” Melton said. “When a child has such a strong desire to grow up and become a fireman or any profession, we need to embrace that and encourage that.”

As for his future, Makai said he already has plans to become a firefighter.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Portion Of Hilltop Road In Century To Close Tuesday

September 6, 2021

A portion of Hilltop Road in Century will be closed starting Tuesday morning, according to the Town of Century.

Hilltop Road will be closed from 351 Hilltop (about one-third of mile east of Highway 4A) to Elm Street beginning about 9 a.m. The road is being closed for utility repairs.

At this time, the town said it is not known how long the road will be closed.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Seasonable Labor Day, Afternoon Showers

September 6, 2021

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Labor Day: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 82. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.

Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. North wind around 5 mph.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 86.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 87.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Bonus Photos: Northview Cheerleaders And Band

September 6, 2021

Here are bonus photos of the cheerleaders and band from Friday night’s Lighthouse at Northview game.

For the photo gallery, click here.

For action photos and a game recap, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports

Labor Day Closures, Trash Schedule Info

September 6, 2021

Here are Labor Day closures for Escambia County and the Town of Century, plus sanitation information from ECUA.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Below is a listing of Escambia County offices and departments closed Monday, Sept. 6 in observance of Labor Day.

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners – all departments including:
West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
Escambia County Property Appraiser
Escambia County Tax Collector
Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller*
Waste Services Administration
Supervisor of Elections Office
ECAT administrative offices
Escambia County Animal Welfare & Adoption Center

*The Clerk’s court offices at the MC Blanchard Judicial Building, Theodore Bruno Juvenile Building, Public Records Center and the Century Courthouse will also be closed Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 and Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in observance of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. The Clerk’s Official Records, Finance, Treasury and Clerk to the Board offices located at 221 Palafox Place will be open on these dates.

Escambia County exceptions:

ECAT administrative offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 6. The only bus service operating will be the Pensacola Beach Trolleys. Buses and UWF trolleys will not run service. Regular service will resume Tuesday, Sept. 7.
The Perdido Landfill will be open Monday, Sept. 6

TOWN OF CENTURY

Town of Century offices will be closed on Monday for Labor Day. The normal first Monday of the month bill list review and town council meeting are scheduled for Tuesday beginning at 6:45 p.m.

ECUA

ECUA business offices will be closed on Monday in observance of the Labor Day Holiday and will reopen on Tuesday. Residential and commercial sanitation collections for ECUA customers will be unaffected by the holiday and will be carried out as usual.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Wahoos Win Series With Biscuits; Pensacola Moves Into Second Place

September 6, 2021

The Blue Wahoos used a pair of home runs from Demetrius Sims and Griffin Conine to edge past the Biscuits 3-1 on Sunday at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium.

With the win, Pensacola at 53-49 sits .001 percentage point ahead of Montgomery for the second and final Double-A South postseason spot with 12 games remaining in the season.

The game was tied at 1-1 going into the ninth inning. With one out, Riley Mahan hit an opposite field double off the top of the outfield wall. The next batter, Sims, belted a two-run homer to right-field, giving the Wahoos a 3-1 lead. For Sims, it was his first home run in his last 39 games (June 29th).

On the mound, Antonio Velez got the start for the Wahoos in the finale, and just like his debut against Biloxi, the left-hander finished the night with a quality start. He allowed one unearned run in six innings while striking out six. Over his past seven outings between High-A Beloit and Pensacola, Velez holds a 0.80 ERA and has tossed six quality starts.

Velez exited after six with the game tied 1-1. Zack Leban and Andrew McInvale combined to pitch two scoreless innings in relief for Pensacola, with McInvale earning the win in relief.

Following Sims’ home run, the Wahoos brought in Dylan Bice to close, and the right-hander picked up his second career Double-A save with a scoreless ninth inning.

Throughout the six-game series in Montgomery, the Blue Wahoos bullpen tossed 25.0 strong innings, striking out 38 batters and holding a 2.52 ERA while registering three wins and three saves.

Over the weekend, Pensacola’s pitching held the Biscuits to a total of two runs over the final 29 innings of the series. With a slim lead on the second playoff spot, the Blue Wahoos return home on Tuesday for a six-game series against the last-place Biloxi Shuckers.

RHP Kyle Nicolas (3-1, 1.76 ERA) projects to start in the series-opener for Pensacola against Biloxi’s Jesus Castillo (0-0, 6.75 ERA).

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports

Joseph D. Burdeshaw, Sr.

September 6, 2021

Joseph D. Burdeshaw, Sr. resident of Cantonment, FL passed away on September 4, 2021 at the age of 85. He was born on Dec. 26, 1935 to the late George Grady Burdeshaw and Martha Wilson Burdeshaw.

Joseph served his county in the United States Army and was a member of the American Legion, Pensacola, FL.

He is preceded in death by his brothers, George Burdeshaw and J. C. Burdeshaw.

Joseph is survived by his sons, Joseph (Cindy) Burdeshaw, Sr. and John (Eloda) Burdeshaw; daughters, Malinda (Dale) Gatzke and Trish Burdeshaw; four grandchildren, Kristina, Melissa, Tiana, and Kyle; seven great grandchildren; sister, Shirley (Bruce) Wood; and brothers, Milton (Alice) and Charles (Margaret) .

Graveside services will be held at 2PM on Sept. 13, 2021 at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, FL.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries

Heroes: Escambia Firefighters Honored For Going Above And Beyond

September 5, 2021

Members of Escambia Fire Rescue were recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty during an awards ceremony Saturday.

Fighters were honored for their heroism during events like the NAS Pensacola terrorist attack in December 2019 and Hurricane Sally. The were also recognized for saving citizens from fires, traffic accident and other perils.

The family of fallen District Chief Dwain Bradshaw was recognized. Bradshaw, 41, lost his life in November 2019 in the line of duty on scene of a fatal crash on the Muscogee Bridge.

For more photos, click here.

Awards and recognition were presented as follows: