Low Tonight Around 30
January 21, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. North wind around 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 53. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 43. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. East wind around 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.
Here’s What Is Closed Today Due To Winter Weather Threat
January 21, 2022
Here is a running list of what is closed Friday in the North Escambia area due to a winter weather advisory.
Escambia County (FL) Schools
Escambia County (FL) School Superintendent Dr. Timothy Smith said all schools and district offices will be closed on Friday
“We anticipate normal district operations will resume on Monday, January 24,” Smith said.. “Of course, we’ll continue to work closely with local emergency operations officials to determine what is safest for our families and staff.”
Pensacola Christian Academy
Pensacola Christian Academy classes are canceled for Friday. The school office will remain open. Due to anticipated condition improvements, a scheduled basketball game and senior night will continue as scheduled.
Camp Fire Century
Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center will be closed Friday.
East Hill Christian School
East Hill Christian School will be closed on Friday.
Escambia County
All Escambia County (FL) offices will be closed on Friday. Essential employees such as first responders and those contacted by their supervisors will be expected to maintain county operations.
Closed county offices include:
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners – all departments
West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
Escambia County Property Appraiser
Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office
Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Supervisor of Elections Office
ECAT bus service, UWF Trolley and Pensacola Beach Trolley services will be suspended Friday, Jan. 21. Escambia County Community Transportation (ECCT) will suspend regular service on Friday as well, except for dialysis and life-sustaining services. The Perdido Landfill will be open with regular hours.
ECUA
All ECUA offices will be open on Friday and sanitation collections are expected to remain on schedule.
Escambia County Courts
Escambia County courts will be closed Friday, January 21. Felony arraignments will be reset to Friday, January 28 at 8:30 a.m. Traffic infraction hearings will also be rescheduled for a later date. Regular operations will resume Monday, January 24.
FDOH-Escambia
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia will be closed Friday. All clinics and services, including drive-thru COVID-19 testing will be closed.
Manna Food Panties
Manna Food Pantries will be closed on Friday.
Town of Century
Town of Century offices will be closed on Friday.
Molino Utilities
Molino Utilities will be closed Friday and reopen on Monday.
City of Pensacola
City of Pensacola offices and facilities will be closed Friday. Essential departments, such and police and fire, will remain open. The Pensacola airport will remain open, but check with airlines about potential flight delays. City sanitation services will operate on a delayed schedule.
Escambia County (AL) Schools
All public schools in Escambia County, Alabama, will be closed on Friday. Friday will be a remote learning day for all students in Escambia County, Alabama, and teachers were set to send assignments home with students on Thursday. Athletic events scheduled for Friday will continue
Escambia Academy
Escambia Academy in Canoe, Alabama, will be closed on Friday.
Atmore Christian School
Atmore Christian School will be closed on Friday.
University of West Florida
As of about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, the University of West Florida said they are monitoring the situation but campuses will remain open. “Students, faculty and staff are advised to use their best judgment when traveling during freezing weather conditions,” UWF said.
Pensacola State College
Pensacola State College will be open on Friday, but is continuing to monitor the weather. “As with any weather condition we urge everyone to exercise caution and use their best judgment. If you believe that conditions in your area are hazardous tomorrow morning, then remain home and notify your instructor or supervisor,” PSC said.
Santa Rosa County Schools
Santa Rosa County Schools will be open on Friday.
Poarch Creek Indians To Build Meat Processing Facility In Atmore
January 21, 2022
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians has announced plans to build a new meat processing facility in Atmore.
The state-of-the-art USDA inspected facility will have the capacity to process up to 125 cattle per week.
Since 1982, the tribe has owned and operated Perdido River Farms (PRF), one of the largest cattle farms in Alabama, and has plans to expand their production. The Poarch Creek Indians said they will be able to efficiently harvest and process cattle and hogs for both livestock-producing customers and a retail and wholesale business.
“I am excited about the opportunities this project creates for our region’s farmers and the agriculture industry. Like so many other local meat producers, we have had no other option other than to send the cattle we raised right here at Perdido River Farms out of state for processing. This new facility will provide us and other farmers the opportunity to process locally- raised beef and pork right here in Atmore,” said Poarch Band of Creek Indians Chairwoman and CEO Stephanie A. Bryan.
“Not only will that make bringing a wonderful product to market easier and more cost-effective, it will also give Alabama producers an opportunity to be part of the ‘farm to table’ movement that is so important to both consumers and local agriculture,” Bryan continued.
Plans call for the project to be completed by the end of 2023.
Photo: USDA.
Dawn M. Killam
January 21, 2022
Dawn M. Killam was born in Bay Minette, AL on October 29, 1961 to Herbert Mills and Polly Gonzales Mills. She passed away on January 19, 2022 in Cantonment, FL at the age of 60.
Dawn was a mother, nana, and friend to everyone, but her grandchildren were her “heart” as she liked to say.
She enjoyed listening to music, bowling, shooting pool, being at the river in the boat and fishing with her husband every chance she could get. She made friends everywhere she went.
She is preceded in death by her father, Herbert Mills; nephew, Hayden Brown; and father in law, John Killam.
Dawn is survived by her mother, Paula “Polly” Mills; husband, John “Vince” Killam; two daughters, Sarah (Marston) Burnett and Hannah Killam; granddaughter, Zella Burnett; grandson, Zephyr Burnett; sisters, Donna Mills, Tonya (Donn) Keels, Kelly (Craig) Liggon; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2PM on Monday, January 24, 2022 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Tim Floyd officiating. Burial will follow in Beulah Chapel Cemetery, Cantonment, FL. The family will receive friends at 1PM prior to services.
Pallbearers will be Harley Whitfield, Scottie Ray, Clinton Burnett, Marston Burnett, Ron Fretwell, and Triston Midlam. Zephyr Burnett will act as Honorary Bearer.
Escambia County Sands Bridges, FDOT Prepped For Ice Potential
January 21, 2022
Escambia Public Works and the Florida Department of Transportation prepped Thursday for potential icy conditions on area roadways on Friday.
County crews sanded bridges across North Escambia Sand improves traction in the event of ice on a bridge.
The Florida Department of Transportation prepared under their winter weather plan.
FDOT vehicles were on state routes as maintenance and operations staff responded to winter weather conditions. FDOT crews were prepared to deploy various tankers, bridge deck sprayers and other equipment to apply anti-icing products on bridges and overpasses to prevent ice from bonding to the pavement surface. The anti-icing products allow any ice layer to melt more quickly and reduces the amount of time required to restore the roads to a clear, dry state.
Pictured: Escambia County work crews sand bridges. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Marion Olivia Kemp
January 21, 2022
Marion Olivia Kemp, 79 of Pensacola, FL passed away on January 11, 2022.
She began her career late in life and followed her passion of becoming nurse, for many years. Marion enjoyed everyday of taking care of her patients.
She is preceded in death by the love of life her husband of 56 years, Randall Adrin Kemp.
Marion is survived by her beloved family. She was known to many as Mom, Grammy, Sister, Aunt, Ms Marion, and Ms Kemp.
Marion’s kind nature and beautiful smile will always be remembered by those who knew her and loved her. She will be deeply missed. A Going Home service will be at a later date.
Trahan Family Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.
Escambia County (FL) Offices Closed On Friday Due To Winter Weather Advisory, Including ECAT, Libraries
January 20, 2022
Escambia County (FL) offices will be closed Friday, due to a winter weather advisory. Essential employees such as first responders and those contacted by their supervisors will be expected to maintain county operations.
For a complete closure list, including schools, click here.
Closed county offices include:
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners – all departments
West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
Escambia County Property Appraiser
Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office
Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Supervisor of Elections Office
ECAT bus service, UWF Trolley and Pensacola Beach Trolley services will be suspended Friday. Escambia County Community Transportation (ECCT) will suspend regular service on Friday as well, except for dialysis and life-sustaining services. The Perdido Landfill will be open with regular hours.
City of Pensacola offices will also be closed.
Flomaton Man Killed; Adult And Kids Critically Injured In Crash
January 20, 2022
A Flomaton man was killed in a tragic traffic crash Wednesday that critically injured a man and three juveniles, according to Alabama State Troopers.
Calvin L. Johnson, 68, was fatally injured when the 2004 Honda SUV he was driving collided with a 2003 Toyota pickup driven by 46-year old Brian T. Grant of Atmore, according to troopers. Grant and the children were transported to two area hospitals in multiple medical helicopters.
The crash happened shortly after 5 p.m. on Highway 31 near Old Atmore Road in the Wawbeek community, about five miles west of Atmore.
Troopers are continuing their investigation.
The Flomaton, Atmore, Wawbeek, Friendship and Lambeth fire departments; the Century and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia (FL) Fire Rescue; MedStar EMS; McMillan EMS; Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office and other agencies responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE Arrests Escambia Man For Soliciting A Minor, Dozens Of Child Porn Counts
January 20, 2022
An Escambia County man was arrested Wednesday on child sex crimes.
Scott Alexander Chappelear, 40, was charged with 30 counts possession of obscene material depicting child sexual abuse, use of a computer to solicit a minor, six counts of transmission of harmful material to a minor, and use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony.
FDLE began its investigation in August 2021. An undercover agent, posing as a 14-year old female, began communicating with Chappelear, who tried to coax the “child” into performing sexual acts and sent adult pornography, according to the agency.
“Chappelear indicated that he was 40-years old and was ok with the child persona’s age of 14,” an arrest report states.
FDLE said Chappelear also agreed to meet the person he thought was a 14-year old girl at Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze.
A search warrant was served Wednesday at his home at 8126 Crystal Wells Place, off East Olive Road. Agents found dozens of child sexual abuse material photos with some children as young as one to three years of age on two of his cell phones, according to the report.
Chappelear was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Escambia and Okaloosa county sheriff’s offices assisted FDLE with the arrest.
Attorney Says Lawsuit Forthcoming After Cottage Hill Murder Suspect Hangs Self In County Jail
January 20, 2022
An attorney has put several agencies on notice that litigation may be forthcoming in the case of a murder suspect that died days after hanging himself in the Escambia County Jail.
Lukas MacKenzie Snelson, 24, was charged with second degree homicide, grand theft of a motor vehicle and resisting arrest for the death of his grandmother, 75-year old Fran Fournier.
On December 30, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the end of Candy Lane in Cantonment for a death investigation. Fournier was found deceased, seated in a recliner with two dog leashes wrapped around her neck, according to an arrest report. Snelson was arrested hours later.
Snelson was found hanging in his cell and later died at a local hospital.
Attorney Ryan M. Carodoso filed a notice to preserve evidence through certified mail Wednesday to the Escambia County Jail, Escambia County Corrections Administration, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office.
In the notice, Cardoso states that all records may be used in “forthcoming litigation”.
The criminal case against Snelson was dismissed following his death.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
