Gregory Clay Pitts
February 5, 2023
Gregory Clay Pitts, 64, passed away on Monday, January 30, 2023. He was born on February 13. 1958 in Pensacola, Florida. Greg was a long- time businessman in the Pensacola area where he owned and operated 3 Dollar Mule Trucking Company and Allie Kats Paint and Bodyworks.
Greg is preceded in death by his parents, Harvey James and Sarah Marette Pitts.
Greg is survived by his fiancée Jennifer Hamilton and her children; his son, Gregory Chad Pitts; 5 daughters Tea Marsden, Victoria Pitts, Isabel Pitts, Sarah Pitts, and Iva Pitts; brothers Johnny Pitts (Patricia), Randy Pitts (Carol Ann), Kirk Pitts (Julie); an uncle, Richard Renfroe; an aunt, Mavis Hensley; and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on Tuesday February 7, 2023 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM for the family and from 12 PM– 1 PM for friends. The service will follow immediately after visitation at 1:00 PM. Interment will be at Pensacola Memorial Gardens. Johnny Pitts will be officiating.
Century Set To Approve 5% Garbage Rate Increase
February 4, 2023
Century residents will likely see an increase on their garbage bills this month.
The town contracts with Republic Services to collect garbage within the town limits. Republic has a provision in their contract that allows them to increase the rates they charge the town each December to match the Consumer Price Index. The town annually passes the rate increase directly along to residents. The increase was delayed this year while garbage billing underwent an “accuracy test”, according to town documents.
The increase to be considered by the town council is 4.93%, or about $1.25, per customer for one weekly pick up of a trash can and twice per month curbside debris pickup of household items and vegetative debris. The new monthly rate will be $26.59. The council will consider the increase at a meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Century renewed a five year contract with Republic Services in July 2020 without seeking bids from other potential providers.
Across most of Escambia County, ECUA residential customers pay $27.67 per month for three collections per week– one pick up of household refuse, one pick up of recyclables, and one weekly pick up of yard trash. ECUA also includes free bulky collection of items such as furniture and large household trash.
Flomaton Police Department’s K-9 Boo Passes Away
February 4, 2023
Flomaton Police Department’s K-9 Boo passed away Friday.
Boo was rushed to an emergency veterinarian after suffering sudden health complications. She passed away with her handler and family by her side.
K-9 Boo was a National Narcotic Detector Dog Association certified narcotics dog who also excelled in human tracking, according to Police Chief Johnny Wilson. She served with the Flomaton Police Department for over 2 years with her K-9 Handler Cpl. Charles Land, recording many successful narcotic seizures leading to dozens of arrests, and had many successful tracks.
“Hero’s don’t die, especially ones like Boo. She was loved by many, and will live on eternalized in the hearts of others,” Land wrote in a tribute. “I appreciate you all the for the kind texts and calls. K9 Boo was the best partner anyone could have and there wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t know that. For over two years we patrolled and protected the town of Flomaton and never once did she hesitate to collar up and jump into the patrol car, no matter the hour or what we had going on she was always ready to ride. She was many things, a hero, a consequence, a friend, a partner, but most of all she was family, MY family. There wasn’t a day that went by that she was not loved unconditionally.
“K9 Boo, EOW 02/03/2023. You have earned your wings sweet girl. You can can rest easy now, I have it from here.”
“Thank you for your faithful, and dedicated service to the Flomaton Police Department K9 Boo, You will be missed by many,” Wilson said.
Low Saturday Night About 40
February 4, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 41. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 63. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 69. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 70.
Tate Cheerleaders Get Big Send-Off As They Head To Defend State Championship
February 4, 2023
The reigning competitive cheerleading state champions departed Tate High School Friday morning to defend their title in Gainesville this weekend. The Tate Showband of the South led over 300 students from different sports and clubs to send the squad off in true Tate style.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos by Erica Langton and Avery Kreiser/Tate Yearbook for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire, Explosion With Partial Collapse At Fortis Institute
February 4, 2023
An explosion tore through the Fortis Institute on East Olive Road at North 9th Avenue Friday afternoon.
The explosion was reported about 1:40 p.m. and left the building with partial collapse and a small fire. Multiple windows were also shattered.
Four patients were evaluated, but none were transported by Escambia County EMS.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the incident.
Escambia Woman Charged In Double Fatal Crash
February 4, 2023
A 19-year old Escambia County woman was arrested Friday in connection with a double-fatal head-on wreck in January 2022.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Sara Nicole Hudson, 19, is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of driving with a suspended license causing death and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
FHP said Hudson was traveling on Sorrento Road on January 16, 2022, when she crossed into the incoming lane at a high rate of speed. She crashed into a 2002 Toyota Tundra driven by Deborah Lee Winslett of Milton. Winslett and Hudson’s passenger, Christopher Lee Mills of Pensacola, were both killed.
Hudson’s bond was set at $230,000.
Photos: Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ Tate High School
February 4, 2023
The Tate High School Drama Department’s presented the Disney’s The Little Mermaid Thursday through Saturday nights.
For a photo gallery, click to tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hazel Hadley Roberts
February 4, 2023
Hazel Hadley Roberts, age 88, of Lottie, AL passed away on February 2, 2023. She wasborn on June 9, 1934 in Perdido, AL to Clark and Evie Anderson Hadley. She was a faithful member of Perdido Church of God who loved talking about the Lord and served as a Sunday School Teacher for many years. She retired from Vanity Fair. Hazel was known for her excellent cooking and had a special talent of yodeling. She loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed gospel music, sewing, gardening, birds, reading, working beads for jewelry and special crosses.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Curtis Roberts; her son, Hank Roberts; her grandson, Justin Hadley; great grandson, Elijah Mallory; her siblings: Willie Hadley, Virginia Hubbard, Katie Hall, Mattie Mae Boatwright, Willard Hadley, Willis Hadley and niece, Trudie Hadley.
She is survived by her sons, Curtis “Dude” Roberts, Jr. of Perdido, AL and Donald (Ute) Roberts of Perdido, AL; her daughters: Hazel JoAnn Weekley of Bay Minette, AL, Beverly (Norman Lee) Newton of Bay Minette, AL, Sandra Hadley of Perdido, AL and Ashelynn (Shad) Coleman of Lottie, AL; her brothers, William “Buddy” (Mildred) Hadley of Bay Minette, AL and Wilburn (Shirley) Hadley of Bay Minette, AL; her sisters, Joyce Ann
Jackson of Poarch, AL and Dona Leah Johnson of Little River, AL; her grandchildren: Michelle, Brandi, Amy, Kristy, Randy, Stacey, Marisa, Anthony, Donna, Blake, Cody and Wade along with many great and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Perdido Church of God in Perdido, AL with Bro. Scott Brooks and Bro. Harrison Steege officiating. Interment will follow in Serenity Gardens in Atmore, AL.
Visitation will be held Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Perdido Church of God.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Perdido Church of God.
She will forever hold a special place in her family’s heart.
Kenneth J. Lambeth
February 4, 2023
Kenneth J. Lambeth, age 79, of Walnut Hill, FL passed away on February 1, 2023. He was born on December 5, 1943. Kenneth was of the Assemblies of God faith and a floor covering installer. He was an avid fisherman and he enjoyed spending time with his family. He is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Kenneth Wayne Lambeth. He is survived by his wife, Shelia Aaron Lambeth; his son, Tommy Lambeth of Pensacola, FL; his daughters, Catina (Scott) Francis of Walnut Hill, FL and Regina (Steven) Ross of Poarch, AL; his sister, Melba (Junior) Lambeth of Atmore, AL; eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Don Sanks officiating. Interment will follow in Pine Barren Baptist Church Cemetery in Davisville, FL.
Active pallbearers will be Tommy Lambeth, T.J. Lambeth, Scott Francis, Steven Ross, Trey Robinson and Dustin Foley.
Visitation will be held Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 1:30 p.m. until service time at 2:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.