Escambia’s Teacher Of The Year Is Angela McFarland Of WFHS
January 19, 2023
Angela McFarland of West Florida High School has been named the Escambia County Public Schools Teacher of the Year.
McFarland joined the district in 1996 as a Pine Forest High business teacher. After spending four years in the same position at Washington High, McFarland was hired as a business and multimedia teacher at WFHS in 2009. She has also taught with the Escambia Virtual Academy since 2020.
“Mrs. McFarland’s contributions to Escambia County Public Schools epitomize the dedication, flexibility and innovation so necessary to prepare our students for a successful and meaningful future. She is truly an invaluable asset to her students, her school and this community as a whole,” said Superintendent Tim Smith.
She will now represent Escambia County in the state Teacher of the Year competition.
NorthEscambia.com is continuing to spotlight Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area during January.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Gets Nearly 21 Years For Murdering His Half-Sister, Burying Her Body Near Jay
January 19, 2023
A man has been sentenced to nearly 21 years in prison for murdering his half-sister five years ago before burying her body outside Jay.
Jerry Savoy Phillips Jr., 31, pleaded no contest to second degree premeditated murder with a firearm for the death of his half-sister, 38-year old Felicia Kuswandy. He was sentenced to 249.45 months in state prison.
Kuswandy’s remains were found buried behind a home in the 7700 block of Highway 4 east of Jay on December 14, 2018. The murder was believed to have occurred on or about November 12, 2017.
Phillips was jailed in Alabama on drug trafficking charges until late October 2020, at which time he was formally charged with his half-sister’s death in Florida.
Flomaton Police Arrest Harassment, Trespassing Suspect
January 19, 2023
The Flomaton Police Department arrested a suspect this week that had been wanted since an incident on December 20.
Jeremy Alan Crapps was wanted for trespassing first degree and harassment.
Police Chief Johnny Wilson said Crapps entered the yard of an abandoned house on Ringold Street that was posted no trespassing.
The homeowner told police they exchanged words, leading to the harassment charge, Wilson said. The homeowner never saw Crapps enter the house.
Crapps was issued a notice to appear when he was arrested on Martin Luther King Drive in Flomaton.
Stan Shimmin
January 19, 2023
Stan Shimmin, age 77 of Pensacola, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on January 16, 2023. Stan spent his career in ministry as an illustrator with Abeka and as an art instructor at Pensacola Christian College. His works of art and calligraphy glorified his Savior and brought joy to his friends and family. His grandchildren were the highlight of his life and they will always remember playing with Grumpa. He loved landscaping, hiking with family, and woodworking. He was especially known for his handcrafted walking sticks.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dee Shimmin, his father, Paul Shimmin, and his mother Faye Shimmin. He is survived by his four children, Raylene Cochran (Scott), Randi Jones (Michael), Marty Shimmin (Valerie), and Meggan Grosnick (Erik); grandchildren, Kenneth Cochran, Justin Jones, Lauren Cochran, Camden Jones, Gavin Jones, Carstan Cochran, Jaden Shimmin, Gabriel Shimmin, Samantha Grosnick, Elaina Shimmin, Logan Shimmin, Addisyn Grosnick, Taylen Grosnick; great grandchildren, Lilly Jones, Ezzeriah Jones; sisters, Paula Shimmin, Fern Shimmin, Verna Atkinson (Robert), and Rita Shown (Rod).
A private interment ceremony will be held for family.
Althea Pauline Eicher Dyck
January 19, 2023
Althea Pauline Eicher Dyck was the fourth child born to Leland and Hannah Johnson Eicher on
January 10, 1927, in rural Gratiot County, Michigan. She passed away at the Oakwood Retirement
Community in Brooksville, Mississippi on January 17, 2023, just a week after her ninety-sixth
birthday.
She started school in Michigan, then moved with her family at age eight to Summerdale, Alabama
where she finished her formal elementary education. She felt the call to salvation and on confession
of faith was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. She was faithful to her vows
until the end. On April 16, 1950, she was united in marriage to Ben Dyck at Walnut Hill, Florida.
They made their home in Hesston, Kansas where they farmed for an occupation. In August of 1957,
they moved to Walnut Hill, Florida where they took up pioneer farming and then became involved
in dairying. Mom enjoyed teaching Bible School in the summer and volunteering as a “Pink Lady”
at the local hospital and nursing home. She also enjoyed the church sewing circle and being on the
food committee. She loved the art of quilting, and we remember her giving many quilts away to
family and friends.
Mom and Dad were blessed with three sons and two daughters. In 1996, our dad was diagnosed
with a brain tumor and soon passed away, leaving mom lonely. However, she was so grateful she
could live together with her daughter Shirley for many years. Through the trials of her later life the
Bible story of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment was so special to mom. She
expressed that she felt the need to reach out and touch Him many times. She moved to the
Oakwood Retirement Community in June of 2020. Her serenity in facing the challenges of her
failing health and limited independence was an inspiration to many. She appreciated the friendship,
love, and care of the Oakwood family.
Left to cherish loving memories are her children: Judy and Terry Harms of Murray, Kentucky;
Carl and Becky Dyck of Bowersville, Georgia; Shirley Dyck of Bowersville, Georgia; Waldo and
Janalie Dyck of Lakeville, Ohio; thirteen grandchildren, thirty-nine great grandchildren, and one
great great grandchild; special friends: Henry and Polly Hiebert and family of Molino, Florida;
Phil and Sondra Giesbrecht and family of Macon, Mississippi; two sisters: Eunice Smith and Imo
and Wilbert Peters both of Brooksville, Mississippi; three brothers: William and Lois Eicher,
Wallace and Judy Eicher, and Wendell and Mary Eicher, all of Walnut Hill, Florida; sisters-in-law:
Dolly Eicher of Brooksville, Mississippi and Loretta Dyck of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; one brother-in-
law Bob Mininger of Moundridge, Kansas. She was predeceased by her husband Ben; one son,
Michael Dyck; one grandson, Justin Dyck; one great-granddaughter, Betsy Dyck; two brothers,
two sisters, five sisters-in-law, and seven brothers-in-law.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Walnut Hill Mennonite
Church with Minister Brian Decker, Minister Joseph Dyck and Minister Jamie Wedel officiating.
Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Arlen Penner, Ben Lehman, Chelson Dyck, Tye Jantz, Turi Rodriques,
Sheldon Toews, Henry Hiebert, Nolan Koehn, Arlin Koehn, Mike Dyck and Jevan Dyck.
Visitation will be held Friday, January 20, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Walnut Hill
Mennonite Church.
David Dale Kalb
January 19, 2023
age 66, passed away on January 15, 2023 at his residence. He was born on November 1,1956 in Cleveland, Ohio to David Francis and Bonnie Lou Kalb. He was married to Natalie Kalb for 48 years. He had a career in the military for 20 years. He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church and had a passion for children’s ministry.
He was preceded in death by his parents, David Francis and Bonnie Lou Kalb; brother, Michael Anthony Kalb.
He is survived by his wife, Natalie Kalb; sons, Michael A. (Danette)Kalb, David J. Rachel) Kalb; grandchildren Jacob (Meaghan) Kalb, Natalie Kalb, McKayla Kalb, Levi Kalb, Joseph Kalb, Isabella Kalb; sister, Jackie (Donald) Joseph; brother, Larry (Maribeth) Kalb.
Memorial service will be Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 11:00am at Hillcrest Baptist Church. Fellowship will follow at 12:00pm in the Heritage Hall.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
U.S. Marshals, ECSO Arrest Three Suspects On Multiple Charges
January 18, 2023
Three suspects were arrested yesterday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals.
Sabastian Scott LaFountain, 22, was charged with attempted homicide, three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and firing a weapon in public. On December 27, LaFountain allegedly opened fire on Pipeline Road. Responding deputies found shell casings in the road and bullet holes in a residents. A short time, later, a victim arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim told deputies that he was shot during an argument with LaFountain.
Larry Franklin Reid, 46, was charged with fleeing/eluding law enforcement, aggravated assault with a daily weapon, firing a missile into a dwelling, vehicle or building, criminal mischief over $1,000, and attempted first-degree premeditated murder.
Ryan Lynn Faulk, 32, was charged with failure to appear for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
LaFountain’s bond was set at $125,000. Reid and Faulk were booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Man Convicted Of Chemstrand Road Home Invasion, Rape, Kidnapping
January 18, 2023
A jury has found an Escambia County man guilty in a Chemstrand Road home invasion robbery that led to the kidnapping and rape of the victim.
Billy Ray Smith, Jr., was convicted of burglary of a dwelling with a battery, sexual battery with a deadly weapon, armed kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft auto, theft of a credit card, fraudulent use of a credit card, petit theft, and battery.
On August 18, 2021, Smith entered the victim’s home on Chemstrand Road while she was asleep on the couch, according to prosecutors. He put a gun to her head, threatened her, demanded money, and ransacked her home.
He then put the victim in the trunk of her car and drove to a vacant lot, where he raped her at knifepoint. He then used the victim’s debit card and withdrew money from an ATM in the area, and then stole the victim’s car, and ultimately left the victim duct taped to a chair in her bathroom.
Smith was seen on surveillance video driving the victim’s car, using her debit card, and hiding her property behind a dumpster. Fingerprint evidence linking him was also located.
Smith faces a maximum of life in prison when he is sentenced on March 9.
Century Man Charged With Shooting Into Vehicle In Atmore, Unrelated Rape
January 18, 2023
A Century man has been charged with shooting at a vehicle in Atmore and an unrelated rape.
E’Monee DeMontae Long, 20, was charged with two counts of attempted assault first degree, two counts of reckless endangerment, two counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, and rape second degree.
Earlier this month, Atmore Police responded to the area of Brooks Lane where Long allegedly chased and shot into an occupied vehicle.
The rape charge against Long stemmed from a 2020 incident. Atmore Police did not arrest him then because he was charged with murder in a November 2020 triple shooting on Alger Road in Century. In August 2022, Florida authorities dropped first degree murder and aggravated battery charges against Long due to insufficient evidence.
Long remained in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton without bond.
Century Swears In Second New Interim Council Member
January 18, 2023
The Town of Century swore in the second of two interim town council members Tuesday night.
The year opened with two vacant council seats after no one ran for them during last year’s elections. On January 2, the three sitting council members appointed Shelisa McCall Abraham and Alicia Johnson to the seats. Abraham took the oath of office January 2, but Johnson was unable to attend that meeting.
Johnson was sworn in Tuesday night.
Abraham is currently the president of the Century Area Chamber of Commerce and has spent about 30 years in the financial services industry. Johnson was Century’s water and wastewater superintendent until she resigned in March 2019 after several years with the town.
The interim seats will be filled by a special election in March.
Pictured above: Alicia Johnson (center) takes the oath of office for Century Town Council Seat 4 Tuesday night. The oath was administered by Town Clerk Leslie Howington while the Bible was held by Mayor Ben Boutwell. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.