Two Escambia Volunteer Firefighters Honored For Military Service
February 22, 2023
Two Escambia County Fire Rescue volunteer firefighters were recognized recently at the Pensacola Navy League Military Recognition Day.
Petty Officer Michael Rosa, USN, and Staff Sergeant Cheyann Smith, USAF, were honored during the ceremony. Outside of their military duties, Smith serves as a volunteer out of the Beulah Fire Station, and Rosa serves out of the Myrtle Grove station.
Rosa received the 2023 Volunteer Service Medal with a certificate of recognition signed by President Joe Biden. Rosa serves as the project lead for a combat support team, leading 26 sailors covering 10 lines of effort. He also is a target analysis report subject matter expert. He has dedicated over 500 hours of service to Escambia County, responding to several fire rescue calls as well as performing EMS-related services.
Smith was recognized as the 2023 Margaret Flowers Award recipient. She serves as the non-commissioned officer in charge of the commander’s support section. She completely overhauled the command booster club to hold 15 separate events which funded her squadron’s holiday party and provided financial support for a squadron mate that lost their spouse. While off-duty, Smith has responded to over 80 fire rescue calls for ECFR. In addition, she was named the 2023 Florida Mother of the Year by the American Mothers Organization.
“Taking the time and being willing to go out of your way to help others without being told to in itself is awesome,” said ECFR Assistant District Chief Yoshimi Core. “‘Service Beyond Self’ is a term heard in the military and in Public Safety. It is a trait of behaviors clearly evident by two of Escambia County’s firefighters. Both Escambia County representatives are also in the military and they share the ‘esprit de corps’ in serving their country and their neighborhood. We can all take pride in having members with these positive traits.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Approves Garbage Rate Increase. For Some, It’s 5%. Others Will Pay 105% More.
February 22, 2023
The Century Town Council has approved a $1.25 garbage rate increase, but some residents will see an increase of over $13 a month.
Everyone has at least the minimum one-can residential service. But they were charged between $12.98 to $24.85 due to billing blunders.Town Clerk Leslie Howington said no one was paying what was the correct rate of $25.34.
Tuesday night, the council approved a 4.93% , or $1.25, increase, to the correct rate for one weekly pick up of a trash can and twice per month curbside debris pickup of household items and vegetative debris. That puts the new garbage rate at $26.59 across the board.
For a resident that was paying the incorrect rate of $12.98, the new correct charge of $26.59 equates to an increase of $13.61, or 105%.
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, usually in December.
But over the last several years, town staff had failed to actually adjust the rates in the billing system, so the town has been losing the revenue while paying Republic more.
Official: Don’t Wait To Last Minute If You Want To Run in Century Election
February 22, 2023
Elections officials are encouraging potential candidates for a Century special election not to wait until the last minute to qualify.
Two council seats were left vacant in January because no candidate ran for them last year, and interim council members were appointed.
Qualifying is open until noon Friday, February 24 at the Supervisor of Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place in Pensacola. Candidates may also qualify at Century Town Hall on February 22 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m..
“Don’t wait until the last minute.,” Escambia County Deputy Supervisor of Elections Sonya Daniel said. “If you wait until 11:45 Friday, you may not be able to make it in time.”
Qualifying forms can be picked up in advance at the Century Town Hall or the Supervisor of Elections Office. Once the forms are complete, potential candidates must file them, open a campaign bank account and return to finalize their qualification.
For complete qualifying information, visit EscambiaVotes.gov or call the candidate qualifying department at (850) 595-3900.
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 qualification fee is $50, and candidates must be registered voters living in the Century town limits.
ECUA D5 Member Stephens Pays Off Student Lunchroom Debt At Tate, Ransom, Kingsfield
February 22, 2023
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority District 5 member Kevin Stephens has paid off the lunchroom student debt at three North Escambia schools.
Stephens made personal donations to pay off cafeteria balances at Tate High, Ransom Middle and Kingsfield Elementary schools. He said $1,000 per school will pay off any outstanding balances and cover future balances for the remainder of the school year.
Breakfast and lunch are free for all students, regardless of income, without any application at 44 schools in Escambia County due to the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program for schools in low income students.
Tate, Ransom and Kingsfield are among the schools in Escambia County that are not eligible for the program, but parents may still apply for free or reduced price meals. Applications are available here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Convicted Of Trafficking Fentanyl
February 22, 2023
An Escambia County man is facing up to 30 years in prison for fentanyl trafficking.
Ryan Donald Snodgrass was found guilty of trafficking in fentanyl over 28 grams and driving while license revoked pursuant to habitual traffic offender.
In April 2021, the Florida Highway Patrol stopped Snodgrass for driving with a suspended license. After a K-9 alerted on the vehicle, 56 grams of fentanyl were found under the driver’s seat.
Snodgrass will be sentenced on April 20 and must serve at least a 25 year minimum sentence.
Elizabeth “JoAnn” Wolff
February 22, 2023
Elizabeth “JoAnn” Wolff, 69, of Cantonment, Florida passed away on Friday, February 17, 2023. She was born November 21, 1953 in Fort Gordon, Georgia to John and Christine McGlothren. She was one of four children. JoAnn was raised in a military and law enforcement life style. She married and had a daughter, Diane, the joy of her life!
JoAnn worked a variety of administrative office jobs before becoming disabled. JoAnn was a proud Grandma to Alex. JoAnn loved to worship our Lord. Prior to moving to DeFuniak Springs, Florida, she was a member of Jubilee Church, and became a member of Northridge Church when she returned to Pensacola.
JoAnn liked painting, arts and crafts, and flower arranging. She had a “green thumb” for any plant, and the ability to revive plants that were barely living. She enjoyed sports – baseball (Braves), football (Saints), and Nascar racing.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Martha Buttlar (McGlothren); and her daughter, Diane Bush (Wolff).
She is survived by her sister, Sharon Vonderhaar (John); brother, Wayne McGlothren (Melanie); her grandson, Alex King; her son-in-law, Jonathon Bush; and a host of extended aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She also leaves her furry, comfort companion, “Ruby”, her protective dachshund.
Graveside service will begin at 11:30 AM Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Flowers may be sent to Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Parkway Pensacola, Florida 32505.
Tate Aggies Tennis Tops Escambia 7-0
February 22, 2023
Tate High School boys and girls tennis defeated Escambia High 7-0 Tuesday. Up next, Aggies tennis will travel to Gulf Breeze on Tuesday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Windy And Warm Wednesday, High Near 80
February 22, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Windy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the evening.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the morning.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Breezy.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Breezy.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Herminia Emely Dawson
February 22, 2023
Herminia Emely Dawson was born March 20, 1951, and she ran to the Lord’s arms Sunday, February 19, 2023. She loved her family, and everyone she encountered, in the name of the Lord. She set a beautiful example of love through serving family and community.
Herminia Emely Dawson is preceded in death by her parents Eduardo & Margarita Palacios and beloved husband of 17 years, Tommy Dawson. She is survived by her sisters: Rosario Perez, Margarita Palacios, Juanita Palacios; brothers: Abel Palacios, Eduardo Palacios, and Pedro Palacios (Carol); four children: daughter Jaquelin Lister and sons: Carlos (Jacksubelly) Valarezo, Rick (Melissa) Valarezo, and Michael Valarezo; twelve grandchildren: Carlos, Anna Marie, Allyson, Alexander, Roman, Valentino, Celeste, Carlie, Desiree, Christian, Javier, and Josiah; twelve great-grandchildren: Alaysia, Harmony, Avianna, Red, Isabel, Alonzo, Sophia, Titus, Hazel, Rylee, Carlos Jr., and Emilio. She also leaves behind her much loved dog Cujo.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 23 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North followed by a noon service by Pastor Mark Davis. Gravesite service immediately following at First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill (Cantonment).
Charles Roy Stander
February 22, 2023
Charles Roy Stander, 83, passed away peacefully to heaven on Sunday, February 19, 2023. Chuck had an infectious smile that brightened everyone’s day. Born in Chapman, Nebraska, Chuck married his high school sweetheart Barbara Jean Sinnett and moved to Pensacola, Florida. He worked as a Chemical Engineer for Monsanto. They raised three children, Julie Maddox, Lynda Boyle, and Jeff Stander, and have four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Chuck was an avid gardener and loved to work and supervise in his garden. He was an emeritus member of the Escambia County Master Gardeners, and a member of several local garden clubs. Chuck always had an ongoing project and was a master at making a comprehensive “Things to Do” list.
He was caring, supportive, and unselfish in his interactions with everyone he was around, making sure to express his appreciation for others. He was always willing to discuss, advise, and debate the pros and cons with his friends and family. He believed in doing the right thing, even when it was hard, and his honesty and integrity were an inspiration to all who knew him.
Chuck will always be remembered for his infectious laughter and love for life. He had a kind heart and a gentle spirit that touched the lives of everyone he met. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Rest in peace Chuck, and know that you are loved.
The family will be receiving guests during a Celebration of Life at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on Saturday, March 18th from 2:00-4:00 pm.