CSX ‘Spirit of our Law Enforcement’ Locomotive Travels Through Area
December 27, 2022
CSX Transportation’s “Spirit of our Law Enforcement” commemorative locomotive passed through the local area recently.
It was named to honor the nation’s police officers who dedicate their lives to serve their communities. It is part of a collection of Pride in Service locomotives launched in 2019 to honor those that serve, including law enforcement, first responders and the armed forces.
The locomotive was recently spotted by first responders at the James Road crossing in Nokomis, Alabama, just north of the Alabama-Florida state line.
“We had just finished responding to a medical emergency when we spotted this CSX tribute engine with a coal train,” Nokomis Fire Rescue Captain Jerry Gehman said. He and fellow firefighters Chief Tommy Pickern, Lt. Frisco Gehman, medic Danny Lowery, firefighters Brad Adams, Robert Grissett, Hannah Miliken, and Hunter Miliken stopped to pose for photos with the Spirit of Law Enforcement.
CSXT 3194 is painted primarily in black, blue and white, with the slogans “To Protect and Serve” and “Honoring Our Law Enforcement.” It also prominently features the CSX Transportation Railroad Police logo, as well as police, fire and emergency responder logos.
“The locomotives will remind everyone who sees them of the daily sacrifices made by the individuals who serve our nation and our communities, along with their families,” CSX said.
Photos by Jerry Gehman for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Yep. That Was a Peacock On The Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge.
December 27, 2022
Yes, that was a peacock on the Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge between Jay and Century.
Numerous NorthEscambia.com readers sent us photos and contacted us after seeing the peacock strolling along in the emergency lane of the bridge.
We are told the owner has been missing the colorful bird for a while. But when they tried to retrieve the peacock from the bridge, it flew into nearby trees. At last report, the peacock was not yet home.
Pictured: A peacock on the Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge between Century on Christmas Day. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Family Identifies Victim In Fatal Crash Into Flomaton High School; Investigation Continues
December 27, 2022
Family has identified the woman killed last week when her vehicle slammed into a building at Flomaton High School, as the investigation into the crash continues.
Family members said 21-year old Shaneal Schifano of Georgia has just recently moved to Atmore for a new job.
She was pronounced deceased on the scene by first responders. early Friday morning after her vehicle left Highway 31 and crashed into the school building. S
There were no passengers in her vehicle, and there were no other vehicles involved.
The Flomaton Police Department is continuing their investigation into the cause of the crash. The Flomaton Fire Department, D.W. McMillan EMS, and Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office also responded. The Century Station of Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue was dispatched but later canceled.
AAA Predicting 6.3 Million Floridians Are Traveling For The Holidays
December 27, 2022
Tis the season to travel, and AAA estimates 6.3 million Floridians will journey 50 miles or more away from home from December 23 to January 2. That’s an increase of nearly 108,000 people over last year and a new record-high for the year-end holiday travel period in Florida.
National travel figures are also stronger than 2021, yet slightly lower than pre-pandemic levels. An estimated 112.7 million Americans are forecast to travel during the year-end holidays. That’s an increase of 3.6 million people compared to last year and the third busiest since AAA began tracking in 2000.
“Despite inflationary pressures, consumers remain resilient and dedicated to travel this year, and the holidays will be no different,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Americans are spending more on travel than any other time in the past two years. The good news is the cost for a holiday road trip will be less expensive than anticipated, now that gas prices are on the way down.”
In Florida, nearly 5.8 million residents will take at least one holiday road trip. That’s 110,000 more than last year and a 2% increase from 2019.
The most congested days on the road are forecast to be December 27 and 28, and on Monday, January 2.
Virginia Ann Peters
December 27, 2022
Virginia Ann Peters, 83 years old, of Pensacola, FL, passed away December 25th, 2022. She was born September 23rd, 1939 in Sneads, FL to Daughty Williams & John Thomas Granger. She was married to James Peters for almost 63 years. Ann worked at the Univ. of West Florida for 30 years before retiring. She was a member of Gonzalez United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in passing by her mother, Daughty Williams; her father, John Thomas Granger; her brother, Harold Granger; and her sister, Phoebe Cook.
Ann is survived by her beloved husband, James V. Peters; her adoring daughters, Tracee Peters-Brenner, Paige Peters-Rust & Julia Peters-Tobin; grandchildren, Alex Ann Spencer Hopkins & Ryder James Tobin; siblings, Murk, Willie & Mike Smitherman, Bettye Gatson, Margie Murray & Debbie Young; as well as numerous nieces, nephews & cousins.
Ann was the most loving mother 3 girls could ask for. She lead by example & her unwavering love & devotion to family was beyond reproach. She will forever be missed but will also forever be present – deep in our hearts.
Visitation will be held from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday, December 28th. at Faith Chapel North, 1000 S. Hwy. 29, Cantonment, FL, 32533.
Funeral services will be held at 10am on Thursday, December 29th. at Gonzalez United Methodist Church, 2026 Pauline St., Cantonment, FL, 32533.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking donations be made to the Gonzalez United Methodist Church.
Linze Lou Strickling
December 27, 2022
Linze Lou Strickling of Jay, Florida went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at the age of 71, leaving behind a family who loved and cherished her dearly.
She will always be remembered for being a loving wife, mother, and memaw who was full of kindness. She loved the Lord and shared His love with others faithfully. She found great joy in taking care of her family, friends, and her flowers and plants.
Linze is survived by her loving husband, Dykes Strickling of 57 years; her daughter, Linda Harris (Kirby); her son, Keith Strickling (Tracy); her sister, Shirley Lail; her brother, Benjamin Gay; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her son, Rodney Strickling; her parents, Arnold and Cassie Gay; brothers, Earnest Gay, Edward Gay, and Houston Gay; and sister, Inez Thurman.
Linze’s grandsons, Kaleb, Wesley, Trent, Ryan, Nathan, Daniel, and Cheyenne will be the pallbearers.
Melvin Lowery, Randal Godwin, Mickey Diamond, Larry Dykes, and Buddy Nelson are honorary pallbearers.
Visitation for Linze will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, from 1:00-2:00pm at Ebenezer Church, 4200 Ebenezer Church Road Jay, Florida 32565 followed by a funeral service at 2:00pm. Interment will be at Pine Level Baptist Cemetery.
The family would like to thank everyone for their kind words, thought, and prayers during this time.
Stacy Bernell Seale
December 27, 2022
Mr. Stacy Bernell Seale, age 43, passed away, Monday, December 26, 2022, in Atmore, AL. He was a lifelong resident of Atmore, AL. He was a former employee with the Town of Century.
Mr. Seale enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing the guitar. He always liked to joke and carry on, and have plenty fun. He enjoyed cutting grass, riding horses and motorcycles. He was an avid Auburn Football Fan. He shared a birthday with his first niece (Meagan). He also enjoyed helping his brother with race car with the pit crew.
Mr. Seale is preceded in death by his grandparents, Wiley and Marguerite Seale, Rev. Jesse J. and Ethel Roberts Snodgrass.
He is survived by his parents, Floyd (Bettye Snodgrass) Seale, of Atmore, AL; one brother, Chris (Hollie) Seale, of Whitehouse Fork, AL; one sister, Becky (Craig) Moye, of Atmore, AL; two nieces, Meghan (Justin) Ramer, Hayden Seale, two nephews, Zachary (Kaylee) Moye, Colton Seale, other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 30, 2022 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Carol Faye Simpson Mathis
December 27, 2022
Carol Faye Simpson Mathis, age 61, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2022 in Pensacola, FL. Carol was born February 13, 1961 and grew up in Century, FL. She was a 1979 graduate of Century High School where she cheered for the Century Blackcats. She cheered all four of her high school years and was captain of the Cheerleading Squad two of those years.
Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Clifton and Doris Simpson and her brother, Wayne Simpson.
Carol is survived by her sister Kathy (Tommy) Ward, her brothers Bobby (Beverly) Simpson, Toney (Renee) Simpson and her twin brother (whom she loved dearly) Darrel (Joy) Simpson and a sister-in-law Dianne Simpson. She is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 5:00 P.M. at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church. Ray’s Chapel is located at 140 West Bogia Road in McDavid, FL.
This Christmas Was Super Cold, But It Wasn’t The Coldest Ever Here.
December 26, 2022
This Christmas was really bitterly cold in North Escambia. But it was not record-breaking cold.
The coldest Christmas on record in Escambia County was back in 1983 when the official thermometer at the Pensacola airport fell to 11 degrees. This year, the coldest temperature recording in North Escambia was 18 degrees at Northview High School in Bratt.
Pictured: A local resident took advantage of the cold temperatures to use a sprinkler to create this ice near West Roberts Road and Stallion Drive in Cantonment. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One More Freezing Night
December 26, 2022
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Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 29-31. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 55. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. High near 70. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 62. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. High near 71. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
New Year’s Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73.