Dog Adoptions Are Free Through Valentine’s Day At The Escambia Animal Shelter
February 11, 2023
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare is waiving the adoption fees on all dogs in the shelter through Tuesday, February 14.
Adoption fees include spay or neutering services, microchips, heartworm tests and the initial vaccinations including rabies vaccinations. A separate $11 licensing fee will be required at the time of adoption for all county residents.
“We currently have about 90 dogs available at our Animal Welfare and Adoption Center” said Animal Welfare Director John Robinson. “We are confident we can help match you and your family with the perfect pet. You can see our available pets online by visiting 24petconnect.com and entering your zip code, or come by in person to meet our pets. If you aren’t able to adopt right now, we encourage you to become a foster or volunteer to help make a difference in the life of a pet.”
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center, located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive, is open weekdays from 12-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Dates To Know: Voter Registration, Candidate Qualifying For Century Special Election
February 11, 2023
The Town of Century has set a special election for town council seats 3 and 4. The special general election will be held on Tuesday, March 28. If three or more candidates qualify for either of the seats, a special primary election will be held on Tuesday, March 14.
The deadline for new registrants for the special primary election, if required, is Monday, February 13. The registration deadline for the special general election is Monday, February 27. New voter registration applications need to be postmarked or submitted to a voter registration agency by close of business on the day of the deadline.
Candidate qualifying will be held at the Supervisor of Elections Office, located at 213 Palafox Place in Pensacola, and will begin at noon on February 21 and conclude at noon on February 24. Candidates may also qualify at Century Town Hall, located at 7995 North Century Boulevard., on February 22 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Candidates must be registered voters within Century town limits. For complete qualifying information, visit EscambiaVotes.gov or call the candidate qualifying department at (850) 595-3900.
The polling place for the special general election, and the special primary election (if required) will be Century Town Hall, 7995 North Century Boulevard. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Anyone who wishes to request a vote-by-mail ballot should visit EscambiaVotes.gov and click “Vote by Mail” or contact the Supervisor of Elections Office at (850) 595-3900. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is 5 p.m. 10 days prior to the election. To track your vote-by-mail ballot, visit Escambia Votes.gov/track-my-ballot.
Lewis “Louie” Davis Sr.
February 11, 2023
Lewis “Louie” Davis Sr., 90, of Cantonment, FL, passed away on February 7th, 2023. He was born in Cottondale, FL on July 27th, 1932 to Fred and Bessie Davis. He was married to the love of his life Carolyn Albritton Davis for 69 years.
Louie worked on Pensacola Beach in law enforcement from 1960 to 1974. After moving to Cantonment, he had a career with the Escambia County Sheriffs Department and worked in investigations and narcotics until he retired in 1994.
He had a passion for fishing, hunting, playing guitar and listening to Marty Robbins. Above all else, he enjoyed spending time with his family. Especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents Fred and Bessie Davis; sisters Lillie Mae Batton, Mary Joyce Griner and Shirley Sweatman.
He is survived by his loving wife Carolyn Davis; daughters Debbie Bauman, Beverly “Dinky” Davis and Angela Summerlin; son Davy Davis; brother Jackie Davis and grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“Daddy we will miss everything about you. Most of all, your old stories that you loved to tell over and over again”
A visitation will be held on Monday, February 13, 2023, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, FL, 32533 from 6-8 p.m.. The service will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 1 p.m. with the interment to follow at Bayview Memorial Park.
Here Are This Week’s Traffic Slow Down Construction Spots
February 11, 2023
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing Between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – The two U.S. 29 northbound travel lanes and the center turn lane are closed between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. One northbound and one southbound lane will remain open using the current southbound travel lanes. The closures and traffic shift will be in place through April. Signage is in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 (I-10) Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until summer when the Welcome Center improvements are complete. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
- Pace Boulevard (State Road (S.R.) 292) Resurfacing from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter outside lane closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), Friday, Feb. 10 through Friday, Feb. 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The closures will allow crews to perform paving operations.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Brent Lane (S.R. 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Feb. 12 through Thursday, Feb. 16 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane and shoulder closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Feb. 13 through Friday, Feb. 17 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Crews will be performing drainage improvements and erosion control operations.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) Resurfacing from North of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers will encounter outside lane closures on Navy Boulevard, from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge, Friday, Feb. 10 through Friday, Feb. 17 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will be working on curb and gutter and sidewalks.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers may encounter lane closures at the Sorrento Road and Bauer Road intersection between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform guardrail work. Flagging operations will be in place to direct drivers.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers may encounter nighttime lane closures between Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road Wednesday, Feb. 15 through Friday, Feb. 17 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Canoe Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures north of S.R. 97 Sunday, Feb. 12 and Monday, Feb. 13 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Mitchell Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures north of S.R. 97 Tuesday, Feb. 14 and Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 97 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Little Pine Barren Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures south of S.R. 4 Thursday, Feb. 16 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- Palafox Street Routine Bridge Maintenance over I-10 Overpass – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures just east of U.S. 29 Friday, Feb. 17 from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- The median crossover at the intersection of Bayshore Road and U.S. 98 will remain closed to perform necessary road widening activities.
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, Feb. 12, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Drivers traveling along U.S. 98 in Santa Rosa County will encounter a road closure at Tiger Park Lane. This closure is necessary for emergency road repairs. Drivers are encouraged to utilize the west entrance and exit of the shopping center, closest to Walmart, or Tiger Point Park Road.
- S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) Routine Utility Maintenance near Lyons Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Friday, Feb. 10 through Sunday, Feb. 12 for power pole maintenance.
- S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) Routine Utility Maintenance from Ridge Crest Drive to Julia Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Feb. 14 through Thursday, Feb. 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for tree trimming operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Herman “Dean” Clark Sr.
February 11, 2023
Herman “Dean” Clark Sr., 83, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on Friday, February 3, 2023. Dean was born on January 4, 1940 in Jolo, West Virginia to parents, Robert Clark and Octavia Day. He was a member of the Northwest Florida Pest Control Association and the Peacemakers Gospel Group, and worked at Faith Chapel Funeral Home and Crematory for 12 years.
Dean is preceded in death by his wife, Annette Clark, his mother, Octavia Day, and his grandson, Justin Fagan.
He is survived by his daughters, Vickie Fagan (Richard) and Lisa Chason (Gary), his sons, Dean Clark Jr. (Susan) and Dennis Clark (Kathy), as well as his 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Services for Dean Clark Sr. will begin with a visitation from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South. A funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Dean will be laid to rest at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will include: James Clark, Taylor Fagan, Seth Fagan, Kevin Revels, Scotty Hill, and Joshua Fagan. Honorary Pallbearers: Leland Arnette, Tyler Clark, and Zachary Burridge.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Pkwy., Pensacola, Florida 32505 entrusted with arrangements.
Rachel May Walker
February 11, 2023
Rachel M. Walker, 75, of Pensacola, FL, passed away Monday, February 6, 2023. She was born June 27, 1947, in Pensacola, FL. She was married to Julian Walker for 55 years. Rachel was the Music Director at Family Worship Center. She was a member of Family Worship Center and had a passion for ministry, witnessing and winning souls to Christ.
Rachel is preceded in death by her father, Gerald Caryl, Sr. and her mother, Juniece Peaden Caryl.
Rachel is survived by her husband, Julian Walker; daughter Johanna Walker; two brothers, Gerald Caryl-Gordon and John Burgess; and countless nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, February 10, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Funeral Service will follow at 12:00 PM. Rev. Chuck Constant, Rev. Paul Wetzel and Rev. Sandra Fowler will be officiating. Interment will be at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Roger Watkins, John Lamb, Randy Wood, Gene Broxton, Joe Fritz and Chuck Roth. Honorary pallbearers will be J. D. Woodside, Lance George, Michael Caryl, David Powell, Dusty Richardson and Jason Vaughan.
Luther Eugene “Gene” Godwin
February 11, 2023
On Sunday, February 5th 2023, Gene Godwin of Molino, FL went home to be with the Lord. He was only 55 years old.
Gene was born September 8th, 1967 to Luther Godwin Jr and Shirley Phillips in Pensacola, FL.
Gene was considered a “Jack of all trades.” He could do anything and everything. He attended George Stone to be a mechanic and Pensacola State College where he earned his certification in welding. He worked at many different places throughout his life, but has been with Ingram Electric for the past 7 years. He was never scared to take on new opportunities and had a couple businesses of his own. One he named after his late son called Tejay’s Welding and Fabrication.
He fully enjoyed what he did and those he met in his days. He was easy to talk to and always had a story to tell. He never hesitated to help where he could, even if he grumbled about it the whole time. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.
Gene was a hardworking man who loved his family very much. Everything he did, it was with them in mind. His grand babies were his pride and joy. They could always get away with anything and were often spoiled by him. If they wanted it, he got it.
He loved going on family vacations, especially to Tennessee. He always enjoyed the mountain scenery. He also liked to relax in the river during the summer months. He planned an Adventures Unlimited trip every year for his wife’s birthday and invited the whole family down. He would rent the biggest cabin they offered so that everyone had a place to stay.
Gene enjoyed cooking and often credited his granny Nelson for his great cooking skills. A fond memory from his children is that he would always ask you to taste his potato salad and dressing he cooked the night before Thanksgiving. Even if they were asleep and it was 1AM, he’d wake them up to get their opinion on his food. He took pride in his dishes and made sure to ask everyone how they liked it.
He looked forward to coming home and relaxing in his Lazy Boy after a long day at work. He’d always have a movie on and would sometimes watch the same movie multiple nights in a row, but the family thinks it’s because he would often fall asleep halfway through the first time around. He could fall asleep anywhere at any time, even mid conversation. He’d wake up and pick back up where he left off pretending nothing happened.
He was not a huge sports fan, but he loved Florida State Football and tried his best to watch every game.
Gene was larger than life and his shoes cannot be filled. He will be missed tremendously by his family and friends.
Gene is survived and missed by his loving wife, Tammy, of 20 years; his children Josh (Kaly) Godwin, Deddrick Perry, Valarie (Travis) Barnes, Kayla Godwin, Jordan Godwin, and Aaron Godwin; eleven grandchildren, Aubrey, Bray, and Rhett Godwin, Lexi, Payton, and Annalyse Barnes, Milah and Lainee Johnson, Brightleigh Perry, Destiny and Kylie Godwin; one expected grandchild and one great granddaughter; his mother, Shirley (Gene) Phillips; four brothers; John (Kim) Godwin, Charlie (Kelly) Phillips, Henry Joe Godwin, and Jamie (Sarah) Phillips; one sister, Kathy (Wayne) Briske; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his son, Tejay Godwin; his father, Luther Godwin Jr.; maternal grandparents, Delores and Wesley Nelson; paternal grandparents, Kathleen and Luther Godwin Sr.
Visitation will be held Monday, February 13th at Faith Chapel Funeral Home in Cantonment, FL. 12 PM-1 PM for family and 1PM-2PM for friends. Funeral Service will follow at 2 PM. Interment will be at New Beginnings Cemetery in Molino, FL.
Pallbearers will be Josh Godwin, Travis Barnes, Eric Allen, Shannon Edmonson, Jack Edmonson and Terry Capps. Honorary pallbearers will be John Godwin, Charlie Phillips, Henry Joe Nelson, Edwin Nelson, and Raymond Nelson.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
February 11, 2023
This week, the Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity from October:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Specialist Pettey received information of two deer carcasses being dumped, oneof which had its head removed. Officer Pettey spoke to several landowners and discovered one individual had been using a deer depredation permit on a nearby field. The officer was able to speak with the individual, who admitted taking the antlered deer from the field, which is a violation of the depredation permit. The deer head was recovered and the individual was cited for the violations.
Officer Specialist Allgood observed an individual fishing. He conducted a resource and license inspection and determined the subject did not have a valid saltwater fishing license. In addition, he discovered the subject was a wanted fugitive in Henry County, Alabama. Officer Specialist Allgood arrested the subject and booked him the Escambia County jail.
Officer Specialist Allgood was on patrol and observed a commercial fisherman with a vessel in tow entering Florida from Alabama. The officer conducted a resource inspection. During the inspection, the officer asked the fisherman for the required documentation that allows a person to legally transport saltwater products into the state. The subject was unable to produce the required documents. The officer issued a notice to appear for transporting saltwater products into the state without an invoice or bill of lading.
Officer Specialist Allgood was on patrol and observed a man return from hunting. A resource inspection was conducted, and the officer found two recently harvested deer in the cooler of the subject’s truck. The hunter did not have a hunting license and was cited for possession of two deer during the closed season and possession of unlabeled deer meat.
Officer Specialist Allgood and Hahr checked three people hunting dove on a private, recently mowed millet field. Upon closer inspection, the officers located cracked corn spread in the middle of the field. Citations were issued for the violations.
Officer Lugg and Senst were on patrol in the Gulf of Mexico when they received a call referencing a commercial fisherman that ran from a National Park Service Officer by vessel. The Park Service Officer was attempting to stop him for commercially fishing in a closed area near Fort Pickens. Officer Specialist Cushing, McHenry and Robertson also responded to the area to assist. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers located the suspect on the north side of Pensacola Bay. The subject was detained and turned over to the National Park Service officer. Multiple federal charges are pending on the suspect.
Officers Lugg, Wilkenson, and Senst were on patrol conducting fisheries inspections in the Gulf of Mexico. They cited four individual vessel operators for the following violations: an undersized greater amberjack, several filleted vermillion snapper, undersized red snapper during closed season, harvested red snapper during closed season, and no saltwater licensing.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Cushing conducted a commercial fishing vessel inspection at Shoreline Park. While inspecting the commercial diving vessel, he determined two of the seven greater amberjack were undersized. The captain of the vessel indicated he speared the fish and said he believed they were at least the 36” minimum commercial size limit. Using the captain’s ruler and a state issued ruler, it was determined they were clearly less than the minimum size limit. He was issued a citation for the violation.
Officer Bower received information about individuals fishing on the Pensacola Fishing Pier keeping a cooler full of undersized mangrove snapper. The subject was seen leaving the pier and the complainant was able to describe the vehicle leaving the area. Officer Bower was conducting resource inspections at another fishing location and identified the subjects matching the description from photos that were provided. Officer Bower located 12 undersized mangrove snapper. The subject was issued a notice to appear for possessing undersized and over the bag limit of mangrove snapper.
Officers Bower, Corbin, and Oliver responded to a boating accident with injuries. A group of personal watercrafts (PWC) were operating in the middle of the Santa Rosa Sound, near the county line. Two of the PWCs collided with ach other. The operator of the striking vessel did not maintain a proper lookout, as he was looking to his right instead of the direction he was traveling. The vessel struck another PWC causing injury to the operator, who was transported by EMS and treated for multiple injuries. Charges were filed against the operator of the striking vessel. While on patrol in Blackwater State Forest Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Officer Mullins located a couch and other items illegally dumped on management land. The officer gathered information and obtained a vehicle description. Officer Mullins and Roberson located the vehicle and subject at his nearby residence. The officers spoke with the suspect who admitted to illegally dumping the couch on Blackwater property. The officers followed the suspect back to the WMA where he loaded the couch and litter back into his truck and cleaned the area. The suspect was issued a notice to appear and multiple citations for several violations.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Rose M. Bauer
February 11, 2023
Rose M. Bauer, 79, of Cantonment, Florida, passed away on January 26, 2023. She was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri on June 21, 1943 to Harry and Grace Casey. She was married to Ronald L. Bauer for 58 years. Rose worked as a teacher for the Escambia County School District and she was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death by her father, Harry Casey; mother, Grace Casey; daughter, Dawn Bauer Hohlenkamp; brother, John T. Casey; sister, Rita Casey; and sister-in-law, San Dee Casey.
Rose is survived by her husband, Ronald L. Bauer; son, Ronald P. Bauer; grandsons, Lorenz Hohlenkamp, Evan Hohlenkamp, and Harrison Hohlenkamp; and sister, Mary Giedinghagen.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00pm Saturday, February 11, 2023 at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Pensacola, Florida. Visitation will be prior to service from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. Burial will follow at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Ruby Wilson Barker
February 11, 2023
Ruby Wilson Barker, 95 passed away Friday February 10,2023. Ms. Ruby was born August 4,1927 in Atmore, Al to Benjamin “Hub” Wilson & Lula Mae Carraway Wilson.
Ms. Ruby owned & operated “Ruby’s Fish Camp” on Perdido River from 1960-1989. A few years later she went to work as a Precision Machinest” in Robertsdale, Al. a trade she took great pride in for approximately 10 years.
She only had two speeds in her life “wide open & stop” and she lived it to the fullest.
She never met a stranger and her love for serving others was evident in many ways .
At Christmas she always had a gift for everyone that came to her home and for those sick or in need she would prepare and deliver food. Her grandchildren were her the joy of her life in later years especially. After her retirement and during failing health she was fortunate to live with each of her daughters and two of the grandchildren, needless to say she enjoyed it tremendously. Whether known by Momma, Granny, Nana, or Granny Ruby she was deeply loved and her memory will be cherished forever.
She was preceded in death by her parents, five siblings, daughter Patricia Ann Thompson, and granddaughter Tammy Durden Gates.
Survivors include her daughters, Joyce Shaw of Pensacola, Fl. and Kay Durden(Ronnie) of Grand Ridge, Fl. Eight grandchildren Wendy(Fritz), Billy(Andrea) Danny(Lori) Buddy(Sidney) John(Marian) Belinda (Mike) Amy(John), Phillip(April). Eighteen great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren. Several nieces, nephews, other family members and a host of friends also survive. Services will be Monday, February 13, at 2:00pm at Johnson Quimby Funeral Home Chapel Atmore Al. Visitation will be one hour prior to service.