Jerry Winston Dees
April 14, 2022
Jerry Winston Dees passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at the age of 86.
Jerry was born to Clinton Lee and Josephine Joyner Dees on March 26, 1936 in Jay, Florida.
Jerry graduated from Tate High School, the class of 1954. He served in the army before retiring from the St Regis/Champion Paper Company after 42 years. Jerry was an avid fisherman and he loved working with his cows. He was a member of Highland Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Frances McCrory Dees; a brother, Milford Lee Dees (Patricia); two daughters, Suzette Dees Cooper (Eddie) and Paula Lynne Hendrix (Garry); one son, Tony Winston Dees (Melanie); seven grandchildren, Lindsay Hendrix Davis (Nick), Joshua Ryan Cooper (Destini), Rebecca Lynne Szuch (Logan), Jeffrey Edwin Cooper (Stephanie), Jacob Wales Hendrix, Colby Winston Dees (Savannah), and Aaron Clint Dees (Madilynn); six great-grandchildren, and one on the way.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at Highland Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. prior to services.
The family would like to thank Jeanette and all the staff of Covenant Hospice for their wonderful care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Covenant Hospice.
April 14, 2022
Mr. Jeffrey Lynn Weaver, age 52, passed away, Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Pensacola, FL. He was a lifelong resident of Atmore, AL. He was employed with Tribal Police of Poarch Band of Creek Indians for many years. He was a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and Friendly Holiness Church.
Mr. Weaver valued his time he got to spend with his family and friends, he always loved to prank and joke with them all. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed motorcycles, and race cars. He was a loving husband, a great father, and will be missed by many.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Charlene Rolin Weaver.
He is survived by his father, James “Red” Weaver, of Poarch, AL; loving wife of three years, Brittany Weaver, of Poarch, AL; two sons, Hunter Smith, of Mobile, AL; Hayden Weaver, of Poarch, AL; one daughter, Hayla Weaver, of Poarch, AL; one brother, Daniel (Tracey) Weaver, of Atmore, AL; two sisters, Frankie (Shane) Haskew, of Brewton, AL; Christy Warren, of Excel, AL; other relatives, and friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at McCullough Christian Center with Rev. Ray Ward officiating.
Burial was at New Home Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Lee Fountain, Steven Bradley, Joey Williams, Lucas Gibson, Kyler McGlothren, and Brandon Lolly.
Honorary pallbearers were Brad Tolbert, and Dewitt Carter.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home LLC. are in charge of all arrangements.
Rusty Lee Johnson
April 14, 2022
Mr. Rusty Lee Johnson, age 52, passed away, Sunday, April 10, 2022, peacefully at his home in Perdido, AL. He was born in Atmore, AL; and resided most of his life in Gulf Shores, AL. He retired from driving a bus with many years of service.
Mr. Johnson valued his time he got to spend with his family, and friends. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, driving buses for schools and for the special needs children for their Olympics. He enjoyed going to Mardi Gras.
He is preceded in death by his father, Mr. Willie D. Johnson.
He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Martha Lambeth, of Perdido, AL; two brothers, Ricky Johnson, of Perdido, AL; Randy Johnson, of Perdido, AL; two half-sisters, Kiesha Mothershed, of Atmore, AL; Kallie Mothershed, of Atmore, AL; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Memorial service will be held Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 7:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC with Pastor, Audrey McAroy, and Bro. Malcolm Harrelson officiating.
Visitation will be held Thursday, April 21, 2022 from 6:00 PM until service time at 7:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Fields of Faith Community Worship Service Postponed Due To Weather
April 13, 2022
The Field of Faith Event originally planned for Wednesday evening at Northview High School has been postponed due to weather. A rescheduled date has not yet been announced.
Northview High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes had planned to host their annual Fields of Faith outdoors in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
Fields of Faith is a national student-led initiative. “Students invite, pray for, share with, and challenge their peers to read the Bible and follow Jesus Christ. An athletic field provides a neutral, rally point where a community can come together,” according to national organizers.
Pictured: Last year’s Fields of Faith event at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
$80 Million Turnaround Project Beginning At Ascend With 500 Contractors. Here’s What You Need To Know.
April 13, 2022
An $80 million turnaround project is beginning at Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment and is expected to continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week through May 4.
About 90% of the plant will be shut down, but some utility operations will continue. Officials said there are no issues expected from the shutdown or startup of the manufacturing plant. There is not expected to be any noise from the operation, but other plants on the property will continue to make noise as usual.
Up to 500 outside contractors will be involved in the turnaround. That means numerous vehicles will be parked at the water tower at the intersection of Old Chemstrand and Chemstrand Roads and at the plant’s gym and park area. Temporary parking lot lights will be used as needed.
A law enforcement presence will help with traffic flow in and out of the site during shift changes. Buses will be used to transport workers from the plant to and from the parking areas.
Contractors are being encouraged to use Chemstrand and Old Chemstrand roads, not surrounding residential streets.
During the event, shift changes are scheduled from 5-7 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. to minimize traffic impacts.
All of the contractor employees have undergone a stringent evaluation, including drug, alcohol and background checks, said Ascend Environment, Safety, Security, and Health Leader Dean Rossi during a recent virtual community meeting. He said the company has also partnered with local law enforcement.
“We are about our communities in which we operate,” Ascend Cantonment Site Director Matthew Steward said.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Two Arrested, One Wanted: Items, Including Silver And Guns, Stolen In Nearly $100,000 Burglary
April 13, 2022
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
Two North Escambia men are accused of taking items worth nearly $100,000, including nine guns, during a burglary on Innerarity Point Road, and authorities are searching for a third suspect.
Raymond Eugene Love, age 41 of Molino, and David Ross Holmquist, age 50 of Cantonment, were both charged with nine counts of grand theft of a firearm, grand theft $20,000 to $100,000, armed burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, and criminal mischief.
James Bronson Morgan, 48, is wanted for nine counts of grand theft of a firearm, grand theft between $20,000 – $100,000, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling while armed and criminal mischief.
During the burglary, Love and Holmquist allegedly took items including $60,000 in silver bars and bullion, ammunition valued at $10,000, 50 extra magazines for an AR-15 and AK-47, and the firearms, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. The items were collectively valued at $96,459.
The homeowner arrived to find his indoor dog outside and that his house had been ransacked. According to the ECSO, the home was entered through a window over the kitchen sink.
Love (pictured right) remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $261,000. Holmquist was jailed without bond.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Morgan is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Escambia Man Convicted On Drug Trafficking Charges
April 13, 2022
An Escambia County man has been convicted on drug trafficking charges.
Daryl Leroy Hayes, Jr. was found guilty by an Escambia County jury of trafficking in fentanyl (28 grams or more), trafficking in methamphetamine (more than 200 grams), selling cocaine, fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer at high speed, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Hayes faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years when he is sentenced next month by Judge Linda Nobles.
On April 17, 2021, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a car driven by Hayes. When lights and sirens were activated, Hayes fled in the car at a high rate of speed. When he eventually stopped, he fled on foot with a backpack full of a trafficking amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to court testimony. Cocaine, oxycodone, MDMA, spice, and a firearm were also located by deputies after Hayes’ arrest.
Severe Storms Possible Into Thursday Morning
April 13, 2022
There is a marginal risk of severe storms in the North Escambia area into the early morning hours Thursday. Damaging winds, large hail, and a tornado are possible.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 64. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Light southeast wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Three Big Wins For Tate Baseball Over Navarre; NHS Falls To Lighthouse; Jay Softball Beats Northview
April 13, 2022
BASEBALL
Tate 20, Navarre 0
The Tate Aggies shut out Navarre 20-0 in fiving innings Tuesday night.
Ethan McAnally started for Tate on the mound, giving up no runs, no hits, and striking out three in three innings. Tucker Griffin went for one inning, allowing no hits and no runs while striking out one. Drew Reaves pitched an inning, allowing two hits, no runs and striking out one.
Cade Kelly and Kirk Mosley led the Aggies at bat with three hits. Drew Reaves, Frankie Randall and Jay Davis had two hits each.
For a varsity and junior varsity photo gallery, click here.
Tate 4, Navarre 1 (JV)
Tate Aggies junior varsity topped Navarre 4-1 Tuesday.
On the pitcher’s mound, Cole McNair allowed one hit, no runs and had three strikeouts over three innings.Tristin Lynn threw for two, allowing one hit and striking out three in two innings. In one inning, Conner Baer allowed one hit and one run.
Anthony Longo knocked a home run for the Aggies.
Neal Croom went 2-3 for the Aggies to lead at the plate. Trey Rebber, Damien Cullen, Ketch King, Allan Beasley and Longo had one hit each.
Tate 13, Navarre 3 (Freshmen)
The Tate Freshmen Aggies beat Navarre 13-3.
Brodie Rhodes pitched the win, going three innings, allowing one hit and no runs while striking out four with no walks. Brayden Beck and Trevor Land closed the game in relief.
Brayden Walker and Nathan Ozuna led the Aggies at the plate, both going 2-3.
Lighthouse Christian 4, Northview 1
Lighthouse Christian defeated Northview 4-1 Tuesday night in Bratt.
SOFTBALL
Jay 13, Northview 7
The Jay Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs 13-7 Tuesday night in Jay.
Caitlyn Gavin had a solo homer for the Lady Royals in the second, and Alyana Lower added her home run in the fifth. Northview’s Kailyn Watson hit a home run in the seventh inning.
Rylie Cochran led off for the Royals, going four innings, allowing four runs on five hits and recording nine strikeouts.
Jamison Gilman was in the circle for four and a third innings for Northview, giving up 11 runs on 10 hits while striking out three. Aubrey Stuckey went for one and two-thirds innings, surrendering three hits, two runs and striking out three.
Gavin and Kaylee Gilbreath were both 3-4 for the Lady Royals.
Watson led the Chiefs at bat, going 3-4. Chloe Ragsdale, Kayla Dixon, Stuckey and Alanna Roberson added one hit each.
West Florida 4, Tate 2
NorthEscambia.com photos by Laura Glodfelter, click to enlarge.
Aviles Homers Late To Lead Blue Wahoos To First Win
April 13, 2022
A go-ahead ninth-inning homer for Luis Aviles Jr. against his former team helped lift the Pensacola Blue Wahoos to their first win of the season on Tuesday night, defeating the Rocket City Trash Pandas 4-3 in Madison, Alabama.
The solo blast from Aviles, who played last season for the Trash Pandas, capped a comeback for the Blue Wahoos after falling behind early. A near-perfect effort from the Blue Wahoos bullpen kept the game within reach as the offense slowly worked their way back into the game.
George Soriano struck out six batters in his Double-A debut, allowing three unearned runs over 4.0 innings. A pair of errors and a pair of walks netted the Trash Pandas a run in the first, and they took advantage of another error from Aviles in the second to extend their lead to 3-0. An RBI double from Anthony Mulrine and RBI single from Aaron Whitefield proved to be the only two hits in the ballgame for Rocket City.
The Blue Wahoos got on the board in the third on an RBI single for Paul McIntosh against Rocket City starter Coleman Crow, but couldn’t gain any more traction until the seventh inning. Aviles poked a one-out single against reliever Jack Dashwood, and with two outs Victor Victor Mesa delivered an RBI double to draw the score to 3-2. One batter later, McIntosh kept up his hot hitting with an RBI triple to tie the score 3-3.
Robert Garcia and Andrew Nardi (W, 1-1) were perfect over their relief appearances, setting the stage for Aviles to line a solo blast just out of the reach of left fielder Torii Hunter Jr. to lead off the ninth against Luis Ledo (L, 0-1). Colton Hock (S, 1) worked around a leadoff walk in the bottom of the ninth to lock down his first save of the year.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Wednesday night.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos