Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month

May 20, 2022

Jim Allen Elementary School recently named Students of the Month. They are Paisley Black and Jaxon Southern. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Walter M. Butler, Sr.

May 20, 2022

Mr. Walter M. Butler, Sr. of Walnut Hill, Florida was born September 18, 1946 and passed away on May 18, 2022 in Pensacola, Florida.

Mr. Butler, a native of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, resided in the Atmore and Walnut Hill area for the past twenty-three years.

Mr. Butler had a career in lumber sales and newspaper advertising. In his business trips all over South Alabama and Northwest Florida, Walter made friends everywhere he went. His outgoing personality and his gift of being able to talk to anyone, at any time and any place, assured that he never met a stranger. These contacts resulted in numerous friendships that lasted a lifetime.

During the course of his life, Walter volunteered his talents by holding office or working with the following organizations: The Boy Scouts of America, Jaycees, United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile, United Cerebral Palsy of Alabama, Leadership Atmore, Atmore Lions Club, American Cancer Society, Relay for Life and the First Baptist Church of Atmore. He was always willing to serve in any way possible.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Cordell Lee and Newton Butler, and brother, Charles Sprinkle.

Walter is survived by his wife, Elsie Nall Butler; sons, Walter (Beth) Butler, Jr. of Springville, Alabama, Rhett (Heidi) Butler of Grand Bay, Alabama, and Whitney (Holly) Butler of Semmes, Alabama; step-son Eric (Angela) Stuart of Walnut Hill, Florida; step-daughter Rebecca (Blaine) Durbin of Spanish Fort, Alabama; ten grandchildren; brother, Carl (Carol) Butler of Mobile, Alabama and sisters Pat Stewart and Darla (Jess) Bryant of Lititz, Pennsylvania and Sherri Sprinkle of Mobile, Alabama.

Visitation will be Monday, May 23, 2022 at First Baptist Church in Atmore, Alabama beginning at 2:00 pm with a Memorial Service to follow at 3:00 pm with Dr. Kevin Garrett officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to United Cerebral Palsy at 3058 Dauphin Square Connector, Mobile, Alabama 36607, First Baptist Church Atmore Children’s Program or a charity of your choice.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries

NAS Pensacola To Allow Public Access For One Day On June 4

May 19, 2022

After months of planning and coordination, Naval Air Station Pensacola will allow a one-day public access to the installation on Saturday, June 4.

This one-time access was selected for June 4 to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Midway, a pivotal battle of World War II that occurred from June 4 – 7, 1942.

Public access to NAS Pensacola on June 4 will be available from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. through the West Gate only on Blue Angel Parkway. All guests 18 and older must have a valid picture ID such as driver’s license or passport. Access will be available dependent on available parking at the museum and lighthouse. Once parking is full, public access will be halted until more parking becomes available. Temporary traffic control points will be located on base to prevent public access to other areas of the installation.

While on the installation, the public will be able to visit the Pensacola Lighthouse and the National Naval Aviation Museum. Fort Barrancas will not be accessible to the public. Access to Barrancas National Cemetery is always available to anyone with family in the cemetery through the Visitor Control Center at the main gate.

The following restrictions will apply:

No weapons (firearms/knives) allowed (to include concealed weapon permit holders)
No backpacks/coolers allowed (diaper bags or medically required bags are acceptable and subject to search)
No alcoholic beverages allowed
No drones allowed (countermeasures will be taken)
Persons with felony convictions are not authorized base access
All vehicles and visitors are subject to security searches and background checks

NAS Pensacola has been closed to the public since a terrorist attack on December 6, 2019.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Music Suite At Ransom Middle Named For Late Band Director Janie Newbold Walker

May 19, 2022

The music suite at Ransom Middle School has been named the “Janie Newbold Walker Music Suite”.

She was honored this week by the Escambia County School Board, with a board resolution accepted by her husband Chris Walker, son Andrew Walker and mother Kathy Newbold on behalf of her family.

Walker passed away in May 2021 at the age of 47 after complications from surgery.

Walker started her teaching career in the fall of 1997 when she became the band director at UMS Wright Preparatory School in Mobile. While living in Mobile, she played in the Mobile Pops Orchestra.

In the fall of 1999, Walker moved back to Pensacola and became the band director at Ransom Middle School. During her time at Ransom, her symphonic and jazz bands received consistent superior ratings at District Music Performance Assessments, and she had 18 students selected for participation in Florida all state bands. She also served as guest conductor for Middle School Honor Bands in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. She was selected as the Ransom Middle School Teacher of the Year for the 2020-2021 school year.

She was born March 26, 1974, in Pensacola and attended Cordova Park Elementary, Workman Middle School, and Washington High School. Walker and her family were active members of First Baptist Church in Pensacola where she was baptized and married and she served as a Children’s Camp Counselor. She also played the trumpet in the church orchestra.

Following graduation from high school in 1992 with honors, she attended the University of Alabama where she received a Bachelor of Music Education in 1997. While at Alabama she was a member of the Million Dollar Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Quota Brass Quintet and Mu Phi Epsilon. Walker and her future husband, Chris Walker, met at Alabama and they were both members of the Million Dollar Band.

Several of Walker’s former students are in teaching positions at middle school and high school band programs in the Florida Panhandle, and several former students are professional musicians.

Walker began her career with the Escambia County School District in 1999. She service in multiple capacities including Ransom Middle School band director and music department chair, lead middle school band director for the Escambia County Fine Arts Department, and guest conductor for middle school honor bands in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.

She was posthumously awarded the Oliver Hobbs Award by the Florida Bandmasters Association. which recognizes FBA members who have consistently done an exceptional job year after year in the position of band director.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Escaped State Work Release Inmate Captured

May 19, 2022

A state work release inmate that escaped from custody May 4 in Escambia County was captured about 6 p.m. Wednesday in Santa Rosa County.

Anthony Ray Barnes was taken into custody on West Lake Road near Milton by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Violent Fugitive Task Force, Criminal Apprehension Team and Narcotics unit.

Barnes was observed fleeing a residence on West Lake Road as deputies were executing a warrant. K-9 units tracked Barnes and he was taken into custody without incident, according to Sgt. Rich Aloy, SRSO public information officer.

Barnes is facing additional charges of escape, property damage, and criminal mischief. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.

Barnes has an extensive arrest record with multiple felony charges including battery, drug violations, and burglary. At the time of his escape, he was serving time for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and fleeing and eluding from Santa Rosa County.

On May 4, he was assigned to L30 Traffic Services to hold traffic signs in the area of Mobile Highway and Boulder Street..

He checked in with a Florida Department of Corrections correctional officer at 2:04 p.m. that day. Then at 6:37 p.m. it was discovered Barnes had removed his ankle monitor and left the state’s work-release program. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was asked to assist in the search for Barnes at 9 p.m.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Here’s The Schedule And Video Links For Escambia County Graduations

May 19, 2022

Graduations are scheduled for Friday through Thursday at the Pensacola Bay Center for Escambia County schools.

The schedule and live video links are below.

Friday, May 20

11 a.m. — Escambia Westgate

Tuesday, May 24

9 a.m. — District Extended

Wednesday, May 25

9 a.m. — Pine Forest High
12:15 p.m. — West Florida High
3:15 p.m. — Northview High
6:30 p.m. — Tate High

Thursday, May 26

9 a.m. — Pensacola High
12:15 p.m. — Escambia High
3:15 p.m. — Escambia Virtual, Success Academy, and George Stone
6:30 p.m. — Washington High

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Sunny, High Today In The Low 90s; Looking Like A Wet Weekend

May 19, 2022

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 15 mph.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 81. South wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.

Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80.

Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.

Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

Pictured: Wednesday’s sunset as seen from Highway 99 near Highway 168 in Bratt. Photo by Sean Kahalley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Reimagine Event Is Saturday With Free Food, Free Clothes, Free Lunch And Much More

May 19, 2022

An outreach will be held Saturday in Bellview to help those in need.

Reimagine Belview will be held from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Bellview Middle School. There will be free food, free lunch, free diapers, free clothing, bounce houses, free bike giveaways, free haircuts, free laundry detergent, fishing lessons and more.

Bellview Middle School is located at 6201 Mobile Highway.

Pictured: Reimage Cantonment last October at Carver Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.