Joe Stokes
July 20, 2022
Mr. Joe Stokes, age 72, passed away Saturday, July 16, 2022 at his Gautier, Mississippi residence.
Mr. Stokes was born in Century, FL and had been a resident of Gautier since 1976. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, having served with the U.S. Navy. He worked at Ingall’s Shipyard for 36 years and was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Rosie Stokes; a son, Brad Stokes; four brothers, Milford Stokes, John Stokes, Ricky Stokes and Jake Stokes.
He is survived by his wife, Mickie Nelson Stokes of Gautier; a daughter, Kim (Mike) Byrd of Mobile; sister, Jeanette Schofield of Lockhart; brother, Rocky (Mary) Stokes of Paxton; grandchildren, Keylee (Joe) Burnham, Austin Byrd; great-granddaughter, Khloe Burnham; and close friend, John Carter of Gautier.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 2:00 P.M. from the chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home with Dr. Gene Miller officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Flomaton Funeral Home from 1:00 P.M. until service time at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday.
Pallbearers are Melvin Nelson, Jeremiah Walston, Jeffery Lambeth, John Carter, Mike Byrd, and Joe Burnham.
Community Service Providers Meet In Century
July 20, 2022
Agencies and groups that offer community services in Century held a meeting of the minds Tuesday afternoon.
Opening Doors Northwest Florida facilitated the gathering that included 25 people in person with another 42 taking part virtually.
The groups discussed the services offered, and needed, in the Century area.
Participating groups included Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, CDAC Behavioral Healthcare, Community Action Program, Century Area Chamber of Commerce, Legal Services of North Florida and many others.
Photos for NorthEscabia.com, click to enlarge.
Downed Tree Limb Sparks Electrical Fire At Molino Home
July 19, 2022
A downed tree limb sparked a reported electrical fire Tuesday morning at Molino home.
A large oak limb brought down a power line at home on Molino Road and caused it to overheat at the outside electrical panel.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded and quickly brought the situation under control. There were no reports of injuries.
The Molino, Cantonment, Century, Walnut Hill, Ensley and Bellview stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue were initially dispatched, with many of those units canceled prior to arrival.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘We Are Number One’ – EMS Chief Says Escambia Leads Florida In Opioid Overdose Deaths
July 19, 2022
Escambia County leads the state in opioid overdose deaths, according to Escambia County EMS Chief David Torsell.
“We are number one. We get the trophy that nobody else wants. We are the ones recognized for that we don’t want to be recognized for. The state has absolutely recognized us as someone who needs assistance from the state in order to combat this problem.”
“In my 26-year career, I have not seen as much death from overdose in such a short amount of time as I’ve been in Escambia County,” Torsell said. He’s been in Escambia County since June 1, 2021. “A very sad thing.”
The state recently announced Escambia County is one of nine counties to be fully funded for an overdose assistance program that will offer addiction therapy services.
He said during the 2021 calendar year, Escambia County EMS administered 1,391 doses of Narcan, a medication that is given in hopes of stopping an opioid overdose. There were a total of 1,085 overdose calls in 2021.
Just over half way through 2022, Escambia EMS had administered 964 doses of Narcan. As of Monday, EMS had responded to 1,134 overdoses this year, with 42 of those in the last week.
“We’ve already surpassed last year’s overdose numbers in the first half of the year. We are going to double last year’s number,” the EMS chief said. “That is extremely concerning.”
He added that fortunately right now there are not a lot of overdoses among school-aged children. But he wants to use community partners like the Escambia County School District to help educate children about the dangers of the drug use they may see among adults at home.
“Fentanyl has become the bane of our existence. Previously, you go back years, you’re talking about cocaine, marijuana, things like that. But now, everything as we’re seeing has fentanyl in it,” Torsell said.
He said the fentanyl is often mixed with other illicit drugs, and people don’t know they are taking it until it’s too late.
“It’s extremely frustrating to see what we are seeing in our community and just know that it’s kind of become the norm,” he said.
But some days are worse than others.
Escambia EMS has seen 19 overdoses in one day in a six to eight block area. They are literally able to tell when a new batch of drugs arrives in a community or zip code. Those drugs, the EMS director said, are often given away for free.
“They are testing it. They want to see if it’s going to work. They want to see if it to them it’s good product.”
Escambia EMS often deals with overdose “frequent flyers”. For instance, someone will overdose at 6 a.m., be transported by ambulance to the hospital, and be discharged later in the day. Later the same afternoon, they are found to have overdosed again and are transported back to the hospital.
“Wash, rinse, repeat. It’s the same cycle over and over. So, we have to do something different that what we have done previously. We have to be more than reactive, we have to be proactive,” Torsell remarked. “And that’s what we are going to do.”
Torsell’s comments came as he spoke to the Escambia County School Board at the invitation of Kevin Adams, District 1 member and board chair.
Cantonment Man Accused Of Leading Pensacola Police On High Speed Chase
July 19, 2022
A Cantonment man is facing multiple charges for leading Pensacola Police on high speed chase that ended in a hospital parking lot.
Devin Joshua Marzan was charged with felony fleeing with disregard of safety to person or property, leaving the scene of a crash involving damage to property, obstructing without violence and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A check of the tag on a red Mitsubishi showed that it was not on the assigned vehicle, and a Pensacola Police Department officer attempted a traffic stop near the intersection of Olive Road and Johnson Avenue. Marzan turned west onto Johnson Avenue and attempted to flee from the marked PPD unit at speeds exceeding 80 mph, according to an arrest report. He continued, through a red light at Johnson Avenue and Olive and later into the West Florida Hospital parking lot. He struck concrete pillars surrounding a plastic gate, disabling his vehicle, the report continues.
Officers reported finding a digital scale with white powdery residue, along with a metal straw and a plastic straw with residue. The arrest report does not identify the residue.
Marzan ran though the hospital property and across University Avenue “before he fell down and was apprehended” the report states.
Marzan remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning with bond set at $19,500.
10,000 Pound Food Giveaway This Afternoon In Cantonment
July 19, 2022
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will hold a drive-thru 10,000 pound food giveaway Tuesday afternoon at Carver Park on Webb Street.
The food distribution will begin at 3:30 p.m. and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. People should line up their vehicles, single file on Webb Street facing north; food will be loaded into vehicles. Identification is required.
If the weather is too hot or storming, distribution may begin a bit earlier, according to organizers.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Rescuers Honored For Finding Flomaton Man Missing For 12 Hours On Creek
July 19, 2022
Several individuals were honored Monday afternoon by the Flomaton Police Department and Town Council for their part last week in locating a man with special needs that was missing for hours on a local creek.
The Flomaton Police Department’s Meritorious Service Award was presented to:
- Sheriff Heath Jackson
- Conservation Officer Adam Johnson
- Firefighter Jay Jackson
- Firefighter John Bondurant
- Firefighter Jered Carnley
- Firefighter Gavin Hinote
- Citizen Travis Johnson
- FPD Officer Tyler Sigler
Gerry Don Thompson was last seen about 6 p.m. July in the area of the Flomaton Boat Landing on Big Escambia Creek, just off Highway 31 and the Skippy White Bridge. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, he is a 33-year old that lives with a condition that may impair his judgment.
He was located safe about 12 hours later.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Muggy And Warm, Scattered Storms
July 19, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Northview Mini Cheer Clinic To Be Held July 30
July 19, 2022
The Northview High School cheerleaders will hold a Back To School Mini Chief Cheer Clinic on Saturday, July 30.
Campers ages 5-12 will learn individual cheer skills, partner stunts, a spirit dance, and most have fun. They will also have the opportunity to cheer with the NHS cheerleaders under the Friday night lights at an upcoming Northview football game.
Comfortable clothes and tennis shoes are recommended.
Registration will open at 8:30 a.m. on July 30; the cost is $35 per child. The camp will take place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., with a family performance at 1:30 p.m.
Update: Flomaton Police Locate Missing Teen
July 19, 2022
UPDATE: Flomaton Police said this missing teen has been located and is safe.
The Flomaton Police Department is looking for a missing teen.
Tyree Dorth, 14, was last seen late Monday night in the area of MLK Drive in Flomaton.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 or 911.