John Hershell Scott
March 20, 2022
John Hershell Scott, resident of Molino, Florida passed away on March 16, 2022 at the age of 74. He was born on October 2, 1947 in Denver, Colorado to the late Hershell and Ovetta Downing Scott. He served his county in the U.S. Army. John was a Vietnam War Veteran where he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his bravery and service. He spent many years doing construction then ended his working career as the Director of the Radiology Department at the Naval Hospital. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
John is survived by his wife, Mary-Lynne Ponson Scott; children, John (Brandy) Scott, Linda (Ronnie) Moore, Kimberly LeForte, Kelleigh (Billy) Byington, Karen Riffenburg and Randy (Crystal) Kersh; thirteen grandchildren, Collin, Maegan, Wesley, CJ, Wes, Nicole, Emily, Shelby, Bethany, Carter, Sara, Abigail, and Nella; and eight great grandchildren; sister, Carol (Tim) Bartel; brothers, Leon Scott, Tim (Sandy) Scott.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North prior to the service.
A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, Florida. Please meet at Olive Baptist Church, Warrington Campus at 1:15 p.m. for procession to Barrancas.
Pallbearers: Collin Scott, Wesley Bass, Billy Byington, Ronnie Moore, CJ Moore, Wes Moore.
Red Cross Assisting Storm Victims That Lost Everything In Trailer Park North Of Atmore
March 20, 2022
The Red of Alabama is assisting victims of Friday’s destruction at a trailer park north of Atmore.
The Red Cross has conducted damage assessments and has been offering assistance from the Poarch Creek Fire Department’s training facility. Anyone that was a victim of Friday’s storm that still needs assistance can call 1-800-RED CROSS.
The National Weather Service on Saturday determined that straight line winds were responsible for damage at the Big Oak Mobile Home Park on Jack Springs Road. There were 10 injuries and at least nine mobile homes that were destroyed when winds of 90-100 mph hit that area north of Poarch Creek reservation.
For more information, click or tap here.
Pictured: The American Red Cross on the ground offering assistance amid the destruction at this mobile home park north of Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injures In Crash Involving Kia, Pepsi Truck
March 19, 2022
There were no injuries in a Highway 29 crash Friday afternoon involving a Kia and a Pepsi delivery truck.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, which happened about 2:20 p.m. on Highway 29 near Nine and One Half Mile Road.
The crash did close one lane of southbound Highway temporarily.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Damages RV; Firefighters Save Nearby Structure, Vehicle
March 19, 2022
Fire burned through a recreational vehicle Friday afternoon in Molino.
The fire was reported about 4:50 p.m. on Keck Road, off Chestnut Road.
Firefighters from Escambia Fire Rescue were able to contain the fire to the unoccupied camper and prevented it from spreading to a nearby structure and vehicle.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire, and there were no injuries reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Master Gardeners Grow Endowment Fund
March 19, 2022
When Ann Luther’s friend asked in 2008 if she wanted to take Master Gardener classes through the UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County office, she had no idea it would become one of her passions.
“I don’t know why, but I’d never heard of it,” Luther said. She had, to be fair, spent years moving from place to place as a military spouse, eventually retiring in Pensacola from a career as an elementary educator and becoming a part-time CPR instructor. Naturally, the teaching aspects of the Florida Master Gardener Volunteer program appealed to her. “I had always liked to garden, but I was never in one place long enough to put much in the ground,” she added.
After completing the course and becoming a UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County Master Gardener Volunteer in 2009, Luther vowed to make people aware of the program. Her involvement grew into many areas of the county’s organization throughout the years, including as a board member.
Growing knowledge throughout Florida
The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer program provides local communities statewide with University of Florida-trained volunteers, like Luther, who are passionate about sharing their gardening knowledge. But each program, coordinated through the local UF/IFAS Extension office, also relies upon fundraising to be able to offer those educational opportunities and outreach.
To reduce the fundraising burden for its future members, the Escambia County group set on a mission three years ago to establish an endowment fund. As 2021 closed, ahead of its five-year goal and despite almost two full years of COVID pandemic-related challenges, the fund reached its $30,000 target. This investment will generate over $1,000 each year for the group’s operations.
“We had a very active Master Gardener board at the time this effort started, and they wanted to find a way for future volunteers to spend less time fundraising and more time teaching,” said Beth Bolles, UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County horticulture agent and coordinator of the county’s program.
Escambia County’s volunteers help community members learn more about growing landscape and food plants successfully, sharing information at churches and public libraries, and through homeowners’ associations and garden clubs.
In a recent effort, Bolles shared, a group of Master Gardener Volunteers helped a local Native American tribe begin growing native plants with a significance to Native American culture. Luther said other projects focus on the military community and veterans’ groups; the volunteers include former military members, too.
‘It’s just my happy place’
“When we got this opportunity to ensure that the Master Gardener program continues after those of us in it now are no longer involved, we all thought that this was such an important opportunity to do something for this wonderful program,” said M.J. Ziemba, who’s been a Master Gardener Volunteer since 2018. “It’s not only wonderful for the people who are in the group; it’s wonderful for the whole community because we then take the information that we learn and help share it.”
Unlike Luther, Ziemba had learned of the Master Gardener program long before she became a volunteer. She thought of joining right then, sometime in the 1980s, but with four kids and a career in education, “I just didn’t have the time.”
“As soon as I retired in 2017, I signed up,” Ziemba said. “Working in the garden and being with my garden friends… it’s just my happy place.”
Securing continued services
Like other Florida Master Gardener Volunteer groups around the state, the Escambia County volunteers’ plant sales contribute some of their largest fundraising efforts each year.
In addition to the plant sales, though, Bolles said the group also got creative in trying to reach the endowment goal. They hosted a rummage sale, used planned speaking engagements to promote the fund and encourage donations, and created a set of educational postcards, with 100% of the proceeds going toward the endowment.
And although they’ve reached their initial goal, she added, “we know we’re still planning for the future, so we will continue to add to it.”
Read more about the Escambia County Master Gardeners Endowment at go.ufl.edu/mgvendowment.
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A Little Chilly Tonight; Sunshine Returns For Sunday
March 19, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 72. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 75. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Low around 60. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 70.
Man Wanted For Questioning In Homicide Last Week In Ensley
March 19, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking to question a man in connection with a homicide last week in Ensley.
Christopher Occie McCullough, 38, is wanted for questioning only in a homicide that occurred March 12 in the 700 block of West Johnson Avenue.
A 47-year old man was shot and killed while riding a bicycle. He was found with a single gunshot wound.
Anyone with information on McCullough’s whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Ten Injured, Multiple Mobile Homes Destroyed At Trailer Park North Of Atmore
March 19, 2022
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK OR TAP HERE.
Multiple mobile homes were destroyed by wind and 10 people were injured in a trailer park north of the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation Friday morning.
Three of the injured were transported to Atmore Community Hospital, two critically injured were transported to Mobile and one person went to the hospital by private vehicle.
Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said the damage happened at the Big Oak Mobile Home Park at 7400 Jack Springs Road about 9 a.m. He said there were no fatalities.
The sheriff said nine mobile homes were destroyed as a storm moved through.
“It’s devastating. Those people have nothing left,” he said. “We are so thankful that no one was killed or severely injured, but to know everything that you owned is no more. That’s difficult to see.”
“It looked like a bomb hit some of them,” Atmore Fire Chief Ronald Peebles told NorthEscambia.com.
Several of the homes were blown from their foundations and scattered about the mobile home park. First responders from Poarch Creek, Escambia County, Alabama, Baldwin County and the state combed through the wreckage looking for anyone injured or trapped. Officials said everyone was accounted for following the search.
“We have one guy that was in his mobile home when the storm hit. He was asleep. He said when he woke up, he was in the woods,” Jackson said. “Obviously the Good Lord was looking out for him.”
The sheriff said officials are working on providing shelter for those that have been displaced.
The National Weather Service in Mobile will survey the scene on Saturday to determine if the damage was caused by straight line winds, a downburst or possibly a tornado.
Escambia County (AL) Emergency Management Director David Adams said while there were indications of some rotation in the damage, it appeared straight line winds were the likely cause.
There was other wind damage to outbuildings and flooding reported in the immediate area.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are Next Weeks’ Road Work Slow Down Areas
March 19, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 20 through Saturday, March 26. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – The bus stop on the north side of Cervantes Street at N Street will remain temporarily closed through Friday, March 25 as crews perform construction activities associated with the safety improvement project. E-Cat has been notified of this temporary closure so accommodations to the stops can be made. Riders may use alternate bus stops on the north side of Cervantes Street at L and Q streets. In addition, drivers will encounter the following:
- Inside lane closures and shifts between D and Q streets as crews perform median improvements, signalization installation and construct curb and gutter and sidewalk.
- Outside intermittent lane closures will occur at various locations along West Cervantes, between Dominguez and A Streets, to allow crews to construct Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalk ramps and traffic pole foundations.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, March 21 through Friday, March 25, as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Airport Boulevard (S.R. 750) Maintenance from West of Palafox Street to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, March 21 as crews perform concrete operations.
- I-10 Pavement Marking at the Pensacola Weigh Station – The westbound weigh station will be closed beginning Thursday, March 24 through Thursday, March 31 as crews perform restriping operations.
- S.R. 296 (Bayou Boulevard) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance near East Blount Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 23 as crews work on underground gas lines.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 20 through Saturday, March 26. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements include widening the roadway from four to six-lanes with a raised median, safety, and drainage upgrades, resurfacing S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge, extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard, and new signage and pavement markings.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect daytime eastbound shoulder closures at the County Road 191 Overpass Bridge (Exit 26) the week of Monday, March 21 as crews perform construction activities on the barrier wall.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Maria Elena Sale Fischer
March 19, 2022
Mrs. Maria Elena Sale Fischer, age 78, passed away Friday, March 18, 2022 at her Century, FL residence.
Mrs. Fischer was born in Port St. Joe, Florida, and was a 1961 graduate of W.S. Neal High School. She has been a resident of Century, FL for the past 60 years. She was a member of the Daughters of The American Revolution, and was honored for 50 years of membership. She was a member of the Mayflower Association as well as a member of the Edward Fuller Society. Granny was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Her life was filled with fishing, gardening, riding the river, and spending time with her family and friends. She will be remembered as Granny by everyone who loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lafayette Lamar Sale and Elizabeth Ann Vetter.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jerry Fischer. Sr; two sons, Jerry Fischer Jr (Ramona) of McDavid, FL, and Jeff (Junia) Fischer of Pollard, AL; one daughter, Julie (Chuck) Thornton of Jay, FL; two brothers, Lamar (Fran) Sale III of Stanton, VA, and John (Lynn) Sale of Durham, NC; Ten grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. All of whom miss her dearly.
Graveside services will be held on Sunday, March 20, 2022 at 3:00 P.M. at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Bluff Springs, FL with Bro. John Kemp officiating.