Kevin Brandenburg Named Escambia County Employee Of The Year
January 1, 2022
Kevin Brandenburg is the 2021 Escambia County Employee of the year.
Brandenburg is a fleet management specialist in the Parks and Recreation department. He has worked with Escambia County since June 2014 and was previously selected as employee of the month for April 2021.
As the fleet maintenance specialist, most of Brandenburg’s time is focused on equipment maintenance.
His recent attendance at a school playground installation on behalf of the county has allowed the Parks and Recreation department to install county playgrounds and save money in the department. He is also a leader on an in-house team repairing sports field lighting and installing multiple baseball and football scoreboards across the county. By completing small in-house repairs on various projects, he saves the Parks and Recreation department and the county as a whole thousands of dollars, which in turn can be leveraged and used in various other locations for enhancements and upgrades.
“It is a blessing to have someone who can work together with other departments to complete tasks,” said Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes. “Kevin is the example of a true team player; he is always thinking outside the box and communicating in a respectful and insightful manner. Kevin is an incredible asset to our Parks and Recreation Department, and an invaluable member on the Escambia County team.”
Gulf Power In Midst Of System Transition To FPL; Here’s What Won’t Work For Now.
January 1, 2022
Gulf Power is in the midst of a full transition to Florida Power & Light (FPL).
Until January 3, Gulf Power customers will be unable to manage their accounts, make a payment or report an outage on the website, mobile app or through the automated phone system. Customers can call (800) 487-6937 to report an outage.
NextEra purchased Gulf Power from the Southern Company in January 2019, but the companies were not immediately merged to operate as one. FPL is the largest electric utility in the state with about five million customers. Gulf Power has about 470,000 customers in eight Florida Panhandle counties, including Escambia and Santa Rosa.
By The Numbers: What A 40,000 Pound Food Distribution Looks Like
January 1, 2022
A 40,000 pound food distribution was held December 18 in Cantonment.
We shared the story the following day. Now, organizers have a tallied the numbers from the day.
Here’s a look at the distribution, by the numbers:
275 vehicles
1,022 people served
349 under the age of 18
277 over age 60 served
351 packages distributed
Sponsors for the event included Salzman, Barry, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Feeding the Gulf Coast, and community partners including Farm Share, Pinewood Presbyterian Church, Cantonment Improvement Committee, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Trailer Parts Plus.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Frances C. Abrams Hershman
January 1, 2022
Frances C. Abrams Hershman, age 78, of Lillian, AL, passed away on December 25, 2021. She was born on May 1, 1943, in Century, FL to Johnny W. Abrams, Sr. and Beulah “Bessie” Conway Abrams. She retired from the United States Government Civil Service after many dedicated years.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Betty Ann Adams.
She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Hershman of Lillian, AL; her brother, Johnny W. (Kitty) Abrams of Wawbeek, AL and her sister, Mary Elizabeth Hale of Atmore, AL.
Graveside services were held Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery in Wawbeek, AL with Bro. Robert Bradley officiating.
Interment was at Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your charity of choice.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Ruby Earline Jernigan
January 1, 2022
Mrs. Ruby Earline Jernigan of Atmore, AL, lost her battle with cancer at the age 64. Earline was born January 21, 1957, and passed away December 22, 2021, in her family’s care, in Calhoun, GA.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 29 years, James Levon (Buddy) Jernigan.
She is survived by her two sons, Jim (Charlotte) Jernigan, of Calhoun, GA, and Joseph Busby; one sister, Martha (Jack) Hall; one brother, Louis (Melissa) Screws; seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild and numerus nieces, and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC.
Burial was at Godwin Cemetery beside her husband.
Pallbearers were Jaden Jernigan, Ronald Peebles, Trent Peebles, Austin Snyder, Jay Scarborough, and Austin Johnson.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC, is in charge of all arrangements
Ellen Marie O’Barr
January 1, 2022
Mrs. Ellen Marie O’Barr, age 71, passed away, Tuesday, December 28, 2021, peacefully at her home in Poarch, AL. She was born in Atmore, AL, but has resided in Poarch, AL, most of her life. She was a member of St. Anna Episcopal Church and Poarch Band of Creek Indians. She retired in the Archives Department at Poarch Creek Indians with 30 plus years of employment.
Mrs. O’Barr valued her time she got to spend with her family. She loved watching sports, Alabama Football, NAYO, NASA, and going fishing.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Adam (Inez McGhee) Daughtry; husband, Joe O’Barr Jr; one sister, Doris McGhee; three brothers, Frank Jackson, Bennie McGhee, and Houston Daughtry.
She is survived by her three sons, Charles “Bubba” (Sylina) O’Barr, of Lottie, AL; John (Stacie) O’Barr, of Poarch, AL; Andrew (Elizabeth) Daughtry, of Atmore, AL; three daughters, Christy (Ronnie) Huskey, of Daphne, AL; Shannon (Jason) Griffey, of Poarch, AL; Kimberly (Nick) Hill, of Poarch, AL; one brother, Charles (Danna) Daughtry, of Poarch, AL; two sisters, Emily “Emmie Jane” (AD) Owens, of Monroeville, AL; Essie Wilkins, of Pensacola, FL; 17 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, numerus nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Ray Ward officiating.
Burial will follow at Judson Creek Indian Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, January 3, 2022, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Kendall Reed, Roger McGhee, Jake Thomas, Larry Faircloth, Jerry Faircloth, and Robbie McGhee.
Honorary pallbearers will be Glenn Barrington, Joe Lowe, Billy Joe Carlton, Corey Flowers, Trent Flowers, Douglas Daughtry, Justin Daughtry, Arthur Anderson, Coley McGhee, Tony Wright, and David Kirby.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC, is in charge of arrangements.